Rob Thomson Says 'We've Got to Clean it Up' Regarding Phillies Defensive Woes

The Philadelphia Phillies walked off the Washington Nationals after a back-and-forth game. During the game, the Phillies made two key mistakes in the field, which nearly cost them the win. After the game, Phillies manager Rob Thomson sent a message about the Phillies’ fielding issues.

Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote an article detailing the defensive miscues and included comments from Thomson and the players involved after the game.

Thomson’s message was strong and straightforward: “We’ve got to clean it up.”

The two Phillies responsible for Thomson’s commentary are shortstop Trea Turner and center fielder Johan Rojas. Their mistakes happened in the top of the ninth inning, and led to Thomson’s strong message.

Rojas had a hard-hit line drive to center that he misread, and came too far forward in trying to catch. The ball sailed over his head, resulting in extra bases for James Wood, scoring a run.

Next, Turner fielded a grounder and overthrew Bryce Harper at first. Fortunately, Harper caught the throw, but not before the runner was safe at first.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas (left) and outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) can’t catch a double hit by Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (not pictured) during the second inning at Wrigley Field.David Banks-Imagn Images

If either play is made, the Phillies would’ve been done with the inning, as Orion Kerkering got a strikeout before and after the Phillies’ defensive miscues.

Instead of getting out of the inning, Kerkering allowed a three-run home run to give the Nationals the lead, nearly losing the game for the Phillies.

After the game, Thomson was critical of the mistakes from the Phillies’ defense overall. “Right now, we are giving up too many outs. We just need to slow down and get the outs that we need to get.”

But, while Thomson is critical, he also believes in his players. Thomson said of Rojas, “I’m not concerned… He’s a great defender.”

Despite the defensive mistakes, the Phillies won a thriller against a division rival. But those mistakes can’t continue, and Thomson knows it.

Thomson wants more from Turner and Rojas defensively, and they’ve both shown the ability to be better defenders.

But they, along with the rest of the defense in general, need to clean things up if they want to get back on track defensively.

Daily News

Rob Thomson Says ‘We’ve Got to Clean it Up’ Regarding Phillies Defensive Woes

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