The Phillies have seen former teammate Mick Abel pitch numerous times, from his stay in their minor league system to the seven starts for the big-league club this season. They are very familiar with what kind of a pitcher he is. They had not, however, faced the righthander themselves.

And as the old adage in baseball says, it’s always tough facing a pitcher for the first time. That held true on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

Abel, part of the package that brought the Phillies Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline, allowed just three hits and a walk in his six innings and struck out a career-high tying nine in picking up his third career win as the Twins downed the Phillies, 5-0. It was the eleventh time the Phillies have been shut out this season, the first time at home.

Abel’s mastery was a bit surprising as he had given up 22 earned runs in his last five starts encompassing 17 2/3 innings. That’s an 11.21 ERA. Still, the Phillies didn’t come close to solving him.

Phillies starter Ranger Suárez got hit hard most of the misty night, as he allowed nine hits–including two home runs–and three earned runs in his 4 1/3 innings.

The most damaging hit came to Suárez’s left inner thigh off the bat of Ryan Jeffers in the fifth inning. Jeffers hit a screamer back to the mound that hit Suarez inches away where it could have been much more serious. The lefthander was replaced by Max Lazar due to a contusion that will be evaluated. Suarez left the mound with a “that was close” type of smile.

It wasn’t the best outing for Suárez, in fact, it couldn’t have gone much worse as the Twins were on top of just about everything he offered in his last start before the playoffs begin next weekend. Suarez did throw 57 of his 84 pitches for strikes and didn’t walk anyone, if you’re looking for a silver lining.

The Phillies eliminated themselves for a chance at the top seed in the National League with the loss. That spot will now go to the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Phillies will play the winner of the Wild Card Series between the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds beginning Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

Byron Buxton opened the game with a solo home run to start the scoring for the Twins. It was his 10th leadoff home run of the season. James Outman and Ryan Fitzgerald also went yard for Minnesota.

The series and regular season will conclude tomorrow when Cristopher Sánchez opposes Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson.

Other notes

Trea Turner will make his return at shortstop Sunday in the final game of the season, Rob Thomson said after the game Saturday night.

Outfielder Max Kepler was back with the team after an illness kept him away on Friday. He did not play.

The Phillies have seen former teammate Mick Abel pitch numerous times, from his stay in their minor league system to the seven starts for the big-league club this season. They are very familiar with what kind of a pitcher he is. They had not, however, faced the righthander themselves.

And as the old adage in baseball says, it’s always tough facing a pitcher for the first time. That held true on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

Abel, part of the package that brought the Phillies Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline, allowed just three hits and a walk in his six innings and struck out a career-high tying nine in picking up his third career win as the Twins downed the Phillies, 5-0. It was the eleventh time the Phillies have been shut out this season, the first time at home.

Abel’s mastery was a bit surprising as he had given up 22 earned runs in his last five starts encompassing 17 2/3 innings. That’s an 11.21 ERA. Still, the Phillies didn’t come close to solving him.

Phillies starter Ranger Suárez got hit hard most of the misty night, as he allowed nine hits–including two home runs–and three earned runs in his 4 1/3 innings.

The most damaging hit came to Suárez’s left inner thigh off the bat of Ryan Jeffers in the fifth inning. Jeffers hit a screamer back to the mound that hit Suarez inches away where it could have been much more serious. The lefthander was replaced by Max Lazar due to a contusion that will be evaluated. Suarez left the mound with a “that was close” type of smile.

It wasn’t the best outing for Suárez, in fact, it couldn’t have gone much worse as the Twins were on top of just about everything he offered in his last start before the playoffs begin next weekend. Suarez did throw 57 of his 84 pitches for strikes and didn’t walk anyone, if you’re looking for a silver lining.

The Phillies eliminated themselves for a chance at the top seed in the National League with the loss. That spot will now go to the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Phillies will play the winner of the Wild Card Series between the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds beginning Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

Byron Buxton opened the game with a solo home run to start the scoring for the Twins. It was his 10th leadoff home run of the season. James Outman and Ryan Fitzgerald also went yard for Minnesota.

The series and regular season will conclude tomorrow when Cristopher Sánchez opposes Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson.

Other notes

Trea Turner will make his return at shortstop Sunday in the final game of the season, Rob Thomson said after the game Saturday night.

Outfielder Max Kepler was back with the team after an illness kept him away on Friday. He did not play.