A guy playing in his 60th game above Double A got it started. A guy who did not get a single postseason hit on a four-seamer last year drove in a run on one. And a guy cut this spring by one of the worst teams in history drove in another.
Unfortunately for the Marlins, those are the Phillies’ No. 7, 8 and 9 hitters, and that’s who won Game 1 of the National League wild-card series, 4–1. Philadelphia’s stars played well, especially ace Zack Wheeler, who tossed 6⅔ innings of one-run ball, and shortstop Trea Turner, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases. But every team, including Miami, has stars. Most teams do not boast the bottom-of-the-order firepower that the Phillies demonstrated Tuesday.
“Everyone's here for a reason,” said Turner. “And we all can contribute.”
