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Clutch Bats and Jhoan Duran Shut the Door in Phillies’ Third Straight Win
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
Tuesday night felt like a postseason atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park.
The news about Zack Wheeler hit the Phillies’ clubhouse three days ago. Cristopher Sanchez is the new Phillies #1 ace for the foreseeable future, and he looked like it in the Phillies’ third straight win.
Sanchez dominated the entire night, fanning 12 batters, allowing just six hits and two runs in six and a third innings. His season ERA is down to 2.46. He’s been an absolute horse in 2025, and they’re going to need it for the rest of the season.
Kyle Schwarber got it started early with a solo homer in the first. Schwarber has now homered in 15-straight series, which sets a new franchise record. He’s tied with Shohei Ohtani for the NL lead at 44:
The Phillies offense chipped away while Sanchez was dealing throughout the night, with a Bryce Harper sac fly and a J.T. Realmuto RBI single bringing the score to 3-1 in the 3rd. Bryson Stott, who hasn’t homered in over three weeks, cracked a solo homer in the 4th to extend the Phillies’ lead, 4-1.
Sanchez was pulled in the 7th inning and left to a standing ovation at Citizens Bank Park as he tipped his cap. Unfortunately, it would end up being a no-decision for him, as Orion Kerkering struggled and allowed the Mariners to tie it at 4.
The biggest surge of the Phillies’ offense has been Realmuto, who is now hitting .310 against right-handed pitching this year. He demolished a two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to give the Phillies the lead after Kerkering’s rough 7th:
David Robertson looked great again, putting the Mariners down 1-2-3 in the 8th. Robertson has yet to allow a run this season, and would be followed by Phillies closer Jhoan Duran in the 9th, who sat the top of the Mariners order down 1-2-3 to close out the game.
The Phillies look like a clutch baseball team, which isn’t something we can always say. It feels like they’re always going to get the big hit right now, no matter who it is. And if you get to the 9th inning with the lead, the game is probably over. They’ll go for the sweep of the Mariners Wednesday at at 1:05 p.m.
Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com