The Philadelphia Phillies are entering the All-Star break in a strong position, leading the National League East after defeating the San Diego Padres 2-1 at Petco Park on Sunday. The victory places them half a game ahead of the New York Mets.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed relief at reaching this point, stating, “I think everybody needs a break right now. We’ve been grinding.” The team has faced many close games recently, making their current standing even more significant.
Cristopher Sánchez delivered an impressive performance, pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing only one run on six hits. His ERA now stands at 2.50. Despite a challenging first inning where he allowed two walks and a single, Sánchez found his rhythm and kept the Padres at bay.
Thomson praised Sánchez’s development over time: “I’m just so proud of him, from where he started to where he’s at right now.” He highlighted Sánchez’s improved command and ability to handle adversity as key factors in his success.
Bryce Harper played a crucial role by scoring both runs for Philadelphia. In the eighth inning, Harper reached base with a double and scored on J.T. Realmuto’s two-out double to center field.
Reflecting on their position going into the second half of the season, Harper said: “Pumped that we are in first place going into the second half.” He credited starting pitching as a major strength for the team but acknowledged areas for improvement like timely hitting.
Harper also anticipates potential roster upgrades before the July 31 Trade Deadline under Dave Dombrowski’s leadership: “I think [he] is going to make some moves at the Deadline for us.”
As they prepare for what’s next, Harper emphasized the importance of star players stepping up: “Our stars playing like stars,” urging teammates to maintain momentum moving forward.
