The Philadelphia Phillies have been stuck towards the bottom of the National League standings for close to a decade, but a new era could be on the horizon.
Philadelphia earned a 10-4 road victory Sunday against the Rays, improving to 9-5 in the process. All but two Phillies starters had at least one hit in the win, and Odubel Herrera, who went hitless, drew two walks and scored a run.
Winners of six straight games (two straight sweeps), the Phillies look like a team finally feeling confident and ready to win. Guys like Herrera, Rhys Hoskins, Scott Kingery and Cesar Hernandez are leading the lineup, while the addition of Jake Arrieta has solidified the rotation.
Hoskins, who has two home runs, 11 RBIs and three stolen bases already this season, and starting pitcher Aaron Nola both look poised for breakout seasons that could rise them to superstardom. Blessed with young talent, the Phillies are an exciting team to watch in 2018.
With the Mets pulling off a heroic win late Sunday, the Phillies still trailed their NL East rivals by three games, but any sort of division or wild-card chase this season would be a bonus for long-suffering Phillies fans.
A Phillies win Monday against the Braves would be their first seven-game winning streak since 2012.
MARVELLOUS MARTE
Pirates outfielder Starling Marte went five for five with four runs scored and a solo home run in a 7-3 win over the Marlins. The offensive outburst helped Marte climb over .300 for the season. After missing most of last season with a PED suspension, Marte is poised for a bounce-back campaign.
#Marlins challenge call that Starling Marte is safe at home plate in the 7th; call confirmed, runner is safe.
— MLB Replay (@MLBReplays) April 15, 2018
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ORIOLES DUO STRUGGLE
Orioles sluggers Chris Davis and Adam Jones continued their early-season struggles in a 3-1 loss to the Red Sox. Davis went 0 for four with three strikeouts, dropping his average down to .132, while Jones went 0 for four and is now batting just .221.
Nice rebound for Sale, who strikes out Chris Davis and Anthony Santander in a 1-2-3 inning.
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) April 15, 2018
SYNDERGAARD'S NASTY BREAKING BALL
Noah Syndergaard showed off nasty movement on a breaking ball.
SUNDAY'S RESULTS
Boston Red Sox 3-1 Baltimore Orioles
St Louis Cardinals 3-2 Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 Miami Marlins
New York Mets 3-2 Milwaukee Brewers
Philadelphia Phillies 10-4 Tampa Bay Rays
Colorado Rockies 6-5 Washington Nationals
Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres 10-1 San Francisco Giants
Oakland Athletics 2-1 Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers 3-1 Houston Astros
ROCKIES AT PIRATES
Pittsburgh continue to surprise in the National League Central, while the Rockies try to contend in the deep NL West. Pitching woes have plagued the Rockies, but guys like Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado need to start hitting, too. Arenado will be suspended for this entire series.
