Phillies Rally Past Rays in Extra Innings for Biggest Comeback Win of the Season
May 8, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Scott (5) is greeted by left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) after scoring a run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
After last night’s incredible pitching performance by Cristopher Sanchez and Taijuan Walker, there was a feeling that a sweep was a realistic thought with Jesus Luzardo on the mound for the Phillies. Luzardo has been impressive all season, with a 1.94 ERA, 1.94 FIP, a 1.17 WHIP, and a 5-2 record. The Phillies’ offense has exploded in Tampa, so spirits were high going into the game.
Another thing which is noticeable is that the team looks more relaxed, in the dugout and on the field. The team seemed to be a little tight when they were struggling early on, but that seems to be in the rear-view mirror as the entire team is coming together and they’re playing some very good baseball.
The task tonight was going to be a difficult one, as the Tampa Bay Rays gave the ball to Ryan Pepiot, who has pitched better than his 2-4 record would suggest. Getting ahead early would be important, and that is exactly what happened. Bryson Stott doubled out of the gate and tagged up on a flyout to center, then Bryce Harper hit a sacrifice fly to score Stott, giving the Phillies the early lead. The lead was short-lived, as Junior Caminero hit a home run to tie the game in the bottom of the frame.
Luzardo and Pepiot traded scoreless second innings, and in the third, Taylor Walls hit a single and stole second. Walls went to third on a Yondy Diaz flyout, and Caminero struck again; he hit a sac fly to bring home Walls and give the Rays a 2-1 lead.
That was all the runs that both starters would give up, as Luzardo went 5-1/3 innings with 4 strikeouts, however, he did give up 8 hard-hit balls over his 5 innings of work, which is something we haven’t seen much this season from him. Pepiot went 6 with only the one earned run.
In the 7th inning, the Phillies turned to Tanner Banks, and the Rays came to life. Jose Caballero hit an infield single, and Walls legged out a bunt single. Yandy Diaz came up and hit a 1-1 changeup into the right center seats for a 3-run homer, giving the Rays a 5-1 lead.
In the 8th, the Phillies came roaring to life, J.T. Realmuto singled, Brandon Marsh singled, and Stott hit a mammoth home run to right that left the stadium on an Edwin Uceta fastball. Uceda has had trouble with lefties, and Stott made him pay, bringing the Phils to within a run.
In the 9th, the Phillies locked in and Kyle Schwarber hit a loud single, and Rob Thomson went to Johan Rojas to pinch run for Schwarber, which paid off immediately, on a pick-off attempt by Pete Fairbanks, he threw the ball away and Rojas ended up on third. The very pro-Phillies crowd was feeling it, Nick Castellanos walked, and Weston Wilson was brought in to run for Castellanos. Max Kepler came up and hit a ball to third, and Rojas scored, tying the game at 5.
This sent the Phillies to yet another extra innings game, and in the 10th, Thomson’s shrewd substitutions paid off yet again. Alec Bohm started the inning on second, and Thomson called on Edmundo Sosa to run for him. Marsh rewarded him with a double scoring Sosa.
Stott bunted Marsh to third, and Trea Turner singled him home. In the bottom of the 10th, Matt Strahm came in to close the door on the Rays, giving the Phils their biggest comeback win of the season so far.
This win was a big one for the Phillies; they scrapped and fought and never gave up. This tenacity was something we weren’t seeing early in the season, and it was on full display tonight, securing the series sweep.
I want to commend Thomson on his use of pinch runners; both times he used a pinch runner, it paid off. The Phils have a deep bench, so it’s nice to see it get used.
The team is off to Cleveland, where they will face a very good Guardians team, which is playing very good baseball right now. This series will be a good litmus test for the Phils.
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Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible, we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
