Rhys Hoskins is not having a good stretch.
The Phillies left fielder, who hit 18 homers in just 50 games as a rookie last season and hit .303 in April, is having a terrible May. He’s batting .151 and slugging just .279.
And last night had to be the worst indignity of all. The Phillies—once cruising with a no-hitter into the sixth inning and up four runs—were down 5-4 with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to the Dodgers. Hoskins came to the plate with a chance to extend the game.
Instead, he fouled a 1-2 pitch off his face and had to leave the game.
Pedro Florimon finished the at-bat, but because Hoskins started it he was credited with the strikeout.
Manager Gabe Kapler said Hoskins has just a fat lip, and Kapler wasn’t concerned about the injury. But this has to be the lowest of a month of low points for Hoskins.