That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Familiar faces make the difference in Phillies’ third straight loss

By Gabrielle Starr

Jun 22, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Brad Miller (13) hits a single and drives in two runs against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Brad Miller (13) hits a single and drives in two runs against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former Phillies Brad Miller and Matt Moore make the difference in loss

The Philadelphia Phillies–Texas Rangers series was a reunion with some old friends, albeit an unpleasant one, as the Rangers swept the Phillies in the two-game set.

Throughout the series, the Phillies had to contend with a couple of players who know them quite well, utilityman Brad Miller and pitcher Matt Moore.

The Phillies acquired Miller from Cleveland ahead of the 2019 trade deadline and re-signed him to a one-year deal for the 2021 season. He’s not hitting very well in Texas, but does have seven home runs on the season.

Moore was with the Rangers in 2018, before also signing a one-year deal with the Phillies last year. Moving from the rotation to the bullpen full-time with his new team, Moore is having the best season of his career; his 2.27 ERA over 22 appearances is a new low.

On Thursday evening, Miller went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in, no surprise to his former team, as he regularly came through with clutch hits for them, too. Moore relieved starter Jon Gray and pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball, issuing one walk and striking out a batter. Too bad he couldn’t do more of that last year.

Even with Bryce Harper back in the lineup, the Phillies couldn’t muster up more than two runs against the Rangers. Moore was the first of three Rangers relievers who held them scoreless until game’s end.

The Phillies have now lost three consecutive games for the first time since their five-game losing streak in the last week of May. They’re still two games above .500 but have lost a lot of the ground they made up in their hot start to the month. In classic Phillies fashion, they are their own worst enemy.

Home/Phillies News