Phillies Take Game One Over Diamondbacks, Third Win in a Row

The Philadelphia Phillies (69-46) needed a win on Thursday night to secure their third consecutive win, and fourth win in their last five games. Behind a better-than-expected performance from Kolby Allard (1-0, 3.46 ERA) the Phillies took it to the Arizona Diamondbacks (63-53) 6-4.

Allard's Big Night

Allard took the mound for his third Major League appearance this season. It was only his second start, however, as he was used as a follower in his last appearance.

Allard entered Thursday with a 4.50 ERA across eight innings in those two games, and the Phillies were hoping to get another four innings out of the lefty that would at least keep the game close. They received much more than that.

Allard pitched five spectacular innings tonight, allowing only one earned run on a solo home run from Eugenio Suarez off the foul pole in left. Allard struck out only three, but generated three double plays as well.

Allard threw 59 pitches Thursday, generating six whiffs and nine called strikes for a CSW rate of 25 percent.

Despite his success in the Majors this season through three starts, this may have been Allard's last Major League appearance for a while. The Phillies expect Taijuan Walker to make his return on August 13th, and Ranger Suarez should also be back soon.

The Offense is Back

After winning four of their last five games, including three in a row, it is a pretty safe assumption to say that the slump is over.

Through this five game stretch, the offense has batted .301 with 24 extra base hits. Kyle Schwarber has led the charge, going 12-for-21 with three doubles, five home runs, and 10 RBI. It's as if Schwarber turned his calendar the wrong way at the end of July!

WPA Leader of the Day

Thursday's WPA leader of the day is Trea Turner . While Turner's line may not look great on the surface, he came through in the clutch to give the Phillies a lead they would not reluinquish.

Batting with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Turner would pull a 1-1 slider through the hole on the left side, scoring two and putting the Phillies on top 3-1.

Turner's line for the night would read 1-for-5 with two RBI. He would finish Thursday with 17.9 WPA.

Next Up

Next up for the Phillies will be game two of this series on Friday. The first pitch for Friday's game is scheduled for 8:40 PM EST. The game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Philadelphia and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Phillies fans can listen to the game on 94 WIP or WTTM 1680.