GDT 8/23/22 Cincinnati Reds (Lodolo) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Suárez, R)

[LoneStarPhan]

Nick Maton comes through with a solid hit into right field.

Certainly some rough edges tonight, but the team comes through with enough to earn the walk off win. Hand gets the win after getting the blown save. Both the runs he gave up were unearned. Good to see the team come back to get the win for him.

Suarez and Lodolo battled through the scoreless first five innings before Ranger lost his edge in the sixth, giving up 3 runs, two on bases loaded walks. The Phillies answered the 3 runs with 4 in the bottom of the sixth.

Kudos to the bottom of the ninth heros: Segura with a lead off walk, Stott with the big hit high off the wall in right center, and Maton with the solid hit to win the game.

[andyb]

Alvarado not losing it was pretty important too. Only one of those hits against him was solid.

[schillingfan]

That was really fun to watch. Would have been a great game to be at. It’s so great to finally watch a team again that you have faith can come from behind.

[bkeich]

Wasn't mentioned, but Phil's win on a smart, heads up base running by Segura and Stott. The throw back into the infield on Stott's double was to no one, they both took off and got an extra base. Should be scored a throwing error.

Dusty sent them, which was very, very smart.

[zambonir]

Sosa still had a big hit today, back when they were being no-hit (and it resulted in a run). He's the back-up SS, it was a day off for the starter, and it turned out to not be his night (while also ironically working out great for Stott as PH). It happens. And it was on the anniversary of Bruntlett's triple play. Guys like Eric Bruntlett and Juan Castro and Wilson Valdez and Ronald Torreyes are, y' know, not good. But they still have their use, and their moments.

[LoneStarPhan]

Sosa was charged with an error that led to the unearned runs in the ninth, but had Hoskins' scooped the ball (it bounced off his glove), the out would have been made. Yes, there were some misplays, but overall encouraging to see the ream not quit and to come back after the Reds scored 3 in the sixth and to come back again after the Reds take the lead again in the ninth.

The Reds' centerfielder was charged with an error on the throw that allowed Segura to score and Stott to go to third. Heads up hustle tied the game and put the winning run on third with no outs.

[zambonir]

Vierling also did both the goat and hero thing tonight.

[andyb]

Baseball is a hard game....unless you are Bryce Harper against AAA pitchers.

[xogfog]

Great win, especially with the Padres and Brewers losing.

[DurhamBull]

Wasn't mentioned, but Phil's win on a smart, heads up base running by Segura and Stott. The throw back into the infield on Stott's double was to no one, they both took off and got an extra base. Should be scored a throwing error.

I agree, the attentive baserunning made a huge difference. When Segura was on a rehab assignment w/LHV I got to see him play in Durham, and he did the same thing in that game (took an extra base because he exploited an opportunity). He's smart.

[RolenRules]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I gotta say, Maton has had a number of clutch hits, both this year and last. I think the Phils should consider him as a low cost second base option next year as opposed to bringing back Segura.

[xogfog]

It depends on whether the Phillies sign a big time free agent shortstop, in which case Stott would play second.

[andyb]

That has been a question here for a while of whether or not you can cobble together a platoon of Maton and a right-handed hitter (now that would be Sosa) and get by with a 725 OPS with decent defense (both Maton and Sosa can play SS).

I think you do sign Turner still if you can. But if you can't do that maybe you spend the money on pitching and resigning some of your young players to long term deals while you can (Bohm, Stott, Suarez, Dominguez all could get longer deals this offseason while extending Nola is also on the table).

[Philsmania]

Taking a deeper dive at defensive numbers, if they signed Turner, I would rather he played second and Stott played short.

[julio]

The way the off-season is structured, the decision about whether to pick up Segura's option or not will have to come before the Phils know about Trea Turner (assuming they intend to pursue him); the deadline for exercising the option is the same day and time as the "quiet period" affecting free agents ends.

This means that, if the Phils choose not to pick up Segura's option, and pursue Turner, they need two solid plans for the middle infield — one that includes signing Turner, and one that doesn't leave them weakened (as compared to bringing Segura back) if they fail to sign Turner.

[zambonir]

IMO there is zero chance they pick up Segura's option, and probably not a big chance of them agreeing to tear it up and sign a new deal either. If he's back it will be because he comes back cheap later. The only "solid plan" they need besides Stott is, second base is not hard to fill (whether with a cheaper free agent or with the two guys they already have).

Sadly Scott Kingery is still not looking like a candidate.

[andyb]

I could see Segura wanting to come back for a bit less. He seems happy and does look like he is growing into more of a leadership role than in the past. And Maton as a left-handed bench bat would be ideal to pick up an increasing number of games for Segura as he ages. We hopefully get the DH rotation back too next year, so there might be 20-30 games with Bohm at DH.

[zambonir]

It's just so rare that the player comes back if the team doesn't honor the option. Herrera was a unique exception, given his off-field history and that his deal was cheaper than most minor league deals would have been (had the player made the team).

I would think you have to at least give him a second-year (or a new option/buyout) to start the conversation. If you pick up the option he also still has a no-trade clause/$1 million bonus (should July come and you don't need him or the team is struggling). But if you're interested in signing a SS (even if he moves to 2B) you don't even need to waste time on the process. And Turner is not the only one out there.

[julio]

And Turner is not the only one out there.

Turner and Swanson. Anybody else worth even considering?

[andyb]

Correa, Boegarts.