The Phillies were back in action tonight hosting the Baltimore Orioles in the 1st of a 3-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Zach Wheeler 5.2 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 2 strikeouts and a walk. The Phillies managed only 2 hits for Wheeler, but scored 3 runs. Andrew McCutchen got the Phillies on the board with a 2-run single and Jay Bruce added to the score with a solo HR.

BRUUUUUCE BOMB. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/TBxIHzKIjh

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 12, 2020

The Orioles came back to tie the game, getting 3 runs on 4 hits in the 6th inning. I know. You were thinking what everyone was thinking. Here comes the bullpen in a 3-3 ball game. We’re screwed. This game is over.

Well in this case, you were absolutely right. We finally got rid of Nick Pivetta but have no fear, Tommy Hunter is still in the pen ready to ruin your day.

Hunter let up 3 hits and 2 earned runs. The Orioles went up 5-3. In the 8th inning, the Orioles stole home and almost tacked on another but was reviewed and called out at the plate.

In the bottom of the 8th, our guy Bryce Harper came up to the plate and crushed a 2-run home run, his 4th of the year. Bryce brought his RBI total up to 10 on the season and the game was tied.

THINGS ARE HAPPENING!!!! pic.twitter.com/4gYcVQiGWz

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 12, 2020

Jean Segura hit a solo shot to put the Phillies up 6-5. Jay Bruce nearly gave the Phillies a 2-run lead with a shot to deep left center but ended up on 3rd base with a triple with 2 outs. Scott Kingery still hasn’t broke through this season and couldn’t get Bruce home.

I know what you were thinking. Tie game. Top of the 9th. Phillies bullpen. YIKES.

Well, just like last time, you were spot on. Hector Neris, with zero command, threw 12 pitches (6 balls, 6 strikes) and had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Neris let up 1-run to tie the game and then just when you think things couldn’t get any worse this happened:

With the bases loaded and a tie game. Neris worked his way out of a jam by getting the batter to pop up to the pitchers mound. Jean Segura comes running from 3rd base, across the mound, and claims he has the ball. Turns out, he didn’t. The ball drops for a hit. 2 runs would score. Why the hell Jean Segura ran from 3rd to catch that ball is beyond me. That ball could have been caught by Neris, Kingery, Hoskins, or Realmuto before Jean Segura.

Just terrible. The Phillies went into the bottom of the 9th down 8-6 but they weren’t done yet. 

SIR Didi Gregorius singled to center, Harper and Hoskins scored, and just like that this game was tied yet again.

Our first 2020 extra innings experience is imminent …

Buckle up. pic.twitter.com/uHCZgTGgmT

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 12, 2020

At this point in the game, I thought I was losing my mind. Roman Quinn dove for a ball with 0 outs in the Top of the 10th and the Orioles score 2 runs on an inside-the-park home run to take a 10-8 lead. I’m not kidding. That actually happened.

Phillies weren’t done yet though. Jay Bruce would single to score Segura to make it a 1-run game. Rhys Hoskins would leave 2 runners stranded with a groundout and just like that, ball game over.

Final Score: Orioles 10 – Phillies 9

OTHER NOTES:

Cutch gave a baseball to a cardboard cutout.

Protect @TheCUTCH22 at all costs. pic.twitter.com/RcIxrJS4MY

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 12, 2020

The Phandemic Krew were buzzing tonight per usual outside CBP behind Ashburn Alley. They will always get a shout out from me. Big fan.

If you took the Phillies -1.5. I did too. You can’t win em all folks. We’ll be back tomorrow.

Ring that bell, baby.