By Mary Cunningham
It’s not every major leaguer who can get a 10-day break.
And then return with a great night at the plate.
But Tyler Goeddel did just that in the first inning last night night at Citizens Bank Park having not seen a pitch in a game since July 10 in Colorado.
But he ripped the second pitch he saw from Marlins left-hander Wei-Yin Chen for a two-run homer to right field in a 4-1 victory.
Goeddel singled to score a run in the second inning, giving him a career-high three RBIs.
“A lot of cage work,” Goeddel, when asked how he stayed sharp since he last played, told MLB.com. “I was a little concerned. Thought it would feel like the first day of spring training out there again. Luckily, I got some pitches to hit and put some good swings on them and got some good results.”
Since Goeddel hit a two-run homer on June 1 against the Nationals, he had hit just .125 (7-for-56) with one double, one triple and three RBIs in his next 25 games.
Goeddel acknowledged that he thought about a big night after the second-inning single. He had another RBI opportunity in the sixth, but he struck out looking to strand a runner on second.
“It was fun to be back out there and be a part of a win,” Goeddel said.
Goeddel’s playing time dropped once Peter Bourjos and Cody Asche started hitting the ball better. It is likely to remain that way, even if the Phillies move Bourjos before the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline. If Bourjos is traded, Aaron Altherr is expected to take Bourjos’ place in right field.
So Goeddel does what he can, trying to stay sharp and be productive in limited opportunities.
“I feel like I have a better understanding of what I need to do to be prepared,” Goeddel said. “Do more work before the game and stay focused on the bench because you never know when your name is going to be called. I just try and stay ready.”
