Phillies: Daniel Nava nearly hits for the cycle in loss to Colorado
The Phillies have dropped five straight games after sweeping the Braves
Daniel Nava stepped to the plate with two outs in the ninth inning just a double away from being the first Phillies player to hit for the cycle in over a decade. A deep flyout to left off the switch-hitter’s bat ultimately ended the ball game he dominated, in which the Phillies lost 8-5 in Colorado.
Nava would have been the ninth player in Phillies history to hit for the cycle and the 10th in franchise history. Third baseman David Bell is the last Phillie to completed the cycle, which came against the Montreal Expos on June 28, 2004.
Bell is joined by Gregg Jefferies, Chuck Klein x2, Johnny Callison, Cy Williams, Sam Thompson, and Lave Cross as Phillie hitters with the cycle under their belt.
Philadelphia Phillies
Nava is due to see extended playing time in the corner-outfield positions with Aaron Altherr placed to the disabled list. With baseball’s waiver trade deadline now in effect, Philadelphia can place Nava on revocable trade waivers. The team with the worst record that claims him has 48 hours to complete a deal with Philadelphia. If no one claims the switch-hitting outfielder, he can be traded to any team interested in his services.
The team with the worst record that claims him has 48 hours to complete a deal with Philadelphia. If no one claims the switch-hitting outfielder, he can be traded to any team interested in his services.
Nava’s bat was the primary catalyst in Nick Pivetta’s seventh loss of the season. The 24-year-old Pivetta allowed eight runs (six earned) in two and two-third innings in Colorado. Mark Leiter Jr. pitched brilliantly in relief striking out nine in four and one-third shutout innings.
Leiter’s nine strikeouts are the most for a Phils reliever since Ray Culp in 1966 versus the Pirates.
Catcher Jorge Alfaro made his first start of the season, collecting two hits with a strikeout in four at bats coming out of the eighth hole. Alfaro nearly beat out an infield ball for a single to lead off the ninth inning but was out by half a step.
Alfaro and Nava were two of three Philadelphia players to collect multi-hit games, with Freddy Galvis being the third.
Former Phillie Pat Neshek allowed the Phillies’ fifth run of the ball game in the ninth inning on a ball that landed between left fielder Gerardo Parra and shortstop Pat Valaika.
Next: Franklyn Kilome advances to Reading
The Phillies will look to avoid being swept for the second consecutive series on Sunday before heading to Atlanta.