The Philadelphia Phillies opened up a three game series in San Francisco last night against the Giants. If you were having trouble finding the game after the Sixers, it was likely because the game was aired exclusively on the Peacock app. Odubel Herrera wasted no time putting the Phillies on the board last night, giving the Phillies an early 1-0 lead with a leadoff home run to center field. Herrera has hit .308 over his last 37 games with an OPS approaching .900.

The Phillies would add two more runs in the top of the 4th inning thanks to a two-run home run by Andrew McCutchen, but unfortunately, a sloppy second inning and some costly mistakes on the mound by Vincent Velasquez doomed the Phillies in the second and fourth inning and they dropped game one of the weekend series to the Giants 5-3.

We are just under halfway through the MLB season and the Phillies continue to make little mistakes that turn into costly errors and numbers in the loss column. Last night, there was a catchable line drive off Rhys Hoskins’ glove, a passed ball from Andrew Knapp, and a costly walk to Giants’ pitcher Johnny Cueto in the fourth inning after Cutch tied the game with his two-run home run.

Velasquez would pitch four innings, allowing four hits, four runs (three earned), and four walks while striking out two. Bailey Falter pitched well yet again for the Phillies, throwing three innings and allowing two hits and a run while striking out five. Brogdon threw a scoreless frame, striking out one.

Since being moved out of the leadoff spot, McCutchen is 15 for 49 (.306) with five home runs, four doubles and 14 RBI in 15 games.

With the loss, the Phillies fall one game below .500 yet again at 33-34. They sit in second place in the NL East and 4.5 games behind the New York Mets. The Phillies are seven back in the loss column. They will send Aaron Nola to the mound this afternoon against Giants’ pitcher Alex Wood (6-3, 3.71). Nola is fresh off one of his best starts in two months and will be looking to win consecutive starts for just the second time this season.

Listen to The Misery Report

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY SPORTS