Maikel Franco flashes potential with clutch plays at plate, in field
The Philadelphia Phillies lost a tough one against the Mets on Tuesday, but third baseman Maikel Franco provided a reason for the Phillies to smile, nonetheless.
In the Phillies' 5-4 loss, the 22-year-old Dominican showed just how high his ceiling is in Philadelphia by coming up big when the team needed him most.
Both plays (watch here) occurred in the eighth inning with the game on the line.
With the score tied at three and two outs in the top of the eighth, Franco smacked a ball into left field to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead.
"A big moment for him," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He has that potential of getting a hit in that situation in my book. It was good to see him come through there."
Then, when the Mets had a runner on third with two outs in the bottom of the inning, Franco made a sensational barehanded play that got the Phillies out of the inning and saved a run.
Sandberg was impressed with the improbable play, which he didn't think Franco would make at first blush.
"No, I did not," Sandberg said. "When you're talking about a swinging bunt, you're not even in and you might not even have the right angle to defend a bunt. So he has to come straight at the ball, field it ... that's total instincts and arm strength and ability just taking over."
The Phillies hope that Franco's rise continues as they look for anything to resurrect themselves from a poor 19-29 start to the season.
