Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran experienced his first blown save with the team following a solid run, shaking fans during a recent game. The incident occurred on Friday night after Duran had successfully converted six consecutive save opportunities since joining the Phillies at the trade deadline, a streak that heightened expectations for his role in closing out games.
Despite the setback, Phillies manager Rob Thomson remained pragmatic, emphasizing that even the best closers cannot seal every game. Duran had similarly struggled earlier in the season with the Minnesota Twins before the trade, which saw Philadelphia part with key prospects Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel.
Details Behind Duran’s Blown Save
Duran entered the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead, taking over from Matt Strahm, and began on strong footing by striking out Luis Garcia Jr. However, trouble arose when outfielder Dylan Crews, who has faced challenges this season, delivered a crucial double to right field, putting the tying run in scoring position.
Washington capitalized quickly as Daylen Lile followed with a single to left, allowing Crews to score and even the game at 4-4. The situation worsened when Lile attempted to steal third base, but a throw by Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was mishandled by third baseman Alec Bohm, resulting in an error that allowed Lile to score, putting the Nationals ahead 5-4.
Although Duran struck out Brady House and Jacob Young to finish the inning and reach a career milestone of 300 strikeouts, the Phillies were unable to regain the lead. Washington reliever PJ Poulin sealed the victory by pitching two scoreless, hitless innings for the struggling Nationals.
Context and Impact on the Phillies’ Season
This loss marked only the second time this season that the Phillies have squandered a lead entering the ninth inning. Duran’s record now stands at 22 saves out of 25 chances, with his last blown save prior to Friday’s outing occurring on June 15 against the Houston Astros. His prior saves included a string of 12 straight conversions before this stumble.
Manager Rob Thomson pointed to legendary closer Mariano Rivera as a reminder that blown saves are an expected part of the game, citing Rivera’s 62 blown saves despite a Hall of Fame career. Thomson’s perspective underscores the importance of resilience as the season progresses.
What’s Next for the Phillies
The Phillies look to rebound quickly as the series continues on Saturday evening with right-hander Aaron Nola scheduled to pitch against Nationals left-hander Mitchell Parker. Nola, currently struggling with a 1-7 record and a 6.92 ERA, faces a tough challenge against a Nationals team eager to build momentum.
The outcome of this series and the pitching performances in the coming games will be critical as the Phillies navigate the remainder of the season, aiming to maintain playoff contention despite recent setbacks and the pressures on key bullpen roles like Duran’s.