Coming off a split against the best team in the National League, the Dodgers, Phillies fans had high hopes as steaming hot Bryce Harper and the crew rolled into Pittsburgh. Rumors swelled as the Phillies seemed to be adding a new veteran starter to the rotation.
Then the excitement stopped when fans realized it was Drew Smiley who was sporting an 8+ ERA. No matter what happened, fans knew that the Phillies had to at least win the series with Atlanta and Washington duking it out.
Here’s how it went down.
Game 1: Purple Haseley Feedback
Jake Arrieta feat. a bone spur vs Jordan Lyles coming in with a 5+ ERA. The unstoppable force vs the immovable object, who will win…or at least not lose.
It looked as if the Phillies were ready to pounce on that ERA. In the first inning, they loaded the bases with one out and of course everyone was left stranded.
The Pirates would jump on Arrieta first in the form of an RBI single by Elias Diaz. Surprisingly, this is all Arrieta would allow over 5.2 IP. He’s sporting a 1.69 ERA since being diagnosed with a bone spur. This would lead the community to wonder: Should other Phillies get bone spurs on purpose?
Arrieta would have to wait for someone to bail him out. Cue Adam Haseley. The rookie outfielder would send a ball just over the center field wall for the 2nd homer of his career. It also tied the game up at 1-1 in the 5th inning.
The tie would last into the 7th inning when the Phillies’ hottest hitter with RISP came to the Plate. Bryce Harper took a first-pitch fastball up the middle to put the Phillies up 2-1.
In the top of the 8th, Jean Segura would have a ridiculous battle with pitcher Kyle Crick. The 13 pitch at-bat would end in an RBI infield single to put the Phillies up 3-1.
The Phillies refused to leave the score there. In the 9th inning, Maikel Franco singled home JT Realmuto. Cesar Hernandez would score on a wild pitch. Adam Haseley would top off the night with a double to score Franco.
The Phillies would win 6-1.
Before we move on, Cole Irvin earned his first career save. He pitched 2 relatively clean innings. Since he came in with the Phillies only up 2, there is now a lone save in his career stat line.
Continued on the page below.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
