The Phillies would bounce right back in their half of the third inning when Garrett Stubbs walked to start it, then was followed by a double by Kyle Schwarber that gave the lead right back to the Phillies. They’d load the bases with one out, causing a major threat, but a strikeout by Bryson Stott (he needs a break) and a pop up by Castellanos ended the threat.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Phillies got their offense rolling a bit. Johan Rojas hit a solo home run with one out, then was followed by a Schwarber walk and a home run by Trea Turner and the lead was at four.

All the while, Phillips kept pitching well. After allowing that home run to Gelof, his only blemish for the next three innings was a single to Rooker, which was erased when Phillips induced a double play. Rob Thomson tried stretching him into the seventh, but Rooker homered to start the inning, then Shea Langeliers doubled to follow, ending Phillips’ day. Orion Kerkering came in and struck out Brown for the first out, then allowed back to back singles for another Oakland run, making it 6-4. The next two hitters struck out, one by Kerkering and one by Gregory Soto, ending what threat that Oakland posed that inning. Insurance was needed and the Phillies’ offense provided.

Bryce Harper finally homered off of the A’s, giving him a home run in his career against every team in the majors and giving that blessed insurance run.

In the eighth, the Phillies loaded the bases thanks to a hit by pitch to Stubbs, a walk to Schwarber and an infield single by Turner that knocked out the relief pitcher, Michel Otanez, and brought in T.J. McFarland to face Harper. Harper, as he does often, would deliver, doubling in two runs and stretching the score to 9-4. A bases loaded walk to Alec Bohm brought up Castellanos, who also delivered, this time a double that plated two of his own and made the score 11-4.

Things got a bit hairy in the ninth though. Jose Alvarado, brought in since he was warmed up and ready to go, sandwiched a single with two outs, making Miguel Andujar the final person he needed to get to end the game.

Then his control left him.

Andujar doubled in Brett Harris, who hit that single, then Gelof and JJ Bleday walked to load the bases, bringing Rooker to the plate. Rooker has been good this series and Alvarado was faltering, but he dug and found enough gumption to strike Rooker out and end the game and all of our nerves were settled.

It was a nice game for the offense, but an especially nice game by Phillips. In front of family and friends, the local kid went six strong innings and made his case to join a six man rotation whenever the team deems it necessary after the All-Star break.

Philadelphia will try to take the series tomorrow before a much deserved break is enjoyed by all.