Phillies strike out 14 times in 6-1 loss
Jun 28, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jordan Romano (68) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
After scoring 13 runs in a blowout win on Friday, the Phillies scored just once on Saturday.
It was an outstanding outing for Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach. The 25-year-old right-handed pitcher set a personal career high with 12 strikeouts in 7 innings of work, as he led the Braves to a 6-1 win over the Phillies, evening the series at one.
Schwellenbach registered a total of 19 whiffs in his start, 9 of which came from his slider.
Lineup combines for 5 total bases
It was a brutal day at the plate for Phillies hitters. Schwellenbach was dominant but had some struggles in the first inning. Kyle Schwarber crushed a double over the head of center fielder Eli White. It was more of a misplay from White, who got the start over the usual center fielder, Michael Harris II. It was just White’s 7th start this season. With 1 out and 1 at second base to start the game, the Phillies failed to capitalize as Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos both struck out.
After the Schwarber double, the Phillies wouldn’t muster another base runner until the 6th inning. Brandon Marsh broke the stretch of 15 straight retired batters by lining a single into right field. As Schwarber stepped into the box with 2 away, Marsh took off for second to grab his 4th stolen base this season. Schwarber fought all the way back from a 1-2 count to work a walk and put runners on first and second for Alec Bohm. Here, Bohm finally broke the ice driving in Marsh from second to make it a 2-1 game. This would be all the Phillies could get as Castellanos lined out 2 pitches later.
After a quiet top of the 7th inning, the Phillies’ offense had another chance in the 8th inning. The inning began with the rookie Otto Kemp getting his first hit of the game with a single to left field. With 1 on and nobody out, the Phillies would spoil the opportunity as Marsh and Trea Turner both went down swinging. Kemp was put in scoring position the next at bat as Schwarber was hit by a pitch. Bohm, this time, wasn’t able to come through, and the Phillies went down quietly.
After a 3-game series against the Houston Astros, which saw the Phillies muster just 1 run combined, it was assumed they had broken out of the slump with a 13-run performance just last night. Instead, the Phillies chose to keep us guessing by falling flat tonight.
In fairness to the Phillies’ offense, they’ve had the misfortune of running into some incredible starting pitching as of late. In tonight’s case, Schwellenbach is an innings-eater for Atlanta and a respectable right-handed arm in the Braves’ rotation.
Romano allows Braves’ first grand slam of the year
It was a wasted great performance from Jesus Luzardo, who continues to rebound from his rough start against the Brewers in late May. Luzardo struggled with keeping runners off the bases but managed to pitch out of a few tough spots tonight.
The Braves got to Luzardo right out of the gate, starting with a Ronald Acuna Jr. leadoff single. Matt Olson followed with one of his own, and Luzardo began his outing with runners on first and third with nobody out. He allowed just 1 run, however, thanks to an Ozzie Albies double play.
The 2nd inning began almost the same way. A Stuart Fairchild double placed trouble on second and third with just 1 out. Again, Luzardo would allow just 1 run, limiting the damage to just a 2-0 game despite Atlanta’s 7 baserunners in 2 innings.
The 3rd and 4th innings were much kinder to Luzardo. After a Marcell Ozuna single to start the 3rd, it would be 6 up and 6 down entering the 5th inning.
In the 5th, it was a similar jam for Luzardo to pitch out of. After allowing Acuna to hit a leadoff single, he’d catch a break as Matt Olson‘s rocket to left field would bounce over the wall for a ground rule double. Rather than Acuna scoring easily, he was held at third. Luzardo retired the next 3 batters in order to work out of the jam, helping keep the game within striking distance at 2-0.
The 5th inning would be all she wrote for Luzardo as the Phillies reached into their bullpen for the first time with Joe Ross. Ross, seemingly taking inspiration from Luzardo, would also have to pitch out of a jam. Sean Murphy led off the 6th inning swinging at the first pitch for a double. A White groundout and Alex Verdugo strikeout made it seem Ross would be able to get out of the inning with relative ease following the double until he walked Nick Allen, bringing Acuna to the plate. In a 6-pitch battle, Ross managed to strike Acuna out looking to keep the score where it was.
The 7th inning saw Rob Thomson turn to the ever-inconsistent Jordan Romano. Romano would quickly load the bases thanks to 3 straight singles from the Braves. It brought up Murphy with the bases loaded and 1 out. Murphy would deliver the dagger by giving the Braves their first grand slam of the season, putting the game out of reach at 6-1, as he smoked a meatball by Romano deep into the left field seats.
Romano’s ERA is now up to 7.28. Daniel Robert‘s scoreless bottom of the 8th would be in vain.
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Ethan Whitney
Ethan is a writer for Philly Sports Reports and a Color Commentator for Rally Sports Network. He has been a massive fan of all Philly Sports for as long as he can remember and wants to share that passion with the world. He is looking for a long career in the sports media sphere.
