Another big hit from Bryce Harper lifts Phillies to series sweep of Giants
Final Score: Phillies 6, Giants 1
It took a while, but the Phillies were able to get to Giants rookie starter Mason Black. Bryce Harper hit a three-run home run for a second straight day and Zack Wheeler returned to dominance in a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday to secure a rare wrap-around series sweep and sixth straight win.
Consider the fifth inning rally a reward for the Phillies’ ability to grind out the Giants’ starting pitching all series. Or you can call it poor managing. Giants skipper Bob Melvin had Black, a native of Scranton, Pa., come out to face the Phillies’ order a third time through in the fifth after walking two and allowing a run to score in the fourth. Black allowed five of the six batters he faced in the fifth to reach base.
The rookie Black was the only Giants starter to throw a pitch in the fifth inning all series.
The Phillies have won 10 of their last 11 and 17 their last 20. They are a quarter of the way to 100 wins.
Highlights
- Bryson Stott was tested almost immediately at shortstop and made a great sliding grab to an inning-ending double play in the first inning.
- In his first inning as a big leaguer, Black struck out J.T. Realmuto and Harper.
- Whit Merrifield broke through for the Phillies in the fourth, scoring Nick Castellanos.
- Harper crushed a middle-middle sinker for his second three-run home run in as many days.
- Following a double by Brandon Marsh, Castellanos drove in the fourth Phillies run of the inning on a double to right center field. Castellanos saw Black well all afternoon. He went 2-for-2 with a walk against the rookie right-hander.
- Kyle Schwarber added on in the eighth with a solo home run inside the right-field foul pole.
Notes
- Wheeler has struck out at least 10 batters in three of his eight starts this season. Overall, he pitched seven innings, allowing four hits and one unearned run.
- His fastball was working today. According to the Phillies, Wheeler induced 13 whiffs on his four-seam fastball on Monday. It’s the second-most whiffs he’s had in his career on the pitch behind the 14 he collected on Sept. 23, 2023, when he had 14 swings-and-misses on the fastball.
- Alec Bohm’s hitting streak was snapped at 18 games.
- Matt Strahm threw a scoreless eighth inning. His ERA on the season is down to 1.29.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Tuesday, May 7 vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park
- 6:40 p.m. EST
- NBC Sports Philadelphia
- 94 WIP
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