Phillies beat D-Backs 6-4 in Arizona — and do something they haven't since last month
PHOENIX (CBS/AP) -- On Thursday night the Philadelphia Phillies did a few things they haven't since July. They won a series opener for the first time since the All-Star break, and for the first time since the second week of July, they won three straight.
The Fightins have won four of their last five, bouncing back from a six-game losing streak.
Bryce Harper had three hits, Trea Turner added a go-ahead, two-run single and the Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Thursday night.
"We're feeling a lot better right now than we were a week ago," Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto said. "We're just playing a better brand of baseball. Putting together better at-bats, starters are throwing great, giving us a chance to win every game."
The Phillies took control with a four-run sixth inning, rallying for the 4-1 lead. Weston Wilson brought home the game-tying run with an RBI single, Turner singled home two runs for the lead and Harper capped the run with a shallow RBI single to right center.
But the D-backs — who have had several comeback wins during their recent hot streak — answered in a hurry. Jake McCarthy cracked a two-run homer off reliever Orion Kerkering in the bottom of the sixth to cut the margin to 4-3.
The D-backs came into the game on a roll, going 5-1 during their most recent road trip to Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Even with Thursday's loss, they're 22-10 since July 1.
Realmuto started the seventh with a solo homer off Slade Cecconi, putting the Phillies up 5-3. Edmundo Sosa's RBI double made it 6-3 in the ninth.
It was a busy 36 hours for the D-backs, who had to play a doubleheader in Cleveland on Wednesday before flying back across the country last night and playing again on Thursday.
"I was proud of our guys today," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "I was proud of the way we fought."
Jeff Hoffman worked the seventh, Jose Alvarado handled the eighth and Carlos Estévez earned his 21st save despite giving up a run in the ninth on McCarthy's RBI single. It was Estévez's first save since joining the Phillies after being traded from the Angels.
Arizona left-hander Jordan Montgomery (7-6) pitched five scoreless innings before his trouble in the sixth. He gave up four runs on eight hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings while striking out four.
"Curveball and changeup were really good," Montgomery said. "Just keep moving forward, try to get better."
Eugenio Suarez gave the D-backs a 1-0 lead in the fifth with his 17th homer of the season. It bounced off the foul pole down the left-field line. McCarthy finished with three hits and three RBIs.
Philadelphia's Kolby Allard (1-0) earned his first big-league win since 2022. The lefty gave up one run on six hits over five innings, striking out three.
"There's a lot of energy, a lot of fight," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. "We're getting good pitching. Allard was really, really good tonight. Really efficient."
It was Philadelphia's first trip to Chase Field since last year's NL Championship Series, which the Diamondbacks won in seven games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: RHP Dylan Covey's rehab assignment has been transferred to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Covey (shoulder) has not pitched in the majors this year but had a 3.69 ERA in 28 appearances for the Phillies last season.
Diamondbacks: Lovullo told reporters that C Gabriel Moreno (groin) will likely miss several weeks after Monday's injury. The team claimed C Andrew Knizner off waivers on Thursday, sending him to Triple-A for added depth at the position. Knizner hit .167 with a homer and nine RBIs for the Rangers this season.
UP NEXT
The D-backs will throw RHP Ryne Nelson (8-6, 4.65 ERA) in Friday night's game. The Phillies counter with RHP Zack Wheeler (11-5, 2.77 ERA).