Is it 2021 again?
The bullpen seems to think it is. David Robertson blew his seventh save of the year on Thursday night against the Miami Marlins, and he had some help from a Rhys Hoskins’ error. The Marlins scored three runs in the ninth inning to give them a 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. It was an ugly loss, one that put the Phillies’ weaknesses on full display as the season approaches its stretch run. Is it time to panic yet? —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
Pitching performances:
PHI Kyle Gibson: 5.0 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, BB, 2 K
MIA Sandy Alcantara: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 7 K
Standout bats:
PHI Nick Maton: 1-for-2, HR, RBI
PHI Alec Bohm: 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI
MIA Garrett Cooper: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI
MIA Joey Wendle: 2-for-5, RBI
MORE: Are the Phillies in the midst of another September collapse? —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies
Eflin, Domínguez taking major steps toward big league return
With all of the pitching issues plaguing the Phillies recently, it is very welcome news that both Seranthony Domínguez and Zach Eflin are nearing a return. Each will make an important step in his rehab this week.
Domínguez was lights out for the Phillies this season before hitting the IL in mid-August. Domínguez touched 98-100 mph in a rehab appearance with Lehigh Valley on Thursday. He could be activated on Saturday.
Eflin has begun to work his way towards a return, and he will start on Friday for Lehigh Valley.
If Eflin does return before season's end, he will provide the Phillies with some much needed length out of the bullpen, or perhaps even the rotation. —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Report: MLB Votes to implement shocking new rules in 2023 —Kade Kistner, Inside the Phillies
Phils look to bring the #Natitude
The Washington Nationals are coming to town for a three-game series! The Phillies have played tremendously against the Nats in 2022, with a 10-2 record when facing them. It’s a perfect time for Washington to visit South Philadelphia as the Phillies look to awaken their offense and return to form. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
Game 1:
PHI starter: Noah Syndergaard (8-9, 4.07 ERA)
WSH starter: Patrick Corbin (6-17, 6.28 ERA)
First pitch: September 9, 7:05 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 2:
PHI starter: Ranger Suárez (8-5, 3.52 ERA)
WSH starter: Erick Fedde (6-9, 5.08 ERA)
First pitch: September 10, 6:05 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
Game 3:
PHI starter: Aaron Nola (9-11, 3.35 ERA)
WSH starter: Aníbal Sánchez (2-5, 4.56 ERA)
First pitch: September 11, 1:05 p.m. EST
NBCSP/94.1 WIP
MORE: Phillies franchise icon Jimmy Rollins describes disrespectful treatment by Ryne Sandberg —Leo Morgenstern, Inside the Phillies
Gibson named Phillies’ Roberto Clemente Award nominee
The Phillies announced on Thursday that right-hander Kyle Gibson is their nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente award.
Through his many philanthropic endeavors like the #ALLWIN initiative, his charity fantasy football league, and more, Gibson has made a major difference in the Phillies community, as well as the city of Philadelphia.
All told, Gibson has raised more than $108,000 for charity in the mere year-and-a-half that he's donned red pinstripes, per MLB.
Not only has he served as a leader in the clubhouse, but he has done so in the community as well in leading by example. This well-deserved honor is a more-than earned one for the MLB veteran. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
MORE: First Lady Jill Biden to visit Citizens Bank Park Friday —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
Plassmeyer wins International League Pitcher of the Month
The Phillies have had headline after headline of pitching prospects leading the charge in their farm system: Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, Griff McGarry, the list goes on.
Michael Plassmeyer wasn't held in that same light when the Phillies acquired him from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor league catcher Austin Wynns. Yet, here we are three months later, and Plassmeyer is stacking accolades left and right. The 25-year-old took home International League Pitcher of the Month on Thursday, the team announced, after posting a spectacular 1.17 ERA in the month of August. He struck out 28 in that span, holding opponents to a .175 average.
Plassmeyer followed up the honor with another fabulous effort in game one of Lehigh Valley's doubleheader against the Worcester Red Sox. He tossed six innings of one-run ball, striking out seven and, in true Plassmeyer fashion, walking none.
Triple-A: Long Ball Hall strikes again, this time with Lehigh Valley
The turn of the calendar has left many a Phillies fan asking: “where is Long Ball Hall?” The truth of the matter is, the slugger has been struggling a bit at the Triple-A level since his demotion. The Phillies are likely going to let him hit out of his slump prior to returning to the big league club. Then again, Hall may be doing just that. The 27-year-old mashed a no-doubter on Thursday, and is now 5-for-his-last-14. His three-run shot lifted the IronPigs over the Red Sox in game one of their doubleheader on Thursday.
Double-A: A season-long game of hot and cold for Jhailyn Ortiz
2022 has been a funny year for Jhailyn Ortiz. The 23-year-old outfielder has suffered from a supreme case of the on-and-offs this season, alternating between one absurdly great month to one absurdly dreadful one. In August, Ortiz was terrible once again, posting a .671 OPS, and then came September, his worst month of the season, where Ortiz has only managed a .586 OPS. There is still time however, as Ortiz managed two hits on Thursday, raising his season OPS to a respectable .748. Still, the former big-money signee is going to need to find some consistency if he wants to have any hope of remaining in the Phillies' future plans.
High-A: Glogoski carves up Aberdeen in stellar start
One name that doesn't get tossed around quite as much is that of Kyle Glogoski, who spun an under-the-radar, seven-inning masterpiece against the Aberdeen IronBirds on Thursday. He allowed just two hits, walked none, and struck out five. Glogoski boasts a 2.78 ERA across 68 frames of work this season, alongside 80 strikeouts. He's been tough to hit too, holding opponents to a .224 average against. —Alex Carr, Inside the Phillies
MORE: Mick Abel named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
Opinion: Can the Phillies keep Robertson primed for the postseason?
With closer Corey Knebel out for the season and the rotation down their best starter in Zack Wheeler, there's only so much Thomson can do to make up those innings, but overworking 37-year-old David Robertson should not be one of them.
The 14-year MLB veteran has looked fatigued in recent appearances, with the velocity on his fastball dropping to 90-92 in his outing on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. It also marked Robertson's 49th game of 2022, his most since 2018. To say that the Phillies need Seranthony back is an understatement.
In six games since Domínguez's injury, Robertson has tossed 7.1 innings to the tune of a 4.91 ERA, issuing five walks and fanning 10 batters. He's thrown 146 pitches to 34 batters during that span. Prior to Domínguez's injury, however, the Alabama native walked just one batter to his seven strikeouts, pitched to a 1.28 ERA, and threw 90 pitches in six appearances.
In the meantime, Thomson must try his best to manage Robertson's workload and keep him rested up for some big appearances down the stretch, and hopefully, deep into October. —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies
MORE: The Phillies' lineup order is hurting them —Lauren Amour, Inside the Phillies