Phillies' Ranger Suárez Injured by 106-MPH Comebacker in Final Regular Season Game

Ranger Suárez, the Philadelphia Phillies' left-handed pitcher, suffered a left thigh contusion after being hit by a 106-mph comebacker during a loss to the Minnesota Twins, ending his regular season prematurely. Despite allowing three earned runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings in that game, Suárez maintained a 3.20 ERA and matched his previous season's 12 wins, falling just short of a personal best. The Phillies expect Suárez to recover in time to start Game 2 of the NL Division Series on October 6, as he remains a key figure in their postseason rotation. The Phillies, who secured a first-round playoff bye and sit as the No. 2 seed behind the Milwaukee Brewers, aim to leverage home-field advantage in their playoff run. Suárez has emphasized the importance of playoff performance, seeking to improve upon the team's recent postseason results. Meanwhile, the Twins, struggling this season, fielded former Phillies prospect Mick Abel, who pitched six scoreless innings against Philadelphia, securing home-field advantage for Milwaukee throughout the postseason.