Tyler Phillips pitched deep into the seventh inning in his first career start, while Bryce Harper and Trea Turner contributed two of Philadelphia’s four home runs as the Phillies beat the Oakland Athletics 11-5 on Saturday.
Nick Castellanos added a home run and four RBIs, and Johan Rojas also homered for the NL East-leading Phillies, who have won four of their last five games.
“We got off to a strong start and kept our momentum,” Harper commented. Brent Rooker homered, doubled, and singled for Oakland. “He’s been on a roll,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay noted.
Phillips (1-0) allowed four runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks. The 26-year-old right-hander was taken out after giving up a homer to Rooker and a double to Shea Langeliers to begin the seventh inning.
Growing up as a Phillies fan in nearby Lumberton, New Jersey, just 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) from Citizens Bank Park and attending high school at Bishop Eustace Prep nearby, Phillips felt the excitement of pitching at home.
“I expected it to be overwhelming because I am a Phillies fan,” Phillips said. “It exceeded my expectations.”
Phillips made his debut last Sunday against Atlanta with a four-inning relief appearance. Across two outings, he has struck out 12 batters without issuing a walk.
Phillips departed the mound to a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd of 44,231. It marked the 15th consecutive home sellout and the 29th of the season. “I was trying to hold back tears,” he admitted.
Turner’s two-run homer and Rojas’ solo shot in the fourth inning off Mitch Spence (5-6) contributed to Philadelphia’s three-run lead, making it 6-2. Turner, one of eight Philadelphia All-Stars, has hit seven home runs in 11 games this month.
