Phillies' worst October fears realized in tough loss in extras
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ATLANTA -- This is the October fear.
The Phillies’ starting pitcher pitches well and leaves the game with a lead, but the offense fails to score a late insurance run because of another mental mistake, then the bullpen blows the lead late.
Philadelphia lost on Friday night to the Braves at Truist Park, 6-5, in 11 innings.
The bullpen blew leads in the ninth, 10th and 11th innings. Drake Baldwin’s walk-off double to right-center field in the 11th scored the winning run to end it.
The Phillies (82-66) fell five games behind Atlanta (87-61) in the National League East with 14 left to play. They fell into a tie with the Cubs for the No. 1 Wild Card spot, though Chicago won the season series vs. Philly. So if the season ended today, the Cubs would host the Phillies in a best-of-three NL Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field.
Right-hander Aaron Nola allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings to hand the Phillies a 3-2 lead entering the ninth inning. Bryce Harper hit a leadoff double, but got caught in a rundown when Luis Arraez hit a ball to shortstop.
Jonathan Bowlan blew the lead in the ninth. Chase Shugart blew the lead in the 10th. Brooks Raley allowed the decisive blow in the 11th.