Phillies’ Turner Makes Impact, Despite Hitting Struggles

CHICAGO — Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner showed resilience on Sunday night, scoring a crucial run in the 10th inning against the Chicago Cubs, despite ongoing hitting struggles. With the bases loaded and two strikes against him, Turner chopped a pitch to third base, but he used his speed to beat it out for an infield hit. The hit not only scored a critical insurance run but also showcased his potential to impact the game.

“That’s what he can do,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson after the game. “He can change a game. With his legs, with his power, with his hitting ability, he can change a game.” Turner, nearly 32 years old, is known for his speed, clocking in at 31.4 feet per second, his fastest time this season.

Turner signed a $300 million contract with the Phillies, where expectations included not just home runs but also dynamic plays on the field. In his first two seasons, he swung at more pitches outside the strike zone and tried to pull more hits, leading to a dip in production.

In January, Thomson and hitting coach Kevin Long visited Turner in Florida, discussing adjustments to improve his plate discipline. They considered moving him to the leadoff spot, where he has performed better against left-handed pitchers. As a result, his out-of-zone swing rate has improved to 28.6%, slightly better than the major-league average.

However, Turner has not been able to drive the ball effectively. He has only one home run this season and is slugging just .330, well below his career average of .478. As of this week, the Phillies ranked third in walks and on-base percentage but struggled with power, sitting near the bottom in homers and slugging percentage.

“Our slug numbers are down, but I don’t think it has anything to do with that,” Thomson said. “I think it’s just the fact that we’ve run into some colder weather. And that’ll change.”

Despite their struggles, the Phillies managed to score six runs in one inning during the game against the Cubs, relying more on stringing together hits than on big home runs. Turner noted the importance of hitting to create momentum while acknowledging that sometimes luck plays a role.

On the pitching side, starter Aaron Nola also made adjustments in his performance, unveiling his cutter, which had not been used much recently. It proved effective as he secured six swings and misses with it, showing his capability to adapt during a game.

As for the bullpen, Jordan Romano faced challenges earlier in the season but was able to secure a win on Sunday with a solid performance in the 10th inning.

“I’ve felt pretty good the last week or two,” Romano said, reflecting on his recent successes. Five of his last seven appearances have been scoreless, showing signs of improvement.

Looking ahead, the Phillies aim to overcome these hitting challenges and regain their offensive form, with Turner and others seeking to take advantage of the opportunities in upcoming games.