Takeaways after Phillies take advantage of Cardinals’ mistakes in big win

The Philadelphia Phillies returned home after a poor road trip and came out with a 9-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on the strength of a big inning Friday night.

The Phils are 7-6 overall and 6-1 at home. They went 1-5 on a road trip that concluded Wednesday in New York.

Here are takeaways:

Eflin’s stellar night

Philles starter Zach Eflin held a shutout into the eighth before giving up a walk and a two-run homer as the Cardinals pulled to within six runs.

Eflin gave up six hits, walked none, and struck out six.

In two starts at home this season, he has allowed just three runs and one walk in 14-plus innings.

Taking advantage on mistakes

The Phillies’ six-run rally against Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez in the second inning came after the Cardinals failed to make three plays in the field that would’ve resulted in a 1-2-3 inning. Two of the plays were ground balls in the infield that ended up as hits and the third was a fly ball to center field that was misplayed (in a strong wind) and dropped in for an RBI double.

During that, the Phils got a two-run single from Andrew McCutchen and a two-run double from Bryce Harper. Eflin was credited with an RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Realmuto’s clobbers his second homer of the season

Harper drew a walk with one out in the seventh and J.T. Realmuto followed with a line-drive two-run homer into the left field seats to make it 8-0.

Up next

The series continues Saturday with a 4:05 P.M. E.S.T. Phillies lefty Matt Moore will face Cardinals lefty Kwang Hyun Kim, who will be making his season debut.