Phillies to play first Game 7 in 140-year history

The Phillies were established in 1883. They will play in their Game 7 in franchise history Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as they lost Game 6, 5-1.

Aaron Nola nor the Phillies’ offense against Merrill Kelly had it Monday night.

Nola became the first Phillies starting pitcher this postseason to struggle, allowing three runs in the second inning on back-to-back homers, a walk, and an RBI double and another on an RBI triple in the top of the fifth.

The offense had their chances early in Game 6 to take a lead or at least tie the DBacks.

They had Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper on in the first inning with one out, but Alec Bohm struck out looking and Bryson Stott grounded out.

They had runners on the corners in the second inning but Trea Turner struck out to end an over-aggressive at-bat.

And then Stott was stranded in scoring position in the third when J.T. Realmuto struck out swinging on a fastball at his eyes.

Game 2 was the first start of Kelly’s career in which he allowed at least three homers and three walks, but he was much sharper against the Phillies in Game 6. He struck out eight, four of them looking.

The Phils will turn to Ranger Suarez, who has the lowest playoff ERA ever, at 0.94, for a pitcher with at least five starts. The DBacks will go with Brandon Pfaadt, who was more effective against the Phillies in Game 3 than any other pitcher this postseason, striking out nine over 5 2/3 scoreless innings.