I watched the first few innings and then had to go out. I periodically checked my phone to try to keep updated on the game. I missed a good deal of the action.
Great to see the Phillies win today and win the series, 2 games to one. Yet somehow I have some of the joy of the win taken away by the ninth inning performance from Neris. I was hoping he had gotten back on track to at least be a solid set up man if not the closer.
The offensive production, especially from the 3-4-5 slots, was great to see. Herrera just shows us today why he ends up with very good production by the end of the season. He looks awful for awhile and then has days like today. Franco also was very productive with the 4 RBIs. Santana only had one hit (1 for 2) but had 3 walks. His OPS is .775 and continues to rise.
I wonder how we would have felt if the game had gotten tied in the ninth and gone to extra innings. Kapler had removed two of the players who were having a good day at the plate during the game. Franco left as part of the double switch when Dominguez came in to pitch. Williams (1 for 2 with 2 RBIs) was lifted for a pinch hitter, Altherr, who K'd for Williams in the 7th and ended up going 0 for 2 in the game. Was that a smart move when you have a 4 man bench? Especially since Williams is hitting .229 vs. LHP and Altherr .161 vs. LHP. Altherr does have a better OPS vs. LHP than Williams, but for this season so far, Altherr is hitting better vs. RHP than he is vs. LHP. This is probably a small sample anomaly but I think I let Williams bat in the 7th. The Phillies had no bench players left when the game ended.
Good to see Kingery come in and go 2 for 2.
I don't know what to expect regarding Neris. He almost blew a 5 run lead in the 9th. I am also wondering if they would not be better off using Dominguez for only one inning per game for awhile if they plan to use him as often as they have so far.
Regardless, another win to run the record to 37-32. back to 5 over .500
Back home for 3 against the Cardinals, then on the road to DC for 3 with the Nationals, and then home for 9 games through the 4th of July (3 with NYY, 4 with Nationals, 2 with Orioles). Another good test for the young Phillies and may well influence the way the GM heads in July leading up to the trade deadline.
