The Phillies fell to the White Sox 6-2 on July 29 as Jesús Luzardo struggled on the mound. Bryce Harper extended his on-base streak in the tough road loss.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, you can't win 'em all. The Phillies' modest two-game winning streak came to a halt Tuesday night in Chicago, as a rough start from Jesús Luzardo and a quiet night from the bats led to a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the White Sox. It was a frustrating game that felt like one step back after two steps forward, reminding everyone that the road to October is never a straight line.
Bryce Harper extended his on-base streak to 14 games, a silver lining on an otherwise cloudy night for the offense.
The game largely hinged on the mound, and unfortunately, it wasn't Jesús Luzardo's night. The lefty was tagged for five earned runs over just 4.2 innings, never quite looking comfortable against the White Sox lineup. The big blow came in the fourth inning, a three-run homer by catcher Korey Lee that broke the game open. Luzardo's ERA ticked up to 4.58, and it's a start he'll be eager to put behind him. On the other side, White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon kept the potent Phillies lineup mostly in check, allowing just two runs over six solid frames.
While the team only pushed across two runs, a few key bats stayed hot. Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos both collected two hits apiece, continuing their strong offensive play. Harper's two knocks extended his on-base streak to an impressive 14 games. The only offense came from the bat of Bryson Stott, who drove in both Phillies runs, proving once again to be a clutch presence in the lineup. It wasn't enough to secure a win, but it's encouraging to see the heart of the order producing even on an off night.
Earlier in the day, the Phillies' front office made a depth move, acquiring outfielder Brewer Hicklen from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations. Don't expect him in the Citizens Bank Park outfield just yet; the 29-year-old was immediately optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. This is a classic pre-deadline move to shore up organizational depth. Hicklen brings a combination of speed and power to the IronPigs and provides a valuable, experienced option should the need arise in the big leagues down the stretch.
One loss, especially on the road in July, won't define the season. The Phillies (now 60-45) will look to bounce back tomorrow and take the series from the White Sox. With the trade deadline looming and the team clearly looking for ways to improve, every game feels magnified. Tonight was a stumble, but the focus now shifts to getting back in the win column and continuing the push for the NL East crown.
