OAKLAND, Calif. — The Phillies stumbled once again on their final road trip of the season and have lost five of their last six overall after Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Athletics.
Starting pitcher David Buchanan (6-8) lost for the first time since Aug. 17. Buchanan gave up three runs, all in the second inning, and the Phillies never recovered despite numerous opportunities.
The series continues Saturday.
Starting pitching report
Buchanan needed only eight pitches to get through the first inning before the wheels fell off in the second when he gave up three consecutive two-out RBI singles.
The Phillies’ right-hander was solid after that, allowing six hits over 6 2/3 innings while matching his season high of six strikeouts. Buchanan also extended his impressive run of 15 straight starts of allowing three earned runs or fewer, the longest streak by a Phillies rookie since 1986.
Jon Lester (16-10) struck out seven in seven innings for Oakland and lowered his ERA to 2.41.
MLB
Bullpen report
Antonio Bastardo replaced Buchanan and issued his career-high 33rd walk to load the bases in the seventh before Justin De Fratus got Josh Donaldson to pop out. Jake Diekman walked two and gave up an infield hit in the eighth but struck out Jonny Gomes to end the inning.
Oakland lefty Luke Gregerson pitched a scoreless eighth after giving up a leadoff double to Freddy Galvis. Sean Doolittle worked the ninth for his 22nd save.
At the plate
The Phillies failed to score after putting two runners on with one out in the first inning. Lester struck out leadoff hitter Ben Revere after a 10-pitch battle then later fanned Ryan Howard and Marlon Byrd.
Howard got the best of Lester the next time around, hitting a solo home run to center field. It was Howard’s 22nd homer of the season and first off Lester in 10 career at-bats.
Darin Ruf hit a two-out double in the seventh. Of Ruf’s 94 hits in the majors, 40 have gone for extra bases.
Coco Crisp had two hits and an RBI for Oakland.
In the field
Third baseman Maikel Franco made a stellar defensive play in the first inning when he chased down Donaldson’s hard grounder and threw to first base for the out. Franco’s momentum carried him into foul territory and he made the throw while still on the run.
Franco also made a nice play to throw out Jed Lowrie at home on a safety squeeze in the seventh.
Injury update
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is getting closer to returning to the lineup. Sidelined since Sept. 8 with a strained left hamstring, Rollins did some light jogging Thursday but has yet to do full sprints.
“That will be the last test and we’ll see how he rebounds from that,” Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said.
Up next
RHP Jerome Williams (3-2, 2.84) pitches Saturday afternoon and will oppose Oakland LHP Drew Pomeranz (5-4, 2.53). Williams, who spent one year in the A’s minors system, has beaten Oakland twice this season ... once while with Houston and again with Texas.