Phillies Notebook: Suarez looking strong as ever despite no-decision

PHILADELPHIA — Not that his bullpen would protect the lead he’d supplied Wednesday, but Ranger Suarez gave the Phillies another encouraging start in a 6-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Striking out a career-high eight in six innings, the left-hander continued to provide a bridge between the top of the rotation and what has become a regular “bullpen” game at the back. Not one, but two blown saves prevented him from registering the win, but the Phillies scored an unearned run in the ninth to end a two-game losing streak.

“I am feeling really, really good,” said Suarez, who has recovered from recent triceps tightness. “The work I am doing with the trainers has really been paying off.”

Suarez allowed two runs and six hits and left with a 4-2 lead. He had entered with a 1.38 ERA, trailing only Jacob deGrom (1.08) among major-league pitchers with at least 60 innings worked. After allowing two runs, Suarez’ ERA was up to 1.50.

Among all-time Phillies, only Grover Cleveland Alexander (1.38 in 1915) had lower than a 1.40 ERA and at least 70 innings pitched of a season. Suarez has worked 84 innings.

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Two days after taking an injection to ease the inflammation in his right shoulder, J.T. Realmuto was back at first base Wednesday and provided his 15th home run, a solo shot to right to lead off the eighth.

Girardi expects him to catch Thursday.

“We figure we will give him one more day from behind home plate and see how it feels,” the manager said. “Obviously, there’s a lot more throwing involved behind home plate. We knew that going in, that he’d probably play first the first day back.”

The Phillies remain firm that Realmuto will not require surgery.

“Our doctors have said he’s good to go,” Girardi said. “Get treatment and go.”

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According to Girardi, at least 85 percent of the Phillies’ major-league and Class AAA players and baseball staff have received a Covid vaccination. That milestone reached, some in-house health-concern restrictions will be relaxed, according to baseball regulations.

Among other accommodations, the Phillies will no longer be forced to wear masks on team planes, will be permitted to gather in larger groups and will not be required to use contact-tracing devices.

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After striking out as a pinch-hitter Tuesday, Mickey Moniak was batting .171. Recalled five times from the minor leagues this season, the first overall pick in the 2016 draft has not had a major-league hit since April 25, going 0-for-14.

“He’s in a tough spot,” Girardi allowed. “We’ve been a little bit forced to do it because of some of the things that we went through. I will see if I can get him in there and see if we can get him going. But it’s a tough spot that he’s in. It’s not something he’s used to doing.”

After a double-switch to bring in Ian Kennedy, Moniak played left field in the ninth Wednesday, then nicely executed a sacrifice bunt to push Andrew Knapp to second in the bottom of the inning. Knapp would wind up scoring the winning run from third on a passed ball.

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Connor Brogdon was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained right groin, retroactive to Sept. 13. “After a game in Milwaukee, he said he felt a little something,” Girardi said. “Thursday, he woke up and he was a little sore. They treated him and basically he was OK. So he didn’t pitch Friday or Saturday. He pitched Sunday and felt it a little bit again and we got an MRI and he’s on the IL.” Ramon Rosso, who has a 7.94 ERA in five appearances with the Phils, was recalled from Lehigh Valley. … With Girardi plotting a bullpen game, right-hander Kyle Hendricks (11-6, 4.54) will start for Chicago Thursday at 6:05. … Released by the Phillies Tuesday, Vince Velasquez signed a minor-league contract with the Padres Wednesday and is expected to make a weekend start against the Dodgers.