Have the Phillies finally found some offensive consistency? It will take more than two games but they appear to be heading in the right direction. After their 3-1 start, the team was 3-9 over the next 12 games. In that stretch, they scored 45 runs, 23 of them in the three games they won. That means they plated 22 runs in those nine losses or 2.4 runs per game.
After an 8-2 win in the series opener with the Colorado Rockies, who took two of three from the Phils last week in Denver, Joe Girardi’s team poured it on winning the second game of the series 10-3 at Citizens Bank Park.
To the Action
It was the Rockies’ misplays that got the Phillies started after an error put runners on second and third, and Didi Gregorius knocked in Kyle Schwarber with an infield single. Alec Bohm moved to third and Gregorius to second on a ground out by Odúbel Herrera. From there they scored on a wild pitch by Rockies starter Germán Márquez. Bohm made it easily but Gregorius was safe when Colorado catcher Dom Nuñez tossed the ball haphazardly toward the plate and his pitcher.
“We took advantage of the situation early on,” said Girardi, “and got the three runs. We were able to tack on which I thought was really important.”
In the fourth, the Phils sent eight men to the dish, J.T. Realmuto started it with a single, he stole second and scored on Bohm’s hit to right. Gregorius forced Bohm but would come home on Herrera’s double. Jean Segura knocked in Herrera and would score himself on a two-base hit by Rhys Hoskins. Timely hitting has been an issue for this team but the final three runs of the fourth all came with two outs.
Three more runs came in the sixth, Herrera hit a two-run homer and Bryce Harper, who is still the DH because of his elbow, doubled and scored.
“When your nine-hole [hitter] is hitting doubles to the gap and hitting homers,” said Harper referring to Herrera, “that’s a good night.”
Eflin Benefits From Offensive Display
Zach Eflin was the beneficiary of the offensive display but he was very good himself. His only blemish was a sixth-inning solo home run by Charlie Blackmon, who would add another solo shot in the eighth.
“Everything was playing off the heater,” said Eflin, who pitched six innings, and allowed the one run on two hits with one walk. He struck out three and his second-inning punch out of Ryan McMahon gave him 500 for his career. “I really stressed – in the bullpen, a couple of days ago – low-and-away heaters to a righty because everything flows off of that. That’s when my mechanics are the best when I’m sticking those pitches.”
“Everything!” exclaimed Girardi when asked what he liked about Eflin’s performance. “His fastball had life, his cutter was well placed, his slider was good, his changeup, his curveball. Everything was working”
Have the Phillies finally found some offensive consistency? I guess time will tell. Game three of the series is Wednesday night at 6:45.
Rock Hoffman has been covering sports in the Philadelphia region for over 30 years. He’s been the co-host of a radio show – SportsPage – on the Delaware Valley Radio Network (WRDV.org) in the time. He’s reported on games involving all the Philadelphia teams at the profession and collegiate levels. During his career he’s provided coverage for a Super Bowl, an All-Star Game, NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games as well NFL, MLB and NHL playoff games. Additionally, he’s the College Football Editor for Football Stories Magazine (FootballStories.com).
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