Phillies Week in Review: Howard Booming Off Bench

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

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

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

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