Phillies defeat Rangers 5-2, Suárez’ dominance continues

PHILADELPHIA. PA - The Phillies took down the Texas Rangers in the series opener 5-2.

For the first time since 2014 the Phils have taken down the Rangers, this time it was on the back of one Ranger Suárez who continued his streak of dominant play in the win.

Suárez recorded ten strikeouts while only allowing a run through seven complete innings of work. The lefty moves to 9-0 on the season with a 1.36 ERA. 

Suárez’s one run came on a 2-2 count with one out in the top of the third inning when Marcus Semien doubled (12) on a fly ball to left and scored Derek Hill to make it 1-0 Rangers.

Kyle Schwarber however, quickly followed that up with an RBI single to tie it all up as Brandon Marsh crossed the plate to tie the score.

Just an inning later it was Alex Bohm who singled to score Bryce Harper and give the Phillies a 2-1 lead.

It would be Harper again who’d extend the Phils lead once more in the bottom of the sixth as he homered 411 feet to center field, bringing the score to 3-1 Philadelphia.

As the seventh inning moved on, Suárez made it through his last inning despite allowing a leadoff base hit from Nathaniel Lowe - Josh Smith quickly grounded into a huge double play to give Ranger two outs with nobody on.

In the top of the eighth however the Rangers would get one back on a reviewed home run call that gave Corey Seager his seventh of the season and made the score 3-2. 

Following the home run the Rangers would threaten after a Ezequiel Duran single made it first and second but it was Lowe who’d line out to end the inning and the threat. 

In the bottom of the eighth the Phillies got some much needed insurance from Alec Bohm who doubled (19) to score Schwarber and make the score 4-2. While Bryson Stott flew-out on the sacrifice fly to score JT Realmuto and make it 5-2 Phillies.

In the bottom of the ninth Jose Alvarado struck both Marcus Semien and Seager to end the game.

With the win the Phillies move to 35-14 on the season and take a 6.0 game lead over the Braves in the NL East. They maintain the best record in all of baseball as they get ready for game two of this series with the Rangers tomorrow night back at Citizens Bank Park for a 6:40 PM EDT First Pitch. Taijuan Walker (3-0, 4.91 ERA)  will see the mound for the Phils as the club aims for their fifth consecutive win. You can see the game on NBCSP and MLBN or listen on 94 WIP and 1680 WTTM.