Phillies awaken with 5 in 8th to beat Mets
J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and Rhys Hoskins and Didi Gregorius followed with run-scoring doubles that helped the Phillies rally past the Mets 5-4 in Philadelphia on Monday night.
The Phillies trailed 4-0 before they scored five runs in the eighth against two New York relievers. Realmuto’s first homer of the season deep into the left-field seats made it 4-3. Hoskins ripped a tying double to left off Seth Lugo, and Gregorius lined one into the rightcenter gap for a 5-4 lead.
The NL East rivalry is just warming up: New York plays the Phillies 12 more times before the end of May.
“I think we understand that our division is very tough and every game means something,” Philadelphia manager Joe Girardi said, “but you can’t make too much of three games in April.”
Rockies 6, Rangers 4: Jose Iglesias’ fourth hit was a tie-breaking RBI single in the 10th inning, and Colorado won a game-ending replay challenge, spoiling Texas’ home opener. After Texas pinch-hitter Willie Calhoun hit a tying drive in the ninth, Iglesias put Colorado ahead in the 10th and Connor Joe added a homer off Greg Holland, the eighth Texas pitcher. Mitch Garver walked with one out in the Rangers’ 10th, then was forced out sliding into the bag as second baseman Brendan Rodgers’ relay throw was wide of first — allowing Marcus Semien to score from second and Adolis Garcia to move up a base. Colorado manager Bud Black challenged the play, and after a lengthy review, it was determined that Garver’s slide interfered with the fielder. Garcia also was ruled out, ending the game.
Blue Jays 3, Yankees 0: George Springer answered booing fans with a go-ahead, two-run homer and an RBI double, and the Toronto extend its Yankee Stadium winning streak to five. Alek Manoah allowed one hit over six innings, Joey Gallo’s opposite-field single with one out in the second, striking out seven and working around four walks. Springer remains targeted by fans for his time on the 2017 championship Houston Astros, found guilty by Major League Baseball of stealing signs.
Tigers 3, Red Sox 1: Javier Baez hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the eighth for host Detroit. Baez drove in Austin Meadows with a 396-foot shot to left off Ryan Brasier. Michael Fulmer pitched the eighth, and Gregory Soto got three outs for Detroit’s first save of the season. J.D. Martinez homered for Boston. Austin Davis took the loss after giving up one run and two hits in one inning.
Guardians 10, Royals 7: Cleveland rookie Steven Kwan hit a basesloaded triple while becoming the first player to reach base at least three times in each of his first four games. Kwan, who went 5-for-5 and safely reached six times a day earlier, finished the series in Kansas City 9for-13. He got on base in 15 of 19 plate appearances and scored four times. His three RBIs in the eighth inning Monday were the first of his career. Oscar Mercado added a two-run homer for the Guardians. Logan Allen earned the win with two scoreless innings. Andrew Benintendi had three hits and three RBIs for Kansas City.
Orioles 2, Brewers 0: Cedric Mullins hit a two-run single, Bruce Zimmermann pitched four sharp innings and Baltimore won its opener at an altered Camden Yards. On the 30th anniversary of its inaugural season, Baltimore’s ballpark looked noticeably different after the wall in left field was pushed back and made taller in the offseason. Baltimore picked up its first win after being swept in a three-game series at Tampa Bay. Zimmermann, the first Maryland-born pitcher to start a home opener for the Orioles since 1990, allowed three hits. Mike Baumann got the win and Jorge Lopez threw a hitless ninth for the save.
Pirates-Cardinals, postponed: The series finale at Busch Stadium was postponed because of inclement weather and will be made up in a split doubleheader June 14.
Briefly: The Lerner family that has owned the Nationals since 2006 is exploring the possibility of selling the franchise. Washington manager Dave Martinez said before the team’s game at Atlanta that managing principal owner Mark Lerner called him Monday morning to deliver the news . ... Cubs reliever Keegan Thompson was suspended for three games for hitting Milwaukee outfielder Andrew McCutchen with a pitch, and manager David Ross was docked one game . ... Toronto catcher Danny Jansen was put on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique.