Phillies 6, Dodgers 2. Final score from when you were in bed on Tuesday night, assuming you’re 35+ and/or have children.

But the night owls got a good one in Los Angeles, a comprehensive win in which the Phils broke it out in the 6th inning, an earthquake was felt in the 7th, and a couple of insurance runs were added late via back-to-back solo bombs. They continue with the National League’s best record and have an opportunity on Wednesday night to win their first series since sweeping LA way back before the All-Star Break.

Some notes:

  • This is the second and final Dodgers series of the season, so they’re up 4-1 and at worst will finish 4-2 against LA in 2024.
  • Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol was one day off the IL and had to come out injured in the 6th inning. The Phils hammered his replacement, Brent Honeywell.
  • Cristopher Sanchez allowed just one run and five hits. He’s been so much better at home this season, but pitched a really nice road game when the Phils needed a win.
  • They put up 14 hits in this game. Everyone in the lineup got on base, with J.T. Realmuto and Brandon Marsh drawing a walk and HBP.
  • Rob Thomson played the hits with his bullpen choices. Matt Strahm got the Phillies out of the 7th, Jeff Hoffman handled the 8th, and then Carlos Estevez closed it out.
  • Shouldn’t be any worries about a post-Home Run Derby Alec Bohm slump. He had a three-hit night and in the 17 games since the break he’s logged 21 hits and 8 RBI.
  • Nick Castellanos knocked in another run. He’s been good since the break and looks much more like the guy he was last year.
  • Bryce Harper: 6 hits in his last three games. Fingers crossed that the slump is over.
  • Austin Hays since the trade: 10 hits in nine games, four RBI (all in the second Yankees game).

There was also a possum running around:

Could the possum be the turning point? If the Phils go on a heater from here, we’ll have to consider putting he or she on the Mount Rushmore of marsupials. I’d go possum, Tasmanian devil, koala bear, and then either the kangaroo or wombat. Tough choices. There are a lot of good pouch-containing mammals to choose from.


Pithy zoological musings aside, the Phillies have won 2 of 3, so we’re going glass half full on a Wednesday morning. Thinking positive thoughts and hoping for more of what we just saw.