Updated, 10 p.m.
Now that’s the version of Jake Arrieta that the Phillies need, the kind that can solidify a rotation.
Arrieta threw a gem and the Phillies hit two homers in a fourth inning of fourth to defeat the Braves 5-0 in Saturday’s Saturday opener at Citizens Bank Park.
Due to the win, the Phillies get up to .500 at 4-4. The Braves are 9-6.
JT Realmuto and Jay Bruce both homered in the deciding fourth. Realmutos was a bomb after the last row of seats in the first deck in left field. It was his fourth all this season, in 73 fewer record appearances than last year.
“He’s really turned into a premium offensive player over the last few years,” Bruce said of his teammate.
And the air horns go WILD.
JT destroys a solo shot for his fourth homer of the year. pic.twitter.com/LNpmR87iGg
– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 8, 2020
Bruce’s came on the first field against Judge Brayle Kyle Wright. He started left and Andrew McCutchen was DH. The Phils took advantage of Bruce’s extra bat in the lineup with a few homers.
Arrieta crucial
It was a strong kick from Arrieta, who was contained and efficient and sounded encouraging after the match. He put only two Braves on base over his first five innings on a few singles. He hit six and his sinker sat 93-94 mph.
Arrieta stepped out of a potential jam in his last inning, and found fortune in the form of a Dansby Swanson line-up right on shortstop Didi Gregorius, who threw after second seconds to double Adeiny Hechavarria.
Through two starts, Arrieta is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA.
“What I saw in the first two starts is very impressive in its execution,” Arrieta’s manager Joe Girardi said after the game. “He was sharp again last night. It’s really encouraging. I feel really good about what he’s going to do.”
Arrieta suffered an elbow injury last summer. He did not have the proper feel of his breaking ball and it affected his entire repertoire. There were nights when he did not know where the ball went.
Different story so far in 2020.
“I have more weapons at my disposal than I have had in the last few years,” Arrieta said. “I feel like I can keep the feel of my stuff deeper in games.”
I love those three-run things
Bruce’s three-run homer in the fourth inning was the Phillies’ fourth in eight games this season. Realmuto has two; Bryce Harper and Bruce have one piece.
The Phils have hit 12 homers in their eight games. They went Saturday night in the first rank in major in base percentage, sixth in percussion and fourth in OPS. The offense would have received more credit if it had not been flooded by the bounces from the start of the bullpen.
JT is on fire
An inning after hitting his fourth homer, Realmuto flew out to the scoreboard in center-right, just missing another one. He managed to focus sharply in his definitive AB. Even the outs are now crushed.
Realmuto’s best player is Phillies. They need him to start fast and he has that. Last season, Realmuto still hit the .250s in July with an OPS in the mid-70s. He rode the ball over his last 200-plate appearance to end a solid offensive year.
Over the course of its last 55 games dated July 27, Realmuto hit .305 / .356 / .634 with 17 home games and 46 RBIs.
“JT is super talented. He does so many things for this team,” Girardi said. “As good as he’s offensive, he puts his heart and soul into games and calls. JT’s player, you do not have to worry about preparation. That’s what every manager wants.
“I hope he stays really healthy like three months.”
Bullpen keeps getting up again
Jose Alvarez, Tommy Hunter and Deolis Guerra combined for three scoreless innings and allowed just one baserunner. The Phillies’ bullpen has allowed two runs in eight innings in their last two games, two steps in the right direction.
Before the game, pitching coach Bryan Price spoke about the need for the “second tier” of Phillies relievers to step up to the schedule with so many double buyers.
Harper does it with defense
Harper, who re-prioritized ahead of a strong 2019 defense, continues to impress in the field. He made this dive in the fifth inning Saturday. He also went 2 for 4 with a double.
These catch.
Just look. pic.twitter.com/uAfURHjYe5
– NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 8, 2020
The Phillies’ defense has not been a problem so far. They have committed just three errors in eight games, none of them new left side of the infield. Jean Segura bobbled a hot shot to third base in the first inning, but came back to get Swanson through a step on first base. It was the kind of game that could have changed the game early on if it had not been made, especially for Freddie Freeman.
Twin bill on Sundee
The Phillies play a seven-in-two doubleheader against the Braves Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Game 2 will start 40 minutes after game 1.
Vince Velasquez will start in one game and top prospect Spencer Howard will make his MLB debut in the other.
The four-game wraparound series ends Monday night with Aaron Nola against Atlanta.
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