Trea Turner wasted no time setting the tone, and rookie Mick Abel followed with a strong outing as the Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night in the opener of a four-game series at loanDepot park.
Turner launched the second pitch of the game over the center field wall for his 18th career leadoff home run — and second of the season — sparking a Phillies offense that has been one of baseball’s most potent early in games. Philadelphia now has 56 first-inning runs, trailing only the Dodgers for most in the majors.
Turner added two singles and an RBI later in the game, continuing his hot stretch at the plate.
Rookie right-hander Mick Abel (2-0) continued to impress in his fourth major league start. The 23-year-old scattered three hits over five innings, allowing just one run while striking out three. His lone blemish came in the second inning when Miami tied the game on Connor Norby’s RBI single.
Abel had some help from his defense — notably second baseman Bryson Stott, who made a diving catch to rob Xavier Edwards with the bases loaded and two outs in the second, preventing Miami from taking the lead.
Max Kepler broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth with a solo shot to right field off Sandy Alcántara, his ninth home run of the season. Kepler’s blast was the turning point, shifting momentum squarely in the Phillies’ favor.
Alec Bohm provided insurance late, delivering a two-run single in the ninth inning after Turner had made it 3-1 with an RBI single in the seventh.
Miami threatened briefly in the eighth when Agustín Ramírez brought the Marlins within a run with a sacrifice fly, but the Phillies bullpen shut the door. Orion Kerkering tossed a perfect ninth for his first career save.
Alcántara (3-8) took the loss despite a solid outing, allowing two runs on five hits across five innings. He struck out five and surpassed Josh Johnson for second on the Marlins’ all-time strikeout list with 834.
Miami suffered another blow when center fielder Dane Myers exited in the third inning after being hit in the left elbow by a 95-mph fastball from Abel during his second-inning at-bat.
The series continues Tuesday with left-hander Jesús Luzardo (6-2, 4.23 ERA) set to take the mound for the Phillies against Miami right-hander Cal Quantrill (3-7, 5.61 ERA).
With their offense humming and young arms stepping up, the Phillies continue to look like one of the most complete teams in the National League.
