Phillies outfield platoon continues to roll in lopsided win over Mets
PHILADELPHIA — Rob Thomson laughed when a reporter mentioned that he is asked daily about the Phillies outfield.
“I’m really happy with where we’re at right now,” Thomson said pregame. “Just gotta keep moving forward. Everybody’s contributing. It seems like a different guy every day that steps up. It’s been great.”
The three starting outfielders on the day, Brandon Marsh, Harrison Bader and Max Kepler, all contributed in an 11-3 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park. Kepler drove in a season-high five RBIs, Bader recorded hit No. 16 and 17 against the Mets this year and Brandon Marsh went 3-for-5 with a double in his first game back from an illness.
Kepler’s first two RBI hits came against lefty reliever Gregory Soto, who he is now 7-for-15 lifetime against him. He homered in the eighth against Ryan Helsley. He is tied for third on the Phillies in home runs with 16.
Cristopher Sánchez pitched much better against New York this time around. After allowing a season-high six earned runs against the Mets on Aug. 25, Sánchez limited the same lineup to just one run over six innings. His season ERA is at 2.57.
Bryce Harper hit his 25th home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 9-1 game.
The Phillies are now 10 games up on the Mets in the NL East. The magic number to clinch the division is 7.