Phillies Blow Ninth Inning Lead, Waste Bryce Harper Go-Ahead Blast to Lose 6-5
The Phillies looked to be on the precipice of an electric come from behind win after Bryce Harper blasted a 2 run homer, but Nick Nelson couldn’t convert the save in a loss to the Braves 6-5.
Braves (20-23) Beat Phillies (20-23)
- Winning Pitcher: Kenley Jansen (3-0, 3.86)
- Losing Pitcher: Nick Nelson (1-1, 3.38)
- Save: n/a
Bryce Harper hit a clutch go-ahead 2 run blast in the top of the 9th to put the Phillies on top, but the Phillies couldn’t hold the lead in the bottom of the 9th.
Nick Nelson, who had already pitched in the 8th, got the nod from Joe Girardi for the save opportunity. Dansby Swanson led off the bottom of the 9th with a double down the right field line that put immediate pressure on Nelson. The next batter, Ronald Acuna Jr, hit a deep fly ball that was set to easily score Swanson from third, but Roman Quinn and Nick Castellanos miscommunicated, allowing the ball to hit the turf. Acuna, who wasn’t running was able to reach second base and scored during the next at bat, on a game winning RBI from William Contreras.
As much as I have enjoyed Roman Quinn’s energy in the past few games, I am patiently waiting for Mickey Moniak to finish his rehab stint in Reading and return to his rightful place roaming centerfield at CBP. Roman have never been able to track a baseball. But the real question is..
Why is Nick Nelson closing games for the 2022 Philadelphia Phillies?
According to Joe Girardi, Corey Knebel, Seranthony Dominguez, and Jeurys Familia were all unavailable for tonight’s game. Jose Alvarado was available, but I understand the decision not pitch a guy who has a 7+ ERA. It is also well known that Girardi avoids throwing any of his arms for three consecutive days in a row, which is flat out unacceptable.
You get paid to pitch. Get your ass out there!
Girardi was a bit annoyed in answering questions post game about that choice. But he defended Nelson as the best choice at the time considering how good he looked in the 8th inning.
What a waste of an iconic moment from NL MVP Bryce Harper! When your best player and team leader puts you on his shoulders to go ahead against a division rival, you have to take advantage. Let’s not lie to ourselves, the entire Delaware Valley knew this game was over the moment Nelson came back out for the 9th inning.
It was a bad decision from Joe Girardi, but an even bigger indictment of the Phillies depth in the bullpen. How is this team ever going to make the playoffs let alone compete for a championship when they are completely helpless without Corey Knebel?
Either way le’s take a moment to appreciate Bryce who had himself a beautiful night. Harper was 3-4, 1 R, 4 RBI and has now increased his slash line to .302/.352/.617, all while enduring discomfort from a torn UCL in this throwing elbow.
JT Realmuto puts the Phils up in the 2nd inning with a sac-fly RBI.
1-0 Phils
Dansby Swanson ties it up with a bloop just out of the reach of Kyle Schwarber.
1-1 Phils
Ronald Acuna Jr puts the Braves on top with an RBI single through the hole and into left field.
2-1 Braves
Bryce Harper ties it up an RBI double to the opposite field.
2-2 Phils
Max Fried escapes the 6th inning by getting JT Realmuto swinging with the bases loaded.
Braves are back on top courtesy of a solo shot from Matt Olson that hit the right field foul pole.
3-2 Braves
Bryce Harper comes up big again with an RBI single in the 7th to cut the Braves lead in half.
4-3 Phils
Bryce Harper puts the Phils ahead with a two run blast on the first pitch.
OH BABY!
5-4 Phils!
Dansby Swanson ties the game up after a routine fly ball drops in between Nick Castellanos and Roman Quinn.
Terrible!
5-5 Phils
Braves Win 6-5
Up Next
The Phillies will look to get back to their winning ways in game three of a four game series against the division-rival Braves in Atlanta on Wednesday night.
Ranger Suarez (4-2, 4.12) will toe the rubber facing off against Charlie Morton (3-3, 4.95), with the first pitch scheduled for 7:20 pm.
NBC Sports will carry the broadcast of the game.
