Taylor Ward’s blast sinks Phillies despite Bryce Harper’s 2-homer night

The Phillies looked like they were ready to shake off their recent skid when Bryce Harper launched a pair of homers to build a three-run lead. The bullpen couldn’t hold it, Taylor Ward made them pay, and the Angels snuck out of Citizens Bank Park with a 6-5 win Friday night.

Ward’s go-ahead two-run homer in the 7th — his 22nd of the year — erased what remained of the Phillies’ early lead and handed Los Angeles a comeback win, despite Philadelphia going yard three times.

Harper gave the home crowd fireworks early with a three-run shot in the first and added a solo homer later to collect four RBI on the night. Kyle Schwarber added a solo blast, but that was about all the Phillies’ offense could manage.

Kyle Schwarber x Bryce Harper

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“Twice Harper”

TWICE HARPER! pic.twitter.com/Mq7tTDGaZG

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 19, 2025

Jesus Luzardo Hit Around…Again

Jesús Luzardo’s frustrating run continued. He struck out seven, but gave up two bombs — a solo shot to Jorge Soler in the second and a two-run jack to Jo Adell in the fourth — as the Angels chipped away. Mike Trout tied the game later that inning with an opposite-field RBI single off Luzardo.

The lefty finished with 4 2/3 innings, seven hits, four runs, and a no-decision. His ERA has ballooned, and he hasn’t looked like the front-line starter the Phillies hoped for since returning from injury.

Bullpen Game > Bullpen Collapse

While the Angels patched the game together with seven relievers, the Phillies got burned again by their own ‘pen. Tanner Banks gave up Ward’s go-ahead homer in the 7th and took the loss. Sam Bachman earned the win for L.A., and Kenley Jansen closed it down in the ninth for his 17th save.

Phillies Game Notes:

• 29: Harper’s two-homer game was the 29th of his career, but his first of 2025.
• 6: Combined homers hit in the game.
• 5-7: Phillies’ record in their last 12 games.

Phils need this one. Bad.

Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.55 ERA) gets the ball Saturday as the Phillies look to stop the slide. He’ll face Yusei Kikuchi (4-6, 3.11 ERA) and an Angels team playing with house money.

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