Bryson Stott had a night to remember against Mets ace Max Scherzer.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie infielder Bryson Stott had quite the night in Friday’s thrilling 2-1 extra-innings victory against the National League East-leading New York Mets at Citi Field.
Not only did the 24-year-old score both of the team’s runs at the tail ends of the nationally televised game — he did something no other Major League batter ever accomplished before opposite eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner, Max Scherzer.
By doubling, being hit by a pitch, and singling twice in his first four plate appearances, Stott became the first player to ever reach base four times in the same game against the future Hall of Fame right-hander, according to The Athletic’s Tim Britton.
Stott described his historic night “as pretty cool” to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Alex Coffey:
"“He’s obviously going to be in the Hall of Fame, so it’s pretty cool.”"
The 15-year veteran Scherzer entered the night with a career 198-99 record through 422 appearances (413 starts) and 2,632 1/3 innings pitched.
Stott came through in a big way as the leadoff spot substitute to National League home runs leader Kyle Schwarber, who is out day-to-day with a mild calf strain. Before Friday, the Las Vegas native had only seven career big-league plate appearances batting higher than sixth in the order. He never once led off.
Stott’s effort opposite Scherzer is the latest spectacular Phillies performance when facing some of the league’s best pitchers in 2022. As Justin Klugh and Destiny Lugardo note, Alec Bohm and Matt Vierling previously snapped then-Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader’s 38-inning scoreless streak. Collectively, the Phillies most recently became the first to beat Cy Young Award candidate Sandy Alcantara three times this season.
Friday’s win was a likewise all-around team effort — thanks to Stott, Vierling’s game-saving outfield assist to gun down Starling Marte at home, stellar pitching from Ranger Suarez and the bullpen, solid defense and fundamentals, and more. Stott scoring both Phillies runs would not have been possible without Bohm’s RBI single in the first and sacrifice fly in the 10th.
Max Scherzer said he thinks the Phillies are a good team, and that his opinion on them hasn’t changed since the beginning of the season. He’s thought they were good this whole time.
— Rob Piersall (@RTPiersall) August 13, 2022
“They can beat you in a multitude of ways,” Scherzer said.
Next, Aaron Nola will oppose Jacob deGrom on Saturday, followed by Zack Wheeler against Chris Bassitt in Sunday’s matinee series finale. Winners of 13 of their last 15 games, the Phillies’ postseason hopes — under interim manager Rob Thomson — are still alive and thriving.
Whenever Schwarber returns from injury, Thomson just might have to think twice about putting Stott lower in the order.