PHILAELPHIA (AP) — Alec Bohm's first homer of the game was hit the opposite way into the right-field seats. His second homer was lofted high into the left-center section.
Both Bohm bombs counted the same for the Phillies — three-run shots that gave the Phillies a 6-0 lead through three innings.
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PHILAELPHIA (AP) — Alec Bohm's first homer of the game was hit the opposite way into the right-field seats. His second homer was lofted high into the left-center section.
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, right, rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, center, celebrates with third base coach Dusty Wathan, left, after hitting a three-run home run against Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, right, and Trea Turner celebrate after Bohm's three-run home run against Chicago White Sox's Garrett Crochet during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm hits a three-run home run against Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
They're also a sneak peek at the power the Phillies think they can get out out Bohm on a more consistent basis.
Bohm provided a needed dose of pop on the same night Philadelphia right-hander Spencer Turnbull took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Turnbull lost his bid on a one-out single but won the game, 7-0 against the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
“I just want to hit as many balls as hard as I can and stay through the middle of the field,” Bohm said. “If they end up being homers, great. If they end up being doubles, cool.”
More like double the fun. He had hit six straight solo home runs dating to last season before his first three-run homer.
Bohm must love this place.
The slugging third baseman's two three-run shots equaled the number of three-run homers he hit in all of 2023. Bohm finished last season with career bests of 20 homers and 97 RBIs. The Phillies expected him to have a breakout season this year — he batted fifth Friday behind Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto.
Bohm said he didn't target a specific home run number he was trying to reach this season.
“The number's going to end up being what it's going to be,” he said. “I'm not sitting here chasing a specific home run number or anything like that. I'm just trying to do my job, drive in runs, hit balls hard.”
Bohm had just one homer this season before he connected against White Sox starter Garrett Crochet in the first inning and again off Crochet in the third.
“He's stronger than he was two years ago and he's stronger than he was last year,” manager Rob Thomson said. “If he's gaining strength and getting the ball up in the air, in theory, he's going to hit more home runs.”
Bohm was soundly cheered by 39,069 Phillies fans about two years and a week since he was caught muttering “ I (expletive) hate this place ” after committing his second error in a three-error game.
He moved past the misstep and grew into a fan favorite on a team that has made two straight playoff appearances. The Phillies will even offer a Bohm “I Love This Place” T-shirt next month as part of a promotion.
Perhaps it was fitting Bohm homered twice on the same day Taylor Swift dropped her double album, "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology." One of the song titles? “I Hate It Here.”
It's easy to laugh about now since Bohm has emerged into one of Philadelphia's most popular athletes. He scored a big win in the offseason when he beat the Phillies in arbitration, given a $4 million salary rather than the team’s $3.4 million offer.
Bohm hit multiple homers in a game for the fourth time in his career and first time since July 1, 2023 vs. Washington. He had six RBIs for the fourth time. Bohm's the first Phillies slugger to hit a three-run homer or a grand slam in each his first two at-bats of a game since Jayson Werth against Toronto in 2008.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, left, and Bryce Harper celebrate after the Phillies won a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, right, rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, center, celebrates with third base coach Dusty Wathan, left, after hitting a three-run home run against Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, right, and Trea Turner celebrate after Bohm's three-run home run against Chicago White Sox's Garrett Crochet during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm hits a three-run home run against Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
TORONTO (AP) — William Nylander scored twice, Joseph Woll made 22 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday night to force a seventh game in the first-round Eastern Conference series.
“We battled and competed,” said Nylander, who sat the first three games of the series because of an undisclosed ailment. “And Woller was incredible.”
Toronto has overcame a 3-1 series deficit, also staving off elimination with a 2-1 victory in overtime in Boston on Tuesday night, to send the series back to Boston for a winner-take-all finale Saturday night. The series winner will face the Florida Panthers.
Morgan Rielly assisted on both goals.
Jeremy Swayman stopped 24 shots for the Bruins, who also blew a 3-1 lead against the Florida Panthers last year in the first round before losing in Game 7 following a record-setting regular season. Morgan Geekie spoiled Woll’s shutout bid with 0.1 seconds left.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery wants to see more from his team in the decider and called out forward David Pastrnak by name.
“Your best players need to be your best players this time of year,” Montgomery said. “I think the effort is tremendous and they need to come through with some big-time plays in big-time moments. “I think (captain Brad) Marchand has done that in the series. Pasta needs to step up.”
Said Pastrnak: “I maybe didn’t get enough shots. I should maybe have a little bit more of a shooting mentality. Usually, that always helps me.”
Toronto was without Auston Matthews for the second straight game after the star center was pulled from Game 4 because of an illness.
Nylander opened the scoring with 54.8 seconds left in the second period. The Swedish winger took a pass from Timothy Liljegren in the offensive zone before weaving away from his check and firing a shot that glanced off Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy in front and beat Swayman on the short-side.
“Big-time stuff,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “What you’re looking for from a player of his calibre.”
The goal set off wild celebrations inside an electric Scotiabank Arena — and outside the rink as Maple Leaf Square turned into a mosh pit of blue and white.
Toronto made it 2-0 with 2:13 left in the game when Nylander moved in alone after taking a pass from Matthew Knies and slid a backhander between Swayman’s pads.
“They’re obviously very desperate, fighting for their lives,” Marchand said. “So that’s always the toughest game to get. We know that. But I thought tonight was better than last game. ... If someone told us at the start of the season that we’d be Game 7 at home against Toronto, we’d take that all day.”
Woll is the first goalie in NHL history to have each of his first four career playoff starts come in elimination games. Thatcher Demko (2020), Michael Hutchinson (2020) and Manny Fernandez (2003) are the only other netminders to have their first three starts come in win-or-go home contests.
The Bruins had just one shot on target through 27 minutes.
“Gives me a lot of confidence,” Woll said. “Guys were laying out blocking shots and coming up big.”
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) look for a rebound during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save against Boston Bruins' Charlie Coyle (13) as Maple Leafs' Max Domi (11) defends and Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly (44) look on during the third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Boston Bruins' Morgan Geekie (39) falls as he battles for the puck with Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) as Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe (22) and Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) look on during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe (22) checks Boston Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The puck sails wide of the net as Boston Bruins' Pavel Zacha (18) screens Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) during first-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe, left, is stopped by Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) trips Boston Bruins' John Beecher, left, as Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin (46) defends during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins' Jake DeBrusk (74) and Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies (23) battle during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies, left, celebrates after a goal as Boston Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) skates by during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) stops Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs players, back left, celebrate after William Nylander's goal as Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, right, looks on during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with John Tavares (91) and Timothy Liljegren (37) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) celebrates after a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes as save as Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) look for a rebound during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) and Matthew Knies (23) celebrate after a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, top right, as Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) looks on during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Morgan Rielly (44), Matthew Knies (23) and Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
