Suarez ended early control problems in first defeat of 2024 originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
DENVER – It took nearly two months, but the Phillies finally lost a series and Ranger Suarez finally lost a game.
The Phils have won 11 series and split four since losing two of three games to the Reds in the first week of the season. They blew a ninth-inning lead Friday night in an extra-inning loss to the Rockies, came back to win in the ninth inning Saturday and quickly fell behind in Sunday’s 5-2 loss.
Ranger Suarez allowed a two-run shot to Ryan McMahon in the bottom of the first inning, a ball that kept reaching right-center field. It was a windy day at Coors Field, blowing 10 to 15 mph from left field, but to right and right center there could be a jet stream.
Suarez then struck out four hits in a three-run second inning that included just one hit. He had a chance to escape the inning by allowing just one run when Brendan Rodgers hit a hard fly ball to Alec Bohm with the bases loaded, but Bohm swung and erroneously threw to first base after stepping to third. Two runs scored on the play.
Suarez entered 9-0 with a 1.36 ERA and an MLB-leading 0.79 WHIP. He wanted to become the first Phillie to win 10 consecutive games. He was due one of those. He is now 9-1 with a 1.75 ERA.
Suarez rallied to retire the last 13 batters he faced and get through six innings, which was important to preserving the bullpen with Taijuan Walker starting Monday. Spencer Turnbull, the only true long man in the pen, went into the ninth inning on Saturday and has never played consecutive days as a pro. Jose Ruiz, who has thrown two innings twice this month, pitched Friday and Saturday and manager Rob Thomson rarely uses a reliever three days in a row.
The Phillies made it a run game in the fourth and fifth innings. Bohm chose Kyle Schwarber and Johan Rojas chose Brandon Marsh. A three-run deficit at Coors Field could be overcome quickly, but the lineup couldn’t muster enough hits to get closer with just two singles in the final four innings.
The 38-16 Phillies now head to San Francisco for a three-game series against the 27-27 Giants. Walker, Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez will pitch for the Phils. The Giants have lefties scheduled for the series opener (Blake Snell) and finale (Kyle Harrison) with Tuesday to be determined.
