Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Colorado Rockies

May 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) is greeted crossing home plate to score a run by pinch hitter Brock Stassi (41) during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) is greeted crossing home plate to score a run by pinch hitter Brock Stassi (41) during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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May 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) is greeted crossing home plate to score a run by pinch hitter Brock Stassi (41) during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) is greeted crossing home plate to score a run by pinch hitter Brock Stassi (41) during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

At some point, things have to start looking up, don’t they? We have to continue hoping so. Another difficult trip on the road has passed, and the Phillies are looking for any sort of spark heading home.

It did not get any better moving into the Steel City for our boys in red. After a promising start to the series on Friday night, they really struggled to get the bats moving the next two days. At times, they looked disinterested and clueless. They looked frustrated and anxious. Now, they come home and attempt it all over again against a dangerous Colorado Rockies team.

Josh Harrison’s weekend was relatively uneventful and boring. Funny enough, that is how I consider the bulk of his career. His 3-11 line, two walks, one run and two strikeouts in the series were second to his teammate, Adam Frazier, who pestered the Phillies all weekend. Overall, the Phils did an excellent job holding Harrison to a relatively average weekend.

Phils Grade: B

They had Ivan Nova on the ropes. Cesar Hernandez began the game with a single and Freddy Galvis doubled him to third. The Phillies had second and third with no one out in the first. Aaron Altherr grounded out to shortstop, scoring Hernandez and moving Galvis to third. They would fail to score any more runs.

Sadly, he would settle in and cruise most of the game after the first. Nova would end up throwing 7.1 innings, striking out three and walking none. Two of his three earned runs came after his team already had a commanding 6-1 lead late in the game.

It was different to see a pitcher who was given a lead that could just be effective in the strike zone. Too bad it was not one our own.

Phils Grade: D

Schedule