Time flew by like a Jesus Luzardo fastball during Monday’s game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves.
Thanks in large part to Luzardo efficiently mowing down batter after batter, the Phillies won the game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa., and it took them just 1 hour, 51 minutes to dispatch the visitors for a 1-0 victory.
Through Monday, that’s the fastest game in the 2026 MLB season, according to ESPN Insights.
Imagine going to the ballpark on Labor Day ⚾
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 7, 2026
You're expecting to be out for the day, gonna grab a couple dogs and drinks and then… the game is over in 1 hour, 51 minutes — the fastest game in MLB this season.
That's what just happened in the Phillies' 1-0 win over the… pic.twitter.com/iARlcnpGfi
In addition, the game is the fastest one involving the Phillies since 1989.
Luzardo was incredible, pulling off his first complete game. He surrendered just two hits and walked one, while recording 12 strikeouts. His signature sweeper was on point throughout his start, as he struck out six Atlanta hitters with that pitch and five with his four-seamer. The other was via a sinker.
The best part of it all is that he needed just 109 pitches to finish off the Braves.
Atlanta’s pitching was also remarkable, with Grant Holmes and Didier Fuentes combining for 10 strikeouts and only four hits allowed. It was not until the eighth inning that a run was scored in the game, with Kyle Schwarber launching a 415-foot solo blast off Fuentes.
