Many Phillies followers have in all probability expressed such a sentiment in the course of the 2023 season. On Wednesday evening in opposition to the Rays, there was one other glimpse of the harm Philadelphia’s lineup can do when every thing goes as deliberate.
The Phillies pounded out 17 hits — most of which got here screaming off the bat — in an 8-4 victory at Tropicana Field. In the method, they handed the Rays simply their second collection loss at residence this 12 months and improved their highway profitable streak to 11 video games, the third longest in franchise historical past.
“Every inning, you’ve got guys on base, putting pressure on,” Turner stated. “There’s never an easy out, and I think today, that’s what allowed us to win this game. We just kept grinding them out, one through nine.”
Turner’s first season in Philadelphia has left a lot to be desired. He’s already made 10 errors, placing him on tempo to surpass his profession excessive of 16, whereas his offensive numbers are down throughout the board, resulting in an uncharacteristic 86 OPS+ getting into Wednesday.
Manager Rob Thomson stated previous to the sport that he didn’t sense any panic from his star shortstop, however as a substitute particular frustration as Turner has struggled to get on monitor.
“I’m hoping that all evens out and we see who he really is. … And my gut is that that’s what we’re going to see,” Thomson stated. “The good Trea Turner.”
That’s the man who confirmed up a couple of hours later. Turner recorded two hits, together with a fifth-inning residence run off a slider that clanged greater than midway up the left-field foul pole. It was Turner’s second residence run over the previous 25 video games — and his first away from Citizens Bank Park since May 2 at Dodger Stadium.
“I was glad I was able to keep it fair. I feel like I’ve hit a lot of foul home runs this year,” Turner stated. “ … Getting a breaking ball and keeping it fair was a good sign for me. This game is pretty hard, and I know I’m not always going to be perfect, but I’m definitely going to try to be.”
Realmuto entered the night mired in a 4-for-37 (.108) slide over his previous 10 video games, which had lowered his season common (.241) and on-base share (.300) to at the least 30 factors beneath his profession ranges. He snapped out of that funk in a loud method, smashing three balls in his first three at-bats at an exit velocity of at the least 100 mph. All three went for a success, together with an RBI single within the second inning.
It was the primary time this season that Realmuto recorded three hits in a recreation with a triple-digit exit velocity.
“He went through a stretch where his timing was off a little bit. Tonight, his timing was on,” Thomson emphasised about his catcher. “He goes through some stretches like that, especially with his leg kick. But right now, he’s swinging the bat well and he’s making solid contact.”
Nearly each Phillie made strong contact in opposition to the Rays; the membership registered a season-high 14 hard-hit base hits (exit velocity of at the least 95 mph) in opposition to the workforce with the most effective file within the American League. Second baseman Bryson Stott led the way in which together with his second profession four-hit efficiency. He has 28 multihit video games this season.
“I thought he should have had a chance at that All-Star Game, because he’s been really, really good for us,” Turner stated of his double-play accomplice.
All-Star Nick Castellanos crushed a 437-foot solo homer within the sixth inning, the primary of his profession in opposition to the Rays. That made him the 72nd participant to go deep in opposition to all 30 energetic groups within the common season.
Alec Bohm picked up three hits and his team-leading 56th RBI with a single that obtained the Phillies on the board within the second. Bryce Harper had two hits, together with a ringing 113-mph double within the third.
“It was a good night all around,” Thomson stated.
The offense backed beginning pitcher Taijuan Walker, who battled by way of seven innings regardless of not having his usually sharp command. Over his previous 5 begins, Walker had allowed solely three runs and 7 walks accross 32 innings. On Wednesday, he gave up 4 runs and walked 5 in what Thomson termed as an “effectively wild” outing.
But when the Phillies’ offensive stars are taking part in as much as expectations, their pitchers have loads of room for error.
“Right now, it’s as deep as it’s been,” Stott stated of the workforce’s lineup. “I just think everybody is finding their groove.”
Content Source: www.mlb.com