Ex-Phillies prospect Mick Abel shuts down former team as Minnesota Twins blank Phillies 5-0
Mick Abel struck out nine in six scoreless innings in his first start against his former team and the Minnesota Twins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0 on Saturday night, clinching home-field advantage for the Milwaukee Brewers throughout the postseason.
Byron Buxton, James Outman and Ryan Fitzgerald homered for the Twins.
Abel (3-4) allowed three hits and one walk. The 2020 Phillies first-round draft pick was traded to Minnesota at the deadline in July as part of a package for closer Jhoan Duran.
Buxton led off with a solo homer against Philadelphia starter Ranger Suárez. It was Buxton's 20th career leadoff home run and 11th this season, tying a franchise record set by Jacque Jones in 2002.
Outman also homered off Suárez while Fitzgerald had a solo shot off reliever Max Lazar. Ryan Jeffers added an RBI double for Minnesota.
Suárez (12-8) allowed three runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.
The loss locked the Phillies into the No. 2 seed in the NL playoffs. They could still finish tied for the best record in baseball with Milwaukee, but the Brewers have the tiebreaker.
Key moment
Jeffers hit a 106 mph line drive that hit Suárez on the inside of his left thigh. Suárez was doubled over in pain after trying to throw out Jeffers at first. After a moment, he got to his feet but was removed from the game. The team said Suárez had a contusion and would be evaluated further.
Key stat
Abel made his major league debut as a member of the Phillies on May 18. In that game, he also pitched six scoreless innings and struck out nine, outdueling Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes in a 1-0 win.
Up next
Twins RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (7-4, 4.27 ERA) starts against Philadelphia LHP Cristopher Sánchez (13-5, 2.57) in the regular-season finale for both teams.