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Phillies fall to Rockies, lose three of four in Denver

DENVER, CO – APRIL 21: Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) delivers a pitch during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on April 21, 2019 at Coors Field in Denver, CO. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire)

There wasn’t an Easter miracle for the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, who missed opportunities and made some boneheaded mistakes in a loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, 4-1.

The Phillies (12-9) dropped three of four games to the Rockies (9-13), who have now won six of seven games after a slow start to the season. It was Jerad Eickhoff’s first start of 2019, following offseason carpal tunnel surgery. The right-hander went six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and four walks.

The Phillies didn’t back Eickhoff well offensively at all, only posting five hits in total on the day. The Phils did have their chances, though, stranding 10 runners in total. Jon Gray (2-3) of the Rockies shut down any major threat from the Phils, going six innings and only allowing one hit.

After the Rockies took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single from Trevor Story, which plated David Dahl, the Phillies were looking to get something going in the fourth. Unfortunately a base running blunder by second baseman Cesar Hernandez ended any major threat the Phillies might have posed. With Hernandez on first and one out, Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins hit a ground ball to shortstop, Trevor Story, who flipped to second baseman Garrett Hampson, who couldn’t field the ball cleanly. Hernandez began to trot off of the field not knowing he was ruled safe and was caught in an eventual rundown.

The Rockies extended their lead to 2-0 after center fielder Ian Desmond singled home Story, who had walked to lead off the frame. Rockies catcher Tony Wolters followed up with a two run double, to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Phils threatened twice more with two on and two out in the seventh and ninth inning, but the tough day for Hernandez (0-5) continued, as he struck out swinging in the seventh and grounded out in the ninth.

The Phillies did get on the board in the ninth inning on an RBI single from Realmuto, which plated Knapp, who doubled. Outfielder Andrew McCutchen did single to bring up the tying run in the final inning. Hernandez represented tying run.

The Phillies lineup was a bit different, as Roman Quinn started again for a struggling Odubel Herrera. Phil Gosselin started in place of an injured Jean Segura, who was replaced by a now injured Scott Kingery. Andrew Knapp was behind home plate for J.T Realmuto, who had an off day. Those three combined for one hit in nine at bats. Knapp did walk three times and double in the ninth inning.

The Phillies will head to Citi Field for a 7:10 pitch Monday night in New York as they take on the Mets. Right hander Jake Arrieta (3-1, 2.25 ERA) will face left hander Steven Matz (1-1, 4.96 ERA).

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Jerad Eickhoff took the loss, as he pitched six innings of four run ball, walking four and surrendering seven hits. That’s Eickhoff’s first decision, he is 0-1.

Meanwhile, Rockies Right hander Jon Gray got the win going six innings of zero run baseball, surrendering one hit, while striking out five. He is now 2-3 on the season.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Jon Gray

Jon Gray is our player of the game. Gray shut down the Phils’ offense, escaping only one major jam in the fourth inning as the Phillies had two men in scoring position. Gray now has a 2.78 ERA on the young season.

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