Trea Turner’s first season with the Philadelphia Phillies has been a roller-coaster ride, with some standout performances at the plate overshadowed by persistent defensive struggles.
Those struggles reached a boiling point earlier this week as Turner’s costly error directly contributed to the Phillies’ heartbreaking loss against the Miami Marlins.
In the 11th inning of the heated game, with the Phillies holding on to a narrow 8-7 lead, the Marlins Josh Bell hit what seemed like a routine ground ball directly to Turner at shortstop.
However, the play turned into a nightmare for Turner and the Phillies as he failed to cleanly field the ball. The ball sailed above his head and into the outfield, allowing a crucial run to score from second base, tying the game.
“There’s no sugarcoating it. I messed up, and it cost us the game,” Turner admitted with frustration after the match.
Trea Turner tonight
• 0-5
• 1 strikeout
• Costly error in extra innings— Mismatch Philadelphia (@MismatchPhilly) August 3, 2023
The error proved to be doubly painful as there were already two outs in the inning, and a routine play by Turner would have sealed the victory for the Phillies.
Instead, the game stretched into extra innings, with the Marlins eventually securing a 9-8 win in the 12th inning.
Unfortunately for Turner, this latest blunder is just one of many defensive mishaps he’s experienced this season. The 14th error on his record brings him within one of the league leaders in that category.
With two months left in the regular season, Turner is on track to surpass his personal record of 16 errors, which he set while playing for the Dodgers in 2022.
Turner’s struggles have been a disappointment for the Phillies, who expected him to be a reliable presence both at the plate and in the field when he was brought in.
His offensive contributions have been promising, but the defensive lapses have raised concerns about his overall impact and value to the team.
As the season progresses, Turner and the Phillies will have to work hard to address these defensive issues if they hope to make a legitimate playoff run.
For Turner, it’s a chance to show that he can overcome adversity and fulfill the expectations placed upon him in Philadelphia. Not to mention the enormous $300 million contract he signed.
The bottom post might be a stretch. After all, it’s virtually impossible to top Ben Simmons in the hatred category. However, the concern surrounding Turner is very, very real.
Who Do You Hate More, Like For Ben Simmons Or Retweet For Trea Turner. pic.twitter.com/QuRhWDcvX0
— DepressedPhilliesFan (@PHILLYSZN07) August 3, 2023