For far too often this year, the shutdown inning has eluded the Phillies. Whether that’s subjective or objective, there has been an issue with the team’s pitching staff being unable to prevent the opposition from scoring after they themselves have gone ahead. Tonight, the issue reared its ugly head yet again and deflated the team all the way around.
Zach Eflin was on the hill for the Phillies when he was given a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Mets had scored first on a Dominic Smith sacrifice fly in the second inning, but the Phillies loaded the bases in the fourth thanks to singles from Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos with no one on, then a walk to Rhys Hoskins with one out.