As mound conversations go, this one didn’t last long. Probably because there wasn’t much to say.
With two outs and the Phillies leading by one run in the top of the seventh inning, the Baltimore Orioles had runners on the corners and Manny Machado — their most dangerous hitter, by a wide margin — coming to the plate. Aaron Nola had thrown 100 pitches, but he’s the Phillies’ best pitcher. Even with reliever Victor Arano loosening in the bullpen, manager Gabe Kapler wasn’t about to take Nola out now.
So, Kapler strode to the mound, said a few words and walked back to the dugout.