Mr. June arrives in a big way for Phillies with multi-homer night in win over Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
BOSTON – On the 11th day of the month, Mr. June finally arrived.
With a pair of home runs from Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies wasted no time getting back into the win column, defeating the Red Sox 4-1 at Fenway Park.
Maybe all the traveling the past two weeks has messed up his internal clock, but Schwarber, who was 5-for-28 heading into Tuesday’s series opener, had his 27th career multi-home run game.
His first, which came on the first pitch of the night, was a doozy. Schwarber crushed a doubter from 400 feet to right center field with a fastball right up the middle of the plate. It is the furthest ball he has hit this season.
The second was located just a short distance to the right of the previous one, landing in the front row of seats behind the bullpen.
Two home runs. 871 feet.
There are few things in life more consistent than Schwarber flaring up in June, although none come to mind right now.
Oh, here’s one, Zack Wheeler.
After giving up a run in the first inning for the first time in his 14 starts, Wheeler closed in. He pitched seven innings, allowing three hits, only one run and struck out four.
It was also a costly night full of mistakes for the Red Sox and the Phillies found a way to capitalize on every mistake.
With Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott in scoring position, David Dahl hit a grounder to first base in what should have ended the fourth inning. Instead, first baseman Dominic Smith missed a fly ball, allowing both runs to score.
Since we’re on the topic of consistency, let’s touch on Matt Strahm.
After striking out in the eighth inning, Strahm has now gone 26 and two-thirds innings without allowing an earned run. His ERA has dropped to 0.67.
Trea Turner goes down, Edmundo Sosa comes up. Brandon Marsh goes down, Dahl steps up. And now JT Realmuto goes down and Garrett Stubbs steps down.
Prior to the start of Tuesday’s game, the Phillies placed Realmuto on the 10-day injured list. Realmuto will undergo a right knee meniscectomy on Wednesday in Philadelphia and is expected to miss “about a month.”
Where Realmuto left off defensively, Stubbs picked it up right away. He caught Connor Wong at second with a perfect throw to Sosa. It is the fourth time this season that Stubbs has thrown out a runner at second. Stubbs also singled that night.
The Phillies will see a familiar face tomorrow when Nick Pivetta (3-4, 3.40 ERA) takes the mound for the Red Sox. He will face Cristopher Sanchez (3-3, 2.71 ERA).
Then, for Thursday’s series finale, it will be Aaron Nola (8-2, 2.77 ERA) taking on Tanner Houck (6-5, 1.91 ERA).
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