Ad Disclosure
Friday Night’s 7th Inning Was the Best of the Phillies Season
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
The Phillies got a big series opening win on Friday night against the Mets after the offense exploded for six runs in the 7th inning.
It was the best inning of the entire season from the Phillies’ offense. Zack Wheeler didn’t have his best stuff, but still fought his way through five shutout innings. Taijuan Walker allowed back-to-back home runs to Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil in the 6th, and it seemed like an extremely-winnable game was slipping away. Following five huge outs from Tanner Banks against the top of the Mets lineup, the Phillies offense exploded with the following:
- Brandon Marsh double
- Trea Turner RBI double
- Kyle Schwarber walk
- Alec Bohm RBI single
- Nick Castellanos RBI single
- Max Kepler flyout
- JT Realmuto walk
- Bryson Stott 3-run double
If you haven’t already seen the funniest play of the Phillies season, here it is. JT Realmuto nearly caught Nick Castellanos on the bases at home plate:
Realmuto spoke after the game, and said he made a decision rounding third base.
“We were either both going to be safe, or both going to be out”
The Phillies have been owned by the Mets over their last 5 matchups before Friday’s win. They lost Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS to be eliminated from the postseason, and then got embarrassed at Citi Field back in April in a series that was never close, no matter what the scoreboard ever said.
They needed this one, and so did the fans. You obviously want to win this series, and they can do that on Saturday with Mick Abel making his first career start against the Mets. But the Phillies need to show the fanbase that they won’t let the Mets walk all over them. I’ve said it over and over again: this Mets lineup isn’t anything to write home about. Lindor, Soto, Alonso at the top is awesome, but once you get to the 5-9 range, it’s not a good lineup. It showed last night.
It feels like a few weeks ago, the Phillies lose that game. Instead, they had probably their best offensive inning of the season. Driving the ball into the gap, using the entire field, and fantastic baserunning. Whether they say it or not, the Phillies went into last night’s game like it was a playoff game, and they’ll be doing the same thing tonight.
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