Just when you thought you were out on the Phillies, they pull you back in.

The Phils completed a two-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with a 5-2 win at Fenway Park, making it their first series win in Boston since 1999.

It wasn’t a good start early as Drew Smyly gave up two runs off five hits in 3 2/3 innings. He threw 84 pitches. That ain’t a good line. But a combined bullpen effort from Jared Hughes, Ranger Suarez, Mike Morin, Jose Alvarez, and Hector Neris pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings and allowed only three hits with six strikeouts.

As for the bats, it took them some time but things looked better in the fifth. Bryce Harper hit a go-ahead two-run homer over the Green Monster. Corey Dickerson brought home two more runs in two at-bats in the seventh and ninth innings to add some insurance runs for the Phils.

They didn’t gain a ton of ground in the wild card hunt as they’re now a game and a half back of that second spot. But it could have been much worse if the team dropped both games of the series.

An off-day for the Phillies as they travel down south to Miami to take on the Marlins for a weekend series that begins Friday. 56 games left in the regular season. It ain’t over yet.

The Roundup:


Make sure you listen to the latest edition of the Crossing Broadcast, which covers a bevy of topics on all your Philly teams and other sports happenings.


With the Phillies off, the Eagles have their third preseason game tonight against the Baltimore Ravens at the Linc. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM on NBC 10.

The two teams had a couple of joint practices earlier in the week. Ravens safety Earl Thomas is a big believer in the hype surrounding Carson Wentz.

“I would tell you, in this league there’s a small pool of guys that you would classify at an elite level…And I think he’s definitely in that pool.”

We’re not sure who may or may not play, but it could be another game without the majority of the first-team starters and perhaps even Josh McCown. But there are still some guys to watch.

Plenty of guys seeing their stock rise with the end of training camp, including Miles Sanders.


Please enjoy this video compilation of Ben Simmons shooting. He has a shot.


A toddler thought Gritty was Cookie Monster. You hate to see it.


In the most important declaration since the Declaration of Independence, Anthony “The Cuz” Gargano has declared Philadelphia a five-for-five town. The Union have finally been recognized.


In other sports news, the XFL released team names for their eight franchises.

Gas station sexual enhancement pills are a big problem in Major League Baseball.

The Pac-12 is saying no to 9 AM local kickoffs for this season. It’s a pretty dumb idea anyway.

Speaking of college football, here’s 10 reasons why it’s better than the NFL.


In the news, a woman was shot in the head in West Philadelphia with her killer still at-large.

The first manned Titanic expedition in 14 years shows the ship is deteriorating.