The Philadelphia Phillies lost the first of a three game series against the Boston Red Sox 5-3. The Phillies found themselves in a three-run deficit in the third inning. They were able to tie the game in the fourth with some clutch hits from Nick Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto, and Alec Bohm. Starter Zack Wheeler was unable to hold the lead as he allowed two more runs to score in the sixth inning. The offense was shut out the rest of them game and could not score off of Boston's bullpen.
The second game of the series takes place on Saturday at 7:15pm. The Phillies will send Bailey Falter (0-5, 5.01 ERA) to the mound. He will be opposed by Boston starter Corey Kluber (1-4, 6.44 ERA).
Phillies News
Friday's game was interrupted in the top of the first inning when a fan fell over the barrier into the visitor's bullpen at Citizen's Bank Park. Reports say that the fan was reaching for a ball that was tossed from the bullpen and landed in a flower bed. The spectator was seen by Phillies' medical staff and EMTs and was stretchered off the field and taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He was seen moving and was responsive while being carted away.
Phillies' No. 3 prospect Griff McGarry made his 2023 debut on Friday night in Clearwater. McGarry began the season on the IL, but returned to action to face the Lakeland Flying Tigers. McGarry pitched one inning and allowed one earned run on a solo home run. He did strike out two batters in the inning. The Phillies will look to see how McGarry progresses as he could be a call-up later in the season.
Orion Kerkering— the Phillies No. 21 prospect— has been turning heads at Single-A Clearwater to start the season. Kerkering has pitched 10 1/3 innings and has not allowed a run. Even more impressively, he has struck out 18 batters while walking just one. The 22 year-old right-hander has a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and one of the best sliders in the Phillies' system. He is a name that Phillies fans will want to get to know quickly.
Orion Kerkering (@Threshers) struck out 2 batters in last night's victory over Tampa.
— Phillies Player Development (@PhilsPlayerDev) April 19, 2023
In 4.0 IP so far this season, he has 8 Ks and has not given up a run 👏 pic.twitter.com/OpdWSAIQPt
MLB News
Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks was diagnosed with cancer last season. Two weeks ago he was declared cancer-free and made his first rehab appearance on Friday. He pitched a perfect inning. Hendriks will continue to make his way back to the Major Leagues. If Hendriks can beat cancer, he has the strength and determination to make a return to Chicago.
Houston Astros' starter Luis Garcia was removed from his start on Monday night after just eight pitches due to pain in his pitching elbow. The team announced on Friday that the right-hander will require Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the 2023 season. Garcia is a major piece in the Astros' rotation. This is certainly a hurdle that the defending World Series champions will need to overcome.
Newly acquired starting pitcher, Carlos Rodón, has yet to throw a pitch for the New York Yankees. He was sidelined with back pain. He intends to receive a cortisone shot next week and remains hopeful that he can return to the mound sooner rather than later. The Yankees were counting on his to be a key piece in the rotation when the signed him to a 6-year $162 million deal over the offseason.