Title: Phillies Defeat Diamondbacks in Game 5 to Take 3-2 Series Lead
Date: [Insert Date]
The Philadelphia Phillies showcased their resiliency and power-hitting prowess on Saturday night, securing a 6-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5 of the NLCS. With this win, the Phillies now hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, putting them just two wins away from advancing to their second consecutive World Series.
Right from the start, the Phillies established control of the game by scoring two runs in support of their starting pitcher, Zack Wheeler, before he even threw his first pitch. This early momentum set the tone for the rest of the game.
The dynamic duo of Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper proved to be a nightmare for Diamondbacks’ pitcher Zac Gallen. Schwarber and Harper hit a combined total of 905 feet worth of solo home runs in the top of the sixth inning, doubling the Phillies’ lead. This was not the first time they got the better of Gallen, as they had also homered off him in the first inning of Game 1. Gallen, a Cy Young candidate, had a tough outing, allowing four runs and striking out just one batter.
It was Schwarber and Harper who initiated the Phillies’ scoring in the first inning as well, each delivering a single to put runners on the corners. Following an Alec Bohm foulout, Bryson Stott came through with a clutch two-out RBI single. On the next play, J.T. Realmuto made a daring steal of home, giving the Phillies their first-ever postseason steal of home while inadvertently making contact with the D-backs’ catcher Gabriel Moreno.
With his 11th postseason home run, Schwarber is now tied with Jayson Werth for the most home runs in Phillies playoff history. Schwarber’s 20 career postseason homers also set a new record for the most by a left-handed hitter.
Realmuto added to the Phillies’ offensive onslaught with a two-run homer in the eighth inning, ending a streak of 16 consecutive solo home runs for the team. These extra runs proved crucial, as they allowed the Phillies to limit their usage of relievers for matchup purposes.
Although Wheeler was not as dominant in this outing as he had been in his previous postseason starts, he managed to control the Diamondbacks’ offense, giving up only one run over seven innings and striking out eight batters. In 10 career playoff starts, Wheeler has held opponents to a minuscule slash line of .164/.211/.256.
Wheeler’s lengthy outing was vital for the Phillies, who had heavily relied on their bullpen in the previous two games. The team was able to preserve their key relievers, staying away from the likes of Craig Kimbrel and Orion Kerkering. Only Jeff Hoffman, Seranthony Dominguez, and Matt Strahm made appearances in relief, with Strahm facing just one batter. With a day off on Sunday, the entire bullpen will be well-rested and available for Game 6.
The Phillies will now head back to Citizens Bank Park, where they have enjoyed a perfect 6-0 record this postseason. With a historical home record of 28-11 in MLB playoff history, the Phillies will look to close out the series and secure their spot in the World Series when they face off against the Diamondbacks in Game 6 on Monday.