Phillies bats go silent, blanked by rangers in series opener 7-0
The Phillies were shutout by Martin Pérez and the Rangers 7-0, in the opening contest of a two game series.
Rangers (32-35) Beat Phillies (36-33)
- Winning Pitcher: Martin Pérez (5-2, 1.96)
- Losing Pitcher: Kyle Gibson (4-3, 4.06)
- Save: n/a
Kyle Gibson was cruising having allowed just three hits in four innings before giving up back-to-back solo home runs to Nathan Lowe and Josh Heim in the 5th inning. Gibson pitched well, allowing only those three runs through 6.1 innings while striking out four and walking none.
But Rangers starting pitcher Martin Pérez was even better as he tossed six shutout innings, in his fifth scoreless start of his turnaround season while lowering his ERA to 1.96.
It was just the fourth loss in the last nineteen games for the Phillies, who were shutout for the first time since a 2-0 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday May 19th. The Phils could only muster six total hits, grounded into three double plays, left eight men on base, and were 0-9 with runners in scoring position.
It didn’t help that the Phillies were without NL All-Star leading vote getter at DH, Bryce Harper, who missed his second straight game with a blister on his left index finger.
Can we talk about Jeurys Familia? I think we need to after Familia gave up two separate two-run home runs to Marcus Semien and Kole Calhoun in the 8th inning. Familia who saw his ERA rise to 5.55 with the pathetic performance has been a tire fire in June, allowing eight earned runs in just five innings of work.
Between Familia and Jose Alvarado the Phillies bullpen is always one pitch away from tragedy and letting the top ranked starting rotation in baseball down. Listen, I know it’s hard to be critical after this team has been playing lights out in June, but when the bats go silent like tonight, the bullpen needs to be better to keep this team within reach of making a comeback win. That certainly did not happen tonight.
Nathaniel Lowe finally puts the Rangers on the board with a solo shot off Kyle Gibson in the 5th inning.
1-0 Rangers
Now Heim takes Gibson yard for back to back solo shots in the 5th.
2-0 Rangers
Matt Vierling is robbed of at least one run by Rangers left fielder Kole Calhoun.
Corey Seager with another RBI on Kyle Gibson.
3-0 Rangers
Jeurys Familia gives up the first of his two-run home runs to Marcus Semien.
5-0 Rangers
Jeurys Familia gives up yet another two run bomb in the Rangers big 4-run 8th inning.
Geeze.
7-0 Rangers
Up Next
The Phillies finish up a quick two game set with the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday afternoon.
Zack Wheeler (6-3, 2.69) will toe the rubber facing off against Jon Gray (2-3, 4.27) with the first pitched scheduled for 4:05 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will have the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: The Washington Post
