The Phillies had a golden opportunity to put pressure on the Atlanta Braves for the top spot in the National League East over the weekend as their schedule weakened.
Instead, they gave it all away, dropping three of four to the Colorado Rockies, including a Sunday series finale 5-4 loss to end things on a sour note at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies managed to get the tying run into scoring position in the ninth inning after Freddy Galvis, who led the frame off with a single, was moved to second on a Ronald Torreyes sacrifice bunt. But both Andrew McCutchen and Odubel Herrera grounded out to end the Phillies’ day.
Garrett Hampson drove in all five runs for the Rockies, including two home runs, off Aaron Nola and Hector Neris — the latter being saddled with the loss.
J.T. Realmuto’s double in the first and Nola’s single in the fourth put the Phillies up 2-0, but the inconsistent starter gave it all back in the top of the fifth when he allowed a three-run shot into the left-field seats.
It was all Nola would give up on the board, going 5.1 innings, giving up five hits while striking out 10 Rockies. His 2021 ERA now sits at a disappointing 4.58.
The Phillies tied it up in the sixth inning when Ashton Goudeau’s wild pitch allowed Realmuto to score, but Hampson struck again in the seventh with a two-run shot to left-center field off Neris.
Bryce Harper did his best to spark a Phillies comeback, socking his 32nd home run of the season into the right-field seats, but the solo shot was as close as the Phillies would get.
With the Braves defeating the Miami Marlins on Sunday, the Phillies now sit 3.5 games back in second place in the division with just three weeks to play in the regular season.
