Final Score: Nationals 2, Phillies 1
The timing was perfect.
As Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto popped out with two on in the bottom of the sixth inning, Jake Cave, the Barry Bonds of Triple A, hit his 13th home run of the year for the IronPigs. He came into Friday with a 1.115 OPS in the minor leagues. He’s a left-handed hitting corner outfielder who could be back up on the roster once Harper is ready to play first base.
Bryson Stott then struck out to end the Phillies’ best opportunity to put up a crooked number. A string of fireworks were launched in the air because why not. The next inning, the Phillies stranded Alec Bohm on second after a leadoff double.
It was another head scratcher for an offense that has been unable to find its groove all year. They went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base in a 2-1 loss to the Nationals. Bohm’s double was the only extra-base hit of the night. Friday marked the third time since June 20 the Phillies mustered only one extra-base hit or fewer in a game.
“I think a lot of guys are just trying too hard,” Thomson said after the game. “They’re trying to get it done and put the team on their back and you just can’t do that. You just gotta pass the baton. You got to trust your teammates.”
It’s a shame because they got six quality innings from No. 5 starter Cristopher Sánchez. He allowed only two runs, only one earned, on a home run from Stone Garrett. The difference in the game ended up being Trea Turner’s throwing error before the home run.
“Even when there was threats out there, he was able to keep his composure, make pitches and get key outs for us,” Kyle Schwarber said. “That’s huge. That’s a guy we’re going to need down the stretch, keep him going and hopefully get more outings like that.”
The Nationals are typically a club the Phillies look forward to seeing. Over the Phillies’ last 30 games against Washington, they averaged 2.2 home runs and 7.1 runs per game heading into today. Friday marked the first time since their 26-4 torrid stretch against Washington began in 2021 that the Phillies scored only one run against the Nationals. The pitching staff, namely Josiah Gray, has improved over time, but the Phillies had their opportunities and could not capitalize.
“Sometimes, you just gotta tip your cap to the other guy,” Schwarber said. “That guy was locating his fastball when he was throwing it. If he was missing, he was just missing. There wasn’t many blatant balls that got guys to have bad chases. He was around the zone with everything tonight. He did a good job and we still had that opportunity to go out there and tie it and win late in the game. It is what it is. You’re gonna have games like that and you have to be able to move forward and focus on tomorrow.”
Ticket IQ Next Game
- Saturday, July 1 vs. Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park
- 4:05 p.m. EST
- TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
- Radio: Sportsradio 94 WIP
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