Back 2 Life: Phillies 6, Giants 4

The reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated.

The bats finally woke up after a week long nap as the Philadelphia Phillies (10-7) took game two against the San Francisco Giants (12-5) by a score of 6-4 to tie the four-game series.

The Phillies drew first blood off Giants’ starter, Justin Verlander, in the second inning with a leadoff homer by JT Realmuto and a Brandon Marsh sacrifice fly that scored Max Kepler (double).

Dread began to build in the fourth inning when the Giants tied up the game after a squandered opportunity in the bottom of the third. Verlander issued back to back walks to Trea Turner and Bryce Harper to begin the frame but the side was somehow retired in order thanks to a caught stealing and a fly out double play. Then Luzardo gave up a one-out double to Matt Chapman, a walk to Wilmer Flores and a single to Casey Schmitt to knot it up.

Jesus Luzardo went five and a third allowing three runs on five hits, two walks and four strikeouts, though the third run came around with Orion Kerkering on the mound.

Four singles in the bottom of the sixth by Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Realmuto and Alex Bohm scored two to give the Phillies the lead and chase Verlander from the game.

Jordan Romano pitched a one-two-three top of the seventh inning including a three-pitch strikeout.

Bryson Stott led off the bottom of the seventh with his first triple of the year. Two batters later, Harper got the green light on a 3-0 slider and sent it over the wall in right to extend the lead to three.

Jose Alvarado drew set up duty against the top of the Giants’ lineup and allowed back to back singles to Helios Ramos and Willy Adames to put runners on the corners with no outs. Ahead 1-2 on Jung Hoo Lee, Alvarado landed a 99 mph sinker on the outside corner that was appallingly declared a ball. Four pitches later, Lee would single to right to cut the lead to two.

Matt Strahm needed just seven pitches for a one-two-three ninth inning to close it out for the save.

The four-game series continues tomorrow night as Aaron Nola opposes Robbie Ray.