Phillies offense disappoints yet again in loss to Dodgers

Final Score: Dodgers 4, Phillies 1

Friday was just another one of those “dead on arrival” games for the Phillies. After dropping three of four in Los Angeles, the Dodgers grinded out a series-opening win against the Phillies in front of just over 30,000 fans at Citizens Bank Park. Phillies pitchers threw a combined 191 pitches to get through a Dodger order that knows how to wear down the opponent.

They did show some life in the ninth. Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto doubled to break the 21-inning scoreless drought. The tying run came to the plate in Odúbel Herrera, but Craig Kimbrel, who hasn’t allowed an earned run against the Phillies since 2012, took care of business.

Here are a few observations from Friday’s tough loss.

Dodgers wear down Ranger Suárez

The Dodgers chased Ranger Suárez out of the game after three innings and plenty of lengthy at-bats. Opposing hitters worked five 3-2 counts against Suárez. Of the 15 hitters Suárez faced, 14 of them saw at least five pitches in the at-bat. Friday was Suárez’s shortest outing since his first start against New York on April 11.

He’s no stranger to laborious innings this season:

Ranger Suarez has thrown 67 pitches to get through 2 innings tonight

He's averaged 18.1 pitches per inning this season. The only qualifying pitcher in either league averaging more is Cincinnati's Tyler Mahle (19.1)

— Corey Seidman (@CSeidmanNBCS) May 20, 2022

Bullpen prevents it from being a laugher

Nick Nelson, James Norwood, Jeurys Familia and Andrew Bellatti deserve props for keeping the Phillies in the game. They combined to allow only one unearned run through six innings with the lone run coming on a sacrifice fly from Trea Turner off of Bellatti in the ninth. The bullpen also somehow accomplished this while walking five hitters combined. The unit came into this game with the second-worst BB/9 in baseball at 4.58.

The Phillies are nothing without Bryce Harper

The thought behind signing Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos to go along with Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto and Jean Segura is that the Phillies could perhaps weather the storm if they had to deal with an extended absence from the 2021 National League MVP. This week has so far served as a strong indication that that is not the case.

This might sound a bit morbid, but Friday’s game was a painful reminder that the Phillies’ chances of accomplishing anything this year are more fragile than they should be. Harper is expected to return at some point in the next few days, but what if his UCL injury starts to affect his swing? The Phillies would likely shut him down indefinitely and the lineup would be significantly less threatening without him. Hoskins, Schwarber, Castellanos and Segura are all capable of getting hot and carrying the offense, but it might not be enough.

Since Harper’s last game, the Phillies have scored a combined eight runs in five games. They have faced two of the more talented pitching staffs in baseball over the week, but those numbers are inexcusable no matter who is on the mound for the opposing team.

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes

• Manger Joe Girardi does not believe Harper’s injury will require an injured list stint. He has missed five consecutive games after receiving a PRP injection in his right elbow. Injured list stints can only be backdated by three days. “He took a few more swings today, so he’s pretty close,” Girardi said pregame.
• Right handed pitcher Sam Coonrod (right shoulder strain) is scheduled to begin throwing live batting practice this. Girardi said the 29-year-old recently threw an up-and-down bullpen session that went well. Kent Emanuel (left elbow impingement) has begun throwing simulated games. Both pitchers are currently on the 60-day injured list. Girardi added that Ryan Sherriff (left shoulder strain) is slightly behind Coonrod in his recovery from injury.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Saturday, May 21 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park
• 6:05 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: Sportsradio 94 WIP

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