WATCH: Nick Castellanos finally hits first June home run in epic Phillies inning
Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, and Darick Hall homer to cap off magnificent June for the Phillies
After a maddeningly cold June, Nick Castellanos finally heated up.
After going homer-less for the entire month, Castellanos got one in under the wire, hitting a three-run blast in the Philadelphia Phillies‘ final game of the month.
Not to be outdone, Kyle Schwarber hit his 12th of the month soon after, and Rhys Hoskins followed suit.
And then, newcomer Darick Hall decided it was time for his first big-league hit. You guessed it, a home run.
His second big-league hit later that night? A home run.
Unfortunately, it’s been a rough stretch for Castellanos, who only managed four extra-base hits (all doubles) over 26 June games before Thursday evening. However, his four-hit game (all singles) against the San Diego Padres on Sunday was a promising sign that Castellanos is figuring it out.
According to the Phillies’ communications department, the team’s 19 wins in June are the most in any calendar month since September 2010. Including Thursday night’s home runs, Phillies hitters went yard 43 times in June, tied for the third-most in a calendar month in franchise history.
While it’s only one game, it’s encouraging to see Bryce Harper’s teammates stepping up in his absence, Castellanos especially. Clutch hits and high-scoring games are exactly what the Phillies need right now.