Godley’s hot streak continues in win over Phillies

PHILADELPHIA – Zack Godley didn’t want to hear it, didn’t want to be jinxed by hearing or talking about his own success.

“Oh come on,” Godley said after tossing 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in a 13-8 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. “Don’t make mention of that.”

Godley, though, has been too good to ignore. In six appearances during his most recent stint in the bullpen, he has tossed 13 2/3 innings and allowed just one run.

In his mind, he is certain his success can be traced to what has been a big improvement in his strike-throwing – in working ahead in the count more frequently and being able to put hitters away after that. He has thrown strikes with 68 percent of his pitches in his past six outings, up from 61 percent in his first 11 appearances this season.

Godley, who was removed from the rotation at the end of April, has pitched more frequently in lower-leverage situations, outings in which the outcome of the game often has not hung in the balance. But he did not agree with the suggestion that success in those outings might have helped him build confidence.

“I don’t look at that,” he said. “Every situation is a big situation, regardless of when you come into the game . ... ”

Manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday in Toronto that he likes Godley in a relief role and had no plans of moving him back to the rotation.

“I want that (success) to continue,” Lovullo said. “We’re going to keep him where he’s at and continue to grow and get better and better with each outing.”

Ahmed sits

Shortstop Nick Ahmed was out of the lineup on Monday night, a day after he exited in the third inning in Toronto due to a left foot contusion.

Ahmed, who said he hurt his foot on a swing on Saturday evening, continued to feel discomfort while taking swings on Monday afternoon.

“I got a bunch of treatment on it yesterday and today tried to ramp it up and swing and not really able to swing without compensating and all that,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed still says there are no plans to undergo tests, such as an MRI, and was hopeful he can return to the lineup on Tuesday.