BALTIMORE — The last three pitches thrown by Nick Pivetta here Wednesday were, in succession, a 95-mph fastball, a 79-mph curveball and an 82-mph slider. And after swinging through the slider to cap a 10-pitch strikeout, Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis took a few steps down the first-base line, removed his helmet and placed his hands on his head.
It was the look of defeat.
Pivetta has left a lot of hitters looking that way so far this season. And if you’re wondering whether the Phillies will be able to sustain their early-season success and stay in playoff contention through the summer and into September, think of Pivetta on days like this as a walking, talking, 6-foot-5 billboard stating that, in fact, they can.