Representing the tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning in Sunday afternoon’s loss to the Nationals, Cal Stevenson was due up. On a day when slugger Bryce Harper and catcher J.T. Realmuto were out of the Phillies’ lineup, the recent Triple-A call-up Stevenson batted for himself with a runner on first base.
He grounded into a double play to the pitcher. Then, light-hitting backup catcher Garrett Stubbs grounded out to second base to end the game. Harper was not a consideration to enter for either one of them.
“I wanted to give both him and J.T. a full day,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson explained when asked why he didn’t use Harper as a pinch hitter in that ninth inning.
The Nationals got to Philadelphia’s bullpen late to take a 6-4 win and spoil the Phillies’ hopes of a four-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies had a bit of an opportunity as Edmundo Sosa singled to start the bottom of the ninth. With the team not playing on Monday, it was perhaps a bit surprising that Thomson didn’t give Harper a chance to potentially tie the game with one swing. He opted to let two lesser hitters step in the batter’s box in a trade off for rest.
It’s not the easiest plan to adhere to as the game unfolds, but, ultimately, the manager was strict in his decision to give Harper a day off his feet.
“Absolutely,” Thomson said when asked if it’s difficult to not insert one of his best players, “but I’m thinking long term as well.”
Harper, a two-time National League MVP, is batting .278 with 26 home runs and a .903 OPS this season. Maybe he would’ve added another dramatic late-game moment to his resume or at least avoided making two outs. He certainly would’ve boosted Philadelphia’s chances of coming back in that ninth inning.
But Thomson prioritized health and freshness after Harper went hitless in the previous two games against Washington. The Phillies will play 13 straight games against four teams currently in the playoff picture once they return to action on Tuesday night. That’s a factor in Thomson’s choices.
“That’s what I’m thinking about,” he said. This is going to be a tough stretch, no doubt. We got to be able to handle it. We got to have healthy bodies and rested bodies so that we give ourselves every chance to play well.”
The Phillies will start Zack Wheeler as they open a three-game National League East series in Atlanta on Tuesday. Aaron Nola will go Wednesday, and Thursday’s starter is to be announced. Philadelphia will then head to Kansas City on Friday for three games before returning home for three more against the Astros and a four-game rematch with the Braves.
