The Los Angeles Dodgers wrapped up a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals, kicking off their road trip with a string of much-needed wins.
Runs being at a premium in the series finale put the game in the hands of Dodgers closer Evan Phillips, who took the ball in the ninth inning of a 2-1 ball game.
Facing the minimum, Phillips needed just 14 pitches in the final frame, tally two strikeouts, earning his seventh save on the year. This outing came just two days after he worked himself into trouble in another save opportunity, when he walked three batters in the ninth on Tuesday.
Phillips was able to escape unscathed, acknowledging his Thursday appearance was big for showcasing how he’s feeling, via SportsNet LA:
“It’s no different than really any other day. I try not to put too much stock into it, I just got right back to work. My body is in a much better spot, kind of got used to the time change and got the rust off the body after the flight. But it’s the natural course of the season, so I was happy I was able to come out here tonight and do the job.”
The Dodgers have dealt with some instability at the backend in recent seasons, but Phillips’ presence has been a steadying one. Relying on him to keep it all in check has been a key to the 29-year-old’s success, and he’s been one of the best in baseball at locking a game down:
“My mindset is always just one pitch at a time, attack the hitter, and try to execute my strengths. We get our scouting report every day, and I take a look at it right before I come in the game, and I try to see what the plan is going to look like. And I just go out there, try my best to make my pitches, and I came out on top this time.”
Phillips has shown his willingness to pitch in any spot at the end of games, sometimes having to face the heart of the opposing team’s lineup in the eighth inning.
His tenure with the Dodgers has been nothing short of spectacular, with a perfect 7-for-7 save conversion rate in his early work this season. In 11 games, Phillips has a 0.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in 10.2 innings pitched with a .200 batting average allowed.
Evan Phillips’ tenure with the Dodgers
In parts of four years with the Dodgers, Phillips owns a 1.67 ERA, 2.53 FIP, with 33 saves in 145.1 innings pitched.
His 0.85 WHIP in that span is remarkable, showcasing his stability and ability to stay within the strike zone, limiting walks.
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