The Philadelphia Phillies will be glad to face anyone not named Jacob Misiorowski on Saturday night when they continue their road series with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Misiorowski, 24, authored one of the greatest starts in Brewers history in Friday’s series opener, striking out a career-high 15 in his first career shutout. He faced the minimum 27 batters, allowed only one hit and did not walk a batter, requiring just 95 pitches in his masterpiece as Milwaukee won 6-0.
One Misiorowski pitch was 104.5 mph, the fastest ever tracked by a starting pitcher.
“That was as good as it gets,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said of Misiorowski’s overall effort. “With all those All-Stars and great players they have over there, incredible, incredible performance. Efficient. Amazing young man. Really is. He just goes out and lets it eat.”
Philadelphia, which had won seven of its previous nine games, managed only a fourth-inning single by Kyle Schwarber. Justin Crawford, the Phillies’ final hitter of the night, struck out on a 103-mph pitch.
“You pretty much better be ready to hit the fastball. You don’t see guys like this often,” Philadelphia interim manager Don Mattingly said.
Mattingly hopes his squad fares better Saturday against Shane Drohan (3-1, 3.11 ERA), who will face the Phillies for the first time in his career. The rookie left-hander gave up three runs in 6 1/3 innings Sunday against the Colorado Rockies in his last outing, and it was good enough to earn the win in a 12-4 triumph.
“He was great all day. Underrated. Great performance,” Murphy said. “This kid, he’s been unbelievable all year for us and doesn’t get the credit. … Really impressed with him.”
The Phillies will give the ball to right-hander Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.86 ERA), who has struggled for most of the season. He gave up five runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, although he did not factor into the decision in his team’s 9-5 victory.
Nola walked four batters while requiring 98 pitches to get 13 outs.
“I didn’t really get ahead today, and they worked me into pretty deep counts, so that just kind of makes it harder,” Nola said after the outing. “They see more pitches, and there’s room for mistakes.”
Nola is 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 15 career starts against Milwaukee.
He certainly will want to keep a close eye on Jake Bauers, who hit a three-run homer Friday — his third home run in the last five games. After losing its previous two games, Milwaukee got back on track with Bauers supplying much of the offense — not that the Brewers needed a lot of runs with their star right-hander on the mound.
Six of the Phillies’ nine starters struck out at least twice, led by Crawford’s three punchouts. The rookie center fielder could get a breather Saturday against a southpaw starter.
Philadelphia could also have a new look in right field after Gabriel Rincones went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Friday in his major league debut. The 25-year-old is in the majors because Adolis Garcia suffered a significant shoulder injury earlier this week.
Garcia’s first season in Philadelphia might be over.
“I mean, it sounds like that’s a good possibility,” said Mattingly when asked if it’s a season-ending injury. “I know they’re waiting on one final opinion, but it obviously is not good. (We) put him on the (60-day IL) right away. Yeah, it doesn’t look good.”
–Field Level Media
