Bryce Harper, Trea Turner hit comeback singles in sixth inning to lift Phillies past D-backs 6-4

PHOENIX (AP) — Bryce Harper had three hits, Trea Turner added a two-run single and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Thursday.

Philadelphia has won four of its last five games, rebounding from a six-game losing streak.

“We feel a lot better now than we did a week ago,” Phillies catcher JT Realmuto said. “We’re just playing better baseball. We’re getting better at-bats, the starters are pitching really well, which gives us a chance to win every game.”

The Phillies took control with a four-run sixth inning and rallied to take a 4-1 lead. Weston Wilson brought home the tying run with an RBI single, Turner drove in two go-ahead runs and Harper capped the run with an RBI single to right-center field.

But the D-backs, who have staged several comebacks during their recent winning streak, responded quickly. Jake McCarthy hit a two-run homer off reliever Orion Kerkering in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The D-backs came into the game on a roll, with a 5-1 record during their last trip to Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Even with Thursday’s loss, they are 22-10 since July 1.

Realmuto led off the seventh with a solo homer off Slade Cecconi that put the Phillies up 5-3. Edmundo Sosa’s RBI double made it 6-3 in the ninth.

It was a busy 36 hours for the D-backs, who had to play a doubleheader in Cleveland on Wednesday before flying back across the country last night and playing again on Thursday.

“I was proud of our guys today,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “I was proud of the way we fought.”

Jeff Hoffman worked the seventh inning, Jose Alvarado the eighth and Carlos Estevez earned his 21st save despite allowing a run in the ninth on McCarthy’s RBI single. It was Estevez’s first save since joining the Phillies after being traded from the Angels.

The Phillies won the opener of a series for the first time since the All-Star break.

Arizona left-hander Jordan Montgomery (7-6) pitched five scoreless innings before his trouble in the sixth. He allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings while striking out four.

“The curveball and changeup were really good,” Montgomery said. “You just have to keep moving forward, try to get better.”

Eugenio Suarez gave the D-backs a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning with his 17th homer of the season. The shot bounced off the foul pole and sailed down the left-field line. McCarthy finished with three hits and three RBIs.

Philadelphia’s Kolby Allard (1-0) earned his first major league win since 2022. The left-hander allowed one run and six hits in five innings, striking out three.

“There’s a lot of energy, a lot of fight,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “We have good pitchers. Allard was really, really good tonight. Really efficient.”

It was Philadelphia’s first trip to Chase Field since last year’s National League Championship Series, which the Diamondbacks won in seven games.

TRAINERS ROOM

Phillies: Right-hander Dylan Covey’s rehab assignment has been transferred to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Covey (shoulder) has not pitched in the majors this year, but had a 3.69 ERA in 28 appearances for the Phillies last season.

Diamondbacks: Lovullo told reporters that catcher Gabriel Moreno (groin) will likely miss several weeks after Monday’s injury. The team claimed catcher Andrew Knizner off waivers Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A to add depth at the position. Knizner hit .167 with one homer and nine RBIs for the Rangers this season.

NEXT

The D-backs will roll with right-hander Ryne Nelson (8-6, 4.65 ERA) in Friday night’s game. The Phillies will counter with right-hander Zack Wheeler (11-5, 2.77 ERA).

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