KANSAS CITY The Phillies were thrilled to see Ranger Surez back on the mound Saturday night, and nothing could spoil his triumphant return. Pitching for the first time since late July, Surez made his comeback in style, delivering five solid innings in the Phillies' dominant 11-2 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The win helped the Phillies maintain a five-game lead over Atlanta in the NL East race.
After dealing with lower back soreness that sidelined him for just over a month, Surez was placed on a pitch count for the outing. However, his efficiency on the mound allowed him to go deep enough into the game to secure his first win since June 8. The left-hander allowed only four hits and one run, throwing 72 pitches, and finished his night by striking out two batters with runners on base after Kansas City had narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the fifth inning.
But it wasnt just Surezs return that stole the show. Catcher J. T. Realmuto delivered an outstanding performance at the plate, blasting two three-run home runs and adding another RBI on a groundout in the ninth. Realmuto started his big night with a powerful 393-foot shot off Brady Singer on a 3-0 pitch in the sixth inning, putting the Phillies up 5-1. Then, in the eighth, Realmuto sent a 424-foot blast into the fountains in left-center, this time off Royals reliever Chris Stratton.
Bryson Stott also contributed significantly to the win, tying his career high with four hits as the Phillies scored six runs off the Royals' bullpen in the later innings.
Manager Rob Thomson was all smiles after the game, especially after Surez's successful return to the mound. "Tremendous," Thomson said of his starter https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/kyle_schwarber_jersey-206. "He was mixing his pitches well, keeping hitters off-balance, and landing his breaking balls when it counted. He was fantastic. "
Thomson mentioned that he had set a pitch limit of 75 for Surezs first start back but anticipated that the number could increase by 15 to 20 pitches in future outings. "Next time, well probably go with six innings and maybe 90 pitches," he said.
For Surez, the outing went just as planned. I felt great every inning, he said through an interpreter. Im just happy I could contribute to a win tonight.
Realmutos power display was a highlight, as he collected seven RBIs with just three swings of the bat. The opportunity to swing at a 3-0 pitch in the sixth was one he took full advantage of. In that situation, Im looking for one pitch in one location, Realmuto explained https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/jordan_romano_jersey-280.
The two batters in front of Realmuto were on base due to some luck. A miscommunication between Royals second baseman Michael Massey and right fielder Hunter Renfroe allowed Nick Castellanos popup to fall in, and Stotts routine grounder took an unexpected hop, setting up the scoring opportunity.
Once J. T. hit that first three-run homer, it was a huge sigh of relief, Thomson said. It really opened the game up for us.
While Realmutos two homers and seven RBIs were impressive, he also took pride in catching Surezs strong return. "He was sharp. He looked like he hadnt missed a beat," Realmuto remarked. "He commanded the zone well, stayed ahead of hitters, and got strikeouts when he needed them. Hes a calming presence on our team. When hes on the mound, we feel confident. "
KANSAS CITY The Phillies were thrilled to see Ranger Surez back on the mound Saturday night, and nothing could spoil his triumphant return. Pitching for the first time since late July, Surez made his comeback in style, delivering five solid innings in the Phillies' dominant 11-2 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The win helped the Phillies maintain a five-game lead over Atlanta in the NL East race.
After dealing with lower back soreness that sidelined him for just over a month, Surez was placed on a pitch count for the outing. However, his efficiency on the mound allowed him to go deep enough into the game to secure his first win since June 8. The left-hander allowed only four hits and one run, throwing 72 pitches, and finished his night by striking out two batters with runners on base after Kansas City had narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the fifth inning.
But it wasnt just Surezs return that stole the show. Catcher J. T. Realmuto delivered an outstanding performance at the plate, blasting two three-run home runs and adding another RBI on a groundout in the ninth. Realmuto started his big night with a powerful 393-foot shot off Brady Singer on a 3-0 pitch in the sixth inning, putting the Phillies up 5-1. Then, in the eighth, Realmuto sent a 424-foot blast into the fountains in left-center, this time off Royals reliever Chris Stratton.
Bryson Stott also contributed significantly to the win, tying his career high with four hits as the Phillies scored six runs off the Royals' bullpen in the later innings.
Manager Rob Thomson was all smiles after the game, especially after Surez's successful return to the mound. "Tremendous," Thomson said of his starter https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/kyle_schwarber_jersey-206. "He was mixing his pitches well, keeping hitters off-balance, and landing his breaking balls when it counted. He was fantastic. "
Thomson mentioned that he had set a pitch limit of 75 for Surezs first start back but anticipated that the number could increase by 15 to 20 pitches in future outings. "Next time, well probably go with six innings and maybe 90 pitches," he said.
For Surez, the outing went just as planned. I felt great every inning, he said through an interpreter. Im just happy I could contribute to a win tonight.
Realmutos power display was a highlight, as he collected seven RBIs with just three swings of the bat. The opportunity to swing at a 3-0 pitch in the sixth was one he took full advantage of. In that situation, Im looking for one pitch in one location, Realmuto explained https://www.philliesplayerfanstore.com/jordan_romano_jersey-280.
The two batters in front of Realmuto were on base due to some luck. A miscommunication between Royals second baseman Michael Massey and right fielder Hunter Renfroe allowed Nick Castellanos popup to fall in, and Stotts routine grounder took an unexpected hop, setting up the scoring opportunity.
Once J. T. hit that first three-run homer, it was a huge sigh of relief, Thomson said. It really opened the game up for us.
While Realmutos two homers and seven RBIs were impressive, he also took pride in catching Surezs strong return. "He was sharp. He looked like he hadnt missed a beat," Realmuto remarked. "He commanded the zone well, stayed ahead of hitters, and got strikeouts when he needed them. Hes a calming presence on our team. When hes on the mound, we feel confident. "
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