Phillies’ New Batting Order Fails to Prevent 5-4 Loss to Diamondbacks
The Phillies tried an unorthodox lineup move on Friday. Manager Rob Thomson stacked four left-handed hitters to attack a Diamondbacks bullpen without a southpaw.
Strategic gamble and lineup shifts
Thomson said the alignment was a short-term tactic. He expected it might work for a few games.
The experiment included Brandon Marsh moving into the cleanup spot. Alec Bohm floated between the fourth and seventh spots earlier in the week.
How the game unfolded
The Phillies opened with a four-run first inning. Marsh delivered a three-run homer to power the early lead.
After that, the offense mostly vanished. Philadelphia collected only four additional hits the rest of the game.
Turning point in the fifth
Starter Jesús Luzardo allowed no hits through four innings. The fifth inning changed everything.
Alek Thomas executed a bunt with runners on first and second. Bohm, playing on the grass, did not charge the ball.
The play loaded the bases. Ketel Marte followed with a two-run single. Ildemaro Vargas added an RBI single.
James McCann then ripped a two-run double into right-center. Arizona took a 5-4 lead in the inning.
Pitching and offense details
Luzardo called the fifth inning “unacceptable.” He had kept Arizona hitless until that frame.
The Phillies struck out heavily after the first. They produced many swings and misses against Mike Soroka and three relievers.
Justin Crawford, batting ninth, nearly hit his first career home run in the ninth. He settled for a two-out triple off the top of the right-field wall.
Player form and reactions
Bohm has struggled at the plate. He struck out three times in the opener and is 8-for-47 (.170).
His slugging sits at .255, with just two extra-base hits. Thomson said Bohm is “missing” contact and timing.
Marsh shrugged off the loss, calling it early in the season and saying the club still has time to improve.
Aftermath and context
The defeat dropped Philadelphia to 6-7. It was their third straight loss.
The announced attendance was 41,683. Trea Turner flew out to end the game and send fans toward the exits.
The Phillies’ new batting order change ultimately fails to prevent the 5-4 loss to Diamondbacks, leaving questions about the middle of the lineup.
Filmogaz.com contributed reporting. Zack Wheeler is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start on Tuesday.
