SAN DIEGO — The script had simply been written and followed too often recently for the Phillies and it went something like this: very good starting pitching not supported enough by a lackluster offensive effort. The epilogue has been a disheartening loss followed by statements of what should have been and questions of what could have been.
Saturday at Petco Park, they didn’t get the start they have become accustomed to from ace Zack Wheeler and the offense couldn’t hold leads or take advantage of some run-scoring opportunities as the Phillies lost to the Padres, 5-4.
They are now 1-4 on this west coast trip with the last game before the All-Star break set for Sunday.
Wheeler’s troubles began early when he gave up three runs on four hits while having to use 32 pitches in the second inning. Jackson Merrill had a two-run blast to highlight the inning for the Padres, who wiped out a 2-0 Phillies lead. The Phillies jumped out in front again with two runs in the fifth on a two RBI single by Edmundo Sosa, who replaced Alec Bohm who left after getting hit with a pitch in the ribs earlier in the game. Merrill then tied the game in the sixth with his second home run of the night off Wheeler … and the Giants scratched a run off the Phillies bullpen in the 7th.
“Early on I just didn’t feel right, didn’t feel the same so I had to make some adjustments,” said Wheeler, who now has a 2.36 ERA on the season. “I threw 10 first-pitch strikes today and it was probably just facing these guys so close to each other. Just wanted to be a little bit more careful today because I knew I could be aggressive with the fastball and I know they were probably looking for it. So more just getting into counts that I was comfortable with today.
“Obviously still trusting your stuff, but facing a good lineup almost back to back you kind of don’t try to second-guess yourself but be a little bit more careful, probably.”
Wheeler last faced the Padres on June 30 and went eight scoreless innings. He allowed just six hits and struck out 10 in that 4-0 win.
Before the game, manager Rob Thomson professed his faith in reliever Jordan Romano, who he pointed out had given up zero runs in eight of his last 10 outings. Of course, when you give up a game-winning, inside-the-park three-run homer in the last outing, as Romano did Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants, that may make confidence wane.
It didn’t for the manager as he brought in his lanky righty with men on first and third and one out in the seventh inning to replace Tanner Banks, who started the inning. Romano did give up a sacrifice fly to Manny Machado as the Giants grabbed a 5-4 lead. He then struck out Gavin Sheets to end the frame.
The Phillies got two runners on in the eighth but Brandon Marsh popped out to short to end it. They also finished the fifth and seventh innings with two runners on base.
“I don’t think so,” said Thomson if his team is pressing a little bit to score runs. “About a week ago they were feeling it, but I don’t think right now, not after the 13-run game in San Francisco and we had three hits with runners in scoring position today, so it’s one of those things but I don’t think it’s on their minds.”
Often the case is made that some teams are so ready for the break that comes at All-Star time that they are already halfway out the door to enjoy their vacations. That certainly doesn’t seem to be the case with this group. The vision seems there, though the timely hitting just doesn’t seem to be at times. The starting pitching is almost always a positive presence.
“I’m just assuming it’s the complete game and maybe he’s a little fatigued,” said Thomson of Wheeler, who threw 108 pitches in a complete-game, one-hitter against Cincinnati last Sunday. “His velocity was good, he just left some balls in the middle of the plate. Strike-to-ball ratio was a little bit lower than normal. He gave us six good innings.”
Now it’s time, at least for Wheeler, for some well deserved rest and relaxation after declining his invite to participate in Tuesday’s All-Star game. “Consistency, start in and start out,” Wheeler said of his assessment of himself in the first half. “For the most part I’ve been consistent. It’s always kind of my thing to be the best version of myself every time out. Baseball’s hard and sometimes you’re going to have days like today. It stinks, but it is baseball at the end of the day. It’s part of it.
“Break is always nice no matter when it is. It’s the heat of the summer and things might be catching up to you a little bit. It’s nice to have a few days off and do a little reset and get ready for the second half push. Everything feels good. I feel strong.”
Bohm update
Bohm was hit in the second inning with a 92-mile an hour sinker from Padres starter Yu Darvish. Although he batted once more, his spot at third base was taken by Edmundo Sosa in the fourth inning. The injury was called a left rib contusion and Rob Thomson said his third baseman was pretty sore. They will check on Bohm Sunday but Thomson seemed to think he wouldn’t be in the lineup.
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