The Phillies took on the Chicago White Sox in a double header Tuesday on the South Side of Chicago after Monday night’s game was postponed due to cold and flurries. It was an opportunity to win a series in just one day, but sweeps in double headers are not easy to come by, especially not for the Phillies. This double header would be no different, unfortunately. The 1st game actually started in a very promising way, with Bryson Stott extending his hit streak to start the season to 17 games, a new Phillies record. It was a great moment for the kid, and, though his streak would end in game 2, allows him to stand alone in the Phils’ record books. It also helped the Fightins take a 3 run lead in the top of the 1st inning. 2 more runs in the top of the 3rd would be all the team would need against a struggling Chicago team. Zack Wheeler, who started game 1 for Philly, gave up 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd to make it a 5-4 game, but Chicago wouldn’t score again. Game 1 ended up in the Phils’ pocket, 7-4.
Game 2 would not be as kind to the Phillies offense, unfortunately. Bailey Falter faced off against Lucas Giolito, and Falter would give up 3 runs before even recording a 2nd out in the start. Believe it or not, those 3 runs in the 1st were the only runs for either side in the contest. Falter ended up settling in, throwing 7 innings of 3 hit baseball, but was outdueled by Giolito and the White Sox pen. The Phillies finished the game with 1 lone hit, courtesy of a Brandon Marsh double in the top of the 8th. It was a miserable baseball game to watch, especially from a Phillies fan’s perspective, but, at least they got out of the double header with one win. That’s not the worst result, even though there was an opportunity to take both games if things swung a little differently.
Now, at least, the Phillies have an opportunity to win the series with a victory in Wednesday’s afternoon game. Taijaun Walker takes the mound for the Phillies, and they’ll see a somewhat familiar face for the White Sox. Mike Clevinger, who the Phillies last saw in the NLCS this year as they absolutely torched him on their way to the World Series, will be starting for Chicago. Hopefully this start will go much like his last one against the Phillies, and a series win is in the cards.
