Jose Bautista already knows the deal. The Phils lose the first two games in a series but then show some signs of potential life in the third.

With the game tied at six in the bottom of the seventh, the right fielder recorded his first hit with the Phils, an RBI single that brought in the eventual game-winning run in an 8-6 victory.

It didn’t start well, especially for Jake Arrieta. Despite driving in two runs in the bottom of the second, he gave up two two-run homers in the top half of the third inning to Trea Turner and Juan Soto. That would be the end of his short night, as Gabe Kapler opted to use seven relief pitchers for the final six innings, including three in the eighth.

Down three in the fifth, Carlos Santana showed up at a much-needed time with a grand slam to put the Phils up a run. Washington tied it a half-inning later, but Bautista and Rhys Hoskins brought home two runs in the seventh and eighth to secure a big Phillies win.

With the win and a Braves loss, the Phils are now 3.5 games back of first in the NL East with just about a month left to go. That also means Kapler is slightly adjusting his pitching rotation, moving the “awesome” Aaron Nola up a day to face the Cubs on Sunday while moving Vince Velasquez back to Monday against the Marlins.

The Phils are off today but will host the Cubs for a three-game series beginning tomorrow night. Those same Cubs are taking on the Braves today.

The Roundup:


Kyle used his sports betting knowledge for a special post for PhillyVoice.


The preseason ends tonight as the Birds host the Jets in the finale, aka the one where all the backups and roster hopefuls scrap it out one last time. That game is at 7 PM on NBC10.

One guy that came out of the blue during training camp has been defensive tackle Bruce Hector. He’ll now probably make the team.

“He’s impressed us all along the way,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. “But I think the thing that’s been most impressive is that there’s a lot of guys that look good early and then they level out, or they fade, or they can’t stay healthy, or they plateau and they just don’t improve, [but] that’s not Bruce. Bruce impressed us early, but going on he has steadily improved. And he’s been on the field and he’s healthy enough to be on the field.

“Then in the last couple games, particularly in the last game, we got him some reps up against some better players and some better competition. He responded well. Those are all things you look for. He’s on the right track.”

Go ahead and read between the lines there. It certainly seems like Hector is on the squad.

The biggest story of the day turned out to involve a former Eagle. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks was charged by the federal government for insider trading. The Browns then released him.

Some local band tried to do a cover of “No One Likes Us” and “Fly Eagles Fly.” Some think it’s good, but I hate it. But this is my favorite part about it:

https://twitter.com/notkerouac/status/1034894621451714560


The Sixers signed swingman Anthony Brown, who will probably be someone for their training camp roster.


Wayne Simmonds provided an update on contract talks. It’s only preliminary conversations for now.


The Union are…really good? They shut out DC United 2-0 last night. They’ll be in Orlando Saturday night to take on Orlando City SC.


In other sports news, Aaron Rodgers got PAID. The Packers also traded Brett Hundley to the Seahawks.

The Jets sent Teddy Bridgewater to the Saints. That means Sam Darnold will probably start Week 1.

The Brewers’ Christian Yelich went 6-for-6 and hit for the cycle last night.

Jerry Jones wants an 18-game regular season.

Clint Dempsey announced his retirement.


In the news, a person has been arrested in the death of a former Playboy model.

Papa John’s pretty much said “FU” to Papa John.

An e-cigarette exploded in someone’s pants.