Bullpen joining in on the fun for red-hot Phillies originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
CINCINNATI — With proven bats littered throughout the lineup and a starting pitching staff that has been among the best in baseball, it’s a real good sign that the Phillies’ bullpen has been more than pulling its weight lately.
It has heavily contributed to a run that has seen the Phillies win five of their last six series and seven of their last eight games heading into Tuesday’s contest with the Cincinnati Reds.
After the Phillies got three scoreless innings from the bullpen in Monday’s 4-1 win over the Reds, the relievers have allowed just one earned run in the past 23 2/3 innings for a 0.38 ERA.
No question the addition of closer Jhoan Duran has been a boost to a group that has had its struggles this year, but that alone can’t be the reason for the good showings of late.
Jordan Romano’s difficulties this year have been numerous, as he’ll be the first to tell you, but he’s gone eight of his last nine outings without giving up a run or a hit. He picked up the win Monday with a perfect seventh inning.
“During the course of the year, every facet of the team goes through ebbs and flows,” Romano said. “I think we’re just kind of flowing right now, everyone is doing their job. Duran has been a huge addition, having that guy in the ninth to lock it down and then everybody just kind of trickles from there, has been a huge help. Everyone just kind of going well right now.”
So well that the team has upped its lead over the Mets to six games and is still looking to get some pitching reinforcements with Jose Alvarado expected to join the bullpen next week after serving his 80-game suspension and starter Aaron Nola perhaps also being back as soon as next week.
“I see a lot of good arms and a lot of guys that don’t have any fear to go in there,” David Robertson, who joined the team on Sunday and made his debut Monday, said. “I’ve only been here two days and so far I feel like I’ve walked in here with open arms and these guys are doing their thing. I’m just so happy to join them and be a part of this ‘pen.”
It’s a good group to be a part of right now.
“I think we’re still getting the good pitching and with the Duran and Robertson additions now we’ve got a lot of length, options in the bullpen,” Rob Thomson said. “We’re getting some timely hitting right now and everybody is contributing. A good little run here.”
Health updates
After throwing on flat surface for a bit Tuesday, hours before the game, Zack Wheeler wandered to the side of the field by himself, in front of the Phillies’ dugout, and worked on his windup. He didn’t throw the ball as it appeared he was more looking at his footwork leading up to going into the windup.
Wheeler has been dealing with shoulder soreness for the past few weeks and his start on Sunday in Texas saw a dip in his velocity on all his pitches. After the game, in which Wheeler went five innings and threw 83 pitches, both he and Thomson said all was good, that there was nothing major to worry about.
Monday, Thomson said Wheeler felt great and is on schedule for his next start, which is scheduled for Friday in Washington. He reiterated that on Tuesday, saying that Wheeler will throw a bullpen Wednesday, then be good to go.
Nola was scheduled to start Tuesday for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and if all goes well he may be back to Philadelphia very shortly.
“We’re still talking about that one,” Thomson said. “We’re going to wait until he gets through this, talk to him tomorrow, see where he’s at, see where Ranger (Suarez) is at after tonight’s game.”
Thomson said Nola’s limit was 85 pitches.
The reference to Suarez could be a hint that, if Nola is good enough to come up to the big club, Thomson is leaning toward using a six-man rotation at points down the stretch. Suarez has had a dip in velocity his past few outings. Over his last five starts, he’s allowed 18 earned runs in 30 innings (5.40 ERA).
Friday is decision day for the Phillies and third baseman Alec Bohm. Thomson said Bohm will flip-flop between third and designated hitter in Lehigh Valley this week before a decision is made with him.
Matthew Pouliot
