PHILADELPHIA — Phillies manager Rob Thomson was straightforward when pressed about putting Max Kepler back into the starting lineup Tuesday night despite Kepler’s season-long struggles and uncertainty of his spot on the roster. However, for Thomson his word is as important as making lineup decisions.
“I told them it would be a six-day platoon. I have to stay with my word,” Thomson said prior to Philadelphia’s 5-0 win over Baltimore Tuesday night.
It would have been conceivable for the skipper to change his tune after Harrison Bader clobbered a three-run home run for his first hit as a Phillie the night before, electrifying the crowd in an eight-run explosion in the series opening 13-3 win.
Instead, it was Kepler delivering for Philadelphia in the midst of the ongoing outfield platoon, going 2-for-4, with a double and smacking a two-run home run over the right field wall highlighting a three-run second inning.
“There’s some relief behind that (homerun) swing,” Kepler said. “I feel like I’ve been battling the unlucky type ball in play with no result for a long time in my career. I just try to put my head down and keep going. This one has been tougher than I think the most if I reflect on it. But I’m not trying to reflect on it too much. Just trying to stay present and keep moving forward.”
Kepler needed a performance like Tuesday night.
In the fifth, Kepler roped a double down the right field line and came around to score on Bryson Stott’s triple to make it a 4-0 game.
“It gives him confidence,” Thomson said. “I know he’s been working hard at it, trying to straighten out his swing. Actually, he’s hit the ball hard for awhile now but doesn’t have much to show for it.”
In the eighth, Brandon Marsh bashed a solo home run to make it a 5-0 ballgame. Since returning from his injury after a brutal March/April where he went 4-for-42 (.095), Marsh has been red-hot hitting .303 since May 3.
For Kepler, it marked the first game he had a pair of extra-base hits since the season opener on March 31.
The 32-year-old has dealt with some bad luck this season. His expected batting average is .240 and he has a Barrel% of 66% according to Baseball Savant. Yet, with the two-hit night, he is sitting just above the Mendoza line at .204.
Hearing more jeers than cheers, the outfielder has tried to disregard the unpleasantries.
“Sometimes I think the boos are their love language, you know?”
He opened up more afterwards.
“It’s hard. To be honest, I haven’t been the most present lately. I just try to confide in my brothers, enjoy what they do and watch them do their thing. If I play unselfish baseball, I feel within the team and as the collective and I’m not thinking of the results coming my way in the future.”
Kepler and the offense provided more than enough run support for Taijuan Walker. The right-hander tossed six scoreless innings scattering four hits, and did not walk a batter while striking out four. It was the first time since his season debut on April 3 against Colorado he twirled six scoreless innings.
That season debut was one where Walker was getting booed during player introductions in the home opener, shaking it off to toss six scoreless innings that same day. It did not stop there.
Walker was pushed out of the rotation for a time only to be asked to rejoin and produce in the absence of Aaron Nola, who is missing time due to injury. The 13-year veteran has turned in a respectable season through it all, improving to a 4-5 record on the season while lowering his ERA to 3.53 across 23 appearances (12 starts).
“He’s tough. He’s tough as nails,” Thomson said on Walker. “He’s going to compete and he’s not going to back down from anybody. You can book that. I’m really proud of him, I’m really happy for him. He’s gone through a lot.”
Kepler and Walker could list plenty of moments this season where a packed Citizens Bank Park felt like it turned on them.
However, on Tuesday night, they were lauded for their efforts.
*Player quotes courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia Postgame Live
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
