(Getty Images)
FINAL: Phillies 6, Red Sox 1 - Offense, bullpen comes up short as streak ends at 8 games
The Red Sox, who hammered the ball during their eight-game win streak, were limited to just five hits (two by Mastaka Yoshida) in Sunday's loss to the Phillies.
Alex Cora lifted effective starter Tanner Houck after 74 pitches and Richard Bleier promptly gave up a mammoth 2-run homer to Kyle Schwarber.
The Sox would have had a chance in the end if newcomer Zack Littell didn't allow a pair of his own in the 8th (2 hits, 2 walks).
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WHO: Red Sox (21-14) at Phillies (15-19)
WHEN: 1:35 p.m.
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia.
SERIES TO DATE: Boston 2-0. The Sox and Phillies split the season series in 2021 (3-3).
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Tanner Houck (3-1, 5.34) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (2-2, 6.91)
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUPS
RED SOX
1. Verdugo RF
2. Yoshida DH
3. Tapia LF
4. Devers 3B
5. Duran CF
6. Casas 1B
7. Valdez 2B
8. K. Hernández SS
9. Wong C
SP Tanner Houck
PHILLIES
Bryson Stott 2B
Trea Turner SS
Bryce Harper DH
Nick Castellanos RF
Kyle Schwarber LF
J.T. Realmuto C
Alec Bohm 1B
Brandon Marsh CF
Edmundo Sosa 3B
SP Taijuan Walker
- Freaking Schwarber (0 for last 20) is back in the lineup. I think Rob Thomson is trying to get fired. At least he's not in the lead-off spot.
WHAT'S UP
The Red Sox (21-14, .600) own the 4th-best record in MLB...They hold the AL’s 2nd Wild Card spot. ... The Red Sox lead MLB in hits (331) and doubles (79), while ranking 2nd in runs (207), XBH (127), and AVG (.277), and 3rd in OPB (.345), SLG (.455), and OPS (.800). .... The Red Sox have an MLB-leading 15 players with at least 5 RBI, including 11 with 10+ RBI. From the 7-9 spots in the lineup, the Sox lead MLB in hits (105) and RBI (62), and rank 2nd in XBH (36). ... Masataka Yoshida did not play last night...His 15-game hitting streak is the longest active hitting streak in MLB and 3rd longest this season (Mauricio Dubón-20 games, Bryson Stott-17). ... Starting pitchers have lasted fewer than 4.0 innings in 11 starts vs. BOS this season, most in MLB...Starting pitchers have completed at least 6.0 innings against the Red Sox just 4 times this season, fewest of any team in MLB. ... Houck allowed 3 ER or fewer in each of his first 25 career starts, before surrendering a career-high 6 ERo ver 6.0I P on Tuesday vs.TOR (6H, 3BB, 5SO, HR).