Suarez Wins Debut as Phillies Slug Franchise Record-Tying 7 Home Runs

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Playing in their 102nd game of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies slugged past the National League Central-worst Cincinnati Reds, 9-4, as southpaw Ranger Suarez won his MLB debut Thursday evening at Great American Ball Park.

Suarez did not record a quality start, yielding four runs and two home runs on six hits, one walk and three strikeouts spanning five innings and 75 pitches. The non-quality-start outing did not matter, however, as the Phillies offense came alive with 18 hits for the southpaw — slugging a franchise-record-tying seven home runs, which matches their seven blasts against the New York Mets on Sept. 8, 1998.

Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams and Maikel Franco each homered twice, while Carlos Santana homered once. The last time three different Phillies homered multiple times in the same game was also the Sept. 8 contest, nearly 20 years ago (Kevin Sefcik, Rico Brogna and Bobby Estalella). The last club overall to have three players with multiple home runs in the same game was the Boston Red Sox on Independence Day, 15 years ago (David Ortiz, Bill Mueller and Jason Varitek), according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Hoskins now has three doubles, six home runs and 10 RBI over his last six games, raising his batting average 10 points, from .250 to .260. Williams collected four hits in the win, while catcher Jorge Alfaro went 3-4 with a near-miss home run-turned double and walk.

The Phillies bullpen combined for four scoreless frames, allowing just two hits and no walks while punching out six batters. Luis Garcia struck out each of his three batters faced in the sixth, his third appearance since returning from the disabled list. Similarly, Pat Neshek tossed a scoreless seventh inning, maintaining his perfect 0.00 ERA through 10 appearances and nine innings this season. The right-hander has 18 straight scoreless appearances in a Phillies uniform dating back to July 6 of last season.

Suarez was the first Phillies left-handed starter since Adam Morgan on Sept. 28, 2016, breaking a franchise-high 267-game stretch of featuring a right-handed starting pitcher.

With the win, the Phillies have now won 17 of their last 25 games, and have improved their record against National League Central opponents this season to 18-9. The club is 14-7 in July, and currently holds a 2 1/2-game lead in the division, with 60 games to go.