Eickhoff, Phillies offense struggle in loss to Brewers

Final: Brewers 6, Phillies 1

Just like in 2018, an impressive first quarter performance from the Philadelphia Phillies has the fanbase excited. The Phils were hoping to use that excitement – as well as momentum from last night’s triumphant victory – as they looked for another victory Tuesday night. They were unable to do so and instead, suffered a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers.  

After a seven-pitch first inning, Eickhoff gave up two singles to Mike Moustakas and Jesus Aguilar to set up first and third with no outs in the top of the second inning. Yasmani Grandal promptly drove a 399-foot home run into the right field seats, giving the Brewers a 3-0 lead:   

To make matters worse, the debuting Keston Hiura subsequently drove an infield hit off the leg of Eickhoff. Eickhoff, however, was able to continue and Hiura earned his first major league hit in front of his friends and family, who were sitting front row behind the visiting dugout. The inning ended with Eickhoff striking out opposing pitcher Brandon Woodruff and J.T. Realmuto throwing out Orlando Arcia at second.

The Phillies responded in the second by getting runners at first and third with two outs. Those runners were left stranded after an Andrew McCutchen ground out to first.

In the third, the Brewers added onto their lead with a two-run home run from Ryan Braun, a notorious Phillies killer. The decently thrown curveball became Braun’s 25th career home run against the Phillies:  

More trouble ensued for Eickhoff in the fourth. With Woodruff bunting at the plate with two runners on and one out, Eickhoff whiffed on a pop-up and loaded the bases for Lorenzo Cain. He managed to escape trouble by getting a force play at home and holding three-hole hitter Christian Yelich to a fly-out to center field to end the inning.

Through seven innings, the Phillies only managed an infield hit. Plenty of opportunities were there for the taking as Woodruff also allowed five walks. The offense was just unable to capitalize in key situations as they had been able to on the Missouri road trip.

There was a moment in the game, however, when all of Phillies Nation held their breath. The 330 million dollar man was hustling for a fly ball hit off the bat of the rookie Hiura. Harper slid towards the right field foul wall and miraculously came up with ball. He slammed his foot into the wall and slowly stood up noticeably in pain. Harper shook off head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan and manager Gabe Kapler and insisted he was good to play on. Three batters later, an equivalent fly ball was hit his way. After another beautiful dive, Harper gracefully got up and threw the ball into the stands, leaving the field to another standing ovation from the home crowd:

The Phillies didn’t threaten in the ninth inning, but Nick Williams ultimately flew out with two runners on base to end the game.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

After Aaron Nola’s three inning outing on Monday, the Phillies hoped for a better showing from Jerad Eickhoff. It seemed after the first inning that Eickhoff would provide just that. That did not prove to be the case as the Brewers got to Eickhoff with the longball.

He didn’t look awful. Eickhoff unfortunately ran into bad luck by getting beat on a couple of pitches. His outing Tuesday night caused his ERA to rise from 1.50 to 2.65. 

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Brandon Woodruff

Any pitcher who can hold the Phillies lineup to one hit over six innings definitely deserves to be recognized for his effort. Despite surrendering five walks, Woodruff was efficient in his ability to get Phillies hitters to swing early in the count.  He also earned himself a base knock while trying to move his runners over in the fourth – not surprising for a guy who homered off of Clayton Kershaw in last year’s Game 1 of the NLCS. 

Next Game

• May 15, 2019 at Citizens Bank Park
• 7:05 p.m. ET
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• SportsRadio 94 WIP

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