Phillies continue to struggle with runners in scoring position in lopsided loss to Giants
Final Score: Giants 11, Phillies 4
Phillies hitters remained patient against San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray, drawing five walks. Two came with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning. Bryce Harper was particularly patient. He walked on four pitches in each of his first two plate appearances.
After seeing eight straight balls to begin his night in the batter’s box, Harper wasted no time in his third trip to the dish. The ninth pitch of the game he saw from Ray was just like the first eight: not a strike. But it didn’t matter. Harper swung and tied the game, 4-4, with a long two-run home run.
The Phillies were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position before Harper’s homer. It’s been a struggle for them in those situations so far this season. And it continued to be a struggle on Wednesday.
Harper’s homer was the only hit the Phillies got with runners in scoring position. Rob Thomson’s lineup finished their night 1-for-9 in those situations. They stranded 10 total baserunners. Their season average with runners in scoring position now sits at .200.
The Phillies found themselves down 4-0 before seeing a pitch from Ray, whose night lasted just four innings. Aaron Nola had issues in the top of the first. He threw 35 pitches. He walked two hitters, including one with the bases loaded. He allowed four hits. All four runs he surrendered were earned.
The right-hander settled in, though, after his lengthy first inning; at least until the top of the sixth. After the Giants retook the lead an inning earlier, Nola allowed a single between two walks, loading the bases with one out in the sixth. His night was done after that.
Rob Thomson called upon José Ruiz with the bases loaded. Ruiz walked the first batter he faced, Willy Adames, forcing in a run. Jung Hoo Lee then hit a sac fly to left field, giving the Giants a 7-4 lead. Nola’s line was done. He was charged with seven runs (six earned). His ERA through four starts is 6.65.
The Phillies had a chance to get back into the game in the bottom of the sixth. With Trea Turner and Harper on first and second, the middle of the order was up. Kyle Schwarber hit a sac fly, advancing Turner to third. Nick Castellanos grounded into a 6-4 force out. Their threat was over in seven pitches.
San Francisco put the game away a half inning later, scoring four runs off Joe Ross.