Phillies Take Down Diamondbacks 6-4 at Chase Field

For the Diamondbacks, a tough sixth inning proved costly in a 6-4 loss to the Phillies on Thursday night at Chase Field.Photo byMegan EllisonUnsplash

PHOENIX — In a rematch of the 2023 NLCS, the Philadelphia Phillies (69-46) faced the defending National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks (63-53) in the opener of their four-game series Thursday night at Chase Field.

A four-run sixth inning, during which nine Phillies came to bat, proved too much for the D-backs to overcome. The "Answerbacks" were unable to respond, falling to Philadelphia 6-4.

Coming into the game, Arizona had been on a roll, either winning or splitting its last 11 series (10-0-1) and taking 17 of its last 19 series since May 30 (14-2-3).

Diamondbacks starter Jordan Montgomery (7-6, 6.37 ERA) and Phillies starter Kolby Allard (1-0, 3.46 ERA) were locked in a pitching duel over the first four innings, with both defenses making key plays.

Montgomery was effective, relying on his changeup, which he threw 36 times (39%), and his curveball, used 24 times (26%).

He finished the night with a line of 5.2 innings, allowing eight hits and four earned runs, with three walks and four strikeouts over 92 pitches, absorbing his sixth loss of the season.

Allard ultimately earned the win.

Game Highlights:

Arizona broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth when Eugenio Suárez launched his 17th home run of the season, a 386-foot shot to left field, putting the D-backs ahead 1-0.

In the pivotal sixth inning, Nick Castellanos was hit by a pitch, and with two outs, Weston Wilson’s RBI double tied the game at 1. Back-to-back walks by Johan Rojas and Kyle Schwarber loaded the bases.

Dylan Floro replaced Montgomery and was greeted by Trea Turner’s two-run single, giving Philadelphia a 3-1 lead. Bryce Harper followed with an RBI single, extending the lead to 4-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, Philadelphia made a pitching change, with Orion Kerkering replacing Allard. Ketel Marte led off with a walk, and Jake McCarthy launched a 398-foot home run to right field, cutting the Phillies' lead to 4-3.

In the top of the seventh, Slade Cecconi replaced Floro, and J.T. Realmuto’s homer made it 5-3.

In the bottom of the eighth, with one out, Corbin Carroll and Randal Grichuk reached base, but José Alvarado struck out Suárez and Kevin Newman to end Arizona's scoring threat.

In the top of the ninth, Realmuto doubled, and Edmundo Sosa’s RBI double made it 6-3.

In the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Estévez replaced Alvarado. Geraldo Perdomo singled, Joc Pederson struck out, Marte struck out, and Perdomo advanced to second on a throwing error by Estévez. McCarthy’s RBI single made it 6-4.

A wild pitch by Estévez put Perdomo into scoring position, but Lourdes Gurriel Jr. flied out to right field, ending the game.