Neris caps a banner night for the bullpen
PHILADELPHIA » If the Phillies were to stop celebrating sub-100loss seasons and instead become playoff contenders again sometime relatively soon, it’s likely their bullpen would be a primary factor in such a franchise turnaround.
As a 4-1 win Tuesday night over the Washington Nationals illustrated, this Phillies team that at most will finish with 99 losses now still is shaky at best when it comes to starting pitching. But in the dog days of late summer it has found a unified bullpen complete with an apparent real closer.
That would be Hector Neris, who converted his 19th consecutive save opportunity with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. To make matters all the better for the scant crowd that stayed until the end at Citizens Bank Park, Neris struck out former Phillie and favorite CBP target Jayson Werth to end the game.
“I think he’s starting to get a little bit more comfortable and relaxed,” manager Pete Mackanin said of Neris. “He knows he has to get ahead of hitters and the best thing about it is he’s regained his split.
“He had a diving split-fastball today. He’s been doing that for quite a while but early in the season it just didn’t seem to be diving the way it used to. I think he’s found a feel for that pitch and it’s made a world of difference.”
Neris’ work finished off a fourinning stint by relievers Edubray Ramos, Adam Morgan, Luis Garcia and Neris in which no runs or hits were allowed and nine Nationals went down on strikes.
“Right now, it’s just get it to those guys with a lead and let them take over,” Phillies starter and benefactor Jake Thompson said. “It just seems like they’re all firing at the same time and it’s fun to watch.”
Certainly good for Thompson, who after having a rough season at Triple-A managed to finish strong with the Phillies. He ends his season with a 3-2 major league mark and 3.88 ERA. At least on this night, the bullpen helped him immensely.
While Neris has been outstanding, Morgan has been just as effective in a set-up role. This after looking like he’d disappear back into the minors for good after he was sent down again early in the season.
But the converted lefty starter found himself and was ready for a new role when he was called back up. Morgan, hailed Monday by manager Pete Mackanin as one of the team’s most positive revelations, has pitched to an 0.72 ERA over his last 19 appearances.
“Adam Morgan’s been special,” Mackanin said. “He’s learned an awful lot over the last few years. Now he just oozes confidence on the mound.”