Pitching Falters, Offense Stalls in Phillies Loss to Brewers

In Game 1 of the Phillies and Brewers’ three-game series, the Phils fell 6-2.

Bryce Harper watched from the dugout for the third straight game Friday night, his right elbow still swollen and sore after taking a 95-mph fastball from Spencer Strider on Tuesday. He hasn’t swung a bat since the hit-by-pitch and remains day-to-day, though both Harper and manager Rob Thomson are hopeful he can avoid a stint on the injured list. He did take grounders at first base before the game, but his absence leaves a noticeable gap in the Phillies’ lineup, especially given his recent resurgence at the plate.

With Harper out, Alec Bohm shifted to first base, and the Phillies leaned on their depth to face the Brewers. The offense kept things moving, but Harper’s presence was clearly missed. The team is counting on his quick return to maintain momentum. Harper has been a major part of the Phillies’ incredible month of May. Coming into tonight’s game, they were 19-7 with a .267 team average and 33 home runs in May. Harper helped drive that turnaround.

Phillies Pitching Struggles Against Hot Brewers Hitters

Taijuan Walker took the ball for the first time in nine days, and the rust showed. He didn’t find a groove until the third inning, and that didn’t last. In the fourth, he didn’t record an out. Brice Turang walked, Jackson Chourio doubled, and Christian Yelich stepped up. Walker was clearly fading, and it looked like Thomson had him on a pitch count. After 89 pitches, he turned to Tanner Banks for a lefty-on-lefty matchup.

Yelich jumped on the first pitch, a slow sweeper that caught too much of the plate, and launched it into the left-field seats. The veteran was sitting on the breaking ball and extended the lead.

After the homer, Banks settled down and retired the next few batters. Max Lazar came in for the sixth and seventh and handled Milwaukee’s bats well. He started strong in the eighth, but his control faltered. He walked Isaac Collins and Caleb Durbin, then gave way to Carlos Hernandez, who ended the threat, though not without some chaos; three stolen bases in the inning and a 100-mph fastball that got away from J.T. Realmuto.

In the ninth, Yelich struck again. He crushed a flat curve from Hernandez into the second deck in right field, making it 6-2 Brewers.

Phils Offense Quieted by Brewers Pitching

The Phillies’ offense never found a rhythm. Brewers starter DL Hall went three innings without allowing a hit and struck out four. Quinn Priester took over in the third and stayed in control. He gave up hard contact, but the balls found gloves.

The Phils didn’t go quietly. In a rainy seventh inning, Nick Castellanos took the first pitch from Priester and sent it into the left-field stands for a solo shot.

Drip drop it's a Casty solo shot pic.twitter.com/vFGxHli3Z5

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 31, 2025

Priester returned in the ninth and closed it out, which gave Brewers manager Pat Murphy some breathing room with his bullpen for the rest of the series. Priester leaned on his strong sinker all game, and the Phils had no answer for it.

Final Thoughts

It wasn’t a sharp night for the Phillies’ offense or defense. No errors were recorded, but another infield hit added to a growing concern as the Phillies lead the majors with 64 infield hits allowed.

The Brewers also ran wild with five stolen bases against Realmuto. It’s not all on him. The pitching staff needs to do more to hold runners. Milwaukee will stay aggressive on the bases, so a few extra looks won’t hurt.

---

Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order

Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO