That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Five things learned from Phillies series loss to the Blue Jays

By John Town

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 24: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies exits the game as he is relieved by manager Gabe Kapler #22 in the seventh inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 24, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. The players are wearing special jerseys as part of MLB Players Weekend. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 24: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies exits the game as he is relieved by manager Gabe Kapler #22 in the seventh inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 24, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. The players are wearing special jerseys as part of MLB Players Weekend. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 26: Hector Neris #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the ninth inning during a game against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park on June 26, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Yankees won 6-0. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Hector Neris is back

Hector Neris hit rock bottom in June before his demotion. He had a 6.90 ERA in 33 appearances, giving up 11 home runs in 30 innings. His splitter had lost his effectiveness, essentially making him a one-pitch pitcher. He was sent back to Triple-A for a month and a half, hoping to regain what made him such a strong reliever the previous two seasons.

Whatever Neris did in Triple-A, it worked. In 6.2 innings since his return, he has been electric. He has racked up 15 strikeouts with just one walk and three hits allowed in this time. His splitter is working again, and it has paid massive dividends. He even has mixed in a couple sliders.

Neris has given the coaching staff enough confidence to put him into high-leverage situations again. Friday night in the seventh inning, Neris came on with runners on first and second and no outs after an error and hit. The Phillies were down 4-2 at the time with the game looking like it could go downhill quickly. Neris didn’t allow that to happen, striking out three straight batters to keep the game as it stood.

Neris pitched in the seventh again Sunday with a three-run lead. He struck out the first two batters he faced but allowed a double to Billy McKinney. That didn’t faze Neris, as he struck out Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. to end the inning.

Neris utterly dominated the Blue Jays over the weekend to highlight what has been a strong bounce-back by him. An effective Neris is exactly what this team needs for the playoff push.

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