Philadelphia Phillies Philes Vol 1.7: Celebrating Mother's Day

On this Mother’s Day, we explore Zach Eflin & the Philadelphia Phillies pitching resurgence, remember a Mariano Duncan grand slam, and thank moms everywhere.

Leading off

In six games this week, Philadelphia Phillies starters contributed four quality starts. In doing so, the Phillies doubled their lead in the East to 3.0 games ahead of the Braves.

The Zach Attack

In his last three outings, Zach Eflin has gone a combined 25.0 innings while only giving up two runs and a scattering of 14 hits. That includes two complete games, the most recent coming last night: a 7-0 shutout of the Royals in which he pitched a masterpiece.

The shutout is the second of his career, with the first coming back on July 23, 2016, where he and the Phillies blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 at PNC Park. Last night’s shutout was also the first for the Phillies since Jeremy Hellickson blanked the Marlins on September 17, 2016.

As evidenced last year, the 25-year-old out of Oviedo, FL has shut-down ability and the potential for going on dominant stretches.

Last June, Eflin posted a 5-0 record in five starts with a 1.76 ERA for the Phillies. He’d go on to struggle throughout the second half of the season, producing just four wins from July through the end of the season in only 12 starts and an ERA of 5.76.

At times it may be a guessing game as to which Zach is going to show up, but when he’s on – as seen in these last three starts – he can be unhittable.

Eickhoff Dealing

Jerad Eickhoff allowed three hits in 8.0 innings as the Phillies blanked the St. Lous Cardinals in Wednesday’s matinee, 5-0. Through four starts and 30.0 innings pitched since his recall, Eickhoff boasts a 1.50 ERA and a 2-1 record. His first appearance of the year – coming out of relief – netted the 28-year-old his first career save.

Way to make a second first impression!

(People forget that – before the injuries – Eickhoff was the Phillies best pitcher through 2016 and 2017.)

Meanwhile…

Vince Velasquez was placed on the 10 Day IL yesterday with a forearm strain. Prior to that, Velasquez had lost his last two and didn’t last beyond the fourth inning in either. On April 24th his ERA was 1.99, and it now stands at 3.86. That’s not too alarming this early in the season, but with the high level of inconsistency throughout his career, it’s definitely something to watch.

Nick Pivetta is in the minors and has pitched better since his demotion. He’s 2-1 through four games started with a 3.60 ERA. Much better than the 8.35 ERA he was carrying with the big-league squad.

A Rare Sight

Through the course of this week, Phillies shortstop Jean Segura recorded a rare feat for his own standards. In three games (Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday), he failed to record a hit.

That happens; I get it. What makes it surprising? He had five at-bats in each of those games.

“Segura went 0-5 three times in one week.” That’s a headline that’s probably seldom been written.

Meanwhile, the Phillies put up seven, 11, and five runs, respectively, in those contests, winning each. When the catalyst of the offense doesn’t get on base, and the team still wins, that’s a good sign.

All hail Cesar

Quietly Cesar Hernandez has put together a very nice season. He’s the team leader in hits, and his .296 average is good for second-best behind Segura’s .302. Hernandez, who also led the Phillies in hits last season, is one of the most consistent players on the team.

Now in his seventh year, the 29-year-old signed out of Venezuela is the longest tenured Phillie.

Altherr claimed

The San Francisco Giants claimed former Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr, who was placed on waivers last week to clear room for Odubel Herrera‘s return.

The passing of a Phillies icon

On Wednesday morning, Philadelphia Phillies chairman David Montgomery passed away after a five-year battle with cancer. Montgomery, who began his career selling tickets for the team in 1971, worked his way up to become team president over the course of 48 years with the organization.

In remembrance, the Phillies will wear a special patch honoring his legacy for the remainder of the year.

Most Valuable Phillie Power Rankings – Top 15 (through 5/11/2019):

Rhys Hoskins (1B) – Previous Rank: 2 (↑ 1)
Jean Segura (SS) – Previous Rank: 1 (↓ 1)
Zach Eflin (SP) – Previous Rank: 7 (↑ 4)
J.T. Realmuto (C) – Previous Rank: 3 (↓ 1)
Aaron Nola (SP) – Previous Rank: 8 (↑ 3)
Hector Neris (RP) – Previous Rank: 4 (↓ 2)
Maikel Franco (3B) – Previous Rank: 6 (↓ 1)
Cesar Hernandez (2B) – Previous Rank: 12 (↑ 4)
Jake Arrieta (SP) – Previous Rank: 5 (↓ 4)
Jerad Eickhoff (SP) – Previous Rank: 11 (↑ 1)
Andrew McCutchen (OF) – Previous Rank: 9 (↓ 2)
Adam Morgan (RP) – Previous Rank: 10 (↓ 2)
Bryce Harper (OF) – Previous Rank: 14 (↑ 1)
Pat Neshek (RP) – Previous Rank: 13 (↓ 1)
Odubel Herrera (OF) – Previous Rank: N/A (↑)

“Ring the Bell” Award Winner of the Week

This week’s honor goes to mothers everywhere. Mothers who – like mine – willingly sacrificed their time to put forth the needs of her children while empowering love and opportunity. Whether it be helping with school assignments, taking their little one to practice, or just the guidance and wisdom always instilled. The selflessness displayed is everlasting.

Happy Mother’s Day to moms everywhere, including my own. Thanks for always being you.

Phillie Pholly of the Week

In a week where many things went well for the ball club, the distinction will have to go to Jake Arrieta. In Friday’s matchup against the Royals, the 33-year-old allowed four earned runs through five innings pitched, while giving up seven hits and three walks en route to the loss.

Arrieta’s trajectory has been trending downward for weeks. Since starting the season 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA, Arrieta has gone 1-2 in his last four pitching to a 5.73 ERA.

Phillies Phlashback

More from Philadelphia Phillies

Let’s go back to Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9th, 1993. The first-place Phillies, who boasted a 21-7 record, were set to host the 15-14 St. Louis Cardinals in the series finale at Veterans Stadium.

Curt Schilling got the ball for the Phils and would be opposed by the Bob Tewksbury. After Schilling set the Cardinals down in the top half of the first, Lenny Dykstra would lead things off for the Phillies.

Unusual for him, Dykstra sent the first pitch he saw down the left field line for a double. He’d come around and score on an RBI single from first baseman John Kruk.

The Cardinal’s Gregg Jefferies would get to Schilling in the third, drilling a three-run homer to the right. They’d score another run an inning later before Milt Thompson‘s base hit brought in Darren Daulton in the bottom half for the home team.

The Cardinals added an insurance run in the sixth and would take a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth.

With two outs, Daulton singled followed by a Wes Chamberlain double. The Cardinals decided to bring in their All-Star closer Lee Smith, who also happened to be baseball’s all-time saves leader at the time.

After a Milt Thompson walk and the Phillies down by three with two outs and the bases loaded, Mariano Duncan sent the first pitch he saw soaring into the Vet Stadium seats in left center. Grand slam!

Mitch Williams would close things out in the ninth, and the Phillies capped off the weekend sweep with a 6-5 win, bringing their MLB-best record to 22-7 and a 5.5 game lead over the next best Montreal Expos.

On Deck

After Sunday’s contest with the Royals, the Phillies head home from a week’s stay in Missouri to face reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers for four. Yelich has been on a tear through the early parts of 2019. Despite missing time with injury, he’s already amassed 16 home runs, a feat he didn’t accomplish until August last year.

dark. Next. Phillies should explore potential trade for Madison Bumgarner

Next, the Phillies welcome the Colorado Rockies into Citizens Bank Park for a weekend series. The Rockies took three of four from the Phils three weeks ago.

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Philadelphia Phillies Philes Vol 1.7: Celebrating Mother’s Day

By Jeffrey Powell | May 12, 2019