“Homer Happy” Phillies take Game 3 of World Series from Astros

After being rained out on Halloween night, the Phillies’ lineup came to play on November 1st.

A quick 1-2-3 inning by Ranger Suarez in the first inning set the tone for the Phillies. To help out the lefty, Bryce Harper quickly put the game ahead 2-0 for the Phightins with a fantastic home run.

This was Harper’s 6th homer of the postseason, the 2nd most all-time by a Phillie.

Before the inning ended, Bryce Harper had some top-secret information to share with Alec Bohm who was on deck. The inning ended but Alec took the information to heart in his lead-off at bat.

The data leak must’ve continued as 9-hitter Brandon Marsh continued the home run parade.

The Astros got bullpen action going in the 2nd inning of the game. Lance McCullers Jr. did calm down for a while. Innings 3 and 4 would be quiet for the Phillies. The 5th inning continued the theme of fireworks.

Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins went back-to-back to knock McCullers out of the game. They also made some history. McCullers became the first pitcher to give up 5 home runs in a World Series game. The 5 home runs also ties a World Series record for most hit by a team.

Rhys’ homer was the 6th of the postseason for him, tying him with Bryce Harper. Harper and Hoskins are now tied with Chase Utley (2009) for the most home runs in a Phillies’ postseason.

The 5th inning would also see the end of Ranger Suarez’s day. He’d go 5 IP, pitching around 3 hits and a walk. He looked calm the entire game. I’m petitioning we made his nickname Glacier Suarez for the ice in his veins.

Phillies bullpen finishes the job

The cavalcade of miscellaneous relievers that followed for the Phillies could’ve never been predicted in a thousand World Series. Connor Brogdon was the first in for the Phillies. After Tuesday, he’s thrown 5.1 straight scoreless innings in his last 4 postseason games. Kyle Gibson, who looked washed by the end of the regular season, entered for the 7th. He, too, pitched a scoreless inning.

Of course, Nick Nelson would be next out of the pen. This was Nelson’s first postseason outing. He walked 2 but also recorded a scoreless inning. Alex Bregman missed a 2-run homer by a matter of feet against Nelson.

Andrew Bellatti came in for the 9th inning. A quick pop-up by Yuli Gurriel gave the Phillies their first out. Trey Mancini entered as a pinch hitter and flew out on a 3-1 pitch. 2 down. West Chester native Chas McCormick would be the Astros’ final chance. On a full count, Bellatti struck him out to put the Phillies up 2-1 in the World Series.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay