Offensive explosion not enough as Phils drop 8th straight
The Phillies (30-42) have been struggling on offense like no other team in recent history, but the team brought their bats with for this current road trip as they exploded for 10 runs tonight in Minnesota, including 4 home runs. However, the Twins (22-48), who have also been struggling on offense, brought their bats to the ballpark tonight as they rallied in the latter stages tonight to win it by a final of 14-10.
The Phillies pushed across the first run in tonight’s game in the top of the 1st inning thanks to an error by Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, giving them the early 1-0 advantage. However, the Twins would answer back in a big way in the bottom half of the 1st as they scored 4 runs thanks to some timely hitting. Peter Bourjos’ two run homer in the 2nd inning, and Tommy Joseph and Cameron Rupp’s back to back homers in the 3rd gave the Phillies 5 unanswered runs and the 6-4 lead. The Twins would rally in the bottom half of the 3rd for 4 runs giving them a 8-6 lead after 3. By the end of the 6th inning, the Twins held an 11-6 advantage, but the Phillies were not done yet. An RBI single by Bourjos and a three run home run off the bat of Maikel Franco pulled the Phillies within one run and gave them life. But the Phillies would fail to score any more runs, and the Twins pulled away by putting up 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th. Bourjos and Franco led the way tonight for the Phillies as Bourjos went 3 for 4 with a home run (his 2nd of the season) and 3 RBIs while Franco went 2 for 4 with a home run (his 12th of the season) and 4 RBIs. Cody Asche also provided 3 hits and a run scored for the Phils. Kurt Suzuki led the way for Minnesota, going 4 for 5 with a home run (his 4th of the season), 2 doubles, and 6 RBIs.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola struggled mightily in his 3rd straight start as he became the first Phillies starter to pitch 4 or fewer innings and allow 4 or more runs in 3 consecutive starts since Gavin Floyd 11 years ago in 2005. Nola’s impressive start to the season had people thinking he may turn into the Phillies’ ace for many years to come, but with tonight’s loss he falls to 5-7 on the year with an ERA of 4.11. Nola only got through 3 innings tonight, allowing 8 runs (7 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks. Nola is obviously still a very young starter in this league and he will likely turn it around soon and return his form from the first month of the season. Twins starter Tyler Duffey struggled in tonight’s game as well, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits in just 3 innings; however, he earned a no decision. Buddy Boshers picked up the win for the Twins, pitching 2 scoreless innings of relief and allowing only 3 hits. Brandon Kintzler recorded the final four outs in tonight’s game as he picks up his 3rd save of the year after taking over the closing duties for Glen Perkins, who will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
The Phillies and Twins will be back at it Wednesday night at Target Field for the second of three games in this interleague series. Adam Morgan (1-6, 6.49 ERA) will get the ball tomorrow for the Phils as he takes on Twins starter Kyle Gibson (0-5, 6.06 ERA). Morgan may be running out of opportunities to prove he still belongs in the rotation, but he has a big one tomorrow and it will definitely help his cause if he can help the Phillies snap out of this current 8 game losing streak.
Photo by Arturo Padavilla III (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Categorized:Phillies