The Phils crept to within 3 1/2 games of the NL East-leading Mets, who lost to the Reds.
The Phillies had 20 hits, including nine doubles in a game for the first time since 1986. It should be noted that the four Pirates pitchers they faced (excluding a position player in the ninth) have allowed a combined 84 earned runs in 94 innings this season for an 8.04 ERA. Still, this is what you have to do to bad teams.
Kyle Gibson — it should be stipulated — bears no resemblance to Hall of Famer Bob, who was one of the best pitchers in MLB in the 1960s and ’70s. But he can be relied upon to complete six innings, which he’s done in 15 of 20 starts this season. That’s nearly double the length the Phillies had received lately from Vince Velasquez, Matt Moore and Spencer Howard, who was traded to Texas for Gibson.
Bryce Harper doubled three times, a good sign after he grimaced during his first-inning at-bat. He appeared to still be feeling the impact of running into the right-field wall Friday and hurting his rib cage/side.
