The Phillies really cannot catch a break lately. Most of the games that the Phils have lost on this current 9 game losing streak have been well deserved because of how bad the offense has been. The last two games, the Phils’ offense has been much improved, but the team still hasn’t been able to get out of this slide. Last night, the Phillies (30-43) jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the 5th, but the Twins (23-48) stormed all the way back to win it 6-5 thanks to an sac fly by Max Kepler.
The Phillies got down in an early hole again as the Twins jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning. Cameron Rupp’s solo home run in the top of the 2nd tied the game back up, but an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning gave the Twins the 2-1 lead. Andres Blanco’s solo home run in the top of the 3rd was the first of 4 unanswered runs the Phillies would score by the 5th inning. An error on Blanco’s single allowed two Phillies to score, and an RBI single by Ryan Howard gave the Phillies the 5-2 lead in the 5th. However, the Twins would score 3 runs of their own in the 5th inning and tie the game at 5. Kepler’s sac fly in the bottom of the 7th inning would turn out to be the winning run as the Phillies offense was held in check after the 5th inning. The Phillies recorded 9 hits in the game, and Andres Blanco led the way with his 3 hits, one being his solo shot, and 2 RBIs. Trevor Plouffe’s 3 hits and Eduardo Escobar’s 2 hits and 2 RBIs led the way for the Twins.
Phillies starter Adam Morgan pitched very well through the first 4 innings of last night’s game, but everything fell apart for Morgan in the 5th. Morgan was able to work through the 5th inning, but he was removed after the inning. Morgan did not earn a decision, as he allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 11 hits and a walk in 5 innings and exited the game while it was tied. David Hernandez suffered his 2nd loss of the season last night as he allowed the eventual game winning run to score during his lone inning of relief. Hector Neris pitched a perfect bottom of the 8th inning as the Phillies are hoping he is returning to his early season form. Twins starter Kyle Gibson went 6 innings tonight, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks, but did not earn a decision. Twins reliever Taylor Rogers earned the win in last night’s ballgame as he pitched a scoreless top of 7th inning and was the pitcher of record when the Twins retook the lead. Twins reliever Fernando Abad earned his 1st save of the season tonight as he recorded the final 4 outs in the game and not allowing a base runner.
The Phillies and Twins will be back at it this afternoon at 1:10 p.m. for the series finale at Target Field. Jerad Eickhoff (4-9, 3.49 ERA) gets the ball for the Phillies as they look to avoid being swept and their 10th straight loss. Eickhoff will be facing Twins starter Ricky Nolasco (3-4, 4.91 ERA) as he will look to move on from the struggles in his last start and earn his 5th win of the year.
Photo by Keith Allison (via Wikimedia Commons)
