Aaron Altherr continues to impress in Phillies' win over Cubs

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It’s understandable that you’re all Eagled-up. Hey, this is the year, right? But if the local nine still has some of your attention then there were a few items of interest in Sunday’s 7-4 win over the Chicago Cubs (see Instant Replay).

Aaron Altherr continued to show he is worthy of consideration for a job in the Phillies' outfield next season by stroking two more extra-base hits, including one that set up the go-ahead run.

Ryan Howard hit his 22nd home run and had a three-RBI day. He also batted against a left-handed pitcher late in the game, but it might have been for the last time this season as after the game manager Pete Mackanin admitted to rethinking his policy of not pinch-hitting for Howard. Huh, interesting, as Jonathan Papelbon, who visits with the flopping Washington Nationals on Monday night — might say.

The win was marred by a rather ugly injury to second baseman Cesar Hernandez. He suffered a dislocated left thumb on a collision with Cubs’ baserunner Anthony Rizzo beyond the first base bag. The injury occurred in the top of the seventh inning as Hernandez was making an error that allowed the Cubs to tie the game at 4-4.

After the game, Mackanin said Hernandez would see a hand specialist Monday. Mackanin added there could be ligament damage. Either way, it looks like Hernandez is done for the remainder of the season. The Phillies will likely add an infielder from the minors (Tyler Pastornicky? Chase d’Arnaud?) in time for Monday night’s game. Hernandez’ absence means playing time at second for Darnell Sweeney, who has shown an intriguing bat since coming over from the Dodgers in the Chase Utley trade.

Sunday’s victory marked the first time since Aug. 28-29 that the Phillies have won two in a row. Both wins have come via late-game rallies.

“Two days in a row I’m smiling,” Mackanin said after the game. “It’s nice to beat a good team like the Cubs. We beat them five out of seven (this season).”

There’s no prize for that. The Phillies are still the worst team in baseball though they have company. The Atlanta Braves blew a lead against the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon and lost for the 28th time in their last 33 games as they slipped into basement tie with the Phillies. Both clubs are 56-88 as they vie for the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft.

Altherr was not a No. 1 pick. He was selected by the Phillies in the ninth round of the 2009 draft. Though always an intriguing prospect because of his tools, athleticism and rangy 6-foot-5 build, Altherr has never been considered a top prospect. But while some prospects level out in the minors or even the majors, Altherr has never stopped improving. That’s what the folks who’ve watched him over the years say. The 24-year-old outfielder has always been a top defender at three positions, but this year he’s shown huge improvement with the bat.

The improvement really began to show last winter in Venezuela. Altherr had suffered a broken wrist the previous year in the Arizona Fall League. His swing came together in Venezuela, where he hit .286 with four homers, 27 RBIs with an .878 OPS in 31 games. He continued to swing it well, hitting .293 with 14 homers, 67 RBIs and an .854 OPS in 111 games at Double A and Triple A before coming to Philadelphia in August.

“I saw a much more polished hitter this year,” said Triple A manager Dave Brundage, who is with the big club for September. “He’s really getting on the fastball and being more aggressive. In the past he was a more passive hitter, but now I see a confident hitter.”

The Phillies are giving Altherr an extended look because they want to find out if he could be a piece of the puzzle in 2016. Altherr is making the most of that chance. He has 19 hits in 23 games and 12 of those hits are for extra bases.

“I’m not trying for extra bases,” he said. “I’m just trying to put the barrel on the ball and where it goes, it goes.”

Altherr’s extra-base pop earned him the cleanup spot Sunday and he responded with a double and a triple and two runs scored. His third triple in 76 at-bats was the key hit in the win. It came with one out in the bottom of the seventh and the scored tied, 4-4. Howard had a chance to deliver Altherr from third, but struck out against lefty Clayton Richard. Altherr then scored the go-ahead run when Richard uncorked a wild pitch.

Freddy Galvis’ two-run double in the eighth gave the Phils some breathing room and Ken Giles, one of four Phillies’ relievers to pitch a scoreless inning, nailed down the save.

Mackanin likes what he’s seen of Altherr and will continue to throw him out there.

“He’s auditioning,” Mackanin said. “But you’ve got to like him. I like him a lot. He’s a good looking athlete.”

Though the Phillies are playing out the string, Altherr knows he’s playing for something.

“I’m just trying to do the best I can and show them I can play,” he said. “I’m happy to be getting playing time. Hopefully I can keep doing well and fight for a spot next year.”

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