Phillips and Phillies destroyed to start West Coast trip

Phillips and Phillies destroyed to start West Coast trip originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia

The normalization for Tyler Phillips occurred entirely in two innings Friday night in Seattle.

The Phillies rookie allowed a leadoff home run in the first inning, then a three-run home run and a grand slam in the second. He was removed by manager Rob Thomson after recording just five strikeouts while his ERA increased from 1.80 to 4.39.

The Phillies lost 10-2. They’ve dropped five in a row, seven of eight and 12 of 16. Still not a nosedive…but not good.

In addition to their starting pitcher being lost, the Phillies lineup is still struggling greatly. Bryce Harper has one hit in his last eight games. Trea Turner is hitting .149 in his last 11.

The Phillies have lost six straight series openers and are in danger of losing their sixth straight series. They have also used backup catcher Garrett Stubbs to pitch the final inning of a blowout in three of the last six series.

They have lefty Kolby Allard, yet another piece of Triple A depth, starting Saturday night with ace Zack Wheeler on Sunday.

At 65-44, the Phillies’ winning percentage is their lowest since May 29 in San Francisco at the conclusion of their most recent trip to the West Coast.

Programming doesn’t get any easier from here. The Phillies face Logan Gilbert, one of the best starting pitchers in the American League, on Sunday. From there, they go to Dodger Stadium to face the team with the second best record in the NL. Then they finished in the West with four games in Arizona against a surging Diamondbacks offense.

To end the current skid, the Phillies need big-money players to step up. The top three hitters in their order are 6-for-61 (.098) during their five-game losing streak.