PHOENIX — Bryce Harper had three hits, Trea Turner added a two-run single to lead the way and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Thursday night.
Philadelphia has won four of its last five games, recovering from a six-game losing streak.
“We’re feeling a lot better right now than we were a week ago,” Phillies catcher JT Realmuto said. “We’re just playing a better brand of baseball. We’re having better at-bats, the starters are throwing great and giving us a chance to win every game.”
The Phillies took control with a four-run inning in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead. Weston Wilson tied the game with an RBI single, Turner singled for a two-run lead, and Harper capped the run with a flat RBI single to right center.
But the D-backs — who have had several comeback wins during their recent winning streak — answered quickly. Jake McCarthy hit a two-run homer against reliever Orion Kerkering in the sixth inning to cut the gap to 4-3.
The D-backs started the game well, finishing 5-1 in their last road game against Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Even with Thursday’s loss, they are 22-10 since July 1.
Realmuto started the seventh with a solo home run off Slade Cecconi to give the Phillies a 5-3 lead. Edmundo Sosa’s RBI double made it 6-3 in the ninth.
It’s been 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,” said Arizona manager Torey Lovullo. “I was proud of the way we fought.”
Jeff Hoffman started in the seventh inning, Jose Alvarado in the eighth, and Carlos Estévez made his 21st save despite allowing a run on McCarthy’s RBI single in the ninth inning. It was Estévez’s first save since joining the Phillies after being traded from the Angels.
The Phillies won the opening game of a series for the first time since the All-Star break.
Arizona left-hander Jordan Montgomery (7-6) pitched five scoreless innings before running into trouble in the sixth inning. He allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts.
“Curveball and changeup were really good,” Montgomery said. “Just keep going and try to get better.”
Eugenio Suarez gave the D-backs a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning with his 17th home run of the season. The home run bounced off the foul post on the left sideline. McCarthy finished with three hits and three RBIs.
Philadelphia’s Kolby Allard (1-0) picked up his first Major League win since 2022. The left-hander allowed one run on six hits in five innings and had three strikeouts.
“There’s a lot of energy, a lot of fighting spirit,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “We’re getting good pitchers. 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.
TRAINING ROOM
Phillies: RHP Dylan Covey has been out of rehab to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Covey (shoulder) has not pitched at the major league level 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 injuring him Monday. The team claimed C Andrew Knizner off the waivers list on Thursday and sent him to Triple-A for more depth at the position. Knizner has a .167 batting average with one home run and nine RBIs for the Rangers this season.
Next
The D-backs will use RHP Ryne Nelson (8-6, 4.65 ERA) in Friday night’s game. The Phillies will counter with RHP Zack Wheeler (11-5, 2.77 ERA).
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