Klentak high on Kapler’s passion, adjustments
PHILADELPHIA » The first time Gabe Kapler received a vote of confidence from the general manager, it was vital, timely and designed to blunt some early and valid fan disapproval.
When Matt Klentak discussed his manager Wednesday, it was not quite an emergency session.
“I do think Kap has adjusted since the first series,” Klentak said Wednesday, before the Phillies’ 5-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. “He’s probably adjusted from yesterday to today. He asks a lot of questions. He’s incredibly passionate about what he does and he has a unique ability to look in the mirror and to be accountable. I think that’s what allows him to successfully navigate a season and manage the roster.”
Kapler, in his first season as a major-league manager, had some early adjustment issues including, among other things, not having relief pitcher Hoby Milner warmed up before summoning him into a game. But since the Phils’ 1-4 start, they are 14-4.
“I think he’s absolutely made adjustments and will continue to,” Klentak said. “I think that makes him no different than all of us.”
*** The Phils have been receiving solid starting pitching from a rotation of Jake Arrieta, Ben Lively, Aaron Nola, Nick Pivetta and Vince Velasquez.
Soon, one will have to give way to Jerad Eickhoff, who has been on the disabled list all season with a strained right lat. So said the G.M. after Eickhoff threw a bullpen session Wednesday.
“He’s been making great progress and our guys are really excited about it and Jerad’s really excited, too,” Klentak said. “When he comes back to this team, he’s going to be back in the rotation. We need to get him stretched out. I think we’re looking at the latter part of May. It could be sooner than that.”
Injured Mark Leiter Jr. (right forearm strain) also threw in the bullpen Wednesday. Pat Neshek (right shoulder strain) will throw Thursday.
“Fortunately, right now we have five guys rolling through the rotation, doing it pretty well,” Klentak said. “We can afford to do the right thing for Jerad and not rush him back. I don’t have an exact time frame on it. He’ll go to Florida to begin a formal rehab within the next week. We’ll just build him up every five days until he’s ready.”
*** In his previous start, Arrieta pitched seven innings, allowed only an infield hit, and claimed to have felt the way he did during his two career no-hitters.
Jorge Alfaro was the catcher in that game. Yet Wednesday, Kapler paired Arrieta with Andrew Knapp.
“Specifically with Jake, he’s a guy that is going to call his own game,” Kapler said. “And generally, the best pitchers in baseball are not putting the fingers down for the catcher, but there is a gameplan that goes into it. They are going to be in control. I do think Alfie called a great game for him that last time around, but Knappy is more than capable of being a good partner in this situation.”
Worked out. Though the Phils made three errors and struck out 11 times, Arrieta lasted seven innings, allowing four hits and walking two to improve to 3-0.
“Looking back,” Kapler said afterward, “I can’t remember where the hard contact was. I don’t think he gave up one ball that was really blistered.”
Arrieta allowed one earned run, lowering his ERA to 1.82.
“It’s part of the job description of a starting pitcher to be able to pick those guys up and tell them after the fact that, ‘Hey, I’ve got you,’” Arrieta said. “There’s times when that is going to happen. That’s just baseball. And there’s times when you give up rockets and they make outstanding plays to pick you up.”
*** Aaron Altherr made the difference with a three-run homer to deep center off Zack Greinke. Though he is hitting .172, Altherr is 6-for-14 with a double, triple and home run in his last four games.
“The timing is back,” Altherr said. “I have been working a lot with (hitting coach) Pedro (Guerrero) in the cage on the timing. I am a lot more relaxed at the plate now. Everything is going a lot better.”
*** NOTES » Odubel Herrera has a 25game on-base streak, a career high … Cesar Hernandez had three hits and has had multiple hits in three of his last five games … Lively (0-1, 4.64 ERA) will face Arizona righthander Matt Koch (0-0, 1.13) Thursday afternoon at 1:05 … The visiting Braves will throw right-handed Julio Teheran (1-1, 4.00) against Nola (2-1, 2.30) Friday night. Saturday at 6:05, it will be Pivetta (1-0, 2.57) and right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (1-1, 2.77). Velasquez (1-3, 4.50) and right-handed Brandon McCarthy (3-0, 3.38) will pitch Sunday afternoon at 1:35 … The Phils have won five of their last six.