Phillies No Strangers by Sweeping Out the Rangers
Coming into Arlington this weekend, where the Phillies had lost ten straight, however after strong pitching and timely hitting, Philadelphia defeated Texas, 4-2 on Sunday afternoon, and completed a three game sweep.
Texas scored first in the bottom of the 1st, as with two outs, it was Joc Pederson, who was coming into the game batting .144, hit a curve ball that just got over the right field wall for his 4th long of the ball season, and making it 2-0.
(Photo- Tony Gutierrez - AP)
In the top of the 4th, the Phillies cut the deficit to 2-1, as after Trea Turner, and with one out, Bryce Harper roped a double down the right field line, which scored Turner easily.
In the top of the 5th, Philadelphia tied the game, as Edmundo Sosa hit a 0-2 slider, and deposited over the left center field wall for his 6th long ball of the year. Then, Bryson Stott got a single, stole second base, then scored, as left fielder Weston Wilson lined a singled to left, and giving the Phillies a 3-2 lead.
Phillies added one in the ninth inning, as Bader was hit by a pitch, then advanced on a sacrifice bunt, he then moved to third on a single by Stott and then scored on a Brandon Marsh sac fly.
Texas nearly tied it in the bottom half of the inning, as Corey Seager hit a ball to deep center field, but Harrison Bader leaped over the wall, and took a home run away to make an outstanding catch.
Today’s starters did not last long. Rangers starter, Patrick Corbin only went 4 1/3 innings, and allowed 4 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks and a strike out, while Phillies starter, Zack Wheeler, went just five innings, and allowed 3 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts, although he did gets his 10th victory of the year.
After Wheeler left, it was the Phillies bullpen consisting off Tanner Banks, Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering and Jhoan Duran. They pitched the final four innings, and allowed only three hits.
The victory along with the New York Mets loss, who were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers, increases Philadelphia’s lead to 5 ½ games.
Up next for Phillies
The Phillies now head off to Cincinnati, and will play a three-game series against the wild card chasing Reds. It will be Taijuan Waler going for Philadelphia, and Andrew Abbott going for the Reds. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.
-David Weightman/ Olde City Sports Network
