Trea Turner hit his sixth career grand slam, while Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh also hit home runs as the Philadelphia Phillies celebrated the return of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber with a convincing 10-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.
“I thought Trea’s grand slam gave us a comfortable lead,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson.
Turner’s slam came during a six-run fourth inning, which provided the Phillies with enough cushion to manage without ace Zack Wheeler, who exited the game due to left low back tightness after five innings.
A 2024 All-Star, Wheeler (10-4) became part of a trio of Phillies pitchers, alongside Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez, to reach 10 wins before the All-Star break for the first time in franchise history. Both Thomson and Wheeler expressed confidence that the pitcher would be ready for his next scheduled start on Sunday against Oakland.
“Just being cautious and we’ll take it from there,” Wheeler commented.
Following a modest 5-4 record during Harper and Schwarber’s absence, including losing two of three games in Atlanta over the weekend, the Phillies displayed their offensive prowess early against the Dodgers, who lead their NL division.
“It was another solid win against a top team,” Turner remarked. “Every game matters, and it’s important to gauge ourselves against strong opponents.”
The Phillies broke open the game with a six-run fourth inning against Dodgers starter Bobby Miller (1-2), causing his ERA to swell from 6.12 to 8.07.
With a 4-0 lead, Turner, who signed an $300 million, 11-year contract with the Phillies before the 2023 season after leaving the Dodgers, connected on an 86 mph slider, sending it into the left field seats.
