Spencer Howard returned to California last night to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team he rooted for as a kid. The Phillies entered the night on a four game winning streak and have been playing their best baseball of the season after taking 2-of-3 from both the Nationals and Braves, and sweeping the Yankees over the the weekend. The Dodgers sent Tony Gonsolin to the mound, which gave the Phillies a golden opportunity to take game one of the three game series in Los Angeles.

In the first inning, it looked like the Phillies were going to do just that. With nobody out, they had runners on the corners after Odubel Herrera walked and Jean Segura hit a double. From there, JT Realmuto struck out, Rhys Hoskins popped out, and Bryce Harper hit an RBI single. The bases were loaded for Alec Bohm with two outs. Bohm struck out and the Phillies walked away with only one run in the frame.

Rhys Hoskins Slumping

Rhys Hoskins is ice cold. Hoskins is a miserable 0-for-30 since June 5th after basically carrying the Phillies through the month of May. The Phillies last night as a team, went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and couldn’t get anything going after the first.

As for Spencer Howard, it was the same story as usual. Howard pitched perfectly through the first three innings of the ball game, allowing zero hits, and zero walks, while striking out four. As he entered the stretch, Howard let up a two-run home run to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. He came back out in the fifth inning and allowed a solo home run to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead before Connor Brogdon came in to pitch in relief.

Howard was able to maintain velocity better than he has in past outings, but his fastball still goes from 96mph to 92mph in the typical four inning starts. Overall, the Phillies allowed just three hits on the night. The two home runs allowed by Howard were costly.

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Back to Brogdon, he pitched one inning, allowing zero hits or runs, while striking out two. Phillies prospect Bailey Falter was activated before the game and pitched terrific last night in relief. Falter threw three scoreless innings of one hit baseball while striking out one.

Up Next for the Phillies

The Phillies definitely wasted an opportunity last night against a below average Dodgers pitcher. It won’t get easier for them the remainder of the series. They will now face two left handed pitchers in Julio Urias (9-2, 3.56 ERA) and a pitcher by the name of Clayton Kershaw. As for the Phillies, they will have Zach Eflin and Zack Wheeler on the mound.

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Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY