There’s nothing quite like a comeback win – and it certainly came at the perfect time.
After suffering an early five-run deficit, the Phillies fought back Wednesday to avoid being defeated by the Diamondbacks. Alec Bohm’s bases-loaded single in the 10th inning gave the Phillies a 6-5 win and brought the team back to three games under .500 at 23-26.
The win was just what the Phillies needed before embarking on one of their more difficult road trips of the 2023 season.
Ranger Suarez has had just his third start of the season since returning from an elbow injury. The initial difficulties continued for him as he conceded hits to the first two batters he faced, Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll.
Metel scored on a groundout against Bohm and luckily Suarez got out of the inning unharmed…but that didn’t last long.
After a promising second inning, Suarez went down again, giving up four more runs. His day was over after five innings.
You have to keep your fingers crossed for a player like Garrett Stubbs. The first time out on the Phillies orders, he was the only one to get on base with a bunt and lots of rushing. With limited playing time behind JT Realmuto, he always seems to find his way on base. This was only his fifth start in May and he scored successfully on all of them.
Zac Gallen wasn’t one of the hottest pitchers in Major League Baseball for nothing, and he really showed his talent against the Phillies.
He allowed singles to both Bryce Harper and Kody Clemens in the sixth before his day was over. The D-Backs brought in Kevin Ginkel, which finally woke up the Phillies’ offense. Bohm and Brandon Marsh complemented the singles move, with the pair completing three runs.
A two-run home run to end the game at the end of the ninth round? It’s certainly a way out of a crisis, Trea Turner. With his fifth home run of the season, Turner sent it into extra innings. The boos from the 41,544 spectators at Citizens Bank Park soon gave way to cheers for the shortstop, who finally got a break.
“That was great,” said manager Rob Thomson after the win. “Maybe that’s his signature moment that brings him here. He hit the ball hard three times today, right field, midfield, and then he hits the home run, so his shots were better.”
As Nick Castellanos started the end of the 10th court in second, an intentional walk to Kyle Schwarber and a Clemens walk strained the bases. From there, Bohm only needed one pitch to complete that game.
Since the daycare celebrated after every win this season, they had to go to great lengths to have a true walk-off celebration.
It won’t slow down that quickly either. The Phillies are entering a dangerous period and playing their next 10 away games against teams from the National League East.
They begin the road trip Thursday with a four-game series against the Braves, then face the Mets and Nationals. While the season is still early, this could well be a defining moment for the Phillies’ near future.
Aaron Nola (3-4, 4.31 ERA) will be on the mound for Game 1 against the Braves. He’s made one of his most dominant starts of the season; Nola went through seven strong innings and had ten strikeouts in his last game against the Cubs.
The Phillies will need this version of Nola against the division’s top team.