Phillies drop series to Astros as season's end draws near

On a hot September afternoon, the Phillies looked for a series win against the Houston Astros. The visitors struck first with an RBI double off the bat of Taylor Trammell in the second inning.

From the third inning through the sixth, Zack Wheeler faced the minimum. He allowed only a single that was erased on a double play. After a leadoff single in the seventh, Wheeler quickly recorded the next two outs. Then, he walked the next two batters, loading the bases. Manager Don Mattingly stuck with Wheeler even though he was at 105 pitches. 

That decision paid off as Wheeler struck out a pinch-hitting Yainer Diaz. "The Rooster" by Alice in Chains echoed as Wheeler walked off the mound and the crowd issued a standing ovation. 

"No, he ain't gonna die." The lyrics to Wheeler's warm-up music felt fitting. Wheeler struck out nine in his seven innings of work.

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Phillies go cold

On the offensive side, the Phillies initially struggled against Cristian Javier, making his first start at Citizens Bank Park since his combined no-hitter in the 2022 World Series. 

After a leadoff walk to Kyle Schwarber, Javier retired the next 11 Phillies hitters. In the fifth, the Phillies finally got to Javier. Luis Arraez led off with a single. Alec Bohm followed with a double, giving the Phillies runners on second and third with no one out. Bryson Stott drove home the tying run on a fielder's choice. 

Jose Alvarado worked through a tenuous eighth inning. The Phillies called upon Jhoan Duran to pitch a tied ninth inning. The usually dominant closer allowed only his second home run this season to Cam Smith to give the Astros a 2-1 lead. 

The Phillies had no answer to the Astros' closer Josh Hader, dropping a close series. 

The Phillies now head to Atlanta to face the division-leading Braves.