Bryce Harper homered twice. He wasn’t even done hitting rockets. And somehow, the Phillies still walked off the field with another one-run loss.
The Los Angeles Angels did what they’ve quietly done all year — mash. Taylor Ward’s go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning — his 22nd of the season — completed a comeback from a three-run deficit, lifting the Angels to a 6-5 win over the Phillies on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.
It was a classic launch-a-palooza. Six total homers between the two teams. But Ward’s blast off Tanner Banks was the one that flipped the game for good.
The Phillies have now dropped five of their last seven, not because they’re not scoring, but because the bullpen continues to bend in the worst moments.
“It’s what this team does,” Rob Thomson said of the Angels. “They hit homers. It’s how they generate runs. You’ve got to keep the ball in the ballpark.”
Harper did just about everything he could. He crushed a pair of homers and drove in four of the Phillies’ five runs. His loudest swing of the night? Not even the home runs. That would be the 113.8 mph double he ripped in the fourth inning — his hardest-hit ball of the night.
Since returning to action from his wrist injury, Harper has looked like he’s flipped the switch: over his last seven games, he’s batting .407 with three homers, five RBIs, and a .963 slugging percentage.
“He looks great,” Thomson said. “He’s using the field and it seems like he’s seeing the ball really well now.”
Kyle Schwarber also went deep in the loss.
Jesús Luzardo started for the Phillies and struck out seven over 4 2/3 innings, but gave up four runs on seven hits — including a solo shot from Jorge Soler in the second and a two-run blast by Jo Adell in the fourth. Luzardo’s fastball velocity and spin rate were both up a tick from his season average, but his location wavered and the Angels made him pay.
Mike Trout, playing in just his sixth career game in Philadelphia, collected a double and an RBI single. He also did outfield drills before the game as he continues working his way back from a bruised left knee. The Millville native hasn't played the field since April 30 and has been limited to DH duty since returning in late May.
The Angels used seven pitchers on the evening. Sam Bachman (2-2) earned the win, and Kenley Jansen worked a perfect ninth for his 17th save. Banks (2-2) was charged with the loss for the Phillies.
Game 2 of the series is set for Saturday. Taijuan Walker takes the mound for the Phils. The Angels will counter with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi.
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