Phillies Received Everything They Wanted From Jose Urquidy

Mayza took the ball first, and things didn’t go well. He gave up three runs on three hits and one walk, recording only one out, pushing Urquidy into the game much earlier than anticipated. The unexpected mid-inning entrance didn’t negatively impact the veteran righty, who responded as well as the team could have hoped.

In desperate need of someone eating innings, Urquidy did exactly that. He got out of the first inning without any more damage and put together four more strong innings, keeping Philadelphia in the game after Mayza’s struggles.

Overall, Urquidy threw 4.2 innings, allowing five hits and striking out six. He did everything interim manager Don Mattingly could have hoped for, giving the Phillies a chance to win the game, which they ultimately lost 6-3.

Despite the loss, Philadelphia’s bullpen was saved, for the most part, from being overtaxed. After Urquidy was lifted from the game, Orion Kerkering and Tanner Banks were the only other pitchers to take the mound.

That means all of Mattingly’s best options in the bullpen, such as Alex McFarlane , Jonathan Bowlan, Jose Alvarado, Raley and Jhoan Duran, are all available for Saturday’s game.

Urquidy deserves a lot of credit for how he performed in such a tough situation. Showing up to a brand-new team in the midst of a playoff race and throwing as well as he did is no small task, but he made it look easy.

He will likely make at least one more appearance with the Phillies when Luzardo’s turn in the rotation is set to come up again. Not eligible for the playoffs, Philadelphia has to be thankful for everything Urquidy is going to give them to get to the finish line.