Phillies’ new closer is already a game changer: ‘That’s why we got Duran’

PHILADELPHIA — Any debate about who’d pitch the ninth inning ended when the scoreboards at Citizens Bank Park urged the announced crowd of 41,569 to turn on the flashlights on their phones and the Undertaker bell reverberated throughout the stadium.

Yes, starter Cristopher Sánchez had turned in an incredible eight innings of work on only 84 pitches. But after swinging a blockbuster trade this past week, the Phillies now have their choice for these situations. So they cued up the music, handed the ball to Jhoan Duran and watched him power his way to his second save in Philadelphia to beat the Tigers, 2-0, on Sunday Night Baseball.

“One thing is: That’s why we got Duran,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “The other thing is: You know how concerned I am with complete games.”

Before Duran joined the team, Thomson may have been inclined to let his ascending star pitcher go back out for another inning. Sánchez surrendered no runs on five hits, walking just one. He let his defense make plays behind him and got in on the action himself, yelling in celebration after starting a double play to end the top of the fourth.

“Typical Sánchez at this point,” catcher J.T. Realmuto said.

But Sánchez threw a complete game two starts ago on July 22, then allowed four runs in his last outing this past Monday. With a 2.40 ERA in 22 games, he’s one of the most important pieces of a Phillies club that’s built around its starting pitching. Thomson, knowing he had a weapon in Duran waiting in the bullpen, didn’t want to push Sánchez.

The left-hander took no offense to the decision.

“It’s incredible,” Sánchez said of the addition of Duran through an interpreter. “It’s one of the best closers in the game, and we have him on our side. It’s the best thing that could have happened to us.”

Duran emerged from his famous entrance and got to work against the heart of Detroit’s order. He got Kerry Carpenter, a pinch hitter with 18 home runs on the year, to ground out to second base. Spencer Torkelson was retired after Bryce Harper made an incredible leaping grab on a high throw from third baseman Edmundo Sosa and landed on the first-base bag before Torkelson reached it. Then Duran fired six straight fastballs to strike out Riley Greene and end the game.

After only needing to throw his “splinker” — a splitter-sinker hybrid — four times to record a quick save in his first appearance as a Phillie on Friday, the right-hander unleashed his heater on Sunday. He touched 103.3 mph on the radar gun. His slowest fastball came in at 100.7 mph.

“It feels normal for me,” Duran said, “because I don’t think about it too much on how fast I try (to throw). I put in my mentality more: if I can control the fastball and the stuff.”

Duran has only pitched two games since the Phillies dealt prospects Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait to acquire him, but his presence can already be felt. The trade deadline is an opportunity to add some upgrades, as well as a little bit of vibrancy.

Brandon Marsh, who brought just that when he was traded to the Phillies in 2022, has noticed a jolt since the deadline. He’s made a fast friend in outfielder Harrison Bader, another player sent from Minnesota to Philadelphia. He watched Duran’s first game from the dugout and took in the entire experience from left field on Sunday.

“I think Duran, his walkout speaks for itself,” Marsh said. “You can hear that all the way from Jersey. It’s been incredible. I’m super excited with Bader being here, Duran being here. It’s been a great spark to our club.”

The outfielder expressed confidence in the Phillies’ entire group of relievers, and he believes Duran will only continue to provide a boost in his role.

“Duran has proven that he’s a ninth-inning guy,” Marsh said. “He’s had a lot of success in his career, and we’re going to need that out of him. Especially with the starting pitching we have, being as good as it is, being able to have that Durantula come into the ninth is pretty huge.”

The Phillies (63-48) took two of three games in their weekend series against the Tigers, who are tied for the best record in the American League. It was an impressive showing, with Duran finishing out both wins with shutdown innings. He now has a 1.93 ERA in total 51 games with 18 saves.

Philadelphia certainly still has its flaws. The team scored just two runs on Sunday on an RBI grounder from the struggling Max Kepler and a long home run from Kyle Schwarber. The lineup still has question marks, as does the middle part of the bullpen.

However, the Phillies should feel happy about what this weekend put on display. If they have a late lead, they can count on Duran to protect it. That changes a lot for Philadelphia, and the closer is relishing the opportunity to pitch in his new city.

“The last time I played here, I played on the other side. It’s not fun,” Duran said. “This side is more fun. I feel more energy. I feel electric when I come in, and I feel excited to throw the three outs.”