PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Kody Clemens continues to show he is ready to stay in the Major League for more than a year Trea Turner IL stint. He makes the Philadelphia Phillies’ decision that much harder.
Clemens, who earned the start at second base after his exploits the day beforehad the go-ahead performance with a fifth-inning double that powered the Phillies to an 11-5 victory over the Washington Nationals – completing the three-game sweep of their National League East counterparts.
Clemens finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, both of which came on the double he hit off Nationals left-hander Robert Garcia in a four-run fifth inning. The Phillies super-utility man continued his hot streak since being drafted for Turner, as Clemens is hitting .321 with a 1.166 OPS.
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“I’m just trying to get my timing right,” Clemens said. “I’m just trying to get my foot on the ground and be ready in time for a fastball and react to off-speed [pitches]. It feels really good right now. I see the ball well and I am in a very good position.”
Alec Bohm started the four-run fifth inning scoring with a sacrifice fly to score Kyle Schwarber and tie the game at 3-3, clearing the way for Clemens to come through again with a big single. With Harper and Bryson Stott on base, Clemens ripped his double to right field to score both Harper and Stott, sending the largest crowd of the year (44,713) at Citizens Bank Park into a frenzy.
The double was Clemens’ second tying run in less than 24 hours, as he hit the tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning on Saturday to lift the Phillies to a win. Nick Castellanos followed with an RBI single to score Clemens and extend the lead to 6-3, one of his three hits of the afternoon.
Bohm finished with five RBIs that day, including a three-run home run in the eighth inning, putting the Phillies up 11-3. He also made a key defensive play in the eighth inning, making a leaping grab to rob Luis Garcia of an extra-base hit with a runner on first, keeping the Phillies’ lead at 8–3.
Bohm carried that momentum to the plate in the bottom half of the inning, which is actually unusual for him given his approach to the game this year.
“I guess you could say that in the past,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of Bohm, wearing his emotion on his sleeve. “I think he is mature enough now to balance everything. He balances himself and believes in himself, which is what he should do.
“He’s a very good player and he’s really improved defensively. And offensively he’s really improved. He’s talented.”
Bohm led all of Major League Baseball after Sunday’s game with 42 RBIs on the year and is on pace for 142 for the season. Bohm and Luis Matos are the only baseball players with multiple 5-RBI games.
There have been more good days than bad for Bohm this year, but he’s keeping everything in perspective during his rise to becoming one of the best third basemen in the game.
“There’s a lot I had to overcome to be an everyday player in the big leagues,” Bohm said. “There have definitely been times in the past where I’ve let bad days lead to more bad days, or a bad game lead to a bad day.
“I think just staying calm and playing the game has made a little bit of a difference this year.”
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While Bohm turns his start into an All-Star year, Clemens tries to stay on his way to the Phillies roster. Even with Turner returning to the infield with numbers, Clemens gives the Phillies plenty to think about as his career reaches a crossroads.
“It’s hard to think about that,” Clemens said. “I’m just trying to take it one day at a time and believe in myself again and know that I can do this here.
“I’m just trying to continue to help the team by putting out quality at-bats and playing good defense behind these great pitchers and just trying to pass the baton at the plate. I’m just trying to contribute as much as I can.” can.”
Philadelphia is 20 games above .500 through May 19, and didn’t reach 20 games above .500 until September 27 of last year (their highest mark of the season). The 34-14 start ties the 1976 and 1993 Phillies for the best 48-game record in franchise history.
A special summer is in store at Citizens Bank Park. This team shows no signs of slowing down.
