The 5th straight loss by the Phillies , 8-2 in San Diego, wasn't the main story Monday night. Jean Segura failed to run-out a pop-up in the infield which led to baserunner Andrew McCuthen getting caught in a run-down. The result was a double play and McCuthen blowing out his knee.
McCuthen will have an MRI today but it didn't look good. He may be out for a while.
Segura supposedly told Manager Gabe Kapler "it won't happen again." Kapler excused Segura, even praising him.
Kapler was told by team President Andy MacPhail that he needed to be more honest with the fans and media in his post-game remarks. Recently he has drifted back to his old ways, making excuses for his players' failures and lack of hustle.
The Phillies organization has been soft on guys like Odubel Herrera when he didn't hustle in the past. Now it's coming back to bite them in the ass.
Kapler is in danger of being fired, either this summer or certainly at the end of the year when his contract is up. If the team doesn't make the playoffs he a goner, especially after they signed Harper and other free agents. Now one of those expensive free agents- McCuthen may be on the shelf because a teammate failed to hustle.
That will go back to GM Matt Klentek, who hired Kapler and his analytic background in the first place. Klentek will be accountable to NacPhail..
Right now the Phillies are only a 1/2 game in first place over surging Atlanta. They finish their road trip in San Diego tonight and Wednesday afternoon before coming home this weekend to face Cincinnati. Jarad Eichoff pitches tonight.
Kapler should immediately take any player out of the game who doesn't hustle. The team needs a more disciplinarian as skipper, a Larry Bowa-type who won't take this crap and will follow-up on the consequences.
Jay Bruce filled in for McCuthen last night and got his first hit as a Phillie. I expect Bruce to play a lot more now in left field, especially if McCuthen is out. Look for Cesar Hernandez to resume hitting lead-off.
Rookie Adam Heasley will play center field tonight against the Padres, his big league debut. Heasley has been fast-tracked from Reading to Lehigh Valley and now to Philadelphia because of injuries on the club. Let's hope he sticks and becomes the regular center fielder, with Scott Kingery playing more third and second base.
The organization drafted 14th in the Major League Draft last night, and in the first round they took a junior shortstop from UNLV named Bryson Stott. The Phillies do need a future shortstop, especially since J.P. Crawford turned out to be a bust. Stott is 21 years old. I would expect him to be fast-tracked as well in the minor league system.
Aaron Nola still isn't right. I've said since spring training that he is hurt. He just looks different when he throws the ball. He lost his first game last night to the Padres. His 6-1 record is deceiving. He really hasn't pitched that well all season.
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