Phillies win first series as Aaron Nola dominates Mets again and Rhys Hoskins delivers huge hit
If the Phillies are going to make a move in the National League East standings, the time is now.
They beat up on the New York Mets, 6-2, at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday night. The victory marked just the second time the Phils have won two in a row this season. They walked-off the Mets in the first game of the series on Friday night.
Having earned their first series win of the season, the Phils, now 7-9, will go for a sweep on Sunday afternoon.
After Friday night’s win, the Phils were well-positioned to do some damage in the series because they had their two best pitchers scheduled to go the next two days. Zack Wheeler gets the ball against his former club Sunday afternoon. Aaron Nola showed him the way with seven shutout innings Saturday night.
The Phillies got an early home run from Jean Segura then blew the game open with five runs against Mets starter Steven Matz in the fifth. Rhys Hoskins highlighted the rally with a three-run double to the gap in right-center.
Nola’s night
The right-hander scattered three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.
Over his last three starts against the Yankees, Braves and Mets, Nola has pitched 21 innings, allowed eight hits, two runs and three walks. He has 30 strikeouts over that span.
After a rough finish last season, Nola is back to his 2018 form with three pitches working.
He is the first Phillie since the current mound distance was established in 1893 to allow three or fewer hits and strike out eight or more batters in three straight starts. Not too shabby.
The Hoskins factor
Perhaps the most positive development of the night for the Phillies was the swing that Hoskins put on a first-pitch sinking fastball from Matz in the fifth inning. The pitch was on the outer part of the plate. Hoskins, looking to be aggressive with the bases loaded, jumped on the pitch with a beautiful swing – head down and through the ball. He didn’t try to yank it to the pull side. The result was a hard-hit, bases-clearing double.
Hoskins had entered the game hitting .200 with just one RBI. It was the type of swing and contribution that a player can build on.
Back in there
Scott Kingery returned to the starting lineup after sitting out three games. He started in center field for the first time this season.
Kingery entered the game in the throes of a 4-for-40 slump that essentially cost him the regular second base job. He went hitless in three at-bats.
Kingery appeared to be working on some adjustments, specifically using the middle of the field more, with hitting coach Joe Dillon during batting practice. Dillon appeared to be shooting video of Kingery on his phone.
Kingery talked about his tough start and change in role here.
Up next
Wheeler (2-0, 2.89) will oppose his former team for the first time in Sunday afternoon’s series finale. Rick Porcello (1-2, 5.68) will pitch for the Mets.
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