The red-hot Milwaukee Brewers rolled into Citizens Bank Park over the weekend and steamrolled the hometown Phillies, extending their win streak to seven games. Across the three-game series, the Brew Crew erupted for 28 runs while holding Philadelphia’s offense to just 11—a lopsided showcase.
In Friday’s opener, the Phillies fell 6–2 as former NL MVP Christian Yelich powered the Brewers with a pair of home runs and four RBIs. Taijuan Walker lasted just four innings for Philadelphia, surrendering seven hits and four runs while striking out six. Offensively, the lone bright spots came from Nick Castellanos—who hit his fifth home run of the season—and Kyle Schwarber, who continued his strong campaign with two doubles and an RBI. The loss marked the Phillies’ first time dropping back-to-back games since April 23–25.
Friday’s contest marked Walker’s final start in the rotation for the foreseeable future, as the team announced Sunday that he will move to the bullpen. His spot will be filled by Mick Abel, the highly touted prospect who made his MLB debut on May 18 against the Pirates, striking out nine over six innings. Abel is set to be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will rejoin the rotation Thursday in Toronto against the Blue Jays.
With Abel’s return, the Phillies hope Walker can bolster a bullpen that began Sunday ranked 25th in MLB with a 4.68 ERA. “I think Tai has a chance to make us a lot better coming out of the ‘pen,” said manager Rob Thomson. “I want to see him in a one-inning stint.”
Although long accustomed to starting, Walker, who is in the third year of his four-year $72 million contract, voiced full support for the move. “My goal is to help any way I can. I’m pretty confident in my stuff. With this new slider, I feel pretty confident in it. If I have one inning to blow it out, whatever it is, I feel like my stuff would play up just a little bit more. Knowing that I got one inning, just let it eat.”
In other bullpen news, the Phillies designated right-hander José Ruiz for assignment and recalled fellow righty Seth Johnson to take his place. As reported by Paul Casella of MLB.com, Johnson recently transitioned from a starting role to the bullpen and has posted a 5.52 ERA across 12 relief appearances, striking out 20 over 14 2/3 innings. Johnson is ranked as the Phillies’ No. 12 prospect.
While Friday’s 6–2 loss stung, Phillies fans were left in outright agony after the beating their team took on Saturday. The Brewers exploded for 17 runs on 23 hits, led by former Phillie Rhys Hoskins, who blasted two home runs and drove in six. It marked Hoskins’ 13th career multi-homer game—and his first since 2022, when he was still wearing a Phillies uniform.
Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo endured the worst outing of his career on Saturday. The left-hander lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing 12 earned runs on 12 hits. According to ESPN, Luzardo became just the 12th pitcher in MLB history to surrender 12 earned runs in 3 1/3 innings or fewer—and the first to do so since 2020.
“That’s what they pay us for,” Luzardo said in his postgame interview. “Being able to just flush outings like that. Obviously, it’s frustrating, and an outing like today, I don’t know the numbers, but I could probably tell you that’s my career worst.”
Offensively, the Phillies were powered by home runs from Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh, while Schwarber continued his strong stretch with three hits, including an RBI double.
Thomson was ejected in the fourth inning after disputing a balk call.
There was hope the Phillies could salvage the series with a win on Sunday—and for a while, it looked promising. RBI singles from Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto gave Philadelphia a 2–1 lead heading into the seventh inning. But the momentum quickly unraveled. A costly error by Trea Turner allowed the Brewers to tie the game at 2–2, and pinch-hitter Jake Bauers followed with a two-run double to put Milwaukee ahead. The Brewers tacked on another run in the ninth to seal a 5–2 victory and complete their first series sweep in Philadelphia since 2015.
The Phillies, now riding a four-game losing streak, sit one game behind the New York Mets in the NL East standings as they head to Toronto for a three-game series beginning Tuesday. The Blue Jays enter the matchup on a five-game winning streak, fresh off a four-game sweep of the Athletics. They currently trail the AL East-leading New York Yankees by five games.
Zack Wheeler is set to take the mound Tuesday, and if anyone can get the Phillies back on track, it’s their ace. Wheeler enters the series with a 6–2 record, a 2.96 ERA, and 94 strikeouts—fourth-most in the league.
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