Inside The Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies Extend Winning Streak, Gibson Shines in Shutout

The Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to six games on Saturday evening on the back of a strong start from Kyle Gibson.
Kade Kistner|
Philadelphia Phillies Extend Winning Streak, Gibson Shines in Shutout
Philadelphia Phillies Extend Winning Streak, Gibson Shines in Shutout

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies now sit 17 games above .500 after a 6-0 shutout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday evening. Let that sink in for a moment.

One of the shining stars of the evening was Kyle Gibson who tossed seven innings without allowing a run while striking out nine. In his previous start he struck out 11 hitters, a career high. He has been on a roll.

Since his blowup on July 2 in which he gave up six earned runs in four innings, Gibson has been masterful. He has pitched 54 2/3 innings since then and allowed just 17 runs. 

That is the type of production a team likes to see from the backend of its rotation, it defines a contender.

Perhaps the biggest change in this Phillies squad from the iterations of the last 10 seasons are that they are winning, and at times, beating up on bad teams. The Pirates their latest victims.

For the second night in a row, the Phillies scored more than six runs. Catcher J.T. Realmuto's bases clearing triple in the first set the tone for the rest of the evening. Every starting position player notched a hit aside from Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh. 

It was an incredible showing from the offense.

Perhaps the oddest moment, or moments, of the evening were the two intentional walks of Bryce Harper. Pittsburgh was absolutely terrified of the reigning NL MVP.

A third of his season total of intentional walks came on Saturday evening. 

After outscoring the Pirates 13-4 in the first two games, Philadelphia will look to complete the sweep on Sunday afternoon. Noah Syndergaard will take the mound for the Phillies as he continues to improve after joining the club at the 2022 MLB trade deadline.

The Phillies have been tinkering with Syndergaard's pitch mix and it seems to be working as he has given up just six earned runs in 20 innings pitched since his August 4 Philadelphia debut against the Washington Nationals.

Roansy Contreras will get the start for the Pirates on Sunday, he boasts a 3.86 ERA and a 3-4 record for the season.

More From SI's Inside the Phillies:

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  2. Could Bryce Harper's Favorite MLB Player Join the Philadelphia Phillies Next Season?
  3. Why You Should Root for the Philadelphia Phillies to Lose a Few Games
  4. Phillies Release 2023 Regular Season Schedule
  5. Have the Philadelphia Phillies Found Their Centerfielder of the Future?
  6. Could The Phillies Soon Be Playing in Wawa Park?
  7. How did Philadelphia end up with Citizens Bank Park?
  8. How the Phillie Phanatic Came to be America's Favorite Sports Mascot
  9. This Unlikely Draft Pick Could be the Final Piece in the Phillies Next Blockbuster Trade
  10. Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated.  Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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