The Wheels fell off
The Philadelphia Phillies didn't play their cleanest baseball on Sunday afternoon. After the series began with such promise, Philadelphia dropped the rubber match to their division rival New York Mets, 6-0.
There wasn't a lot going for Philadelphia in this one. They couldn't seem to figure out the whole scoring runs thing, plating just two runs in their last 28 innings. Still, for two of three games, this series was about as close to a playoff picture as you'll see during the regular season. Phillies pitching went toe-to-toe with two of the best in the game in Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, and they played solid fundamental baseball before falling apart in the finale. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
Pitching performances:
PHI Zack Wheeler: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, BB, 5 K
NYM Chris Bassitt: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K
Standout bats:
PHI Nick Castellanos: 2-for-4, 2B
PHI Brandon Marsh: 1-for-2, 2B
NYM Daniel Vogelbach: 1-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 K
NYM Francisco Lindor: 1-for-3, BB, RBI
MORE: Could the Phillies steal Jacob deGrom from the Mets this offseason? —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
Knebel placed on 15-day IL, Coorod activated
Corey Knebel exited Sunday’s contest against the Mets with a Phillies’ athletic trainer in the middle of the seventh inning.
It was reported following the game that Knebel suffered a lat strain, placing him on the 15-day injured list.
In his place, Philadelphia activated reliever Sam Coonrod, who’s been sidelined with a shoulder strain since late-March.
He hasn't had the easiest of times readjusting on his rehab assignment, but is likely still warming after missing a solid portion of the season. In seven innings with Lehigh Valley, Coonrod allowed 12 hits, and conceded seven earned runs. He struck out just three batters, and walked four. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Bryson Stott is the Phillies’ leadoff hitter of the future —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
Leaving you on Red
The perfect way to get the Phillies back on track? Face the struggling Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have been one of baseball's worst clubs this season, and the Phillies will see them a total of seven times in August. Their 45-68 record stands as the third-worst in the National League.
This is the first time these two clubs have met all season, but this iteration of the Reds is far different than the one the Phillies would have faced a couple of months ago, as Cincy shipped off their two best starters at the trade deadline.
Armed now with a weaker lineup, rotation, and bullpen, the Reds are 3-7 over their last 10 games. The Phillies will look to capitalize against the sliding club. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
Game 1:
PHI starter: Noah Syndergaard (6-8, 3.96 ERA)
CIN starter: Mike Minor (1-9, 6.24 ERA)
First pitch: August 15, 6:40 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 2:
PHI starter: Kyle Gibson (7-5, 4.29 ERA)
CIN starter: T.J. Zeuch (0-1, 13.50 ERA)
First pitch: August 16, 6:40 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 3:
PHI starter: Ranger Suárez (8-5, 3.52 ERA)
CIN starter: Nick Lodolo (3-4, 4.72 ERA)
First pitch: August 17, 12:35 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Latest Inside the Phillies podcast
The Phillies sweep the Washington Nationals after a successful trade deadline.
Alex Carr, Leo Morgenstern, Kade Kistner, and Ben Silver discuss the first impression of Noah Syndergaard, Brandon Marsh, and David Robertson.
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!
Harper inching closer to return
Following a dismal weekend offensively, the Phillies are missing Bryce Harper more than ever.
Luckily, Harper, who's been sidelined with a broken thumb since June 25, took batting practice on the field at Citizens Bank Park Monday for the first time since his injury.
This is the next step in ramping himself up to reunite with the club, as he's been seen running the bases and hitting off of a tee.
However, the Phillies did shut down his throwing program on Aug. 9, so he will be strictly DH-ing upon his return.
Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said Harper is "progressing well." It is believed that the 2021 NL MVP is nearing a rehab assignment, and thus, a return to Philadelphia's lineup. —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Harper to play for Team USA at World Baseball Classic —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
Phillies assemble all-time Double-A rotation
Phillies fans may want to consider a trip out to Reading some time soon, especially if they're looking to catch a glimpse of the club's future. On Sunday, it was reported that both of the Phillies’ top prospects in Andrew Painter and Mick Abel would be promoted to Double-A. They'll join Philadelphia’s third-ranked prospect in Griff McGarry, thereby assembling the most fearsome rotation in minor league baseball, and perhaps the greatest the franchise has ever seen.
Triple-A: IronPigs carry no-hitter into eighth inning
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs neared history on Sunday night, as their pitching staff carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Colton Eastman, James Marvel, Bubby Rossman, and Andrew Vazquez tossed seven innings of hitless baseball, but Nick Duron allowed a double to his second batter in the eighth, which broke up the festivities. Still, a strong night on the mound from all involved limited Charlotte to just one run, and the Pigs took the win home in the end.
Double-A: McGarry dazzles Harrisburg, impresses once again
Before he was joined by his top prospect counterparts this past weekend, Griff McGarry tossed a stellar six innings against the Harrisburg Senators this past Saturday. He allowed just two un-earned runs on three hits, and struck out five batters while walking one. With that strong outing, the Phillies fifth rounder from 2021 is down to a strong 2.01 ERA across 22.1 innings with Reading. He's held opposing batters to a .113 average.
High-A: Another day, another gem for Painter
In the outing that likely earned him a promotion, the Phillies' top prospect jammed seven innings of four-hit baseball on Saturday, striking out nine batters while walking one. It was clear that Painter was too much for High-A competition. He dominated with Jersey Shore, and even exceeded his already impressive numbers with Clearwater. In eight starts, Painter tossed a 0.98 ERA, striking out 49 batters across 36.2 innings of work.
Single-A: Unreal August gets Hao-Yu Lee back on track
After returning from injury just under a month ago, Hao-Yu Lee's start back with Clearwater was slower. However, in the month of August, the 19-year-old has picked right back up where he left off. Lee has stroked 15 hits across 39 at-bats this month, yielding a .385 average and a .478 on-base percentage. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Phillies promote Andrew Painter, Mick Abel to Double-A Reading —Ben Silver, Inside the Phillies
Opinion: Why Rob Thomson should win NL Manager of the Year
Since becoming manager, Rob Thomson has led the Phillies to a 42-20 record, their best across a 60-game stretch since 2011, and are on pace to win 90+ games. The way Philadelphia has played under his leadership should not only put him into consideration as permanent manager of the club, but for National League Manager of the Year.
Since June 1, the Phillies' starting rotation has a 3.43 ERA, the bullpen has a 3.71 ERA, and the offense has the seventh-best OPS in the majors at .757, fifth-best slugging percentage at .441, and improved their run differential to +74.
While the stats reflect the Phillies' turnaround, the overall attitude and chemistry of the team supports it as well. They are having fun. And after their 4-3 comeback win over Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins on Aug. 10, something felt special with this team. Magical, a feeling that hasn't surrounded baseball in Philadelphia for quite some time.
Now, the Phillies' season, that at one point felt lost, and maybe even hopeless, seems destined for greater things. Ending their 11-year postseason drought is now much more of a goal than it is a dream, and it's become possible with Thomson at the helm. —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
MORE: The Phillies' dominant rotation is helping their bullpen thrive —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies