Ranger Suarez Gem Wasted, Phillies Offense Shut Down by Astros

Playing a series in Houston brings back some not-so-pleasant memories for some, but this season, it’s only June, and the first-place Phillies have a test in front of them: a series against the first-place team in the American League West.

Houston came in playing very good baseball, winning 7 of their last 10, and playing lights out baseball at home, with a 27-13 record at home this season.

To start off this series, we were treated to a matchup of two of the best left-handed starters in each league, Ranger Suarez taking on Framber Valdez. This matchup didn’t disappoint, with both starters trading zeros through 7 innings.

In the 8th inning, manager Rob Thomson sent Suarez back out with 91 pitches, a move that will be second-guessed for a while. In that inning, Houston’s Cooper Hummel hit a solo home run, which ended up being the only run of the game. The Astros took the opener 1-0, in a heartbreaking loss, where the offense let down their ace lefty.

Suarez came into this start off a strong start against the Marlins last week, looking to get the same results, this time while facing one of the best lefty starters in the American League this season. It was obvious that runs would be at a premium tonight, and both starters pitched accordingly.

In a game that had October intensity, neither pitcher blinked. Suarez cruised through 5 no-hit innings, only to have the no-hitter bid broken up in the 6th by a seeing-eye single from Yainer Diaz. Suarez stumbled in the 6th, and the Astros had a runner on third, but Suarez tightened it up and struck out Isaac Paredes looking to end the 6th.

On the other side, Valdez started a bit wild, but tightened up his mechanics and held the Phillies bats at bay for 7 strong innings. Bryan Abreu came in the 8th and kept his reputation with Phillies hitters as the boogie man, by setting down the Phils in order.

In a pitchers duel like this one, it just takes one mistake, and Ranger made that mistake in the bottom of the 8th, when he hung a cutter that started on the outside caught too much of the plate with the break and Hummel hit a home run to right, essentially sinking a great performance by Suarez. Just as a comparison, Valdez gave up 13 hard-hit balls, Suarez gave up only 3, and just one was a home run.

Orion Kerkering came in to get the last out of the 8th. Just to face Josh Hader, who shut down the Phils to earn his 20th save of the season.

The real reason for tonight’s loss was on the offense.

The Phillies’ offense came up empty, and it wasn’t for lack of opportunities; they were 0-7 with runners in scoring position. The lack of clutch hitting wastes an absolute gem by Suarez.

Edmundo Sosa was the only Phils hitter with more than one hit in the game. The bottom of the lineup was particularly anaemic tonight, and failed to turn the lineup over to Trea Turner, who has been the most consistent Phils hitter this season. The decision by Thomson to send Suarez out for the 8th will be questioned, but at the end of the day, the offense was the one that let down Suarez.

With the Mets losing to the Braves, this was a chance to put some distance between the Mets. The offense, which came up with so many clutch hits in the Mets series, could not string anything substantial together in this game, and it cost them a win. Both of Suarez’s losses this season have been of the tough luck variety.

Tomorrow, the Phillies will send out their ace, Zack Wheeler, to take on Colton Gordon in a very important game.

---

Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order

Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO