By: Matt Rappa, managing editor
Final: Phillies 4, Indians 3 ❖ Attendance: 23,636
PHILADELPHIA — Thanks to a three-RBI performance from shortstop Freddy Galvis, the Philadelphia Phillies (14-10) were able to secure their third consecutive series victory — and fifth consecutive win overall — as they defeated the Cleveland Indians (10-11) Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park, 4-3.
With 245 strikeouts over 216 1/3 innings, the Phillies pitching staff has set a Major League Baseball record for strikeouts-per-nine innings ratio in the month of April, 10.19. The previous record was set by the Boston Red Sox in 2013, 9.94 (255 strikeouts in 231.0 innings pitched).
Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez recorded his eighth save of the season in as many opportunities in the ninth, tying with five other players for second-most in the category.
The Indians have now lost five straight one-run contests. The Phillies, on the other hand, have won eight of their last nine.
WP: Andrew Bailey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) ❖ LP: Tommy Hunter (0-1, 9.00 ERA) ❖ SV: Jeanmar Gomez (8)
Hub: Game Summary ❖ Starting Pitchers ❖ At the Plate ❖ Bullpen ❖ What's Next
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
CLE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
PHI |
2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 4 | 7 | 0 |
Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera extended his hitting and on-base streak to 11 and 21, respectively, singling to center field on the first pitch to lead-off the bottom of the first inning. The next batter — shortstop Freddy Galvis — went yard for the third time of the season to give the Phillies an early 2-0 lead.
On inning later, they extended their lead to three. Left fielder Darin Ruf began the frame with the double and then advanced to third on a line-out by second baseman Cesar Hernandez to center field. Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff then helped his own cause with a RBI-single to center field.
That insurance run proved to be useful, as Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis brought home his team's first run of the night in the top of the third with a sacrifice-fly RBI to deep left field. Cleveland tacked-on another run via a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth, this time off the bat of catcher Roberto Perez to center field. They went on to tie the game three batters leader, as Kipnis hit a RBI-single to shallow center field.
The Phillies nearly answered back the next half-inning. Right fielder Peter Bourjos began the frame with a leadoff walk, followed by a single by Herrera to right to put runners on the corners and nobody out. Indians manager Terry Francona then pulled right-hander Trevor Bauer, who finished the night with five hits and two walks surrendered over four-plus innings.
Facing southpaw Kyle Crockett, Galvis grounded into a fielder's choice to third, with Bourjos being tagged out on a run-down. Right-fielder Joba Chamberlain then came in to face third baseman Maikel Franco, who lined out to right field. With two runners in scoring position at first baseman Ryan Howard up to bat, Herrera was ruled out at home for the final out, as he attempted to score the go-ahead run when the ball got away from Perez.
The game would remain tied at three.
Right-hander Andrew Bailey entered in relief of Eickhoff in the seventh. In six innings, Eickhoff allowed three runs on six hits and no walks for an even 1.000 WHIP ratio. In receiving the no-decision, his season ERA rose from 4.07 to 4.15. Bailey retired the Indians in order on just eight pitches.
The Phillies regained the lead after the stretch, 4-3. Pinch-hitter David Lough, who began the inning with a single, scored on a RBI-single by Galvis on a bloop fly ball to right field. This was Galvis' second hit and third RBI of the evening.
Elvis Araujo and Colton Murray — making his season debut after being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier in the afternoon for the injured Dalier Hinojosa (right hand contusion) — combined to preserve the Phillies' lead in the eighth.
Jeanmar Gomez recorded his eighth save of the season in the ninth, securing the Phillies the series victory. With two runners on, Gomez benefited from a strong defensive play by Bourjos in right to avoid his first blown save of the season.
The Phillies will look for their second consecutive sweep Sunday afternoon in the series finale.
IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trevor Bauer | 4.0 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5.28 |
Jerad Eickhoff | 6.0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4.15 |
Indians
- Jason Kipnis: 1-4, 2 RBI, .274 AVG
- Tyler Naquin: 2-4, R, 3B, .341 AVG
- Lonnie Chisenhall: 3-4, 2 R, 2B, .227 AVG
Phillies
- Odubel Herrera: 2-4, R, .313 AVG
- Freddy Galvis: 2-4, R, HR, 3 RBI, .233 AVG
- Jerad Eickhoff: 1-2, RBI, .300 AVG
Indians
- Kyle Crockett (5th): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Joba Chamberlain (5th, 6th): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Tommy Hunter (7th): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 9.00 ERA
- Dan Otero (8th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
Phillies
- Andrew Bailey (7th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Elvis Araujo (8th): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 1.80 ERA
- Colton Murray (8th): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
- Jeanmar Gomez (9th): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 1.80 ERA
- Sunday, May 1, 2016: vs. Cleveland Indians, 2:35 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Danny Salazar (2-1, 2.35 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (3-1, 1.78 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP