The Phillies are now on a 5 game losing streak. In all 5 games, they were leading at one point in the game. Last night was just another episode in the bullpen nightmares. Zack Wheeler was dominant. He pitched 7 innings, letting up 5 hits, 2 ER, and struck out 8.

With the exception of a 2-run HR in the 6th, Wheeler was at this best. He dominated the Braves line up. His fastball was hitting 96-99 on the gun, there were no hard balls hit, nothing. The Braves didn’t stand a chance.

Bryce Harper returned to the lineup after a day off and is pretty much unstoppable at this point. Whether it’s in the field, at the plate, or on the base paths. The should-be MVP is earning every cent of his contract this year. He hit a 2-run HR in the 1st inning to give the Phillies an early lead. JT Realmuto had an RBI single and Andrew McCutchen hit a solo HR.

Rock paper scissors time. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/rG4uw1EEHv

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 23, 2020

Then, like clockwork, in came Hector Neris and all hell broke loose with two innings left to play and a 4-2 lead. Neris has been terrible. I’m not 100% sure why Neris came into the game in the first place. We have new arms ready to go and Girardi sends out Neris who’s been throwing garbage his last few outings while touting an ERA north of 11.

The Phillies blew the game and lost in the bottom of the 9th. 

Zach Eflin will be on the mound in the series finale as the Phillies look to avoid the sweep tonight.

Ring that bell, baby.