Can't get anymore drama than yesterday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Two outs in the 9th inning. The visiting Mets had the bases loaded. The count was 3-2. Phillies pitcher Hector Neris, shaky at best, on the mound. New York rookie Broxton at the plate. Crowd standing and cheering. Would Neris risk walking in a run by throwing his signature pitch, the split-finger? Would the Phillies take the rubber game of the three-game series and finally beat their arch-rival?
Neris threw a fastball right by Broxton for the strikeout and the Phils escaped. Jake Arrieta, pitching brilliantly all day, notched his second win on the young season. The Phillies held onto first place in NL East, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets. One big pitch decided it all.
Scott Kingery continued his hot-hitting, belting his second home in two days. Cesar Hernandez, fighting to hold onto his starting job at second base, also clubbed a home run.
The team starts a four-game series in Colorado tonight. Despite their record, the Rockies are a dangerous team at home, a playoff team last season. Splittingwith the Rockies would be fine. Then its on to New York to take on the Mets again before heading back to Philly for four with the lowly Marlins.
Despite the bullpen drama, I still don't want to tie up money with closer Craig Kimbrel unless its a one-year deal. I'd rather spend the cash later in the spring/summer. I want the front office to target Giants' starter Madison Baumgarner and Reds' closer Raisel Iglesias. Both teams are going nowhere. Baumgarner is a big-game guy, the lefty the rotation needs, and would be huge in the post-season. Iglesias is the hammer they need at the back of the bullpen.
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