The Phillies fell to the Red Sox 9-5 on July 21, 2025, as a bullpen collapse wasted a Bryce Harper homer. Can new signee David Robertson fix the issue?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating case of deja vu at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night. Just as the Phillies showed signs of life, the bullpen door swung open and the game slipped away. A 9-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox highlighted the team's most glaring weakness, but it came on the same day the front office made its first, quiet move to address it, signing veteran reliever David Robertson.
The Phillies' bullpen allowed 5 runs over the final three innings, erasing any chance of a comeback.
Zack Wheeler wasn't at his most dominant, but he battled for 5.2 innings, keeping the Phillies in the game. He flashed his ace stuff early, fanning Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony with a nasty 82.6 mph curveball that spun at 2930 rpm. But Boston's relentless 14-hit attack eventually chased him after four earned runs. The real damage came later. Bryce Harper did his part, launching a three-run blast and going 2-for-4, but his efforts were nullified as the relief corps surrendered five runs down the stretch, turning a competitive game into a decisive loss.
Earlier in the day, news broke that the Phillies had signed a familiar face: 40-year-old reliever David Robertson. The move, which saw the right-hander immediately optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, is a low-risk depth addition. Robertson, a former closer with extensive postseason experience, gives the team a veteran arm to stash in the minors. While he's not the blockbuster trade fans might be craving, he provides an immediate insurance policy for a bullpen that proved, just hours later, how desperately it needs one.
The Robertson signing is the first domino to fall, but it can't be the last. With the July 30 trade deadline just over a week away, this loss served as a painful audition for the current bullpen arms and a screaming signal to the front office. At 56-43, the Phillies still hold a lead in the NL East, but championship aspirations require a lockdown bullpen. This game against the Red Sox was a stark reminder that while the offense can mash and the starters can deal, the final innings remain the team's Achilles' heel. More help is needed, and soon.
One loss in July doesn't define a season, but the pattern is concerning. The Phillies will look to bounce back and take the series from Boston, but the real story for the next nine days isn't just on the field. It's in the front office, where the decisions made between now and July 30 will likely determine whether this team is built for a division title or a World Series run.
