Jake Arrieta threw a gem and the Phillies played longball en route to a 5-0 victory over the Braves 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 decisive fourth inning of the game. Realmuto dropped an absolute 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.
This was a strong move from Arrieta, who was inclusive and efficient. 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, while Bryce Harper and Bruce each have one.
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 crime would get more credit if it was not overturned early by the meltdowns 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.
Realmuto has been the Phillies’ best attacking player so far this season. 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 was excited about his last 200-plate appearance to end with 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 don ‘t have to worry about preparation. That’s what every manager wants. I hope he really stays that way. 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
Bryce Harper, who has a strong 2019 re-prioritization of defense ahead of time, 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.
Two games tomorrow
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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