Phillies Crushed by the Rockies
By Matt Veasey
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | |
| Phillies | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Rockies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | x | 8 |
The Philadelphia Phillies were crushed by the host Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday night.
Coasting through the first four innings, Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff was suddenly mugged by the host Colorado Rockies in the 5th and 6th, leading to an 8-3 victory for the home side on Saturday night at Coors Field in Denver.
Eickhoff allowed just three hits and struck out three over those first four frames. but then with two outs in the 5th, it all began to evaporate when he yielded a single to eight-hole hitter Tony Wolters and a two-run homer to opposing pitcher Tyler Anderson.
“The pitch to Anderson, I just looked at it. It was in off the plate, slider, first pitch. You’ve got to tip your cap there. He got a good swing on it and put it out,” said Eickhoff per MLB.com contributors.
That blast by Anderson tied the game up after the Phils had taken a lead through the early part of the game on a solo home run by Tommy Joseph to lead off the 2nd inning, and a Carlos Ruiz RBI single to score Joseph, who had doubled to lead off the top of the 4th inning.
Joseph would go 4-4 on the night, homering for a second consecutive game as Coors Field continues to prove to be just the tonic to help the rookie 1st baseman rip his way out of what had been a lengthy slump.
With the game knotted at 2-2, the Rockies then took charge, scoring six times in the bottom of the 6th off Eickhoff to blow it open. A single, double, and ground out scored the first run, putting Colorado on top 3-2. That’s when it really got ugly.
More from That Balls Outta Here
- 11 Free-agent deals the Philadelphia Phillies wish fell through
- Phillies-Mets owners’ rivalry grows after shocking Carlos Correa deal
- Could Rich Hill become ‘Jamie Moyer 2.0’ in Phillies rotation?
- Does Bailey Falter have a future in Phillies’ rotation?
- Prospect Andrew Baker could help Phillies bullpen in 2023
Eickhoff hit one batter and walked another to load the bases with one out. He then walked another to force in a run, making it a 4-2 game. Wolters then rolled a triple over the first base bag and into the right field corner, clearing the bases, blowing the game, and chasing Eickhoff.
Severino Gonzalez came in and immediately surrendered a run-scoring double to Brandon Barnes, who was pinch-hitting for Anderson. That closed the scoring at the 8-2 final.
Eickhoff (6-10) ended up going 5.1 innings, allowing eight earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Just 59 of his 90 pitches went for strikes on the night.
The 26-year old rookie Anderson (1-3) earned his first career big league victory, going six innings while surrendering nine hits and the two earned runs. He struck out six and importantly walked no one.
Jordan Lyles came on for the Rockies in relief of Anderson and provided three innings of shutout pitching to earn his first Save of the season, just the second of his big league career.
The two teams will meet once again at Coors Field in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. This will be the final game before a four-day break for the MLB All-Star Game and festivities, which are already underway in San Diego, California.