Image: Alec Bohm, photo via flickr.com by Tom Hagerty
Over the weekend, the Philadelphia Phillies were victorious in their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox, going three for three at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies would outscore the White Sox 13–7 in runs across the three games, allowing only 13 hits from the opposition. Here’s how it happened:
Game 1
The Phillies started the series with a shutout win against the White Sox Friday night. The Phillies would match their seven hits with seven runs by the end of the game. Alec Bohm made history by being the first Phillies player with six runs batted in (RBI) in the first three innings of a game since Jayson Werth in 2008. Bohm’s runs gave the Phillies the 6–0 lead before heading into the top of the fourth inning. Whit Merrifield also made a name for himself as he hit his first home run of the season. On the defensive side, pitcher Spencer Turnbull was able to keep the no-hitter alive until the seventh inning of the game before Chicago’s Gavin Sheets hit a single. Orion Kerkering sealed the game after Turnbull’s departure to secure a 7–0 win. Turnbull would be named Player of the Game for his superior performance.
Game 2
In the second of three games, Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler came even closer than Turnbull by achieving a no-hitter until the top of the eighth inning. Wheeler’s efforts would assist the Phillies as Brandon Marsh hit a two-run home run to give the hosts a 2–0 lead. It would rain RBIs as the Phillies increased their lead to 9–0 thanks to Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, J. T. Realmuto, Marsh, Nick Castellanos and Johan Rojas. However, the White Sox put on a fight in the ninth inning scoring five runs to decrease the deficit by four. The White Sox managed to get the bases loaded with two outs, giving them a chance to tie the game. Pitcher Jose Alvarado’s one throw would eventually put a close to the game, giving the Phillies a 9–5 win on Saturday night.
Game 3
In the final game of the series, the White Sox would find themselves up 2–0 after Eloy Jiménez’s two-run home run in the top of the first inning. This would become Chicago’s only time scoring in Sunday’s game as the Phillies took control from then on. The Phillies responded quickly with a Harper RBI, allowing Schwarber to give the Phillies their first run of the day. Realmuto’s strike out at bat caused a burden of confusion for the White Sox defense as Harper’s attempt to steal second led to Turner’s run at home, tying the game. Just like the second game, base hits would start pouring in for the Phillies as they were able to find themselves 3–2 heading into the second inning. The Phillies would continue to score runs and extend their lead to 6–2 by the end of the fifth inning. It would take as long as the sixth inning for Schwarber to become Philadelphia’s first home run hitter of the day. This would be his first hit and home run of the series. The Phillies ended both the game and the series with an 8–2 win at Citizens Bank Park. Pitcher Aaron Nola would be named Player of the Game for his eighth inning performance.
Epilogue
The Phillies would improve their record to 13–9 after their trio of wins. They currently sit second in the National League East behind the Braves.
Billy Mills is a third-year Media & Culture major with a minor in Communication Studies. WM970057@wcupa.edu