Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Game 49 - Suarez's Historic Run Continues in Win

Phillies 5
Rangers 2
Game 49 - Tuesday Night, May 21st in Philadelphia
Record - 35-14, 1st Place, 6 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez improved to 9-0 on the season, striking out 10 and dropping his ERA to 1.36 in this 5-2 win over the defending World Champions.

What It Means:  Each additional win signifies another high water mark and highlights that this season could go down as one of the best seasons in Phillies franchise history.  The Phillies look confident and unbeatable.

What Happened:  Suarez is the best pitcher in baseball right now.  He allowed a run on five hits before yielding to his bullpen, and Jose Alvarado struck out a pair to record his ninth save.  The Phillies offense tied the game at 1-1 in the third when Kyle Schwarber singled home Brandon Marsh.  In the fourth, they took the lead when Bryce Harper laced a lead-off double to center and Alec Bohm singled him home.  Harper hit his 11th home run of the season to center in the sixth, and two more runs scored in the eighth on Bohm's RBI double and Bryson Stott's sacrifice fly.

Bohm's 44 RBIs leads the National League, and his 19 doubles leads the majors.

Featured Card:  Sarah Langs posted that only four pitchers since 1913 have started a season with a 9-0 record and a sub-1.50 ERA:  Cy Falkenberg in 1913, Eddie Cicotte in 1919, Juan Marichal in 1966 and Suarez in 2024.  This is Suarez's rarest (?) baseball card from 2024, available to members of the Phillies Kids Club.

Field Report:  Along with 41,000 other fans, I was at the ballpark, enjoying the latest win from the breezeless Section 138 as part of a work event.

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