Harper later on booted a ball in the outfield that resulted in another Nationals run. The ball would not have actually even reached Harper if the Phillies had a more limber, mobile first baseman than Jay Bruce, who missed the ball to his left.
In the first inning, Mickey Moniak played a hard-hit ball from Juan Soto improperly for a two-base mistake. The next batter singled to right field and Harper fielded it delicately and flat-footed after two hops rather than charge it to attempt to make a play at the plate.” No excuse for Bryce, that ball hit to best field,” Kruk stated. “I do not understand if he didnt think anybody was on second but fielding that ball the method he did didnt tell you that he knew what the situation was.
After an aggravating series opener in D.C., Game 1 on Tuesday rapidly unwinded. In the first inning, Mickey Moniak played a hard-hit ball from Juan Soto poorly for a two-base error. The next batter singled to best field and Harper fielded it delicately and flat-footed after 2 hops instead of charge it to attempt to make a play at the plate. Soto would have been out with an aggressive charge and strong toss
” No excuse for Bryce, that ball struck to best field,” Kruk stated. “I dont understand if he didnt think anybody was on 2nd but fielding that ball the way he did didnt tell you that he knew what the situation was. He forgot or something. Im sure well find the answer to that quickly.”.
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The Phillies began the day a half-game up on the Brewers and Giants for the last and eighth NL playoff area..
” This is not a playoff group the method theyre playing right now. This is not a team that deserves to be in the playoffs the way theyre playing.”
” When they were playing National League baseball, taking additional bases, stealing bases, moving runners, being aggressive, that was baseball. What were watching now is closer to Little League with mistakes and ridiculous mistakes,” Kruk stated on Phillies Postgame Live between games.
The Phils managed their own fate heading into the doubleheader. They got swept in the doubleheader. They lost by a walk-off crowning achievement from Yadiel Hernandez in Game 2.
Never one to mince words, Phillies expert John Kruk sounded off on the team after its second straight careless 5-1 loss to the Nationals in what was a must-win series.
The Phillies committed 3 errors Monday night and two more in the first video game of Tuesdays doubleheader. Three of those errors can be found in the outfield– 2 by Mickey Moniak and one by Bryce Harper.
Since Rhys Hoskins missed his 13th and 12th straight video games with an elbow injury, Bruce was at first.
