Bohm out of starting lineup for Game 2: 'He's scuffling a little bit'

PHILADELPHIA – Last postseason, Phillies manager Rob Thomson hung with several hitters despite their struggles.

He wanted to show faith. He did not want to show panic.

But Thomson made a significant change to his lineup on Sunday before Game 2 of the NL Division Series at Citizens Bank Park, a thriller that the Phillies won, 7-6, via a walk-off single from Nick Castellanos. Thomson started Edmundo Sosa at third base against Mets righty Luis Severino, benching NL All-Star Alec Bohm, who finished with 97 RBIs and spent most of the season hitting cleanup behind Bryce Harper.

“He’s scuffling a little bit,” Thomson said about Bohm. “It’s not like there aren’t other guys scuffling in the lineup, but I just want to get some energy in the lineup. And I think Sosa is kind of an energy guy; run around and do some things, maybe create some things.”

Bohm went 0-for-4 in the Game 1 loss. He saw 11 pitches in total, including five in his first three at-bats. He popped out in the first inning and grounded out in his final three at-bats. He hit only one ball harder than 74.5 mph.

Bohm slammed his helmet to the turf following his final at-bat in the eighth, a forceout that ended the inning. The attached c-flap broke off.

Slamming helmets is a familiar sight whenever Bohm struggles.

“He is frustrated, I get it,” Thomson said. “But you’ve got to keep playing.”

Bohm missed two weeks early last month because of a strained left hand. He batted .170 (8-for-47) with two homers, eight RBIs and a .502 OPS in 12 games upon his return.

Thomson texted Bohm on Saturday night to tell him about his decision to start Sosa. They talked in Thomson’s office on Sunday morning.

“I just told him, be ready to pinch-hit,” Thomson said. “I just wanted to get that energy into the lineup. He’s actually a really good pinch-hitter.”

Ironically, the Phillies are looking to chase fewer pitches out of the strike zone in Game 2, but Sosa’s chase rate (40.5 percent) is the highest on the team and one of the highest in baseball. Nick Castellanos is second at 37.8 percent.

Bohm pinch-hit for Sosa in the seventh inning on Tuesday against reliever José Buttó, popping up on the first pitch he saw, and stayed in the game at third. The best guess is that Bohm returns to the starting lineup at third base in Game 3 on Tuesday at Citi Field. Sosa could start at second base in place of Bryson Stott, as Thomson could seek a platoon advantage against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea.

“In every game in the playoffs, it’s crunch time, whether you’re up 3-0 or down 3-0,” Thomson said. “Make the move that you think is right.”