High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Bats Come Alive!

Episode Date: April 14, 2026

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies putting up a season-high 13 runs in Monday night's win over the Cubs. Presented by Miller Lite. To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. Oh, what a night down in South Philly. Welcome on, and it is the Final Out, sponsored by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Monday. night is we don't have these these nights very often and Flyers fans if you're on the ride home

I'm sorry you'll be able to react with Jody Mack who did invent a term flyered up back in the day but it is time for a little final out as the Phillies win tonight 13 to 7 it really wasn't that close

Seth Johnson made it close clearly did not care about the run differential but a a much needed, much needed offensive night. The game wrap-off is sponsored by Roto Router. When plumbing problems hit, wrap them up quick and call Roto Router. Their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game. Roto Router, your MVP for plumbing solutions.

215-592-94. I envision traffic is brutal. Right now, down in South Philly, so if you're stuck in traffic, we'd love to hear from you coming home from both games. But on the Phillies front, 13. to seven. Much, much needed. Obviously, there's a lot of talk today about holding players accountable, and, you know, they can only score in one inning and blah, blah, blah, blah. Well, for one night, they certainly calmed a lot of people's attention with that. The biggest takeaway is the game

brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm, and yes, the offense is the big story tonight. And, you know, it was one of those Schwabre home runs that I think just ease the tension with them. And when he is out there and he's doing his thing, he's launching baseballs, I just think that everyone can just settle down. He has that calming effect. It's like when J-roll would lead off a game with the home run. Or, you know, one of the big guys kind of just gets going and it lets everyone else just settle down and do their job. So Trey got a hit tonight. Schwabber went yard twice, which is really, really good to see. He's got a semi-slow, start the season. He's striking out more than I would have liked. But overall, I think Schwerber,

you don't ever worry about him too much. Bryce continues to look really good. Almost went yard in the first. Diggett a ripped base hit late. And Walker was good. Adoli Garcia, two hits tonight. Two pole side hitch, which I think is good because I think pitchers are starting to really jam him in. I've been trying to get in on his hands, and he made them pay tonight at least. And then, And then Brandon Marsh. You know, Brandon Marsh is just continuing to have a really, really solid start to the year. And he's been arguably their best overall hitter, but he's been hit number 300 for a long, long stretch.

Now he's still just a right-handed option. I mean, he's a platoon bat. But, man, he is really, really good against right-hand pitching. A JT3 hits, which is nice. Stott hits the balls. Hard bone got a hit, which was good, broke his open. for 17 streak. You only God they didn't get a hit tonight.

It was Justin Crawford. And what gives? What gives, kid? I mean, come on. Come on. So Justin Crawford, no hit tonight. But overall, offense was the big story of this one. Eight for 14 with runners in scoring position tonight, which is huge.

They were, as of a couple days ago, they were 29th in baseball. I don't know if they still were heading into today. But eight for 14 tonight with the runner and scoring pitch. I promise not welling up because the Flyers made the playoffs. Not at all. But two little sick boys at home. Eventually, they take down the big fella. So we're working our way through it.

Can you make it through this? No, listen. Ross, this is what they pay me the big bucks for. But, I mean, listen, when the Flyers go back to the playoffs for the first time in forever, and the barns electric and it looks like 2010 all over again, how can you not get a little choked up? Holy cow. What an embarrassing start to the final.

on the out tonight. All right. So, offense does their job. Shwerper eases the tension. All well and good. For one night, they scored in the first three innings, which is great to see. Oh my goodness, they scored it more than one inning. You know, I kind of left that Diamondback series feeling more positive. I thought under the hood, things are starting to click and go in the right direction. And at least offensively tonight,

led by and started by the big three, they came in and did their job. All right. Speaking of fighting himself a little bit, Chris Sanchez fought himself tonight. Now, the great part about Sanchez is that his stuff is so good that he can kind of work his way through an outing, even when he doesn't have his best stuff.

But this is a couple starts in a row where it feels like he's fighting himself. Hasn't really had command for that change-up. He missed a couple sinkers by feet tonight. So he is still really, really good, but I keep waiting for it to kind of click for him. He allowed that, or click for him, like, get on a real role of dominance. I think he walked three guys. Tonight, it's been like fits and starts. He allowed the home run and then struck out four straight.

And it was like, all right, there it is, there it is. And they allowed a couple base runners. And I was like, ah, you know, kind of sputtered out there. But again, what makes him so great is his ability to kind of, work his way through stuff, even when he doesn't have his, his command. And, you know, 11 base hits last game. Tonight, a couple base hits early. And obviously the home run, not great.

So he is working through some things mechanically. Good to see his fastball velocity tick back up. He had been 94. He's back into the 96s today. So that was good to see for sure. 888-729-94-94 to get in. On the other side, I promise some phone calls. I'm going to get some water.

and we'll get to the player of the game. Well, it's coming up next. Final out on Sports Radio 94 WIPA. The pitch to Schwabers. Swung on. Hit deep up the alley, right center field. That one is on its way. It is gone.

And the Phillies have scored in three straight innings. Kyle Schwarber doing the honors again. His second home run of the night, his sixth of the season. And it's now four to nothing, Phillies. All right, let's tighten up the final out a little bit. welcome on back. It is the final out. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Barking Authority. Jack Fritz hanging out with you here on this Monday night. A big night in South.

Philly Flyers fans, if you're driving home, I know. A big, big win and they're back in the playoffs. Looking forward to hearing all the reaction tomorrow as we're gutting our way through this. I mean, this is brutal. Just brutal. This is a relief. I know. When they're back in, it's hard to. not to, it's hard not to get choked up. She's. All right. Shwerber is obviously our player of the game. Brought to you by South Jersey Gas. Make the smart play, save energy and money with South Jersey gas at SJG Saveenergy.com. Like I mentioned in the first segment, I really thought that he

set the tone and he does this. This is why Kyle Schwerber is worth the money that paid for him. Obviously, what he does on the field is great. But leadership-wise and just always being someone that the team can turn to and say, hey, Kyle's got us. And him, he used to do this all the time when he was a leadoff hitter. It was like, things were teetering. Bang there, Schwerber. And, you know, even in the dugout, the reaction was so funny. He had that second one.

And like the dugout kind of exploded in a way. So I assume that's some kind of inside joke. And even some of the shots in there, you know, he immediately starts talking to Alec Bohm and Alec Bone got to hit the next time out there. You know, Bowmer, one of the guys that really feels like they need an arm around their shoulder. And that's what Schwerver provides. and he is just insanely, insanely valuable to the franchise. And, you know, I mean, maybe he will hit 50 plus homeruns again.

The power strokes there hasn't, you know, mixed in many singles or doubles, but he's still walking and can obviously do what he did there. So 888, 729 and 94-94. Get some additional thoughts. But Dave and Maryland, save me, pal. What's going on? What's up? Sounds like you're struggling there tonight.

Oh, my goodness. I hope you start. Can't shake. it. But no, it was good to see a good win. You know, the bats come alive a little bit. You know, April baseball is such a, just a fickle thing where, you know, one night you can look like this, one night you can look like yesterday. Like, if you look at the National League, besides the Dodgers, like no team has really caught traction at all. And it's a tough thing to do when, you know, when you're just trying to get pitch counts up for pitchers, hitters are,

you know, struggling. You know, hopefully tonight's a little bit of a springboard, and the weather the next couple days looks like it could be hot. So, I mean, hopefully that can help them out with, you know, getting some good swings. But like you said, Schwerber with just a, you know, a statement shot tonight early and then backs it up with another one. And, you know, it was, you know, good to see.

You know, you hate to see these guys struggle like they have been. And it was nice to see them get on track. back, you know, the, everybody that's looking at, you know, I think you look at April, April baseball, and you look at, you know, how we struggled in the postseason. I try not to, you know, look at like October right now because there's so much that can happen before them. Yeah. And I know that's the fan base's mantra right now is what is going to be in October. We don't know.

I mean, it's just a matter of who gets hot and hopefully this team will, the pitching will got us there and, you know, we get, we get the bass swing at the right times. And that's what baseball is. And I refuse to give up on this team. Yeah, I appreciate the phone call, Dave, and me too. And, you know, I said it, you know, on the afternoon show today and on the highest podcast, where you can download every podcast. And I said it semi-tong-in-cheek, but the idea, like, I didn't leave that Diamondback

series feeling totally dejected. You know, but I thought they got a lot of trouble. traffic on the base bass, some horrible base running. That happens. I don't know why they decided to put it all together in one game, horrendous base running, but they did. And, you know, when you have a lot of traffic, sometimes doesn't go your way, but at least that's on base. And, you know, tonight they kind of were able to bring them home. And, and, you know, a lot of stuff under the hood, stars starting to do their thing. Marsh having a great start to the year. Crawford being great.

Got to find some semblance of consistency in the middle portion of the lineup, the Adolese and Boe, Stott, JT, they're crucial. You know, pinning the hopes of the offense on Justin Crawford is a lot, and we know he's going to go through his ups and down as a rookie. Or maybe he won't. Maybe it's going to hit him over 300, which is crazy. But it was going to see Adolies have the two hits tonight. Bullside, first game of the cleanup spot.

Hopefully that can kind of get him going, get him back on track, because he was really encouraging in the first couple series of the year, hitting the ball hard, and then he got kind of away from himself. He was striking out more, wasn't walking, was expanding the zone, was making really, really soft contact. I thought pitches were rushing him in. It's on him to kind of adjust back. So good to see him get the two knocks tonight,

and hopefully that kind of gets him going back on the right track. Now, one guy who is just not a big league pitcher, is Seth Johnson. He's never been a big league pitcher. It's a bummer because he throws 99 and that slider is interesting. But oh my goodness, it's like I've never, I've never, well, I mean, we've seen a lot of bad pitching here. But to see a pitcher at the major league level have no idea where his fastball is going is infuriating. It's infuriating.

And to make that game even close tonight, didn't care about the run differential. He is dreadful. Now, thank God. Kirkland came in and just did his job because, that Johnson was dreadful. Bill's in East Hampton. What's happening, Bill? Bill.

Hey, how you doing, my friend? What's up, pal? Not much. Really love the game tonight. We had everybody, I'm telling you, the last couple weeks with the struggling bats, it was very bad. If there was a doctor baseball

that could administer a prescription, a homestand and an offensive onslaught in game one of the homestead, It was exactly what the Phillies needed, and that's what they got tonight. Totally. I really, I loved, I love, I'll tell you, Garcia's going to be okay. I think some people may think he could struggle.

I think he's going to embrace this role. I think he's going to be fine in the lineup. I really hope so. I think he's the biggest swing guy, and I appreciate you the phone call. I think he's the biggest swing guy because, you know, Marsh is a really good player, but he's a platoon guy. You feel pretty good about the top three, but, you know, everyone says stars have to be stars, stars have to be stars. And I get that.

They can't be duds, but you need other guys to have moments. And I hope that what's happening with the Dolies right now is he's kind of working his way through his new swing. And as the season gets going, he'll get more comfortable with it. And he'll feel more comfortable, you know, kind of unleashing on baseballs, which he has shown the ability to do. But I hope he can do it. I mean, he is really, really important to the standpoint of this team reaching its ceiling. So a good start tonight with him in the four spot and maybe some much-needed thump behind the big three in the lap. 888, 7294-94.

If you want to get in, the final segment of the final out is coming on next, a look ahead to tomorrow and the wow moment of the game. All that's going on next on the final out, the sports radio 94 WIPA. Welcome back. It is the final out as soon as I turn my head. Jordan Romano just blew a game for the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim so we don't see the stupid graphic that is being shown about how he hasn't allowed to run yet. He still stinks. Final out sponsored by the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Jack Fritz gutting this one out here tonight on the final out.

That was our wow moment of the game, which is brought to you by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, from waterfalls to fairways, mountain resorts to Lighthouse Tours. Find your wow at visit nj.com. Of course, Schorbert went yard twice, but, you know, Marsh kind of broke open the game there. And the Phillies didn't really look back besides Seth Johnson making it close for no reason and affecting the run differential. But he's a quad A pitcher. No doubt about it. So, you know, the big test tomorrow is can you build off this?

Or is this a one-game spurt where you score all these runs, but it's off or not? as the offense goes back into the toilet tomorrow. Now, it's Colin Ray, so they shouldn't. You know, he's like a four or five-inning pitcher these days. I think he shoved against the Phillies last year. But Colin Ray will start tomorrow for the Cubbies versus Aaron. Nola. Nola's been really, really good.

You know, the first start was, you know, kind of eh. And then he's great in Colorado, and he's great in San Fran. That was a Rob Thompson loss. I know he allowed the home run, but, you know, with Banks warmed up in the bullpen, I don't care if it's only the six, and he's at 80 some pitches. Like, get him out of there and win the ball game. So, Aaron Nola, I think it's been great. He looks much, much, much closer to 24 Nola than 25 Nola.

And, you know, I think they tinker with his stuff a little bit. I think they added more, you know, vertical drop to his guard ball. And I think that's helped his cutter, actually, where it moves more. It's more like a slider. now. So just making it a tougher, tougher bat for a batter. So no Alec Bohm tomorrow. Rob Thompson announced that, even though he thought he swung the bat well tonight. And Muno Sosa is going to get the start. During the game, it came out that Alec Bome did fire Scott Boris as his agent and more stuff going on with the parents. So it's been a tough start to the year

for Alec Bome offensively, but he is dealing with some stuff off the field as well for sure. you know, hopefully Ackbone can get everything situated. It seems like a really brutal situation that he's dealing with his parents. And, you know, I think we've got all kind of feel for Ackbaum, even though on the field it has not been the best start to the season at all. So that's going to do it for me. Hopefully I don't sound like this tomorrow. I appreciate sticking with me tonight as we react to finally a good laugher-type

Phil's win. Flyers fans, the guy that invented, flyered up. He is coming up next. Jody Mack, he'll take you through the rest of the night here on Sports Radio 94 WIPA.