The Phillies lost their second game in a row in LA, their right fielder in Bryce Harper, and their second baseman in Jean Segura, all at the same time.
Zach Eflin pitched solidly, but was pulled early for a pinch-hitter with the score tied 3-3. Sam Coonrod and Ranger Suarez got through the sixth ably, but in the seventh, Suarez was tagged for a Mookie Betts home run that, at least according to Kevin Frandsen, was on a pitch that Betts was expecting.
4-3.
Then Archie Bradley allowed another in the ninth, and that was enough to put it out of reach at 5-3.
After LA struck first, the Phils answered in the second on an Andrew McCutchen solo home run. His fourth in eleven games.
Uncle LA-rry. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/OKfmnbByuN
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 16, 2021
After the Dodgers took a 3-1 lead in the fourth, the Phillies again answered back, on an Odubel Herrera single and LA error, to make it 3-3.
All tied through five. pic.twitter.com/7BdgAkbitM
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 16, 2021
But that’s as far as the Phils would get, as previously described. Helped, somewhat, by (this is a theme) umpire Ryan Wills.
WTF pic.twitter.com/qhCBecImGe
— Henry Cole (@Phrozen_) June 16, 2021
Excuse my fine telestrator skills.
Making this loss tougher was that Bryce Harper was pulled for “lower back tightness,” and Jean Segura was pulled for a pinch-runner after pyrrhically reaching base in the ninth. So that’s not good.
Incidentally, whoever thought the “beverage pouring sound” used in many radio commercials, such as “Introducing Flight by Yueuengnglinggng,” is a good thing, should be buried alive in an oceanic subduction trench. Maybe it’s just me, but that sound is the most infuriating and cringiest nails-on-chalkboard sound I have ever heard. Also how the hell are you still “introducing” that garbage? You’ve been “introducing” it for like three years. WTF.
The Phils drop the series in LA, 2-x, and are now 32-33 on the season. Game three in this series is tomorrow evening at 6:10PM Alaska time, with what should be a great pitching matchup, as the Phils send Zach Wheeler to the hill against Clayton Kershaw.