ARLINGTON, Texas – The trio of Brandon Marsh, Harrison Bader and Max Kepler shared the outfield for the first time Saturday.
Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers Ace Jacob Degrom is Nick Castellanos’ plan as Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson continues to patch in outfield configuration. Thomson created bad chances against the right starter and then slid Kepler into the right territory.
He also has three outfielders in a row in the lineup. Eventually, the trio combined the Phillies rally against DeGrom to beat the Rangers 3-2.
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“It just shows that no matter where we have, we can contribute from every angle,” Kepler said. “Whether we are shifting on defense, offense, I think we’re just trying to be as selfless as possible so that you can contribute to the collective and the team.”
The Phillies spread four hits in the first six innings, but struggled to string anything together to match Degrom's 99mph fastball. In seventh place, the Swamp tied a single up on the right side of the infield to get things started. Bader Drew DeGrom's only race walk, and Kepler got the plate.
Entering Saturday, Kepler hit .154 in August. But his expected hit average for the entire month was .248. Overall, luck didn't stand by him. In the third inning, when he shot into the midfield, he lifted a hit fly ball and Wyatt Langford was able to track it on the run.
According to Statcast, it averages .700, even home runs at Wrigley Field.
“You did everything right, but you didn't get that result,” Kepler said. “And I've been playing professionally for 15 years, but these games are always salty, their stinging, the best thing you can do is try to leave them behind.”
In the seventh inning, Kepler drove the ball to the right corner, the third inning was a distant memory. When he sailed to second base, his two outfield companions made the score. Bryson Stott quickly stepped out of favor, picking out left-handed reliefist Danny Coulombe and headed to Kepler for some insurance.
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“I’m happy for him,” Thomson said. “There are many topics about him, and there are many voices.
During his long struggle, Kepler said he relies on teammates and support systems.
“Usually, I try not to fall on my machinery,” Kepler said. “It's just a mental thing. I'm starting to doubt myself, not necessarily a mechanic, just the whole machinery, as an athlete, an athlete. It's all mental for me.”
His doubles offer some relief, which gives the Phillies a lead. Starter Jesús Luzardo allowed early running after a trouble in the first inning, giving up three straight wins. But he fought in some traffic on the base platform to stop the Rangers until Tanner Banks took over as seventh place.
Luzardo performed well in the stretch and stranded five Texas runners. His defense was also helped as JT Realmuto caught two runners stealing while Edmundo Sosa performed well in third base.
“I think it's a good test today,” Luzado said. “Obviously there's a lot of traffic on the base and I think we handled it well. Obviously, it helped with JT and defense, which was great. But, everything felt good.”
Matt Strahm allowed a single home run with Corey Seager for the eighth time, but retired the next three batsmen. Jhoan Duran made his first appearance on the road as Phillie and knocked him out with a 1-2-3 hit rate. He flashed his knuckle curves to shoot Joc Pederson swaying.
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The highest third of the Phillies orders – Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper – played a 9-9 group match against DeGrom. It was the second half that was enough to help the Phillies win the series.
In the outfield, mixing and matching will continue. The three of Swamp, Bader and Kepler won't be regular units. Thomson said Castellanos will continue playing every day, prohibiting a few days off here and there.
“It's just a question, whether it's left or midfield, what are we going to do there?”