Trade deadline pickup Edmundo Sosa is paying dividends for the Phillies this week, as he’s been a driving force in their past two wins. The Panamanian infielder homered for the second straight night, and made an unbelievable play to cut down JJ Bleday on the basepaths. Tonight’s 4-3 win over the Marlins helps soothe the anguish many fans felt after the Phillies’ disastrous West Coast road trip last week.
It wasn’t the Phils’ big boppers who made the difference on Wednesday night, but instead their contact hitters supplied the power. Both Sosa and Jean Segura cranked dingers, while Matt Vierling supplied two hits of his own. Overall, Sosa went 3-3 on the night, falling only a triple shy of the cycle and knocking in three runs. Alec Bohm and Rhys Hoskins collected one hit apiece, while Bryce Harper earned a walk.
Bailey Falter was solid once again on Wednesday, tossing 5.1 strong innings of two run ball, surrendering seven hits and walking none, while fanning three. It wasn’t quite a masterpiece, but the 25-year-old southpaw gave the Phillies yet another quality performance. Andrew Bellatti locked things down in the sixth after Falter allowed runners to reach first and second, and then worked a scoreless seventh. José Alvarado continued to dominate with a one-two-three eighth inning, and in the process brought his season ERA under 4.00, now sitting at 3.92. Connor Brogdon was shaky to start the ninth, giving up a solo shot to Jacob Stallings and a single to Jerar Encarnación, but settled down and retired the next three batters to lock up the save.
It was a much-needed win for a Phillies club that scuffled mightily last week. Now they’re on a little winning streak of their own, and face the Marlins and Nationals in their next seven games. If they continue to make hay against inferior opponents, it’ll make things that much easier when they start facing stronger squads like the Braves, Blue Jays and Astros.