Strahm's Impressive Start Powers Philadelphia Phillies to First Win of Season

The Philadelphia Phillies earned their first win of the 2023 MLB season, defeating the New York Yankees 4-1, while Matt Strahm looked impressive in his first start.

Kade Kistner | Apr 4, 2023

Strahm's Impressive Start Powers Philadelphia Phillies to First Win of Season /

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It only took five games, but the Philadelphia Phillies (1-4) are finally in the win column for the first time in this burgeoning 2023 MLB season after defeating the New York Yankees (3-2) 4-1. The Phillies experienced a lack of competent pitching and an anemic offense to start the season.

That was not the case on Tuesday.

Due to injuries, the Phillies are currently facing a lack of pitching depth, an issue that forced the team to turn to stretched out relief pitcher Matt Strahm for a start.

While not seen as an ideal situation coming into the second game of three against the Yankees, Strahm proved the critics wrong and turned in the best start by a Phillies starter this season. By a mile.

Strahm threw 4.0 innings of scoreless baseball, struck out three and issued just one walk. It was exactly the outing from a starting pitcher Philadelphia needed.

The Phillies offense also provided Strahm and the rest of the pitching staff a nice cushion. Slugger Kyle Schwarber blasted his first home run of the season in the first inning. Then Brandon Marsh added his first of the season as well in the third. Both were of the solo variety.

Shortstop Trea Turner stayed hot on Tuesday night, recording another multi-hit game and extended the Phillies lead to 3-0 in the fifth with an RBI-single. Turner is easily turning into the best signing Philadelphia has made since Bryce Harper.

He, along with Alec Bohm, have been some of the only bright spots this season.

The Phillies tacked on one more for insurance in the fifth when Schwarber recorded an RBI-single that scored backup catcher Garrett Stubbs, giving them a 4-0 lead.

In the ninth Craig Kimbrel was called upon in a non-save situation. He gave up one run, a D.J. LeMahieu solo shot to make it 4-1.

And that's where the damage ended.

The Philadelphia Phillies finally did it and won a game.

They will look to win the series against the New York Yankees when they face-off in the series finale on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.

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Published Apr 4, 2023

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.