Rhys Hoskins homers in 11th as Phillies fight past Pirates

PITTSBURGH -- Rhys Hoskins neared first base on Sunday afternoon, watched his home run crash into the first rows of PNC Park’s left-field seats, and pumped his fists.

He had ended just one of his previous 73 plate appearances with a home run, and it was easy to see Hoskins’ relief when his 11th-inning homer finally dropped to give the Phillies a 2-1 win over the Pirates. It had been a while, he said.

It was a huge hit for the Phillies as they twice defied defeat to hang on just long enough to win their first series of the second half. It guaranteed that Drew Smyly’s impressive debut and a gutsy two-inning effort from Ranger Suarez would not be wasted.

But it may have been even bigger for Hoskins, who the Phillies will need to get going as they try to emerge from a crowded wild-card race. Hoskins has reached base this month at a high rate -- he has a .420 on-base percentage in July -- but they need more home-run thump from their clean-up hitter.

“Sometimes you need a reminder that you can do it, you can still do it,” Hoskins said. “I barreled a ball right at a guy early in the game. But it just doesn’t feel the same when it doesn’t get the job done. Hopefully it’s big.”

The Phillies enter Monday’s off day with confidence as they have won five of their last eight and were able to take a series without the services of Aaron Nola. They will turn to Nola on Tuesday night when they open a two-game series in Detroit against a reeling Tigers team.

The Phillies scored just two earned runs in their last 20 innings. They did not outmuscle the Pirates, but they found a way to win. They received strong pitching on Sunday, but that will not fool the Phillies into having visions of pitching their way to the playoffs. They know they need to ride their lineup to October and they will ask their two horses -- Hoskins and Bryce Harper -- to lead them. Harper has shown signs in the past four weeks that he is heating up, and Sunday’s blast could be a sign that Hoskins is joining him.

“He’s been having good at-bats and he’s been close,” Gabe Kapler said. “He hit the line drive earlier in the game. He’s had bad luck. But this could do a lot for him. It really could. I think the confidence level will rise from him hitting a game-winning home run for us.”

Smyly gave the Phillies six strong innings as he returned to the majors for the first time since 13 rough outings earlier this season with Texas. He struck out eight, walked two, and avoided damage after allowing a first-inning run. The Phillies are searching for stability in their rotation and Smyly, a 30-year-old lefthander, provided some hope that he can help them in the season’s final two months.

“It was cool,” Hoskins said. “I had heard a little about what he featured, but I hadn’t seen him in action. Him and [catcher Andrew] Knapp were on the same page. I don’t think he shook at all. So he always seemed to be in rhythm with Knapp and they just met a couple of days ago.”

Smyly handed a tie game to Juan Nicasio and Adam Morgan, who cruised through the seventh and eighth innings before Hector Neris entered. The right-hander loaded the bases by hitting two batters and intentionally walking another, but he somehow extinguished the rally.

Suarez (3-0) started the 10th by allowing a double, and the Pirates moved the winning run to third base with one out. But Suarez had watched from the bullpen as Neris performed his escape, and if Neris could do it, Suarez thought, so could he.

The rookie left-hander retired the next two batters. He did not fold and showed the potential to rise as a late-inning option for a bullpen in need of help. The game was still tied, but it would not be for long. Hoskins was due up second in the 11th, and he would soon be watching his home run float over the head of Pittsburgh outfielder Bryan Reynolds.

It was a shot the Phillies -- and Hoskins -- hope can give him confidence. Suarez had given him the chance he needed.

“I don’t need any fear,” Suarez said. “What I need are outs. That’s what I need and I was able to get them.”