Phillies let NL ERA leader off the hook as RISP problems reach alarming level originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Futility with runners in scoring position had been the theme of the Phillies' last two games and remained so, in almost exaggerated fashion, Tuesday night.
The Phils lost, 4-3, to the Giants. They went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and are 1-for-33 in those spots the last three games, all losses.
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They faced veteran right-handed groundballer Alex Cobb, who entered with the lowest ERA in the National League (1.70) thanks in large part to career-best control. He'd cut his walk rate from the prior three seasons in half. Cobb did not exhibit that sort of command Tuesday night but the Phillies let him off the hook, putting seven men aboard in the first three innings without pushing across a run.
Bryson Stott mercifully snapped the Phillies' 0-for-28 streak with RISP with a line drive single over second base in the fourth inning to score their first run. They scored another in the inning on a balk to tie the game.
More defensive issues helped the Giants take the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Zack Wheeler had a man on first with two outs when Joey Bart popped a ball up just behind first base. First baseman Kody Clemens, who has been productive at the plate in spot starts over the last week, didn't see it and Stott couldn't get to it in time from second. The ball bounced out of a sliding Stott's glove and far away from both infielders allowing Schmitt, who was off with two outs, to score from first on the "double."
The next batter, LaMonte Wade, singled to left field and Kyle Schwarber nearly threw Bart out at the plate. Bart didn't slide for some reason and J.T. Realmuto's tag appeared to make contact with Bart's body concurrent with Bart's touching home plate. After replay review, the safe call stood.
The Phils cut the Giants' lead to one when Schwarber homered to center off closer Camilo Doval with two outs and the bases empty in the ninth inning. Realmuto, who had a big game with a double and two stolen bases, struck out on a sinker in off the plate to end the game.
The Phillies (20-22) are chasing a lot of pitches. They've gone through this several times in the season's first six weeks.
"Any time anybody's going through something, they try to do a little bit more," said Bryce Harper, who was particularly critical of his own performance Tuesday night. "Just got to stay within yourself and do your job. ... We've got to be better. As a whole, we'll get there."
The Phillies rank 26th in the majors, hitting .233 with runners in scoring position. Surprisingly, it's actually a spot ahead of the first-place Braves (.231). Only the Padres and Tigers have a worse OPS with RISP than the Phillies.
The Phils wrap up their road trip Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. in San Francisco, where they've lost 22 of their last 27 games, dropping series after series no matter the cast of characters on either side.
It's Taijuan Walker (3-2, 5.75) against right-hander Ross Stripling (0-2, 7.14). Walker has made two straight quality starts without a walk. Stripling has gotten pounded this season -- his opponents are hitting .308 with 10 home runs and a .934 OPS.
