Dodgers’ Evan Phillips Unpacks What Went Wrong in Blown Save Against Tigers

Reliever Evan Phillips gave up two of the five total earned runs the Los Angeles Dodgers allowed to the Detroit Tigers in the bottom of the ninth inning on Saturday. The Dodgers held a 9-4 five-run lead over the Tigers heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Ricky Vanasco came in for the Dodgers to start the ninth inning but gave up three earned runs right away with zero outs, and was taken out of the game. Phillips came in for Vanasco to hold off the Tigers, who were trailing by just two runs at that point.

He initially appeared to have done a good job but then allowed two earned runs as the Tigers tied up the game before winning it in extra innings.

“I initially came in and did a good job of managing that momentum [from the Tigers],” Phillips said, via SportsNet LA. “I think I did a good job of getting those outs relatively quickly and keeping that runner on base. I made a couple of bad pitches back-to-back, I feel like I went to my strengths and maybe could have executed a bit better. At the end of the day I’m going to trust what I do the most, and maybe it’s time to look at doing something else to keep those guys honest if they’re going to expect what I’m anticipating on throwing. Frustrating to get beat on what you feel like is your best stuff. Certainly wish I would have finished the game.”

The blown save was certainly out of character for Phillips, who had not allowed two or more earned runs in an appearance throughout the entire season. Instead, Phillips notched his second blown save of the year in what could have been a heroic ninth-inning performance. He now has a 2.73 ERA and 14 saves on the year.

The Dodgers have since sent Vanasco down to Triple-A and activated Brent Honeywell, which will ideally keep Phillips from entering the game again in a tough position.

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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