ST. LOUIS – When an offense succeeds, it’s typically not because of the nine-hole hitter.

ST. LOUIS — The Phillies had their ace on the mound in search of a series win that would have sent them back home with a .500 road trip, but the lineup was lifeless again and Zack Wheeler’s command was off in the middle innings of a 7-0 loss.

ST. LOUIS – When Rob Thomson decided this weekend to protect Bryce Harper with Kyle Schwarber, the natural next question became, who protects Schwarber?

ST. LOUIS — Alec Bohm came to the plate against Andre Pallante in the top of the seventh inning Friday night looking to do anything to spark the Phillies’ offense and break himself out of a two-week funk.

ST. LOUIS — Coming off a marathon rain delay in Thursday’s extra-inning loss in Atlanta, the Phillies arrived at their hotel in St. Louis at quarter to 4 a.m. Friday and the fatigue showed in their weakest offensive performance of the young season, a 2-0 loss to the Cardinals.

ST. LOUIS — Just over 1,000 miles southeast of the Phillies’ series opener against the Cardinals Friday night, their top pitching prospect made his long-awaited return to the mound in a minor-league game.

ST. LOUIS — The 8-4 Phillies made a significant change to their lineup to begin a weekend series with the Cardinals, moving Bryson Stott up to the leadoff spot and Kyle Schwarber to cleanup, behind Bryce Harper.