Phillies Walk Off Giants in Both Games of Doubleheader The Philadelphia Phillies secured a historic doubleheader sweep over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, winning both games in dramatic fashion at Citizens Bank Park. The victories, which included two walk-off wins on the same day for the first time since 1998, marked a pivotal moment for the Phillies as they began their 2024 season under interim manager Don Mattingly. The sweep gave the Phillies a 3-0 start and provided a much-needed boost to their playoff aspirations after a rocky start to the season. In Game 1, the Phillies edged the Giants 3-2 in a walk-off victory, with Alec Bohm delivering the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th inning. Bohm, who had struggled with his batting average early in the season, showcased his clutch ability by making a game-saving diving catch in the 10th inning of Game 2. His performance was a turning point for the team, as the Phillies had been criticized for their lack of consistency and offensive production. Game 2 was even more dramatic, as the Phillies rallied from a deficit to win 6-5 in 10 innings. The victory was highlighted by a back-to-back home run by Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber in the first inning, marking the seventh time in franchise history the Phillies had hit consecutive homers in the opening frame. Schwarber, who hit his 350th career home run in Game 1, continued his strong season with a two-out double in the ninth inning that tied the game, setting the stage for the walk-off win. The Phillies’ offensive resurgence was evident in both games, despite entering the series ranked 29th in MLB in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Their top three hitters—Turner, Schwarber, and Bryce Harper—posted a .784 OPS, a significant improvement over their .#philadelphia_phillies #san_francisco_giants #don_mattingly #alec_bohm #trea_turner
Philadelphia Phillies Fire Rob Thomson, Appoint Don Mattingly as Interim Manager The Philadelphia Phillies, struggling with their worst start to a season in over two decades, announced the firing of manager Rob Thomson on Tuesday. Thomson, who led the team to four consecutive playoff appearances—including the 2022 World Series—will be replaced by Don Mattingly, who will serve as the club’s interim manager for the remainder of the 2025 season. Mattingly’s appointment marks a historic father-son managerial-GM combination, as his son Preston Mattingly is the Phillies’ general manager. The Phillies, the preseason favorites in the NL East, entered Tuesday with a 9-19 record, tied with the New York Mets for the worst mark in Major League Baseball. Their 28-game start has been their worst since 2002, when they also began 9-19. Despite a projected 2026 payroll of just over $315 million, the team has failed to live up to expectations, losing 11 of their past 12 games. The collapse has been particularly stark for a franchise set to host the All-Star Game and its surrounding festivities, with regulars Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber both hitting under .200 and starters Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Andrew Painter posting 5.00-plus ERAs. Thomson, a 62-year-old baseball veteran, was promoted to his first managerial role in 2022 after a long career with the New York Yankees, where he served as a bench coach and third-base coach. He led the Phillies to consecutive NL East titles and the 2022 World Series, earning a contract extension through the 2027 season. However, the team has since regressed, failing to advance past the NL Division Series in 2024 and 2025 and losing in the NL Championship Series in 2023.#philadelphia_phillies #alex_cora #rob_thomson #dave_dombrowski #don_mattingly
