Phillies unable to avoid sweep by Rangers

By: Rebecca Serad, Sports Talk Philly Staff

Final: Texas Rangers 8, Philadelphia Phillies 4 ❖ Attendance: 35,007

ARLINGTON — At one point in today's game, it seemed that Philadelphia Phillies (14-24) had a chance to avoid being swept by the Texas Rangers (22-20). Then the bottom of the fifth inning happened. Phillies starter Nick Pivetta had fought his way through four and 2/3 innings, keeping the Rangers off the board. He was taken out in favor of reliever Joely Rodriguez due to his 106 pitch count. Rodriguez then allowed Pivetta's runner to score, in addition to seven of his own, over the fifth and sixth innings. After Rodriguez was removed, the damage had already been done. The three relievers that entered the game after him did not allow any more runs to score for the Rangers.

The Phillies hitters were largely restrained by Rangers' starter Martin Perez, who held them to two runs and five hits over seven innings. Maikel Franco made solid contact, knocking in two runs with a sacrifice fly and an opposite field home-run. If the Phillies offense is to improve, Franco needs to contribute on a regular basis.

The series itself was painful, with the offense being held to eight runs and 21 hits and the pitchers combining for a 7.88 ERA over the three games. The Phillies need to look forward and not let this series affect them as they travel to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates this weekend.

WP: Martin Perez (2-5, 3.71 ERA) ❖ LP: Joely Rodriguez (1-2, 6.97 ERA)

Hub: Game Summary ❖ Starting Pitchers ❖ At the Plate ❖ Bullpen ❖ What's Next

Game Summary

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
PHI	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	4	8	0
TEX	0	0	0	0	5	3	0	0	X	8	9	0

The Phillies struck first. In the top of the second, Michael Saunders hit a one-out triple into the right-center field gap. Maikel Franco followed with a deep fly ball to center field to score Saunders. On any other day, it would have been a homer, but with the wind blowing in, the ball stayed in the park. Catcher Andrew Knapp grounded out to end the inning, but the Phils were on the board early.

The bats were quiet for both teams until the top of the fifth. With one out, Franco homered to right-center field. After barely missing a homer his first time up, it was good to see Franco make solid contact and knock one out of the park. Knapp followed with a double into the right-center field gap, his first hit as a right-handed hitter this season. Unfortunately, both Freddy Galvis and second baseman Cesar Hernandez were retired to end the inning, leaving Knapp stranded at second.

The Rangers fought back in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Shin-Soo Choo walked. Phillies starter Nick Pivetta was able to strike out Elvis Andrus for the second out, but was then taken out of the game due to a high pitch count. This was a decision that came back to bite the Phillies. To say that reliever Joely Rodriguez struggled to get the final out would be an understatement. Choo moved up to second on a balk during the at-bat of Nomar Mazara. Rodriguez then walked Mazara to put runners on first and second for Robinson Chirinos. He singled to right field to score Choo and move Mazara up to third base. Rougned Odor singled to left field to score Mazara and tie the game at two apiece. Ryan Rua followed with a line-drive over the right field wall to give the Rangers a 5-2 lead. Rodriguez was able to strike out Joey Gallo for the final out, but the damage had been done. The Phillies entered the inning with a two run lead, and came out of the inning down by three runs.

The Rangers tacked on in the sixth. Jared Hoying led off the inning with a bunt single. Left fielder Delino DeShields was retired on a fielders choice, with Hoying moving up to second base on the play. Choo followed with a walk to put runners on first and second for Andrus. He doubled to left field, scoring Hoying. Mazara followed with a single to center field, knocking in two more runs. It was at this point that Rodriguez was finally removed from the game; he allowed seven runs to score, not including the inherited runner from the previous inning. Pat Neshek entered the game and retired Chirinos and Odor to end the inning.

The Phillies tried to make a last minute comeback. Aaron Altherr led off the ninth inning with a single. First baseman Tommy Joseph homered to right-center field, knocking in two runs and also extending his hitting streak. One out later, Ty Kelly hit a ball to left field. It appeared that DeShields was going to make a sliding catch, but the ball popped out of his glove and Kelly was awarded a double. The Rangers then made a pitching change, opting to bring in their closer Matt Bush. Franco grounded out for the second out, moving Kelly up to third. Knapp grounded out for the final out and the Phillies added another loss to their season total.

Back to Hub

Starting Pitchers