Notes From The Phillies’ 5-4 Loss To Arizona

The Philadelphia Phillies lost their third straight game on Sunday afternoon, falling to the Diamondbacks 5-4. Their record drops to 22-46.

On The Mound

• Ben Lively got hit around for three runs in the first inning, but settled down afterwards, firing five scoreless to finish his afternoon.
• Lively gave up eight hits and a walk, allowing two homers in the first inning.
• Pat Neshek came out in the seventh inning and protected the one-run lead with a scoreless frame.
• Joaquin Benoit got the team through the eighth.
• Hector Neris blew the save in the ninth, giving up a leadoff walk and two hits to tie the game.
• Jeanmar Gomez gave up a solo shot in the 10th and took the loss.

At The Plate

• The offense managed four runs on 11 hits.
• Aaron Altherr produced two of the team’s runs, hitting a solo homer in the first and driving in a run with a groundout.
• Maikel Franco went 1-2 with a solo home run, and worked two walks.
• Ty Kelly produced a go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth with a pinch-hit double.
• Odubel Herrera went 2-5 with a couple of singles.
• Howie Kendrick went 2-5 with two singles.
• Tommy Joseph went 1-4 with a single and a walk.
• Daniel Nava started in left, and went 0-4 with a walk.
• Cameron Rupp caught the game, and went 0-4 with a walk.
• Freddy Galvis went 2-5 with a couple of singles.

Final Thoughts

Is Hector Neris good enough to be this team’s closer in the long run?

Neris has been up and down in the ninth inning since being given the role several weeks into the season. Neris has converted six of eight save opportunities, but he’s been very shaky even in the ones he has converted, giving up walks and hits.

It could just that Neris is a young pitcher still working his way into the role. Remember that it took Ryan Madson several years to become comfortable in the closer spot. Madson lost the role several times, but with time and experience, eventually was able to figure things out. Perhaps Neris will eventually do the same.