Sun Aug 03 16:30:00 UTC 2025: **Philadelphia Welcomes ‘Durantula’ Duran, Phillies Take NL East Lead**
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies have a new weapon in their quest for a World Series title, and his name is Jhoan Duran. Nicknamed “Durantula” for his spider-themed persona, the hard-throwing reliever made his Phillies debut Friday night in a 5-4 comeback victory over the Detroit Tigers, earning his first save with the team. The win propelled the Phillies to first place in the NL East, edging out the Mets by half a game.
Duran, acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Minnesota Twins, brings a unique entrance show to Citizens Bank Park, complete with spiders crawling in fire on the digital billboards. His electric presence on the mound is matched by his explosive fastball, averaging 100.2 mph, and his devastating “splinker,” a split-finger/sinker hybrid that clocked in as high as 99.7 mph on Friday.
“Plain and simple, he has close-the-door stuff,” said outfielder Harrison Bader, another recent Phillies acquisition, who scored the game-tying run after pinch-hitting.
Duran will take over the closer role, solidifying the Phillies’ bullpen in late innings. He also got his preferred jersey number, 59, after manager Rob Thomson gave it up, a gesture Duran and his wife deeply appreciated.
The Phillies are hoping Duran’s addition, along with Bader’s outfield presence, will provide the boost they need for a deep playoff run.
First Piper 