Hunter cuts imposing figure in his return to the bullpen
PHILADELPHIA » The Phillies were thrilled to get Tommy Hunter back Sunday, as the veteran reliever gave them one spotless inning and the Pirates an up-close-and-personal look at his cutter.
Activated from the 10day disabled list, Hunter showed no sign of a hamstring issue throwing an eight-pitch eighth inning capped by a strikeout of Gregory Polanco with a 94 mph. cutter.
The bullpen of Edubray Ramos, Hunter, Victor Arano and Yacksel Rio threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out four and issuing two walks, one intentional. Rios pitched the 11th winning to get the win, Aaron Altherr plating Andrew Knapp for a 3-2 triumph.
“Ramos did his job,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “Arano did his job. Tommy came in throwing his cutter to Polanco. It looked great. And obviously at the end there Rios gave us a chance to win it.”
Starter Nick Pivetta also had a solid game, allowing just two runs while scattering five hits and two walks in 6.1 innings.
Pivetta struck out seven Pirates. He also doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Cesar Hernandez.
“Pivetta was outstanding,” Kapler said. “Slider, curveball, fastball and he mixed in the changeup a couple of times, which were good. Early in the game the fastball was absolutely electric. It was taking off. It had ride and carry over the top of the zone. And he’s mixing in a slider.”
The Phillies have won nine straight games started by Pivetta and 11 of his last 14 starts.
The only downer for the staff was that Arano’s streak of retiring 32 straight batters, including 25 this year, ended on a throwing error by third baseman Scott Kingery. Arano later gave up a hit.
Arano, in 10.1 innings, has allowed no runs and one hit while striking out 11.
*** It looked like Rhys Hoskins’ right ankle got pinned under him while attempting to steal second base in the fifth inning.
The throw got there a few steps before Hoskins, who probably shouldn’t have tried to slide. But the slugger didn’t miss a beat, although going 1-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts isn’t part of his normal routine.
Hoskins is batting .323, second on the squad to Odubel Herrera (.329).
Hoskins leads the Phillies with four homers, 19 RBIs and 19 walks. With 21 strikeouts, he shares the team lead with Jorge Alfaro, Cesar Hernandez and Kingery.
*** The Phillies are off Monday, then take on the Diamondbacks Tuesday night with Vince Velasquez (1-2, 3.80) opposing on Robbie Ray (2-4, 4.98).
The Phils are a halfgame behind the Diamondbacks (14-6) and Mets for the best record in the NL.
“It would be awesome for us to go out there and tackle Arizona the way we did Pittsburgh,” Kapler said. “That would make us feel really good.”
Jake Arrieta (2-0, 2.04) will face Zack Greinke (21, 4.13) Wednesday, and Ben Lively (0-1, 4.64) takes on Matt Koch (0-0, 1.13) Thursday.