Phillies stun continues with 5-3 loss to Red Sox amid rough pitching patch – NBC10 Philadelphia

The Phillies swoon continued, losing 5-3 to the Red Sox. originally appeared NBC Sports Philadelphia

Managers don’t have to tell you how important they believe a particular game is during their longest season.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson may have maintained his usual outward poker face in Friday night’s 5-3 loss to the Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park, but he got a W. His more urgent sense of urgency came just loud and clear. Two hitters enter the proceedings.

After Red Sox right fielder Lymel Tapia moved to second on a defensive error by left fielder Kyle Schwarber and advanced to third on an infield out, Thomson pulled the infield to cut the card to break a run with Justin. showed. Turner at the plate.

That’s not why the Phillies went on a season-best five-game losing streak, though.

This is the 16th time he has conceded three goals or less in 33 games this season. But that’s not why they lost either.

Schwarber took responsibility for failing to catch Tapia’s drive into the gap despite nearly colliding with centerfielder Dalton Guthrie on play.

“For me, it goes all the way back to the first inning when I didn’t catch the ball,” he said. “If so, it could have been another ball game. I called first. It was in my glove and had to stay there. I have to get better.” I have to.”

No, it’s not.

The Phillies are 0-4 and in their worst tailspin since the start of the season, mainly during one rotation during this streak, where the starters allowed 36 hits in 22 2/3 innings while allowing a 9.53 combined ERA. This is because the

Zach Wheeler didn’t let his joints stink as he faced the Red Sox team on a seven-game winning streak. He gave up 5 runs and 4 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings against a lineup where in his previous 6 wins he averaged almost 8 runs per game. But he knows he has to do better.

“It’s definitely not the way I wanted it,” he said. “But baseball. Something was a little off. I couldn’t identify what it was. The fastball was off command.”

If there is any silver lining, Wheeler says he believes his problem is mechanical rather than physical. “

What’s particularly maddening is that the right-hand man understood that ending the losing streak was a priority. “I’m proud to have come in and stopped it,” he said. “That’s probably one of the most frustrating things about him in the game, that he couldn’t stop it.”

Thomson’s strategy worked the first time. Sorting. Wheeler struck out Turner with two strikes. However, once the infield returned to its normal depth, Rafael Devers drove Tapia on a clean single to right.

The Phillies finished April with a 15-14 record. That’s a bit overwhelming for a team after a World Series trip, but as designated hitter Bryce Harper has often pointed out, his 15 wins in a month means he’s 90 total for the season. It’s a worthy milestone because you’re going to win.

With the first week of May coming to an end, the Phillies need to win only 15 more wins this month to reach that quota.

RHP Corey Kluber (1-4, 6.44) will start Saturday night for the Red Sox against LHP Bailey Falter (0-5, 5.01). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:15.

The series finale will be Boston RHP Tanner Houk (3-1, 5.34) vs. RHP Tijuan Walker (2-2, 6.91).

With Monday off and Matt Strum skipped in this rotation, Aaron Nola and Wheeler can pitch on their regular rest against the visiting Blue Jays on Tuesday and Wednesday. Strum is available outside the bullpen.

scary sight

Play was delayed for about 10 minutes in the top of the first inning after an unidentified fan fell into the visiting bullpen. He seemed distraught.

According to the Phillies, he was leaning against a fence and reaching for a baseball that landed in a flower bed after being thrown in his direction.

He was taken to Jefferson Hospital for further evaluation, but was “conscious and responsive” upon leaving the ballpark, according to the Phillies. .