Altherr powers win over Marlins »
PHILADELPHIA » Even if he’d not already realized it was too late anyway, Aaron Altherr Friday was fine with Gabe Kapler’s late-season counsel.
“Don’t try to make up for it,” Kapler told Altherr, “in one game.”
Just the same, Altherr tried, hitting two home runs, playing responsible left field, hustling to score a run and helping the Phillies to a 14-2 victory over the Miami Marlins. With his 4-for-5 effort, though, Altherr’s season average only rose to .185.
“It feels great to have a night like that,” Altherr said. “For some reason the last couple of days I felt really good in batting practice. I decided to bring it to the game and see how it would translate and I was able to do that tonight. Hopefully I can keep that riding. I honestly don’t know. For some reason, something clicked and it just felt really good. I was glad I was able to keep that feeling in the game.”
In his 15th career major-league at-bat, the first 14 without a hit, Mitch Walding finally broke through Friday.
With one out in the eighth, Walding turned on a blooper pitch from Bryan Holaday and planted it in the right field seats for his first big-league hit, homer and RBI. The last Phillie to homer for his first major-league hit was Brock Stassi last season.
“I was speechless,” Walding said. “It was probably one of the happiest moments I’ve ever had in my life. It has been 14 at-bats and I finally got that one and it was just an unbelievable feeling. And you have it with your teammates. Everyone is excited for you. It’s really special.”
Walding, who had 19 minor-league home runs this season, was able to recover the ball.
“I’ll definitely be saving that one,” he said. “Like I said, it was really special.”
Maikel Franco, who has a sore shoulder, continues to consider himself “day to day.” Injured Tuesday while flopping into the Washington Nationals’ dugout to make a play, Franco injured his shoulder and neck, requiring x-rays. He did not sustain a concussion.
He did not play Wednesday, the Phillies were off Thursday, and he declared himself out for the Friday game against Miami.
“It’s still a little sore,” he said. “Maybe tomorrow.”
With Kapler determined to have as many right-handed hitters as possible in against Miami lefty Wei-Yin Chen, Franco might have helped. Instead, switch-hitting Carlos Santana played third, with Rhys Hoskins at first.
“It’s not a ‘setback’,” Kapler declared. “It’s just the one injury that he sustained when he fell over the rail. He’s doing a little bit better today, but is still sore in his shoulder.”
Developed as a second baseman, Scott Kingery has played the position only twice this season … and not at all since April 16. At long last, though, Kapler is warming to the idea that Kingery may have some lateseason, second-base shifts.
“He could,” Kapler said. “I’m not going to close any doors.”
Outfielder Dylan Cozens has been dabbling at first base during batting practice. Theories abound. One is that the Phils will not offer Justin Bour arbitration in the offseason. Another is that Hoskins is destined for a return to first, with Santana ticketed as a third baseman. If so, Cozens could play himself into value as hybrid outfielder-firstbaseman.
“I’ve talked to him about it individually that I personally think is important for him,” Kapler said. “The more opportunities and places he can get a spot in the lineup at the major-league level, the better. I think next year, whether that’s in spring training or at the Triple-A level, we need to see him get some reps at first base. Even if it just turns out that we deploy him off the bench, if we can double-switch him into a game and he can play, theoretically, the corner positions in the outfield and first base.”
Cozens produced 44 home runs and 135 RBIs at Class AA Reading in 2016 and once was viewed as a top power-hitting prospect. But in 17 games for the Phils this season, he’d hit .091 with one home run.
“The tools are there,” Kapler said. “He has a good throwing arm, an accurate throwing arm. He has a good, natural feel around the bag. He has all of the necessary ingredients.”
NOTES » Zach Eflin won for the first time since Aug. 16, going 6.1 innings, striking out four and allowing one run. The game a rout by then, Drew Anderson was assigned to complete the final 2.2 innings . ... Vince Velasquez (9-11, 4.30) will pitch for the Phils at 7:05 Saturday. … Nick Williams (shoulder, finger) was not available but is not considered seriously injured.