Takeaways after Phillies offense explodes for 8 runs to win the series over Mets

The Philadelphia Phillies’ offense finally decided to get out of bed and wake up and exploded for a 8-2 win to win the series over the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park.

Alec Bohm and J.T. Realmuto both smashed three-run homers and Rhys Hoskins hit an oppo-taco solo shot as the Phillies continued their hot start to the new season. The Phils’ three homers were one more than they hit in their first five games of the season.

After six games, the Phillies are 5-1. They swept the Atlanta Braves in the season-opening three-game series and took two-of-three from the Mets. The Phillies also got off to a 5-1 start in 2019, but they finished that season 81-81 and in fourth place in the NL East, 16 games behind the division champion Braves.

Here are three takeaways from the win:

Hoskins is red hot

In addition to his first homer of the season, Hoskins had two doubles. He has hit in all six of the Phillies’ games so far and has seven extra-base hits, six of which are doubles. He is one of four players in Phillies history to have seven extra-base hits through the first six games. The others were Ryan Howard (2010), John Kruk (1993) and Del Ennis (1950).

No Phillie has ever had more than seven extra-base hits in the team’s first six games.

Nola’s day

Phillies starter Aaron Nola had an uncharacteristic outing. He lasted only four innings and ran up a high pitch count, but he got a bunch of big outs and left the game leading, 4-1.

Nola allowed three singles and a run in the third inning but limited the damage by striking out Dominic Smith and Jonathan Villar to get the second and third outs with two of runners on base. Nola got Smith on a curveball and Villar on a 94-mph fastball.

In the fourth inning, Nola gave up a one-out single then walked a batter with two outs and hit another to load the bases for Michael Conforto. In a dangerous situation, Nola got ahead of Conforto, 0-2, and struck him out looking at a 2-2 curveball. It was Nola’s last batter of the game and his 92nd pitch, but it proved to be a big out.

Bullpen comes in huge after Nola’s early departure

With Nola gone early, the Phillies’ bullpen had to pick up five innings. It wasn’t a problem. Connor Brogdon, Archie Bradley, Sam Coonrod, and Hector Neris held the Mets to one run over that span.

Brogdon has picked up the win in three of the Phillies’ five victories.

The Phillies’ bullpen has picked up nine innings the last two days so Thursday’s off day will come in handy.

Up next

The 5-1 Phillies will have an off day Thursday, then they’ll hit the road for the next seven games, three against the 2-4 Braves in Atlanta starting Friday night.