Monday night, Philly fans saw an exciting 8th inning rally leading to a 5-4 victory over the New York Mets. Down 4-0 going into the bottom of the 8th, J.T. Realmuto led off the comeback with a two-run shot to left-center for his first home run of the year. With the balling rolling, the comeback was completed with two huge doubles by Rhys Hoskins and Didi Gregorius. Rhys smashed a ball to the left-field corner as Castellanos whipped around the bases, running the way all Philly fans would hope the new 100 million dollar man would. Brad Hand cemented the comeback victory with a thrilling save, the first in his Phillies uniform.
Another highlight from Monday’s game would be Alec Bohm’s career record he set at third base. Unfortunately, it isn’t the most ideal record to break. Bohm recorded three errors in just three innings of play. It certainly was a captivating performance that Philly fans rewarded by letting out a massively sarcastic cheer during Bohm’s next successful infield defensive play on a routine throw to first. Bohm was shown on camera muttering his frustration with the crowd’s treatment as his lips read “I f**king hate this place”. Postgame, Bohm apologized and explained that his failures got to him and I think most Philly fans were ready to cut the 25-year-old a break. Additionally, Bohm did not let his defensive struggles bleed over to the plate. Bohm went 1-1 on the night with a walk that started off the 8th-inning rally.
Game two of the series was far less eventful. Phillies’ Ace, Zack Wheeler, pitched into the fifth inning allowing only one run on a Nimmo solo shot. The Phillies were shut out by Megill and the Mets’ bullpen, recording six hits and too many runners left in scoring position. Getting five innings from the returning Wheeler was more than the Phillies
could have hoped for and yet this “overpowered” offense was dead silent. A team built around offense before defense certainly needs to find some kind of groove once they head on the road.
To close out the series, Nola and Scherzer faced off in what turned out to be the highest-scoring game of the week for both teams. Pete Alonso clawed the Phillies’ pitching staff to shreds with a five-RBI day including a three-run bomb to blow the game open at 8-1. The Phillies’ offense responded late in the game; scoring six runs. Multiple hit days for Castellanos, Camargo, and Stott. Even after the bats woke up, it still wasn’t enough to overcome a Mets team that outplayed this Phillies team for nine innings. A small silver lining would be 2021 NL MVP Bryce Harper waking up from his week-long nap with a solo shot. Hopefully, this is the return of Harper’s much-needed bat.
The Phillies head on the road tomorrow for the start of another divisional series. This time playing the last-place Marlins.
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