Harper hits 30th home run, Phillies blow 30th save in loss against Colorado

Final Score: Rockies 4, Phillies 3

The Phillies were a strike away from a series-opening victory against Colorado. All closer Ian Kennedy had to do was make one pitch to Ryan McMahon, who came in to pinch-hit for Yonathan Daza. McMahon saw four fastballs in the at-bat and fouled off three of them. The fifth was a curveball that hung on the lower inside part of the plate. Just like that, the Phillies were down by a run.

The next batter Sam Hilliard had a 3-2 count. He homered. It was the 65th home run the Phillies have given up with two strikes this season, the seventh most in baseball. They trail the Twins, Nationals, Rangers, Blue Jays, Cubs and Orioles in that category.

The Phillies could have overcame one two-strike home run in the ninth. They scored a run off Carlos Estévez in the ninth and stranded the tying run at third base. The Phillies have a knack for theatrical late-inning losses in September and this is their second one in less than a week.

On a brighter note, MVP candidate Bryce Harper went 2-for-4 and hit his 30th home run of the season. Ranger Suárez gave the Phillies another fine outing and Héctor Neris and José Alvarado pitched well in relief.

The Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals are currently tied heading into the bottom of the ninth. If the Braves win, the Phillies will fall 3.5 games out of first place in the National League East.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Antonio Senzatela: 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR, 90 pitches

Senzatela logged his fifth consecutive quality start on the road in Thursday’s outing. His only hit allowed through five was the Harper home run. While the Phillies offense has been quietly lately (excluding Labor Day), Senzatela has been stellar since his return from the COVID-19 injured list.

Ranger Suárez: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 96 pitches

The Phillies badly needed a quality start out of Suárez. He must not be dealing with much arm soreness this time around as he was able to pitch into the sixth inning. His fastball sat around 93 in the sixth, which is a good sign considering it’s been down in his last two starts.

Phillies Nugget Of The Game

Phillies have blown 30 saves this season, most in the majors and a single-season team record. Bullpen has given up 78 homers, fifth-most in majors at the moment

— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) September 10, 2021

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Friday, Sept. 10 vs. Colorado Rockies at 7:05 PM
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: 94 WIP

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