Colin Hosley delivers a pitch Monday against the Isotopes
Phillies 5
Isotopes 0
WP: Colin Hosley
LP: Dave Warner
In the first of 2 makeup games being played this week between two teams jostling for favorable playoff positioning, the Phillies drew first blood with a convincing 5-0 shutout of the Isotopes, which allowed them to take sole possession of 3rd place. Colin Hosley was dominant on the mound for the Phillies, scattering 3 hits and fanning 4.
The Phillies plated a pair in the 1st when Micah Winston led off with a walk off Isotopes starter Dave Warner, and went to 3B on a single by Paul Griswold, who then stole 2B. They both then scored on consecutive RBI grounders by Hosley and Andy Klepacki.
In the 3rd, the Phillies padded the lead with a 3-spot. Winston led off with a bunt single and Griswold drew a free pass. With 2 outs, Jon Ross reached on an error, allowing Winston to score, and Steven Malachite followed with a 2-run double to the right-center gap.
Hosley was in control the entire time, only once allowing 2 base runners in an inning, and the defense was solid behind him. Winston had 2 diving catches in CF, Jack Eisenstadt made 2 nice catches in a row in RF, Hosley reflexively caught a screamer off the bat of Diego Ortiz, and the infield played 2 rundowns perfectly.
Scott Dunaisky had 2 of the Isotopes' 3 hits and John Sullivan laid down a perfect bunt single and stole a couple of bases. For the Phillies, Winston and Griswold each reached base twice and scored twice, and Eisenstadt drew 2 walks
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark
Wonders 2
Dorian Grays 4
WP: Rick Fleurent
LP: Rick Stacy
In a thrilling playoff-style game at Herlihy Field in Whately, the Dorian Grays edged out The Wonders with a 4-2 win. The game was marked by standout performances on the mound and in the batter's box, making for a tense and exciting matchup.
Dorian Grays’ manager Jay Sadowski was instrumental in the victory, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI singles. However, the true star of the game was Rick Fleurent, who delivered a masterful complete game on the mound. Fleurent, known for his durability, astoundingly pitched seven innings just a day after throwing six innings in the QVOTB league. He effectively kept The Wonders' hitters off balance throughout the game, allowing only two runs and demonstrating remarkable endurance.
The Wonders made a late push in the top of the seventh inning, putting the tying runs on first and second, but Fleurent kept his composure to close out the game. Rick Stacy and Chris Ciepiela also contributed strong performances on the mound, with Stacy pitching four innings and Ciepiela adding two solid innings.
Phillies 5
Isotopes 3
WP: Colin Hosley
LP: Jesse Higginbotham
In a pivotal game with significant playoff implications, the Phillies emerged victorious with a hard-fought 5-3 win over the Isotopes on Wednesday night at Mitchell Field. The matchup was a tense battle from start to finish, with both teams giving their all in a bid to improve their postseason standings.
The Phillies set the tone early, coming out strong in the top of the first inning. They capitalized on key opportunities, pushing three runs across the plate against Isotopes' starter Jesse Higginbotham. The early lead gave the Phillies a boost, but the Isotopes quickly faced a setback when their outfielder Ed Cauley sustained an injury while making an aggressive diving play in the outfield. Cauley was forced to leave the game, a blow to the Isotopes' defense and morale. Despite this, the Isotopes showed resilience, responding with a run in the bottom half of the first inning to close the gap to 3-1.
As the game progressed, both teams settled into a rhythm, with neither side willing to give an inch. The Isotopes clawed their way back in the third inning, scoring two runs to tie the game at 3-3. With the score evened, the tension at Mitchell Field grew, and every pitch seemed to carry the weight of the season.
The game remained locked in a stalemate until the top of the seventh inning. With everything on the line, the Phillies managed to break through once again, scoring two critical runs to regain the lead at 5-3. The Isotopes, now down to their final three outs, struggled to generate any offense in the bottom of the seventh. The Phillies' pitching and defense held firm, retiring the side and securing the victory.
This win was particularly important for the Phillies, as it secured them the second overall seed in the upcoming playoffs, positioning them as a formidable contender in the postseason. The game, marked by its intensity, served as a preview of the excitement and drama to come in the playoffs, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling postseason run.
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