Phillies Snap Skid Behind Irvin, Clutch 2-Out Hitting

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Facing the Colorado Rockies (20-23), the Philadelphia Phillies (25-19) successfully snapped their three-game skid on Friday at Citizens Bank Park behind rookie southpaw Cole Irvin, who improved to 2-0 while making his first career home start and second start overall.

All five of the Phillies' runs came with two outs between the third and fifth innings. In the third, after Irvin worked a 10-pitch walk in his first career plate appearance, Phillies left fielder Andrew McCutchen launched a game-tying, two-run home run. An inning later, after J.T. Realmuto hit his 10th double, second baseman Cesar Hernandez hit a double of his own to put the Phillies on top for good. Right fielder Bryce Harper added two insurance runs with a two-run double in the fifth; he had gone eight straight games without collecting a single RBI.

Rockies starting pitcher RHP Jon Gray suffered the losing decision, his third in as many career starts at Citizens Bank Park. The right-hander had gone 3-0 with a 4.30 ERA over his previous five starts this season, including tossing six scoreless innings against the Phillies at home on April 21.

Irvin tossed six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, one walk and two strikeouts spanning 84 pitches and 60 strikes. He made two fielding errors in the second and allowed three straight Rockies batters to reach base despite grounding into a fielder's choice. Nonetheless, Irvin worked out of the inning allowing only one run. Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler said Irvin "had an opportunity to unravel" then, adding, "we talked about what some of his strengths are. One of them is poise. He’s so aware of what’s going on around him. He never has that wide-eyed look.”

In relief, Jose Alvarez, Pat Neshek and Hector Neris combined to throw three scoreless innings, without allowing a hit or walk, on just 32 combined pitches. Alvarez (2) and Neshek (6) earned holds, while Neris (6) earned the save. Alvarez and Neris threw first-pitch strikes to each of their three batters faced.

Game Notes:

• With the Atlanta Braves defeating the Milwaukee Brewers, the Phillies maintained their 1 1/2-game lead in the National League East. The New York Mets and Washington Nationals each lost, however, causing them to fall 4 1/2 and 7 games behind, respectively.
• Irvin became the first Phillies pitcher to work a 10-plus-pitch walk since David Buchanan (September 2014), Carlton Loewer (August 1998), Curt Schilling (July 1992) and Bruce Ruffin (September 1989), according to Ryan Spaeder.
• Phillies shortstop Jean Segura extended his hitting streak to eight games with his fifth three-hit game of the season; his .324 batting average is 11th-best among qualified batters.
• Rockies shortstop Trevor Story went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, snapping his six-game hitting streak, in his return from suffering a bruised knee left after colliding with a teammate on Wednesday.
• The Phillies were caught stealing twice (McCutchen, Segura) in the first inning; the club is just 9-for-15 on stolen base attempts this season. The club has the fewest stolen bases and attempts.
• The Phillies are 6-0 this season when McCutchen hits a home run.
• Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers, making his MLB debut, likewise went 0-for-4, striking out opposite Neris for the last out of the game. Rodgers became the third Rockies prospect to debut in 2019, joining infielder Josh Fuentes and outfielder Yonathan Daza.
• McCutchen walked twice, tying him with Harper for the most in the National League, 33.
• The Phillies are wearing camouflage-designed caps and socks this series in celebration of Armed Forces Day (May 18), honoring military members and their families for their patriotic service. The caps feature a five-starred emblem to represent the U.S. military's five branches.

What's Next:

• Saturday, May 18, 2019: vs. Colorado Rockies, 4:05 p.m.
  • Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-2, 5.35 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (3-0, 4.86 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

• Sunday, May 19, 2019: vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:05 p.m.
  • Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • LHP Kyle Freeland (2-5, 5.68 ERA) vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff (2-2, 2.65 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP