Phillies Notebook: Loss to lowly O’s doesn’t faze patient, positive Joe

PHILADELPHIA — As they often have in their strange season, the Phillies gave Joe Girardi one more opportunity Monday to declare his patience exhausted.

Facing the worst team in baseball, sputtering to keep the top of the NL East tight and coming off a loss in New York to the Mets, the Phillies would unload four hits, none for extra bases, and fall, 2-0, to the Baltimore Orioles.

Girardi, though, stayed in character.

“It’s not the way you want to start the homestand, but it doesn’t tell the whole story,” he said. “You’ve got to turn it around tomorrow, and let’s see what happens the rest of the week.”

The Phillies were tormented by gifted John Means, who kept them off balance with a changeup while mixing in plenty of heat. Even if they basically remain obligated to take two of three from the 48-102 O’s, the collision with Means was destined to challenge.

Less explainable in the context of the season was how the Phillies continue to sputter against weak opponents.

“I’m a positive guy,” Girardi said beforehand. “We need to go out and play well. We’re facing a really tough pitcher over there. You just have to do whatever it takes to win every day. Don’t worry about what’s happened up to this point and just take care of business tonight and worry about tomorrow tomorrow.”

The Phils are 0-1 on their final homestand, a seven-game opportunity against the Orioles and Pirates, deep in last place in the NL Central.

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Despite a rickety beginning, when he allowed four hits and two runs in the first inning, Ranger Suarez provided a solid start, lasting six innings and not allowing another run.

Suarez has not permitted more than three runs in any of his 10 starts, a stretch matched only by Zack Wheeler, Curt Schilling and Tommy Greene among Phillies since 1893, when the current mound distance was established.

“The location of my pitches wasn’t there in the first inning,” Suarez said. “But after that, I continued to do what I usually do, which is to attack hitters. I was able to keep the score the way it was and give us a chance win. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the result we wanted. But we’ll be back tomorrow.”

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Matt Vierling started at first base and went 1-for-3. The rookie is batting .341 and has 15 hits in 46 scattered major-league plate appearances, including five over his last five games.

The right-handed hitter had 23 home runs over three minor-league seasons, but had yet to show any big-league clout.

“I think there’s a lot of power in there that will come over time,” Girardi said “I think it’s a young kid and a lot of times that’s the last thing that comes. He’s done a very good job against left-handers. He had a start against a right-hander the other night and did a very good job. I love his athleticism and his ability to play anywhere, in a sense. His ability to play first and all over the outfield has been big for us. I’m very pleased with what he’s done.”

The fifth-round, 2016 draft selection out of Notre Dame still projects as an outfielder.

“He probably profiles a little bit better as left than right,” Girardi said. “But he can play center. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

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Infielder Bryson Scott, who is being mentored by Bryce Harper, was presented with the Paul Owens Award Monday as the Phillies’ Minor League Player of the Year.

Jean Cabrera, 19, was given an Owens Award as the Phillies’ top pitching prospect.

Stott hit .299 with 15 home runs for Class A Jersey Shore and Class AA Reading this season. Projected as a shortstop, he was asked to play some at second and third while the Phillies keep their future infield options open.

Stott hopes to land a major-league job by next season.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I just want to keep having fun, keep swinging and playing defense. Obviously, you’ve got to hit and play defense to move. They’re not going to move you because they want to move you. You’ve got to earn it.”

Cabrera struck out 58 in 48.2 innings in the Dominican Summer League.

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NOTES >> Luke Williams was reactivated from the Covid IL and Mickey Moniak was sent to Lehigh Valley. … Right-handed pitcher Tyler Phillips was designated for assignment. … The series continues Tuesday at 7:05, with both teams plotting bullpen games. … With a walk Monday, Harper has reached base safely in 28 of his last 29 games.