Trea Turner went 4-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in the Phillies’ wild victory over the Nationals on Tuesday night, but the veteran shortstop was the source of widespread ire among fans by the time the game was over.
Not because of his bat, but due to his defense, as Turner made a pair of bad miscues at shortstop that nearly contributed to what could have been an infuriating loss at CBP.
Turner tried to turn a double play in the eighth inning, but failed when he failed to touch second base after fielding a ground ball up the middle. Soon after, Turner sailed a throw to first after fielding a routine grounder, pulling Bryce Harper off the bag, resulting in a baserunner that would come around to score after a three-run blast by Nathaniel Lowe.
The Phils won, but that didn’t stop our hosts from sounding the alarm on Turner’s defense at a pivotal position like shortstop.
“The up-the-middle defense last night, other than J.T....Trea’s defense stunk and Rojas’ defense stunk,” DeCamara said. “[Turner’s] defense, of all the main stuff with the team involving prime players, it’s probably the weakest part of the team.
“Trea’s defense is horrible.”
Joe Giglio took it a step further on the Midday Show, declaring that it’s time for the Phillies to begin Turner’s transition to the outfield right now.
“I’m tired of it,” Joe said. “I’m tired of everyone pretending that this isn’t a huge deal...that was ridiculous what I saw in the eighth inning. He can’t play shortstop at a high level.”