Brett Myers made his second rehab start at Reading (AA) on Saturday, with mixed results. Myers allowed one run in two innings. He threw thirty pitches, only sixteen for strikes. He allowed two hits, one of which was a flukish inside-the-park-homer. (The long fly ball hit off the outfield fence, and bounded far away from outfielder DomOnic Brown.)
Myers was expected to throw fifty pitches, but rain forced the game to be suspended.
Myers is expected to pitch on consecutive days, later this week, and then be recalled to Philadelphia. (The appearances are supposed to be for Lehigh Valley (AAA), but I'm officially voting for them to take place for pitching-strapped, playoff-hungry, Reading.)
A positive for the R-Phils was that Myers' start saved them from using one of their starting pitchers, as the game was turned into a Myers + bullpen effort. A rain-wasted start by one of Reading's remaining starting pitchers would have been damaging to their playoff hopes. Reading was very lucky that Myers' unfortunate eye injury (that did NOT happen in a bar) pushed back his rehab schedule, enabling him to pitch for them on Saturday.
The Phillies announced that top prospect Kyle Drabek has been shut down for the remainder of the season. Drabek is not injured, the Phils are merely shutting him down, for precautionary reasons. It is a prudent move, considering that Drabek is coming off TJ surgery, and has pitched 158 innings.
Drabek's final stats at Reading: 8-2, 3.64 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .298 BABIP, 7.1 K/9, 2.45 K/BB, 3.83 FIP. One notable red flag: LHB hit .322 against the 21 year-old northpaw.
It's a shame that Drabek's workload wasn't reduced earlier in the season, so that he could perform for the R-Phils during their playoff run, and their inevitable postseason games. But the Phils made the right move, in shutting Drabek down.
So, who's left in the Reading rotation? How are they going to get through a week in which they have ten games scheduled?
The current rotation seems to include Yohan Flande, Mike Stutes, Mike Cisco, Vance Worley, and Alex Concepcion (?). (Concepcion has pitched mostly as a reliever, and would be fortunate to pitch four innings. Considering that doubleheaders in AA are only seven innings long, those games would be the best fit for him, as a starter.)
Flande and Concepcion are scheduled to start Monday's doubleheader, and could both start Saturday's doubleheader, on four days rest.
Mike Cisco has been announced as Tuesday's starter, with Mike Stutes scheduled to pitch Wednesday.
Friday would be Vance Worley's fifth day.
It looks like Reading needs a plan for Thursday.
Who makes the start for Reading on Thursday?
I'd like to see a "rehab game" featuring Brett Myers, Clay Condrey, and Antonio Bastardo. That could really help the R-Phils' playoff hopes. We may see some of the aforementioned rehabbers in Reading this week, but the R-Phils need to find a starting solution for the rest of the season.
They will, likely, need to recall a pitcher from Clearwater (A), one who would be pitching with (at least) four days' rest, on Thursday.
The available candidates are: Drew Naylor, Jon Velasquez, Tyler Cloyd, and Darren Byrd.
Naylor is twenty-three, on the 40-Man Roster, and has pitched the most innings in A (151). Naylor has a K/BB of 3.06, and a FIP of 3.67. If you remove the worst of Naylor's last ten starts, he has a 3.97 ERA, in that timeframe.
Velasquez turns twenty-four in October, has a K/BB of 2.82, and a FIP of 3.83 (64.2 IP).
Velasquez has an ERA of 2.82, in the best nine, of his last ten starts.
Cloyd is twenty-two, has a K/BB of 1.76, and a FIP of 4.02 (71.2 IP).
Cloyd has an ERA of 3.27, in the best nine, of his last ten starts.
Byrd turns twenty-three in October, has a K/BB of 1.66, and a FIP of 3.85 (81 IP).
Byrd has an ERA of 2.58, in the best nine, of his last ten starts.
So, esteemed blogger, who should get the call from Clearwater?
I'd recall Naylor to make the start for Reading, on Wednesday, on six days rest.
I'd recall Velasquez to make the start for Reading, on Thursday, on five days rest.
(The R-Phils never beat the New Britain Rock Cats, so they might as well try some different starters against them, in Naylor and Velasquez.)
Mike Stutes would be pushed back to Friday, facing 1st place Connecticut, on seven days' rest.
Vance Worley, pitching on five days' rest, would split the Saturday doubleheader, with Yohan Flande.
Alex Concepcion would return to the Reading bullpen.
Mike Cisco (6.41 ERA/519 FIP in five AA starts) would return to Clearwater, after making the start for Reading on Tuesday.
Clay Condrey and Antonio Bastardo are scheduled for rehab appearances on Monday, with the GCL Phillies (Rookie). They are getting closer. With no setbacks, and two (or three) more rehab appearances (in AA/AAA?), we might see them with the parent club next week.
J.C. Romero might long toss, at some point in the near future. Starting to look like Eyre and Bastardo will be the (only) lefties in the postseason bullpen.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) lost to the Syracuse SkyChiefs on Sunday, 3-1. A bunch of non-prospects, playing out the string, and hoping to become Phillies (MLB) on Tuesday.
I find the SkyChiefs' logo to be aesthetically displeasing.
The Reading Phillies lost both games of a doubleheader on Sunday, 1-0 and 5-2, to the Bowie Baysox. Two very disappointing seven-inning losses for the R-Phils.
In the completion of Saturday's suspended game, Chance Chapman (3 IP, 3 H, 1 BB/4 K) and Scott Mathieson (2 IP, 4 K) shut down Bowie. But Reading was held to five singles, and the inside-the-park homer allowed by Brett Myers was the game's only run.
The R-Phils were also held to only five hits (all singles) in the second game. Two games, fourteen innings, zero extra-base hits for Reading.
Starter Vance Worley was ineffective, pitching four and two-thirds innings, and allowing four runs (four hits, five walks/four whiffs). His record dropped to 7-11, with a 5.22 ERA. Worley is now 1-5, with a 7.44 ERA, after the All-Star break. In his last ten games, Worley is 2-6, with an 8.15 ERA. Perhaps Worley needs to be shut down also, as he is nearing 150 IP, after pitching 69 in 2008.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) beat the Daytona Cubs on Sunday, 4-2. Edgar Garcia got the victory, surrendering only a single run, in six and one-third innings (four hits, one walk/four whiffs). Tyson Brummett pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings, reducing his ERA with Clearwater to only 9.00.
Showing posts with label J.C. Romero. Show all posts
Showing posts with label J.C. Romero. Show all posts
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Bunts and Balks (8/28)
Brett Myers is expected to make a rehab appearance for Reading (AA) on Saturday. Antonio Bastardo has a rehab appearance planned for Monday, with the GCL Phillies (Rookie). Clay Condrey threw a simulated game on Thursday, and may pitch in a non-simulated game next week. J.C. Romero long-tossed on Thursday, and the next step in his rehab is unknown.
Perhaps Charlie Manuel will actually utilize some of these relief options, when they return to the active roster. Current relief options Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre have been used so infrequently that it is possible that they are struggling with injury concerns of their own.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) and Reading Phillies (AA) both had their Friday night games postponed, due to rain. Each time will play a doubleheader on Saturday. Fortunately, neither team burned a starting pitcher, in a rain-shortened contest.
Joe Savery doesn't handle such things well.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) won the first game of their Friday night doubleheader, beating the Daytona Cubs, 3-2. Threshers' starter Jon Velazquez pitched well, permitting only two runs (one earned), in seven innings (two walks/five whiffs). Carlos Monasterios followed with two scoreless frames (two hits, one walk/three whiffs), and picked up the victory, when the Threshers broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning.
The Clearwater Threshers were no-hit in the second game, losing 3-0. Perhaps the Threshers would have gotten a hit, if the doubleheader finale wasn't shortened to seven innings. It was the first no-hitter for the Daytona Cubs, in thirteen days. The Threshers did have three walks in the game, so there's that.
Clearwater used three relievers to pitch the game: Walter Tejeda (three innings, two unearned runs), Chris Kissock (two innings, one run), and Michael Schwimer (one scoreless inning). The bullpen game worked out pretty well for the Threshers. Well, except for the no hits.
Perhaps Charlie Manuel will actually utilize some of these relief options, when they return to the active roster. Current relief options Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre have been used so infrequently that it is possible that they are struggling with injury concerns of their own.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) and Reading Phillies (AA) both had their Friday night games postponed, due to rain. Each time will play a doubleheader on Saturday. Fortunately, neither team burned a starting pitcher, in a rain-shortened contest.
Joe Savery doesn't handle such things well.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) won the first game of their Friday night doubleheader, beating the Daytona Cubs, 3-2. Threshers' starter Jon Velazquez pitched well, permitting only two runs (one earned), in seven innings (two walks/five whiffs). Carlos Monasterios followed with two scoreless frames (two hits, one walk/three whiffs), and picked up the victory, when the Threshers broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning.
The Clearwater Threshers were no-hit in the second game, losing 3-0. Perhaps the Threshers would have gotten a hit, if the doubleheader finale wasn't shortened to seven innings. It was the first no-hitter for the Daytona Cubs, in thirteen days. The Threshers did have three walks in the game, so there's that.
Clearwater used three relievers to pitch the game: Walter Tejeda (three innings, two unearned runs), Chris Kissock (two innings, one run), and Michael Schwimer (one scoreless inning). The bullpen game worked out pretty well for the Threshers. Well, except for the no hits.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Rehab Success
There was plenty of rehab sucess for the Phillies on Monday, as four late-season relief possibilities threw, including two in non-simulated games.
Brett Myers threw an inning for the Lakewood BlueClaws (A-), in their Monday game against the Lake County Captains. Myers threw fourteen pitches, seven for strikes. His fastball hit 93 MPH. He faced four batters: ground out to second, strike out, walk, fly out to center.
Antonio Bastardo threw one and one-third innings for the GCL Phillies (Rookie), in their Monday game against the GCL Pirates.
In the first inning: ground out to second, foul pop to first, ground out to second.
In the second inning: fly out to right, HBP, single to center
Bastardo was pulled after the single, and reliever Juan Sosa did not allow either baserunner to score.
Clay Condrey threw thirty-five pitches in a bullpen session, Monday morning in Clearwater. He is expected to throw again Thursday.
J.C. Romero threw thirty-five pitches in a bullpen session, Monday morning in Clearwater. His next appearance has yet to be determined.
Also undetermined was whether Condrey or Romero would return to Bright House Field in Clearwater, for the final Feeding Frenzy Night. Condrey will probably be there, if he is in the mood for Mongolian barbeque tonight.
Brett Myers threw an inning for the Lakewood BlueClaws (A-), in their Monday game against the Lake County Captains. Myers threw fourteen pitches, seven for strikes. His fastball hit 93 MPH. He faced four batters: ground out to second, strike out, walk, fly out to center.
Antonio Bastardo threw one and one-third innings for the GCL Phillies (Rookie), in their Monday game against the GCL Pirates.
In the first inning: ground out to second, foul pop to first, ground out to second.
In the second inning: fly out to right, HBP, single to center
Bastardo was pulled after the single, and reliever Juan Sosa did not allow either baserunner to score.
Clay Condrey threw thirty-five pitches in a bullpen session, Monday morning in Clearwater. He is expected to throw again Thursday.
J.C. Romero threw thirty-five pitches in a bullpen session, Monday morning in Clearwater. His next appearance has yet to be determined.
Also undetermined was whether Condrey or Romero would return to Bright House Field in Clearwater, for the final Feeding Frenzy Night. Condrey will probably be there, if he is in the mood for Mongolian barbeque tonight.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Bunts and Balks (8/23)
Brett Myers' rehab appearance, scheduled for Sunday in Lakewood (A-), was postponed due to rain. The Blue Claws had their game rescheduled as a Monday doubleheader, starting at 5:05pm. Myers is expected to pitch the first inning, of the first game, as he has dinner reservations that night.
If Lakewood draws 6,047 fans, they will be the fastest South Atlantic League team to reach 4 million in attendance. In the unlikely event that a Brett Myers appearance, and TWO baseball games isn't enough, the PHILLIE PHANATIC will also be there! Drawing 6,047 fans should not be a problem.
There doesn't appear to be any internet broadcast available, but Myers' appearance, and the rest of the doubleheader against the Lake County Captains, will be live-blogged here.
Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero are expected to throw bullpen sessions in Clearwater on Monday. Reinforcements are on the way, though not exactly quickly...
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) continued to feast upon the entrails of the woeful Pawtucket Red Sox, winning 4-2, on Sunday afternoon. Starter Joe Savery got his third victory, in four decisions at AAA. But, just as we shouldn't get overly excited about Gustavo Chacin's eight scoreless innings on Saturday, we need to temper our excitement about Savery's performance, as well. Pawtucket has ridden a .229 team batting average, to a 53-73 record. The highest batting average in their starting lineup was .252. Four players in the starting lineup were batting under .211.
Savery survived five and two-thirds innings, permitting two runs, on five hits and three walks (three whiffs). He left the game in the sixth inning, after loading the bases, but reliever Gary Majewski stranded all three runners.
Carlos Leon, promoted to AAA, when Miguel Cairo was promoted to the parent club, made his first start for Lehigh Valley. The second-sacker went 3 for 3, including a home run. Leon was referred to as "minor league filler" on this blog, prior to the game, and appears to have been spurred on by the comment.
The Reading Phillies (AA) fell to the New Britain Rock Cats on Sunday afternoon, as per usual, 5-4. The Stone Felines have won 10 of 11 from the R-Phils, and seem devoted to keeping Reading out of the playoffs. The R-Phils play New Britain again on Monday night, and have another three-game series against them in September.
R-Phils' starter Vance Worley pitched six innings, surrendering three runs, on six hits and a walk (two whiffs).
R-Phils' reliever B.J. Rosenberg GAVE UP ACTUAL RUNS, for the first time since May 31st. Rosenberg actually gave up two runs in one inning, on three hits (zero walks/zero whiffs).
Steve Susdorf went 3 for 4 for Reading, raising his average to .245.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) had Sunday off, and will continue their series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Monday. Tyler Cloyd will take the ball for Clearwater, on the last scheduled Feeding Frenzy of the Year. Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero picked the right place to make their respective rehab appearances, as the "best restaurants around the Clearwater area", including Boston Market, Westshore Pizza, and Costco, will be at Bright House Field. If you mock the inclusion of Costco, in such esteemed culinary company, you've obviously never enjoyed a Costco hot dog, while watching the Phillies (or one of their affiliates). Access to the Costco snack bar alone (and their glorious churros!), is more than enough to justify paying their annual membership fee.
If Lakewood draws 6,047 fans, they will be the fastest South Atlantic League team to reach 4 million in attendance. In the unlikely event that a Brett Myers appearance, and TWO baseball games isn't enough, the PHILLIE PHANATIC will also be there! Drawing 6,047 fans should not be a problem.
There doesn't appear to be any internet broadcast available, but Myers' appearance, and the rest of the doubleheader against the Lake County Captains, will be live-blogged here.
Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero are expected to throw bullpen sessions in Clearwater on Monday. Reinforcements are on the way, though not exactly quickly...
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) continued to feast upon the entrails of the woeful Pawtucket Red Sox, winning 4-2, on Sunday afternoon. Starter Joe Savery got his third victory, in four decisions at AAA. But, just as we shouldn't get overly excited about Gustavo Chacin's eight scoreless innings on Saturday, we need to temper our excitement about Savery's performance, as well. Pawtucket has ridden a .229 team batting average, to a 53-73 record. The highest batting average in their starting lineup was .252. Four players in the starting lineup were batting under .211.
Savery survived five and two-thirds innings, permitting two runs, on five hits and three walks (three whiffs). He left the game in the sixth inning, after loading the bases, but reliever Gary Majewski stranded all three runners.
Carlos Leon, promoted to AAA, when Miguel Cairo was promoted to the parent club, made his first start for Lehigh Valley. The second-sacker went 3 for 3, including a home run. Leon was referred to as "minor league filler" on this blog, prior to the game, and appears to have been spurred on by the comment.
The Reading Phillies (AA) fell to the New Britain Rock Cats on Sunday afternoon, as per usual, 5-4. The Stone Felines have won 10 of 11 from the R-Phils, and seem devoted to keeping Reading out of the playoffs. The R-Phils play New Britain again on Monday night, and have another three-game series against them in September.
R-Phils' starter Vance Worley pitched six innings, surrendering three runs, on six hits and a walk (two whiffs).
R-Phils' reliever B.J. Rosenberg GAVE UP ACTUAL RUNS, for the first time since May 31st. Rosenberg actually gave up two runs in one inning, on three hits (zero walks/zero whiffs).
Steve Susdorf went 3 for 4 for Reading, raising his average to .245.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) had Sunday off, and will continue their series against the Dunedin Blue Jays on Monday. Tyler Cloyd will take the ball for Clearwater, on the last scheduled Feeding Frenzy of the Year. Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero picked the right place to make their respective rehab appearances, as the "best restaurants around the Clearwater area", including Boston Market, Westshore Pizza, and Costco, will be at Bright House Field. If you mock the inclusion of Costco, in such esteemed culinary company, you've obviously never enjoyed a Costco hot dog, while watching the Phillies (or one of their affiliates). Access to the Costco snack bar alone (and their glorious churros!), is more than enough to justify paying their annual membership fee.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
They Said Pete Had to Stay in Rehab (Roster Moves Pending...)
Future HOF'er Pedro Martinez has made three rehab starts for the Phillies, but still has no timetable for a return to MLB. Martinez looks ready, or at least ready enough to be better than Jamie Moyer, or Rodrigo Lopez. The Phillies have been waiting as long as possible, just in case some factor outside their control (injury? retirement?) affected their personnel moves.
With Moyer scheduled to start on Sunday, it wouldn't be surprising to see a decision (and corresponding roster move) made early this week. This could be Moyer's last appearance as a starter for awhile.
Martinez could be inserted into the rotation on Wednesday, with Cliff Lee pitching on Tuesday, his regular day. Martinez, J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton, and Cole Hamels would start Wednesday through Saturday in this scenario. (Blanton, and Hamels would each be pitching with two extra days of rest, while Happ would have three extra days.)
Remember when Jack Taschner pitched so infrequently, that it was almost possible to forget that the Phils were still wasting a roster spot on him? That could be Moyer's next role.
Kyle Kendrick will, probably, be optioned back to the Lehigh Valley (AAA) rotation, when Martinez is placed on the active roster.
Chad Durbin will make a rehab appearance in AAA on Sunday, and then may be ready to return to the Phillies. The slow-moving rehabs of his pen-mates (J.C. Romero, Clay Condrey) should give Durbin, a pending free agent, another opportunity with the parent club. Wouldn't expect to see him on the postseason roster, though...
(Would expect Tyler Walker to be DFA'd on Tuesday, opening a spot on the active roster for Durbin. Walker will, probably, pass through waivers, and return to Lehigh Valley.)
J.C. Romero experienced a "setback" in his first rehab appearance, Clearwater (A). Clay Condrey continues to take things slowly, as he recovers from his oblique issues. There's no reason to rush either reliever, with roster spots at a premium, and the starting rotation leaving fewer relief innings available. Might not see either back before Sept. 1st, which should keep Rodrigo Lopez in the Phillies bullpen/organization.
Romero, Condrey, Lopez, Durbin, Scott Eyre, Brett Myers, Scott Mathieson. Assuming Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Chan Ho Park, and the fifth starter (Pedro Martinez? J.A. Happ?) in the bullpen, that leaves, likely, three spots left. Who gets them?
Brett Myers' rehab is going well. He, allegedly, dominated un-named, simulated batters on Thursday. Future minor league appearances will dictate whether he can return to the parent club, as a reliever, for September and beyond. If he is healthy, he can be a definite asset/upgrade to the bullpen. If Brad Lidge continues to struggle, Myers could be in the late-inning/closing mix, with Ryan Madson. Expect to see Myers in Philly, when rosters expand.
Scott Mathieson has been dominating in A/AA, as his return from three surgeries continues. His refusal to allow runs, coupled with his mid-90s, whiff-inducing, velocity, has him on the fast track back to MLB. Expect to see him in September, competing for a postseason roster spot.
Barring setbacks, Myers and Mathieson would be huge upgrades, over the more fungible commodities, Durbin and Condrey. The third spot would go to J.C. Romero, or Scott Eyre, if Romero is not healthy.
Myers, Mathieson, Martinez or Happ, a LOOGYfied Romero or Eyre, Madson, and Lidge could be an incredible postseason bullpen.
The Phils wouldn't need an eighth reliever for the postseason, opening a roster spot for...Michael Taylor??
With Moyer scheduled to start on Sunday, it wouldn't be surprising to see a decision (and corresponding roster move) made early this week. This could be Moyer's last appearance as a starter for awhile.
Martinez could be inserted into the rotation on Wednesday, with Cliff Lee pitching on Tuesday, his regular day. Martinez, J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton, and Cole Hamels would start Wednesday through Saturday in this scenario. (Blanton, and Hamels would each be pitching with two extra days of rest, while Happ would have three extra days.)
Remember when Jack Taschner pitched so infrequently, that it was almost possible to forget that the Phils were still wasting a roster spot on him? That could be Moyer's next role.
Kyle Kendrick will, probably, be optioned back to the Lehigh Valley (AAA) rotation, when Martinez is placed on the active roster.
Chad Durbin will make a rehab appearance in AAA on Sunday, and then may be ready to return to the Phillies. The slow-moving rehabs of his pen-mates (J.C. Romero, Clay Condrey) should give Durbin, a pending free agent, another opportunity with the parent club. Wouldn't expect to see him on the postseason roster, though...
(Would expect Tyler Walker to be DFA'd on Tuesday, opening a spot on the active roster for Durbin. Walker will, probably, pass through waivers, and return to Lehigh Valley.)
J.C. Romero experienced a "setback" in his first rehab appearance, Clearwater (A). Clay Condrey continues to take things slowly, as he recovers from his oblique issues. There's no reason to rush either reliever, with roster spots at a premium, and the starting rotation leaving fewer relief innings available. Might not see either back before Sept. 1st, which should keep Rodrigo Lopez in the Phillies bullpen/organization.
Romero, Condrey, Lopez, Durbin, Scott Eyre, Brett Myers, Scott Mathieson. Assuming Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Chan Ho Park, and the fifth starter (Pedro Martinez? J.A. Happ?) in the bullpen, that leaves, likely, three spots left. Who gets them?
Brett Myers' rehab is going well. He, allegedly, dominated un-named, simulated batters on Thursday. Future minor league appearances will dictate whether he can return to the parent club, as a reliever, for September and beyond. If he is healthy, he can be a definite asset/upgrade to the bullpen. If Brad Lidge continues to struggle, Myers could be in the late-inning/closing mix, with Ryan Madson. Expect to see Myers in Philly, when rosters expand.
Scott Mathieson has been dominating in A/AA, as his return from three surgeries continues. His refusal to allow runs, coupled with his mid-90s, whiff-inducing, velocity, has him on the fast track back to MLB. Expect to see him in September, competing for a postseason roster spot.
Barring setbacks, Myers and Mathieson would be huge upgrades, over the more fungible commodities, Durbin and Condrey. The third spot would go to J.C. Romero, or Scott Eyre, if Romero is not healthy.
Myers, Mathieson, Martinez or Happ, a LOOGYfied Romero or Eyre, Madson, and Lidge could be an incredible postseason bullpen.
The Phils wouldn't need an eighth reliever for the postseason, opening a roster spot for...Michael Taylor??
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Bunts and Balks (8/2)
Pedro Martinez will make his third minor league rehab start, on Wednesday for the Reading Phillies (AA).
Martinez struggled in his second rehab start, last Friday (5 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K). This will also keep Phillies' starter J.A. Happ in the parent club's rotation, at least for another turn.
Relievers J.C. Romero, Clay Condrey, and Chad Durbin are all progressing in their rehabs. First one available to return gets Kyle Kendrick's roster spot. The second one ready gets Tyler Walker's spot. Third place gets DFA'd. (Or takes Durbin's roster spot, so he can be DFA'd.) In summation, Walker and Durbin are the only ones getting DFA'd here. (At least untli Martinez is ready for promotion...)
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) had a 3-2 lead on Sunday, after seven innings. The bullpen failed, and the FeHogs lost to the Rochester Red Wings, 4-3.
Gustavo Chacin pitched well, permitting two runs, over seven innings (eight hits, two walks, two whiffs, one home run allowed). Gary Majewski allowed the Red Wings to tie the score in the eighth. Jack Taschner entered the tied game in the bottom of the ninth. One out, and three hits later, Rochester had a walkoff win. The highlight of the game was an outstanding defensive play: a fan caught a foul ball in his beer cup!
Recently-promoted backup catcher Kevin Nelson made his first AAA start, going 2 for 4, with a pair of doubles.
LHP Joe Savery will make his first AAA start on Monday night. (The parent club has an off day, so all fans should be tuning in to the IronPigs' internet broadcast!)
The Reading Phillies (AA) lost to the Erie Seawolves, 3-1.
Michael Galen Cisco made his first start, since his promotion from Clearwater (A), throwing six innings, but was mortally wounded by a fifth-inning two-run blast by Cale Iorg. (To recap, the grandson of Galen Cisco permitted a homer to Garth Iorg's son.) Cisco allowed three runs, on six hits, and two walks (five strikeouts). Chance Chapman (one whiff) and Scott Mathieson (two whiffs) each followed Cisco with a scoreless frame. Recently-promoted Dominic Brown, 0 for 3 in his AA debut on Saturday, was 2 for 4, with a pair of singles.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) fell to the Fort Myers Miracle, 5-2.
Starter Edgar Garcia surrendered two runs, on four hits and two walks (three whiffs), in four innings. Joe Bisenius followed with a scoreless inning (one hit, one walk/one strikeout). Steve Susdorf (.393) was 2 for 4, as was recently-demoted Gus Milner.
The top four Phillies' teams all lost. Not a good day.
Martinez struggled in his second rehab start, last Friday (5 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K). This will also keep Phillies' starter J.A. Happ in the parent club's rotation, at least for another turn.
Relievers J.C. Romero, Clay Condrey, and Chad Durbin are all progressing in their rehabs. First one available to return gets Kyle Kendrick's roster spot. The second one ready gets Tyler Walker's spot. Third place gets DFA'd. (Or takes Durbin's roster spot, so he can be DFA'd.) In summation, Walker and Durbin are the only ones getting DFA'd here. (At least untli Martinez is ready for promotion...)
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) had a 3-2 lead on Sunday, after seven innings. The bullpen failed, and the FeHogs lost to the Rochester Red Wings, 4-3.
Gustavo Chacin pitched well, permitting two runs, over seven innings (eight hits, two walks, two whiffs, one home run allowed). Gary Majewski allowed the Red Wings to tie the score in the eighth. Jack Taschner entered the tied game in the bottom of the ninth. One out, and three hits later, Rochester had a walkoff win. The highlight of the game was an outstanding defensive play: a fan caught a foul ball in his beer cup!
Recently-promoted backup catcher Kevin Nelson made his first AAA start, going 2 for 4, with a pair of doubles.
LHP Joe Savery will make his first AAA start on Monday night. (The parent club has an off day, so all fans should be tuning in to the IronPigs' internet broadcast!)
The Reading Phillies (AA) lost to the Erie Seawolves, 3-1.
Michael Galen Cisco made his first start, since his promotion from Clearwater (A), throwing six innings, but was mortally wounded by a fifth-inning two-run blast by Cale Iorg. (To recap, the grandson of Galen Cisco permitted a homer to Garth Iorg's son.) Cisco allowed three runs, on six hits, and two walks (five strikeouts). Chance Chapman (one whiff) and Scott Mathieson (two whiffs) each followed Cisco with a scoreless frame. Recently-promoted Dominic Brown, 0 for 3 in his AA debut on Saturday, was 2 for 4, with a pair of singles.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) fell to the Fort Myers Miracle, 5-2.
Starter Edgar Garcia surrendered two runs, on four hits and two walks (three whiffs), in four innings. Joe Bisenius followed with a scoreless inning (one hit, one walk/one strikeout). Steve Susdorf (.393) was 2 for 4, as was recently-demoted Gus Milner.
The top four Phillies' teams all lost. Not a good day.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Transaction Action
Pedro Martinez will make his first (non-simulated) rehab start on Sunday, for the Clearwater Threshers (A). Game time is scheduled for 4:00pm, and can be followed via the visiting St. Lucie Mets' internet broadcast. Martinez' appearance should increase attendance at Clearwater's Bright House Field, on an afternoon when Wet N' Wacky Day was already expected to lead to large crowds. If you are fortunate enough to attend, please refrain from hurling water balloons at Martinez. Thanks in advance.
The Roy Halladay Deal hasn't been officially consummated, and Halladay is expected to make the start for Toronto on Friday night. The probability of Halladay being traded has ranged between 0 and 100%, over the past few days. Numerous teams are, reportedly, involved in trade talks, and countless top minor league prospects have been mentioned. Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi tried to impose an arbitrary, pre-trade deadline, deadline of July 28th, but that doesn't seem to have panned out.
The Phillies still appear to be among the frontrunners, and the names Kyle Drabek, J.A. Happ, Lou Marson, Michael Taylor, Jason Donald, and Dominic Brown have all been bandied about.
If Amaro could get Halladay for Happ, Marson, and Donald, he should do the deal in a millisecond. Halladay turns the Phillies from World Series contender, to World Series favorite.
Phillies' reliever Chad Durbin was placed on the 15-day DL, after experiencing muscle pain in his lower back. Durbin has felt pain for the past month, but told neither his wife, nor pitching coach Rich Dubee. Over that time, Durbin had been responsible for five runs, over eight and two-thirds innings, including a scoreless, three-inning appearance on Monday. It appears injury, in addition to regression, has affected Durbin's recent results. Durbin is expected to return immediately, when the DL stint ends.
Phillies' reliever J.C. Romero was placed on the 15-day DL, with a strained left forearm. Romero will be eligible to return on August 4th. He made both his wife, and Rich Dubee, aware of the injury in a timely manner. Between this injury setback, his fifty-game suspension, and the fan incident in Tampa, this has not been the most successful season for Romero.
The Phillies recalled IronPigs (AAA) reliever Tyler Walker, and starter Andrew Carpenter, to fill the bullpen holes. Carpenter is stretched out, so it appears he will work in long relief, with Chan Ho Park pitching in late innings/high leverage situations. Park has pitched extremely well as a reliever. He would have been a great free agent pickup, if he had been signed as a $1-1.5 million/year reliever.
Walker is still not a good pitcher, and will probably be designated for assignment again, on August 4th.
The moves leave Scott Eyre as the only southpaw in the bullpen. Minor league lefties Sergio Escalona and Jack Taschner were considered for recall, but Escalona has pitched poorly recently, and Taschner has pitched like Taschner, all season.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) recalled reliever Pat Overholt from Reading (AA), and demoted Sergio Escalona to Reading. Escalona had a 10.50 ERA in six July innings. BABIP was not kind to him, as he allowed nine hits, and a .333 OBA. The right-handed Overholt, who has pitched in two AAA games this season, had a 2.16 ERA in eight and one-third July innings with the R-Phils.
Kyle Kendrick had a AAA start pushed by a day, for reasons that were not announced. There has been speculation that Kendrick was involved in a trade for Nationals' OF Josh Willingham, which fell through. My theory is that he was involved in a trade that fell through, but Arizona D-Backs' northpaw Doug Davis was the Phillies' intended target.
Scott Mathieson continues his attempt to return to MLB, with the Clearwater Threshers (A). Mathieson has made three appearances for the Threshers, throwing four scoreless innings, with four strikeouts (three hits, one walk.) He could be a cost-effective competitor for a Phillies bullpen spot, in 2010.
The Roy Halladay Deal hasn't been officially consummated, and Halladay is expected to make the start for Toronto on Friday night. The probability of Halladay being traded has ranged between 0 and 100%, over the past few days. Numerous teams are, reportedly, involved in trade talks, and countless top minor league prospects have been mentioned. Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi tried to impose an arbitrary, pre-trade deadline, deadline of July 28th, but that doesn't seem to have panned out.
The Phillies still appear to be among the frontrunners, and the names Kyle Drabek, J.A. Happ, Lou Marson, Michael Taylor, Jason Donald, and Dominic Brown have all been bandied about.
If Amaro could get Halladay for Happ, Marson, and Donald, he should do the deal in a millisecond. Halladay turns the Phillies from World Series contender, to World Series favorite.
Phillies' reliever Chad Durbin was placed on the 15-day DL, after experiencing muscle pain in his lower back. Durbin has felt pain for the past month, but told neither his wife, nor pitching coach Rich Dubee. Over that time, Durbin had been responsible for five runs, over eight and two-thirds innings, including a scoreless, three-inning appearance on Monday. It appears injury, in addition to regression, has affected Durbin's recent results. Durbin is expected to return immediately, when the DL stint ends.
Phillies' reliever J.C. Romero was placed on the 15-day DL, with a strained left forearm. Romero will be eligible to return on August 4th. He made both his wife, and Rich Dubee, aware of the injury in a timely manner. Between this injury setback, his fifty-game suspension, and the fan incident in Tampa, this has not been the most successful season for Romero.
The Phillies recalled IronPigs (AAA) reliever Tyler Walker, and starter Andrew Carpenter, to fill the bullpen holes. Carpenter is stretched out, so it appears he will work in long relief, with Chan Ho Park pitching in late innings/high leverage situations. Park has pitched extremely well as a reliever. He would have been a great free agent pickup, if he had been signed as a $1-1.5 million/year reliever.
Walker is still not a good pitcher, and will probably be designated for assignment again, on August 4th.
The moves leave Scott Eyre as the only southpaw in the bullpen. Minor league lefties Sergio Escalona and Jack Taschner were considered for recall, but Escalona has pitched poorly recently, and Taschner has pitched like Taschner, all season.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) recalled reliever Pat Overholt from Reading (AA), and demoted Sergio Escalona to Reading. Escalona had a 10.50 ERA in six July innings. BABIP was not kind to him, as he allowed nine hits, and a .333 OBA. The right-handed Overholt, who has pitched in two AAA games this season, had a 2.16 ERA in eight and one-third July innings with the R-Phils.
Kyle Kendrick had a AAA start pushed by a day, for reasons that were not announced. There has been speculation that Kendrick was involved in a trade for Nationals' OF Josh Willingham, which fell through. My theory is that he was involved in a trade that fell through, but Arizona D-Backs' northpaw Doug Davis was the Phillies' intended target.
Scott Mathieson continues his attempt to return to MLB, with the Clearwater Threshers (A). Mathieson has made three appearances for the Threshers, throwing four scoreless innings, with four strikeouts (three hits, one walk.) He could be a cost-effective competitor for a Phillies bullpen spot, in 2010.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Moyer and 'Pen Silence Marlins, 4-0
Part of the job of a Manager is to put his charges in position to succeed. Perhaps Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel was partially to blame for Jamie Moyer's 5.99 first-half ERA. Manuel has persisted in starting Moyer every fifth day, rather than simply once per series, every time the Phils match up with the Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins. That plan would net Moyer about a dozen starts, which would be a bit pricey at $6.5 million/season. But at least we could skip the steady procession of six-inning, four-run starts posted by the veteran hurler. Luckily for the Phillies, the Marlins were on the schedule for Thursday night.
Moyer was simply brilliant, surrendering just a single hit, in seven innings. Moyer required only ninety-four pitches (sixty-seven strikes), retiring all but two of the twenty-three batters he faced. It was easily Moyer's best performance of the season, as well as one of the best by a Phillies' starting pitcher. Moyer reduced his ERA from 5.99 to 5.58, and had little problem shutting down the Florida bats, as usual. The veteran is now 13-2 against the Marlins, including 8-0 on the road.
Moyer got some support from the bullpen, as Ryan Madson (eighth inning) and J.C. Romero (ninth) each retired the side in order. The bats also came through, with all of the runs coming on home runs. Raul Ibanez hit a pair of homers, giving him twenty-four for the season. Ryan Howard hit his twenty-third homer of the season, and the two-hundredth of his career. The Howard homer set an MLB record, as the slugger became the fastest to reach the two-hundred home run mark, attaining the level in a mere six hundred and fifty-eight games. Charlie Manuel kept Gabor Paul Bako II and Eric Bruntlett off the field, and the Phillies had an easy, relaxing victory.
The Phillies will pursue their third consecutive win of the "easy, relaxing" variety, with ace Cole Hamels facing the Marlins on Friday. Thursday's win increased the Phils' division lead over the second place Marlins to five games. With Pedro Martinez (and Roy Halladay?) soon to bolster the Phillies' rotation, and the Phils' offense continuing to produce, the division advantage should reach double digits in the near future. Especially if Manuel is able to keep Bako out of the lineup.
Moyer was simply brilliant, surrendering just a single hit, in seven innings. Moyer required only ninety-four pitches (sixty-seven strikes), retiring all but two of the twenty-three batters he faced. It was easily Moyer's best performance of the season, as well as one of the best by a Phillies' starting pitcher. Moyer reduced his ERA from 5.99 to 5.58, and had little problem shutting down the Florida bats, as usual. The veteran is now 13-2 against the Marlins, including 8-0 on the road.
Moyer got some support from the bullpen, as Ryan Madson (eighth inning) and J.C. Romero (ninth) each retired the side in order. The bats also came through, with all of the runs coming on home runs. Raul Ibanez hit a pair of homers, giving him twenty-four for the season. Ryan Howard hit his twenty-third homer of the season, and the two-hundredth of his career. The Howard homer set an MLB record, as the slugger became the fastest to reach the two-hundred home run mark, attaining the level in a mere six hundred and fifty-eight games. Charlie Manuel kept Gabor Paul Bako II and Eric Bruntlett off the field, and the Phillies had an easy, relaxing victory.
The Phillies will pursue their third consecutive win of the "easy, relaxing" variety, with ace Cole Hamels facing the Marlins on Friday. Thursday's win increased the Phils' division lead over the second place Marlins to five games. With Pedro Martinez (and Roy Halladay?) soon to bolster the Phillies' rotation, and the Phils' offense continuing to produce, the division advantage should reach double digits in the near future. Especially if Manuel is able to keep Bako out of the lineup.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Blanton Beats Bucs Behind Best Bats (Beastly Backstop Bako Blunders)
When the Phillies traded pitching prospects Josh Outman and Gio Gonzalez for Joe Blanton, I wasn't too impressed. A mediocre, non-innings eater coming from a pitcher-friendly ballpark? No, thanks. When Blanton went 4-0 for the Phils down the stretch, I lamented that he averaged less than six innings a start, and sported a 1.37 WHIP. When he pitched well in the playoffs, and belted a memorable homer, the trade started to look a bit better.
Then Blanton started 2009, by posting an ERA of 8.41 in April. The trade looked horrible again, and only worse performances from Chan Ho Park and Jamie Moyer kept Blanton in the rotation. But J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco, and Andrew Carpenter were all waiting to snag rotation spots from the struggling veterans ahead of them.
On May 26th, Blanton turned his season around, with seven scoreless innings against Florida. Since May 26th, Blanton has made nine starts, only two of which were poor/fewer than six innings. He has pitched at least seven innings in six of those starts, including Friday night's 3-2 win over the Pirates. Blanton pitched seven and one-third innings, permitting only a single run, on four hits (one walk, six strikeouts). Blanton posted a 3.62 ERA in June, and has a stunning .61 ERA in July. That Joe Blanton trade was, truly, a masterful move. One of the best trades in franchise history, without a doubt. (Better than Rick Wise for Steve Carlton, you ask? Well, no. At least not yet...)
The Phillies' offense only contributed five hits on Friday, all from All-Stars (Shane Victorino had three hits, Jayson Werth and Chase Utley each had one). But they scraped together three third-inning markers, which proved sufficient. J.C. Romero relieved Blanton in the eighth, and retired all three batters he faced. Typically, Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel will bring closer Brad Lidge at the beginning of the ninth. However, on Friday, he kept the southpaw Romero in the game to retire the left-handed LaRoche (Adam). Lidge was called in to retire the right-handed LaRoche (Andy). Manuel's bullpen machinations worked out very well on Friday. Well, at least until Lidge surrendered a two-out solo home run. After permitting a single to the following batter, Lidge secured the save, with a game-ending strikeout. Manuel has displayed some very promising thought processes this week, with the exception of his continued use of Eric Bruntlett and Paul Bako to appear in baseball games.
The Phillies play the Pirates again Saturday, with ace Cole Hamels picking up his eighth win. Raul Ibanez will homer, in his return to the lineup, and Ryan Madson will pick up the save. (Brad Lidge, having pitched in consecutive days, will have the day off.) Paul Bako will also extend his hitless streak to three games. But you should still tune in, just to see what kind of shenanigans Sarge and Muffin get into.
Then Blanton started 2009, by posting an ERA of 8.41 in April. The trade looked horrible again, and only worse performances from Chan Ho Park and Jamie Moyer kept Blanton in the rotation. But J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco, and Andrew Carpenter were all waiting to snag rotation spots from the struggling veterans ahead of them.
On May 26th, Blanton turned his season around, with seven scoreless innings against Florida. Since May 26th, Blanton has made nine starts, only two of which were poor/fewer than six innings. He has pitched at least seven innings in six of those starts, including Friday night's 3-2 win over the Pirates. Blanton pitched seven and one-third innings, permitting only a single run, on four hits (one walk, six strikeouts). Blanton posted a 3.62 ERA in June, and has a stunning .61 ERA in July. That Joe Blanton trade was, truly, a masterful move. One of the best trades in franchise history, without a doubt. (Better than Rick Wise for Steve Carlton, you ask? Well, no. At least not yet...)
The Phillies' offense only contributed five hits on Friday, all from All-Stars (Shane Victorino had three hits, Jayson Werth and Chase Utley each had one). But they scraped together three third-inning markers, which proved sufficient. J.C. Romero relieved Blanton in the eighth, and retired all three batters he faced. Typically, Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel will bring closer Brad Lidge at the beginning of the ninth. However, on Friday, he kept the southpaw Romero in the game to retire the left-handed LaRoche (Adam). Lidge was called in to retire the right-handed LaRoche (Andy). Manuel's bullpen machinations worked out very well on Friday. Well, at least until Lidge surrendered a two-out solo home run. After permitting a single to the following batter, Lidge secured the save, with a game-ending strikeout. Manuel has displayed some very promising thought processes this week, with the exception of his continued use of Eric Bruntlett and Paul Bako to appear in baseball games.
The Phillies play the Pirates again Saturday, with ace Cole Hamels picking up his eighth win. Raul Ibanez will homer, in his return to the lineup, and Ryan Madson will pick up the save. (Brad Lidge, having pitched in consecutive days, will have the day off.) Paul Bako will also extend his hitless streak to three games. But you should still tune in, just to see what kind of shenanigans Sarge and Muffin get into.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Bunts and Balks (6/27)
Reliever J.C. Romero was involved in a postgame incident in Tampa on Thursday.
Romero, allegedly, pushed a man, and grabbed him around the neck. The man had requested Romero's assistance in acquiring some steroids. Romero should have just ignored the jackass. If Romero did instigate physical contact, a suspension is very possible. Perhaps Sergio Escalona will get to stay with the P-Phils for more than a few days this time...
It has been announced that Antonio Bastardo will be unable to make his start on Wednesday, due his shoulder injury. Cole Hamels will move up a day in the rotation, and pitch on Wednesday. Hamels will still be pitching on his regular fifth day. Carlos Carrasco is expected to be promoted from Lehigh Valley (AAA) to make the start on Thursday.
Andrew Carpenter is 7-1 with a 2.75 ERA for Lehigh Valley. Carrasco is 4-7 with a 4.92 ERA for the IronPigs. Why would Carrasco be chosen over Carpenter?
Win-loss record is not the best stat to look at when comparing hurlers. Carrasco has a 3.50 FIP, and has been unlucky (.349 BABIP and 61.7 LOB%). Carpenter has a 4.35 FIP, and has been lucky (.274 BABIP and 82.3 LOB%). Carrasco has been the better pitcher this season and, arguably, is the more promising prospect of the two.
If Bastardo won't be available to pitch for more than a week, and Carrasco won't be needed until Thursday, why not recall a bullpen arm in the interim?
I got nothin'.
Jimmy Rollins continues to ride the bench, with Eric Bruntlett replacing him in the lineup for the fourth consecutive game on Sunday.
Giving the slumping Rollins five days off in a row, including Monday's off day, isn't the worst idea. The worst idea is starting the .129 BA-ing, .189 wOBA-ing Bruntlett in four consecutive games.
Reading (AA) Phillies starting pitcher Joe Savery may face suspension, after hurling a ball into the stands during Friday night's suspended game.
The Friday night game never should have been started, as the conditions were unplayable. Savery's scoreless streak ended when he allowed a first-inning run in the rain, and the game was suspended in the second inning, after Savery was sent to the mound in a thunderstorm. The mismanagement by the umpires cost Savery a start. Savery chucked a ball into the stands, which could have been very problematic, IF THE STANDS WEREN'T EMPTY BECAUSE: THUNDER AND LIGHTNING! Savery had reason to be frustrated, but could have handled things better. He'll probably miss another start, due to a suspension, but attending an Anger Management class (with J.C. Romero?) should be sufficient punishment.
In another tale of Umpire Mismanagement, it was announced that the umpires had erred when requesting an instant replay in Tampa. The replay was called for in order to examine a ground-rule double, but the instant replay rules only apply to home run calls. The League should simply adjust the standings, giving the Phils wins against Tampa, and against Boston (for the Dobbs walk-off homer over the foul pole), and we'll all put the matter behind us. Bygones and whatnot...
In Saturday night action, the IronPigs defeated the Norfolk Tides, 5-0. The FeHogs scored four in the first, and that was all they needed. Carpenter won his seventh game, with eight scoreless innings (five hits, one walk/seven strikeouts). Mike Spidale, back in the leadoff spot, went 3 for 4, pacing a fourteen-hit attack.
The Reading Phillies (AA) lost the completion of their suspended game from Friday, 8-2, to the Trenton Thunder. The R-Phils would likely have had more luck, if the game had been rained out on Friday, and Joe Savery had been able to start on Saturday.
The R-Phils won their regularly-scheduled game, 7-2. Starter Vance Worley pitched six innings (of the seven played), permitting only a pair of runs, and picking up his fifth victory. Worley allowed six hits and a walk (three strikeouts). Jeremy Slayden had a home run, though his 1 for 4 game dropped his average to .395. Michael Taylor is at .337, after a 2 for 3 game.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) scored five in the eleventh inning, beating the Jupiter Hammerheads, 8-3. Julian Sampson had one of the strongest starts of his season, surrendering three runs, in six and two-thirds innings (five hits, one walk/one strikeout). Outfielder Steve Susdorf, who hit .333 in 78 AB at Lakewood, went 4 for 6, raising his Clearwater BA to .500 (1.105 OPS in 28 AB).
Romero, allegedly, pushed a man, and grabbed him around the neck. The man had requested Romero's assistance in acquiring some steroids. Romero should have just ignored the jackass. If Romero did instigate physical contact, a suspension is very possible. Perhaps Sergio Escalona will get to stay with the P-Phils for more than a few days this time...
It has been announced that Antonio Bastardo will be unable to make his start on Wednesday, due his shoulder injury. Cole Hamels will move up a day in the rotation, and pitch on Wednesday. Hamels will still be pitching on his regular fifth day. Carlos Carrasco is expected to be promoted from Lehigh Valley (AAA) to make the start on Thursday.
Andrew Carpenter is 7-1 with a 2.75 ERA for Lehigh Valley. Carrasco is 4-7 with a 4.92 ERA for the IronPigs. Why would Carrasco be chosen over Carpenter?
Win-loss record is not the best stat to look at when comparing hurlers. Carrasco has a 3.50 FIP, and has been unlucky (.349 BABIP and 61.7 LOB%). Carpenter has a 4.35 FIP, and has been lucky (.274 BABIP and 82.3 LOB%). Carrasco has been the better pitcher this season and, arguably, is the more promising prospect of the two.
If Bastardo won't be available to pitch for more than a week, and Carrasco won't be needed until Thursday, why not recall a bullpen arm in the interim?
I got nothin'.
Jimmy Rollins continues to ride the bench, with Eric Bruntlett replacing him in the lineup for the fourth consecutive game on Sunday.
Giving the slumping Rollins five days off in a row, including Monday's off day, isn't the worst idea. The worst idea is starting the .129 BA-ing, .189 wOBA-ing Bruntlett in four consecutive games.
Reading (AA) Phillies starting pitcher Joe Savery may face suspension, after hurling a ball into the stands during Friday night's suspended game.
The Friday night game never should have been started, as the conditions were unplayable. Savery's scoreless streak ended when he allowed a first-inning run in the rain, and the game was suspended in the second inning, after Savery was sent to the mound in a thunderstorm. The mismanagement by the umpires cost Savery a start. Savery chucked a ball into the stands, which could have been very problematic, IF THE STANDS WEREN'T EMPTY BECAUSE: THUNDER AND LIGHTNING! Savery had reason to be frustrated, but could have handled things better. He'll probably miss another start, due to a suspension, but attending an Anger Management class (with J.C. Romero?) should be sufficient punishment.
In another tale of Umpire Mismanagement, it was announced that the umpires had erred when requesting an instant replay in Tampa. The replay was called for in order to examine a ground-rule double, but the instant replay rules only apply to home run calls. The League should simply adjust the standings, giving the Phils wins against Tampa, and against Boston (for the Dobbs walk-off homer over the foul pole), and we'll all put the matter behind us. Bygones and whatnot...
In Saturday night action, the IronPigs defeated the Norfolk Tides, 5-0. The FeHogs scored four in the first, and that was all they needed. Carpenter won his seventh game, with eight scoreless innings (five hits, one walk/seven strikeouts). Mike Spidale, back in the leadoff spot, went 3 for 4, pacing a fourteen-hit attack.
The Reading Phillies (AA) lost the completion of their suspended game from Friday, 8-2, to the Trenton Thunder. The R-Phils would likely have had more luck, if the game had been rained out on Friday, and Joe Savery had been able to start on Saturday.
The R-Phils won their regularly-scheduled game, 7-2. Starter Vance Worley pitched six innings (of the seven played), permitting only a pair of runs, and picking up his fifth victory. Worley allowed six hits and a walk (three strikeouts). Jeremy Slayden had a home run, though his 1 for 4 game dropped his average to .395. Michael Taylor is at .337, after a 2 for 3 game.
The Clearwater Threshers (A) scored five in the eleventh inning, beating the Jupiter Hammerheads, 8-3. Julian Sampson had one of the strongest starts of his season, surrendering three runs, in six and two-thirds innings (five hits, one walk/one strikeout). Outfielder Steve Susdorf, who hit .333 in 78 AB at Lakewood, went 4 for 6, raising his Clearwater BA to .500 (1.105 OPS in 28 AB).
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Bunts and Balks (6/3)
J.C. Romero has returned! Sergio Escalona was sent to Lehigh Valley (AAA)Wednesday, opening a spot for Romero, as expected. Jack Taschner remains with Fuqua and Dubee's Plus Eight. Charlie Manuel never seems to use his eighth reliever, so it is probably better for Escalona's development to pitch regularly with the IronPigs. There has been speculation that the Phillies kept Taschner on the roster because the MLB Network is paying the salary of the star of their reality show, "The Pen."
Antonio Bastardo has not been officially announced as the Sunday night starter in LA. The Phils still could go with Carlos Carrasco, who did not pitch Wednesday, as Lehigh Valley's game was postponed. But it seems likely, given Bastardo's success on Tuesday night, that he will get the start against Randy Wolf and the Dodgers. Bastardo will probably need to vary his pitches a bit more, if he is to succeed against LA's lineup. Bastardo threw eighty-eight fastballs against San Diego, and only fourteen non-fastballs.
Gustavo Chacin, in his first start since being promoted from Reading (AA) this week, allowed only one run in four innings. Don't get too excited, as Chacin also allowed three hits and four walks. He threw only thirty-nine of seventy-six pitches for strikes. In 2005, a 24 yr old Chacin pitched 203 innings for Toronto, finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. Chacin might not make it back to MLB, but signing him to an inexpensive minor league deal was a worthwhile move.
The IronPigs lineup in Chacin's start featured Pablo Ozuna batting third, and Miguel Cairo batting fifth. Yikes!
Kyle Drabek, one of the Phils' top pitching prospects, made his first start in AA on Wednesday. Drabek got the win, throwing seven shutout innings. He threw mid-90's heat, and only allowed three hits. His name will definitely come up in any trade negotiations. Hopefully, the Phils will hang on to him, as he could be a #1/#2 starter.
Scott Eyre is, reportedly, considering retiring at the end of the season. He could probably pitch another few seasons, as a LOOGY, if he wishes. That's a lot of money to walk away from...
The Phillie Phanatic was in San Diego on Tuesday night, hanging out at Petco with the Swinging Friar. Phillies' announcer Chris Wheeler made reference to the "greatest baseball mascot...the San Diego Chicken." Unconscionable. As a result, Wheeler will now be referred to by his nickname, "Muffin", in future posts.
Antonio Bastardo has not been officially announced as the Sunday night starter in LA. The Phils still could go with Carlos Carrasco, who did not pitch Wednesday, as Lehigh Valley's game was postponed. But it seems likely, given Bastardo's success on Tuesday night, that he will get the start against Randy Wolf and the Dodgers. Bastardo will probably need to vary his pitches a bit more, if he is to succeed against LA's lineup. Bastardo threw eighty-eight fastballs against San Diego, and only fourteen non-fastballs.
Gustavo Chacin, in his first start since being promoted from Reading (AA) this week, allowed only one run in four innings. Don't get too excited, as Chacin also allowed three hits and four walks. He threw only thirty-nine of seventy-six pitches for strikes. In 2005, a 24 yr old Chacin pitched 203 innings for Toronto, finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. Chacin might not make it back to MLB, but signing him to an inexpensive minor league deal was a worthwhile move.
The IronPigs lineup in Chacin's start featured Pablo Ozuna batting third, and Miguel Cairo batting fifth. Yikes!
Kyle Drabek, one of the Phils' top pitching prospects, made his first start in AA on Wednesday. Drabek got the win, throwing seven shutout innings. He threw mid-90's heat, and only allowed three hits. His name will definitely come up in any trade negotiations. Hopefully, the Phils will hang on to him, as he could be a #1/#2 starter.
Scott Eyre is, reportedly, considering retiring at the end of the season. He could probably pitch another few seasons, as a LOOGY, if he wishes. That's a lot of money to walk away from...
The Phillie Phanatic was in San Diego on Tuesday night, hanging out at Petco with the Swinging Friar. Phillies' announcer Chris Wheeler made reference to the "greatest baseball mascot...the San Diego Chicken." Unconscionable. As a result, Wheeler will now be referred to by his nickname, "Muffin", in future posts.
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