Dbacks Bullpen Coughs Up Lead, Fall To Phillies

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The Dbacks got their 7-game road trip off to a rough start as they were defeated by the Phillies 4-3. What started as a harmless pitcher’s duel soon turned into a battle of the bullpens. A battle in which the Arizona contingent was unable to win. Both teams surrendered late inning leads, but it was Philadelphia that ended up on top.

The first 5 innings saw the Dbacks and Phillies exchange offensive threats, none of which were successful. Chase Anderson and Chad Billingsley both fought off all situations, but in doing so they accelerated their pitch counts. Neither would go past 6 innings and neither factor in the decision. Anderson went 5 1/3 innings while allowing 1 run and 3 hits. Billingsley went 6 innings while allowing 2 runs and 7 hits.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Phillies were able to strike first. After a hit by pitch and walk, Ryan Howard doubled to bring in a run and give the Phillies a 1-0 lead. The Dbacks were quick to respond in the 7th. After a walk to Tuffy Gosewisch and a single to Nick Ahmed, A.J. Pollock came through with an RBI single. After that, a Paul Goldschmidt double cleared the bases and gave the Dbacks a 3-1 lead.

May 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Chase Anderson (57) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, the Dbacks bullpen was unable to hold the lead. In the bottom of the 7th, Daniel Hudson started the inning by surrendering a couple of base hits. Oliver Perez would be called upon next. A wild pitch by Perez and both runners were now in scoring position. Freddy Galvis then singled to drive both those runs in and ended up at 3rd due to an errant throw. Enrique Burgos was called upon to face pinch-hitter Jeff Francoeur, who drove in the go ahead run for the Phillies.

That’s the definition of a futile bullpen. Elvis Araujo (1-0) would be credited with the win in relief. Perez (1-1) was burdened with the loss. Luis Garcia saved his first game of the season. Inciarte went 3-for-5 and Owings went 2-for-4 for the Dbacks. If the Dbacks are looking to get things going, their bats need to wake up earlier in the game and the bullpen needs to be far more efficient.

Arizona (15-19) and Philadelphia (14-23) will do it again tomorrow night.