Quinn, Herrera provide 1-2 punch as Phillies win
When the Phillies decided to promote Roman Quinn straight from an injury-shortened season at double A to the majors, it was designed to offer the 23-year-old outfielder a taste of what could be a regular role in 2017. His arrival may have provided an unintended benefit.
When the Phillies decided to promote Roman Quinn straight from an injury-shortened season at double A to the majors, it was designed to offer the 23-year-old outfielder a taste of what could be a regular role in 2017. His arrival may have provided an unintended benefit.
A little motivation for Odubel Herrera never hurt.
The two effervescent outfielders formed a potent duo Tuesday in the Phillies' 7-6 win over Chicago. Quinn, batting second, slapped two singles and scored two runs. Herrera, behind him, crushed a two-run homer, singled twice and added two stolen bases. They combined to score four runs.
Together, they could form the top of Phillies manager Pete Mackanin's batting order next season.
Quinn has started in every game since he was called up. He assumed Herrera's center-field spot in his debut, Sept. 11, and Herrera has since gone 15 for 29 with six extra-base hits. Mackanin, earlier this week, wondered if that was more than coincidence.
"The minute Quinn got here, he started really 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.' Everybody needs a little boost once in a while. That may have something to do with it."
Really, Herrera pulled himself from a slump before Quinn arrived. Since Aug. 19, Herrera has hit .320 with an .860 OPS in 105 plate appearances. The former Rule 5 pick has been the Phillies' most productive hitter in 2016, albeit in streaks.
The game slogged to its conclusion; Jeanmar Gomez allowed three more runs in the ninth inning to raise his ERA to 4.03. That forced Michael Mariot into a one-run game with the tying run on second for his first career save.
Howard better
Ryan Howard told Mackanin that he felt "great" on Tuesday, but Howard was out of the lineup for the third straight game. He will not play Wednesday, either, which means he has just three more chances to start a game at Citizens Bank Park.
Howard had his left knee drained Sunday to alleviate some swelling, and the Phillies were optimistic that his absence would not linger. The team would like to play him as much as possible in the season's final two weeks as a farewell.
Chicago will start lefthander Chris Sale on Wednesday, so that will keep Howard on the bench.
"I think the worst thing that could happen is that if [the knee] did blow up again," Mackanin said. "It's not going to help him for next year. He'll play quite a bit on this next road trip and certainly the last three games here."
Extra bases
Maikel Franco reached 100 strikeouts Tuesday, making him the sixth Phillies hitter to do it, a new franchise record for a single season. Strikeouts are up everywhere; Major League Baseball will establish a new high in 2016. . . . The Phillies secured their first winning record (10-9) in interleague play since 2011. . . . Jerad Eickhoff will make his 31st start Wednesday. He's on track to start 33 times, with the last one coming in the season finale.
@MattGelb