Jake Arrieta pitched a gem and the Phillies played longball en route to a 5-0 win over the Braves in Saturday's series opener at Citizens Bank Park.
The win gets the Phillies to .500 at 4-4. The Braves are 9-6.
J.T. Realmuto and Jay Bruce both homered in the game's decisive fourth inning. Realmuto hit an absolute bomb to the last row of seats in the first deck in left field. It was his fourth already this season, in 73 fewer plate appearances than it took him last year.
"He's really turned into a premium offensive player over the last couple years," Bruce said of his teammate.
And the airhorns go WILD.
J.T. destroys a solo shot for his fourth homer of the year. pic.twitter.com/LNpmR87iGg
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 8, 2020
Bruce's came on the first pitch against Braves right-hander Kyle Wright.
This was a strong outing from Arrieta, who was locked-in and efficient. He put only two Braves on base over his first five innings on a pair of singles. He struck out six and his sinker sat 93-94 mph.
Arrieta pitched out of a potential jam in his final inning, finding fortune in the form of a Dansby Swanson line drive right at shortstop Didi Gregorius, who threw to second to double off Adeiny Hechavarria.
Through two starts, Arrieta is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA.
"What I've seen in the first two starts is extremely impressive in its execution," manager Joe Girardi said of Arrieta after the game. "He was really sharp tonight again. It's really encouraging. I feel really good about what he's going to do."
Gotta love those three-run dingers
Bruce's three-run homer in the fourth inning was the Phillies' fourth in eight games this season. Realmuto has two while Bryce Harper and Bruce have one each.
The Phils have hit 12 homers in their eight games. They entered Saturday night ranked first in the majors in on-base percentage, sixth in slugging and fourth in OPS. The offense would be receiving more credit if it wasn't overshadowed early by the bullpen's meltdowns.
J.T. is on fire
An inning after hitting his fourth homer, Realmuto flew out to the scoreboard in right-center, just missing another one. He lined out to sharply to center in his final AB.
Realmuto has been the Phillies' best offensive player so far this season. They needed him to start fast and he has. Last season, Realmuto was still hitting in the .250s in July with an OPS in the mid-.700s. He was awesome over his final 200 plate appearances to finish with a solid offensive year.
Over his last 55 games dating back to last July 27, Realmuto has hit .305/.356/.634 with 17 home runs and 46 RBI.
"J.T.'s super talented. He does so many things for this team," Girardi said. "As good as he is offensively, he puts his heart and his soul in defense and calling games. J.T.'s a player you don't have to worry about being prepared. That's what every manager wants. I hope he stays really hot for like three months."
Bullpen holds up again
Jose Alvarez, Tommy Hunter and Deolis Guerra combined for three scoreless innings and allowed just one baserunner. The Phillies' bullpen has allowed two runs in eight innings in its last two games, two steps in the right direction.
Before the game, pitching coach Bryan Price talked about the need for the "second layer" of Phillies relievers to step up with so many doubleheaders on the schedule.
Harper does it with defense
Bryce Harper, who reprioritized defense prior to a strong 2019, continues to impress in the field. He made this diving catch in the fifth inning Saturday. He also went 2 for 4 with a double.
This catch.
Just look at it. pic.twitter.com/uAfURHjYe5
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 8, 2020
The Phillies' defense has not been an issue so far. They've committed just three errors in eight games, none from their new left side of the infield. Jean Segura bobbled a hot shot to third base in the first inning but recovered to get Swanson by a step at first base. It was the kind of play that could have altered the game early if it wasn't made, especially ahead of Freddie Freeman.
Two games tomorrow
The Phillies play a seven-inning doubleheader against the Braves Sunday beginning at 1:05 p.m. Game 2 will begin 40 minutes after Game 1.
Vince Velasquez will start in one of the games and top prospect Spencer Howard will make his MLB debut in the other.
The four-game wraparound series ends Monday night when Aaron Nola faces Atlanta.
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