For the third straight night, the Phillies blew a multi-run lead against the Orioles in the middle innings. And for what feels like the 30th straight night, the Phillies’ spicy bull didn’t come close to keeping the game close.
It resulted in another loss, as the Phillies were swept home by the Os, losing 11-4 Thursday with seven of those runs coming against the Phils bullpen.
Jake Arrieta had cruises and the Phils built a two-run lead on the opposite field from JT Realmuto in the bottom of the fourth. But the next half inning lost Arrieta’s command and could not pick up the final with the bases loaded.
The Orioles scored four times in the fifth inning, the biggest hit being a bases clearing double from outfielder Anthony Santander.
Baltimore grabbed seven more runs against the Phillies bullpen, which has a 10.13 ERA. Phillies relievers have allowed 48 deserved runes in 42⅔ innings, which seems almost impossible.
“You have to be able to pitcher to win games in this league, and honestly we just didn’t hit the ball well,” Realmuto said. “We did not do well in the games, especially when we needed it. To win a division and get to the playoffs, you need a really good bullpen. That is an area where we “We have not done well so far. We have the boys to do it, we just have to get better.”
The Phillies are 5-9. They have the second worst winning percentage in the National League, ahead of just the Pirates.
“It’s about it,” Realmuto said. “With this short season we have to run it faster. It’s really talked about in the clubhouse. We try to pick each other up and stay positive. If you have one good week, you’re back in it. Especially in our division runs nobody really got away with it. “
Bohm’s debut
By making his MLB debut, the first appearance of the record of the premier class Alec Bohm ended with a double in the third baseline. He struck out in search of his second at-bat and flew out to a step in front of the warning track in right field to strangle two laps in his third AB. In his last at-bat, he drilled a ball to the warning lane in right center for a flyout.
Bohm was also involved in Baltimore’s fifth inning rally. Pedro Severino hits a ball right under his hand on third base. It was the second-hardest hit ball of the night up to that point and was a difficult play, but still probably one that should make a third baseman of the big league.
Before the game, Phillies GM Matt Klentak outlined the team’s plans to integrate Bohm into the daily lineup.
Bryce and JT do it again
The Phillies are 5-9, but they can be anything like 2-12 without their best two players. Realmuto beat a couple of two-run homers on Thursday night, giving him 7 HR with 17 RBI on the season. Both home runs came after an extra-base hit by Bryce Harper, which doubled and doubled.
Harper hit .356 and leads MLB with a 1,202 OPS. Realmuto hits .292 and slips .729, third on only Mike Trout and Aaron Judge. Realmuto has three more home runs than any other major league catcher, despite the Phillies playing a handful fewer games than most of the league.
There is a good chance that this is the hottest Harper and Realmuto will be in 2020. It would be bad to get hotter. If that’s the case, the Phillies are wasting all that production.
Arrieta’s night
Arrieta appeared on the way to another strong start for that fifth inning. He followed six shutout frames against the Braves with four zeros Thursday night, extending his streak-free innings to 12 before the Orioles erupted.
“There’s no reason I should not have to throw at least seven innings into the game,” Arrieta said. “A few runs should be enough. Giving up four in the fifth kind took the wind out of our sails. That’s all my fault. I had multiple chances to make a pitch and get out of that inning. Just did not know can do it. “
Through three starts, Arrieta has a 4.02 ERA with 14 strikeouts and two walks in 15⅔ innings.
More bad bullpening
Debuting Connor Brogdon was welcomed into the Phillies’ bullpen by allowing two homers and three runs in 1⅓ innings. The Phillies have nine relievers with an ERA over 8.00 and ended up using position player Neil Walker for the final two outs.
Next
The Phillies welcome the Mets to the city this weekend for a three-game series. Jacob deGrom is scheduled for the Mets in Game 1. The Phillies will go with Spencer Howard for his second major league start.
Aaron Nola starts Saturday for the Phillies, while Zack Wheeler sits down Sunday against his old team.
After the weekend, the Phillies will play 10 straight games and 20 of their next 29 on the road.
“We have apparently not met our standards, that’s for sure,” Arrieta said. “There really is no time to worry about it. We just have to play better. We already have to catch up.”
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