Make it eight straight losses for the Phillies.

The Rockies got on the Phils early with three runs in the first two innings en route to a 5-3 win and completing the second consecutive sweep of the Phillies. It was also loss No. 81 for the Phils, which means they’ll have to sweep the Braves to finish .500. I don’t think that happens.

The season concludes this weekend with the Atlanta Braves coming to town. Jerad Eickhoff will make his season debut tonight at 7:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Aaron Nola and Ranger Suarez will wrap up the season.

Rhys Hoskins is ready to go get some top free agents. And they’ll be needed if the team wants to make a playoff run.

“First and foremost, I would focus on what’s inside this clubhouse,” said Hoskins, who shares agent Scott Boras with Nationals superstar Bryce Harper. “I think there’s a lot of talent. I’ve always thought that, I’ve always said that. We’re young, but I think you can see the improvement from last year to this year. I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that’s going to change next year. It’s not going to happen again next year.

“Second, if you’re a free agent, you have some experience. You’ve got at least six years in the league. I think if that guy likes the opportunity to take on some sort of leadership role as a veteran presence in a young clubhouse, I think that’s something that could be exciting to someone. And as an athlete, if you get a chance to be a part of a turnaround from where this organization has been the past couple years and have a chance to do something pretty exciting for a good period of time, I think that’s pretty attractive myself.”

Free agents might ask questions about Kapler, who will return in 2019. Kapler had a rocky rookie season. He seemed to be on his way to losing the clubhouse the first week of the season only to recover and become a National League Manager of the Year Award candidate through early August. But since then he has been criticized and often blamed for the Phillies’ historic fall.

“It’s different,” Hoskins said about life with Kapler. “I’m not going to lie to you and say it’s not different. It’s very unique. He’s unlike any other manager I’ve ever been around. But there are things that happen here with him specifically and our staff that you’re not going to get elsewhere. It’s just the way he is. It’s different. It’s kind of hard to put into details, but he’s had our back all year.

“It’s unique.”

One thing that’s unique is Kapler’s anonymous survey.

On a non-team note, McFadden’s will become a Shake Shack come 2019, according to one report.

The Roundup:

The Eagles are still getting ready for Sunday’s road game in Nashville against the Titans. They’ll do so without Rodney McLeod, and probably for the rest of the year. His injury last week was reportedly a torn MCL. One option that would’ve been nice, Eric Reid, signed with the Panthers yesterday.

Perhaps Rasul Douglas, a cornerback, could move to safety?

As for the injury report, Alshon Jeffery missed practice but don’t worry, it was just due to an illness. Jay Ajayi did return to practice and was a full participant. Ajayi also said he has a fracture in his back, but will play through it.

“It’s a pain tolerance thing at the end of the day,” Ajayi said. “You just got to be able to tolerate the pain and do things to protect it basically.”

As for the opponent, the Titans released Rishard Matthews yesterday. Should the Eagles get the wide receiver?

Malcolm Jenkins will receive a key to the city of Camden.

We have hockey back already, more on that after this, but preseason basketball begins tonight as the Sixers host Melbourne United tonight at 7 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia +. They got ready yesterday with another practice session in Camden.

Zhaire Smith also went through a thoracoscopy yesterday due to an allergic reaction to food:

With Jimmy Butler still on the market, the Sixers did inquire about a potential deal but backed off. That was probably because the Wolves asked for Ben Simmons.

Joel Embiid also loves Ed Sheeran:

The Flyers had a slow start en route to a 4-2 loss to the Rangers last night in preseason play. Carter Hart went the distance and stopped 14 of 17 shots that were mainly in the second and third periods.

The preseason finale is Saturday in Boston against the Bruins. The regular season begins Thursday in Las Vegas.

In other sports news, the Rams held off the Vikings 38-31 in a Thursday Night game that was actually good!

The Ryder Cup has begun with the US taking an early morning lead.

NBC Sports Philadelphia is launching a “Philly Pass” for their studio shows and programs. No games.

The NBA is also allowing fans to purchase the 4th quarter of games for $1.99.

RIP The Meat Locker.

In the news, the Ford and Kavanaugh testimonies caught everyone’s attention yesterday.

The SEC has sued Elon Musk.