PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies’ leading hitters struggled in Game 2 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Los Angeles Dodgers, contributing to a 4-3 loss at Citizens Bank Park. The team’s top three batters—Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper—combined for just two hits in 21 at-bats over the first two games of the series and have yet to record an extra-base hit.
Bryce Harper had a key opportunity in the sixth inning with two runners on base and one out. After fouling off a pitch from Dodgers starter Blake Snell, Harper struck out chasing a slider outside the strike zone. Alec Bohm followed by grounding into a forceout, ending the threat. The Dodgers responded with four runs in the seventh inning.
“It feels like we’re one hit away,” said shortstop Trea Turner. “Two nights ago felt like that, too. … That’s the difference in these games. We’ve got to do more as an offense.”
Manager Rob Thomson commented on his team’s struggles at the plate: “I think those guys are trying to do a little too much right now,” he said. “Instead of just being themselves and looking for base hits and the power will come.”
The Phillies have historically relied on home runs during postseason play. They are undefeated in playoff games when Harper homers but have won only once in their last ten postseason contests when he does not.
“I had a couple of opportunities myself and didn’t get it done,” Harper said. “Just got to be better.”
Schwarber has also faced difficulties at bat recently, going hitless with five strikeouts so far in this NLDS after leading the National League during the regular season with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs. His slump extends back six games into the regular season.
“I can speak for myself — I know that I haven’t,” Schwarber said regarding whether he and his fellow top hitters have contributed enough offensively. ” … I can look at myself in the mirror and say that I want to be better. And I’m going to be better.”
Despite some late-game rallies—including an RBI single by Turner in the eighth inning—the Phillies could not complete their comeback attempt.
“We’re getting baserunners, we’re getting walks,” Turner added. “We’re just not getting that timely hit or that slug.”
During the regular season, Philadelphia led Major League Baseball’s National League in total hits and ranked fourth overall among all teams for slugging percentage. The team also excelled late in games, posting MLB’s highest OPS from the seventh inning onward (.791), along with league-leading totals of 295 runs scored and 80 home runs after the seventh inning.
Both Schwarber and Harper have established postseason track records; Schwarber’s 21 career playoff home runs rank fourth all-time while Harper’s postseason OPS since joining Philadelphia stands at 1.111—a figure surpassed only by Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth historically.
“It’s not like we’re not trying hard. It’s just the way it is right now,” Schwarber said about his team’s recent offensive woes.“ … We just need everyone going up there and doing their job, because that’s how we got here in the first place.”
