The Phillies won their four-game series against the Colorado Rockies over the weekend. The offense and rotation had some positives and negatives in the series. The bullpen, however, was one factor that remained strong throughout the entirety of the weekend.
Game One
The first game of the series was frustrating for the Phillies as they lost 5-0. Phillies starter Matt Strahm pitched well enough to keep the team in the game, but the offense was unable to muster up any production. Strahm pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing three earned runs. He was able to strike out 11 Rockies during his start. Andrew Bellatti allowed one earned run and Luis Ortiz also allowed a run to cross the plate.
Offensively, no Phillies hitter had more than one hit. In total the team accrued just six hits on the day. The offense also struck out 11 times over the course of the game. There were not many bright spots for the Phillies offense in game one as they were shut out.
Game Two
The second game of the series featured Phillies starter Aaron Nola on the mound. Nola had a rough start to the game as he allowed three runs in the first inning on a C.J. Cron home run. He settled in after that, however, as he went seven innings allowing just the three runs. After Nola exited the game relievers Seranthony Domínguez and José Alvarado shut down the Rockies in the eighth and ninth innings.
The offense was more awake in game two. The scoring began in the fourth inning when Nick Castellanos distracted Rockies’ pitcher Noah Davis into a balk allowing him to score. The Phillies added another run when Jake Cave singled to knock in Brandon Marsh.
Then in the seventh inning, Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run to tie the game 3-3. The Phillies would eventually take the lead as J.T. Realmuto doubled in the eighth inning and then stole third base. Edmundo Sosa singled to left field scoring Realmuto and giving the Phillies a 4-3 advantage. Alvarado would then close the door in the ninth and record his third save of the season.
Game Three
The Phillies deployed Cristopher Sánchez to start in game three of the series. The club required a sixth starter because of the rainout on Monday that led to a double-header on Tuesday. Sánchez pitched well enough to keep the Phillies in the game. In 4 1/3 innings, Sánchez allowed three earned runs and struck out five Rockies hitters.
The Phillies’ bullpen was impressive and pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings keeping the score close and allowing the offense to comeback. Connor Brogdon, Gregory Soto, Domínguez, and Craig Kimbrel combined to strike out six Rockies. Kimbrel locked down the save— his second of the season. The bullpen has been dominant of late. Alvarado has shut offenses down and Soto and Domínguez have seemed to find their groove. The Phillies have three hard-throwing relievers that can be trusted in most situations.
Nick Castellanos helped power the Phillies offense in game three. He hit two solo home runs— his first since August of last season— and a double. Cristian Pache supplied the other two runs for the Phillies. He mashed a 421 ft. home run to center field knocking in Brandon Marsh.
Game Four
The Phillies sent their ace, Zack Wheeler to the mound on Sunday’s series finale. He was opposed by Rockies’ starter José Ureña. Wheeler began the game in dominant fashion as he struck out seven Rockies’ hitters in his first three innings. He ran into some trouble in the fourth inning as he gave up three earned runs. He did settle back down and ended up pitching six innings while striking out 11 total batters.
Soto, Alvarado, and Ortiz shut the door on the Rockies and did not allow a run to score. The bullpen was spectacular throughout the whole series. Alvarado once again looked dominant and Soto keeps looking better and better with each appearance.
The offense displayed some power in Sunday’s finale as Trea Turner, Kody Clemens, Bryson Stott, and Brandon Marsh all hit home runs. Alec Bohm also had a two-run double. The offense was taking advantage of poor pitching and put up nine total runs. The win put the Phillies at 11-12, just one game under .500. While there are still some inconsistencies, the team undoubtedly looks better than they did earlier in the season.
The Phillies needed to win this series against a struggling Rockies team. The club has Monday off them will face the Seattle Mariners at home for a three-game series then head to Houston for a 2022 World Series rematch against the Astros. With two tough series coming up, the Phillies will need to be firing on all cylinders to keep up with some of the better teams in the American League.
