J.T. Realmuto's 3-run homer helps Phillies beat Yankees 5-4

PHILADELPHIA - Hector Neris didn't back down with the game on the line and Aaron Judge at the plate.

J.T. Realmuto hit a three-run homer, Neris struck out Judge in a big spot and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the New York Yankees 5-4 Thursday night.

Phillies starter Zach Eflin allowed two unearned runs and four hits, striking out five in four innings in his first start this season. A beleaguered bullpen surrendered two runs the rest of the way on Gary Sanchez’s two-run homer off Nick Pivetta.

Deolis Guerra (1-0) tossed a scoreless fifth for the win and Pivetta went two innings. Jose Alvarez got two outs in the eighth around a double by Giancarlo Stanton, and manager Joe Girardi called on his closer to face the red-hot Judge, who came in to pinch-hit for Brett Gardner.

With Stanton on third, Neris fanned Judge swinging at a splitter. Judge hit seven homers in the previous eight games.

“You know how dangerous he is, but Hector was fantastic,” Girardi said.

Neris was happy his manager didn't ask him to intentionally walk Judge in that spot.

“No matter if it's Judge or another hitter, you have a chance,” Neris said. “Joe showed confidence in me and I wanted to attack him.”

Neris gave up a consecutive singles to pinch-hitter DJ LeMahieu and Mike Tauchman with two outs in the ninth before retiring Luke Voit on a deep fly to right-center for his second save.

“He fits the description perfectly,” Eflin said of Neris. “He's a fiery guy and he wants the ball.”

The Phillies split the four-game, home-and-home series against the team that Girardi managed for 10 seasons, winning three AL East titles and one World Series.

Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery (1-1) yielded five runs and six hits in four innings.

“I either had a really good inning or a really bad inning,” Montgomery said. "So I have a lot to take away from the good innings and I’m trying to learn from those.”

The lefty quickly ran into trouble in the first. After Andrew McCutchen lined out, Rhys Hoskins walked and Bryce Harper ripped a single. Realmuto then launched his third homer in seven games into the empty left-field seats.

Loud fans gathered outside the ballpark beyond center field screamed “Sign J.T.” after the All-Star catcher circled the bases. Realmuto can be a free agent after the season.

A fielding error on second baseman Scott Kingery led to a pair of unearned runs in the second. Tauchman’s two-run single cut Philadelphia’s lead to 3-2.

Phil Gosselin drove a two-run double to left-center to extend the lead to 5-2 in the third.

Sanchez got New York within a run with an opposite-field drive to right in the seventh. He was 2 for 29 this season before going deep.

“He’s certainly not where he wants to be or where he needs to be but hopefully he’s starting to make those baby steps to get back to being the presence we know he is,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

Sanchez said he was due.

“Knowing how things were going for me, I was definitely due," he said. "It was my time to put a good swing on the ball.”

The Yankees have hit a a homer in 12 straight games to open the season, extending their franchise-record streak.

ROSTER MOVES

Yankees: Optioned INF/OF Miguel Andújar, INF Thairo Estrada and RHP Nick Nelson to the team’s alternate site. Signed RHP Nick Tropeano and put him on active roster. Transferred RHP Tommy Kahnle to 60-day injured list.

Phillies: Optioned RHP Enyel De Los Santos and OF Kyle Garlick to team’s alternate site.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, who tested positive for COVID-19 last month, is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Saturday. He is expected to face live hitters next week. ... Sanchez was in the lineup despite soreness and stiffness after taking a pitch off his elbow Wednesday night.

Phillies: RHP Reggie McClain was reinstated from the paternity list and placed on the 10-day injury list, retroactive to Aug. 3, because of right shoulder impingement.

UP NEXT

Yankees: RHP Masahiro Tanaka (0-0, 3.38 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at Tampa Bay on Friday night. LHP Blake Snell (0-0, 5.40) takes the mound for the Rays.

Phillies: RHP Vince Velasquez (0-0, 12.00) starts the opener of a four-game series against the Braves on Friday night. RHP Kyle Wright (0-1, 7.50) goes for Atlanta.