The homer concluded an impressive seven-pitch at-bat that saw Herrera fall behind early but work the count full before depositing a Julio Teheran slider over the centerfield fence to give the Phillies an early one-run advantage.
His gaffe, however, came in the third inning as he attempted to stretch a single into a double but didn't slide into second base, allowing for an easy tag play. Herrera knew it immediately, standing on the bag banging his helmet. He knew he made a mistake. The mistake turned what could have been a one-out situation with runners on second and third into a two-out situation with a runner on third.
A rally killer.
“I talked to Odubel about this,” manager Gabe Kapler said afterward (see video). “It’s a play that you have to slide on. He knows that and the next time he goes in, he’s going to slide for sure.”
Herrera made another miscue in the fourth, failing to call for a Kurt Suzuki fly-ball in right-center field. He and Aaron Altherr were both in the vicinity, but neither called the other off before Altherr threw his glove out to make a snag. The miscommunication meant Altherr was out of position to make a throw to the plate, allowing Ozzie Albies to scamper home with what ultimately became the winning run.
The ball should have been Herrera's.
Aaron Nola tossed six innings, surrendering two runs on four hits. He threw 85 pitches, 53 for strikes.
Victor Arano added two scoreless innings in relief. The righty has retired all 22 batters he's faced this season, sitting down nine via strikeout.
Up Next
The Phillies send Nick Pivetta to the mound Tuesday. He's yet to issue a walk over three starts this season and enters the day with the best FIP in baseball at 1.34.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR
