Like it or not, Pivetta providing welcome relief
PHILADELPHIA >> Because Nick Pivetta has demonstrated a strong competitive streak, the Phillies believe he will be vital in his new bullpen role.
Because Nick Pivetta has demonstrated a strong competitive streak, he will not admit that the new assignment will necessarily yield him joy.
All the Phillies knew Sunday was that Pivetta pitched two scoreless innings behind Aaron Nola and Adam Morgan to seal a 9-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves that could have saved a season. And they knew that followed his 3.2 innings of hitless relief in a 15-inning victory last week in Detroit.
So, it’s working. That’s enough.
“I’m just doing whatever I can to help the team win,” Pivetta said. “It’s the position I’m in right now, and it’s a good position, what they’ve got me doing. I’m having success and just trying to move forward from there.”
A starter by job spec and pay scale, not a long reliever, Pivetta seemed less than delighted when he was removed from the rotation. Even Sunday, he was not ready to invite the Phillies to make the change permanent.
“I don’t think I said I was angry when I went to the bullpen,” he said. “I never said that. So I think I was open to an opportunity that the team was giving me, and I just want to win for
my teammates.
“Whatever I can do to help the 25 men in this room win is what I am going to do.”
Pivetta had lost his last three decisions as a starter, and had not won a game through six straight starts dating to June 8 when the Phillies made the switch. They believed his durable arm would fit in the bullpen, allowing him to pitch more than once every five days.
“I think it suits him very well,” Gabe Kapler said. “I think we see he likes taking the ball every night. I think there are some guys who need the rhythm and routine of rest in-between outings. I don’t think that is who Nick Pivetta is. I think if we had a game tomorrow he would say, ‘I’m good to pitch.’ And I think that’s the mentality you want from a bullpen arm, a guy who wants the ball every single day.” ••• Right-handed pitching prospect Spencer Howard got the Phillies’ attention the other night when he struck out 10 and walked two in 4.2 innings for Class AA Reading.
“I have watched quite a bit of his work and heard about his game in Double A,” Kapler said. “And I was excited as anybody else is.”
A 2017 second-round draft choice out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Howard had some early-career shoulder stress and was lightly used before he uncorked a spectacular start this season in Clearwater, striking out 48 in 35 innings.
Might the promotions continue?
“With all the ifs and all the hypothetical situations, generally what happens is guys perform so well or climb so quickly that you can’t deny them,” Kapler said. “And that’s general and global and not related to Howard. But if he stays healthy and performs like he is capable of performing, he’ll push before people think he’s ready to push.” •••
Nick Williams’ status continues to dip. As recently as last season considered a power hitter of the future, he will remain behind fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Adam Haseley for a while. And when Jay Bruce returns in about a week, there could be a roster squeeze.
“We are going to start Adam Haseley over Nick Williams right now, because we have to see Adam,” Kapler said. “He has to get a sample size that we can evaluate on. We’re not even close. I want to see a lot more of Adam Haseley. And with Nick, he is just a step behind. That’s as directly as I can say it. It’s not that he’s not talented enough to play his way into his role. It’s just that you have to prioritize Adam right now.”
Haseley was a 2017 firstround draft choice out of Virginia and hit a third-inning solo home run Sunday. Williams struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh, his average dipping to .160
•••
NOTES >> Jean Segura left the game with a right shin contusion after a collision at second base during a Ronald Acuna Jr. stolen base in the seventh. … Cole Irvin, who sputtered through troubling innings Friday, was returned to Class AAA Lehigh Valley Sunday. Right-hander Edgar Garcia was recalled from the Pigs to fill the spot. … Rhys Hoskins’ seventh-inning home run was his 13th this season in the seventh inning or later . ... The Phillies are off Monday and will host the Giants for three beginning Tuesday night at 7:05. … Aaron Nola, who was 2-for-3 with a run scored, had his first career multi-hit game. Asked about it, he cracked, “Yeah, I might retire now.”