Faith is a funny thing. Phillies' manager Pete Mackanin said throughout the spring that he had faith in Jeanmar Gomez returning to the form he showed during the first half of last season where he excelled in the closer role. A week into the regular season though and it appears that faith has already worn thin.
Rightfully so.
Gomez again struggled in the ninth, this time surrendering a game-tying three-run home run to Ryan Zimmerman. Luckily for Mackanin and Gomez, the Phillies were able to battle back with Cesar Hernandez blooping a walk-off single to left to give the Phillies a 4-3 win and ultimately a series win against the Washington Nationals.
Afterwards, Mackanin made it clear he was reevaluating Gomez's role and may make a move to a new closer prior to tonight's series opener against the New York Mets.
Did You Notice
Hernandez and Freddy Galvis each collected a pair of hits in the win and the pair drove in three of the Phillies' four runs on the afternoon.
Beyond the Boxscore
Gomez has surrendered five hits this year with two being homers. He surrendered only six long balls last season.
Quotable
Speaking about the potential change in the closer's role ... "It's not something you want to think about," Mackanin said. "We just have to be practical and do what is best for the team."
On the Mound
Hellickson left the contest after tossing five scoreless innings due to a cramp in his pitching arm. His arm went numb and his fingers locked up before he could warm-up prior to the start of the sixth inning.
“I felt like I could have gone seven, eight [innings] for sure,” Hellickson said. “To put our bullpen in a spot like that isn’t what I wanted to do. But I just couldn’t throw. It was weird.”
Mackanin said the injury was not serious and Hellickson is not expected to miss a start.
Up Next
The Phillies welcome the New York Mets for a set at Citizens Bank Park. Jerad Eickhoff is scheduled to oppose Jacob deGrom in the opener.