Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott go deep for Phillies in 5-1 win over Pirates

Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm follows through after hitting a home run off of Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jared Jones during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ranger Suárez struck out eight over six shutout innings, Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott hit two-run homers and Alec Bohm also went deep to lead the Philadelphia Phillies past the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Thursday night.

Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm celebrate with teammates after hitting a home run off of Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jared Jones during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The Phillies won the opener of a season-high, 10-game homestand that included four with the Pirates, and three games each against the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox.

Philadelphia Phillies’ Ranger Suárez pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Maybe an extended stay at home will get the Phillies bats on a tear.

Yes, it’s April and the merits of batting average as a significant statistic is debatable in baseball these days, but the Phillies entered with just three players in the starting lineup hitting above .240, while two — including All-Star outfielder Nick Castellanos — were below .170.

“We haven’t hit yet, that’s the biggest thing,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said before the game. “We haven’t slugged yet. I think our approach has been decent. But we just haven’t slugged. This team’s gonna slug at some point.”

How about in the fourth inning?

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Bohm — who had no homers this season after hitting 20 last season — socked his first off Pirates starter Jared Jones over the outstretched glove of centerfielder Michael A. Taylor for the 1-0 lead.

How about in the seventh?

Marsh hit a two-run homer — after a brief review overturned a double call — in the inning that chased Jones. Stott also hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot later in the inning off reliever Colin Holderman for a 5-0 lead — proving Thomson prophetic that his homer-happy team would start going deep.

Philadelphia Phillies’ Ranger Suárez pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

“Just keep running them out there because we’re going to slug,” Thomson said. “If you don’t think we’re going to slug, you ain’t watching the games.”

Jones (1-2) was otherwise solid and struck out eight over 6 1/3 innings.

Suárez (2-0) was even better, and sent the surprising Pirates to their first back-to-back losses of the season. The Pirates are 5-1 this season against starting left-handers.

Bohm raised his right arm in triumph and was soundly cheered by 33,362 Phillies fans on the two-year anniversary of when the third baseman was caught muttering “ I (expletive) hate this place,” after committing his second error in a three-error game.

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jared Jones pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Bohm not only immediately moved past the misstep and grew into a fan favorite on a team that has made two straight playoff appearances, the Phillies will even offer a Bohm “I Love This Place” T-shirt next month as part of a promotion night.

Bohm made a sliding catch on a popup in foul territory to end the game.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Philadelphia Phillies’ Ranger Suárez pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Holderman was reinstated him from the 15-day injured list (illness).

Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (right shoulder) opened a rehab assignment Thursday for Class A Clearwater. RHP Orion Kerkering (right forearm strain) also had his rehab assignment transferred to Clearwater.

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UP NEXT

Former Phillies LHP Bailey Falter (0-0, 5.40 ERA) gets the start for Pittsburgh against Phillies LHP Cristopher Sánchez (0-1, 4.82 ERA) on Friday.

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