The Philadelphia Phillies needed something positive after firing their manager earlier this week. They got exactly that with a sweep of the San Francisco Giants that included two walk-off wins in Thursday’s doubleheader.
What made it even better? Chase Shugart picked up both victories for Philadelphia, becoming the first pitcher to win two games in one day in 13 years.
Chase Shugart just picked up two wins in the same day for the Phillies pic.twitter.com/P4t0pCDnog
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 1, 2026
It’s rare enough for the same pitcher to even appear in both games of a doubleheader these days. Getting credited with wins in each? That’s something special.
Shugart is a journeyman reliever in his first season with Philadelphia. He’s bounced around the league – six games with Boston in 2024, 35 games with Pittsburgh last year before landing with the Phillies this season.
In Thursday’s first game, Shugart only needed four pitches to record one out in the ninth inning, preserving the tie that set up the walk-off win.
Justin Crawford #WALKOFF! pic.twitter.com/a881g7J6Xf
— MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2026
That minimal pitch count kept him available for game two. When it went to extras, Shugart got the call for the 10th inning and threw a scoreless frame, setting up another walk-off win in the bottom half.
The @Phillies walk it off AGAIN!
They sweep the doubleheader against the Giants pic.twitter.com/H2QS8xM4CA
— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2026
The last pitcher to win both games of a doubleheader was Brian Duensing for the Twins on August 9, 2013. For the Phillies, you have to go back to 2002 when Terry Adams pulled off the feat.
Chase Shugart is the first pitcher to win both games of a doubleheader since 8/9/13 Brian Duensing
First for the Phillies since 9/21/02 Terry Adams https://t.co/Qly6u0AuqR
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 1, 2026
Shugart’s having a solid season so far with Philadelphia:
- Games: 9
- ERA: 1.00
- Innings: Career 62.2 IP
- Strikeouts: 48 career
After posting a 3.40 ERA with Pittsburgh last year, he’s found his groove in Philadelphia’s bullpen. Thursday’s doubleheader marked his biggest moment yet – the kind of performance that can define a journeyman’s career.
For a team that just made a managerial change, having a reliever step up like this in crucial moments shows the kind of depth that could make the difference down the stretch.
