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Phillies Week in Review: Howard Booming Off Bench

By Alexis Girardo |
Aug 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) is congratulated by third base coach Juan Samuel (8) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in the twelfth inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) is congratulated by third base coach Juan Samuel (8) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in the twelfth inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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The Fightins had a good week to start August. The team took two of three from both the Giants and Padres to finish with a 4-2 record. The offense came alive, posting 38 runs over six games played. Now they begin a three game set against the Dodgers, facing the iconic Chase Utley for the first time since the team traded him to L.A. last season.

This week the Fightins turned their first triple play since this beauty in 2009.

The Phillies did receive some bad news this week when young righty Aaron Nola was placed on the disabled list with an elbow injury. While it remains to be seen if the season is over for Nola, it does explain his recent command struggles. Here’s hoping Aaron makes a full recovery and finds his pinpoint command again after some rest.

Let’s take a look at who was surging and who was struggling for the Phils to begin the dog days of August.

Next: Surging Bats

Aug 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) is congratulated by third base coach Juan Samuel (8) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in the twelfth inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) is congratulated by third base coach Juan Samuel (8) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in the twelfth inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Surging Bats

Veteran slugger Ryan Howard had a heck of a week at the plate. The Big Piece batted .600 over three games with two homers and a double.

The Phillies second longest tenured player, Carlos Ruiz, also had a nice week at the plate in limited action. Chooch hit .375 with a stolen base.

Odubel Herrera broke out of his post All Star Break slump in a big way. Herrera hit .357 with a homer and a triple.

Cesar Hernandez’s hot streak continued. Hernandez batted .308 this week with two doubles.

Aaron had a great week at the dish, hitting .286 with a homer, seven RBIs, and two doubles.

Next: Struggling Bats

Jun 29, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Cody Asche against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 29, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Cody Asche against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Struggling Bats

Cody Asche continues to struggle at the dish. Asche hit just .100 this week with four strikeouts.

Freddy Galvis had a poor week at the plate, hitting just .182 with six strikeouts.

Tyler Goeddel continues to struggle at the dish for the Fightins. Goeddel hit just .154 with four strikeouts this week.

Jimmy Paredes cooled off this week, hitting just .125 with a homer.

Tyler Featherston had another rough week at the plate, going hitless in seven official at bats.

Next: Surging Arms

Jun 29, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Edubray Ramos throws in the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 29, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Edubray Ramos throws in the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Surging Arms

The Phils starting pitchers did not have a great week, but the pen sure did shine for the Fightins over the last seven days.

Hector Neris had an impressive week out of the bullpen. Neris posted a 2.25 ERA with six strikeouts and no walks in four innings pitched.

Jeanmar Gomez earned his 28th save of the year out in San Diego. As someone who was never intended to be the closer, Gomez has filled the position well.

Michael Mariot, Brett Olberholtzer, Elvis Araujo, Gomez, Edubray Ramos, combined for 12.1 scorless innings and nine strikeouts.

Next: Struggling Arms

Aug 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jake Thompson (44) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jake Thompson (44) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Struggling Arms

Phil Klein was called up from Lehigh Valley to start in place of the injured Aaron Nola. Klein posted a 7.20 ERA, giving up four earned runs in five innings pitched against the Giants this week.

Jake Thompson, who was acquired in the Cole Hamels trade to Texas last year, struggled in his major league debut. Thompson gave up six earned run in just 4.1 innings pitched with one strikeout.

Here’s hoping he will be able to shake off his jitters and have a better second outing like his teammate Zach Eflin did earlier this season.

Speaking of Eflin, he also struggled this week. Eflin gave up six earned runs in just five innings pitched against the Giants this week.

Next: Utley Haunts the Phillies in Blowout

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