Brett Myers is expected to make a rehab appearance on Wednesday, in Reading (AA). Barring any unforeseen, unfortunate events, Myers will pitch at least an inning. He will probably be tested in at least one multiple-inning outing, and used on consecutive days, before being recalled to the parent club in September.
The minor league players that the Phillies will be sending to the Arizona Fall League have been announced. Joining the Scottsdale Scorpions, are: RHP Mike Cisco, RHP Scott Mathieson, RHP Michael Schwimer, LHP Mike Zagurski, C Tuffy Gosewisch, SS Troy Hanzawa, OF DomOnic Brown, and OF Steve Susdorf. A little surprised to see Gosewisch, maybe the Phils are trying to make up for the time he missed when he was DL'd? Zagurski almost missed time this season, and may be pitching for his 40-Man roster spot. Was a little surprised not to see Joe Bisenius on this list.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox on Tuesday, 8-5, in twelve innings. Starter Rodrigo Lopez managed to allow ten hits, including four homers, to the weak-hitting Red Sox, in only six innings. Lopez permitted five runs, but the FeHogs' bullpen followed with six scoreless frames.
The Reading Phillies (AA) scored five runs in the eighth inning, to key a 8-5 victory over the Erie Seawolves on Tuesday. The come-from-behind victory increased the R-Phils lead over the Seawolves, for the final playoff spot, to one and a half games. Kevin Nelson had (another!) home run, DomOnic Brown had a pair of hits, and Neil Sellers had three hits. Freddy Galvis was 1 for 4, with a throwing error.
Starter Kyle Drabek was not effective, in his six-inning outing. Drabek surrendered ten hits, and five runs (two walks/seven whiffs). The relievers were effective, as Scott Mathieson (two innings), Sergio Escalona (two-thirds of an inning), and B.J. Rosenberg (last out), held Erie scoreless.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) split a doubleheader with the Brevard County Manatees, on Tuesday night. The Sea Cows won the opener, 2-1, as the Threshers made four errors. Starter Edgar Garcia took the loss, allowing both runs (one earned), in five and one-third innings (four hits, two walks/four whiffs). Garcia threw two wild pitched, and hit one batter.
The Threshers prevailed in the second game, 6-4. Cody Overbeck hit a three-run homer in the first inning. Julian Sampson had a rough start, lasting only three and one-third innings (three runs on seven hits, one walk/three whiffs/two HR allowed). Michael Schwimer pitched two scoreless innings (zero hits, one walk/four whiffs), to notch his twentieth save.
Showing posts with label DomOnic Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DomOnic Brown. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Bunts and Balks (8/21)
Brett Myers' first (non-simulated) rehab appearance was a successful one, as he threw a scoreless inning for Clearwater (A). Myers allowed two singles, but struck out the side, throwing in the low 90s. Barring any unforeseen occurrences, Myers is expected to make four (or five) more minor league appearances. He should be recalled in early September, when rosters expand, and is eligible to be added to the postseason roster. His final pre-recall test should be a simulated game, against MLB stalwarts Eric Bruntlett, Matt Stairs, and Paul Bako.
Billy Wagner was placed on waivers by the Mets, and was, reportedly, claimed by the Red Sox. As a team in the same league as the Mets, the Phillies could have claimed Wagner, before the Red Sox. However, GM Ruben Amaro indicated that the Phillies "don't have $3 million to pull out of a tree." (Wagner would have cost $2.7 million in salary for the remainder of 2009, plus a $1 million buyout for 2010.) Even if the Phillies did have $3.7 million in a tree, Wagner is no less of a gamble than rehabbing sunk costs Brett Myers and J.C. Romero. Wagner will probably be back at home with the llamas, before the Phillies are done with their postseason run.
There has been talk on the internets about Jamie Moyer as an offseason trade piece. Moyer will, depending on attained incentives, make between $6.5 million and $8 million.
The Phillies would, likely, have to eat the majority of that, in order to deal Moyer, who will be 47 next season. Even at $1 million, it doesn't seem like their would be a huge market for a veteran with an ERA over 5.5. The Phillies will, probably, allow Moyer to compete for the fifth spot in the 2010 rotation, and DFA him during Spring Training. (Probably after only a couple of appearances, so that there is plenty of time for him to compete for a roster spot on another team.) Washington or Seattle might take him, for the MLB minimum.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) defeated the Scranton/WB Yankees on Friday night, 9-1. Kyle Kendrick pitched six innings, allowing a run, on three hits (two walks/one strikeout). Kendrick has had some good results in AAA, over the past two months. He has a 2.80 ERA, with a 1.02 WHIP. But he has only 20 strikeouts, and 12 walks, in 60 innings. He'll probably be in the parent club's bullpen in September, by virtue of his experience/spot on the 40-Man roster, but doesn't seem to fit in the team's long-term MLB plans.
The Reading Phillies (AA) fell to the New Britain Rock Cats on Friday, 6-3. Mike Cisco continued to not baffle AA hitters, falling to 0-3, with a 6.33 ERA at the level. Cisco surrendered six runs on six hits (three walks/one whiff), in five innings. Catcher Kevin Nelson, recently sent down from AAA, had his third homer, in his last five games. DomOnic Brown had a pair of hits, improving his average to .320. Quintin Berry stole two more bases, increasing his league-leading total to 47. Could he be pinch-running for the parent club in September?
The Clearwater Threshers (A) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, to beat the Dunedin Blue Jays, 5-4. The hero? Gus Milner, with a two-out, walkoff single. Starter Darren Byrd pitched five scoreless innings, working around four hits and three walks, and striking out five batters. Byrd bounced back nicely, from consecutive poor outings.
Billy Wagner was placed on waivers by the Mets, and was, reportedly, claimed by the Red Sox. As a team in the same league as the Mets, the Phillies could have claimed Wagner, before the Red Sox. However, GM Ruben Amaro indicated that the Phillies "don't have $3 million to pull out of a tree." (Wagner would have cost $2.7 million in salary for the remainder of 2009, plus a $1 million buyout for 2010.) Even if the Phillies did have $3.7 million in a tree, Wagner is no less of a gamble than rehabbing sunk costs Brett Myers and J.C. Romero. Wagner will probably be back at home with the llamas, before the Phillies are done with their postseason run.
There has been talk on the internets about Jamie Moyer as an offseason trade piece. Moyer will, depending on attained incentives, make between $6.5 million and $8 million.
The Phillies would, likely, have to eat the majority of that, in order to deal Moyer, who will be 47 next season. Even at $1 million, it doesn't seem like their would be a huge market for a veteran with an ERA over 5.5. The Phillies will, probably, allow Moyer to compete for the fifth spot in the 2010 rotation, and DFA him during Spring Training. (Probably after only a couple of appearances, so that there is plenty of time for him to compete for a roster spot on another team.) Washington or Seattle might take him, for the MLB minimum.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) defeated the Scranton/WB Yankees on Friday night, 9-1. Kyle Kendrick pitched six innings, allowing a run, on three hits (two walks/one strikeout). Kendrick has had some good results in AAA, over the past two months. He has a 2.80 ERA, with a 1.02 WHIP. But he has only 20 strikeouts, and 12 walks, in 60 innings. He'll probably be in the parent club's bullpen in September, by virtue of his experience/spot on the 40-Man roster, but doesn't seem to fit in the team's long-term MLB plans.
The Reading Phillies (AA) fell to the New Britain Rock Cats on Friday, 6-3. Mike Cisco continued to not baffle AA hitters, falling to 0-3, with a 6.33 ERA at the level. Cisco surrendered six runs on six hits (three walks/one whiff), in five innings. Catcher Kevin Nelson, recently sent down from AAA, had his third homer, in his last five games. DomOnic Brown had a pair of hits, improving his average to .320. Quintin Berry stole two more bases, increasing his league-leading total to 47. Could he be pinch-running for the parent club in September?
The Clearwater Threshers (A) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, to beat the Dunedin Blue Jays, 5-4. The hero? Gus Milner, with a two-out, walkoff single. Starter Darren Byrd pitched five scoreless innings, working around four hits and three walks, and striking out five batters. Byrd bounced back nicely, from consecutive poor outings.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Bunts and Balks (8/16)
The removal of Jamie Moyer from the rotation continues to be a hot topic around the internets. The Phillies removed the worst of their starters, in the hopes that the replacement would produce better results. There are more crucial issues right now. Will Brad Lidge get his act together? Will Matt Stairs start to get hits again? What really happened to Brett Myers on Friday night?
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) were held to only five hits, in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Bisons. Kyle Kendrick allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings (six hits, zero walks/one whiff). After spending the last couple of weeks buried in the parent club's bullpen, the game-rusty Kendrick was removed after throwing fifty-nine pitches. Tuffy Gosewisch had his first hit, since his promotion from AA, improving his average to .125.
The Reading Phillies (AA) won a remarkable pitcher's duel, walking off with a 1-0 win over the Binghampton Mets. Choosing to listen to the R-Phils internet broadcast, over the IronPigs internet broadcast, was the correct move today. DomOnic Brown sparked the rally in the ninth, blasting a double, and scoring the winning run on an error. Mike Stutes threw seven scoreless frames for the R-Phils, retiring thirteen consecutive Mets, and nineteen of twenty.
Stutes only surrendered two hits and one walk, while striking out nine. Sergio Escalona followed with two scoreless innings (one walk/one whiff), picked up his first win, and lowered his ERA to 1.82. Quintin Berry had two hits, and three stolen bases. Berry now has a league-leading forty-five thefts.
The R-Phils are locked in a tight battle with Erie and Bowie, for second place in the Southern Division, and a playoff berth.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) scored six runs, on eleven hits, but were outscored by the Tampa Yankees, 9-6. Matt Rizzotti was 4 for 5, with a homer, a pair of doubles, and three RBI. Rizzotti has hit .316 over his last ten games, improving his slash line to .257/.342/.468. Threshers' starter Darren Byrd survived only four and two-thirds innings, permitting four runs (eleven hits, three walks/two whiffs).
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) were held to only five hits, in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Bisons. Kyle Kendrick allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings (six hits, zero walks/one whiff). After spending the last couple of weeks buried in the parent club's bullpen, the game-rusty Kendrick was removed after throwing fifty-nine pitches. Tuffy Gosewisch had his first hit, since his promotion from AA, improving his average to .125.
The Reading Phillies (AA) won a remarkable pitcher's duel, walking off with a 1-0 win over the Binghampton Mets. Choosing to listen to the R-Phils internet broadcast, over the IronPigs internet broadcast, was the correct move today. DomOnic Brown sparked the rally in the ninth, blasting a double, and scoring the winning run on an error. Mike Stutes threw seven scoreless frames for the R-Phils, retiring thirteen consecutive Mets, and nineteen of twenty.
Stutes only surrendered two hits and one walk, while striking out nine. Sergio Escalona followed with two scoreless innings (one walk/one whiff), picked up his first win, and lowered his ERA to 1.82. Quintin Berry had two hits, and three stolen bases. Berry now has a league-leading forty-five thefts.
The R-Phils are locked in a tight battle with Erie and Bowie, for second place in the Southern Division, and a playoff berth.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) scored six runs, on eleven hits, but were outscored by the Tampa Yankees, 9-6. Matt Rizzotti was 4 for 5, with a homer, a pair of doubles, and three RBI. Rizzotti has hit .316 over his last ten games, improving his slash line to .257/.342/.468. Threshers' starter Darren Byrd survived only four and two-thirds innings, permitting four runs (eleven hits, three walks/two whiffs).
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Bunts and Balks (8/12)
Brett Myers made his third simulated relief appearance on Wednesday. Myers faced Clearwater Threshers (A) batters, throwing thirty-two pitches, in two innings. For a challenge, Myers should face Reading Phillies (AA) batters. DomOnic Brown, Steve Susdorf, Neil Sellers, and Kevin Mahar would be a formidable simulated group. Of course, at this early stage in Myers' rehab, it might not be prudent to challenge him too much. Myers could appear in an actual minor league game next week.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) rallied from a ninth-inning deficit, to beat the Louisville Bats on Wednesday, 10-9. Michael Taylor hit a game-tying home run, in the bottom of the ninth inning. As if that wasn't enough, it was Taylor's fifth hit of the game. It should also be mentioned that, as a result of the homer, Taylor successfully hit for the cycle!
Lehigh Valley LHP Brian Mazone was placed on the 15-Day DL. RHP Pat Overholt was reassigned from Lehigh Valley, to Reading (AA). Rodrigo Lopez and Kyle Kendrick were added to the Lehigh Valley roster. The current Lehigh Valley rotation appears to include (in no particular order): Drew Carpenter, Gustavo Chacin, Kyle Kendrick, Rodrigo Lopez, and Joe Savery.
Overholt struggled with excessive baserunner issues in AAA, permitting ten hits and thirteen walks (nine whiffs), in fourteen relief innings. Overholt's ERA of 3.21 is very deceiving; his FIP is 5.84. Overholt's AA FIP was 6.20, as his poor command has been too much for his lucky BABIPs (.228 in AAA, .247 in AA) to overcome.
The veteran journeyman Mazone is minor league filler, at this point in his career.
Lehigh Valley reassigned RHP Alex Concepcion to Reading (AA). RHP Joe Bisenius was promoted for Clearwater (A). Concepcion did an adequate job in AAA, posting a 3.86 ERA/3.41 FIP. Concepcion struck out eight batters, while walking only one, in fourteen innings at AAA, but he did allow fifteen hits.
Bisenius, a member of the Phillies' 40-Man roster, made three rehab appearances with Clearwater (A), throwing four scoreless innings. It appears that the Phillies want to see how he fares in AAA, when determining whether he remains on the 40-Man.
The Reading Phillies (AA) fell short in their ninth-inning rally attempt, falling to the Trenton Thunder, 3-2. Steve Susdorf hit his first R-Phils' homer in the ninth, but Reading couldn't complete the comeback. Susdorf, DH'ing for the night, has fifteen AA plate appearances, with a line of .286/.375/.571. He could be a satisfactory MLB hitter, but is limited by his defensive inadequacies.
DomOnic Brown went 2 for 4, with a double. In forty-three AA plate appearances, Brown has a line of .342/.419/.684.
Northpaw Vance Worley pitched well, permitting only two runs, both on a two-out home run in the first inning. Worley lasted seven innings, allowing only four hits, while walking none (four whiffs). Worley had a difficult patch in mid-July, four consecutive poor (possibly BABIP-induced?) outings, but now has three consecutive strong starts.
Scott Mathieson conceded a run in the eighth inning, which turned out to be the winning run. Mathieson started his AA stint with six scoreless innings, but has surrended a run, in each of his lost two innings.
The Reading Phillies (AA) activated catcher Tuffy Gosewisch from the DL. Tim Gradoville returned to his role as a coach. Gosewisch, Reading's starting catcher, was finally back in the lineup. It should be helpful for the young hurlers in Reading's rotation (Kyle Drabek, Yohan Flande, Mike Cisco, Mike Stutes, and Vance Worley) to throw to Gosewisch, again.
Gradoville spent a week with the R-Phils. He did not bat, appearing only twice, as a defensive replacement.
The Reading Phillies released RHP Francisco Butto, and sent RHP Tristan Crawford to Clearwater (A), to open roster spots for Overholt and Concepcion.
Crawford had been promoted from Clearwater, on July 24th, when Concepcion was promoted to AAA. Crawford had a 5.79 ERA, in nine and one-third AA innings.
The 26 year-old Butto had struggled with control, with a BB/9 of 4.2 in AAA, and 6.87 in AA.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) scored in the bottom of the ninth, to defeat the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 6-5. The Threshers, spurred by criticisms inferring that they had no good hitters left, had fifteen hits (eleven singles). Threshers' starter Jon Velazquez struck out eight, while walking only one, in five innings. Unfortunately, he was hurt by two home runs, leading to three runs.
Michael Schwimer's scoreless inning streak ended at twelve innings, as the northpaw surrendered two runs in the seventh inning.
Tristan Crawford finished for the save, striking out four (two hits, zero walks), in two scoreless innings.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) rallied from a ninth-inning deficit, to beat the Louisville Bats on Wednesday, 10-9. Michael Taylor hit a game-tying home run, in the bottom of the ninth inning. As if that wasn't enough, it was Taylor's fifth hit of the game. It should also be mentioned that, as a result of the homer, Taylor successfully hit for the cycle!
Lehigh Valley LHP Brian Mazone was placed on the 15-Day DL. RHP Pat Overholt was reassigned from Lehigh Valley, to Reading (AA). Rodrigo Lopez and Kyle Kendrick were added to the Lehigh Valley roster. The current Lehigh Valley rotation appears to include (in no particular order): Drew Carpenter, Gustavo Chacin, Kyle Kendrick, Rodrigo Lopez, and Joe Savery.
Overholt struggled with excessive baserunner issues in AAA, permitting ten hits and thirteen walks (nine whiffs), in fourteen relief innings. Overholt's ERA of 3.21 is very deceiving; his FIP is 5.84. Overholt's AA FIP was 6.20, as his poor command has been too much for his lucky BABIPs (.228 in AAA, .247 in AA) to overcome.
The veteran journeyman Mazone is minor league filler, at this point in his career.
Lehigh Valley reassigned RHP Alex Concepcion to Reading (AA). RHP Joe Bisenius was promoted for Clearwater (A). Concepcion did an adequate job in AAA, posting a 3.86 ERA/3.41 FIP. Concepcion struck out eight batters, while walking only one, in fourteen innings at AAA, but he did allow fifteen hits.
Bisenius, a member of the Phillies' 40-Man roster, made three rehab appearances with Clearwater (A), throwing four scoreless innings. It appears that the Phillies want to see how he fares in AAA, when determining whether he remains on the 40-Man.
The Reading Phillies (AA) fell short in their ninth-inning rally attempt, falling to the Trenton Thunder, 3-2. Steve Susdorf hit his first R-Phils' homer in the ninth, but Reading couldn't complete the comeback. Susdorf, DH'ing for the night, has fifteen AA plate appearances, with a line of .286/.375/.571. He could be a satisfactory MLB hitter, but is limited by his defensive inadequacies.
DomOnic Brown went 2 for 4, with a double. In forty-three AA plate appearances, Brown has a line of .342/.419/.684.
Northpaw Vance Worley pitched well, permitting only two runs, both on a two-out home run in the first inning. Worley lasted seven innings, allowing only four hits, while walking none (four whiffs). Worley had a difficult patch in mid-July, four consecutive poor (possibly BABIP-induced?) outings, but now has three consecutive strong starts.
Scott Mathieson conceded a run in the eighth inning, which turned out to be the winning run. Mathieson started his AA stint with six scoreless innings, but has surrended a run, in each of his lost two innings.
The Reading Phillies (AA) activated catcher Tuffy Gosewisch from the DL. Tim Gradoville returned to his role as a coach. Gosewisch, Reading's starting catcher, was finally back in the lineup. It should be helpful for the young hurlers in Reading's rotation (Kyle Drabek, Yohan Flande, Mike Cisco, Mike Stutes, and Vance Worley) to throw to Gosewisch, again.
Gradoville spent a week with the R-Phils. He did not bat, appearing only twice, as a defensive replacement.
The Reading Phillies released RHP Francisco Butto, and sent RHP Tristan Crawford to Clearwater (A), to open roster spots for Overholt and Concepcion.
Crawford had been promoted from Clearwater, on July 24th, when Concepcion was promoted to AAA. Crawford had a 5.79 ERA, in nine and one-third AA innings.
The 26 year-old Butto had struggled with control, with a BB/9 of 4.2 in AAA, and 6.87 in AA.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) scored in the bottom of the ninth, to defeat the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 6-5. The Threshers, spurred by criticisms inferring that they had no good hitters left, had fifteen hits (eleven singles). Threshers' starter Jon Velazquez struck out eight, while walking only one, in five innings. Unfortunately, he was hurt by two home runs, leading to three runs.
Michael Schwimer's scoreless inning streak ended at twelve innings, as the northpaw surrendered two runs in the seventh inning.
Tristan Crawford finished for the save, striking out four (two hits, zero walks), in two scoreless innings.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Bunts and Balks (8/11)
The Phillies removed Jamie Moyer from the fifth starter's role, and moved him to the bullpen. Pedro Martinez will join the rotation, starting Wednesday night, against the Cubs.
With future HOFer Pedro Martinez having, satisfactorily, completed his minor league rehab, the Phillies removed their rotation's weakest starter. Moyer pitched 123.1 innings, posting a 5.47 ERA/5.40 FIP. Moyer will, likely, be used as a long reliever/in low leverage situations. With two doubleheaders scheduled in September, Moyer could be considered (along with Drew Carpenter, Kyle Kendrick, and Rodrigo Lopez) for spot starting assignments, later in the season.
Kyle Kendrick was optioned to Lehigh Valley (AAA), t,o open a spot for Martinez on the active roster. Kendrick will, likely, return to the IronPigs rotation. Joe Savery, recently promoted from AA, would seem the most likely option to be demoted to Reading (AA). But, it is possible that Lehigh Valley could, instead, jettison Brian Mazone or Gustavo Chacin, both minor league journeyman who may be unlikely to return to the organization in 2010.
Chad Durbin was activated from the DL. Rodrigo Lopez was optioned to Lehigh Valley. Durbin has a month to make a case for a postseason roster spot. However, if the rest of the bullpen options are healthy for the playoffs, it may not matter how well Durbin pitches in August/September.
Lopez was able to be optioned to AAA, despite having more than five years of MLB experience, because it was written into his contract when he agreed to terms with the Phillies.
J.C. Romero had another rehab setback, and is scheduled for an MRI. It is starting to look like a lost season for Romero.
Brett Myers pitched in his second simulated game, and may make an appearance in an un-simulated game shortly. Expect him to be ready for a relief role with the Phillies, in September.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) lost to the Louisville Bats on Tuesday, 2-1. Michael Taylor had two outfield assists, at second base, and at home plate. Alex Concepcion pitched two scoreless innings of relief.
The Reading Phillies (AA) came from behind to defeat the Trenton Thunder, 6-5.
The R-Phils trailed 3-1, after six innings, but pulled ahead 6-3, in the top of the ninth. Despite some shaky fielding (the R-Phils made four errors), leading to two unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth, the R-Phils held on for the win. Reading starter Mike Stutes pitched well, allowing three runs (only one earned), in six innings (seven hits, two walks/six strikeouts). B.J. Rosenberg got the final out, for his first AA save. Behind the plate for the final out was Tim Gradoville. A week ago, who would have predicted a low-A reliever, and a low-A coach, would be the battery in a AA game?
The Philadelphia Inquirer continues to spell DomOnic Brown's name incorrectly. Very disappointing.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) were bombed by the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Tuesday, 9-3. It was a very successing mission for the Flying Tigers. The Threshers took a 3-0 lead, in the top of the first inning, but never scored again. Threshers starter Darren Byrd pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs (only two earned), on eleven hits (zero walks/seven whiffs). The box score seems to indicate that Byrd had some BABIP issues...
With future HOFer Pedro Martinez having, satisfactorily, completed his minor league rehab, the Phillies removed their rotation's weakest starter. Moyer pitched 123.1 innings, posting a 5.47 ERA/5.40 FIP. Moyer will, likely, be used as a long reliever/in low leverage situations. With two doubleheaders scheduled in September, Moyer could be considered (along with Drew Carpenter, Kyle Kendrick, and Rodrigo Lopez) for spot starting assignments, later in the season.
Kyle Kendrick was optioned to Lehigh Valley (AAA), t,o open a spot for Martinez on the active roster. Kendrick will, likely, return to the IronPigs rotation. Joe Savery, recently promoted from AA, would seem the most likely option to be demoted to Reading (AA). But, it is possible that Lehigh Valley could, instead, jettison Brian Mazone or Gustavo Chacin, both minor league journeyman who may be unlikely to return to the organization in 2010.
Chad Durbin was activated from the DL. Rodrigo Lopez was optioned to Lehigh Valley. Durbin has a month to make a case for a postseason roster spot. However, if the rest of the bullpen options are healthy for the playoffs, it may not matter how well Durbin pitches in August/September.
Lopez was able to be optioned to AAA, despite having more than five years of MLB experience, because it was written into his contract when he agreed to terms with the Phillies.
J.C. Romero had another rehab setback, and is scheduled for an MRI. It is starting to look like a lost season for Romero.
Brett Myers pitched in his second simulated game, and may make an appearance in an un-simulated game shortly. Expect him to be ready for a relief role with the Phillies, in September.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) lost to the Louisville Bats on Tuesday, 2-1. Michael Taylor had two outfield assists, at second base, and at home plate. Alex Concepcion pitched two scoreless innings of relief.
The Reading Phillies (AA) came from behind to defeat the Trenton Thunder, 6-5.
The R-Phils trailed 3-1, after six innings, but pulled ahead 6-3, in the top of the ninth. Despite some shaky fielding (the R-Phils made four errors), leading to two unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth, the R-Phils held on for the win. Reading starter Mike Stutes pitched well, allowing three runs (only one earned), in six innings (seven hits, two walks/six strikeouts). B.J. Rosenberg got the final out, for his first AA save. Behind the plate for the final out was Tim Gradoville. A week ago, who would have predicted a low-A reliever, and a low-A coach, would be the battery in a AA game?
The Philadelphia Inquirer continues to spell DomOnic Brown's name incorrectly. Very disappointing.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) were bombed by the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Tuesday, 9-3. It was a very successing mission for the Flying Tigers. The Threshers took a 3-0 lead, in the top of the first inning, but never scored again. Threshers starter Darren Byrd pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs (only two earned), on eleven hits (zero walks/seven whiffs). The box score seems to indicate that Byrd had some BABIP issues...
Friday, August 7, 2009
Bunts and Balks (8/5)
On Wednesday night, the Reading Phillies (AA) defeated the Trenton Thunder, 8-4. The R-Phils paid Tribute to Sliced Bread, drawing a franchise-record crowd of 9,953, as a result.
Future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez was also present for the festivities, making his third rehab start for the parent Phillies. Martinez surrendered a solo homer to the third batter he faced, and was touched up for three runs in the sixth inning. However, the sixth inning was marred by fielding inadequacy, and Martinez was brilliant throughout the game. He threw eighty-two pitches, sixty for strikes. He struck out ten of the first seventeen batters he faced. He finished with eleven strikeouts and ZERO walks. It looks like he is ready for a spot in the parent Phillies' rotation. (Namely, Jamie Moyer's spot.)
Scott Mathieson followed with two scoreless innings, and Sergio Escalona pitched a scoreless ninth.
DomOnic Brown overshadowed Martinez, however. But not with his 2 for 4 night, which included a mammoth 426 ft. homer. After the game, Brown announced that the spelling of his first name is "Domonic", rather than "Dominic." Baseball writers everywhere are filling their memory holes with the inconvenient evidence, and a conspiracy of silence is now in progress.
Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro may have missed an opportunity to deal DomInic Brown, while receiving the trade value earned by DomOnic Brown.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) beat the Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday, 5-1.
Starter Darren Byrd continued to pitch well, allowing one run, in six innings (three hits, three walks/three whiffs). Byrd has a 2.84 ERA in his last ten starts (38 IP).
Phillies' reliever Chad Durbin made his first rehab appearance, throwing a scoreless inning (one hit, one walk/two strikouts). Joe Bisenius, in his second rehab appearance in A ball, also pitched a scoreless inning (one walk/one whiff).
Steve Susdorf was 0 for 3, dropping his average to a discouraging .377.
Future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez was also present for the festivities, making his third rehab start for the parent Phillies. Martinez surrendered a solo homer to the third batter he faced, and was touched up for three runs in the sixth inning. However, the sixth inning was marred by fielding inadequacy, and Martinez was brilliant throughout the game. He threw eighty-two pitches, sixty for strikes. He struck out ten of the first seventeen batters he faced. He finished with eleven strikeouts and ZERO walks. It looks like he is ready for a spot in the parent Phillies' rotation. (Namely, Jamie Moyer's spot.)
Scott Mathieson followed with two scoreless innings, and Sergio Escalona pitched a scoreless ninth.
DomOnic Brown overshadowed Martinez, however. But not with his 2 for 4 night, which included a mammoth 426 ft. homer. After the game, Brown announced that the spelling of his first name is "Domonic", rather than "Dominic." Baseball writers everywhere are filling their memory holes with the inconvenient evidence, and a conspiracy of silence is now in progress.
Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro may have missed an opportunity to deal DomInic Brown, while receiving the trade value earned by DomOnic Brown.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) beat the Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday, 5-1.
Starter Darren Byrd continued to pitch well, allowing one run, in six innings (three hits, three walks/three whiffs). Byrd has a 2.84 ERA in his last ten starts (38 IP).
Phillies' reliever Chad Durbin made his first rehab appearance, throwing a scoreless inning (one hit, one walk/two strikouts). Joe Bisenius, in his second rehab appearance in A ball, also pitched a scoreless inning (one walk/one whiff).
Steve Susdorf was 0 for 3, dropping his average to a discouraging .377.
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