Alec Bohm’s five RBIs and Kody Clemens’ hot streak help the Philadelphia Phillies maintain their record start.….
Philadelphia (CBS) – Kody Clemens continues to demonstrate that he is ready to stay in the major leagues longer than Trea Turner’s IL stint. He’s making the Philadelphia Phillies’ decision that much more difficult. Clemens, who started at second base following his heroics the day before, hit the go-ahead double in the fifth inning to lead the Phillies to an 11-5 victory over the Washington Nationals, completing a three-game sweep of their National League East opponents.
Clemens went 2 for 5 with two RBIs, including a double off Nationals left-hander Robert Garcia in a four-run fifth inning. Since Turner’s call-up, the Phillies’ super-utility player has continued his hot streak. Clemens is hitting.321 with a 1.166 OPS.
“I’m just trying to get my timing right,” Clemens remarked. “Just trying to get my foot down, be ready for a fastball, and respond to offspeed pitches. Right now, everything feels great. I’m seeing the ball well and am in a pretty nice position.” Alec Bohm began the four-run fifth inning with a sacrifice fly that scored Kyle Schwarber and tied the game at 3-3, setting the stage for Clemens to deliver another big base hit.
With Harper and Bryson Stott on base, Clemens crushed a double to right field, scoring both players and energising Citizens Bank Park’s highest crowd of the season (44,713). The double was Clemens’ second game-tying and winning hit in less than 24 hours. Saturday night, Clemens hit the game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning, propelling the Phillies to a 10-inning victory. Nick Castellanos followed with an RBI single that scored Clemens and increased the margin to 6-3, one of his three hits of the day.
Bohm brought that momentum to the plate in the bottom half of the inning, which is unusual for him considering his approach to the game this season.
“I think you could say that in the past,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. “I believe he has matured enough to keep everything on track. He maintains his poise and believes in himself, as he should. He’s an excellent player who has greatly improved his defensive skills. And he’s made significant offensive improvements. “He’s talented.” Bohm leads the MLB with 42 RBIs and is on pace for 142 this season. Bohm and Luis Matos are the only baseball players who have had multiple 5-RBI games.
Bohm has had more good days than bad this year, but he’s keeping things in perspective as he works his way up to become one of the game’s best third basemen. “There’s a lot I had to overcome to be an everyday player in the big leagues,” Bohm stated. “There have been moments in the past when I let poor days lead to more bad days, or a terrible play lead to a horrible day. “I think just staying calm and playing the game has made a difference this year.”
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