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Philadelphia Phillies vs Washington Nationals: Observations from Philly’s First Series Win

By John Town

Apr 9, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) celebrates with teammates after hitting walk-off RBI single in bottom of ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) celebrates with teammates after hitting walk-off RBI single in bottom of ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jeanmar Gomez (46) reacts after allowing a game-tying three run home run against the Washington Nationals in the top of the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeanmar Gomez Can’t Be the Closer Anymore

For the second time in three games, Jeanmar Gomez gave up a home run in a save opportunity. On Opening Day, there was enough of a cushion to keep the lead intact. Sunday that wasn’t the case when Gomez gave up a three-run home run to the pinch-hitting Ryan Zimmerman, blowing Philadelphia’s three-run lead.

Even though the offense bailed out Gomez in the bottom of the inning, the fact that Gomez is getting lit up early in the season can’t go unnoticed. His ERA so far this season is 15.00 with five runs allowed in three innings. That is simply unacceptable from your closer, and as our own George Stockburger wrote, the experiment has failed.

Corey Seidman of CSN Philly put the oddity of Gomez closing in better terms than I ever could:

Manager Pete Mackanin said in his post-game press conference that he is going to talk with Gomez about the closing role after Sunday’s game and he is “considering” changing the closer.

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