As this Phillies season winds down, Odubel Herrera is finishing with a flourish.
The same cannot be said for Jeanmar Gomez.
Herrera continued to swing a scorching hot bat in the Phillies’ 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night (see Instant Replay). He had three hits, including a two-run homer and an RBI single, and is hitting .536 (15 for 28) with four doubles, two homers and six RBIs in his last seven games.
Herrera’s big night helped the Phillies take a 7-3 lead into the ninth inning, but they had to sweat out the victory because Gomez’s recent troubles in closing out games continued. The right-hander gave up three runs in the ninth and was removed from the game with two outs and the potential tying run at second. Michael Mariot came on and got the final out and his first big-league save.
Gomez became the Phillies’ closer when others struggled back in April and he’s had a terrific season with 37 saves.
But over his last 16 games, he has given up 23 hits and 15 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings. That’s an ERA of 10.13.
“He seems to be sputtering along,” manager Pete Mackanin said. “He can’t seem to put hitters away. He’s just in a rut.”
It has been speculated that the Phillies would use a power arm like Hector Neris or Edubray Ramos in the closer role with Gomez sliding back into a setup role next season.
Over the last few weeks, Mackanin has been asked if he’d like to take a look Neris or Ramos in the ninth inning before the season ends. His answer has always been no. He wanted to finish the season with Gomez as the closer.
But Gomez’s recent struggles may force Mackanin to rethink that over the final 11 games of the season.
“I hate to [take Gomez out of the ninth inning], but I’d have to consider it because he hasn’t been himself lately,” Mackanin said. “We want to win as many games as we can. On occasion, I might have to make a decision.”
It wasn’t that long ago that Mackanin was holding Herrera out of the lineup on occasion. The skipper had grown weary of Herrera’s concentration lapses at the plate and in the field.
But Herrera is finishing with a bang. He’s playing like the guy who was the Phillies’ best player in the first half and only All-Star.
“Herrera is swinging the bat really well and that’s nice to see,” Mackanin said. “He looks like he’s getting more selective. He’s not taking those wild swings and it’s paying off for him.
“For some reason his concentration looks better. He looks like he’s more disciplined at the plate. He looks more like the guy we saw early in the season than for the last six weeks. For whatever reason he seemed to lose focus over that period of time. He seems to be getting it back.”
What happened?
Roman Quinn is what happened.
Herrera’s strong homestand has coincided with Quinn, also a centerfielder, arriving from Double A and making a play for full-time work in April — maybe even for Herrera's job.
“I think the minute Quinn got here, Odubel started turning it on,” Mackanin said. “He saw Quinn and said, ‘Wait a minute, I’m better than this guy. I better get back on track.’
“Everyone needs a little boost now and then and I think that might have something to do with it.”
Herrera ‘fessed up. Yes, Quinn’s arrival has lit a fire under him.
“He motivates me, actually, because I want to show them that I am here,” Herrera said. “I am ready to do the work. Whenever they need me, I'm going to be here.”
Quinn started in left field and continued to open eyes. He reached base three times with a pair of singles, including one that plated two runs, and a walk. He also stole a base. Between the two of them, Herrera and Quinn had five hits, scored four runs, drove in five and swiped three bases. They hit 2-3 in the batting order. Down the road, they might be a better 1-2 tandem. There’s a lot of electricity there. But for it to work, Herrera has to stay consistent and that starts with staying consistently motivated. Right now, he’s plenty motivated thanks to Quinn.