The Philadelphia Phillies two bad innings against the Washington Nationals cost them the series. First, during the August 18 game, the Phillies allowed six runs to score in the fourth inning. This came immediately after the Phillies scored six runs in the top half of the inning. Phillies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen was removed from the game during that six-run bottom of the fourth. This start came nine days after Lorenzen no-hit the Nationals. This was the first instance of an exciting feat. It is the most runs scored within a single inning against a pitcher who had no-hit the team in the last matchup in the previous 20 years. This is according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Then a similar event took place on August 20 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, during the MLB Little League Classic game. This time Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler allowed four runs in the first inning. In addition, these four runs were scored before Wheeler recorded an out. From then on, the Nationals did not score for the rest of the game. In each instance, the Phillies attempted comeback fell short, with the team losing both games by one run. However, the series was a partial success for the Phillies. On August 19, the Phillies scored eight runs in the eighth inning. Additionally, Trea Turner hit two home runs in that inning off of the same pitcher.
Phillies Getting Healthy
On August 20, the Phillies activated Brandon Marsh from the injured list. Marsh returned to the lineup, starting in center field during the August 20 game. Furthermore, the team did not have to immediately make a corresponding move since each team is allowed a 27th player for the MLB Little League Classic game. Following the game, the Phillies optioned Weston Wilson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Wilson was called up to fill the roster spot when Marsh got injured. In four games with the Phillies, Wilson had a .333/.636/.833 line with a home run, an RBI, five walks, and one stolen base.
In addition to Marsh, José Alvarado is expected to come off the injured list on August 21. A corresponding move will need to be made to make room for Alvarado on the roster. The return of Alvarado is a welcome sign for a Phillies bullpen that has had issues closing out games recently. In 26 games this season, Alvarado has a 1.38 ERA, six saves, and 39 strikeouts. Alvarado ranks second in saves on the Phillies behind Craig Kimbrel, who has 19 saves this season. Furthermore, Alvarado has been successful in six of his eighth save attempts this season. This return will give manager Rob Thomson another high-leverage reliever to turn to in critical situations.
Recent Individual Player Success
Even with the Phillies two bad innings against the Nationals, they have had some success stories lately. One player that has been delivering at the plate recently is Jake Cave. Over his last seven games, Cave has a .417/.423/.875 line with three home runs and six RBI. In addition, Cave has a four-game hitting streak with a home run in three of those four games. During the first six games of that seven-game span, Cave had a 293 wRC+ and a .529 wOBA per FanGraphs. Both lead the team in that category during that six-game stretch. Cave also has a 1.024 OPS in 14 games during August.
Important Series After Phillies Two Bad Innings
Between August 21 and August 23, the Phillies will host the San Francisco Giants in a crucial series. The 67-57 Phillies hold a two-game advantage over the 65-59 Giants for the top NL Wild Card spot. During their three-game series in San Francisco between May 15 and May 17, the Giants swept the Phillies. A Phillies sweep of the Giants would lead to a tie between the teams in terms of a head-to-head tiebreaker. The Phillies need to win the series, so they reduce their chances of traveling to San Francisco for a playoff series and instead host the Giants if they meet up in the Wild Card Series.
The team that wins this series will have an advantage over the other for the rest of the stretch run. With much at stake, the Phillies will send Aaron Nola to the mound on August 21. As things stand, Taijuan Walker and Lorenzen will start the other two games in the series. Walker is scheduled to start the second game of the series on August 22, with Lorenzen scheduled to start the series finale on August 23. When the games are done at the end of the regular season, this series will likely play a significant role in determining each team’s playoff fate. This is a must-win series for the Phillies, especially at home.
Main Photo Credits: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
