Vierling’s big night snaps losing skid
For quite awhile now, Philadelphia Phillies’ outfielder Matt Vierling had been mired in a nasty slump. However, he turned things around on Wednesday night, and accomplished something that a Phillie hadn’t in 35 years. Vierling went for 5-for-5, and notched the game-winning, walk-off hit in the tenth inning. This feat was last achieved in 1987 by Milt Thompson. It was a huge, much-needed win for Philadelphia, as they split the series with Toronto and ended their losing streak. —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
Pitching performances:
PHI Zack Wheeler: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K
TOR Kevin Gausman: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K
Standout bats:
PHI Matt Vierling: 5-for-5, RBI
PHI Kyle Schwarber: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
PHI J.T. Realmuto: 2-for-5, HR, RBI, K
TOR Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
MORE: Vierling needs to improve his plate discipline —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
Report: Castellanos ramping up to rehab assignment
Nick Castellanos hasn’t played since Sept. 2, but luckily, interim manager Rob Thomson believes the slugger will make a rehab appearance this weekend at Triple-A, the last Phillies' minor league affiliate still playing.
If that's the case, Castellanos will join the Phillies' lineup for the last road trip of the season, featuring three games against the Chicago Cubs, four against the Washington Nationals and three against the Houston Astros.
Without Castellanos, the Phillies have struggled, and have played to just an 8-8 record since he was last in the lineup.
His bat may have been the glue keeping them together, but they will be happy to know that Castellanos should be returning before the end of the regular season. —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
Put your game face on
If you thought last weekend’s series between the Phillies and Atlanta Braves was important…well, this weekend’s four-game set is even more crucial for Philadelphia. Atlanta has already clinched a playoff spot, but are still competing for the NL East title with the New York Mets. Meanwhile, the Phillies hold a two-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the final NL Wild Card seed, and possess a magic number of 11 to secure a postseason berth. —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
Game 1:
PHI starter: Ranger Suárez (9-5, 3.53 ERA)
ATL starter: Max Fried (13-6, 2.52 ERA)
First pitch: September 22, 7:15 p.m. EST
FOX/94.1 WIP
Game 2:
PHI starter: Aaron Nola (9-12, 3.38 ERA)
ATL starter: Jake Odorizzi (5-5, 4.04 ERA)
First pitch: September 23, 7:05 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 3:
PHI starter: Bailey Falter (5-3, 3.68 ERA)
ATL starter: Kyle Wright (19-5, 3.18 ERA)
First pitch: September 24, 4:05 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 4:
PHI starter: Kyle Gibson (10-7, 4.71 ERA)
ATL starter: Charlie Morton (9-6, 4.09 ERA)
First pitch: September 25, 1:05 p.m. EST
NBCSP/MLB Network/1210WPHT
Phillies option Sam Coonrod
As expected, the Phillies reinstated Zack Wheeler from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday following a bout with right forearm tendinitis.
For now, Wheeler will work in tandem with Noah Syndergaard, who will piggy back his starts.
In order to make room for Wheeler, the Phillies optioned Sam Coonrod to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Coonrod allowed four runs in the eighth inning on Tuesday evening against the Blue Jays and saw his season ERA balloon to 7.52. He was always the likely candidate to be optioned. —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies
Hall launches another home run, walks it off for IronPigs
Darick Hall delivered a difference-making two-run home run, and came up with the walk-off RBI single that sealed a 4-3 victory for Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.
It's hard to say why Hall isn't with the Phillies at the moment. Yairo Muñoz and Donny Sands have seen a combined six plate appearances since their respective promotions to the club, and there has been more than one occasion in which Hall's bat would have proven useful.
Obviously, there is no place for Hall to play every day with Bryce Harper serving as a permanent DH and Rhys Hoskins anchoring down first base, and yes, keeping Hall in Lehigh Valley gets him some extra reps. That being said, one would think the Phillies would want to roster the best team possible with just 14 games left to play.
Griff McGarry also tossed one of the better outings of his Triple-A career during Wednesday's action-packed game. The 23-year-old spun a perfect frame with two strikeouts. He, like teammate Darick Hall, is fighting to help the big club down the stretch this season.
Another big part of Lehigh Valley's win was Michael Plassmeyer, who has been dynamite since joining the Phillies’ organization.
He has compiled a stretch of nine straight starts in which he has allowed three runs or fewer, and has surrendered more than three runs in just two of his 16 starts with the IronPigs. Over 82 frames under the Phillies' watch, Plassmeyer has managed a 2.41 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 23 walks. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Phillies select Hall and Painter for top player and pitcher awards —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies
Opinion: Is it time to worry about Seranthony Domínguez?
Seranthony Domínguez has been the most consistent arm out of the Phillies' bullpen this season. The fiery right-hander had pitched to a 1.57 ERA in 48 games, including nine saves and 15 holds.
Over his last two appearances, though, Domínguez has been charged with eight runs (7 ER, including 2 HR), walked four, and struck out only one batter. It’s brought his season ERA to 2.87.
It’s particularly concerning considering he recently returned from the 15-day injured list with right triceps tendinitis.
While his velocity has been there, his command has not. Thomson hasn’t reported any further injury to Domínguez, so it’s safe to chalk it up to just a couple of bad outings, but he’ll need to figure it out quickly. —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies