Shocker: Alec Bohm benched by Phillies in Game 2 of NLDS originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Alec Bohm started in the All-Star Game this season, drove in 97 runs, finished second in the National League with 44 doubles and found himself on the bench for Game 2 of the NLDS.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson made the decision Saturday evening to replace Bohm with Edmundo Sosa. Thomson texted Bohm Saturday evening and brought him to his office Sunday morning to explain the move.
“He’s shuffling a little bit. It’s not like there aren’t other guys shuffling a little bit. I just want to get some energy into the lineup,” Thomson said. “Sosa is kind of an energy guy, run around and do some stuff, maybe create some stuff.”
Bohm finished the season in a 2-for-27 slump and went 0-for-4 in Game 1 on Saturday. It was four relatively weak at-bats: a pop-up to second base on two pitches, a groundout to second base on one pitch, a groundout to third base on two pitches and another groundout to third base on a pitch above the strike zone.
That last groundout left runners on the corners and Bohm slammed his helmet shut in frustration, something he often did.
“That certainly plays a role,” Thomson said. “He’s frustrated and I understand that, but you have to keep playing.”
Bohm missed just over two weeks from August 30 to September 15 with a left hand strain, but Thomson said he has not complained about the injury since his return.
“I texted Bohm last night and brought him in and talked to him today. I just told him to be ready to pinch-hit. I just wanted to get that energy into the lineup. He’s actually a really good pinch -hitter.”
“No doubt he wants to play. But he is a professional. Tomorrow he will definitely be on the mound with the lefty (Sean Manaea). I expect him to hit, I expect him to hit every day, because he is a player.” a really good hitter.”
Thomson rarely makes a move that looks as reactionary as this one, but the Phillies are just two losses away from stepping back into the playoffs for the third straight year.
“We need to eliminate some of that chasing that we saw yesterday, that’s for sure,” Thomson said. ‘I hope it’s in their heads. You have to adapt. They get it, they understand it.”
