Galvis ignites comeback

PHILADELPHIA >> Shortstop Freddy Galvis is a rock in the field, but the way he rolls at the plate has sometimes caused some consternation with his bosses.

Galvis can show power but can overswing. He can get on streaks then reverse course at the plate for weeks at a time. He was hitting .200 after a season-opening series in Cincinnati, but Friday he turned around and almost led the Phillies to an unreal comeback against ace pitcher Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals.

It was Galvis’ run-scoring double that ignited the Phillies in the seventh inning, and his two-run home run in the ninth inning off closer Blake Treinen got them close enough to excite what was left of the crowd, but not enough to prevent a 7-6 Nationals victory.

One fan that got very excited was the big guy in the dugout.

“I really would have liked to have won that ball game,” manager Pete Mackanin said. But he still saw the bright side of the loss.

“Good omen for things to come,” Mackanin added. “These guys are not going to quit, and really, not a lot of them are feeling comfortable at the plate. (Aaron) Altherr got the big opposite field home run, Freddy came through to get it close.”

Galvis is one who looks very comfortable right now, no matter the situation. Without him, no late comeback effort would have been made. And if he can somehow puzzle people with his plate prowess, there is only consistency in the way he approaches every game as a clubhouse leader.

“We have to fight and keep working hard every day and I think we’re going to be all right,” Galvis said after a game in which he slammed his second home run of the young season. “I think it’s prety good when you face a pitcher like that, it’ll make you fight more, try to stay in the game the whole nine innings.

“Their bullpen is good but we showed we can fight, too. We played a pretty good game today and we don’t get a win, but tomorrow’s another day.”

“Their bullpen is good but we showed we can fight, too. We played a pretty good game today and we don’t get a win, but tomorrow’s another day.”

MATT ROURKE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Aaron Altherr (23) celebrates his two-run home run with Freddy Galvis during the seventh inning Friday. Galvis would later have a two-run homer of his own against the Nationals.