Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to complete a sweep of the New York Yankees after falling 2-1 in the nightcap of Sunday’s doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.
The difference-maker was Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s go-ahead home run off Evan Phillips in the bottom of the eighth inning. Chisholm connected on a 97 mph fastball at the bottom of the strike zone and sent it over the left-center field wall for his 14th homer of the season.
Phillips explained his reasoning for throwing the pitch and admitted he is still getting used to facing Major League hitters again, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group.
“I think I just went to a pitch where I had less room for error,” Phillips said. “I’m trying to throw a strike in that situation, get back in the count. Jazz likes the ball, middle-down, down and in, and I was trying to go away, obviously. But it just crept back to the middle of the plate, somewhere he can handle it and put a good swing on it.
“I think I’m still just getting used to pitching in games again. … Rehab mindset is just to go out there and physically feel good. I tried to rewire that a little bit my final few games on my rehab stint, but you just can’t simulate the major-league environment, a major-league competition.”
Phillips being in the midst of shaking off some rust is hardly surprising considering he missed over a year while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
It was a long journey back for the right-hander, who spent the maximum 30 days permitted while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to rejoining the Dodgers earlier this month.
Phillips’ appearance against the Yankees was his first in a high-leverage spot this season, and though it didn’t go according to plan, he is still expected to be a trusted arm out of the bullpen for manager Dave Roberts.
Evan Phillips’ 2026 stats
Phillips made his 2026 debut on July 7 against the Colorado Rockies and threw a scoreless ninth inning. Since then, he has now allowed one run in three consecutive appearances.
Through four games thus far, Phillips is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 11.3 strikeouts per nine in four innings of work.
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