Ranger Suárez had never spent a Father’s Day with his two young children. Due to a complex visa process, They were stuck in Venezuela. His wife had never left the country and had never watched the left-handed pitcher play in person for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Suárez pitched six solid innings for the Phillies, but ended up with a no-decision in their 5-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. However, the outcome didn’t weigh heavily on Suárez this time. What mattered most was that his family was there to cheer him on at Citizens Bank Park.
They left runners on base consistently throughout the night until the crucial moment arrived. Down by a run in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Phillies strung together four consecutive hits off Padres closer Robert Suarez to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory.
Nick Castellanos, who had already racked up four hits earlier, including two doubles in Monday’s game, delivered the decisive blow—a softly hit double down the right-field line following singles by Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, and Bryson Stott.
This came after the Phillies had struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, leaving 12 runners stranded in the first eight innings, including two in the second inning, bases loaded in the fourth, two in the fifth, and two more in the sixth.
“When our key hitters come up and we’re down by just one run, we’re right in the game,” remarked Castellanos. “Credit to Bryce for starting the inning strong because, with a one-run lead, I’m sure the other team doesn’t feel comfortable against us in the ninth inning. When you get that leadoff hitter on base, it adds even more pressure on the pitcher.”
