By Sam Bush
Last week’s Phillies’ flurry of Let’s Make a Deal may not be over.
There are still some chips left on the table for the Phils to play with that might result in future prospects coming back.
The Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline awaits.
Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur helped his cause in Wednesday night’s 4-3 loss to the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Francoeur threw out Joc Pederson at third base in the fourth inning and hit a two-run home run to left field in the eighth, while Aaron Harang allowed seven hits, four runs, five walks and struck out one in five innings.
Francoeur is hitting .276 (59-for-214) with 12 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 35 RBIs and a .787 OPS in 78 games. Francoeur has the second-best OPS on the team among players with more than 100 at-bats. Only Franco (.829) is better. Francoeur also is averaging a home run every 21.4 at-bats, which is the second-best mark on the team. Only Ryan Howard (one homer every 19.8 at-bats) has been better.
“We commented about it,” Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. “There’s got to be somebody that’s interested in him, I would think. He’s come up big all year. We love him.”
Harang allowed a three-run home run to Yasiel Puig in the first inning to hand the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. He had a 2.02 ERA in his first 11 starts this season. He has a 7.46 ERA in his last eight.”I can’t worry about that,” Harang said about the Aug. 31 deadline.
“I’ve got to worry about just executing out there right now. That’s what I’ve got to focus on. I can’t worry about the potential to go here or there. I’ve got to pitch like I know I can pitch and get myself back in a groove.”
It was Harang’s second start since returning from the disabled list with left-foot plantar fasciitis.
“I was off,” Harang said. “I wasn’t sharp.”
