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WASHINGTON – The Phillies spent their week at Nationals Park with a direct view from the visitors’ third baseman dugout on the massive scoreboard out of town in right center field – and they didn’t hesitated to recognize it.
So when the Phils won Monday’s victory, they knew the Mets had lost to the Marlins two minutes earlier. Likewise, when Philadelphia recorded Tuesday’s winning final in Washington, New York was trailing in the ninth inning en route to another loss in Miami.
After both teams won on Wednesday, however, the staggered starting times meant the Phillies didn’t have to watch any other score than theirs on Thursday. With another Mets loss already on the books by the time Travis Jankowski entered the box to start the final, the Phils took care of the business behind another ninth inning rally in a 7-6 victory over the Nats.
The Phillies’ fifth straight win (56-53) brought them less than half a game from the Mets (56-52) before the three-game showdown between the teams that begins Friday at Citizens Bank Park.
“We would love it no matter who we play because these games all matter and anytime you’re on a streak like us you feel good and you are excited to play,” said JT Realmuto. “But it’s obviously a big series with the Mets. It’s going to be huge. … That would be a great momentum builder for the rest of the year.
Realmuto was instrumental in setting up Friday’s battle for first place in NL East. Led by two points and until the team’s final strike on Thursday, Realmuto lined up a brace equal to two points in the gap in the center-right field. Rhys Hoskins called two hitters later with a two-run double to put Philadelphia ahead.
These are the types of clutch play that could ultimately make the difference in the NL East race.
“We’ve got to find the big hits. You’ve got to have some magical moments,” Hoskins said. “I don’t think we’re done with those. I think for the rest of the year we’re probably going to find ourselves in situations in games that are going to be pretty big.”
The Phillies got plenty of those hits in the four-game sweep that started with a five-run rally in the ninth inning Monday night and also featured a three-run comeback on Wednesday and Thursday. The end result was the club’s first road sweep in four games against a divisional opponent since 2009.
Although the team received top-to-bottom contributions from the roster, the trio of Hoskins, Realmuto and Bryce Harper are a combined 24 for 52 (0.462) with 14 extra hits and 18 RBIs over the course of the five-game winning streak. .
“It’s hard to sweep a series on the road. It’s also hard to sweep four games even at home,” said Hoskins. “I think you can feel the momentum a little bit.… It should be a really exciting series this weekend.”
The Mets, meanwhile, are 2-6 in their last eight games and have lost three straight series after losing three of four games to the last-place Marlins. New York will send Marcus Stroman to the mound for Friday’s game opener, while Kyle Gibson will make his home debut for Philadelphia after an impressive first start in Pittsburgh.
“It’s good to have momentum, but like I said the momentum starts with the starter the next day. [and] if this continues, “manager Joe Girardi said.” I feel good about Gibby and I’m sure they feel good about Stroman. This should be good.”
As the Phillies seek a top spot for the first time since May 8 on Friday – which also marks the start of the Alumni Weekend – Harper expects a playoff-like atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park.
“I can’t wait. I hope this place rocks, to the top,” Harper said. “I’m really excited to see it. I can’t wait to get there Friday night and go.”
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