Barn stomping: Phillies 7, Rays 0

Grapefruit League exhibition series helps jaded pros rediscover their love for the game

The Philadelphia Phillies (21-15) won their fourth straight series with a dominant road victory as they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (16-20) by a score of 7-0 on Wednesday night.

Trea Turner opened the scoring against Rays’ starter, Shane Baz, with a solo shot in the top of the third inning, his second homer of the year.

The offense kicked the door open in the top of the fourth inning with a five run outburst. A leadoff single by Max Kepler, walk by JT Realmuto, and a passed ball put runners in scoring position with no outs. Alec Bohm grounded sharply to shortstop and Kepler was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice. Two pitches later, Johan Rojas bunted back to Baz who threw home too late to catch Realmuto. Bryson Stott singled to score Bohm, Turner singled to score Rojas and Bryce Harper doubled home Stott and Turner.

Rojas singled to open the top of the sixth inning, stole second on the next pitch and came home on a Stott single, his second of the night.

Despite allowing only one hit across six scoreless innings and lowering his ERA below 3.00, Sanchez did struggle with his command as 38 of his 85 pitches missed the strike zone and led to three walks.

Taijuan Walker entered in the bottom of the seventh inning to mop up and ended up collecting his first career save after three scoreless innings to close out the game. He struck out the side in order in the seventh, struck out the side in the eighth (albeit with a two-out single by Yandy Diaz interspliced), and added another punchout on the final out of the game.

The offense put together 12 hits and two walks. Each of the Phils’ starting nine reached base safely and over half reached more than once.

Phils go for the sweep tomorrow night as Jesus Luzardo tangos with Ryan Pepiot.