NEW YORK — The rain fell harder Wednesday night at Citi Field. The bases were loaded. Catcher Cameron Rupp patted his pitcher, Nick Pivetta, on the back. This was another slog.
Some days, the prospects shine. And, some days, it rains. The Phillies have asked Pivetta to learn big-league lessons every fifth day; few teams in baseball would allow a young righthander to endure the regular beatings Pivetta has.
But these are the rebuilding Phillies, desperate for a hint of pitching advancement. So nights like a rain-shortened 6-3 loss to the Mets are part of it. Pivetta allowed six runs in five innings.