After an extra innings loss to kick off the series in Colorado, the Phillies would send Aaron Nola to the mound to even the series.
The Phillies have been on fire in May, holding a 17-4 record before Saturday night’s matchup. Even though the club has the best record in all of Major League Baseball, their loss on Friday night did not sit well with them. Winning every day has become the goal for the Phillies, and they made sure to get back on track in the Mile High city.
Bryce is Back!
Bryce Harper did not get ejected during Saturday’s game and it certainly made a difference.
After getting tossed in the first inning Friday, Harper had plenty to say in the post-game discussions. However, Bryce was not going to let that alter his approach once he took the field in game two of the series.
In the top of the first inning, the former 2-time MVP would get the scoring started. Harper drove home Kyle Schwarber with an RBI single to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.
Harper’s presence was certainly felt in the game and despite the offense not clicking early, he would make sure the Rockies (and umpires for that matter), were watching.
Rocky Start
After taking the lead in the first, the Phillies had a bit of a rocky start in the next few innings.
Starter Aaron Nola did not have his best stuff in this game, and allowed a run in each of the first three innings to start the ballgame. In the third however, an error by Brandon Marsh would lead to an unearned run scoring on Nola.
Colorado was seemingly riding their momentum from their walk-off win the night before. Taking advantage of the Phillies’ mistakes, and cashing in with runners in scoring position.
The right hander would retire the side in order 1-2-3 for the first time in the bottom of the 5th. Aaron would retire 12 of the final 13 batters he faced, which allowed the Phils to strike back.
Nola would finish with 6 IP, allowing 5 hits, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, and 5 K. He would not earn the decision in this game but gave the Phillies a chance by keeping the score at 3.
Phillies Strike Back
Heading into the top of the ninth, the Phils trailed the Rockies 3-2. In what looked like it may be their first series loss in nearly two months, the Phillies were down to their final three outs.
Brandon Marsh would start the inning off with a walk. With the tying runner on Edmundo Sosa would step to the plate. Sosa would rip an opposite field triple to right, scoring Marsh and tying up the game.
The next batter was Garrett Stubbs. Stubbs would single, scoring Sosa, and giving the Phillies a 4-3 lead. It was Garrett’s second hit of the game and arguably his best performance this season.
Then things started to get out of hand for the Rockies. With two outs, the Phillies would rally for more. A two-out double for Schwarber and walk by Bryson Stott gave way to Bryce Harper. Harper would smack a three-run homer to left field, making it a 7-3 ballgame.
Alec Bohm would then double, putting another runner in scoring position. Nick Castellanos would single to right, scoring Bohm, but he would get thrown out trying to take second.
Shutting the Door
Spencer Turnbull would enter the game for the bottom of the ninth.
The veteran right hander would allow a run, but ultimately got the job done, and walked off the mound with another win for the Phillies. An 8-4 final after the inning started 3-2 Colorado, was certainly a sight to behold.
The Phillies will wrap things up against the Rockies on Sunday, with a 3:10 pm EST start. Ranger Suarez takes the mound looking for his 10th win of the season.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
