Bryan De La Cruz made an immediate impact in his first game back with the Phillies, launching a game-tying home run in a 9 to 5 loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
The blast came in just his second plate appearance since being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley two days earlier.
De La Cruz turned on a fastball from Dodgers starter Eric Lauer in the fourth inning, sending it just over the center field wall.
The ball came off his bat at nearly 106 miles per hour. Speaking through interpreter Diego D’Aniello afterward, De La Cruz said he was grateful for the chance and noted that he has typically performed well against left-handed pitching.
A Lineup Still Searching for Answers
The Phillies brought De La Cruz up specifically to address a lineup that has been overmatched against left-handed pitching all season. Philadelphia entered Wednesday with the majors’ worst on-base percentage, and their production against lefties has been especially troubling.
The team ranked 24th overall against left-handed pitching, while their right-handed hitters were dead last in the league in that split, a mark that would represent the club’s worst performance since 1969.
Interim manager Don Mattingly shuffled his outfield to try to find an edge, starting Edmundo Sosa in left, Derek Hill in center, and De La Cruz in right. That kind of platoon look could become more common as the Phillies try to survive stretches against left-handed starters.
All-Star outfielder Brandon Marsh sat out the opener, continuing a rough patch against lefties that has seen his production drop off sharply over his last several games.
Mattingly indicated Marsh may see more days off in similar matchups going forward, though he still called on him late, and Marsh delivered a pinch-hit single and later scored.
Depth Move With Trade Deadline Looming
De La Cruz’s promotion also doubled as a corresponding roster move, with catcher Garrett Stubbs landing on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation. Stubbs had appeared in just 20 games this season and was hitting under .200 before the injury.
De La Cruz, who signed a minor league deal with Philadelphia over the winter, hit .269 with 12 home runs and an .806 OPS in 84 games at Triple A this year. Over parts of five big league seasons with Miami, Pittsburgh and Atlanta, he has posted a .698 OPS overall.
With the trade deadline arriving August 3, De La Cruz may only be a stopgap. The Phillies are widely expected to continue scouting the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder who can provide more consistent pop against left-handed pitching down the stretch.
