The Phillies have played more than 21,000 games in their 142-year history. They've won some. They've lost a lot. But they don’t get shut out in back-to-back games very often, and almost never when their starters give up two runs in 13+ innings. Yet here we are, in Houston, watching a lineup search for offense like it’s been misplaced in baggage claim.
The latest chapter? A 2-0 loss to the Astros at Daikin Park on Wednesday night. That’s back-to-back shutouts for the first time since August of 2022, and the first time they’ve lost consecutive games by scores of 1-0 and 2-0 since April 19-20, 1996. That was the year the Phanatic's belly was about the only thing that looked full on this team.
Zack Wheeler was brilliant. Six innings. Four hits. One run. Eight strikeouts. That’s now 13 2/3 innings from Ranger Suárez and Wheeler in this series, two runs allowed, 15 strikeouts, and zero to show for it but two L’s and a lot of cold bats in the rack.
The Astros jumped out early, with Jeremy Peña doubling to lead off the first and scoring on an Isaac Paredes single. And that was it until the eighth, when Victor Caratini, hitting .206 entering the night, added a solo shot off José Ruiz. That insurance run turned out to be more symbolic than necessary.
The Phillies had their shot in the fifth — two on, one out — but rookie lefty Colton Gordon struck out Brandon Marsh and Trea Turner to end the threat. Gordon, in just his eighth career start, scattered four singles over five innings. He didn’t walk anyone. He barely blinked.
But the moment everyone will remember came in the eighth. Marsh singled. Turner followed. Runners on the corners, one out. Then came Kyle Schwarber, who bounced a chopper down the line. Christian Walker leapt, snared it, looked Marsh back to third, looked toward second, then tried to race Schwarber to the bag. He lost. Bases loaded. Here we go.
Alec Bohm battled through an eight-pitch at-bat but struck out. Nick Castellanos grounded out. Opportunity gone. Scoreless streak still intact.
The Phillies are now 11-12 since Bryce Harper went on the injured list with a wrist issue. And while Harper is inching closer to returning, the offense is running on fumes. The Phils haven’t scored in 19 consecutive innings. It’s their longest such drought in three years, and it's now cost them a pair of games in which their aces were lights-out.
No one’s panicking. The Phillies are still 47-33 and clinging to a half-game lead over the Mets. But in a series that’s felt like a postseason dress rehearsal — tight pitching, playoff-level energy — the bats have been the missing prop. Again.
So now comes Thursday, and things won't be any easier.
Loading Phillies schedule...
Loading NL East standings...
