Despite continued struggles from Nola, Phillies beat Rockies

Final: Phillies 8, Rockies 5

The Philadelphia Phillies entered  Saturday evening’s game coming off a brutal, 12-inning loss Friday, their second loss in a row. The team is also battling the injury bug, making things all the more difficult for manager Gabe Kapler.

But the Phillies were able to overcome what was working against them for their 12th win of the season Saturday night. The win wasn’t without some drama, though.

Aaron Nola got off to a terrible start, giving up a Charlie Blackmon home run on the very first pitch, allowing the Rockies a 1-0 lead:

Last at bat? Home run.

First at bat? HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/uBCvlzO6bO

— C?l?rad? R?ckies (@Rockies) April 21, 2019

Nola then proceeded to allow two more hits, although those didn’t eventually come around to score.

Nola got into more trouble in the second inning. Pitching against Ramiel Tapia, Nola allowed a ball to be hit deep to center field, one that bounced off the wall and past Roman Quinn, who is filling in for the injured Odubel Herrera. Tapia showed off his wheels, making it all the way to home, while beating the throw for an inside-the-park home run:

Raimel better watch out, he might get a speeding ticket ? pic.twitter.com/RiJGvdIrXo

— C?l?rad? R?ckies (@Rockies) April 21, 2019

That gave the Rockies a 2-0 lead. The Phillies were able to get a run back in the top of the third thanks to a Cesar Hernandez RBI double, cutting the deficit to just one run.

However, Nola once again struggled in the bottom of the third. For the second time in three innings, he allowed three straight hits, with one of those hits being an RBI single by Trevor Story, which gave the Rockies another two-run lead.

What started to look like a possible blowout in the Rockies favor suddenly turned the Phillies way in the top of the fourth inning. The Phillies were able to put together three straight hits, courtesy of Rhys Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto and Roman Quinn. The bases were then loaded for unlikely hero Phil Gosselin, a seven-year veteran in the majors. Gosselin sent one deep to center field, giving him an RBI double that cleared the bases and gave the Phillies their first lead of the game:

#GoPhil(s) pic.twitter.com/9lEBBsPQvp

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 21, 2019

The Phillies were not able to add onto their slim 4-3 lead until the top of the seventh. After hits by Hernandez and Andrew McCutchen, Bryce Harper came up to bat and did not disappoint. After having five hits last night (a career high), Harper continued his hot streak with a shot over the fence, giving him a 3-run home run and the Phillies a 7-3 lead:

Dinger. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/uHXNq0fY96

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 21, 2019

In what appears to be becoming a common trend for the Phillies this season, a win Saturday evening didn’t come easily.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Phillies reliever Pat Neshek ran into some trouble. Facing runners on the corners, an Ian Desmond sacrifice fly brought a runner home, trimming the Phillies lead to three. Charlie Blackmon, who ended the night with four hits (and arguably could have hit for the cycle depending on the scoring), hit a deep ball to center that ended up giving him an RBI triple. After last night’s loss, a two-run deficit left many in the Delaware Valley with an uneasy feeling.

However, Andrew McCutchen made sure to give the Phillies some insurance, hitting a solo home run in the top of the ninth that gave the Phillies a 8-5 lead, which would be the final score.

Hector Neris came in to relieve Neshek in the eighth inning, and showed why he’s a valuable reliever. He went 1.2 innings tonight, getting two strikeouts and the save.

With the win, the Phillies move 12-8 on the season and remain on top of the National League East.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Aaron Nola had struggled mightily ahead of Saturday’s start, and it was much of the same for parts of the game tonight. He opened up the game by allowing a home run and three straight hits. He proceeded to give up nine hits and allowed quite a few men to enter scoring position (not to mention the inside-the-park home run). But, for all his flaws, Nola was able to step up and get out of some crucial jams thanks to some well-timed strikeouts (of which he had nine on the night). All told, Nola allowed three runs in 5.2 innings.

Meanwhile, his counterpart, Antonio Senzatela, went six innings, giving up four runs and seven hits, while striking out three and walking one. Senzatela entered this game with a meager 1.35 ERA and had a 3-1 lead at one point, so it wasn’t as successful of a night as he might’ve hoped for.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Phil Gosselin

Bryce Harper may have hit a three-run home run that put the Phillies comfortably on top, but Phil Gosselin changed the momentum of this game at a time when Nola was struggling on the mound. The bases-clearing hit gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead, and they never looked back after that point. It may have been his only hit of the night, but it was a crucial one.

Next Game:

• @ Coors Field versus the Colorado Rockies, first pitch at 3:10 PM
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP, WTTM 1680 (Spanish)

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