Phillies manager Rob Thomson made a bold lineup change prior to Friday’s game.
He moved Bryson Stott to the leadoff spot and batted Kyle Schwarber cleanup behind Bryce Harper. The thinking behind it is to better protect Harper, who was intentionally walked twice in Thursday’s loss to the Atlanta Braves.
It did not lead to a better result. The Phillies (8-5) managed only three hits and were shut out for the first time this season in a 2-0 loss to the Cardinals (6-7) in St. Louis. They have scored three runs in their last 22 innings.