By: Matthew Mack
The Philadelphia Phillies played the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final home series.
Thursday, the Pirates scored six runs to start the game. Then the Phillies woke up. Didi Gregorius started with a home run in the third. Soon, the onslaught started from there. They rattled off 12 straight runs and never looked back from there. Ronald Torreyes and J.T. Realmuto also added home runs to run with the game 12-to-six.
Friday night, Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Gibson helped himself with a soo home run to get the scoring going. Pittsburgh answered back with Kevin Newman doubled to score two and Michael Perez hit a single for two runs in the fourth. Philly answered back with more runs from the fourth to the sixth to take the lead. Brad Miller led the charge with a solo bomb to right. Bryce Harper also added in the fray with an RBI double to right. Though the Pirates woke up with a two-run home run by Wilmer Difo in the seventh, Gregorius pimp slapped them back to where they were with a three-run home run to take the lead and the win eight-to-six.
Saturday night was Ranger Suárez Night. He told his team to get on his back and I’ll carry you. Along with Matt Vierling and Harper home runs and Miller’s RBI single, Suárez pitched a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts with four hits as he led the Phillies to a three-to-zero victory.
Going for the much needed sweep, the Phillies played for their home fans for the last time this season in hopes that it would not be the last time. The Pirates returned the favor from the night before as the pitching staff shutout the Phils six-to-nothing, dodging the sweep. Philadelphia mustered six hits but could do nothing with it.
The Phillies are going to Atlanta for a playoff like situation where they need to win as many games as they can. After playing the Braves, they go to Miami to finish the season. Taking care of business is very important now. As their margin for error is razor thin. With 2½ games out of first, a sweep is a must if they want to control their own destiny. Two out of three, they would need help. They know what is at stake. The playoffs start now.
