That’s more like it: Phillies 11, Red Sox 2

Last night was a mirage, a fantasy. It never happened and the Phillies began this series by putting a hurt on the Bos—

Ok, no, last night really did happen, but instead of rolling over and playing dead, the Phillies used a huge 8th inning to shellack the Red Sox bullpen and take a game that got uncomfortable at the end, but still ended in victory. It was much needed as the look to grab a .500 record before the All-Star break.

Jean Segura got the party started by homering off starter Martin Perez, giving them a 1-0 lead before Boston grabbed the lumber.

Even with Matt Moore on the mound, the Phillies didn’t give the lead away, adding on to it even when Alec Bohm took Perez deep in the second inning, extending the lead to three.

This time though, the Red Sox answered back in their half of the inning when Xander Bogaerts drilled a solo home run, making it 3-1. In the third, the Red Sox got another when a failed pickoff attempt by Andrew Knapp allowed Christian Vazquez to score. The score would go go 3-2 and stayed that way until the eighth inning thanks to some solid relief pitching from both sides. Moore had to leave in the fifth inning when Alex Verdugo got a one out single. Sensing danger in the form of J.D. Martinez, Joe Girardi wisely went to his bullpen, summoning Hector Neris to try and get a double play. Neris obliged, getting a 5-4-3 special and ending the threat. It was the correct move using the bullpen by Girardi, a rarity this season.

Bailey Falter would get the next two innings, allowing nothing and keeping the lead intact, though still perilously close. In the eighth, the Phillies broke it open.

Bryce Harper started it with a single, then moved up on a walk to Andrew McCutchen. Rhys Hoskins followed with an enormous double off the Green Monster, extending the lead to 5-2.

Didi Gregorius was hit by a pitch, the fourth batter of the inning who didn’t record an out, meaning a pitching change was in order. In came Brandon Workman, who did Brandon Workman things. He walked Luke Williams to load the bases, then gave up a one-run single to Ronald Torreyes, making it 6-2. When Workman walked the next batter and allowed another run, his day was complete but the Phillies’ offense wasn’t. Segura hit a two-run single, Harper hit a one out, two-run double and the score was suddenly 11-2.

The Red Sox would try to mount something in their half of the eighth, loading the bases with no one out against recently recalled J.D. Hammer, but he somehow survived without allowing a run (thanks to a good challenge) and allowing those watching to relax once more. Connor Brogdon retired the Red Sox in order in the ninth, ending the game and giving the Phillies another road win.

The rubber match is tomorrow against an old friend.