The Phillies lost the first game of their final series before the All-Star break, falling to the Red Sox 11-5. Joe Girardi and the Phillies got a reality check last night after playing a depleted Cubs team for four games, facing a team with big bats and high energy. The team now sits at 42-44 on the season, 4.5 games back of the NL East-leading New York Mets.

Vince Velasquez had a vintage Vince Velasquez start on Friday night. Vinny V surrendered 2.1 IP, 8 ER, 2 Ks, 4 BBs, and 3 home runs allowed on the night. The game started back and forth throughout the first two innings, with JT Realmuto roping a double to left field taking the early lead. The Red Sox would answer to make it 2-1, and Alec Bohm came to the plate and hit a two-run single to right.

That fantastic piece of hitting by Alec Bohm was the end of the Phillies early run, and the start of a nine run outburst over four innings by the Red Sox. Velasquez got in trouble early, and Girardi decided to leave him in through his struggles. A questionable move by Girardi, because everyone knows that if Velasquez doesn’t have his stuff, then he probably isn’t going to find it.

The Phillies offense did not have it as well as a team last night. Although putting up 5 total runs, it was still a pretty ugly outing from the lineup. A combined 9-35, with 10 strikeouts as a team total.

The Red Sox have now won nine in a row at Fenway, and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. The Phillies send Matt Moore to the mound today, in a less than ideal situation. Matt Moore has not gone more than five innings pitched all year, and the Phillies blew through five bullpen guys last night. 4:10 start time on this beautiful Saturday, as Matt Moore (5.60 ERA, 0-1) takes on Martin Perez (3.89 ERA, 7-4).

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