They hit us, but we hit back — harder. Phillies 11, Cardinals 1

I’ll be the first to say it, that one felt good.

After an embarrassing showing by the Phillies yesterday, they showed up in force tonight, and powered over the Cardinals for a dominating win.

Perhaps the most promising of all winning factors for the Phillies tonight was the outing strung together by none other than Aaron Nola, who lowered his season ERA to 4.57, and now boasts a 1.47 ERA and 17 K over his last 3 starts.

The Offense:

After a silent 1st, the Phillies exploded in the 2nd inning, which was lead off with an outstanding base-running play from Odubel Herrera who, on a slow dribbler to center, legged out a fully-fledged double. Cesar Hernandez then walked, and Maikel Franco reached on a botched fielders choice, scoring Herrera, and putting runners on 2nd and 3rd, no outs. Aaron Nola then stepped into the box, and laid down a bunt that led to a throwing error by Cardinals’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, which allowed Cesar to score.

Andrew McCutchen then drew a walk to load the bases, and Jean Segura smacked a hot-shot line out, which brought the one and only Bryce Harper to the plate... and I think you know the rest.

Harper tattooed a grand slam to right field, solidifying the Phillies 6-0 lead over the Cardinals — in the second inning no less.

The scoring picked back up again in the 5th, and it was just as rapid. Three straight singles from Bryce, Rhys, and JT tacked on another run, and a fielders choice from Odubel drove in Hoskins, making it an 8-0 Phillies lead.

In the bottom of the 6th, Aaron Nola acquired his only blemish on the night, as he let Matt Wieters get all of a two-seamer, giving the Cardinals their solitary run of the game.

The Phils proceeded to answer back in the 7th, as an Odubel Herrera double would plate Rhys Hoskins, while a Cesar Hernandez sac-fly would plate JT Realmuto, all but assuring the win on a Phillies 10-1 lead.

There was, however, one final killing blow, as Rhys Hoskins, who had an absolutely absurd night at the plate, stroked a solo shot to left in the 9th, totaling the final score of this one at 11-1.

Notable Lines:

Rhys Hoskins: 4-for-5, 2B, 3 R, RBI, SO

Bryce Harper: 2-for-3, Grand Slam, 2 R, BB

JT Realmuto: 2-for-4, R, RBI

Odubel Herrera: 2-for-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI

Aaron Nola: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K

Final Thoughts:

And thus, the Phillies answered a 6-0 loss with an 11-1 win, because toucan play at that game.

In all seriousness, they made a real albatross of this Cardinals defense.

All jokes aside, our offense really put them through the winger tonight.

Okay, okay I’m done.

This was a brilliant win for the good guys — one that we needed. It’s important that they maintain this tenacity and ferocity moving forward, as they’ll face Jack Flaherty tomorrow — after he dominated this team in the Spring.

Let’s win this series tomorrow! #WingTheBell