04/28/24 07:08:00
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04/28 19:06 CDT Stott and Realmuto homer, Walker makes a slick play as the
Phillies win 8-6 to sweep the Padres
Stott and Realmuto homer, Walker makes a slick play as the Phillies win 8-6 to
sweep the Padres
By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer
SAN DIEGO (AP) --- Bryson Stott hit two two-run homers, J.T. Realmuto also
connected and Taijun Walker made a slick behind-the-back catch in his season
debut to help the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 8-6 on Sunday
for their first road sweep of the season.
The Phillies overwhelmed the Padres with nine homers and terrific starting
pitching in becoming the first team to sweep San Diego this year. The Padres
haven't seemed to recover from blowing a late five-run lead at Colorado on
Thursday and losing 10-9. Although they briefly had the lead Sunday, the Padres
lost their season-high fourth straight game.
After starting 0-2, the Phillies have won 19 of their last 27 games. They've
swept three of their last four series and are a season-high nine games over .500
"Feels like every day, every night, it's a new pitcher shutting down an inning,
it's a new hitter driving guys in," Stott said. "That's what you need as a
team, is one through nine, just winning all types of different games. ... It
feels like everyone is kind of clicking."
Walker (1-0) opened the season on the injured list with right shoulder soreness
and was activated earlier Sunday from a rehab assignment. He pitched into the
seventh after Aaron Nola and Ranger Surez each went eight innings in the first
two games.
Walker was chased by pinch-hitter Luis Campusano's three-run homer with one out
in the seventh that pulled the Padres to 7-6. Walker also allowed Jake
Cronenworth's two-run shot in the third. The right-hander allowed six runs and
eight hits, struck out four and walked two.
"Everyone's pitching well and the team's rolling," Walker said. "I just want to
be part of it and be out there with the guys. I just want to go deep in innings
and do my part. I don't feel I did that all the way today, but the offense did
really well, the defense did well and the team's hot right now. I got the first
one out of the way."
Jos Alvarado pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save in as many
opportunities.
Stott, the No. 8 hitter, had his first career multiple-homer game. He connected
with one out in the second for a 2-0 lead and again with two outs in the fourth
for a 4-3 lead. Stott has three this season. Nick Castellanos walked ahead of
Stott both times.
"It's always good to put some good swings on the ball, especially when you have
a few games in a row when you feel you're a little off or something like that,"
Stott said.
Stott grew up in Las Vegas and said he'd make trips with family and friends to
watch big league games at San Diego and Anaheim.
"I remembered the balls at night weren't really flying but good thing I hit
them in the daytime, I guess," he said.
Stott jammed a finger on his right hand while stealing second base in the
eighth but said he's OK. He scored on Johan Rojas' double.
Realmuto hit a two-run homer in the sixth, his second of the series and fifth
overall. All three homers Sunday came off Michael King (2-3). Realmuto added an
RBI single in the seventh.
In between Stott's homers, Walker made his slick catch and blew the lead. With
Xander Bogaerts aboard on a leadoff single in the second, rookie Jackson
Merrill hit a shot back to the mound on a curveball and Walker turned slightly
and reached behind his back to make the catch. He then doubled Bogaerts off
first. Merrill looked perplexed as he took off his helmet and headed back to
the dugout.
"I didn't have time to turn and get it so I just kind of stuck my glove there
and I was just as surprised as everyone else that it was in there," Walker
said. "It was a good play. It was a double play. Double plays are always good."
Walker surrendered the lead in the third on Fernando Tatis Jr.'s RBI double and
Cronenworth's two-run homer, his fourth.
Stott regained the lead for Walker and the Phillies with his fourth-inning
homer.
King allowed six runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings, struck out six and walked
three.
ROSTER MOVE
To make room for Walker, RHP Ricardo Pinto was designated for assignment.
UP NEXT
Phillies: LHP Cristopher Snchez (1-3, 2.96 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday
night in the opener of a three-game series at the Los Angeles Angels, who will
counter with RHP Griffin Canning (1-3, 7.50).
Padres: RHP Matt Waldron (1-2, 3.96) is set to start Monday night in the opener
of a three-game series against LHP Nick Lodolo (2-0, 2.12) and the Cincinnati
Reds.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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