Suárez blows save, Saturday's game paused

July 18th, 2021

PHILADELPHIA -- Brad Lidge remains the Phillies’ only perfect closer.

blew his first save as closer on Saturday night in the ninth inning of a game suspended in the top of the 10th and tied at 2 because of rain. The game will resume at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday. Sunday’s previously scheduled series finale against the Marlins will be played approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of that game.

Gameday

The Phillies said tickets for Saturday’s game are not valid for admission on Sunday.

The game almost ended on time Saturday. But Suárez allowed a leadoff single to Starling Marte and a game-tying, two-run home run to Jesús Aguilar in the ninth to tie the game at 2.

It was the Phillies’ 23rd blown save of the season. They blew a franchise-record 25 in 2004.

Since Suárez assumed his new role on July 3, following Héctor Neris and José Alvarado, he converted each of his first three save opportunities.

Then the ninth inning happened.

The Phillies carried a 2-0 lead into the ninth because of fine pitching and an offense that failed to take advantage of its opportunities.

Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez pitched five scoreless innings. He is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in three starts this season against the Marlins, striking out 16 and walking five in 18 innings. The Elias Sports Bureau said it is the longest single-season scoreless streak by a Phillies pitcher against Miami. Only Ryan Madson had a longer overall scoreless streak against the Marlins at 18 1/3 innings from 2007-09.

Velasquez is 1-4 with a 6.52 ERA (43 earned runs in 59 1/3 innings) this season against everybody else.

Neris pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Archie Bradley pitched one scoreless.

The Phillies scored twice in the first inning on a sacrifice fly from Andrew McCutchen and a double from Rhys Hoskins. But the Phillies were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base before the game reached the 10th.

Alvarado started the 10th with automatic runner Sandy León on second base. He was 1-1 to Jon Berti when rain dumped onto the field.