In last night’s game, the Phillies jumped out a big lead in the first inning, only to do nothing the rest of the way but give back the lead and the win. Today, the roles were switched. Arizona got out to a quick lead, then watched their starter give it all back.
I like it better that way.
Taijuan Walker started for the Phillies and did his usual “let’s spot the opposition the lead” thing that he seems to do each first inning of his starts. Today, he gave up a solo home run to Ketel Marte to begin the game.
Adrian del Castillo followed that with a one out RBI single to give the Diamondbacks a 2-0 lead before most people had settled into their seats. It’s a familiar scene with Walker, but has some good news. Once he gives up those first inning runs, he usually settles down after that and give the Phillies a chance to get back into the game. That happened today.
In the bottom of the third, Alec Bohm reached on an error, then went to second when Justin Crawford singled to begin the frame. With one out, Kyle Schwarber stepped up and delivered to get a lead.
What’s nice is that, with Brandon Pfaadt still in, Bryce Harper decided to give it a go on his own, going back-to-back with Schwarber to lengthen the lead.
From there, Walker and the bullpen took over.
Walker was very good once he was able to settle in, going five innings and only allowing those two runs. Tim Mayza and Orion Kerkering got out of a mini jam in the sixth inning before the seventh got a bit hairy. Jose Alvarado came in that inning with two outs and immediately hit Alek Thomas with a pitch. Thomas stole second, then went to third on a throwing error by J.T. Realmuto to put a run 90 feet from home before Alvarado induced a groundball to end the frame.
In the eighth, Brad Keller let in a two-out run thanks to a walk and two singles, but emerged victorious and not relinquishing the lead. Jhoan Duran took the ball in the ninth and went 1-2-3 to lock down what felt like a badly needed victory.
The offense still not scoring too many runs is still an issue, but a win is a win and the Phillies needed one. They’ll try and take the series tomorrow with Andrew Painter on the mound.
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