Phillies Outmatched and Outgunned By Dodgers

On Monday the Phillies learned that Bryce Harper has been cleared to play. On Monday the Phillies also began a three-game set against the Dodgers. Hollywood here we come.

Schwarbs sent this one for a ride #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/npZ4STPXNs

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 2, 2023

Game 1

Taiwan Walker was sent to the hill in this one.  Things went from back to worst for him. Walker gives up three home runs in the first three innings and the Phillies find themselves down 5-0 early. Schwarber knocks a homer in the 4^th inning to cut the deficit to 5-1 but that’s the closest the Phillies would get.

The Dodgers poured it on to a tune of 13 runs they hit four home runs as a team. Pounded out 13 runs and rolled over the Phillies 13-4. For the Phillies Nick Castellanos was your offensive hero of the night. Nick went 2-4 with 2 runs batted in. Taiwan Walker lasted 3 and 1/3 innings, giving up 8 hits, 8 runs all earned. He also struck out 6 and walked three.

The big story for Walker was the home runs he surrendered 3 of them on the night. Tony Gonsolin got the start for the Dodgers he did not figure in the win. Victor Gonzalez gets the win tonight for the Dodgers.

Game 2

Matt Strahm took the bump for game 2. He has been up and down in his starts this season. With Ranger Suarez off at his rehab assignment Strahm’s days in the rotation are coming to an end. For the Dodgers Julio Urias, the tough lefty got the nod. The big story of the night was the return of Bryce Harper to the Phillies lineup. Harper just 5 months and 1 week removed from Tommy John surgery was batting 3^rd and DHing for the Phillies.

The defining play for the Phillies came in the 7^th inning with Betts on first and 1 out. Will Smith hit a single to center field Brandon Marsh lazily threw the ball back into the infield allowing Betts to take third on the play. Plays like this have plagued the Phillies this year. Calling into question the managing style of Rob Thompson. 

For a second night, the Phillies bats fell silent. Urias 1 hit the Phillies through 7 innings and struck out 10. The only run the Phillies could mustard was a Trae Turner solo home run. Harper went 0 for 4 to include 3 strikeouts in his return to action. The Dodgers kept Strahm and the Phillies off balance for a second straight night. Strahm, who was once again inconsistent lasted only 3 and 1/3 innings giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, walking 1, and striking out 5.

The Phillies’ bullpen continued its struggles over the last three games. Brogdon, Dominquez, Soto, and Marte pitched a combined 4 innings allowing 7 hits, 6 runs, walking three, and striking out 5. For a second straight night and for the 4th time this season a position player Kody Clemens was called upon to pitch. Marte now has an 18.00 ERA.

The Dodger offensive attack was led by Mookie Betts as he continues to destroy the Phillies. Betts was 3 for 4, with 3 hits, and 3 runs batted in. The Dodgers beat the Phillies 13-1 to take the first two games of the series. Urias gets the win, and Strahm suffers the loss. The Phillies have now lost 3 in a row and will look to salvage a game in the finale Wednesday afternoon.

Game 3

Aaron Nola gets the ball for the finale as the Phillies look to salvage a game in this series.  Through two games the Phillies have been outscored 26-5 and outhit 32-11 by the Dodgers. For the Dodgers Gavin Stone gets the ball. Stone will be making his MLB debut.

The Phillies took advantage early of Stone. Stott would hit a sacrifice fly in the 1^st giving the Phillies an early 1-0 lead. They would go on to hang 4 more runs on the rookie through the third inning. Bryce Harper returned to the hit column with 2 singles, a double, a run scored, and 2 walks. The Phillies would build a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the 4^th. For the day Stone lasted 4 innings, gave up 8 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, and 1 strikeout (his first of his career).

Nola looked good early, but as usual, he ran into trouble in that peaky 4th inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dodgers would get a little closer. Matt Vargas would hit a two-run home run to cut into the Phillies lead 5-3. He did stabilize providing the Phillies a much-needed quality start. For the day Nola pitched 6 and 1/3 innings, allowed 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 home run, struck out 5, and walked 0.

The Dodgers cut the lead to 5-4 in the 7^th.   In the 8^th the Phillies bullpen continues to struggle mightily. Jose Alvarado gives up two straight singles putting Dodger runners on 2^nd and 3^rd with one out. He then got Matt Vargas to ground out Rojas tried to score but was thrown out at the plate. The next batter was Barnes who lined out to third a play that Edmundo Sosa needed to make as he whiffed at the ball allowing two Dodger runners to score. 6-5. In the Phillies’ 9th, the offense sprung to life. Harper with his third hit of the day a single and a Castelones walk. The Phillies had runners on first and second with 2 outs. Bryson Stott would follow with a game-tying single. 6-6.

Kimbrell worked the 9th and allowed a leadoff single to Taylor. A stolen base later the Dodgers had the winning run on second for Mookie Betts Kimbrell would strike Betts out setting up Freeman. Freeman was intentionally walked. That brought Will Smith to bat. Smith would walk loading the bases and bringing up Max Muncy. Two pitches later walk-off grand slam 10-6 Dodgers with the win and the sweep. The Phillies allowed the Dodgers double-digit run totals in all three games.

The Phillies now will return to Philadelphia for an off-day Thursday before starting a three-game series versus the Red Sox. They finished their road trip a disappointing 2-4 and dropped two games below .500.  

Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts continue to be major pains in the you-know-what to Phillies pitching. For the series, Freeman was 6 for 13, 6 RBIs, 1 homerun, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts. Betts was 6 for 11, with 6 RBIs, 1 homerun, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts.  For the Phillies Kyle Schwarber continues to struggle. For the series, he was 1 for 12, 1 RBI, 4 strikeouts, and 1 walk.