Gold glove defense across the board made this one a breeze
Much was made of the mediocrity of the Rockies acting as the remedy for the Phillies’ recently anemic offense going into this series. Yesterday, they eked out a win in a game in which it felt like neither team had the drive to win. Tonight was a different story.
Behind a career best outing by their third starter and a bounce back performance from their stifled leading man, The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-0 in the second game of the three game series.
Ranger Suarez set a tone in the first inning that he did not relinquish for the duration of the evening.
Chill PFP. All this comebacker needed was Ranger Suárez to yawn after he caught it… pic.twitter.com/br4TbZoRTP
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 16, 2024
In the bottom of the first, Trea Turner extended his streak of reaching base safely to nine games when he hustled to first on a grounder that forced an errant throw by Rockies’ shortstop, Ezequiel Tovar. After a Bryce Harper strikeout, JT Realmuto worked a seven-pitch at-bat that ended with a curveball from Rockies’ starter, Austin Gomber, landing in the left center field seats for a 2-0 lead.
J.T. Realmuto – Philadelphia Phillies (3)
pic.twitter.com/Jv4bPmsLRo— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 16, 2024
Suarez was completely dominant from start to finish. He got through the first three innings with 25 pitches (20 strikes), facing the minimum thanks to a double play he started. He was more human in the middle innings, needing 48 pitches to get through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but he also recorded four of his eight punch outs during that span. Ranger needed only 16 pitches to get through the seventh and eighth, again facing the minimum due to a terrific play off the wall and throw by Brandon Marsh to nab Rockies’ first baseman, Elehuris Montero, stretching out a single at second.
Brandon Marsh lets it Phly pic.twitter.com/CG2dnE3Smx
— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2024
The Phillies would tack on insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings, both times courtesy of Harper. In the bottom of the sixth, Turner knocked a double to the left field gap, his fifth of the season and extended his hitting streak to six games. Harper worked an eight-pitch at-bat, fouling off four pitches in a row before connecting on a curveball for a double of his own and an RBI.
Thank you, Bryce ☝️ pic.twitter.com/QXPMOCozy1
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 17, 2024
Rockies’ reliever, Tyler Kinley, walked Johan Rojas to begin the bottom of the eighth inning. Rojas stole second on a pitch that struck out Kyle Schwarber swinging. After a pop up by Turner, Harper continued his resurgence with his second extra base hit of the game, a two-run homer to right field.
Philly loves him. Baseballs fear him.
Bryce Harper has left the building. pic.twitter.com/so4BGsZWRB
— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2024
Suarez ran into his only real jam of the night in the bottom of the ninth. Beginning the inning at 89 pitches, he allowed a leadoff single to Rockies’ DH, Charlie Blackmon. Ranger ran up a full count against Tovar before striking him out looking but then allowed another single to Rockies’ third baseman, Ryan McMahon, to put runners on first and second. After another full count worked by Montero, it was fair to wonder if the attempt at the complete game was overreaching. Then Montero whiffed on a changeup and Ranger did his thing.
COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT FOR MR. RAGER pic.twitter.com/3UxY41knEZ
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 17, 2024
It was the last of five balls he fielded on the night and they resulted in six outs.
Suarez improved to 3-0 in four starts this season, tied for the major league lead at the time of writing. He’s now riding a 16 inning scoreless streak going back to the fourth inning of his start in Washington ten days ago.
The Phillies will look to complete their first sweep of the year tomorrow at 6:05pm as Cristopher Sanchez faces Rockies’ righthander, Ryan Feltner.