PHILADELPHIA — Rhys Hoskins’ encore return to Citizens Bank Park didn’t go quite as planned, as the former Phillies slugger went oh-for-5 with three strikeouts. That aside, his team did cruise to a 6-2 win, so that was good.
Last year, in his first game back after signing with the Brewers, Hoskins received a standing ovation when he came up for his first at bat. He offered back much emotional waving. Later in the game, he responded with a home run.
But that was then, and this is now.
“Last year being the first, it was probably a little bit more heightened,” Hoskins said. “The reality is I spent a good chunk of my life here, I lived here (full time) three years. … So getting to spend an offday here (Thursday) was amazing.”
Hoskins said he and his wife spent it “on a food tour.” He still likes the city vibes here.
“Last year was overwhelming in the best way,” he said. “A reminder that you have to give your all to, really, any city, and specifically this city. I definitely don’t expect an ovation. I’m an enemy now. That’s the reality of it. And because of that I hope the Brewers win.”
Ah, but Hoskins did get an ovation. Mostly positive, though a mostly sitting one.
He had changed his approach at the plate this year, not giving a leg kick at opposing pitchers, rather striding a touch early and making a concerted effort to just put the ball in play. Hoskins calls it a “simpler” plate approach, and before Friday it was seemingly working, as he entered this series opener slashing .282/.384/.459.
But he said the change was more because of what he’s seeing in pitchers than what he was seeing in himself at the plate.
“That was basically the main reason for me, was that pitchers are so good now,” Hoskins said. “The stuff is amazing, the velocities are at an all-time high, up and down the whole staff, really. … I just wanted to give myself a better chance every time stepping up to the plate.”
• • •
While he has joined the management chorus in saying “Julyish” is probably a good return time for top prospect Andrew Painter to finally join the rotation here, Rob Thomson got a little specific Thursday. He said he did not expect Painter to join the club before the All-Star break, which would mean mid-late “Julyish” at best. … Thomson said Painter was “very good” in his latest rehab start at Lehigh Valley Thurdsay, throwing at 98-99 mph. He’s scheduled to go again Wednesday.
Source: Berkshire mont