The Philadelphia Phillies blew a 5-0 lead to the Texas Rangers enroute to a brutal 11-7 loss on Opening Day in Arlington, Texas. The loss marks the 10th consecutive game the Phils have lost to the Rangers dating back to 2014.
The Phillies jumped all over the Rangers’ new ace Jacob deGrom tagging him for six earned runs including SEVEN extra base hits in 3-2/3 innings. Prior to this afternoon, deGrom had been nearly unhittable when facing the Phillies as a member of the New York Mets.
3B Alec Bohm came up a triple shy of the cycle going 3-for-4, with a HR, 2B, 2R, and 3 RBIs. Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh each drove in a run off of deGrom. Turner added to the hurlers bad scoring on a 4th inning wild pitch.
The Phillies offense was on fire and handed Nola a 5-0 lead heading into the Rangers half of the 4th inning.
Nola proceeded to cough up the 5-run lead in dramatic fashion including a 3-run home run to Rangers’ outfielder Robbie Grossman that tied the game. The Phillies bullpen didn’t fare much better, giving up six more runs over the remainder of the game.
Off-season acquisition Gregory Soto was tagged for three earned runs without recording an out in relief of Nola. Connor Brogdon did slightly better, he allowed two earned runs including a 2-run homer to “Bamboo” Brad Miller. In all, the Phillies ‘pen gave up six runs, five earned.
One of the few bright spots for the Phillies was outfielder Nick Castellanos. The embattled Castellanos went 2-for-5 with a 2B and 2R. J.T. Realmuto was also a bright spot, Realmuto went 3-for-5 with a 2B, 3B, R and a stolen base.
Play of the Game
Rangers’ Robbie Grossman’s 3-run, game tying home run in the 4th inning
Star of the Game
Alec Bohm: 3-for-4, HR (1), 2B (1), 2 R, 3 RBIs (3)
Up Next
Both teams will enjoy a traditional post Opening Day day off on Friday. The series will resume at 4:05 PM/EDT on Saturday. Zack Wheeler is scheduling to pitch against the Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi. The game will be telecast nationally on Fox.
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