Phillies Shut Out Rays 7–0 Behind Dominant Start from Jesús Luzardo
TAMPA, Fla. — May 8, 2025 — The Philadelphia Phillies (22–15) extended their strong form with a decisive 7–0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays (16–21) on Thursday night, snapping Tampa Bay’s hopes of ending a six-game home losing streak. The game marked the third meeting between the two clubs this season.
Jesús Luzardo, Philadelphia’s left-handed starter, was outstanding on the mound. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and no walks, while striking out eight on 95 pitches. The performance not only preserved his undefeated record (3–0) but also kept his ERA at an impressive 1.94, confirming his role as a rising ace in the Phillies’ rotation.
The Rays, who came into the game with a 9–15 home record and the eighth-best ERA in the American League (3.79), couldn’t find answers against Luzardo’s control and command. Tampa’s offense struggled to generate momentum, managing just four hits in total and failing to mount a serious scoring threat.
Philadelphia’s offense, meanwhile, provided more than enough support. The team’s bats stayed hot, building on a strong 8–2 stretch over their last 10 games. Kyle Schwarber added to his home run tally for the season and is now hitting .264 with 12 homers. Max Kepler also contributed with multiple hits, continuing his productive run at the plate.
The Phillies, now 22–15 overall and 9–9 on the road, have thrived in high-scoring games—boasting a 16–3 record when scoring five or more runs.
Top Players
- Phillies SP: Jesús Luzardo – 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (W, 3–0)
- Rays SP: Ryan Pepiot – struggled with command, unable to match Luzardo’s dominance
- Kyle Schwarber: Home run, multiple RBIs
- Max Kepler: Continued strong offensive stretch with 9 hits in last 34 at-bats
Team Form – Last 10 Games
- Phillies: 8–2, .285 AVG, 2.64 ERA, +27 run differential
- Rays: 4–6, .207 AVG, 4.25 ERA, –17 run differential
Injury Updates
- Rays: Key players like Shane McClanahan (triceps), Josh Lowe (oblique), and Richie Palacios (knee) remain sidelined.
- Phillies: J.T. Realmuto (foot) is listed day-to-day; Jose Ruiz is on the 15-day IL (neck).
With the win, the Phillies continue to solidify their place in the NL East, while the Rays face mounting pressure to rebound from a tough stretch at home.
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