Bunts and Balks (8/4)

Brett Myers will pitch in a simulated game on Thursday, in Clearwater. Myers could really help the Phils' bullpen. As Myers is attempting to return as a reliever, will the simulated game be only an inning, or two? I think the simulated game should consist of Myers pitching to Threshers' slugger Steve Susdorf (.393 AVG., .980 OPS) every at bat. That would be a good test for Myers. Afterwards, they can grab a beer, and talk civil engineering.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) defeated the Rochester Red Wings, yet again, 7-4. Andrew Carpenter surrendered four runs (two earned), in six innings (six hits, one walk/six whiffs, one home run allowed). Carpenter improved to 9-2, with a 2.72 ERA. Michael Taylor was 0 for 5, dropping his AAA average to .243.

The Reading Phillies (AA) lost to the Trenton Thunder, 10-0, in a game that wasn't as close as the score would seem to indicate. In the sixth inning, the R-Phils got a walk. In the seventh inning, they got an infield single. That was the extent of their offense for the night. They had two baserunners, and made three errors. Starter Mike Stutes permitted three runs, in five innings (five hits, four walks/three whiffs, one home run allowed). That was much better than reliever Tyson Brummett, who allowed seven runs (five earned) in one inning.
The R-Phils tried to use a strategic double switch to spark a comeback from a ten-run deficit, putting Tim Gradoville into the lineup behind the plate, batting fifth, in the spot vacated by third baseman Neil Sellers. Carlos Leon entered the game at third base, batting in the eighth spot, vacated by catcher Tim Kennelly. An intriguing manuever, but it did not result in any hits, or baserunners, or anything like that.
The R-Phils host the Trenton Thunder again on Wednesday, with Pedro Martinez scheduled to make a rehab start. They don't guarantee that they will score any runs, but the first 2000 fans get a R-Phils Bread box, and a loaf of bread. It will be quite the Tribute to Sliced Bread. So, there's that.

Tim Gradoville is back! Gradoville has been activated as a player/coach for the R-Phils, and will split time behind the plate with Tim Kennelly. Catcher Carlos Guevara needed to be placed on the DL, and with starting catcher Tuffy Gosewisch already DL'd, the R-Phils activated a low-A coach. Gradoville is now the fifth-string catcher in the Phillies' organization.
Gradoville is best remembered for the time that he played a bad guy on a Court TV show, and wore a uniform with the character's name on it, during a real (AAA?) game. At least I'm pretty sure that actually happened...

The Clearwater Threshers (A) lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 6-1. Threshers starter Drew Naylor was pitching very well, until the Blue Jays scored four runs in the eighth. Naylor pitched seven and two-thirds innings, permitting six runs (four earned), on nine hits (zero walks/seven whiffs, one three-run homer allowed). The Threshers had four hits, and made two errors. (A better ratio than the R-Phils, but still not good.) Steve Susdorf was 0 for 3, dropping his average to a season-low .385.