Phils secure Series Opener over O's (8/4/25)

• Jason Napoli, Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Coming off a huge Playoff-like series win against the Tigers, the Phillies looked to carry the momentum into this series started Monday night against the Baltimore Orioles.

On the mound for the Phillies was left hander Jesus Luzardo. He’d tally six innings, letting up five hits, three earned runs, though securing seven strikeouts. On the other side of the diamond, Cade Povich took the mound for the Orioles.

After Bryce Harper hit a solo shot in the first, the Orioles quickly answered and took the lead in the second, on a Tyler O’Neil two run home run. 

The Phillies found themselves down 3-1 heading into the bottom half of the third. Kyle Schwarber then tied up the game with a two run home run, giving yet another reason as to why he deserves his money, and as to why he should be the number one priority this offseason.

Fast forward to the sixth inning and this is where things got good. To start it all off, with his first hit as a Phillie, Harrison Bader blasted a three run home run to left field. The Phillies continued to swing away with two outs. The bases were loaded and once again Kyle Schwarber proved how good he is, hitting a grand slam to shoot the Phillies up 11-3. 

It was insurance time and the Phillies got just that. Edmundo Sosa, and Weston Wilson went back to back in the eighth. Seth Johnson pitched in the top half of the eighth, and stayed in for the ninth. After giving up a walk, Johnson secured the win. 

The Phillies are back at it tomorrow for game two of this series. Taijuan Walker will take the bump, as the team looks to ride the hot hand.