Turner, Realmuto break out as Phils batter Rays

Many Phillies followers have in all probability expressed such a sentiment throughout the 2023 season. On Wednesday night time in opposition to the Rays, there was one other glimpse of the injury Philadelphia’s lineup can do when every thing goes as deliberate.

The Phillies pounded out 17 hits — most of which got here screaming off the bat — in an 8-4 victory at Tropicana Area. Within the course of, they handed the Rays simply their second collection loss at residence this 12 months and improved their street profitable streak to 11 video games, the third longest in franchise historical past.

“Each inning, you’ve obtained guys on base, placing stress on,” Turner mentioned. “There’s by no means a simple out, and I feel as we speak, that’s what allowed us to win this sport. We simply stored grinding them out, one via 9.”

Turner’s first season in Philadelphia has left a lot to be desired. He’s already made 10 errors, placing him on tempo to surpass his profession excessive of 16, whereas his offensive numbers are down throughout the board, resulting in an uncharacteristic 86 OPS+ getting into Wednesday.

Supervisor Rob Thomson mentioned previous to the sport that he didn’t sense any panic from his star shortstop, however as an alternative particular frustration as Turner has struggled to get on observe.

“I’m hoping that every one evens out and we see who he actually is. … And my intestine is that that’s what we’re going to see,” Thomson mentioned. “The great Trea Turner.”

That’s the man who confirmed up a couple of hours later. Turner recorded two hits, together with a fifth-inning residence run off a slider that clanged greater than midway up the left-field foul pole. It was Turner’s second residence run over the previous 25 video games — and his first away from Residents Financial institution Park since Might 2 at Dodger Stadium.

“I used to be glad I used to be in a position to maintain it honest. I really feel like I’ve hit a whole lot of foul residence runs this 12 months,” Turner mentioned. “ … Getting a breaking ball and maintaining it honest was a superb signal for me. This sport is fairly arduous, and I do know I’m not all the time going to be good, however I’m undoubtedly going to attempt to be.”

Realmuto entered the night mired in a 4-for-37 (.108) slide over his previous 10 video games, which had lowered his season common (.241) and on-base proportion (.300) to a minimum of 30 factors under his profession ranges. He snapped out of that funk in a loud means, smashing three balls in his first three at-bats at an exit velocity of a minimum of 100 mph. All three went for successful, together with an RBI single within the second inning.

It was the primary time this season that Realmuto recorded three hits in a sport with a triple-digit exit velocity.

“He went via a stretch the place his timing was off slightly bit. Tonight, his timing was on,” Thomson emphasised about his catcher. “He goes via some stretches like that, particularly along with his leg kick. However proper now, he’s swinging the bat nicely and he’s making stable contact.”

Almost each Phillie made stable contact in opposition to the Rays; the membership registered a season-high 14 hard-hit base hits (exit velocity of a minimum of 95 mph) in opposition to the crew with the perfect document within the American League. Second baseman Bryson Stott led the best way along with his second profession four-hit efficiency. He has 28 multihit video games this season.

“I assumed he ought to have had an opportunity at that All-Star Recreation, as a result of he’s been actually, actually good for us,” Turner mentioned of his double-play companion.

All-Star Nick Castellanos crushed a 437-foot solo homer within the sixth inning. It was his second-longest residence run of the season and the primary of his profession in opposition to the Rays. That made him the 72nd participant to go deep in opposition to all 30 lively groups within the common season.

Alec Bohm picked up three hits and his team-leading 56th RBI with a single that obtained the Phillies on the board within the second. Bryce Harper had two hits, together with a ringing 113-mph double within the third.

“It was a superb night time throughout,” Thomson mentioned.

The offense backed beginning pitcher Taijuan Walker, who battled via seven innings and notched his tenth win regardless of not having his usually sharp command. Over his previous 5 begins, Walker had allowed solely three runs and 7 walks accross 32 innings. On Wednesday, he gave up 4 runs and walked 5 in what Thomson termed as an “successfully wild” outing.

However when the Phillies’ offensive stars are taking part in as much as expectations, their pitchers have loads of room for error.

“Proper now, it’s as deep because it’s been,” Stott mentioned of the crew’s lineup. “I simply suppose everyone is discovering their groove.”