Jake Arrieta has been pretty publicly frustrated with the Phillies’ play lately – particularly their lack of successful defensive shifting – but I’m sure his issues don’t end there.
By the third inning of Sunday’s contest, for example, the Phillies had built up a 22-inning scoreless streak, when Arrieta decided to finally take matters into his own hands … er, bat:
Exactly how we expected the 22-inning scoreless streak to end…
With a JAKE ARRIETA HR! pic.twitter.com/KD7dFe7G4I
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 3, 2018
According to Statcast, that blast, the sixth of Arrieta’s career, left the bat at 100.8 mph and traveled 375 feet.
Although that homer may have surprised some, those familiar with Arrieta know that he prides himself on being a good hitter and handeling himself at the plate. And to be sure, he’s batting .158/.238/.316 (51 wRC+) this season, which is good for the fifth best slash line by a pitcher with at least 20 plate appearances in 2018. Now let’s see if he can do something about those shifts.