The Philadelphia Phillies‘ defensive concerns were very obvious entering the season, and the woes showed up in a big, ugly way on Friday night in a 15-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park.
With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning, Chicago rookie sensation Christopher Morel smoked a double down the left field line.
It appeared there would be a play at the plate with Alfonso Rivas trying to score all the way from first base, but Philadelphia first baseman Rhys Hoskins cut off the throw.
Hoskins then tried to throw out Morel, who had rounded second base, anticipating that the throw would go to the plate. But Hoskins’ throw went into center field, allowing Morel to also score, easily.
Morel magic. pic.twitter.com/KvRYGcy2sB
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 23, 2022
What probably should’ve been a very close plate at the plate resulted in allowing two runs.
And this is why it’s really hard to compete for titles without a good defense, no matter the talent you have otherwise.
Christopher Morel makes a great diving stop and throw to nab Yairo Munoz of a base hit and possible RBI in the 6th inning pic.twitter.com/SRPtmsxxts
— Cubs Highlights (@Cubs_Highlights) July 23, 2022
That was one of three hits Morel had on the night, and he was also incredible defensively at second base.
Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ also added four hits, and rookie Nelson Velázquez went 2-for-2 with two homers and five runs batted in off the bench.
Suzuki's 7th homer of the season!@suzuki_seiya_sb pic.twitter.com/SrVPePh9gZ
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 23, 2022
Velázquez launches one 421 feet! 💪 pic.twitter.com/p2XggSJicg
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 23, 2022
A two-homer, 5-RBI night off the bench for Nelson Velázquez! pic.twitter.com/dBfjtS3Lro
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 23, 2022
Not a great start to the second half of the season for the Phillies, who fall to 49-44 with the loss.
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