Mattingly’s decision to bring in Phillies closer Duran in the 7th inning backfires in loss to Braves

Turning to All-Star closer Jhoan Duran in the seventh inning made it appear Mattingly was hoping his best reliever could cover the final three innings and protect a beleaguered bullpen.

After Duran gave up a three-run homer to Austin Riley in the eighth inning of the Phillies' 5-3 loss to the Braves on Tuesday, Mattingly and Duran faced questions about why the manager turned to his closer so early in the game and if he was asking too much from Duran.

"I threw the first inning and I go back to the dugout and they said be ready for another inning and so I go back out there and try to do my work," Duran told reporters.