Phillies Clinch Victory Against Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park

PHILADELPHIA — Edmundo Sosa and Kyle Schwarber emerged as the heroes of the day.

With two outs in the seventh inning, Sosa slammed a two-run double, quickly followed by Schwarber’s two-run homer, catapulting the Phillies ahead in their home opener. The team took a commanding 6-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies in a packed Citizens Bank Park on Monday.

The roaring crowd had even more to cheer about as new team member Max Kepler added his third hit of the game—a soaring solo home run to right field. Nick Castellanos added to the excitement with another blast to center field in the eighth inning, securing a celebratory trip home for fans.

The Phillies demonstrated their offensive prowess with 11 hits in total.

On the mound, Jose Alvarado struck out three batters in the eighth, only allowing one walk, while newcomer Jordan Romano gave up a single but confidently closed the game in the ninth.

Sosa, stepping in for the starting shortstop, hit his second double of the game to send Bryson Stott, who had also hit a double, and Trea Turner, who earned a walk, across home plate in the seventh. Turner was in as a pinch-hitter, making his first appearance since the opener on Thursday due to back spasms that had kept him off the field.

Sosa faced off against reliever Victor Vodnik, paving the way for Schwarber to deliver a thunderous shot to center, adding to Colorado’s woes.

In a tense moment early on, Hunter Goodman’s sixth-inning home run for Colorado gave them a brief 1-0 lead and ended an impressive outing for Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez. Despite this, Sanchez received well-deserved applause from the crowd of 44,595.

Throughout the stint, Sanchez allowed just four hits, walked two, and fanned seven batters before Orion Kerkering took over after Goodman’s center-field homer.

Sanchez displayed resilience in the second inning, striking out a batter to escape a two-in-three situation with runners in scoring position.

Although he faced a scare after injuring himself while rushing off the mound during the fifth inning, Sanchez managed a practice pitch and continued until Ezequiel Tovar flied out, diffusing the threat after a single by Brenton Doyle.

Newcomer Max Kepler recorded the first hit for Philadelphia with a double against German Marquez in the second inning. Alec Bohm later managed a single in the fourth, though neither player advanced further.

Continuing to threaten in the fifth inning, the Phillies saw Castellanos reach third on Sosa’s subsequent double. However, Schwarber couldn’t capitalize at the time, striking out—only to redeem himself later.

Since beginning his coaching career in 1988, manager Rob Thomson has witnessed plenty of baseball, but he praised Cristopher Sanchez for his remarkable transformation ahead of Monday’s game against the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park.

Sanchez’s journey from a powerful pitcher lacking control to a 2024 National League All-Star with an enviable blend of power and precision is a rare feat, Thomson noted.

“I’ve spoken often about his incredible progress over the past few years,” Thomson remarked.

“When we acquired him from Tampa Bay, his arm strength was evident, but he struggled with control. Gradually, his velocity dropped while his command improved. Now, however, his velocity is climbing again—a fascinating development I haven’t seen before.”

Signed by Tampa Bay as an adolescent in 2013 and traded to the Phillies in 2019, the 28-year-old Dominican talent concluded last season with an 11-9 record and a 3.32 ERA across 31 starts. He finished tenth in Cy Young Award voting and recently secured a potentially favorable four-year, $22.5 million contract extension.

“He’s evolved into a pitcher with both power and accuracy—much like [Zack] Wheeler,” Thomson added. “Possessing both qualities, plus a changeup that induces swings and misses, means he’s in excellent form. His slider is improving, and his maturity and poise are steadily growing.”

Due to lingering back spasms, Trea Turner did not start in the Phillies’ 2025 home opener today but could possibly appear from the bench, according to Thomson.

Meanwhile, catcher J.T. Realmuto returned to the lineup after missing Sunday’s game due to a bruised foot.

The Phillies will continue their series against the Colorado Rockies with a 3:05 p.m. game at Citizens Bank Park, broadcast on NBC 10/NBC Sports Philly Plus.

Phillies lineup versus Rockies: Kyle Schwarber DH, Alec Bohm 3B, Bryce Harper 1B, J.T. Realmuto C, Max Kepler LF, Nick Castellanos RF, Bryson Stott 2B, Brandon Marsh CF, Edmundo Sosa SS.