Phillies Bullpen Woes Continue

Phillies enter a seven-inning doubleheader today with the Atlanta Braves. The story remains the same in this shortened season. The Phillies bullpen woes continue, especially in the first game.

Today Philly wears their retro powder blue and maroon uniforms. The team is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1980 World Series championship. Let’s recap last night’s game before we start.

Phillies coming off a 5-0 beating on the Atlanta Braves. Of course J.T. Realmuto with more offense at the bottom of the fourth. Solo home run puts the Phillies up 1-0 nothing. Jay Bruce joins the party in the fourth. Bruce adds 3 more with a three-run blast. Phils up 4-0. Didi Gregorious adds one more with a single scoring Bryce Harper. 5-0 victory for the Phillies. Jake Arrieta pitched one hell of a game. Command was there, especially with the sinker. Don’t forget Bryces diving catch.

First Three Innings

Vince Velasquez returns to the mound for the second time this season. As we all know the first time wasn’t one of his finer moments. Control issues continue in the first. Strikes out Acuna but his hits Swanson. Fortunately, Velasquez was able to catch him leaning at first after a lengthy booth review. He recoups and strikes out Freddy Freeman for the third out and second strikeout of the inning. Huascar Ynoa takes the mound for the Braves. He was able to knock the Phillies down in order with 15 pitches.

The second inning starts with a double from left fielder Marcell Ozuna. Markakis strikes out swinging. Walks Camargo and is able to cause Hechavarría to fly out and keep runners on first and second. Tyler Flowers takes a walk loading the bases. Velasquez was able to survive with Inciarte grounding out to first retiring the side. Didi, Segura, and Bruce all ground out in the bottom of the second.

Vinnie seems to settle down in the third. He is able to go 1-2-3 in 16 pitches. Neil Walker gets the first hit of the day for the Phillies. Roman Quinn flies out. Knapp walks. That was it for Huascar Ynoa after 2.1 innings. Tyler Matzek takes over on the mound. Wild pitch advances the runners. Walker scored on a broken-bat RBI from McCutchen. Knapp moves to third. Rhys Hoskins draws a walk. Harper strikes out swinging. 1-0 lead for Philly leading into the fourth.

Final Four Innings

Vinnie returns to the mound and walks Markakis. Camargo strikes out looking. Another strikeout / throw out but this time it was Andrew Knapp pulling the trigger. Hechavarría goes down swinging and Markakis gets nabbed at second. Didi grounds out at the bottom of the fourth. Segura works out a walk with one out. Jay Bruce with an infield popup. Segura steals second. Unfortunately, Neil Walker is not able to capitalize on the runner in scoring position.

Tyler Flowers hits a line-drive single to left field to start the 5th inning putting an end to Velasquez’s day. Deolis Guerra takes over at the mound. Inciarte flies out for the first out. Acuna comes up big for the Braves blasting a 2-run home run to left field. 2-1 Braves take the lead. Swanson hits a single. Guerra gets his batters and Joe Girardi had enough. Adam Morgan comes in to close out the side. That does not go as planned. Adam Duvall hits a double to left field, scoring Swanson, Freeman, and Ozuna. Braves extend their lead to 5-1. the 4th pitcher in inning enters the game. Ramón Rosso comes in and gets Hechavarría out to finally end the inning.

Roman Quinn starts the bottom of the 5th with a double. Knapp out with a grounder to 1st. Quinn moves to third base. McCutchen hits a sac-fly to score Quinn from third. 5-2 Braves continue to lead. Hoskins works out a walk. Will Smith comes in to face Bryce Harper. (No, not Big Willy Style) 3-2 count on Harper and he is able to lay off the outside heat and work out a walk. Unfortunately, Didi pops the ball straight up to end the inning.

At the top of the sixth, Tyler Flowers works out a walk. Inciarte, Acuna, and Swanson all fly out to retire the side. The Phillies come in the bottom of the sixth looking to add some runs. Segura and Bruce both hit fly balls outs. Walker works another walk, but it is followed up by a strikeout by Roman Quinn.

Freddie Freeman hits a one-out single to right at the top of the 7th. Cole Irvin gives up a single to Duval putting runners at the corner. Camargo hits a short fly ball out to center. Roman hits the cutoff and they get Freeman cheating at third base. Realmuto is out at first for a close call review. McCutchen singles and Hoskins snd Harper lines out. The final score of 5-2. Braves with the first win of the day.

Phillies Bullpen Woes Continue

The narrative continues with the bullpen. Vince Velasquez is able to go four scoreless, albeit gut-wrenching, innings. The offensive also being quiet in the first game was not helpful. The same thing continues to be the problem, Phillies bullpen woes continue. Hopefully game two bodes well for Philadelphia. Let see how the debut for Spencer Howard. Come to back EoP for more on Howard fairs in his debut. Our own Joey Sheeran will have that coverage.

SIDE NOTE: Happy birthday to former Phillies announcer and friend of Edge of Philly Sports, Chris Wheeler.

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