Philadelphia wouldn’t get much else going against Gilbert however, as the Mariners righty allowed just three more hits and struck out seven following the leadoff home run. Gilbert almost matched Wheeler pitch for pitch, except he had to be removed after 6 innings as he was already at 98 pitches.

The catch that saved the season?

In the home half of the seventh, Jorge Polanco hit a fly ball to center fielder Brandon Marsh, except Marsh did not see it in the bright Seattle sun. But the ball dropped into Marsh’s glove anyway for the second out, despite Marsh appearing to have never seen the ball until it was already in his glove.

It was the first break to go the Phillies way in what has felt like weeks. And a funny thing happened not long after it.

The Phillies scored 5 runs in an inning and hit three home runs.

I’m still alive

Bryson Stott got the eighth inning started with a home run to right field off of reliever Yimi Garcia. It was Stott’s eighth long ball of the season and first since July 26th.

Garcia then rebounded to retire Austin Hays and Schwarber before walking Trea Turner and being replaced by lefty Taylor Saucedo. Then, Bryce Harper blasted his 25th homer of the season to center field to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead. It was Harper’s third hit of the day, giving him his first multi-hit game in three weeks. He now has a hit in back-to-back games and is 4 for his last 6 with a walk dating back to his 12 pitch at bat last night.

Alec Bohm quickly followed Harper with a home run of his own on the first pitch he saw from Saucedo, giving him 12 on the year and giving Philadelphia a 4-0 lead. Marsh followed with a single off of Saucedo that chased him from the game.

Trent Thorton then replaced Saucedo as Marsh stole second base. J.T. Realmuto followed with his first RBI since May 23rd on a single to center field that pushed the lead to 6-0. Nick Castellanos would then fly out in foul territory to end the inning as the ninth man to come to the plate.

Not today

Jose Ruiz took over for Wheeler in the ninth and was tasked with getting three outs before giving up 6 runs. He allowed a leadoff single to start the bad remembrances, but he quickly retired the next three hitters to erase all fears of another bullpen implosion.

Tomorrow’s matchup

The Phillies will look to keep the momentum going as they open a three-game series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. Aaron Nola (11-4, 3.43) will take the mound against Tyler Glasnow (8-6, 3.50 ERA) in the first meeting between the two teams since the Phillies sweep of the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on July 9th-11th. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 PM eastern time.