Phillies Nuggets: Trea Turner's game-changing speed on full display in win over Rockies

Trea Turner has quickly erased a nightmarish first homestand and reminded everyone why he finished fifth in NL MVP voting last season. 

Even as his 33rd birthday approaches, Turner remains lightning fast, and his incredible athleticism was on display Saturday evening as the Phillies defeated the Colorado Rockies. 

After leading off the game with a walk, Turner took off to steal second base with Kyle Schwarber facing a 2-1 count. Schwarber wound up flaring a broken-bat double into left field, which Turner scored all the way from first on: 

The Phillies offense is picking up right where it left off! pic.twitter.com/msuc7xY56x

— OnPattison (@OnPattison) April 5, 2026

Then in the top of the fifth inning, Turner delivered a double with runners at the corners, scoring Brandon Marsh and allowing the Phillies to take a 2-1 lead they would ultimately win by: 

An RBI + a Trea Turner slide😍 pic.twitter.com/n4gCZIJQrD

— OnPattison (@OnPattison) April 5, 2026

The most impressive play of the night from Turner came in the field, as he displayed great range to rob Tyler Freeman of a leadoff hit to start the home half of the sixth inning: 

An RBI + a Trea Turner slide😍 pic.twitter.com/n4gCZIJQrD

— OnPattison (@OnPattison) April 5, 2026

Turner remains imperfect at shortstop, as evidenced by the ball off the bat of Jake McCarthy's bat that ate him up to start the bottom of the eighth inning. Still, he had a rather remarkable defensive turnaround in 2025, and there's no reason to think the misplay that Brad Keller and the Phillies were able to work around is indicative of any sort of regression. 

Overall, Friday was a strong performance from Turner, who built off of a three-hit game in Friday's win in Denver. The most important thing to monitor with Turner is the health of his hamstrings, as he's missed time in each of the last two seasons with strains. He said during Spring Training that keeping them healthy was his No. 1 goal heading into his fourth season with the Phillies. Saturday night was a reminder of why. 

The Nuggets

• If you're trying to rebound from a bad start, Coors Field is probably the last place you would want to pitch. But Jesús Luzardo made it work Saturday. After giving up six earned runs in his first start of the season, Luzardo was dominant Saturday in a stadium that's usually a hellscape for pitchers. The lefty struck out 11 batters and allowed just five hits —while walking zero — across 6 2/3 innings pitched. 

• José Alvarado recorded the final out in the seventh inning, getting Kyle Karros to swing and miss on a nasty cutter. However, just five of the 12 pitches Alvarado threw were strikes, so he's still very much trying to settle into this season. 

• Adolis García is quickly becoming a fashion icon: 

In case you were wondering who Adolis García looks like with the extremely high socks, @AntSanPhilly pointed out to me that it's Carlos Santana, and that's definitely it. pic.twitter.com/HgS8FkyIIV

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) April 5, 2026

Getting the distinct impression that Adolis García doesn't like the cold. pic.twitter.com/Lkou98NGxY

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) April 3, 2026

Read More Phillies Content At On Pattison

1. Spring fling forever? Phillies push $205M upgrade plan to stay in Clearwater through 2047
   
2. It's time to appreciate the things Brandon Marsh does well
3. Phillies catchers mostly enjoying ABS, but acknowledge that it does add more to their plates
   
4. John Middleton doesn't envision Citizens Bank Park ever having a roof
   
5. 2026 Phillies TV announcer schedule: First look at early season slate
   
6. John Middleton responds to backlash over 'Harry The K's' rebranding
7. It sounds like the analog clock won't be coming back to Citizens Bank Park
8. Phillies Stoplight🚦: Bold 2026 predictions with Jim Salisbury
9. What is the Phillies' uniform schedule?
10. 0-99: The greatest Phillies player in the history of every number