Philly Leader

Bryson Stott's performance as the Phillies' leadoff hitter was a pivotal factor in their narrow 11-10 win against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. On the same day that Stott saw a personal high of 35 pitches, he managed to go 3-for-5, including a key double, while contributing two runs and three RBIs.

"Just try to see as many pitches as possible, whether it ends in a hit or not," Stott stated. His approach appears to benefit his team, especially in terms of giving other key hitters like Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, and Kyle Schwarber opportunities.

However, the game also drew attention to Jordan Romano's performance, who allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning, marking a career high. His fastball velocity impressed, reaching 99.8 mph, yet the results were disappointing. Romano acknowledged the difficulty, saying, "I just got crushed."

Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed confidence in Romano despite the setback, mentioning the possibility of him being a bit rusty due to limited play since April 12. "He’s a little bit rusty," Thomson said. "But the stuff was good."

Romano plans to review footage to check for pitch tipping. "When it’s that bad, for sure," Romano admitted.

The Phillies are optimistic that Romano will recover his form, which is crucial as they need him in high-leverage situations.

Meanwhile, Stott has proven effective in his new role since April 11, boasting a .310 average and .812 OPS over seven games. His discipline at the plate is evident with fewer chases outside the strike zone, indicating a growing confidence.

Right-hander Taijuan Walker, who left the game early due to shoulder tightness, expects to start his next game. He praised Stott's role as leadoff: "I feel like that’s a good leadoff hitter right there."

###