The Phillies faced a difficult challenge this weekend, traveling to Milwaukee to take on the National League Central-leading Brewers in a matchup that could provide a glimpse of a potential postseason series. For a Philadelphia club that has played some of its best baseball since Don Mattingly took over as interim manager in late April, the three-game set served as a valuable test against one of the National League’s top teams. After dropping the series opener and rebounding with a victory on Saturday, the Phillies ultimately fell short in Sunday’s finale, suffering a 2-1 loss and dropping the series to a talented Brewers club.
Friday night’s series opener at American Family Field was one of those games where you simply have to tip your cap to the opposing pitcher. Milwaukee superstar Jacob Misiorowski turned in a remarkable performance, leading the Brewers to a 6-0 victory over the Phillies. The 24-year-old Missouri native tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout, needing just 95 pitches to finish what may go down as one of the most dominant pitching performances of the season. Misiorowski struck out 15 batters, did not issue a walk, and faced the minimum 27 hitters.
On the fifth pitch of the game, Misiorowski recorded a strike on Kyle Schwarber with a 104.5 mph fastball, the fastest pitch thrown by a starting pitcher since pitch tracking began in 2008. He threw four pitches of at least 104 mph in the opening frame and struck out Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper in order.
The Phillies never found an answer. Misiorowski struck out his 10th batter by the 13th Philadelphia hitter faced and capped his outing by striking out Justin Crawford on a 103.1 mph fastball for his 15th and final punchout. In total, he reached triple digits 58 times. It was just the eighth complete game and fifth individual shutout in MLB this season.
For the Phillies, it was a frustrating night at the plate. For Misiorowski, it was a performance that showcased why he is considered one of the game’s brightest young pitching talents.
After being shut down in Friday night’s series opener, the Phillies bounced back in dramatic fashion on Saturday, outlasting the Brewers 9-8 in a high-scoring affair to even the three-game series at one game apiece.
Philadelphia’s offense erupted for 17 hits, with a five-run sixth inning proving to be the difference. Bryson Stott drove in a run with an RBI double, J.T. Realmuto launched a three-run homer, and Bryce Harper added a sacrifice fly as the Phillies turned a 3-3 game into an 8-3 advantage.
Aaron Nola turned in another relatively inefficient outing, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4 2/3 innings. Despite receiving an early three-run cushion, the veteran right-hander was unable to hold the advantage and exited with his ERA sitting at 5.86.
Milwaukee refused to go away. Jackson Chourio paced the Brewers’ offense, going 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs. The Brewers scored twice in the seventh inning and added three more in the eighth to make things interesting late.
Jhoan Durán pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his 18th save of the season and preserve the Phillies’ victory.
Chourio stayed red-hot on Sunday afternoon, as the young Brewers star took Cristopher Sánchez deep for a solo home run in the first inning to give the Brewers an early 1-0 lead they would never relinquish. Milwaukee added three insurance runs in the fourth on Blake Perkins’ three-run blast, and that was more than enough in a 4-0 shutout victory on Sunday afternoon. The Brewers took the series 2-1.
Philadelphia could muster just four hits all game and never mounted a meaningful threat against Kyle Harrison and the Milwaukee bullpen.
Sánchez endured one of his roughest outings of the year, lasting 5.2 innings while surrendering eight hits and four earned runs. He struck out three, walked one, and threw 98 pitches before taking the loss, falling to 8-3 on the season. Coming in with a spectacular 1.54 ERA and just four home runs allowed across his first 14 starts, the left-hander yielded two long balls on this day, pushing his ERA up to 1.82. It was a rare off day for Sánchez, who was unable to find the same level of success he has enjoyed throughout much of the season.
The Phillies now return home to open a three-game series against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night.
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