Arizona's Pitchers Struck Out 16 Phillies and Nobody in Philadelphia Saw It Coming

The Arizona Diamondbacks walked into Citizens Bank Park on Friday night and left with a 5-4 victory that felt like a complete team performance, even if it started messy. Michael Soroka gave up four runs early but locked in when it mattered, striking out 10 batters as the D-backs' entire pitching staff combined to fan 16 Phillies hitters. Yeah, you read that right. Sixteen strikeouts. All nine Philadelphia hitters struck out at least once.

Soroka Survived the First Inning Storm

The Phillies came out swinging. Trea Turner singled to lead off, Kyle Schwarber walked, and then Bryce Harper doubled to right to make it 1-0. Brandon Marsh followed with a three-run bomb over the left-field wall on an opposite-field swing. Four runs in the first inning and the Diamondbacks looked like they were in trouble.

But Soroka settled down. He allowed just four runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings with two walks and that ridiculous 10 strikeout total. It's the second time this season he's struck out double digits. The Phillies couldn't generate any more damage after that first inning explosion. They left two runners on with two outs in the fourth and didn't threaten again against Soroka, Jonathan Loaisiga, Juan Morillo, or Paul Sewald.

Arizona's Fifth Inning Rally Changed Everything

The Diamondbacks struck back in the fifth. The first three hitters reached before Ketel Marte lined a two-run single to cut it to 4-3. Ildemaro Vargas followed with a base hit to tie it, and then James McCann, who entered the game as a pinch hitter after Gabriel Moreno left with lower back tightness, laced a two-run double to right. That gave Arizona a 5-4 lead and ultimately the game.

McCann came off the bench and delivered when it mattered most. He was just 1-for-15 before that double, his second of the season. Sometimes that's all it takes in April.

Phillies Can't Find the Answer

Philadephia's pitching couldn't keep pace. Jesus Luzardo, the Phillies starter, lasted 4 2/3 innings and gave up five runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out eight but couldn't escape that lethal fifth inning rally.

Marsh and Alec Bohm went down on strikes three times each as the Phillies' bats went quiet. It's Philadelphia's third loss in a row after not scoring in their previous 20 innings before Friday's first inning burst.

Arizona improves to 5-1 in their last six games. Soroka moves to 3-0. Paul Sewald picks up his fourth save. The series continues with two more games coming up, and Arizona looks like the team to beat right now.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.