Phillies

The Phillies’ Win Over the Red Sox Tonight Gives Me Life

By Bob Wankel

Published: Aug 15th, 2018 · 11:20 PM EDT

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Listen, the Phillies should have swept this little two-game series with the Red Sox. They should’ve won the first game in Boston when Aaron Nola went eight innings and allowed only one run at Fenway a few weeks ago. If we’re being completely honest, they probably should’ve won all four games they played against the Red Sox, a team that remains 50 games over .500 after losing tonight. After all, Phillies pitchers allowed a total of 10 runs over four games to a Boston offense that has scored more runs than any team in baseball this season:

Red Sox runs per game against the Phillies this season: 2.5

Red Sox runs per game against all other teams: 5.6

I’ve been pretty agitated about the Phillies’ offense lately, and I have some concerns about their ability to sustain a quality offensive effort on a consistent basis moving forward, but whatever. This was a terrific win for a young team that has been going through it lately. Wilson Ramos, my new dad, led the way with a career-best three extra-base hits:

Decent first impression, IMO. pic.twitter.com/LNyxUeK7qJ

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 16, 2018

Amazing what happens when a hitter finds the gap a few times for a team that entered tonight 29th in doubles this season.

And how about Hector Neris doing that magic he did with the game on the line in the third inning?

In his first big league appearance since June 29, Hector Neris strikes out .. ?https://t.co/UnLJyZHtCQ
Vía MLB pic.twitter.com/ldHGjCzp3O

— Platano Power RD (@PlatanoPowerDO) August 16, 2018

In fact, the entire Phillies bullpen was lights out in a game in which they allowed zero earned runs over six-plus innings. It was integral in allowing the Phillies to overcome a team that entered the night 59-8 when scoring the first run.

Am I annoyed the Braves won again? Absolutely. I’m a little on edge about it, but let me tell you a story. As I was driving home after the game tonight, “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner came on the radio (I manually played it on Spotify), and I crushed the chorus. Knocked it out of the park. It was like Foreigner’s lead singer Lou Gramm and I were kindred spirits. The emotion of the moment was raw and pure. I felt firm and alive, like anything was possible. Like anything is possible. And while I sort of felt like this team was doomed last night, now I feel strong and confident. I feel reborn. The Phillies are going to win the division.

Sing it with me: