High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Come Back and Sweep Rays!

Episode Date: May 9, 2025

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies' extra-inning win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. 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

Are you ready to dive into the story stats and personalities that make baseball the greatest game in the world? Rob Bradford from the Baseballs & Boring Podcast here, and we'll have you covered every day with podcasts that bring you closer to the action. From the bleachers to the clubhouse, whether you're a diehard fan or just a casual observer, these conversations are aimed to educate, entertain, and most importantly, inform you. Follow the Baseballs and Boring podcast in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. And the 2-2 again. Swing and a miss! He got him! And the Phillies come back and beat the Rays in extra innings and they complete the sweep. Oh, well they actually swept. Didn't know that was was allowed didn't know they could do that welcome on and it is the final out sports radio 94 Wip jack fritz hanging out with you here on this

Thursday night as we react to maybe the comeback of the season For the fills as they continue to put together some damn good baseball. Welcome on in. It is, of course, the final out. Thursday night, Jack Fritz, hanging out with you. 215-592-9494 is how you get in. Listen, if you're one of the 5,000 or so Phillies fans in attendance tonight down at George Steinbrenner Field, we'd love to hear from you as, again, comeback of the 5000 or so Phillies fans in attendance tonight down at George Steinbrenner Field would love to hear from you as

Again come back of the season. We almost had a comeback of the season on Sunday, but they they executed tonight The game wrap-up is sponsored by Roto-Rooter when plumbing a problems hit wrap them up quick and call Roto-Rooter that their team tackles clogs and leaks so you can stay in the game Roto-Rooter that their team tackles clogs and leaks. So you can stay in the game Roto-Rooter, your MVP for plumbing solutions. Yes, Phil's come back tonight and they do a completely sweep for the second time this season and they'd already won the series, great, but it kind of felt like heading into the night

that it was gonna be a getaway day and they scored early, that was great, but for the most part, they had some getaway day vibes and then they just Didn't die. Let's get to the biggest takeaways of the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan America's largest injury law firm and you know, we've I've said here on the final out set on the podcast sent set on the radio that after the MET series, which felt like rock bottom, and I think a lot of us were questioning what the season was going to be like, may have floated out the idea of what are we going to get for Zach Wheeler at the trade deadline?

We're not going to have to worry about that anymore. And that felt rock bottom ish. You know, I think it could have gotten worse. They weren't even under 500 at that point. But when you look at that team up north, and you look at where the Phillies were, it felt seismic. And here we are, but two weeks later, and it's impossible not to feel better about them. But I think the thing that not to feel better about them.

But I think the thing that makes me feel better, and I think should make you feel better, is we're seeing a different level of fight, and we're seeing a different level of want to. And I know it's easy to say that when you come back and win a game like that, and I get it. But there's a lot of little details that are going into why I think it's okay to say, okay, something feels different here. Listen, if

you are one of those people that is in October or nothing else matters mode, okay, I get it. I think that they deserve that. But when you're starting to look at little things that are adding up and little things that could lead to bigger things, I really think that we're starting to see that from them. And after they lost to the Mets, I said, I think we'll learn a lot about this baseball team over the next two weeks.

And in that time span, they've righted the ship. They've gone on a pretty good streak here of winning. They haven't beat total tomato cans. I know people will point at the Nationals. Nationals are frisky, we discussed that. They beat the Cubs in Chicago. Cubs have played good baseball. They beat the D-backs at home home which now all of a sudden now again

This is the supreme vocal minority, but there are people that big well dime backs frauds Okay there are there for nothing on the Dodgers right now and have four runs on Yamamoto who entered into the game, but I believe in the area under one, but regardless and Tampa Bay that ballp's a joke I get it but at the same time I think they have good pitching and the Phillies have done a really good job and they scored over seven runs in every game this this

series so I think we have learned a lot about this baseball team and I think you've seen a lot of fight and I think Sunday night or Sunday afternoon when they almost came back against the Diamondbacks and maybe if they had a better position bullpen they win that game that the fight I think is the thing that makes us most proud of them and I just I like where they're at from the, like this is more professional looking. You know, early in the season, I think they talked a good talk. We're not gonna do the daycare anymore, where we're locked in, we're business-like. But how they're actually playing the last week and a half,

that's business-like. That's business like. That's taking care of business. And when you do that, that's fun. It's not fun to lose and also have no, you know, not have any joy of coming to the ballpark. You know what's fun? Is winning.

And that's the style of baseball that we are slowly seeing from this team that can win games in the regular season and can win games in the post season. Two, one, five, five, nine, two, 94, 94. I know, I watch every game thinking, is this good enough for October? We'll get some thoughts on the bullpen

from that aspect coming up. But the biggest matter with them was always the lineup. And while the lineup I still have questions about. I have questions about sustainability, can they keep this up? All that I think is on the table. But from the standpoint of putting a winning product on the field and playing winning baseball, they've won a lot of games over the last couple of years. But we know what that's been. That's been a lot of home run barrages.

It's been a lot of hot streaks that have helped a lot of winning games at home. But I think what you're starting to see is the evolution of this team offensively of playing a more traditional and winning brand of baseball. I have never seen this team go the opposite way they have the last couple of nights offensively That's huge a safety squeeze. They executed two nights ago with with Rojas didn't think that was possible Got him over got him in the first inning baby steps I mean that that first inning walked so the end of this game could run

Kepler puts a ball in play in the night on a on a tough slider down against the guy who had not blown a save this entire season and start Bunting the tenth to get Marsh over and Trey knocks him in That is winning Baseball and that makes me proud. I mean that fills my heart with so much joy Seeing them do the little things like that. Just seeing little smart things that they have not done in years past and Bryson Stott, I know it sounds minor, I know it sounds making a mountain out of a mole

hill but that dude is, for my money, the smartest player on the team. I think he is heads up in the field, heads up at the plate, plays a winning brand of baseball, and even when he was not at his best last year offensively, hard not to trust that guy in big moments. Hard not to trust that guy in big moments. Hard not to trust that guy in big moments. So a great comeback. Stott hits the big home run, gets it to 5-4 and has a big bunt late. Little things, little things.

Now there's a lot of other things to get to tonight. We will get to that and we'll start to peruse our way through this thing as we move along here on the final out. Two, one, five, five, nine, two, 94, 94 to get in arguably. The most important thing that happens tonight. We'll discuss that on the other side. Thoughts on Losardo and of course, the player of the game. All that's coming up next on the final out

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Swung on hit deep right field. That one is long gone as Bryson Stott has cleared the stadium. He has hit one out of Steinbrenner field, a mammoth three run home run to right field and it's a one-run game Just when we thought they were gonna roll over and die Bryson Scott brought some life back into the ballpark now. It's hard to bring some life back into a 10,000 seat Minor-league ballpark, but he did it.

He did it. I mean, when stock can get into one, he can get into one. And again, I'm just, I'm really happy that we're starting to get, we have been getting the 23 version of stock. And this is better probably. And I just, you know, I pointed out pretty game, you know, four for his last 25 Heading into tonight and obviously all that's from the leadoff spot

but Like I don't care, you know that they're winning right now and obviously he had I just didn't think it was a big cause for concern Because what matters most to me right now is that middle portion of the lineup. And Turner's been so good on the two hole, Stott's been fine, Bryce will get going here. There's been an odd amount of, and again, it's hard for me to tell because everyone, at least in my mentions mostly, is just like bloodthirsty and likes to make fun of me for liking the Phillies too much. And I think if you're a sane baseball fan, like if you understand the game, you're probably

like, oh, Bryce is going through a slump, he's going to be fine. I think if you wake up in July and he's still hitting 242 Okay, probably cause for concern. I don't know why we like to pretend for no reason that slumps don't happen Like Bryce needs to step up Okay. Well, he hit a ball He'd a bottle of water tonight the opposite way just missed another home run He ripped the ball last night and ripped the ball in the first game it's it's baby steps but

when it's it's working your way out of a slump and he's focusing on the opposite way which I think is a good sign from from where he is is currently at so that's my official statement on Bryce I think he's gonna be okay I think I think Bryce is gonna be just fine but Bryson Scott is my player of the game and that is brought to you by South Jersey Gas Conserve helping customers and the community save energy and money visit South Jersey gas com slash conserve big home run lights the ballpark up had a double on the first thing that got the game started and then I really I mean of all the the most exciting plays that Bryson stop made tonight a Bunt with Brandon Marsh and second base to get him over to third base and get the ever so important

Second run home in in the Ghost Runner extra innings era Bryson's died did that on a first pitch. For my money, he's their smartest player. He is a baseball player's baseball player. And I think the highest honor you can give a baseball player is calling a ball player. That is Bryson Stott. 215592, 94.94 to get in. My guy, David Maryland, what's happening, pal?

Just a great series that I feel like in the last week they've just come up for air and I've been able to breathe as a team and it's it's just refreshing to watch just the inner the interaction I always watch the interaction in the dugout and the last you know since that last, you know, since that Cubs series, I feel like they've been so much more relaxed. Those two wins on Saturday and Sunday in Chicago, I think that kind of jump started what we're seeing now. And, you know, kind of let them know,

we are a good baseball team. We just have to, you know, relax and start playing. Trey Turner has been, you know, just getting his hits and doing a really good job of getting on base, using the speed. Rojas, you know, that first to third off the missed pickoff night. How fast is the guy?

It's just ridiculous. Well, and that's where, you know, I think there's a lot of people that couldn't understand why a lot of baseball people were furious with him trying to get to third base Was that last week and for with no reason from down to that was using your speed for no good That was just being over aggressive just to be over aggressive that play tonight. That's game-changing speed and that's huge and Fairbanks they had him on the ropes again Fairbanks hadn't blown a save all all year You could see immediately when Rojas got on first base. He was rattled

Yeah, and another huge at bat that goes underrated Kepler's a bat just waiting to get the ball in play I mean stuff like that is is you know, it's fun to watch as a baseball fan You know what happens in October happens in October and it's, you know, there's no guarantees, but I just like the brand of baseball. They've been playing the last, you know, last 10 days and it's been fun to watch. And then you see Andrew Painter tonight,

having a great, a good outing, working out of a jam. And the one person I want to praise that's not on the team is Stubbs. I think he's done a great job with the young pitching down in AAA with Yimol. Just listen to him talk about the painter tonight. It's great to see that he's a professional, is really helping the guys. You could have went down there and pouted and that he's not on the major league club,

but it seems like he's relished the role of being a mentor down there and kudos to him. Yeah Dave you're my man. I mean that's uh I totally agree and I know that Stubbs has his fans in the in the Philly's fan base. I know he has his detractors but I think that that guy has helped have a lot of winning around here over the last couple years and I think he has really helped some of the young pitchers up a Lehigh Valley and that team Said it all year. I mean, that's the it's the deepest iron picks team of our lives. They are a wagon and That pitching staffs really starting to figure it out a little bit and having a veteran guy like Garrett Stubbs He knows that a call ballgame not bad. Not bad. Not bad. But yeah, I think You know obviously back to the big league club.

By the way, if you missed it, Andrew Painter, three innings pitched, 60 pitches, struck out five, did not allow a run. I guess, and I didn't get a chance to go back and watch it yet, but he, at some point, walked the bases loaded, but got out of it. Not the most crisp, but I was able to watch the, I was able to watch the first inning while waiting for our shuttle back from the truest championship to our lot.

So me and Ike were watching Andrew Painter on our phone, on my phone, and he did strike out the number one prospect in baseball. It kind of made him look a little bit silly. So he struck out Roman Anthony to start the game. But yeah, my biggest critique of them when they lost in the, I guess the Mets last year, is like I just didn't think they played a winning brand of baseball. And I really hope that, you know, maybe they keep this going, obviously.

It's hard to compare it to the Eagles because I think there's more spots for a Valley in a baseball season than football. I mean, it's once once it's one game a week I feel like we can get on a roll being out of physical teams It kind of takes care of itself the Phillies are gonna go through a slump here It's gonna happen and we all have to be prepared for it. But you know, I hope that there was some kind of bi-week ish type story that came out about

Maybe they all got together and recommitted to what what Kevin Long and Rob Thompson and the Phillies organization wanted them to do offensively this year which was use the whole field you know see the ball deep go the other way and and maybe a recommitment to that to help get the best version of themselves and You've seen a pretty good commitment of going the opposite way to help them the last couple of of games, so Maybe there was some kind of a come to Jesus moment I don't know if there was but they're starting to play a winning brand of baseball and that is really exciting

Ryan was at the games and I was happening. Ryan. Hey Jack, what's going on man? Listen, where are we at for the comeback tonight? Where are we at? I was up there about a 30 rows up on the third base side. Perfect. Dude, uh, we got down. I'm like, this is where the steam rolled over and died. I had that little feeling. I had it. I had that little feeling. I was texting my girlfriend and she was like, they're going to do. They're gonna do it. They did it. You're there. And uh, I don't know. When stock got, when stock came up there with Q1, all I could think about was

uh, the playoff game against the Marlins and that shot he hit out to right center. Nice. And then as soon as it left the bat, I'm like, oh my god, that was awesome. I mean, all you're thinking about was don't let stock go yard here. Don't let stock go yard here. Don't give this team a chance to breathe. Don't give them a chance. Don't give them a little bit of life. I was very nervous when Romano came in

and beat off Guy Gaglonda. Of course, of course. But hey, we gotta trust our guy Romano, man. He's starting to pitch better, man. He's starting to pitch better. Baby steps, baby steps. Buy a little stock, buy a little stock. I know, I know. I know. But, I mean listen, you did not go to the game last night. I didn't hit a final out last night. It didn't zap a dodge of season. The Phil swept and the Phils are hot Ryan. Yep. We might have turned it around here. We might have turned it around. All right, buddy. Appreciate the phone call as

Always the pitch count is brought to you by the plumbers union local 690 protecting the health of the nation visit plumbers 690 org 105 pitches for Jesus Lizardo tonight. I Thought he really fought himself. I don't think he had command all night. Didn't really seem to have a feel for any of his secondary pitches and I kind of felt like his fastball when he was in the zone was, was middle middle, but he still grinded.

And he still gave his team a chance to win a ball game. Wasn't his best effort, but he's been so good this year. I think if that's his quote unquote stinker, I think we're in a pretty good spot. So not his best tonight, but overall, gave his team a chance to win. And sometimes that's all you can ask for. And you got to battle when you don't have your best stuff.

215-592-9494 is how you get in. On the other side, a look ahead to tomorrow and some interesting managerial decisions tonight. We'll get to all of that. Coming up next on the Final Out on Sports Radio 94 WIBA. Marsh swings and lines one to left center field. That's down for a base hit. Sosa will come home and score.

Marsh headed for second. It's a lead off double to start the 10th. And the Phillies have a 6-5 lead. How about Marshie? Two for four tonight. I believe he is What five for I think he's five for ten now after coming back from the Injury list he said that after the game that Kyle Schwabers really even helped really helped him when he's obviously down the dumps After how he started the season with the injury. So again Kyle Schwabert,

not to give him credit for everything good that happens with the Phillies, but he is massively important to this team and I understand if you don't want to pay him during the regular season because of how it looks to JT and Ranger and if you feel like it's gonna throw off the chemistry of the team. Okay, I get it. Just make sure the guy's signed. 400 whatever. And he's just, he's, he is the leader of the team. He hits 30 plus home runs a year and he extended us on base streak tonight baby so was it 38 straight games to start a season and 43 games

overall third 14 away from passing Mike Schmidt for the all-time team record love a good streak love a good streak I mean I know it's technically over two seasons which makes it watered down just a little bit but at the same time there's something thrilling about late in the game he's 0 for 3 he are they gonna be able to get him back up in the ninth and they did and he got a base hit and the streak lives on 43 straight games reaching base dating back to last season again Mike Schmidt 56 is the team record so he's getting close.

And I think if he gets to 50, we're going to start having countdowns. It's going to be turned into a huge thing. So good for Schwab, good for Marshie, who again, Brandon Marsh seems like a great dude. And obviously, I want him to do well. And slowly but surely, you get a little Marsh, Rojas Platoon, now you got to figure out left field, maybe Weston Wilson, maybe Weston Wilson.

Speaking of that, there are some interesting things from Rob Thompson tonight. One, putting Tanner Banks in the seventh inning when it's all righties to start the inning and you're going to use Romano anyway. Felt like a very odd decision, stuck with him. I know Yandy Diaz had been 5 for 35 against lefties heading into that at bat, but still he's traditionally have hit left these pretty well, I believe. The most striking thing to me was really like they don't seem to want to go to Kirk Ring.

Maybe he wasn't available. Maybe they want to sit him down for a couple of days, get him some real rest before putting him back out there again, but that's a Kirkering spot. I mean if Kirkering's right. So that's one I think to kind of monitor here. And then, you know, they pulled Castellanos from the game for Weston Wilson as a pinch runner. It felt like a really, like really aggressive move. And just trying to think of the pros and cons of it I kind of feel like the cons outweigh the pros because his back could have came back up and it was if I had to bet it was most likely gonna stay tied and you know hitting behind Bryce at that point would have been Rojas and Wilson which is not exactly

the best production but the more and more I think about it maybe that he was de-aging tonight Maybe he's done with a hip thing Maybe they didn't want him running the bases had it gotten to the gap and he had to go first third or first to home I don't know, but I thought it was two Relatively interesting decisions from Rob Thompson tonight now tomorrow. They are on the road again They go out to Cleveland. So they leave a minor league ballpark and no juice to Cleveland, which also not a ton of juice of course.

I mean, who could forget the last time they were in Cleveland was when Bryce Haber made his debut at first base and in the first inning flew over the guardrail when the first base dug out. So, he scared us immediately. and in the first inning flew over the guardrail on the first base dugout so he scared us immediately but Knowles is on the mound looking to continue to build off of what has been two straight fantastic starts for him and I think that Cutter starting to develop into a real pitch for him he is not overly reliant on his curve ball right now. Keeping the ball down when he goes up, he's going out of the zone. So we'll see if Knowles can keep it

up. And he's facing Gavin Williams, who if you know me, you know I love Gavin Williams, but he has gotten off to a horrible start, but still I think generated like 15 whiffs and four innings in his last outing. So maybe he figured something out. I don't know for my fantasy team's purposes. I could use him figuring it out. But not tomorrow night. But have no fear. I will be leading you into the game with a little bit of leading off.

So Noah versus Gavin Williams. Gavin Williams power fastball. Kind of a dooky curveball. But he's a 0-0-5. So yeah, yeah stuff hopefully the Phillies can take care of them but yeah I will have you with leading off tomorrow deep voice Luke produced the program tonight Tom Kelly's coming on next he'll take you through the rest of the evening to here tonight on sports radio 94 WIP