Philly Leader

PHOENIX -- Philadelphia’s offense has struggled in recent games, particularly during their current series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bryce Harper went 2-for-4 with an RBI, but that was all the offense the Phillies could muster on Saturday in an 11-1 loss at Chase Field. The team has now dropped two straight games, scoring just three runs over that span.

Aaron Nola took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits in five innings of work.

The Phillies have managed to get runners on base in each of their last two games but have failed to capitalize when it matters most. They are a combined 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position over these games, leaving seven baserunners stranded.

“It all gets back to fundamentals,” manager Rob Thomson said. “You have to be able to use the field, and you have to make contact and we’re not doing that right now. We’re chasing a little bit.”

Philadelphia had several opportunities to keep the game close or even take the lead before Arizona broke it open in the seventh inning. They loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first inning, but Brandon Marsh struck out and Nick Castellanos grounded into a forceout at third base to end the inning.

The Phillies also had runners in scoring position during the third, fourth, and fifth innings while still within striking distance but only converted once: Harper’s groundout made it 2-1 in the fifth inning.

After that inning, Philadelphia reached base just once more via catcher Garrett Stubbs’ walk in the ninth inning. By then, Arizona had secured a commanding lead.

“That’s kind of what separates you from wins and losses when those opportunities do come up -- capitalizing on them,” Stubbs said. “It seems like it’s not really falling right now for us in those spots where we need to capitalize, but I have full confidence that that’s going to change with the lineup that we have and the amount of talent that we have in this locker room.”

Despite being down late in the game, right-hander Max Lazar made his MLB debut for Philadelphia by pitching 1 1/3 hitless innings and recording his first career strikeout. Both his girlfriend and family were present among an announced crowd of 46,183.

“It was tough just trying to slow my heartbeat; it was pretty loud out there,” Lazar said. “I was just taking it one pitch at a time.”

Lazar has performed well this season with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley, posting a combined 1.79 ERA with 53 strikeouts across both levels. He threw 15 pitches on Saturday -- cutters, curveballs, and fastballs -- maxing out at 95.5 mph with his four-seamer.

“He filled up the zone,” Stubbs said about Lazar's performance. “I’m sure having Joc Pederson as your first strikeout is probably a cool one to have on your mantle.”

Philadelphia concludes its West Coast trip with a matinee against Arizona on Sunday. The game offers an opportunity for them to finish their road trip at .500 if players step up at critical moments.

“At any given time there are going to be two or three people who aren’t swinging well,” Thomson noted. “I’ve never seen a lineup where all nine guys are hitting well simultaneously; so we just need others to step up.”

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