8/30 Game Recap: Phillies lose to Diamondbacks 12-3

PHOENIX ARIZONA - When the biggest story from your game is a Basketball player from another city joining your broadcast team for one inning, Then you know you have a problem. The Phillies no doubt had a problem tonight, they accounted for a measly 4 hits while allowing 17 as their so-called ace went just 4 innings allowing 8 runs.

The Phillies were in need of a big night from Aaron Nola and they most certainly did not get it. Nola looked putrid through 4 innings of work, it seemed that Rob Thomson wanted to attempt to stretch him out but struggled to do so with his pitch count being in the 80s come the 5th inning.

At all points in this game there just never seemed to be even a glimmer of hope for the Phillies. I saw nothing tonight that could possibly give me hope for the future or give me any reassurance that this team can hold on to their ever-fragile wildcard spot.

A late-inning home run gave the Phillies their pity runs helping them to avoid yet another shutout. However, any hope of a possible 9th inning rally was extinguished when Rob Thomson brought Nick Maton in to pitch the bottom of the 8th where he’d allow 3 runs on 4 hits.

This loss tonight may seem to be left with Aaron Nola and the Phillies big boppers for not executing their job, but this loss falls on the entire squad. Because genuinely nobody stepped up tonight. When your 6th, 8th, and 9th hole hitters are the only ones to get hits and you struggle so much to score even a run off one of the worst teams in Baseball there is an issue.

The Phillies need to pick up the win tomorrow night to avoid being swept out of Arizona for the second straight season. Bailey Falter will head to the bump against young Dbacks lefty Tommy Henry. Tomorrow’s game is as crucial as any at this point in the year, a loss paired with a Milwaukee win could put the Phils just a game away from falling out of the wildcard race. This team needs to wake up and realize what they are doing to themselves, and soon. But for now good morning, good afternoon, and good night, and of course Go Phils!