Amid pair of losses, no changing of rotation guard for Velasquez, Howard
PHILADELPHIA » The Phillies got a glimpse of their pitching future and not-so-distant past in a doubleheader Sunday. Vince Velasquez, no longer the kid who recorded 16 strikeouts in a win over the San Diego Padres four years ago, started the opener of the seven-inning doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at sunny Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies lost, 5-2, but not because of Velasquez. The bullpen was shelled for four runs.
The main event was the highly anticipated debut of Spencer Howard, the righthander with the electric stuff.
Howard, 24, so impressed Bryce Harper, the superstar made the outrageous claim, “If Spencer Howard isn’t in our starting rotation by Game 6 in New York against the Yankees, there’s a problem. That’s all I’m saying.”
Howard wasn’t exactly electric as he gave up a single to the first batter he faced, Ronald Acuna Jr., and a walk to the next
guy. He got out of the first inning without any more damage.
After Howard retired the bottom of the order in the second inning he took a flurry of punches. Freddie Freeman blasted a firstpitch, two-run shot into the seats with two outs in the third. Welcome to the Bigs.
Acuna gave the Braves a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning with a 377-foot firstpitch homer, the first of three dingers on the day, and Howard was gone shortly after giving up a triple.
Howard, in 4.2 innings, allowed seven hits and four earned runs. He also struck out four and had the walk. Spencer threw 81 pitches. That’s close to batting practice.
“Spencer, for his first start I thought he did pretty good,” manager Joe Girardi said. “He was able to throw strikes. The first two guys get on and he’s able to not give up a run. He didn’t fall apart which sometimes it’s tough to slow a young person’s mind down when it’s their first start or even their first year. I thought he handled it pretty well.”
Howard won’t have to face the Braves every week. Three of their first four batters hit 29 or more homers last year, Acuna Jr. slamming 41, Freeman 38.
It just wasn’t the type of debut Phillies fans and Howard hoped for. In July
of 2015, Aaron Nola scattered five hits and one walk and struck out six Tampa Bay Rays in five innings, throwing 99 pitches in a 1-0 loss at Citizens Bank Park.
It certainly wasn’t as remotely successful as the Cole Hamels debut in 2006, one in which the lefty threw 99 pitches in five innings, allowed just one hit and no runs, struck out seven and scattered five walks to spark the Phillies to an 8-4 road victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Howard’s entrance was more like Andy Ashby’s inaugural start with the Phillies in 1991. Nothing remarkable about allowing four hits, including a home run, five earned runs and three walks over four innings as Ashby did in a 9-3 loss at Cincinnati.
“I wouldn’t say I felt sharp,” Howard said. “Just a little out of sync with the mechanics. Left a lot of balls over the plate and mistakes get hit. I’d say overall it was a decent day but awesome to compete again.”
Velasquez also competed despite throwing a ton of pitches — 76 in 4.1 innings. He’s at a point in his career where he thinks he’s close to turning the corner, yet understands he’s on the fringe of the pitching rotation.
“My job is to go out there and pitch,” Velasquez said. “I have been in the (relief) role before. So, I know what it entails. But whatever role it is I’ve still got to go out there and command my pitches.”
One thing you can always say about Velasquez is he makes it interesting. In the first inning he sandwiched punchouts around hitting Dansby Swanson with a pitch. Then Velasquez picked Swanson off first, thanks to a replay appeal by the Phils.
Velasquez pitched in and out of jams much of the afternoon.
The Braves loaded the bases in the second inning and he escaped by getting a groundout on his 41st pitch. Velasquez fired a 92mph fastball past Marcell Ozuna with two outs and a runner on second for his fourth punchout.
Andrew McCutchen then gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a grounder batting for Adam Haseley, who started in left field.
With runners on the corners, Braves lefty Tyler Matzek struck out Bryce Harper to end the inning.
Velasquez hung in. He recorded his fifth strikeout, on his 75th pitch, in the fourth inning and catcher Andrew Knapp nailed Nick Markakis attempting to steal second to close the inning.
It preserved the 1-0 lead for the Phillies.
“It’s OK if you locate at 92, 93,” Velasquez said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. I mean, you find ways to get outs. That’s the whole point of this game.”
While Velasquez is the de facto fifth starter for now, the Phillies think a lot about Howard. His debut, though fraught with mistakes, hasn’t changed their minds.
“I think as he gets more comfortable he’s probably going to be able to relax,” Girardi said. “That first start is not easy to get through. I’m always happy when they don’t walk the world. I’m always happy when they can throw strikes and he was able to do that.”