Missed opportunities finally catch up with Phillies in Game 3 loss to Diamondbacks

The Philadelphia Phillies hot bats have been one of the big stories of the MLB postseason. However, their offense let them down in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, highlighting a slightly disturbing trend. 

In the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2-1 walk-off win on Wednesday, the Phillies didn't have a ton of scoring opportunities. Still, they came up small when they did, finishing 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. For a team that's lit up the scoreboard with mammoth home runs, you'd think that number would be an aberration, but it isn't. 

Going back to the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies are only 14-for-53 with RISP. Meanwhile, taking away a 5-for-7 effort in Game 2's 10-0 shutout of the Diamondbacks and the Phillies are 2-for-14 at the plate against Arizona with runners at second or third. 

The Phillies' lone run in Game 3 came in the seventh inning, and while they managed to get on the scoreboard, they could've come away with much more. After first baseman Bryce Harper and third baseman Alec Bohm reached base safely to start the inning, the momentum swung when shortstop Bryson Stott immediately grounded into a double play. If not for a wild pitch by reliever Andrew Saalfrank, the Phillies' vaunted offense likely posts a goose egg.

For 5.1 innings, Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez kept the Diamondbacks at bay, allowing three hits and no earned runs while striking out seven. Yet, the Phillies' lack of offense let Arizona hang around, and after the Diamondbacks tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, second baseman Ketel Marte ended things in the ninth by smashing a game-winning single with the bases loaded. 

It's only one game, and the Phillies offense has proven it can produce plenty of runs without runners on base. However, leaning too much on the long ball can eventually catch up to you. 

What happens when the bats go cold, and you can't rely on scoring runs by traditional methods? The Phillies hope they don't have to find out and their bats return to life in time for Game 4.