“It’s a nice day…let’s play two.” Phillies should have won both but settle for a split. Two games that were eerily familiar saw the New York Mets and your Philadelphia Phillies each take a 2-1 decision. Aaron Nola (5 1/3 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs a walk, and 12 strikeouts) tied a 51-year-old Major League record with 10 consecutive strikeouts.
Two For the Price of One
If you are going to tie a record, make it the record of a legend. Nola did just that matching Tom Seaver. Nola even supplied two hits including a double to plate Travis Jankowski. Nola’s reward? Manager Joe “Captain Hook”’ Girardi yanked him with a 1-0 lead. Bear in mind, doubleheaders are only seven innings so the manager had confidence the bullpen could close it out.
Francisco Linder got things even with a single before Dominic Smith ended things with a walk-off single. It should never have come to that as Newly anointed closer, Jose Alvarado made a high but very catchable throw that Rhys Hoskins mishandled due to sunlight.
Easy fix right? Sunglasses… Hoskins had them but, they were on the brim of his cap.
Matt Moore (5 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, a walk with 2 strikeouts) got the start in the second game and was saved with a high light reel home run robbing catch by Andrew McCutchen off the bat of Albert Almora in the second frame. “That was the difference in the game,” manager Joe Girardi said.
“What a great play,” Moore said. “The turning point in the game. Cutch is a stud.”Bryce Harper connected on yet another solo homer. All 11 have been solo shots. Harper celebrated by blowing kisses to the jeering Mets fans while rounding the bases. Following the Game 1 pattern, the bullpen blew another save, their 18th in 34 tries to, of course, lead the major leagues.
Again to follow the script, an error opened the door for New York. Alec Bohm was responsible in this game. Saving the day, or more like the game, it was Travis Jankowski scoring on an Odubel Herrera ground out in the top of 8th. With Alvarado unavailable and The Phils needing three outs, with a runner starting at second, who would you go to pull it out? Recently demoted former closer, Hector Neris? Well, buckle up, Neris came in a retired the Mets in order to get the much-needed sweep. Let’s play two on a Friday.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
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