NEW YORK - It was a forgettable road trip but the Phillies ended it on a positive note, beating the Mets, 6-0, in Wednesday's series finale at Citi Field.
Oh, and Rhys Hoskins got his revenge.
A night after Mets reliever Jacob Rhame threw two fastballs at Hoskins' head in the span of five pitches, Hoskins faced him again and this time homered to left field.
It had to feel amazing for Hoskins, who circled the bases as slowly as you will ever see (see story).
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Vince Velasquez pitched well again, even if he lasted only five innings.
The Phils scored their first run in the first inning when J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper hit back-to-back doubles.
They were quiet until the eighth when they broke things open against Robert Gsellman. Hoskins led off with a triple and Maikel Franco followed with an RBI single. Phil Gosselin drove in a run with a pinch-hit RBI single to center, before Roman Quinn added the third run of the inning with a safety squeeze. Quinn exited a few minutes later with an apparent injury.
For all of the Phillies' recent offensive issues, they have thrived with a runner on third and less than two outs, hitting .500 (21 for 42) to lead the majors.
The win makes the Phillies 13-11, same as the Mets. The Phils have already played 17 games against the NL East and gone 10-7.
Vinny Velo making strides
While continuing to receive little credit from the fan base, Velasquez continues to do his job.
Wednesday night was Velasquez's fourth start of the season and in all four, he's kept the Phillies in the game and limited damage. In this one, 97 pitches forced a five-and-dive, but Velasquez did not allow a run over those five innings.
He stranded the bases loaded in a 27-pitch first inning and stranded two runners in scoring position in the third.
The three biggest at-bats of Velasquez's night all came against the dangerous Wilson Ramos. In the first two ABs, Velasquez struck Ramos out swinging with a high fastball. In the third, Velasquez induced a groundout to second base on his final pitch of the night.
Through four starts, Velasquez has a 1.99 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a .195 opponents' batting average.
His next start lines up for April 30 against the Tigers, one of the worst offensive teams in baseball.
Quinn can't catch a break
Even the perfectly executed safety squeeze Quinn laid down in the eighth inning ended badly.
Quinn, who is just 3 for 25 with 14 strikeouts, exited the game later in the eighth with a groin strain.
Injuries have unfortunately defined Quinn's career to this point. More on the severity in a bit.
Robertson nearing a return?
Key reliever David Robertson will be reevaluated when the Phillies come home, potentially as early as Thursday (see story). He's feeling good but a throwing program will be determined after that check-up. From there, a minor-league rehab outing or two could be in line before he returns from a Grade 1 flexor strain in his right arm.
Up next
The Phillies begin a nine-game homestand Thursday night at 7:05 against Miami. They have a four-game series with the Marlins, an off day, two with the Tigers, another off day, then three with the Nationals.
Pitching matchups for the Marlins series:
Thursday night at 7:05 - Aaron Nola (2-0, 6.84) vs. LHP Caleb Smith (2-0, 2.35)
Friday night at 7:05 - Jerad Eickhoff (0-1, 3.60) vs. Jose Urena (1-3, 5.74)
Saturday night at 6:05 - Jake Arrieta (3-2, 2.65) vs. Trevor Richards (0-3, 3.72)
Sunday afternoon at 1:05 - Zach Eflin (2-2, 3.68) vs. LHP Pablo Lopez (1-3, 5.85)
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