Kapler: Miscommunication led to Phillies bullpen gaffe

The Gabe Kapler era in Philadelphia has gotten off to an unusual start. In just the third regular season game of his managerial career, he had a position player finish things off on the mound.

But how did he get there?

Phillies starter Vince Velasquez was pulled in the third inning after allowing seven runs (four earned) on nine hits, throwing 69 pitches. His replacement, Hoby Milner, was called into the game without throwing any warm-up pitches.

"It was just a miscommunication on the phone," Milner told The Athletic's Matt Gelb. "I guess."

Umpire Jerry Layne allowed Milner to throw five warm-up pitches from the mound, which didn't sit well with Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, who argued Milner shouldn't get any extra pitches. Snitker was eventually ejected from the game.

"For whatever reason, the pitcher wasn't even getting ready,” Layne said. “Who got crossed up - I'm not placing blame on anybody because I don't know. He just wasn't ready. He hadn't thrown a pitch. (Third-base umpire Greg Gibson) went out there and indicated that he deducted three (warm-up) pitches from the man. The last thing I want to do is get somebody hurt. It's already a messed-up situation. He's getting five when he got onto the mound."

Layne added that whoever was responsible for the gaffe should have to answer to the league.

Kapler compounded the confusion by later saying Milner did warm up in the bullpen, though the reliever said he had not done anything more than some quick tossing with the bullpen catcher. Whatever the mistake, Kapler said the fault lies with him.

"I'm going to stay pretty firm that it was a miscommunication between the dugout and the bullpen," Kapler said, "Any miscommunication is my responsibility and I’m taking accountability for it."

As such, the game ended with shortstop Pedro Florimon allowing two runs on a hit and a walk on 18 pitches. Kapler has used at least six different pitchers in each of the team's first three games with Opening Day starter Aaron Nola the only one to pitch five innings. The Phillies will get a chance to regroup, with an off-day Sunday before traveling to New York for a three-game set against the Mets.