Phillies Wheel and Deal to a Win
Philadelphia opened a six-game road trip with some impressive offense, as they hit three opposite field home runs, and a masterpiece by starter, Zack Wheeler, as they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 8-4 on Tuesday night.
The series is different than usual, as it is being played at George Steinbrenner Field, which is the home for the New York Yankees, but thanks to a hurricane destroying Tropicana Field, the Rays are playing all of their home games here for this year.
The Phillies scored three runs in the top of the second inning, as Kyle Schwarber hit his team leading, 12th home run of the season, as it just cleared the left-center field fence, and made the score, 1-0. The home run was Schwarber’s fifth home run in his last seven games.
Then, after Nick Castellanos doubled, as the ball bounced away from the center fielder, and his hustle beat the throw to second. Next up, third baseman, Alec Bohm, finally hit his first home run of the year, as he took a cutter, and went opposite field that made a 3-0 Phillies lead.
The Rays fought back, as in the bottom of the fourth, as after a double by Brandon Lowe, it was Yandy Diaz, who took a sinker, and hit it out to right center for his 5th round tripper of the year, and cutting the Phils lead to 3-2. The home run allowed by Wheeler, continues his streak, in which he has allowed a home run in every game he has started this year.
The Phillies got some insurance in the top of the eighth inning, as Trea Turner got a leadoff single to center off of Tampa’s new pitcher, Mason Englert. Then, after Bryce Harper singled to right, it was Schwarber again, as he hit a bloop single just in front of Rays’ right fielder Travis Jankowski, and Turner read it perfectly, and scored to make it 4-2.
Castellanos, then iced the game, as he blasted a sinker deep into the night, and making the score, 7-2. The three-run homer, was Nick’s 4th of the season.
Nick, then knocked in his 4th run of the night, with an RBI single in the ninth inning. Philadelphia was 4-9 with RISP.
Despite the home run allowed, the story of the game was the ace. Wheeler, at times, dominated Tampa Bay. Wheeler struck out nine batters tonight, and allowed only four hits in the seven innings he pitched to get the victory.
Up next for Phillies
The Phillies will have Cristopher Sanchez on the mound on Wednesday night, and he will face Shane Baz of Tampa Bay. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
-David Weightman/ Olde City Sports Network