The bench press was “a little surprising,” but he’s not sulking

Alec Bohm started the All-Star Game in July but was on the bench in October when the Phillies used their everyday third baseman for Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday.

“I've been an everyday player here the last few years, so obviously it was a little surprising,” Bohm said after the Phillies evened the series with a 7-6 win over the Mets. “But it is what it is. They are not my decisions. It's not about me. It’s about the Phillies winning the game.”

Bohm only saw seven shots in Game 1 when he went 0-for-4. He shattered his helmet after being struck out in the eighth inning and appeared to be carrying the frustration of a lineup that was shut down in the opening game of the series. Manager Rob Thomson replaced Bohm in Game 2 with Edmundo Sosa, who went 0-for-2 and made a throwing error before coming on for Bohm in the seventh inning.

“I wanted to bring some energy to the lineup with Sosa, he's kind of our energy guy,” Thomson said before Game 2. “Bohm doesn't swing the bat particularly well, but he's not the only one.” He's frustrated. But I just wanted to get Sosa in there.”

Bohm finished the season with the Phillies' third-highest batting average (.280) and an OPS (.779) that was better than league average. But his numbers dipped in the second half as Bohm hit just .251 with a .681 OPS after the All-Star break. He returned from the injured list in September with a hand injury and struggled, recording just two extra-base hits in his last 47 at-bats.

“I know he's frustrated because he wants to perform and he's a professional and that's why he's frustrated,” Thomson said before the game.

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Bohm appeared on the first pitch of the eighth inning as a pinch hitter for Sosa. He played the final two innings and will likely be in the lineup for Game 3 on Tuesday night against left-hander Sean Manaea.

Bohm said he was ready.

“It’s a great day,” he said of Sunday’s win. “There is a selfish side of me that I would like to play, I wish I was starting, whatever. But the game progresses, I come in in a big spot, can't get through, that's what it is, but out there I'm playing defense in the biggest innings of the game. I can sulk about it and have a bad attitude about it. Or just focus on the game and control what I can control.”