Categories: 2021 Postgame Recaps

Dodgers’ homers, bullpen shut down Phillies in series opener

Spencer Howard allowed two home runs on Monday. (Cheryl Pursell)

Philadelphia Phillies starter Spencer Howard allowed two home runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday in a 3-1 loss in the teams’ series opener at Dodger Stadium.

Will Smith hit a two-run home run and Chris Taylor hit a solo shot off the right-hander to lift the Los Angeles over the Phillies. The Dodgers bullpen combined for 5 1/3 scoreless innings to shut down Philadelphia’s offense.

The Phillies dropped back to .500 with the loss with a record of 32-32

Top Plays

The Phillies put a run on the board in the top of the first against Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin. Odúbel Herrera led off the game with a walk, and Jean Segura followed with a double into right field. After J.T. Realmuto struck out, Bryce Harper singled home Herrera. Andrew McCutchen later loaded the bases with a two-out walk, but Alec Bohm struck out to end the inning.
Phillies starting pitcher Howard recorded his first major-league hit in the second, hitting a fly ball just out of the reach of Los Angeles right fielder Zach McKinstry for a double. He moved to second on a Herrera groundout, but the Phillies were unable to knock him in with two outs.
Howard cruised through three perfect innings to begin the game. The fourth inning presented some issues. The right-hander walked Mookie Betts to start the inning, and Gavin Lux took his place on first base with a fielder’s choice. Smith hit a two-run home run two batters later to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead.

Taylor led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1. Howard was pulled in favor of Connor Brogdon having allowed those three runs on just the two hits.

Left-hander Bailey Falter took over for the Phillies in the sixth inning. He allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings, keeping his team in the game.
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen shut the door with a 1-2-3 top of the ninth. David Price, Joe Kelly, Victor Gonzalez, Blake Treinen, Jimmy Nelson and Jansen got the final 16 outs without allowing a run.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Spencer Howard: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 67 pitches

Monday was a different day but the same story for Howard. The 24-year-old shined early, but couldn’t carry the same effectiveness or velocity deeper in the game. Both home runs he allowed came on 92 mph fastballs near the end of his outing. It wasn’t the worst start of Howard’s season, but the same concerns were apparent.

Tony Gonsolin: 3 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 81 pitches

Gonsolin wasn’t the sharpest for Los Angeles, but let the talented Dodgers bullpen take with his team in a tied ballgame. The right-hander struggled with control a bit in his second start of the season, but was able to limit damage after the first-inning run scored by Philadelphia.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Will Smith

The Dodgers catcher’s two-run home run in the fourth inning gave Los Angeles a lead it would never surrender.

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