Girardi looking forward to full Citizens Bank Park crowds

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced in a media Zoom conference Tuesday that Philadelphia sports fans can return to their favorite venues in full beginning June 11.

On that date, Kenney said, the city will eliminate all capacity-related restrictions on sports, leisure and business activities. Essentially, that means the 76ers, if they’re still alive in the NBA playoffs, and the Phillies can welcome back however many fans wish to return to watching their favorite teams.

For Phillies manager Joe Girardi, who saw crowds upwards of 30,000 or better in Atlanta over the weekend, that’s good news.

“I think it’ll be great,” Girardi said. “Obviously the more fans, the better the atmosphere. I can’t imagine what that’s going to be like. I haven’t been to Philly except with the opposing team (with a full crowd). I’m really looking forward to June 11.”

Asked how it felt with loosened restrictions in Atlanta, Girardi added, “I actually felt a couple of the nights there were more people than (30,000 or so). I’m not sure what they had in Atlanta, I’m not sure what the stadium holds. But Friday and Saturday seemed to be more people than Sunday.”

Fans will still be required to wear masks indoors and in crowds that can’t properly social distance. Kenney also announced the city is loosening restrictions starting May 21, allowing for 50 percent capacity, with social distancing rules halved to three feet, though still with masks on. The Sixers plan to institute that for the first round of the playoffs.

• • • Alec Bohm sat out at the start of Tuesday night’s series opener at Nationals Park, with Brad Miller starting at third base. Girardi at first just deemed it an opportunity to rest Bohm, but then hinted there was a reason the young hitter could use a rest.

“At times he’s chasing a little bit,” Girardi said. “Going out of the zone, I think he’s really good at that. But sometimes that can be from a little bit of frustration. He’s hit the ball hard and hasn’t had luck and I think that can lead to frustration. I don’t think he’s far off, but I just thought another day might help him, and it’s a way to get Miller in there.”

Bohm entered the game Tuesday hitting .217 with only a .545 OPS. He did enter in the seventh via a double switch and had a hit.

••• Reliever Archie Bradley (oblique strain) is scheduled to make a rehab appearances with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Wednesday night. He will be re-evaluated afterward.