The Philadelphia Phillies had a tough afternoon on Saturday, falling to the Milwaukee Brewers 17-7. It was an ugly game at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark as Jesus Luzardo was tagged for 12 earned runs in 3.1 innings and the Phillies didn’t show signs of life until they scored five times in the bottom of the ninth inning.
It’s a game that most of the 43,773 in attendance would like to forget but it did have some sentimental value. Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins had a monster game to lead his team to victory and it’s the latest chapter in a rebound year for a Phillies fan favorite.
Rhys Hoskins Continues Comeback Year With Two Homers vs. Phillies
Hoskins was a force at the plate for Milwaukee, setting the tone with two homers in the Phillies' loss. The first bomb was a three-run blast off Luzardo that put the Phillies up 4-0 in the top of the first inning. Once the Brewers ran their lead up to 8-0 in the top of the fourth, Hoskins delivered another three-run tank to left field, giving Milwaukee an 11-0 lead before Daz Cameron’s double ended Luzardo’s day.
DOUBLE DINGER DAY FOR @rhyshoskins 💣💣 https://t.co/W7befXwy6h pic.twitter.com/Ukafmdi5VR
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 31, 2025
It’s the continuation of what’s been a bounce-back year for Hoskins, who left the Phillies after tearing his ACL during Spring Training in 2023. While he returned to the field on a one-year deal with the Brewers, he didn’t look like the same player, hitting .214/.303/.419 with 26 homers and 82 RBI. While the power is still there, Hoskins has found more consistency, decreasing his strikeout rate from 28.8 % to 25.7%, increasing his walk rate from 10.3% to 13.1% and posting his highest average exit velocity since 2021 at 91.2 mph according to Baseball Savant.
“Most people hit [26] home runs and they don’t think it’s a down year, but he did,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after the game. “And he took it personally, went and got in even better shape. He’s worked at his hitting. He’s worked at it. He’s open to change. He tries to change. He tries new things.”
It’s created a stronger second season with the Brewers, as Hoskins is hitting .276/.374/.475 with nine homers and 35 RBI after Saturday’s performance. While the 32-year-old was cheered when he first stepped to the plate, Phillies fans were much more agitated after his performance on Saturday, confirming a great afternoon at a park where Hoskins used to shine.
“They didn’t cheer by the end of the game,” Hoskins sadi. “...If you end up getting booed at an away stadium, you did your job. So I’ll take it.”