On Tuesday, April 16, 2019, the Philadelphia Phillies scored eight runs against New York Mets starting pitcher, Steven Matz. With six of them being earned, the Mets pulled Matz before he recorded a single out in the game. The Phillies accomplished this feat for the first time since 1893 that a starting pitcher had given up eight runs and had been pulled before an out was ever recorded.
Philadelphia Phillies History in Big Win
After losing the opener to New York 7-6, the Phillies were poised for a breakout game between two of the best teams in Major League Baseball. It took no time at all for Philadelphia to show just how dominant they really are. The Mets took the plate to start the game. In the top of the first, Philadelphia saw starter Nick Pivetta walk one, hit one and ground one out into a double play. Little did New York know that in the next half inning, they would be on the wrong side of history.
Bottom of First turns into 1893 Flashback
Andrew McCutchen took the plate first. After two strikes looking, he reached first on a Mets error, bringing Jean Segura to the plate. Segura took a sinker and doubled. Matz then hit Bryce Harper who was hitting in the three spot. J.T. Realmuto doubled in McCutchen and Segura for runs one and two. Fifth up, Scott Kingery homered 374 feet to left field, driving in Harper and Realmuto. Caesar Hernandez then walked. Aaron Altherr proceeded to ground into a fielder’s choice but was safe at first after an error. Next up, Maikel Franco, homered to center and brought in Hernandez and Altherr for runs seven and eight in the first inning without an out recorded.
New York pulled Matz after that at-bat and sent in Drew Gagnon. That was the first time that had been done in Major League Baseball since 1893. It was also the eighth time in franchise history and sixth time in modern era baseball that the Phillies have scored double-digit runs in an inning.
Philadelphia went on to score two more in the first off a two-RBI double from Realmuto before the inning closed. After another Realmuto homer, a Ramos sacrifice flyout, and back-to-back doubles by Kingery and Hernandez, the Phillies routed the Mets by a score of 14-3. This win put the Phillies one-half game back in the National League to the Milwaukee Brewers and two and a half games back of the MLB leading Tampa Bay Rays. Philadelphia continues to be one of the hottest and most exciting teams in baseball to start 2019.
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