The Phillies pitching staff surrendered only one run through ten innings. It wasn’t enough to win the series as the Braves were able to get the timely hits late in a 4-2 win in 11 innings.
In a game that started at 7:15 p.m. and ended at 12:53 a.m. thanks to a nearly three-hour long rain delay, the Phillies bats left 13 men on base and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Nick Castellanos, who moved up to the cleanup spot, went 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. Kyle Schwarber hit his sixth home run of the season, a solo shot against Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach in the third inning.
The bullpen held up until the 11th, when Marcell Ozuna hit a two-run home run against Joe Ross that mercifully ended the game. Carlos Hernandez, Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks all pitched scoreless innings prior to the 11th. Romano’s outing was the most encouraging. His velocity was up to 97 mph after averaging 94 on April 6.
Jesús Luzardo continued his strong start to the season, throwing six innings and allowing only one run on an RBI groundout in the first inning. He navigated out of a few jams, including a 14-pitch at-bat to Matt Olson that ended in a double play in the third inning. His first out in the inning came via a pickoff of Ozzie Albies at first. The rain delay ended his outing, but he likely wasn’t going to come out for a seventh inning of work if there wasn’t any rain. His pitch count was already at 98.
Through three starts, Luzardo has a 1.50 ERA. The stuff has been impressive. His fastball maxed out at 98 mph. Of his six strikeouts, four were recorded on his sweeper.
The sleep deprived Phillies will hop on a plane to St. Louis for a three-game weekend series against the Cardinals. Aaron Nola will make his third start of the season. He will oppose right-hander Andrew Pallante.
