Mercado beaten by Braves, Phillies lose series and journey is over

Mercado is thrust into the spotlight by the Braves as the Phillies lose the series, ending their road trip. Originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

ATLANTA – It was a tough assignment on paper, and Phillies rookie Michael Mercado got wrecked by the Braves in his second career start, allowing three home runs and five runs without ending the second inning.

Mercado loaded the bases with walks in the bottom of the first inning but got away with a lineout to shortstop. The second inning was much worse. Adam Duvall greeted Mercado with a home run to the second deck in left field, Orlando Arcia and Eli White hit singles to change the lineup, and Jarred Kelenic hit a three-run home run. Two batters later, Matt Olson moved Mercado to right-center field.

“I just couldn’t throw strikes, just couldn’t find the strike zone,” manager Rob Thomson said. “He has great awareness — I told him after he came out, these guys are hitting a lot of home runs against a lot of really good pitchers and he said, yeah, but I have to throw strikes. He understands that. For some reason he couldn’t find his release point. This is his first time throwing after four days off. We would have had a very short pitch count anyway.”

The rookie needed 57 pitches to get just five outs in the Phillies’ 6-0 loss. He’s poised to make one more start before the All-Star break – Saturday at home against the A’s – but it remains to be seen if he can do it.

“We’re going to discuss a few things,” Thomson said of the next turn in the rotation.

The Phillies have little depth in the starting lineup other than Mercado. Their fifth and sixth starters, Taijuan Walker and Spencer Turnbull, are on the injured list with a blister and a lat strain, respectively. Turnbull is out until mid- to late August. Walker is scheduled to throw a bullpen session at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday and could give live batting practice on Saturday. He will need several rehab appearances before he can return to the Phillies’ rotation, but could be back in late July or early August.

The Phils also have right-hander Tyler Phillips on the active roster, who started 15 games in Triple A with a 4.89 ERA. Phillips made his major league debut in the fifth inning on Sunday, striking out Olson, Marcell Ozuna and Travis d’Arnaud in succession in his first career inning. The 26-year-old struck out seven players in four innings and allowed one run on a solo home run by White.

Phillips was the only bright spot in the Phillies’ loss. They failed to allow an extra-base hit for the fifth time this season on Saturday and failed to allow a score for the third time on Sunday.

The Phils have Monday off before playing six home games before the All-Star break, playing the Dodgers Tuesday through Thursday and the Athletics Friday through Sunday. Kyle Schwarber and possibly Bryce Harper could be back on Tuesday, and the Phils’ faltering offense needs them.