The Phillies' inconsistent offense was shut down Thursday by a Rockies team that had lost eight straight and given up 14 runs twice in the last three days. They lost 5-0.
The sixth inning, when Strahm exited, was pivotal. He was lifted for Andrew Bellatti after allowing a one-out single and Bellatti's command was shoddy. The oft-used reliever gave up back-to-back singles , uncorked a wild pitch and issued a bases-loaded walk. The Phils had a chance to get out of the inning without damage when Jake Cave appeared to throw out Cron at the plate on a one-hop seed from left field, but the out-call was overturned after a Bud Black challenge.
Bellatti, a revelation last season, has pitched a lot in the first month. His 10 appearances are tied for the National League lead. His last four have not been pretty -- 3⅓ innings, 12 baserunners, six earned runs. In the bottom half of that inning, the Phillies loaded the bases with two outs but Alec Bohm struck out looking. Bohm began the at-bat with an automatic strike after a pitch clock violation. The Phils had runners on the corners with two outs in the eighth but J.T. Realmuto punched out.
It is obviously early in the season, but this is the kind of four-game series a good team should win against a club that was reeling, devoid of much talent and headed for 100-plus losses. To do so, the Phils will need to win three in a row this weekend.Cristopher Sanchez faces Kyle Freeland in a battle of lefties Saturday afternoon.
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