Phillies swept by rangers 4-2, Lose 3rd Straight Game
The Phillies offense struggled for the second day in a row, as Brad Miller and the Rangers swept the four game season series by a score of 4-2.
Rangers (33-35) Beat Phillies (36-34)
- Winning Pitcher:Â Jon Gray (3-3, 4.18)
- Losing Pitcher: Zack Wheeler (6-4, 2.77)
- Save:Â Joe Barlow (13, 2.96)
The Phillies have now lost nine consecutive games against the Texas Rangers dating back to 2014 and were completely out classed in every facet of the game over the four games they have played this season.
Former Phillies great Brad Miller, hit a 2-RBI single in the 2nd inning to put the Rangers on top against Zack Wheeler, who lost his first start in nearly two months. Wheeler didn’t have his normal command and walked three batters while allowing seven hits over just 4.1 innings.
Wheeler gave up four runs but only two of those were earned as Rhys Hoskins fumbled a ball on an easy ground ball with a runner on first and nobody out. In the 3rd inning, Wheeler allowed a leadoff double to Corey Seager and then gave up the game winning go-ahead RBI single to Kole Calhoun.
Wheeler allowed yet another leadoff double in the 5th inning to Adolis Garcia, who was driven home a batter later by who else but Kole Calhoun..
The Phillies bullpen was solid this afternoon as four relievers combined for 3.2 scoreless innings of work while waiting in vain for the offense to wake up.
Kyle Schwarber hit his 19th home run on the season to tie the game up at two in the 3rd inning, in what proved to be the only offensive output for the Phillies. For Schwarber thats his 26th game in a row that he reached base, a career best for the slugger that is now second in long balls in the National League behind Pete Alonso, who has 20 for the Mets.
Bryce Harper made his return, after missing three games with a blister on his left index finger and went 1-3 with a walk. Altogether, the Phillies offense only managed five hits on the game and eleven combined over the two games of the series.
The Phillies will continue their difficult 10-game road trip when they fly west to meet up with the San Diego Padres tomorrow night. The four game set begins with a tough matchup against Padres starter Joe Musgrove who is 8-0 with an ERA below 1.50.
The Phillies bats are going to need to a whole lot more against the Pads if they want to escape with a series win.
Brad Miller puts the Rangers on the board with a 2 RBI double in the 2nd inning. Of course, Brad Millers is killing us again!
2-0 Rangers
Kyle Schwarber ties it up with a two run bomb to deep center field of Ranger starting pitcher Jon Gray.
2-2 Phils
Kole Calhoun gives the Rangers the lead with an RBI dribbler that manages to find its way to the outfield.
3-2 Rangers
Kole Calhoun with another RBI to extend the Rangers lead, and Bryson Stott with a nice throw to get the runner at third base.
4-2 Rangers
Didi Gregorius strikes out with the the tying run on first base in the 6th inning. The Phillies have absolutely stunk with runners in scoring position this series.
Jose Alvarado pitches a rare clean inning in the 7th.
Up Next
The Phillies travel west on Thursday to take on the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in the first game of a four game series.
Ranger Suarez (5-4, 4.43) will toe the rubber facing off against Joe Musgrove (8-0, 1.59) with the first pitched scheduled for 9:40 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will have the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Associated Press
