PHOENIX — JT Realmuto hit a ball off the left midfield wall in the ninth inning at Chase Field Monday night.
He marched to second base for a double, turned to the visitors’ dugout and gave his teammates a double thumbs-up.
In doing so, Realmuto became the ninth player in Phillies history to score that cycle and the first since David Bell defeated the Expos at Citizens Bank Park in 2004 when he beat Arizona 9-8 at Chase Field lost. Realmuto is the 16th catcher in baseball history to score for the cycle and the first backstop since Milwaukee’s George Kottaras in 2011.
But no one popped champagne afterwards because the Phillies blew a four-run lead in their last bullpen game.
“Yeah, I don’t know, honestly it kind of sucks,” Realmuto said. “It’s obviously a cool achievement to do that, but the fact that we lost the game puts a damper on it.”
Realmuto was right in the middle of the action on Monday. There was, of course, the cycle. In the second inning, he hit a home run and tied the game 1-1. His third-round treble scored two runs and gave the Phillies a 3-1 lead.
He played single in the fifth and walked in the seventh.
“After my first two attacks, I started thinking about it a little bit,” said Realmuto. “I’ve done the at-bat before [in the seventh] That’s why I wanted to be a bit more aggressive in attack to give myself a chance.”
However, Realmuto faced D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo a couple of times in the third inning. Phillies left-hander Matt Strahm grazed Corbin Carroll’s right hand with a pitch, making it the second time Strahm hit Carroll that game.
“No intention behind both of them,” Strahm said.
But Lovullo immediately left the dugout to defend his player. He had a few words for home plate umpire Vic Carapazza and then started talking to Realmuto, who tried to explain to Lovullo that the Phillies weren’t trying to beat Carroll, who is one of the fastest players in baseball, without that someone is out there and a 5:1 lead.
Carapazza threw Lovullo out, who then turned his attention back to Realmuto.
Realmuto seemed amused by the whole situation. Eventually, benches and bullpens were cleared. Lovullo started off the field but then re-entered the scrum with more words for Realmuto.
“I think it looked a little worse on video than it actually was,” Realmuto said. “Because he didn’t challenge me at all. He didn’t say anything derogatory. He only supported his player. Eventually.” He said, “I would do the same for you. If you were on my team, I would support you too.” pointing to my chest. It looked like he was saying something nasty to me, but he really wasn’t. He only defended his player.
“It was a little out of proportion. At this point we have a lead of 5:1. We’re trying to get him out. Obviously the whole stadium knew we didn’t want to attack him there. At least anyone who knows baseball does. We’re just trying to get out. They have a really good left hander that covers the outside of the plate really well and we have a left hander that throws in a lot of sinkers. I’m not recalling Sinkers because he happened to get hit on his first shot. We still have to implement the game plan. We still have to rely on Strahm’s strengths. He just let two get away.
Lovullo said: “I have the utmost respect for JT Realmuto.”
Crew chief Jerry Layne issued warnings to both benches.
“There’s a lot going on,” said Realmuto.
“It’s tough because so many people have to be there that night,” Realmuto said of the challenges in a bullpen game.
But Realmuto gave the Phillies a chance. He scored a hit in the ninth after Bryson Stott’s two-out single to the right, reducing the deficit to one. Pinch hitter Kody Clemens nearly hit a two-run home run, but the ball went just over the foul post.
In baseball history, teams were tied 21-0 when they had a player to cycle, walk, score three runs, and drive three runs.
“It’s bittersweet,” Realmuto said.