"We were just waiting for the perfect time" - Phillies' Ranger Suarez on overcoming obstacles for first start in front of family

On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Phillies ace, Ranger Suarez, delivered an outstanding performance in front of his family at Citizens Bank Park. He held the San Diego Padres to a single run over six innings, reducing his ERA to 1.75 in 92.1 innings.

Although the Phillies missed an opportunity to sweep, losing the finale 5-2 to the Padres, the Suarez family had a great time at the ballpark. It was their first time seeing Suarez play in person. His partner, Joseanny, and their children, six-year-old Sofia and three-year-old Dominick, cheered for Suarez from shaded seats behind home plate.

Due to visa processing and international relations between the US and Venezuela, it had been difficult for Suarez to invite his family sooner. However, after a long wait, his wish finally came true.

“It’s hard,” Suarez said (via The Athletic). “I think that you need to have a strong mentality to have this. Having a strong mind helps you. We were just waiting for the perfect time to do this, to be more comfortable. Now, it was the time.”

“I wanted them with me during the season, and to spend every single night with my family,” he said with a smile.

Ranger Suarez leads the NL in most wins (10) and has the lowest WHIP (0.888) in 15 starts. Following a 4.18 ERA season last year, he has made a strong comeback in 2024. With the Phillies leading the NL with a 49-25 record, Suarez has emerged as one of the frontrunners in their campaign.

Ranger Suarez is grateful to his team for reuniting his family in America

Suarez expressed gratitude to the Phillies for taking care of his family during their first tour of America.

“Basically, I did nothing about this,” Suárez said (via The Athletic). “I just told the organization that I wanted my family here. And they just made everything possible to make it happen. So, I’m really grateful for the organization for helping with that.”

Phillies' director of international operations, Ray Robles, expressed his happiness at being able to support Suarez off the field in this way.

“It means a lot to us to be able to bring a family together,” Robles said. “It’s one thing we strive for. Family is everything in Latin America, hence the reason why we always go above and beyond when our guys ask us to help them with this.”

Next, the Phillies will welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series starting on Friday.