Park Ineffective, Phils Lose

Phillies pitcher Chan Ho Park made what will, hopefully, be his last start Friday night, in a 7-3 loss to the Mets. Park's inability to retire opposing batters proved to be the Phillies' undoing, as the Mets jumped to a 5-0 lead in the third inning. The Phils pulled to within 5-3 in the bottom of the third, but Park was responsible for two more runs in the fifth, before he was finally removed from the premises. Both bullpens kept the game scoreless the rest of the way, as the Phillies could not overcome the 12.3% WE that resulted from Park's (typical) poor performance.

The Phillies' bullpen was a positive, as Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey, and J.A. Happ combined for four and one-third scoreless, allowing only one hit and two walks. The Phillies managed seven hits and four walks in Mets starter Mike Pelfrey's five and one-third inning outing, but only three runs. Typically, those kinds of numbers will lead to better offensive results, but some poor baserunning (Gregory Stuart Dobbs, I'm looking at you!) helped limit their scoring. Chase Utley had a solo homer, and Pedro Feliz contributed a pair of hits.

There was some good news off the field, as closer Brad Lidge announced that he expected to be available for Saturday's rematch against New York. However, the Phillies' bullpen has been so overworked that they could, probably, use another reliever. While I would typically argue for an eleven-man pitching staff, when discussing roster construction, there is merit to the argument for a thirteen-man staff as a short-term move here. Replacing rarely-used, never-useful Miguel Cairo on the 25-Man Roster with one of the Iron Pigs' relievers (Tyler Walker?) would be a good move to bolster the MLB bullpen. (Note: Walker is not on the 40-Man Roster, but there are open slots. The Phillies just need to find a spot on the 25-Man).

Cole Hamels (ankle strain) is still questionable for his Tuesday start against St. Louis. I would argue to be cautious, and skip Hamels' turn. Given Hamels' workload in 2008, limiting his early-season innings a bit might actually be prudent. There is no reason to take any chances with the ace at this point. Tuesday would be Kyle Kendrick's day to pitch for Lehigh Valley, and he could, instead, take the ball for the Phillies. (Or the Phillies could scratch Andrew Carpenter from his Saturday night start, and use him in St. Louis. I'd be in favor of this move, but don't consider it likely.)

As for Chan Ho Park, his next scheduled start would be Thursday, on the road against the Mets. On Friday against the Mets, Park allowed eight hits and six walks (two intentional) in four and two-thirds innings. While Park's consistent ineptitude has given the Phillies the opportunity to attempt amazingly exciting comebacks, he's been a one-man bullpen wrecking crew. The Phillies, probably, should have (and may have) considered that Park hasn't been a good starter since 2001. They should have (and may have) considered Park's most recent twenty-plus start season, was his abysmal 2007 in AAA.

What matters now, is that the Phils minimize the opportunities for future Park-induced destruction. It's time to have J.A Happ join the rotation, and use Park in low-leverage bullpen situations (and, maybe, low-leverage pinch-hitting situations?). Maybe Park can work things out in the 'pen, and have some value to the club. If not, he should be DFA'd before he reaches the thirty appearance mark, where his cost to the team, through incentives, becomes even more prohibitive. Most importantly, he needs to be kept out of situations where he can cost the Phillies any more games. Philadelphia is fortunate that Park has only directly contributed to one loss. (Though it is unclear how many he indirectly contributed to, by draining the bullpen.)The Phils made the right move earlier this year, when they interpreted a hefty contract as a sunk cost (Adam Eaton). They may have to soon do the same with the remainder of Park's $2.5 million deal for 2009.

The Phillies face the Mets Saturday afternoon in the second of three games. Jamie Moyer faces erratic Mets' starter Oliver Perez. The Phils need this one.