J.T. Realmuto's 3-run homer helps Phillies beat Yankees 5-4

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — J.T. Realmuto hit a three-run homer, Hector Neris struck out Aaron Judge in a big spot and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Yankees 5-4 Thursday night.

Phillies starter Zach Eflin allowed two unearned runs and four hits, striking out five in four innings in his first start this season. A beleaguered bullpen surrendered two runs the rest of the way on Gary Sanchez’s two-run homer off Nick Pivetta.

Deolis Guerra (1-0) tossed a scoreless fifth for the win and Pivetta went two innings. Jose Alvarez got two outs in the eighth around a double by Giancarlo Stanton, and manager Joe Girardi called on his closer to face the red-hot Judge, who came in to pinch-hit for Brett Gardner.

With Stanton on third, Neris fanned Judge swinging at a splitter. Judge hit seven homers in the previous eight games. Neris gave up a consecutive singles to pinch-hitter DJ LeMahieu and Mike Tauchman with two outs in the ninth before retiring Luke Voit on a deep fly to right-center for his second save.

The Phillies split the four-game, home-and-home series against the team that Girardi managed for 10 seasons, winning three AL East titles and one World Series.

Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery (1-1) yielded five runs and six hits in four innings.

The lefty quickly ran into trouble in the first. After Andrew McCutchen lined out, Rhys Hoskins walked and Bryce Harper ripped a single. Realmuto then launched his third homer in seven games into the empty left-field seats.

Loud fans gathered outside the ballpark beyond center field screamed “Sign J.T.” after the All-Star catcher circled the bases. Realmuto can be a free agent after the season.

A fielding error on second baseman Scott Kingery led to a pair of unearned runs in the second. Tauchman’s two-run single cut...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/J-T-Realmuto-s-3-run-homer-helps-Phillies-beat-15465641.php