Categories: 2023 Postgame Recaps

Phillies get shut out in frustrating series finale loss to Rockies

Aaron Nola allowed four runs over seven innings in Sunday’s loss against the Rockies. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)

Final Score: Rockies 4, Phillies 0

Coming into this afternoon, the Phillies were on a season-high five-game winning streak. They had scored six or more runs in four of those contests, and with Aaron Nola — who tossed seven innings of three-run ball in his April 21 start against the Rockies — on the mound, Philadelphia was eyeing their first three-game series sweep of 2023.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, Nola — who pitched seven innings while allowing four runs — wasn’t as sharp this time around against Colorado and the offense squandered a number of opportunities against Kyle Freeland and company in the club’s first loss in eight days.

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The Rockies picked up an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Colorado first baseman C.J. Cron grounded a ball up the middle for what looked like an easy double play. Bryson Stott fielded the ball and flipped it to Trea Turner — whose throw to first base went wide and allowed two runs, instead of just one, to score.

In the top of the third, the Phillies were in a good spot to score some runs after back-to-back singles by Stott and Turner started the inning. However, after a Bryce Harper sacrifice fly put runners on the corners with one out, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber were both retired to put an end to Philadelphia’s threat.

Colorado increased their lead to 4-0 in the home half of the fifth. With one out in the inning, center fielder Brenton Doyle hit a solo home run to left:

And three hitters later, Charlie Blackmon — who doubled after Doyle’s homer — scored on a two-out single to center by Kris Bryant.

Philadelphia was threatening once again in the seventh. Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh both walked to lead off the inning and that brought Edmundo Sosa to the plate.

Sosa grounded into what was called a double play on the field, but the Phillies wanted to challenge the play. It looked as though the on-field call could’ve been overturned, at least at second base, to put runners on second and third with one out.

However, the umpiring crew didn’t see bench coach Mike Calitri — who took over managing duties after Rob Thomson was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing balls and strikes — signal for said challenge in time. And in turn, the play was not reviewed, putting an end to the Phillies threat.

Philadelphia had some life in the top of the ninth after J.T Realmuto and Bohm each singled to begin inning, but Marsh, Sosa and Stott were set down in order to end the ball game.

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes

After a frustrating top of the seventh for the Phillies, benches cleared at the conclusion of the inning after Rockies reliever Jake Bird taunted Philadelphia’s dugout:

As a result of both benches clearing, Bryce Harper and Jake Bird were both ejected from the game.
The Phillies were 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position today.
Philadelphia’s record on the year is once again at .500 (20-20).

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