PHILADELPHIA — There’s a sucker born every minute.
Phillies third-base coach Pete Mackanin was born Monday, for deciding to test Juan Lagares’ arm in Monday’s seventh inning. Domonic Brown was easily nailed at the plate, killing a potential rally in the Mets’ 5-3 victory at Citizens Bank Park.
Ben Revere singled to center, and Lagares charged, making it evident Brown was in trouble. Lagares’ arm is among the best in the majors.
“When he let the ball go, I can’t tell if it was around the plate or not, but I knew one thing: It was going to beat the runner,” manager Terry Collins said. “He threw about 96 [mph] from 250 feet.”
The assist was Lagares’ fourth this season — word has spread not to run on him.
“I was kind of peeking early and I saw that [Brown] was basically at third base as Lagares was getting the ball and he was pretty shallow,” catcher Anthony Recker said.
“I knew we were going to have a good amount of time. As long as he made a throw anywhere near me, all I did was catch it and get to the plate, which pretty much happened.”
Jeremy Hefner could be facing reconstructive elbow surgery after tests discovered ligament damage, in addition to a stress fracture in his ulna bone. The right-hander was on the comeback trail from Tommy John surgery — he had the operation last August — pitching for Single-A St. Lucie.
Collins had a pregame meeting with Jenrry Mejia, a day after the pitcher made public the fact he’s been pitching with a hernia tear. The manager didn’t seem pleased Mejia disclosed the fact after surrendering two runs in the ninth inning and taking the loss Sunday.
“I want to make sure Jenrry understands it happens — you go out and once in a while the other team is going to beat you,” Collins said. “That is the nature of the game. I don’t want him to like it and that is the way the game is played.”
Daisuke Matsuzaka was scheduled to make a rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie, but Collins said there is no plan yet to activate the veteran right-hander. Collins indicated Matsuzaka will make one-to-two additional starts to lengthen out.
Mejia told Collins he was fine to pitch Monday, but the manager gave him the day off and Jeurys Familia got the save.