The main attraction at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night was the first game of a three-game set between the first-place Milwaukee Brewers and the first-place Philadelphia Phillies.
However, a key subplot for Phillies fans was Rhys Hoskins’ return to the city where he played seven seasons and was a beloved part of the 2022 World Series team.
Hoskins left Philadelphia in the offseason and signed a two-year contract with the Brewers in free agency. He has brought some strength to Milwaukee’s lineup this year, tying the team lead with nine home runs.
However, Phillies fans still have affection for Hoskins, which was demonstrated with two outs in the second inning when the designated hitter received a standing ovation (even from his former teammates) when he came up to bat.
“I have goosebumps” Brewers TV play-by-play host Jeff Levering said after the long ovation.
Hoskins went out in that first at-bat. But he walked for his second plate appearance in the fifth. That’s where the fun began.
Two batters later, Hoskins stole second base to move into scoring position. (By the way, he stole only 15 bases during his entire career with the Phillies.) With the Brewers down 3-0, he had a chance to score Milwaukee’s first run of the game on a Blake Perkins single.
As Philadelphia fans know, Hoskins is not the fastest running back. However, Brewers third base coach Jason Lane sent him away. Phillies center fielder Johan Rojas gladly accepted the challenge and pulled Hoskins home to end the inning. Hoskins gave his former teammate JT Realmuto a pat of thanks for the play.
But in the seventh, Hoskins provided excitement for the visiting team when he crushed a high 2-1 fastball from Zack Wheeler over the left field fence to finally get the Brewers on the board. He didn’t receive another standing ovation, but he did receive cheers from the crowd, which he acknowledged as he rounded second base.
No bat beak in that, however.
That was Milwaukee’s only run of the game in a 3-1 loss Monday night. Wheeler got the win, allowing five hits in seven innings. David Dahl homered for the Phillies after being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace Brandon Marsh, who went on the disabled list with a hamstring strain.
But you could say that the fans in attendance got everything they wanted. A beloved player returned with a video tribute and two standing ovations, and he also hit a home run. And the home team achieved victory, winning a confrontation between two first-place clubs.
