When asked if Hector Neris would retain the closer role following his National League-leading fifth blown save Wednesday against Washington, Joe Girardi, taking an unusually diplomatic approach, said he would sleep on it. The skipper appears to have made up his mind, announcing Friday that Jose Alvarado, not Neris, will receive the Phillies’ next save opportunity.
Neris endured a disastrous outing Wednesday, coughing up a 12-11 lead in the ninth by allowing hits to Josh Bell, Josh Harrison and Starlin Castro before Victor Robles mercifully bailed him out by grounding into an inning-ending double play. Wednesday’s implosion at Citizens Bank Park marked the right-hander’s third blown save in his last four chances. Opponents have hit a robust .333 off Neris in June compared to .181 in his first two months of 2021. Over that span, he’s seen his ERA nearly double, ballooning from 1.96 to 3.54.
Girardi didn’t specify the length of Neris’ demotion, though it could be just a temporary measure, giving the 32-year-old a chance to iron out whatever mechanical flaws he may be dealing with. While Neris presumably works in lower leverage spots, Alvarado will ascend to the top of Philadelphia’s late-inning food chain. The left-hander battled control issues early in the year but seems to have conquered those demons, at least for the time being (0.96 ERA with 10 strikeouts over 9 1/3 innings this month). It’s unclear if Girardi envisions Alvarado leading a ninth-inning committee or if the closer gig is now his to lose.
The slumping Phils have lost six of their last eight, dropping to third in the NL East, five games back of the division-leading Mets, who they’ll oppose in a doubleheader at Citi Field later today. Philadelphia’s bullpen has made noticeable strides this season (it would be hard not to after posting a miserable 7.06 ERA in 2020), though, clearly, Girardi feels there’s still ample room for improvement.
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