Don Mattingly explains Jhoan Duran decision that backfired on Phillies
Phillies manager Don Mattingly defended his decision to use closer Jhoan Duran in the seventh inning of a playoff game, a move that ultimately led to a 5-3 loss against the Braves. Despite the criticism, Mattingly maintained that he trusted his best pitcher in a high-leverage situation.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the high-stakes decision-making process in professional sports and the scrutiny managers face during postseason play.
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Make New York Post a Preferred Source Phillies manager Don Mattingly explained why he made the decision to turn to closer Jhoan Duran in the seventh inning on Tuesday, a choice that eventually proved disastrous as Philadelphia blew a 3-2 lead and lost 5-3 in Game 1 of the National League wild-card series.
Duran made it out of the seventh before catastrophe struck in the eighth as the closer gave up a single to Michael Harris II and plunked Ozzie Albies, all before Austin Riley clobbered the go-ahead three-run homer at Truist Park.
“Any time you lose a game late, obviously it’s frustrating, but in our minds we had our best guy out there,” Mattingly said after the game. “You live with this one.”
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