Phillies squeeze out tight 2-1 victory in final game before All-Star break
Jul 13, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) hits an RBI double during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
The Phillies wrapped up a challenging road trip on a positive note in a pitcher’s duel with the 2 teams combining for just 3 runs, taking the 2-1 victory to end the first-half on a high note.
After losing the opening 2 games of the series in frustrating fashion, it was the pitching of Cristopher Sanchez that willed the team to victory. Sanchez, who has been nothing short of unbelievable in his last 5 starts, continued his excellence with his 3rd straight outing of 7+ innings pitched and just 1 earned run. His efforts were rewarded with his 8th win of the season.
The Phillies’ offensive struggles continued despite the win. So far in July, the Phillies have scored the 11th-lowest amount of runs in MLB with just 48 in 11 games. The bats would benefit from 2 Padres throwing errors in the top of the first inning, which would allow a run to score. A timely double from J.T. Realmuto was all the team needed to get the win as they end their first half of the season.
With the victory, the Phils go into the break atop the NL East, with a half-game lead over the Mets.
They left the offense in Philadelphia
It was a rough West Coast road trip for the Phillies’ bats. Outside of a 13-run explosion against the Giants, they’ve combined for just 11 runs across the 5 other games.
Today was no different against former Phillie Nick Pivetta. The Phillies pushed a run across in the top of the 1st inning thanks to multiple defensive lapses from the Padres’ defense. After a 2-out Bryce Harper walk, Nick Castellanos put runners in scoring position by reaching first base on a throwing error from Manny Machado. After that, Realmuto reached on an infield single to load the bases for Bryson Stott. The Padres’ defense blundered again, this time on a throwing error from the first baseman, Luis Arraez, on a routine groundball, allowing Castellanos to score from third.
From here, the offense disappeared as Pivetta dominated. The Phillies didn’t get another base runner until the 4th inning, with 8 straight outs in between. Stott gave the team a chance by getting into scoring position in that 4th inning by stealing second base after his 1-out single. Brandon Marsh couldn’t capitalize as he’d ground out, stranding Stott.
The offense went MIA again up until the top of the 8th inning. A 1-out Harper double gave the Phillies their first runner in scoring position since the 4th inning. Castellanos struck out swinging after an 8-pitch battle, bringing up Realmuto with 2 outs. Realmuto had arguably the biggest play of the road trip driving putting the Phillies in front with an RBI double.
Realmuto’s double was the difference in the 1 run win.
All-Star performance from Sanchez
Per the usual, Sanchez was excellent today. He wrapped up his outstanding 1st half of the season with one of his best outings so far. Sanchez pitched 7.1 innings of 1-run ball while striking out 6 batters.
However, he’d have early trouble to pitch out of in the 1st inning. Fernando Tatis Jr. opened up the inning with a leadoff single and reached 2nd base via a sacrifice bunt. After a Machado groundout, Sanchez walked back-to-back batters to load the bases. Sanchez worked out of it, throwing 4 straight changeups to strike out Jose Iglesias swinging.
Sanchez kept it quiet, retiring 7 straight batters after loading the bases. The Padres gave Sanchez some 2-out trouble in the 4th inning. Xander Bogaerts stole 2nd base to put the pressure on as the Padres tried to tie up the game. Sanchez’s changeup got him out of the jam once again, getting Luis Campusano to wave and miss.
The 6th inning gave Sanchez some turbulence. Back-to-back singles to start the inning and a sacrifice bunt put runners on 2nd and 3rd with just 1 out. This time, Sanchez couldn’t totally work out of the jam as Machado would score on an RBI single from Iglesias. Sanchez limited the damage to just 1 by getting Campusano to ground into a double play.
Orion Kerkering took over midway through the 8th inning and got in some hot water early on. Machado got into scoring position thanks to a single and a wild pitch. A Bogaerts walk put 2 on with just 1 out in the inning. However, Kerkering’s recent excellence continued, pitching out of the jam with consecutive flyouts.
Matt Strahm came on to close out the game after Kerkering. Strahm, who has had a great month of July, faced trouble with a runner on 2nd base and just 1 out. He prevented any damage despite the drama towards the end, ending the game on an Arraez flyout.
Ethan Whitney
Ethan is a writer for Philly Sports Reports and a Color Commentator for Rally Sports Network. He has been a massive fan of all Philly Sports for as long as he can remember and wants to share that passion with the world. He is looking for a long career in the sports media sphere.
Get new articles emailed right to your inbox.
