Categories: 2021 Postgame Recaps

Phillies win, but clerical error makes it harder than it had to be

Joe Girardi is in his second season as Phillies manager. (Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Final Score: Phillies 6, Brewers 5

For six innings Tuesday, it felt like the story of the Philadelphia Phillies-Milwaukee Brewers game was going to be a resurgence from Andrew McCutchen, who homered twice in the first three innings. For good measure, Brad Miller hit a titanic three-run home run in the third inning, giving you the feeling that the Phillies may win with ease, which has been rare so far this season.

The seventh inning had other plans, though. Enyel De Los Santos, recalled before this evening’s game, was slated to come in for the seventh inning with the Phillies short on arms in the bullpen. Instead, he wasn’t allowed to actually come in the game because his name was never put on Tuesday’s lineup card. David Hale and JoJo Romero ultimately pitched the inning, allowing four runs, letting the Brewers back into a game that once felt out of reach.

Thanks to a five-out save from Sam Coonrod, the Phillies were able to escape with their second consecutive victory. Still, in what hasn’t exactly been a smooth start to the 2021 season, Tuesday’s victory led to more questions than it answered.

Top Plays

The Brewers didn’t waste time attacking Aaron Nola in the top of the first inning, with second baseman Kolten Wong doubling into left-center field on the first pitch of the game. Wong, in his first season in Milwaukee, was plated on a single by Daniel Vogelbach two batters later.
The Phillies quickly evened the score in the home half of the first inning, as Andrew McCutchen led off with a home run for the second time in three days. It was McCutchen’s 17th career leadoff home run, and his second leadoff home run against the Brewers during his Phillies tenure:

Roman Quinn had a very eventful bottom of the second inning. With two outs, Quinn attempted to lay a bunt down, only to have it hit him in his right hand. After an extended visit with the trainer, Quinn stayed in and singled into left field, his third hit in his last eight at-bats. Quinn advanced all the way to third base when Brewers lefty Eric Lauer threw the ball away attempting to pick him off at first base. But after Nick Maton struck out to end the inning, Quinn was removed in favor of Odúbel Herrera.
McCutchen gave the Phillies the lead in the bottom of the third inning by hitting his second solo home run of the evening. It was the 17th career multi-home run game for McCutchen, and his first since September of 2017, when he was still playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates:

With two outs in the inning, J.T. Realmuto hit a ground ball to third baseman Travis Shaw that should have ended the inning. Instead, Shaw missed the ball, allowing the inning to continue. The Phillies made the best of it, with Alec Bohm and Didi Gregorius hitting consecutive singles to bring Realmuto home. The big blow, though, came from Brad Miller, starting in right field, who launched a 405-foot home run into the second deck in right field:

The Brewers did load the bases in the top of the sixth inning, but Nola was able to get out of the jam by striking out Jacob Nottingham.
After Enyel De Los Santos was deemed ineligible to come into the game in the top of the seventh because he wasn’t written on the lineup card, David Hale came in and allowed three consecutive batters to reach base. Avisaíl García singled, Kolten Wong was hit by a pitch and Luis Urías brought home García with a single of his own. Hale was pulled without recording an out.
JoJo Romero came into the game to replace Hale, inheriting runners on the corners and no one out. Romero got pinch-hitter Lorenzo Cain to ground out, but that did bring home a third run for Milwaukee. Unfortunately for the Phillies, Romero wasn’t able to escape the inning without further damage, as he would allow a two-run home run to Jackie Bradley Jr. that pulled the Brewers to within one run. Herrera, somehow, got stuck in the fence attempting to rob Bradley’s home run:

For the second consecutive night, the Phillies asked their closer to get the final five outs of the game. With Héctor Neris unavailable and José Alvarado suspended, the job fell on Sam Coonrod. Like Neris, Coonrod ultimately did record the save, though he didn’t get Bradley Jr. to fly out until allowing two singles and putting the tying run within 90 feet of the plate.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Eric Lauer did strike out seven Phillies over six innings, but he gave up eight hits, three of which were home runs. Only two of the six runs that he gave up were earned, but it still wasn’t a strong performance for the 25-year-old lefty.
Aaron Nola wasn’t at his sharpest Tuesday night, which is saying something considering he limited the Brewers to one run over six innings. Nola also struck out 10 batters, the second time he’s recorded double-digit strikeouts in 2021, and the 18th time in his career. Nola needed 114 pitches to get through the outing, but he did his job.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Andrew McCutchen

The former National League MVP entered the evening with just two home runs on the season, and quickly matched that total in the first three innings Tuesday. It’s obvious, but it would be gigantic for the Phillies if McCutchen gets hot after hitting just .169 in April.

Postgame Notes

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