ATLANTA — The Philadelphia Phillies are ready to get home.
The team begins a nine-game homestand on Friday against Cincinnati after spending 19 of the last 22 days on the road. The Phillies have played the most road games (21) and the fewest home games (13) in the major leagues this season.
“It seems like we’ve been on a three-week road trip,” Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin said. “I think these guys are ready to get home.”
In an attempt to get some players an additional day of rest, Mackanin sat second baseman Cesar Hernandez, catcher Carlos Ruiz and left fielder Tyler Goeddel on Thursday, choosing to start Andres Blanco, Cameron Rupp and David Lough.
“Not trying to make excuses, but we’ve had a lot of one-run games, too,” Mackanin said.
During the extended stretch of road games, the Phillies went 10-6 and played six one-run games.
“We’re so happy to be going home,” Mackanin said. “I’m glad we got the Braves when we did. They’re better than their record. After the start of the road trip (1-4), I’m glad to finish it up like this.”
The Phillies are 20-15, the quickest they have gotten to 20 wins since 2011, when they started 20-9.
Philadelphia has the second-youngest starting rotation in the league behind Atlanta, and ace Aaron Nola said the young pitchers have been learning by observing the close games.
“We all try to learn by watching,” he said. “We talk to the hitters, too. You can learn a lot when you watch nine innings.”
