Phillies 5, Rockies 4: Phillies use 3 separate two-out rallies in high-character win over Rockies

Share

BOX SCORE 

The Phillies snapped a three-game losing streak, their longest of the season, with a 5-4 win Friday night over the Rockies.

Cole Irvin pitched effectively for the second straight start to begin his major-league career, allowing three earned runs over six innings to improve to 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA.

The Phillies scored all of their runs with two outs. They plated two in the third inning, one in the fourth and two in the fifth after beginning all three innings with two outs and nobody on base.

The two biggest hits of the game were Andrew McCutchen's two-run homer to left-center on Jon Gray's 97-mph fastball in the third and Bryce Harper's two-run double to right-center off right-handed Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez. These were the first two runs Harper has driven in since his grand slam in St. Louis on May 7.

McCutchen's home run came after Irvin worked a 10-pitch walk in his first major-league at-bat. Phillies fans sure know how to appreciate a solid AB from a pitcher. It was the loudest ovation at Citizens Bank Park in four games.

Jean Segura had three more hits to raise his batting average to .324.

With the win, the Phillies are 25-19. They lead the Braves, who have won three in a row, by 1½ games in the NL East.

Irvin works around shaky defense

Irvin impressed with his command and efficiency again. Of the 18 outs he recorded, 13 came on three pitches or fewer.

He ran into trouble in both the second and third innings but escaped by allowing a lone run each time. The second inning was an ugly one for the Phillies' infield, which nearly botched four consecutive plays. 

First, Irvin fielded a comebacker cleanly and went for the lead runner at second base but neither middle infielder was there and Irvin realized just as he threw, spiking the ball into the ground. It put runners on the corners with one out.

Then, Rhys Hoskins fielded a ball at first base and fired home to try to erase the runner at the plate, but Raimel Tapia slid in just around J.T. Realmuto's tag. No out recorded.

The next batter hit another comebacker to Irvin. This time, Segura held up both hands to signal he was at the second-base bag to receive the throw, but Irvin threw high and Segura had to leave his feet, resulting in the runner reaching safely.

Finally, Gray grounded a ball to Cesar Hernandez, whose bobble nearly killed the chance of a double play. The Phillies were able to turn it just in time to get out of the inning.

McCutchen picked Irvin up the next inning by throwing out Mark Reynolds at the plate on a single.

Wrong time to run

The Phillies uncharacteristically tested Rockies catcher Tony Wolters with two stolen base attempts in the first inning. Both McCutchen and Segura were caught stealing. The Phillies are 9 for 15 swiping bags — the fewest steals and attempts in the majors.

Up next

Aaron Nola (3-0, 4.86) looks to regroup from a poor start against the Brewers when he opposes Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela (3-2, 5.35).

The lone game the Phillies won last month in Colorado was when Nola started against Senzatela, who allowed four runs in six innings.

Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

More on the Phillies

Contact Us