Smyly Dazzles as Phillies Reclaim Postseason Spot

On Tuesday, LHP Drew Smyly became the first Phillies southpaw to throw seven-plus scoreless innings since Cole Hamels in his last start with the club — a no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs on July 25, 2015

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Behind seven solid shutout innings from veteran LHP Drew Smyly, the Philadelphia Phillies (56-50) topped the San Francisco Giants (54-53), 4-2, Tuesday evening in the first of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Despite making his first career start both at Citizens Bank Park and against the San Francisco Giants overall, Smyly showed no signs of unfamiliarity on the pitcher's mound. He yielded just four singles and one walk, while striking out five batters on 103 total pitches (71 strikes, 11 swinging strikes).

With the win, the Phillies won their second straight game and reclaimed the second National League Wild Card spot with less than 60 games remaining in the season (upon conclusion of the Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals game). Also, the Phillies have now won seven straight home games against the Giants since June 2017, outscoring and outhitting them 50-20 and 73-47, respectively.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth; catcher J.T. Realmuto and second baseman Cesar Hernandez began the frame with back-to-back singles to center field. Both runners advanced into scoring position during Hernandez's hit. Then, third baseman Maikel Franco and left fielder Adam Haseley respectively followed with a RBI groundout and RBI double, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

One inning later, the Phillies would double their advantage, as following Bryce Harper's one-out walk, first baseman Rhys Hoskins launched a two-run blast to center — his 23rd home run this season and the 75th of his career through 308 overall games.

The Giants' two runs came opposite RHP Nick Pivetta in the eighth — pinch-hit home runs by Brandon Belt and Stephen Vogt. Right-hander Hector Neris closed the door in the ninth, securing his 19th save in 23 opportunities.

Game Notes:

• Through his first 13 innings (two starts) with the Phillies, Smyly has combined to allow just eight hits, one run (one earned) and three walks, while striking out 13 batters en route to a 0.69 ERA and 0.846 WHIP.
• Excluding RHP Aaron Nola, Smyly is the first Phillies pitcher to toss seven or more innings in a game since Zach Eflin (8 innings) against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 12.
  • He is also the first Phillies pitcher (excluding Nola) to throw at least seven scoreless innings since Eflin on May 11 (9 innings).
• The Phillies went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base. The club's defense turned two double plays.
• Harper went 0-for-1 with one run scored and three walks. Shortstop Jean Segura, meanwhile, went 3-for-5 with a double.
• The Phillies have just 56 games remaining and are on pace to win 85 games.
• Former Phillies third-round pick Zach Green started for the Giants at third base; he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, before being replaced by Pablo Sandoval.
• Giants rookie starting pitcher RHP Tyler Beede tossed five innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits, two walks and four strikeouts spanning 86 pitches and 58 strikes. Beede has now allowed four runs in each of his last two starts, tossing no more than 5 2/3 innings in either.
• Beede made his 14th career start — his first against the Phillies and 12th overall of 2019.
• Phillies utility player Scott Kingery's hitting streak ended at five games; he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.

What's Next:

• Wednesday, July 31, 2019: vs. San Francisco Giants, 7:05 p.m.
  • Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • RHP Jeff Samardzija (7-8, 3.95 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (3-5, 4.46 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP