Ranger Suárez tosses another clunker in Phillies’ loss to Braves

Final Score: Braves 5, Phillies 1

Through his first 15 starts this season, Ranger Suárez allowed 21 runs across 92 1/3 innings. He appeared not only headed for his first All-Star Game appearance, but very much in the NL Cy Young Award race.

Over his last two starts, though, Suárez hasn’t looked like either of those.

After allowing 10 runs over his last two starts entering Saturday, Suárez allowed five more runs to the Braves, bringing his runs allowed total to 15 over his last three starts in 15 2/3 innings.

Four of the runs Suárez allowed on Saturday night came on a pair of two-run home runs. The first was hit by Atlanta’s DH Marcell Ozuna. The second was hit into the left-field seats by second baseman Ozzie Albies.

Altogether, Suárez surrendered those five runs on six hits across five innings of work. He also walked two batters and hit another.

Suárez allowed three runs in the first inning, and after retiring six straight hitters between the second and third innings, he found himself getting in and out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth. The homer he allowed to Albies came an inning later in the fifth.

After sitting at 1.75 through his first 15 starts, Suárez’s ERA has inflated to 2.58 after his last three. As noted by Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Saturday marked the first time in the lefty’s career he’s allowed five-plus runs in consecutive appearances.

The Phillies offense didn’t offer their starter any run support. They scored just one run on seven hits against Spencer Schwellenbach, who entered his start with a 5.68 ERA across his six previous outings. They didn’t do much of anything against Atlanta’s bullpen, either.

With the loss, the Phillies are now 58-31 and their lead over the Braves is back down to nine games.

Highlights

• The Braves’ three runs in the first came after Jarred Kelenic doubled to start the inning. Albies then drove Kelenic in on a single and Ozuna’s homer came two batters later on a first-pitch curveball.

BIG BEAR #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/e43wU0R5IY

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 7, 2024

• Three straight one-out singles netted the Phillies a run in the top of third inning, but they stranded two runners on the bases after Alec Bohm flied out to center field and Brandon Marsh struck out to end the inning.
• Albies’ two-run home run in the fifth made it a 5-1 game.

Another day, another homer for @ozzie #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/LQn6h96QB1

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 7, 2024

Notes

• Before Saturday’s game, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber took batting practice and ran the bases. Here’s the latest health update on both players.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Sunday, July 7 vs. Atlanta Braves at Truist Park
• 1:35 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia and MLB Network (out-of-market only)
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
• Spanish Radio: WTTM 1680

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