Phillies defeat Rangers 5-2, expand division lead to 6 games

The Phillies seem to accomplish something historic every day lately, and Tuesday was no exception. The Fightins beat a Texas Rangers team that they hadn’t defeated since 2014, they matched the 1976 Phils for the best 49-game start in franchise history, and starting pitcher Ranger Suarez posted the lowest ERA (1.36) through 10 starts by a Phillies pitcher in over a century.

There’s more, of course. With a win on Wednesday, this year’s Phillies would leave the 1976 squad behind and become the only group in franchise history to win 36+ of their first 50 games. The 2024 Phils are already the only team in franchise history to win 27+ games in any 33-game span. And Suarez’s sparkling numbers can be presented in a virtually unlimited number of record-breaking ways. For example:

Suarez’s line on Wednesday: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 108 pitches (70 strikes).

“It’s kind of mind-boggling, the historic run that he’s been on” said manager Rob Thomson when asked about Suarez after the game. “He’s been pitching great, and knock on wood he keeps it going.”

“He goes out there every fifth day and he does his job, man,” said Bryce Harper. “He knows what it takes to win games. He knows how to pitch.”

Suarez, while generally flawless in this one, did allow a single and a double in the top of the third inning, allowing the Rangers to take a brief 1-0 lead. But, as they’ve done so often this season, the Phillies answered right back in the bottom of the inning: Brandon Marsh scored from second base on a Kyle Schwarber single.

The Phillies then took the lead in the fourth. After Harper doubled, Alec Bohm drove him in with a single. Bohm leads the National League in RBI this season, providing tremendous protection for Harper when batting behind him in the lineup.

“Bohm’s RBIs just continue, he’s been fantastic in that four-spot,” said Thomson.

Harper did more damage in the sixth, hitting his eleventh home run of the season (a solo shot). And Bohm did more damage in the eighth, hitting his MLB-best 19th double of the season to score Kyle Schwarber. The Rangers had tagged relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman for a run in the top of the eighth, but Bohm’s double and a sacrifice fly by Bryson Stott made it a 5-2 game.

That was more than enough breathing room for Jose Alvarado to close things out and pick up his ninth save of the season. Coupled with an Atlanta Braves loss, the Phillies win put them six games up in the National League East.

Just another night, another W, and another great experience at the ballpark for the Phillies fans swarming the Bank this season. Tuesday’s attendance was a near-sellout.

“It just shows you the passion of our fanbase. And how much they like coming here and watching these guys play,” Thomson said afterwards. “I know our guys appreciate it, they love having a full ballpark here, and I think it energizes them and gets them going.”

Expect another big crowd on Thursday as the Phillies try to make more history. Taijuan Walker (3-0, 4.91 ERA) will face Rangers RHP Dane Dunning (3-2, 4.10 ERA). 6:40 p.m. start.

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