The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals. Following a day off, the Phillies face the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Kody Clemens hit a clutch two-run double that helped propel the Phillies past the Nationals, 11-5. Clemens had been 0-for-2 against left-handers this season, but he ripped the double off southpaw Robert Garcia. The Phillies continue to win because they’re getting production from their entire 26-man roster.
“It meant a lot,” Clemens said of the confidence manager Rob Thomson has shown. “They switched the pitcher up, and obviously, it’s a tough matchup, but it feels good to stay in there and have a good at-bat.” Alec Bohm knocked in five runs while Nick Castellanos and Bryce Harper added three hits apiece. With Trea Turner sidelined with a strained hamstring, opportunities are there for bench players like Clemens.
“It feels amazing,” Clemens said. “Obviously, I came up here for Trea, and I’m going to try and stay and do everything I can to stay. It’s a tough business sometimes, but when my name’s called, I just have to be ready.” The Phillies will hand the ball to left-hander Ranger Suarez (8-0, 1.37 ERA), who looks like a Cy Young candidate. In Suarez’s last start against the New York Mets, he gave up four hits and two unearned runs in five innings.
“I always try to keep the game close so we have a chance to win,” Suarez said. “We know the offense we have. I just go out and enjoy my game. I always give my best.” Suarez is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in one career start against the Rangers. Texas will arrive in Philadelphia having lost two of three to the Los Angeles Angels.
The Rangers fell 4-1 on Sunday and their record is 24-24. It has been a bit of a struggle since celebrating a World Series title. They have dropped three straight series thanks in large part to a lack of offensive production. The Rangers are hitting just .243 in May. “We’re missing some slug,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re just not slugging like we normally do and that’s why we’re sitting on one run or two runs for the most part here the last nine or 10 days. … That’s what we’re talking about. It goes in streaks. The guys that normally slug are just not getting it. That’s all.
“It can be a couple of things, like trying to probably be too patient up there,” Bochy added. “But a couple guys just aren’t swinging like they normally do and you got to hope they come out of it.” The bullpen has also been an issue. On Sunday, Jonathan Hernandez allowed both inherited runners to score. Yet Texas remains confident as it heads to Philadelphia to face the best team in Major League Baseball.
“We don’t feel pressure,” Bochy said. “Not this team with what we’ve been through over the last year. You’re right, we’re not playing our best baseball right now, but they’ve been resilient for over a year now.” Right-hander Jon Gray (2-1, 2.08 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rangers. Gray is 5-3 with a 4.18 ERA in 10 career starts against the Phillies.
