Bryce Harper’s two homers not enough as Phillies fall to Angels
Despite a two-home run effort from Bryce Harper, the Philadelphia Phillies dropped a 6-5 decision to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, July 18 at Citizens Bank Park. The game marked the first time the Phillies were in action since returning from the All-Star break.
Jesús Luzardo took the bump with mixed results. While striking out seven batters, the lefty was susceptible to the long ball, giving up a solo shot to Jorge Soler in the second and a two-run homer to Jo Adell in the fourth. Luzardo would be chased from the game in the fifth after giving up a two-out RBI single to Mike Trout and working his way into a bases-loaded jam.
Luckily for Luzardo, the offense made sure the game would remain close. Coming off his All-Star Game MVP award from Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic, Kyle Schwarber took the second pitch he saw in the first inning and belted a homer into the first row seats in right field. Bryce Harper joined the impromptu home run derby with a three-run blast of his own in the third inning.
It wasn’t until the seventh inning that Angels’ Taylor Ward broke a 4-4 deadlock, notching the game’s fifth home run between the two teams and giving Los Angeles a 6-4 lead.
Harper hit his second home run of the game in the eighth inning, this time going the other way and depositing a ball into the left field seats. It marked Harper’s 29th multi-home run of his career but more importantly, it cut the deficit to just one run. The two home runs also serve as good news for the Phillies; Harper now has three homers in his last five games and seems to be getting his power stroke back for the first time since returning from his wrist injury three weeks ago.
Down to their last chance in the ninth, the Phillies would face Kenley Jansen. Jansen, who is fourth all-time in saves was able to shut the door on the Phillies’ hopes, getting three quick outs and sealing a 6-5 Phillies loss.
Despite the loss, the Phillies maintain a half-game lead in the NL East standings over the New York Mets due to their loss to Cincinnati on Friday night. The Phillies will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, sending Taijuan Walker to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.