After struggling to break free from a losing streak, the Phillies needed this victory, especially following a disappointing four-hit shutout the night before against one of the league’s weakest teams. The once-dominant Phillies utilized Schwarber’s timely slam to end a four-game losing streak, marking only their eighth win in 24 games since the All-Star break.
Just hours after manager Rob Thomson hinted at a possible team meeting, the Phillies delayed access to the clubhouse by 70 minutes before the game. When asked about the meeting, Thomson simply replied, “what happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse.”
Meanwhile, Thomson made a bold move by benching All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, who has struggled significantly, batting just .168 with 20 strikeouts since the All-Star break and only three hits over his last five games despite being in the second year of a $ 300 million deal.
“It’s about spending more time in the cage to refine his swing, keeping him off his feet, and allowing him to take a breather,” Thomson explained.
Tyler Phillips, a South Jersey native who grew up cheering for the Phillies, faced a tough start, surrendering a three-run homer to Jonah Bride in the first inning, which set a discouraging tone for the game.
The Phillies managed to narrow the score to 3-2 against Edward Cabrera (2-4), but Jesús Sánchez then added a run-scoring single, and Bride contributed a sacrifice fly in the fourth, extending the lead to three runs.
In the fourth inning, after two singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs, Schwarber hit a changeup to left-center for his 28th home run of the season, giving the Phillies a 6-5 advantage.
The Phillies fans, who had expressed their frustration with boos in recent games, cheered loudly for Schwarber’s pivotal hit.
José Ruiz (3-1) closed out the fifth inning, securing the win.
Alec Bohm added an RBI single, and J.T. Realmuto broke the game open with a two-run double in the seventh, stretching the lead to 9-5.
Since the All-Star break, the Phillies have struggled, losing two of three games to teams like Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Cleveland, and Seattle, getting swept in a three-game series by the Yankees, and finishing a 4-6 road trip against the Dodgers and Arizona.
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