NLCS: Seranthony Dominguez Leads a Rebuilt Phillies Bullpen in 7 Innings Over Nationals
With the pennant on the line, the Phillies needed to beat the heavily regarded Washington Nationals to get back into the World Series. The Phillies did just that, beating the Nationals in an 11-0 victory in Game Two. The Phillies’ bullpen was the key to the victory, tossing six innings of shutout ball, allowing only three hits, while notching two holds.
When the bullpen couldn’t get the job done in Game Two, the Phillies were forced to rely on three position players to carry the team in the fifth and sixth innings to close out the game: Raul Ibanez, Maikel Cleek and Domonic Brown.
In the latter two innings, Cleek earned his first save since 2008, after pitching a scoreless seventh inning with one hit and one walk.
After two games in which Maikel Cleek had a big opportunity for a save, he was no where to be found in Game Three of a potential World Series.
The Nationals won the game thanks to an RBI single by Jayson Werth to tie the score at 2-2 in the eighth. Then with a runner on third and two outs, Bryce Harper singled to keep the Phillies’ season alive.
But in the ninth inning, Carlos Ruiz was called on to replace Dontrelle Willis, who had pitched the entire game. Ruiz was able to get the win, tossing up a perfect ninth inning to secure his third save of the series.
The bullpen put up another performance of its own in Game Four, and while it wasn’t nearly as dominant as in the previous two games, it was enough to get the Phillies to the NLCS.
The Phillies’ bullpen worked one of its better outings of the entire postseason, and ended up with three relievers, four saves, an earned run average of 1.25, and a WHIP of 0.85. All in all, it was one of the best bullpens in the postseason, which is nice to see considering the Phillies have had so many injuries to their bullpen.
The Phillies’ bullpen now has at least one win in three of their last four NLCS games