Bullpen game goes well, but Phillies drop close one against D-Backs

Final Score: Diamondbacks 4, Phillies 3

The Phillies had a pretty good chance to tie it up in the bottom of the eighth of what turned out to be a pretty exciting back-and-forth game.

Kyle Schwarber had two men on with two out. On a 2-2 count, Schwarber chased a splitter way out of the zone and looped it into center field. It had a chance to fall for a game-tying hit, but the rookie Dominic Fletcher made a diving catch to end the threat.

The Diamondbacks are a young, scrappy team who will likely be competing for one of the final wild card spots with the Phillies at the end of the season. Games like these could end up deciding a wild card race. It is why it’s frustrating to see the Phillies (22-26) drop Tuesday’s close game, even with the first “bullpen game” going as well as anyone could have hoped.

“I thought we started off slow with the bats, but I thought the at-bats at the end of the game were good and we got the momentum back there and gave it right back,” Rob Thomson said after the game. “That’s where you really got to shut down the inning and maintain your momentum. We just couldn’t do it.”

Here are some observations from Tuesday’s 4-3 loss:

Arms Race

Dylan Covey, who was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers on Saturday, arrived at Citizens Bank Park last night during the Phillies’ 6-3 loss to Arizona. As the rest of his new teammates were getting ready to head home, Covey shook hands with members of the coaching staff in the clubhouse and grabbed a glove to play catch in the outfield.

Like many teams around baseball, the Phillies are scrambling to fill innings due to either injuries or ineffectiveness. If Tuesday’s outing was any indication, they may have something intriguing in Covey. He struck out six and allowed only one run through five innings. His command improved as the outing moved along and he threw a few nasty sinkers, including one to get Christian Walker out with a man in scoring position in the third inning.

It was the first time Covey struck out at least six over five innings in an appearance since July 23, 2019.

As long as Covey is in the “rotation,” the Phillies will probably use an opener in front of him. Expect it to be one of either Matt Strahm or Andrew Vasquez, depending on availability. It effectively forces teams to think twice about stacking lefties against the right-hander Covey.

“Any opportunity is a great opportunity,” Covey said after the game. “To come to a team like this, it feels good to be wanted. It feels good to be wanted by a good team. I’m just here to do my job. I don’t know whether that’s going to be in the bullpen going forward or not, I’m happy with it if it is.”

In two innings as the opener, Strahm allowed two runs to score on a home run from Gabriel Moreno.

I Love This Place

As you’re walking in to the ballpark, you’ll notice an enduring slogan from the 2022 season printed on hastily made t-shirts. “I F***in Hate This Place” still resonates with fans and so does Alec Bohm. He came into the game with just three hits in his last 25 at-bats and badly needed a confidence boost.

As he walked to the plate to pinch-hit for Edmundo Sosa, the crowd of just over 33,000 gave him a loud ovation. He delivered with a huge base knock up the middle on a ball near his hands. It’s a promising sign for Bohm, who the Phillies count on as an RBI producer behind the big bats in the middle of the order.

Seranthony’s Streak

Seranthony Domínguez has quietly been on an impressive run for the last five weeks. Prior to tonight, he has not allowed an earned run since April 14. He gave up eight runs over his first seven games and woke up on that day with a 13.50 ERA. He got that all the way down to 3.79. After the Phillies tied it up at three, Domínguez was called to hold the tie and he did not record an out. Corbin Carroll, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles, drove in the go-ahead run for Arizona.

Luckily, the Phillies have options beyond Domínguez and Thomson was able to get him out of there before the deficit grew worse. Gregory Soto, who is also having a strange year, was able to get three straight outs to strand the two runners Domínguez left on base.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Wednesday, May 24 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park
• 1:05 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC 10
• Radio: Sportsradio 94 WIP

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