Phils Bomb Nats, Hamels Injured

Remember the offseason, when we were concerned that Utley's balky hip would force him to miss an extended portion of the 2009 season? When journeymen Marcus Giles, Pablo Ozuna, and Miguel Cairo were the top candidates to cover for Utley's absence? Even when Utley was, miraculously, able to start the regular season, there was concern that his performance would still be affected. Well, we can probably stop worrying about the All-Star second sacker, as Utley hit a pair of homers Tuesday, tying him for the NL lead, and keying the Phils' 7-1 win over Washington. Utley's 1.142 OPS, after nineteen games, is a pretty good indication that he is healthy.

Phillies' ace Cole Hamels had a fair bit of adversity of his own in the offseason. A busy banquet and television appearance schedule in January stalled his preparations for the season. Hamels was chosen, over Joe Blanton, to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which put the indispensable ace in the crosshairs of the SI cover jinx. Shoulder inflammation in Spring Training put Hamels further behind, and he wasn't at his best for his first two regular season starts. (Actually, he wasn't even at Adam Eaton's best for those two starts.) In his third start, he was his dominant self again, but was knocked from the game in the fourth inning, his shoulder bruised by a line drive. Hamels returned tonight, and held the Nats scoreless through four. He looked great, at least until he was writhing on the field in pain, after spraining his ankle fielding a bunt. A failed practice pitch later, and Hamels was walking off the field in disgust, leaving the game in Chad Durbin's hands.

Durbin did a superb job, as he held the Nats to a single run in three and two-thirds innings, in picking up the victory. The only hit Durbin surrendered was a solo homer, and he did not walk a batter. He only threw forty-two pitches, which allowed the pimptastic reliever to make it through eight innings, saving the tired bullpen. The Phillies' offense did the rest, with Pedro Feliz and Raul Ibanez contributing home runs. Feliz' three-run blast in the third inning gave the Phils a 5-0 lead, and a 92.1% Win Expectancy. The WE didn't go any lower than 91.7% for the rest of the game.

The big win improved the Phillies' record to 11-8, but there is much concern about the increasing number of injuries. On the plus side, it is better to be injury-stricken now, than during the postseason. Catcher Carlos Ruiz is still hurting, but Lou Marson should be able to hold the fort for awhile, which should give us a chance to see if the young catcher is ready for the bigs. Closer Brad Lidge should be available this weekend, after resting his knee for the Washington series. Cole Hamels expects to be able to make his next start, on five days of rest, thanks to Thursday's day off.

The Phillies are better-positioned to handle these injuries than they have been in the past. No need to call up a Brian Sanches from the minors in 2009. J.A. Happ could slide from the bullpen into a starting role, if needed. In AAA, the Phillies have Andrew Carpenter and Kyle Kendrick, both on the 40-Man Roster, available for recall. They also have veteran relievers Gary Majewski, Mike Koplove, and Tyler Walker with Lehigh Valley, each only a DFA away from joining the big club. If it were up to me, I would DFA Miguel Cairo RIGHT NOW, and recall Walker (8 IP, 1 hit/0 walks, 0 runs) to bolster the bullpen. Given the Phillies starters' inability to go deep into games, and Cairo's inability to contribute in games, why not swap the utility player out for another arm? The Phillies need to avoid overworking their bullpen prior to the postseason. They are not doing well with that, at this point.

Brett Myers will try to lead the Phillies to a series sweep Wednesday night. Myers has been the Phillies' most effective starter in 2009, which is saying absolutely nothing. The Phils need to extend their undefeated streak to six games, and then enjoy a well-deserved day off on Thursday. The Mets come to CBP for a three-game series, starting Friday.