The Phillies brought the power. They brought the highlight-reel defense. They even brought Otto Kemp’s first multi-homer performance in the big leagues.
But what they didn’t bring to the Bronx on Sunday afternoon? A sweep.
Instead, it was Ryan McMahon — in his second day wearing Yankees pinstripes — who sparked a four-run rally in the second inning against Zack Wheeler, and the Yankees held on for a 4–3 win to avoid a sweep and breathe some life into their Judge-less roster.
Yes, the Phillies jumped out early — solo shots from Kemp and Nick Castellanos had them up 2–0 in the second — but then came the unraveling. Wheeler plunked two Yankees in a row, then watched McMahon rip a game-tying, two-run double just inside the first base bag past Bryce Harper.
Two batters later, Wheeler watched Austin Wells lift a sacrifice fly to right, then gave up an RBI single to Trent Grisham, capping the four-run second. And just like that, the Phillies were trailing again — this time for good.
Wheeler wasn’t himself. He tied a career high by hitting three batters. And while he settled in after that rocky second, the damage was already done.
Meanwhile, Kemp did his part — and then some. His second homer of the day, a solo shot in the fifth, brought the Phillies within a run.
But every time it looked like the Phillies might break through, someone in pinstripes made a play.
With two on and one out in the fifth, Trea Turner chopped a ball between short and third. McMahon, again, came up big — sliding to his glove side and firing a strike to get Turner at first, extinguishing the threat.
Even the Phillies’ defensive highlight of the day — a leaping tag at the plate by J.T. Realmuto — felt like it belonged on the cutting room floor of a winning reel. Johan Rojas threw a seed from center to nab Cody Bellinger trying to score on a Jazz Chisholm Jr. sac fly. Realmuto jumped to corral the throw, then spun mid-air and swiped a tag across Bellinger’s neck before he could reach the plate with his outstretched hand. A play of the year candidate? Absolutely. Game-changer? Not quite.
Carlos Rodón gave up all three Phillies runs — all solo homers — but still collected his 11th win. He went 5 1/3 innings, allowed just four hits, and got a big assist from a Yankees bullpen that’s been anything but reliable.
Coming into the game with the worst ERA in baseball since late June, the Yankees’ relief corps looked like a different group on Sunday. Jonathan Loáisiga, Luke Weaver, Tim Hill, and Devin Williams combined for 3 2/3 innings of one-hit ball. Williams struck out two in a perfect ninth to earn his 16th save in 17 chances.
So, no sweep for the Phillies. Just a frustrating finale where the bullpen finally held, the defense dazzled, and the long ball played — but the comeback never came.
Loading Phillies schedule...
Loading NL East standings...
Support the Mission. Fuel the Movement.
You’re not just funding journalism — you’re backing the future of youth baseball in Philly.
👉 Join us on Patreon »