PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies will need to beat elite pitching again and again in October if they want to win the World Series.
They haven’t beaten enough the past few years.
They got reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes twice this year, including Wednesday night’s 10-6 victory over the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Skenes allowed a career-high eight runs (seven earned) in four innings, allowing home runs to Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh, who had a ball caught at the center-field fence in the first inning.
Skenes allowed a previous high five runs in four starts before Wednesday, including May 17 against the Phillies in Pittsburgh.
Skenes’ defense played poorly behind him at the Bank, but the Phillies capitalized on every mistake.
That’s what good hitting teams do.
Are the Phillies a good hitting team? They ranked 28th in baseball, averaging 3.64 runs per game during a 9-19 start that got former manager Rob Thomson dismissed. But there has been improvement. They have ranked ninth in baseball under interim manager Don Mattingly, averaging 4.84 runs per game.
They ranked second in baseball in June, averaging 5.67 runs per game.
The Phillies had four players hit .300 or better in June (minimum 75 plate appearances): Marsh (.315), Justin Crawford (.307), Bryce Harper (.305) and Kyle Schwarber (.305). Bryson Stott hit .287.
Turner hit .269.
Turner’s resurgence is the most significant development for the Phillies’ offense and future as their right-handed hitters have underperformed.
He has homered in three consecutive games. He entered Wednesday batting .345 (19-for-55) with four doubles, two home runs, seven RBIs and a .907 OPS in his previous 13 games. Turner had hit .216 with a .595 OPS in 71 games through June 15.
If Turner is back, it won’t rid the Phillies of their need for more right-handed thump in the outfield, but it might make them less desperate. Because the Phillies do have other needs. They need pitching, like every team.
They could use bullpen help.
Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings to cut the lead to 8-4, although Kyle Backhus hit the first two batters he faced to force home a run as Wheeler’s replacement.
Seth Johnson allowed two runs in the seventh inning to make it 8-6.