Neshek takes a dive, Phils come up a winner

PHILADELPHIA » Pat Neshek is a 36-year-old veteran reliever who never lets that status get in the way of his boyhood instincts. Win or lose, Neshek seems determined to have fun trying.

While the Phillies bullpen has experienced its ups and downs this season, Neshek has been their most consistent fixture there. Without him Thursday, they probably wouldn’t have been able to give Tommy Joseph the chance to stroke a single to center in the bottom of the 11th inning that produced a 2-1 victory over Rockies.

That Neshek might only remember part of his important contribution, well ... it’s all part of the fun. Even for a team that came into the game with the worst record in the majors.

“It’s tough,” Neshek said. “I never went through (a season) like this. I did in the minors with a couple of teams, but it’s the big leagues. You’re not going to get babied if you don’t put up results. Something’s going to happen eventually, So that’s the way I’m looking at it. I’m going to try my best.”

Neshek’s job on would be to pitch the Colorado this day the seventh inning, with the Phillies trailing by a run. He started by striking out Rockies pitcher Tyler Anderson, then gave up a single to Charlie Blackmon, who had struck out in three previous at-bats to starter Vince Velasquez.

Neshek then faced dangerous Ian Desmond, who squared and tried to bunt Blackmon to second. But Neshek came flying off the hill and dove with his gloved hand outstretched and somehow caught the ball before it hit the turf. He then popped up and fired to first to double up Blackmon and keep the deficit at one.

Almost as a reward to Neshek, Tommy Joseph hit a solo homer to center in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game and put the Phillies in position for their eventual comeback victory.

“I saw it up in the air, and I’m like, ‘I’m going to give it my best here, or else this is going to be a hit,’” Neshek said. “You’ve got (Nolan) Arenado up next, so it was a big play. I went for it, and luckily, I didn’t look like an idiot.

“I was diving no what, there.”

It certainly mattered, but it took a moment for that to register for Neshek.

“I think I did hit my head to get the extension (to the ball),” he said. “I think I was dazed for a few seconds. When I got up, I matter don’t really remember going into the dugout. People were talking to me, and I said, ‘Don’t talk to me right now.’ Then I felt pretty good after a couple of minutes, so I don’t think (it’s a concussion). It just felt like I had a headache.”

It was one shining play during a month of May that has been almost all doom and gloom for the Phils.

“You don’t want to get used to it,” Neshek said. “I know the coaches hate it and I know the fans hate it and we hate it. You can only be positive, and try help your teammates.”

It hasn’t been all bad for Neshek, who has a 1.04 ERA in 19 appearances (17.1 innings pitched) now. He’s been a big part of a recent bullpen revival, as the Phillies relievers have allowed just two runs over 22 2/3 innings pitched (0.79 ERA) over the last seven games.

*** Velasquez was feeling pretty good, too, after going five full innings, allowing just one run on eight hits, while striking out seven and walking only one. He did throw 94 pitches over the five innings, but hey...

“These guys are just attacking,” Velasquez said of the Rockies. “I mean, two 12-pitch at-bats, plus 10-pitch at-bats, pretty much explains it all.”

Overall, Velasquez said, “Today was just huge on my part.”