Phillies notes: Wheeler's performance in June, Kemp expectations moving forward originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The return of Bryce Harper to the Phillies lineup on Monday after missing 22 games was supposed to be the biggest story of the night heading into a three-game set against the San Diego Padres. But not long after the first baseman got his standing ovation in his first at-bat, the bigger talking point of the game turned towards the pitching of starter Zack Wheeler, who continued his dominance with eight scoreless inning, 10 strikeouts and no walks.
Wheeler continued to cement himself as one of the National League Cy Young favorites by improving to 8-3 with a 2.27 ERA. His month of June was off the charts good, as he allowed just two earned runs in 31 innings (0.58 ERA) along with 42 strikeouts.
He is the first pitcher since 1900 to allow two earned or fewer over 30 or more innings with 40-plus strikeouts in June.
A little lower down on the storylines of the evening was what Harper’s return meant to others, such as rookie Otto Kemp, who filled in more than admirably during Harper’s absence. He averaged .266 with a four-hit game thrown in against Toronto and his first home run in the Majors at Atlanta. He has moved around defensively with time spent in leftfield, third and first base.
“I’m going to take the same approach as what I’ve been doing,” Kemp said before Wednesday’s doubleheader. “Just try to be ready to play everyday and for me it’s about knowing ahead a little bit. We have a series coming up where we’re going to face a couple of lefties so I’ll probably get a little bit more time. So just kind of looking ahead that way and making sure I’m staying up to date in left. Up to date in the infield. Just making sure that I’m ready to go whenever I’m needed.”
Prior to being called up to the Phillies, Kemp made the decision not to get a feel what Citizen’s Bank Park was about before playing a game. It is a decision he certainly doesn’t regret. “‘I’m trying not to get used to much of anything, definitely not taking anything for granted,” he said. “I mean, there’s 45,000 people here almost every night. That’s cool. I’m glad I didn’t take in anything here before I was called up. All of the amenities that we get here are pretty cool, too.
“So far, I just tried to come up and do what I did that got me called up here. Try to catch on with a lot of the guys and learn different things. I know at some point I’ll have to make more adjustments the more I play, but right now it’s more of just do what I do, keep working on getting better in the infield and outfield with all the instruction I’m getting.”
How did Harper come out of his first game back?
Manager Rob Thomson said before Game 1 that Bryce Harper was doing well after his return on Monday with nothing major to report. “Don’t know yet (If Harper would play both games. He was starting Game 1). “He was ready to go yesterday and he’s ready to go today. We’ll just check him out after the (first) game today. We spoke about it yesterday and we’ll see where he’s at.”
Any updates on Nola?
When asked for an update on starter Aaron Nola, Thomson said, ” I think they are going to try and get him up on the slope today. Hopefully we get him up on the mound for a full bullpen session this week.” Asked if Nola would need a spring training-like rehab to get back, Thomson agreed. “I’d say pretty close. He’s starting over, really.”
Why keep Schwarber in the 2-spot?
Thomson said that he will keep Schwarber at the No. 2 spot for now. “I want to do whatever I can to get him some more strikes,” with Harper providing the protection Thomson wants to see for the Phillies best home run hitter.
