Veteran righty Jeremy Hellickson (10-9, 3.90 ERA), whom the Phillies chose to hang onto at the trade deadline, meets Cole Monday night. On the play, Ryan Howard bounced a grounder to the first baseman Bell, who fired it to second.
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“I know he’s not pleased with the result, and with the preparation he put into tonight, it’s understandable”, manager Clint Hurdle said. On Monday, the two 23 year olds became the first pair of Phillies to record their first Major League Baseball hits in the same game since April 25, 2008 (Chad Durbin and Brad Harman). Time will tell if this season is an aberration along the path for one of the game’s previously most menacing clubs, but with 2016 on the verge of being an official lost cause, one can only look back and see the many potholes that caused for their sudden fall from prominence. The faster they are, the more chance they have at creating a run. The Phillies are batting him second. Since September has hit, their home woes have continued, dropping five straight to the Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, and more recently losing three of four at PNC to the Cincinnati Reds.
The Phillies have always been out of the playoff picture and like so many teams playing out the string are looking for any kind of positive to end the season.
As the team searches for increased run production, consistent improvement from the top of the lineup is a priority. “Andrews might have some miracle cure down there … but I think all odds are pointing toward surgery at this point”. “So it’s nothing different”.
“Being at home in Philly, and being drafted here is an incredible feeling”, he said. But the starters have been hung out to dry lately. After a groundout to start the inning, Asher issued back-to-back walks and was removed after throwing his 95th pitch.
A Ray Searage mound visit ended up not making much of a difference, and Cole followed the meeting walking Cesar Hernandez and then allowed a double to Roman Quinn which scored two runs.
Quinn even threw out a runner at the plate in the ninth to snuff a Pirates’ rally. It was the hardest recorded throw by a Phillies outfielder this season.
Things didn’t go well for Cole in his recent outing, as he tried to return from brief rest. “He’s an aggressive hitter”.
Mackanin said rookies like Quinn can’t establish themselves as everyday players in this short period, but they can make a “really good first impression”.
Could he roam the outfield on opening day next season? The last few days have been so insane Quinn said he hasn’t had a chance to soak in the experience. “There was a reason we brought him here in the first place”. He had a solid year.
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“It always feels good to get that first (hit) out of the way”, Quinn said. Instead, both players will be shut down.
