Lopez, Ibanez Lead Phils to 9th Straight Win

Who needs Roy Halladay, when you have Rodrigo Lopez? Three starts ago, Lopez was best known for sharing a first name with the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor's ostrich. After picking up his second win as a Phillie, in the WFCs 10-1 thrashing of the Chicago Cubs, Lopez is still best known for sharing a first name with the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor's ostrich. The veteran northpaw isn't likely to continue putting up these kind of starts (ERA: 2.60), but if he can keep his ERA below 4, Jamie Moyer might be the veteran vacating the rotation in August. Lopez, Moyer, and Pedro Martinez may not have much of a postseason impact, but they are important to the Phillies' playoff qualification chances. The three vets will also be receiving the same WFC II rings, as rotation stalwarts Cole Hamels, soon-to-be-acquired Roy Halladay, and Joe Blanton, if the Phils can continue to play at this level.

Lopez surrendered only one run in six innings, harmlessly scattering five hits and three walks, before leaving for a pinch-hitter. Chad Durbin entered the game in the seventh, charged with protecting a 9-1 lead. This was the perfect low-leverage situation for the erratic reliever, and he succeeded in finishing the game. Durbin was awarded a save for his scoreless, three-inning outing, retiring nine of ten Cubs' batters. Durbin only required thirty-three pitches. Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel has been oft-criticized for his bullpen utilization. On some nights, Manuel may have worked through multiple pitchers, in order to get those last nine outs. Despite a nine-run lead, setup man Ryan Madson and closer Brad Lidge may have appeared, wasting bullets better-saved for higher leverage situations. But not on Monday night. Durbin ate the non-Lopez innings, and the remainder of the 'pen was saved for another day.

The ninth consecutive Phillies win was never really in doubt, thanks to another impressive offensive outburst. The Phils jumped to a quick first-inning lead, on another home run by Raul Ibanez, of the two-out, three-run, variety. Carlos Ruiz hit a two-run blast in the second inning, and the Cubs never truly threatened. Ryan Howard completed the scoring, with a solo homer in the eighth inning.

The Phillies go for their tenth in a row on Tuesday, sending Joe Blanton to the slab. Blanton has had two strong July starts (14.2 IP, 1 ER), after posting a 3.62 ERA in 37.1 May innings. He has pitched like a solid #3 starter. Rich Harden, Chicago's starter, has followed up a 4.24 May ERA (23.1 IP), with a 7.62 ERA in 13 July innings. Looks like a good matchup for the Phils, who still lead the NL East by 6.5 games.

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.

Season Review/Preview- Position Players (Now with Arbitrary Grades!)

Welcome to the 2009 Phillies Season in Review/Preview, Position Players Edition!


Catchers

Carlos Ruiz
Some numbers: .235 AVG, .703 OPS, .310 wOBA, .257 BABIP (.262 career)
Some commentary: Ruiz has been (mostly) a serviceable catcher, which is all the Phils need. He has struggled mightily in June/July (.482 OPS/.488 OPS). Ruiz has been putting up Bakoey offensive numbers, after a strong offensive May.
Arbitrary Grade: C

Paul Bako
Some numbers: .214 AVG, .517 OPS, .238 wOBA, .286 BABIP (.305 career)
Some commentary: Bako is not a major league-quality player, but he has hit as well as Ruiz, since June. "Gabor" is one of my favorite baseball names, but that is not enough to merit a roster spot.
Arbitrary Grade: F

Chris Coste (no longer with organization)
Some numbers: .240 AVG, .711 OPS, .317 wOBA, .307 BABIP (.316 career)
Some commentary: Coste is weak defensively, but far superior with the bat to Bako. Does Bako make up the offensive difference, with his defensive prowess? Probably not. Coste should still be on the roster, Bako should not be in the organization.
Arbitrary Grade: C-

Lou Marson
Some numbers: (AAA) .298 AVG, .748 OPS, .343 wOBA, .363 BABIP
Some commentary: Marson has done well at AAA, and is a far superior hitter to Bako (as are most players). Hopefully, Marson will replace Bako as the backup catcher, for the postseason (if not sooner).
Arbitrary Grade: INC

1B

Ryan Howard
Some numbers: .257 AVG, 22 HR, .870 OPS, .373 wOBA, .306 BABIP (.330 career), 4.9 UZR/150
Some commentary: Howard has improved, substantially, as a fielder (2nd among NL 1B in UZR/150). His low batting average could improve a bit, if his luck improves a bit. Ugly .574 OPS against lefties (139 AB) brings down his numbers, and his overall grade.
Arbitrary Grade: A-

2B

Chase Utley
Some numbers: .313 AVG, 20 HR, 1.004 OPS, .436 wOBA, .330 BABIP (.326 career), 2.6 UZR/150
Some commentary: Utley was expected to miss the first month of the season, but hasn't missed any time at all. In a non-Pujols World, he would be under MVP consideration. Ranks 5th among NL 2B in UZR/150.
Arbitrary Grade: A+

SS

Jimmy Rollins
Some numbers: .229 AVG, 7 HR, .642 OPS, .287 wOBA, .242 BABIP (.297 career), 3.7 UZR/150
Some commentary: Rollins has had a brutal season. His BABIP, and his July numbers (1.078 OPS, 45 AB), indicate that things could be getting better. Ranks 5th among NL SS in UZR/150.
Arbitrary Grade: D

3B

Pedro Feliz
Some numbers: .293 AVG, 6 HR, .756 OPS, .329 wOBA, .317 BABIP (.274 career), 9.3 UZR/150
Some commentary: The slick-fielding Feliz is second among NL 3B in UZR. Feliz' high BABIP indicates that his AVG may regress a bit. Feliz has a .338 OBP in 2009, after struggling to exceed .300 in previous seasons.
Arbitrary Grade: B

LF

Raul Ibanez
Some numbers: .309 AVG. 22 HR, 1.015 OPS, .426 wOBA, .314 BABIP (.311 career), HR/FB: 24.2% (12.9% career), -1.2 UZR/150
Some commentary: The Ibanez signing might be questionable a year from now, but it has been a great move at this point. His counting stats could be higher, if he hadn't missed time with a groin injury. His fielding has been surprisingly adequate. His HR rate should regress, as his HR/FB rate of 24.2% is rather aberrant. Ibanez has fattened up his stats against the woeful Nationals (57 AB, 6 HR, .440 AVG, 1.389 OPS). He won't (likely) put up the same numbers in the second half, but he has been one of the Phils' first half MVPs.
Arbitrary Grade: A+

CF

Shane Victorino
Some numbers: .309 AVG, 6 HR, .839 OPS, .368 wOBA, .338 BABIP (.312 career), -12.6 UZR/150
Some commentary: Victorino's NL-worst UZR/150 is disconcerting. Ibanez had UZR/150s of -23.3 and -10.4 in the past two seasons. It seems possible that, somehow, UZR/150 is understating Victorino's defensive skill, while overstating Ibanez'? Victorino's AVG may regress a bit in the second half, but he was a deserving All-Star.
Arbitrary Grade: A-

RF

Jayson Werth
Some numbers: .263 AVG, 20 HR, .884 OPS, .384 wOBA, .290 BABIP (.330 career), 7.1 UZR/150
Some commentary: Werth has 40 HR potential. His AVG could improve, if his luck improves. Werth ranks 3rd in NL UZR/150. Another deserving All-Star.
Arbitrary Grade: A

Reserves

Matt Stairs (OF)
Some numbers: (76 PA), .283 AVG, 4 HR, .951 OPS, .415 wOBA, .333 BABIP (.291 career)
Some commentary: Stairs has done a superb job as a pinch-hitter. He is almost useless in the field.
Arbitrary Grade: B

Greg Dobbs (OF/IF)
Some numbers: (119 PA), .269 AVG, 5 HR, .774 OPS, .330 wOBA, .293 BABIP (.316 career)
Some commentary: Dobbs performs much better when he plays more regularly. Manuel needs to do a better job getting Dobbs PAs.
Arbitrary Grade: B

John Mayberry (OF)
Some numbers: (AAA) .257 AVG, 8 HR, .808 OPS, .362 wOBA, .328 BABIP
Some commentary: Mayberry has struggled at the MLB level this season (.297 in 52 PAs). He needs to play regularly at AAA, but the Phillies' lack of a satisfactory right-handed pinch-hitter/outfielder may keep him with the parent club.
Arbitrary Grade: INC

Eric Bruntlett (IF/OF)
Some numbers: (84 PAs) .139 AVG, .416 OPS, .192 wOBA, .185 BABIP (.273 career)
Some commentary: It is disturbing that Bruntlett has more PAs than Stairs. Bruntlett has not been lucky at the plate, but he also hasn't been good. His offensive stats are historically bad. If he was a "25th Man", who rarely played (and didn't have a 800K salary, 500K perhaps?), and helped clean up around the clubhouse, he might not hurt the Phils as much. But Manuel giving him 150 PAs is a disaster.
Arbitrary Grade: F

With the exception of Jimmy Rollins, and the catchers, the Phillies' position players have performed very well. Their bench has been a glaring weakness, with only two useful players (Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs), only one of whom (Dobbs) is adequate defensively. The Phils desperately need a right-handed hitting outfielder/pinch-hitter, and would be in bad shape if any of their starting position players were injured. However, there may not be another MLB team that can match the ability of the Phillies' starting lineup.

Jayson Werth Joins All-Star Team, Chris Coste Joins Astros Team

Jayson Werth was added to the All-Star game, as an injury replacement. Werth's addition means all three Phillies' starting outfielders are on the All-Star team. Werth was a worthy candidate, and his ability to play center field was likely needed on the roster. Watching Ryan Braun play center would be enjoyable, but this game COUNTS, so Manager Charlie Manuel needs some positional flexibility. (If the National League wins, the Phillies get the extra home game in the World Series. This means that Roy Halladay would face Justin Verlander at Citizens Bank Park, rather than Comerica Park, in Game 7. Additionally, an NL win would give the Eagles and Flyers each an extra $5 million of salary cap room.)

Raul Ibanez was activated, and added to the Phillies' 25-Man Roster on Friday. Chris Coste was designated for assignment, and was claimed on outright waivers by the Houston Astros.
This move is a somewhat baffling, and rather perturbing. Starting catcher Carlos Ruiz was not available on Friday, due to injury, leaving the Phillies with one available catcher. Ibanez did not play, as the Pirates had a southpaw on the mound. Why not keep Ibanez on the DL until Ruiz was ready, or at least until Saturday, when Pittsburgh starts a northpaw?
John Mayberry, Jr. was kept on the Phils' roster as a right-handed pinch-hitter/the (fourth?) of five and one-eighth outfielders. (Note: Eric Bruntlett is the .125.) Mayberry is better defensively than the alternatives, and provides a feasible right-handed bench bat, but would he be better-served playing every day in AAA?

Did the Phillies ditch the wrong backup backstop? Quite possibly. Paul Bako is better defensively than Coste, but far inferior offensively. Bako (.457 OPS) is far inferior offensively to most poor-hitting pitchers. If Phillies' General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. had learned anything from my fervent use of violent hyperbolic language to describe Bako's ineptitude with the bat, the GM would have DFA'd Gabor.
Coste (.724 OPS) had, obviously, fallen out of favor with the Phillies, as Bako was taking his starts, and Eric Bruntlett (.416 OPS) was seen as a superior pinch-hitting option. Even if the Phillies place a higher premium on defense from their backup catcher, Coste's considerable superiority at the plate should have saved his roster spot.
Hopefully, Lou Marson will be promoted from Lehigh Valley (AAA), and make the majority of the starts, if Carlos Ruiz needs to go on the DL at any point. Actually, the Phillies should consider recalling Marson to replace Bako, regardless of Ruiz' status. Giving two or three starts a week to Bako doesn't seem like a very good idea.
Perhaps an even worse idea than giving Eric Bruntlett 150 at-bats a season.

Bunts and Balks (7/9)

Raul Ibanez (completed?) his rehab with Lehigh Valley on Thursday night. Ibanez went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, and two RBI. He announced that he is ready to return to the P-Phils lineup immediately, but no roster move has been made as of yet.

Lehigh Valley (AAA) scored four runs in the eighth, after trailing 3-2, and beat the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees, 6-3. Gustavo Chacin got the victory, surrendering three runs over seven innings (six hits, three walks/five strikeouts). Cedrick Bowers followed with two scoreless frames, for his fourth save (ERA now: 1.30).

The Reading Phillies (AA) defeated the Akron Aeros, 7-4. Jeremy Slayden had three doubles (BA now: .377), Tuffy Gosewisch had two doubles (three hits total), and Neil Sellers had three singles (BA now: .315). Joe Savery had a poor outing (six and two-thirds innings, eight hits, four runs, three walks/four strikeouts), but picked up his twelfth win (ERA now: 3.48).

The Clearwater Threshers (A) were thrashed in their doubleheader against the Brevard County Manatees, losing 5-0, and 11-0. Ugly night for the Threshers, who were held to six hits (and made three errors), in the fourteen innings played. The first-place Manatees had eight All-Stars selected, and were playing in the friendly (to them) confines of Space Coast Stadium, so it was a tough matchup for the Threshers. If it wasn't before, it is certainly now time to Fear the Sea Cow!

Shane Headed to St. Louis, Pedro to Philly?

The Phillies just cannot be confined to the usual edition of Bunts and Balks today.

Shane Victorino wins the Final Vote, and will be going to the All-Star Game.
Bran-Torino was a success, and Victorino and Detroit's Brandon Inge will both be in St. Louis. Phillies' fans everywhere really stepped up in the voting, and Victorino was a Hawaiian Highlight Machine this week. Now we just need Jayson Werth to replace an injured Carlos Beltran, and we can have an all-Phillies outfield...

Pedro Martinez is, reportedly, on his way to Philadelphia for a physical, the final step before a contract agreement is announced. Martinez would, likely, be paid a pro-rated $4-5 million ($2-$2.5 million for the second half). Martinez was throwing low 90's heat, and had good command of all his pitches, in a simulated game earlier this week. The signing will cost the Phillies some salary, but no prospects, and is a reasonable gamble for a back-of-the-rotation starter. At worst, Martinez will buy some development time for Andrew Carpenter and Carlos Carrasco. At best, he could be the #2 starter the Phillies need.
Martinez would, probably, make two or three starts for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA), before his return to MLB.

The Phillies appear to be one of the frontrunners in the race to acquire Roy Halladay. Signing Pedro Martinez might give the Phils the flexibility to trade J.A. Happ, as part of the Halladay package. Happ is young, MLB-ready, and cost-controlled, which would be a good fit for the Jays. Happ, and some high profile prospects (Carrasco and Marson?), plus the salary relief a Halladay trade would provide the Jays, may be enough to get this deal done. A Halladay-Hamels-Blanton-Martinez-Moyer rotation could enable the Phils to run away from the rest of the division. Halladay is signed through the 2010 season, and has a no-trade clause which he would, hopefully, waive to join the WFCs.

Rodrigo Lopez has "right shoulder inflammation", but isn't expecting to miss a start. When the Phillies moved J.A. Happ up a day in the rotation two weeks ago, they ensured that Lopez' spot in the rotation would come up only twice before the All-Star break. Lopez' next turn won't come until July 20th. If Martinez is signed, Lopez might not have two many more starts after that one, at least for the Phillies...

Raul Ibanez is rehabbing for Lehigh Valley on Thursday, and could be activated this weekend. With the Pittsburgh Pirates scheduled to start northpaws on Saturday and Sunday, it seems activating Ibanez in time for Saturday's game could be the plan. Who's spot would he take? Expect to see John Mayberry optioned back to Lehigh Valley, to play every day. (But the removal of a catcher from the roster is an unlikely possibility.) Of course, an injury could cloud this decision before Saturday.

Bunts and Balks (7/8)

Raul Ibanez will continue his rehab on Thursday, with another appearance for Lehigh Valley (AAA). It doesn't appear that Ibanez will return to the P-Phils before the All-Star break. It does appear that Ibanez will be taking part in the MLB All-Star game.

Raul Ibanez' rehabilitation appearances at Coca-Cola Park, the Home of the IronPigs, are sponsored by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. This blog would like to sponsor Jack Taschner's post-DFA appearances at Coca-Cola Park. And Paul Bako's actual DFA'ing.

Jayson Werth is getting closer to gunning down a baserunner at first base on a grounder/liner to right field. Remember when Glenn Wilson used to try this maneuver, usually on pitchers/slow-footed catchers? Werth might need the pitcher to start covering first on these attempts, as Ryan Howard is having trouble getting to first base in time. Never seen a 9-1 putout at first base before...

Shane Victorino continues to battle in the Final Vote. Reliever Chan Ho Park showed his support for Victorino by wearing a Vote Victorino sandwich board. Victorino has supported Victorino by being a human highlight film this week. I think he will make the All-Star team. (But I'm not sure that Jayson Werth wouldn't be a better choice...)

Paul Bako got another start on Wednesday. Is Gabor now the personal catcher for Rodrigo Lopez? Has Manager Charlie Manuel given up on Chris Coste behind the plate? Does Chris Coste have any trade value whatsoever? The Phils should dump Bako and Coste, call up Lou Marson as the backup catcher, and Sergio Escalona (or Gary Majewski) as another bullpen arm.
Paul Bako attempting to bunt was even more nightmarish than Paul Bako attempting to bat. (Still less nightmarish than Eric Bruntlett attempting to bat...)

Rodrigo Lopez left his Wednesday night start, after five innings, with right shoulder inflammation. Not good. The Phils need him to stay in the rotation until the trade for Roy Halladay is completed, in two weeks.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) ravaged the Pawtucket Red Sox, 12-0, on Wednesday night. The FeHogs had a 12-3 hit advantage, with catcher Lou Marson contributing three hits (double, two singles). Starter Andrew Carpenter took advantage of a woeful Pawtucket lineup (4 batters with BAs of .209, or lower, none higher than .262) to throw seven scoreless innings (two hits, one walk, nine strikeouts). Carpenter is now 8-2, with a 2.45 ERA, and Marson's average is up to .292. Those numbers should help their respective trade values...
The FeHogs will host the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on Thursday and Friday, as unplayable conditions at S/W-B 's PNC Field forced the games to be moved to Coca-Cola Park.

The Reading Phillies (AA) lost to the 1st Place Akron Aeros, 4-0. The R-Phils were held to three hits, all singles, and a pair of walks. Mike Stutes took the loss, surrendering four runs (only one was earned), on five hits (three walks/four strikeouts).

The Clearwater Threshers (A) were rained out. The Threshers will play two against the Brevard County Manatees on Thursday. Steve Susdorf does not fear the Sea Cow.

Bunts and Balks (7/7)

Shane Victorino continues to battle SF's Pablo Sandoval in the Final Vote race. There's still plenty of time for any of the five candidates to win. Also plenty of time for each of us to vote for Victorino another 5000 times...

Raul Ibanez had his second rehab game Tuesday night, in Lehigh Valley (AAA). Ibanez batted three times, with a walk, a strikeout, and a single. He will probably have Wednesday off, play on Thursday, and may be activated by the P-Phils this weekend.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs lost for the seventh time in nine games, 6-2, to the Pawtucket Red Sox. The FeHogs' bats were shut down by Clay Buchholz, who would be the P-Phils' second starter. Lehigh Valley did set a franchise record, by walking eleven Pawtucket batters. Starter Carlos Carrasco contributed six of those free passes, in throwing only forty-seven of eighty-six pitches for strikes. Carrasco only permitted three hits, but the walks helped lead to six earned runs, in only four innings. Jack Taschner made his FeHogs debut, pitching two scoreless innings, in which he allowed four baserunners (2.00 WHIP).
In related news, the LV postgame show starts by airing radio clips of highlights from former IronPigs (including Brennan King and Jon Knotts!). Can't they update this with some 2009 highlights?

The Reading Phillies (AA) took a 5-0 lead into the fourth inning, and held on to beat the Akron Aeros, 11-7. The R-Phils' fourteen-hit attack featured three-hit games from Quintin Berry and Michael Taylor, and two-hit games from Neil Sellers, Jeremy Slayden, and Brad Harman. Vance Worley got the win, but permitted eleven hits and four runs (one walk/three strikeouts) over five and one-third innings. Worley's line could have been worse, but reliever Alex Concepcion stranded the two runners he inherited from Worley.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) game was suspended, with the Threshers trailing the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the fourth inning, 1-0. The aborted mission will be resumed on August 12th. Jonathan Velazquez had allowed only a single run (three hits, zero walks/five strikeouts) in the four innings he completed. I wonder how many current Threshers will be with the R-Phils, by the time this game is resumed?

Bunts and Balks (7/6)

The Toronto Blue Jays are now, reportedly, "open to offers" for ace Roy Halladay. Halladay would be an excellent #3 starter, behind J.A. Happ and Cole Hamels, making the Phils even more formidable in the playoffs. With the possible exceptions of Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor, the Phillies should consider dealing any of their prospects. Carlos Carrasco? Andrew Carpenter? Julian Sampson? Lou Marson? Dominic Brown? Michael Taylor? Yohan Flande? Jack Taschner? Steve Susdorf? Vance Worley? The Phillies have the available prospects to get this done.
(Prediction: Halladay goes to the Yankees, who eat the salary of overpaid/underperforming Jays' outfielder Vernon Wells, to get the deal done. Hopefully, the Jays won't want to trade Halladay within their own division/league...)

Jack is back! Jack Taschner was optioned to Lehigh Valley (AAA), after the DFA Plan failed to expunge him from the organization. Taschner is a sunk cost at this point, might as well have him in AAA, eating an occasional partial inning. If the parent club needs a pitcher to appear once a month, with negligible effectiveness, Taschner would be the top recall option. (Had hoped to retire the "Jack Taschner" tag, but, alas, that day has not yet come.)

Raul Ibanez (finally) made a rehab start, for Reading (AA). The All-Star outfielder batted three times, going 0 for 2, with a walk. His injured groin is showing improvement, and he expects to play a few games with Lehigh Valley, before a possible weekend return for the P-Phils.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs were trounced by the Syracuse SkyChiefs, 9-3, on Monday. The game wasn't really that close- the FeHogs scored two of their runs in garbage time (ninth inning, trailing by eight runs). LV had eleven hits, but only three were for extra bases (all doubles), and left ten men on base. Starter Brian Mazone was removed after fifty-three pitches, allowing three runs (one earned), in two and two-thirds mediocre innings.

The Reading Phillies (AA) wasted a strong performance by untouchable prospect Kyle Drabek, in a 4-3 loss to the Connecticut Defenders. Drabek permitted two runs in seven innings (six hits, one walk/six strikeouts), leaving with the score tied at two. Deposed starter Tyson Brummett, who lost his rotation spot to Yohan Flande, gave up two runs in the eighth, and took the loss. Pitching in relief has not been working out for Brummett (5.33 relief innings, 5 earned runs allowed.) Brian Stavisky went 3 for 4, accumulating half of the R-Phils' hits. Connecticut is now a ridiculous 30-12 on the road.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) lost to the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 12-0. Definitely one of the Flying Tigers' most successful missions. Drew Naylor took the loss, in a six-inning/five-run outing. Naylor was knocked around for nine hits and a walk (three strikeouts).

Bunts and Balks (7/6)

Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez were voted as All-Star starters, and Ryan Howard was selected as a reserve. Utley, Ibanez, and Howard were all very deserving, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Howard in the Home Run Derby. Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge would have been worthy based on their successes in 2008, but not so much for their numbers in 2009. It is probably for the best that they will get the extra days off, particularly the pitchers.

Shane Victorino was chosen to be part of the Final Vote, for the last NL roster spot. Statistically, Victorino might be the fourth best, out of the five candidates. Considering the market sizes of the five players' home cities, Victorino and LA's Matt Kemp could be the top two in the voting. If some NL outfielders (Ibanez? Carlos Beltran?) cannot play, a spot might open for Victorino, regardless of the results of the voting. (I'll abstain, rather than voting against Victorino, but my vote would go to SF's Pablo Sandoval, over ARI's Mark Reynolds.)

Raul Ibanez is scheduled to rehab in Reading (AA), starting on Monday. Hopefully, he'll actually play in games this time. If he can get a few games in, he could get some MLB action prior to the All-Star game.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) held on in the ninth, for a 2-0 victory over the Syracuse SkyChiefs. Kyle Kendrick pitched brilliantly, with eight scoreless (six hits, one walk/three strikeouts) innings. He was removed after throwing ninety-three pitches.
Cedrick Bowers, with ten and two-thirds consecutive scoreless relief innings entering the game, made things very interesting in the ninth. He permitted a double and a pair of walks, to load the bases with two outs. Fortunately, Syracuse ran out of viable batters, and had to bat .125-hitting catcher Jhonatan Solano (with pitcher Logan Kensing on deck), with the game on the line. Solano drove the ball 380 ft. ... where it was tracked down by FeHogs CF Jason Ellison. A bit too close for comfort...
In related news, the name "SkyChiefs" always reminds me of this song, for some reason.

The Reading Phillies (AA) were tied with the Connecticut Defenders, 3-3 after six innings, but went on to lose, 12-5. Clearwater Threshers (A) ace Yohan Flande continued to struggle with the R-Phils. Flande surrendered ten hits and six runs (five earned), in six innings. Connecticut stole six bases against Flande, including two steals of home (as parts of double steals). Flande might need to work on holding runners a bit. Jeremy Slayden had a homer, and Neil Sellers went three-for-three, in the losing effort.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) took a 8-0 lead after three innings, and held on to beat the Lakeland Flying Tigers , 10-6. Starter Michael Galen Cisco held Lakeland to a solo homer, pitching five strong innings (five hits, one walk/four strikeouts) for his fifth win (in six decisions). Steve Susdorf went three-for-five, with his first homer. Susdorf is now batting .434, OBPing .483, and slugging .547, for an OPS of 1.030.
The motto of the Lakeland Flying Tigers is "Every Game is a Mission." Lakeland has succeeded in only three of their ten second-half missions.

Bunts and Balks (Taschner Independence Weekend Edition)

Jack Taschner was finally removed from the Phillies' roster, as he was DFA'd on Friday. Taschner was jettisoned to open a roster spot for starter Rodrigo Lopez. Taschner departs with a 5.20 ERA, 5.61 WHIP, and a .85 K/BB. It was likely Taschner's 835K guaranteed contract that kept him at the MLB level, as Manager Charlie Manuel had almost no confidence in the southpaw. Taschner was acquired in exchange for catcher Ronny Paulino, who had been acquired for catcher Jason Jaramillo. Either of those two backstops would have, likely, contributed more to the organization.
Taschner thanked the Phillies for doing him a solid, and designating him for assignment, rather than simply optioning him to Lehigh Valley (AAA). But the Phillies may be hopeful of at least getting off the hook for a portion of his salary, if another team picks him up for the MLB minimum. (It doesn't seem likely that another team will pick him up within ten days, and pay him his full MLB salary. It wouldn't be surprising if no team picks him up, and he joins the IronPigs.)

Paul Bako started behind the plate Saturday, for the third time in four games. This is rather puzzling. Is the slumping Carlos Ruiz injured? Chris Coste, also? Are they showcasing Bako for a trade, hoping that the increased time at the MLB level will help them acquire a mediocre A-ball reliever, rather than a terrible A-ball reliever, for the offensively-challenged receiver? Bako has done about as well as expected at the plate, with a .214 BA/.278 wOBA.

Scott Eyre returns to the Phillies on Sunday. Sergio Escalona was optioned to the IronPigs (again) to open a roster spot. Eyre's presence should push reliever Tyler Walker into Jack Taschner's ultra-low leverage role.
At least Escalona is making MLB money, and accumulating MLB service time, during his abbreviated appearances on the Phils' roster.

Raul Ibanez has returned to Philadelphia, as his minor league rehab has been postponed. The Phils hope Ibanez will be able to return to his rehab assignment this week. It's a bit disconcerting that he was sent to Reading for rehab, and then returned to Philly without any game action.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs lost their third game in a row on Saturday, blowing a 2-1 ninth-inning lead, in a 3-2 twelve-inning loss. On Friday, the FeHogs lost both games of their First Ever Day-Night Doubleheader. Starter Brian Mazone, on a low pitch count, pitched two innings in Friday's 12:35pm loss, 4-0, to the Syracuse SkyChiefs. In the second game, a 7-1 loss, Andrew Carpenter permitted seven runs (five earned), on ten hits (three walks/six strikeouts), in five and two-thirds innings.
In Saturday night's come-from-ahead loss, Gary Majewski blew a two-inning save opportunity, wasting Gustavo Chacin's strong start (seven and one-third innings, seven hits, one run, one walk/five strikeouts).
The FeHogs fell to four games under .500, after their historic ascent to the .500 mark, for the first time ever, ended last week.

The Reading Phillies (AA) won in eleven innings on Friday, 4-3 over the Altoona Curve. The R-Phils only needed nine inning on Saturday, defeating the Connecticut Defenders, 7-5. On Friday, Mike Stutes permitted three runs (seven hits, zero walks/five strikeouts) over six innings, and the bullpen (rehabbing Scott Eyre, Mike Zagurski, Alex Concepcion, and Jason Mackintosh) followed with five scoreless frames. In Saturday's win, Joe Savery was touched for five runs over seven innings (ten hits, two walks/four strikeouts), but still recorded his eleventh win.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) lost to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 10-5 on Friday, and 8-1 on Saturday. Friday night's starter, Julian Sampson, was bombed for seven earned runs, in only three and two-thirds innings (seven hits, four walks/four strikeouts). Saturday's starter, Tyler Cloyd surrendered five runs (two earned) over five and two-thirds innings (eight hits, three walks/one strikeout). Cloyd obtained two outs on the ground, and fourteen through the air, not a very CBP-viable ratio.

Bunts and Balks (7/2)

Jimmy Rollins got a hit in Thursday night's game! In fact, Rollins got two hits, and is now two for his last thirty-one! The Red Bull must be sparking his resurgence...

Raul Ibanez worked out in Reading for the third consecutive day, but did not play. Ibanez continues to not play, and the Phillies continue to indicate that he hasn't "had a setback" and that they are "waiting until he is 100%." It is best for them not to rush Ibanez, but the Phils really need him back.

Scott Eyre is expected to make another rehab appearance on Friday night. Hopefully, this one goes better than the last one. He'll almost definitely miss the Mets' series.

Rodrigo Lopez will be promoted to make the start for the Phillies on Friday night, but the corresponding roster move has yet to be announced. Hoping for Paul Bako or Jack Taschner, but suspect it will be another optioning of Sergio Escalona.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) used a five-run fourth inning to beat the Syracuse Chiefs, 5-1. Carlos Carrasco, passed over for the starting pitcher opening for the P-Phils, pitched six strong innings. He allowed a single run, on six hits (two walks/four strikeouts), in the ninety-seven pitch outing. Gary Majewski followed with two scoreless innings of relief, getting his ERA back under 4, at 3.99.

The Reading Phillies (AA) had their five game winning streak broken by the Altoona Curve, in a 4-3 loss. Like the P-Phils, the R-Phils could have used Raul Ibanez' bat. Reading fell behind, 4-0 after four innings, and could not complete the comeback. Vance Worley took the loss, surrendering four runs (two earned) in six innings (six hits, one walk/two strikeouts).

The Clearwater Threshers (A) lost for the first time, in eight second-half games, to the Palm Beach Cardinals, 9-6. The Threshers trailed 9-1, after five innings, and could not complete the comeback. The Threshers made three errors, leading to five unearned runs. Starter Jon Velazquez took the loss, but only two of the seven runs he permitted (in two and two-thirds innings) were of the earned variety.

Bunts and Balks (7/1)

The Phillies announced that Lehigh Valley (AAA) starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez will be recalled for Friday night's start against the New York Mets. The Phillies chose "experience" over "skill", at least for Friday's start. Lopez has pitched well recently, and the Phillies wanted to see how the 33 year old veteran northpaw would do at the MLB level. Before TJ surgery in 2007, Lopez had a 4.42 ERA/1.31 WHIP with Colorado. Lopez would have to pass waivers to return to AAA, so he'll likely be given a few starts for the P-Phils, before they decide whether he is rotation-worthy. (He may be able to stick as a reliever, also.)
Carlos Carrasco certainly has more upside, and the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation starter, but the Phils opted not to recall him. Yet. Perhaps they wanted to protect his delicate psyche? Perhaps they wanted to protect his trade value, which could decrease with some struggles at the MLB level? Perhaps they want to give him more AAA time, to work on his slider?
I think Carrasco should have been given the start. (Lopez could be promoted as a long reliever/spot starter to get some MLB time, at the expense of the roster spot of Jack Taschner (or Paul Bako).
It has not been announced who will lose their P-Phils roster spot to Lopez.

Jimmy Rollins went 0 for 3 Wednesday, decreasing his average to .205. Going 0 for 27 tends to have an adverse effect on batting averages. Going 6 for 55, isn't helpful, either. Still better than Bruntlett...

Paul Bako started behind the plate on Wednesday night. Charlie Manuel said something to the extent of "he's on the roster, I have to use him", when asked about Bako's inclusion in the starting lineup. I'm sure Phillies' starter Cole Hamels appreciated that logic.

Scott Eyre pitched for Reading (AA) in a rehab appearance on Wednesday night. Eyre, on a pitch limit of 25, allowed a home run to the first batter he faced. When he departed, having hit his pitch count, the bases were loaded, with two out. Kyle Drabek got out of the jam, and Eyre was only charged with one run, on two hits and a walk.

Raul Ibanez was expected to make a rehab appearance for Reading, but did not. Ibanez took batting practice, and is expected to play Thursday. Looks like he will be out for the entirety of the Mets' series...

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) did not have a game scheduled for Wednesday.
The FeHogs face the Syracuse Chiefs on Thursday night, with Carlos Carrasco slated to start.

The Reading Phillies (AA) trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the second, but came back to beat the Altoona Curve, 8-6. Reading scored six runs in the bottom of the second, two on a Michael Taylor home run. Taylor was 2 for 4, improving his average to .350.
1B Kevin Mahar (.312) had two hits, as did C Tuffy Gosewisch (.244).
Pitcher Kyle Drabek went 3 for 3, improving his batting average to .625. Drabek also kept his winning percentage at 1.000, with his fifth win. Drabek, pitching in relief of the rehabbing Eyre, pitched six and one-third innings, surrendering three runs (seven hits, three walks/four strikeouts). All three of the runs came in the second inning, perhaps not starting adversely affected his routine?
Tyson Brummett pitched in relief, again. It appears that he has lost his rotation spot to Yohan Flande.

The R-Phils had four players chosen to appear in the All-Star game. LHP Joe Savery, RHP Vance Worley, 3B Neil Sellers, and OF Michael Taylor will all travel to historic Trenton, N.J. for the Mid-Summer Classic on July 15th. Kyle Drabek's performance at the AA level might have made him worthy of inclusion, but he has only pitched 40 innings for Reading.
Drabek's next All-Star appearance will likely be in 2010, for Lehigh Valley.

The Clearwater Threshers swept a doubleheader from the Palm Beach Cardinals, winning 2-1 (seven innings), and 7-1 (six innings). Drew Naylor pitched seven strong innings in the opener, permitting a run on only four hits (zero walks/six strikeouts). Michael Galen Cisco surrendered only an unearned run in the second game, pitching five innings (four hits, one walk/three strikeouts).

Bunts and Balks (6/29)

Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez have sizeable leads at their respective positions in All-Star voting. It looks like Utley and Ibanez will start, and that they will be the only Phils' starters.

Raul Ibanez is eligible to return from the DL on Friday, but is not expected to be ready at that point. Hopefully, he'll be ready by next week?

Antonio Bastardo was placed on the DL, with Sergio Escalona optioned (again) back to the P-Phils to take his roster spot. This move probably could have been made in time for Escalona to be available for the Jays' series.

No one has been officially announced to take Bastardo's rotation spot. Most of the speculation seems to lean towards Carlos Carrasco.

Scott Eyre starts his rehab on Wednesday, and hopes to return this weekend. Jack Taschner, Tyler Walker, Paul Bako, and Sergio Escalona (again) may be in danger of receiving a trip to scenic Lehigh Valley. Bako gets my vote, a move which would return the bullpen to a "Plus Eight."

Tyler Walker has been outstanding out of the pen, with seven scoreless innings. Walker has also permitted six of nine inherited runners to score, violently scarring the ERAs of others. Don't get too excited.

Former Phillies P Paul Fletcher was shown hitting Craig Biggio with a pitch in a clip on MLB Tonight. I have no recollection of Paul Fletcher. Not acceptable. Edward Paul Fletcher pitched 13.1 innings in relief, during the 1995 season, with a 5.40 ERA/1.8 WHIP. His baseball reference page is available for only $5!

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) lost 6-1, to the Norfolk Tides, on Monday night.
At least the FeHogs have now spent one day of their history at .500. Gustavo Chacin permitted six runs in five innings, but only one run was earned.

The Reading Phillies (AA) blasted the Trenton Thunder, 10-1. The victory was not a surprise, as ace Joe Savery was on the mound. Savery improved his record to 10-1, with six shutout innings (two hits, four walks/two strikeouts). Michael Taylor went 4 for 5, improving his average to .351. Kevin Mahar went 4 for 4, improving to .308.

Yohan Flande was promoted to Reading from the Clearwater Threshers (A). Flande was outstanding with the Threshers, with a 7-1 record, 2.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 2.79 K/BB ratio (82 IP). The R-Phils website does not list the transaction (the Threshers' does), and lists the Tuesday starting pitcher as "TBA." Flande was scheduled to start Tuesday night, so he is the likely "TBA."
Tyson Brummett's spot in the rotation appears to have been skipped, as his fifth day would have been Monday. (Brummett pitched an inning in relief, facing five batters, on Monday night.) Barring a promotion to AAA (Savery?), Brummett seems likely to spend some time in the bullpen with Flande, Kyle Drabek, Vance Worley, Mike Stutes, and Joe Savery comprising the five-man rotation. (Unless Reading goes to a six-man rotation, which would be a good way to keep innings counts down? In that case Brummett might rejoin the rotation this weekend, perhaps on Saturday, giving Savery an extra day?)

The Clearwater Threshers remained undefeated in their second half, winning their fifth consecutive game, 9-8. After four consecutive extra-inning wins over the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Threshers did not require extra time to beat the Palm Beach Cardinals. Clearwater was outhit 15-9, but used two four-run innings to win a see-saw battle. Newly-promoted 22 year-old righty Travis Cloyd, who took Flande's roster spot, struggled in his debut. Cloyd surrendered four runs in five and two-thirds innings, on nine hits and one walk/two strikeouts.

Bunts and Balks (6/18)

DL'd outfielder Raul Ibanez is progressing well. This is promising news, but it would have been good to have him available to DH in the interleague road games next week.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) won their sixth game in a row Friday, 8-6, over the Norfolk Tides. The FeHogs have won eight of ten, moving a mere 2.5 games out of 4th Place in the International League's North Division. Some have credited the LV pitching for the streak, while others have drawn a correlation between the FeHogs' streak, and the beginning of the Bunts and Balks entries on this blog. (It should be noted that Norfolk has won 2 of their last 10, and Durham (LV's previous opponent) has 1 victory in their last 10.)
Chad Tracy had a pair of homers for LV, and Gustavo Chacin had a "quality start."
(Note: "Fe" is the symbol for the chemical element Iron, and "Hogs" is a synonym for "Pigs." Brilliant, no?)

Lou Marson was activated from LV's Disabled List, and went 2 for 5. Marson started behind the plate, and batted fifth. His reinstatement makes him eligible to be traded for Pawtucket's Clay Buchholz, who would take Antonio Bastardo's spot in the parent club's rotation. (Bastardo would replace Jack Taschner, who would be optioned to LV. It's all figured out, Ruben and Theo just have to complete the paperwork.)

The Reading Phillies (AA) snapped a three-game losing streak, beating the Harrisburg Senators, 4-0. Top prospect Kyle Drabek was invincible, pitching eight scoreless innings. The Senators had scored nineteen runs in their previous two games, and have now scored nineteen runs in their previous three games. Drabek permitted a mere five hits, struck out five, and did not walk a batter. He retired the last sixteen batters he faced. (Don't even THINK about it, Ruben!)

Brad Lidge will start for the R-Phils on Saturday night, at 6:05pm. The right-handed Lidge was acquired by the P-Phils in the Eric Bruntlett Deal, in which Geoff Geary and Michael Bourn were sent to the Houston Astros. Lidge's portion of the game will be broadcast on the internets, conveniently before the P-Phils start their game against the B-Orioles.)

The Clearwater Threshers (A) are spending their All-Star break ten games out of first place, and will be sending five players to Saturday night's All-Star Game.
If the Florida State League North squad wins the All-Star game, the P-Phils are guaranteed homefield advantage in the National League playoffs. (OK, that part might not be true. Yet.)

Phils Overcome Deficit to Beat Mets (Again)

It was a typical Phillies-Mets game, on Thursday night. Phillies fall behind early. Phillies come-from-behind against the Mets' bullpen. The Phillies' bullpen closes out the victory. The Phillies, who trailed 3-1, after five innings, rallied to win, 6-3. The Phils' ten-inning victory, played on a dreary CitiField night, increased their division lead over the Mets to four games.

There were quite a few positives for the Phillies. Jamie Moyer pitched well, for his third consecutive outing. The cagey veteran tossed six effective innings, permitting three runs (eight hits, zero walks/three strikeouts) for a "quality start." With the Phillies' strong offense, defense, and indomitable bullpen, that kind of effort is all they need from Moyer.

That indomitable bullpen shut out the Mets again, allowing only a single baserunner, in four innings. Clay Condrey pitched two of those innings, requiring only seventeen pitches to set down the Mets. (Remember yesterday, when I speculated that Condrey's light recent usage, and his absence from the Wednesday night game, might imply that he had an injury concern? Go ahead and forget that part.) Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre, the winning pitcher, combined on a scoreless ninth. Ryan Madson picked up his second consecutive save, and fourth of the season, slamming the door on the Mets in the tenth.

Raul Ibanez has had a challenging few days, with some unfortunate speculation concerning his outstanding performance this season. (I don't think that this speculation is even worthy of comment, so I will refrain.) Ibanez continued to excel on the field, with an incredible throw from left field, which gunned down a Mets' baserunner at second base. It was his second key assist of the series. Ibanez was 0 for 4 at the plate, heading into his at bat in the tenth inning. With two on, and two outs, Ibanez launched his twenty-first home run on the season. It was a blow from which the Mets never recovered.

Scott Eyre threw only two pitches, in retiring the only batter he faced. After the game, it was announced that he had sustained a calf injury. The extent of the injury won't be known until Friday. In the event the Eyre needs to go on the disabled list, Sergio Escalona would likely be recalled from Lehigh Valley (AAA), to take over LOOGY duties.

The Phillies host the Boston Red Sox this weekend, in interleague action. This could be a preview of the 2009 World Series matchup, provided that the Red Sox can get past the Detroit Tigers in the playoffs. The pitching matchups favor Boston, as their top two pitchers, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett, are both scheduled to pitch, while Phillies' ace Cole Hamels will only be available as a pinch-hitter. However, the lack of a designated hitter should help the Phillies, as Boston slugger David Ortiz, who has finally started to hit a bit this week, will be watching from the visitors' dugout.

The Phillies send Joe Blanton to the mound Friday, against Jon Lester. Lester has a deceiving 5.09 ERA; his 10.29 K/9, 3.15 K/BB, and 3.86 FIP illustrate that the young southpaw is one of MLB's top hurlers. Joe Blanton's 4.79 FIP illustrates that the Phils might need to rely on their (INDOMITABLE!) bullpen in the series opener.

Phils Fall to Mets, Santana

Heading into the series with the rival Mets, the opening game of the three-game set looked like it would be the most difficult for the Phillies to win. Phils' starter J.A. Happ has been pitching well, but the Mets sent their ace, future HOFer Johan Santana, to the mound. All signs pointed to a pitcher's duel, at pitcher-friendly Citi Field. Naturally, both hurlers struggled, the teams combined for seven homers (four off of Santana!), and the key hit was a double by... Johan Santana. It was an exciting game, a game that the Phillies could have stolen, but lost, 6-5.

The Phillies' offense knocked Santana around for eight hits, and five runs, but the Phillies' pitchers were unable to do their part. J.A. Happ allowed the Mets to jump to a 3-0 lead in the third, and was responsible for four of the Mets' runs. He was touched up for six hits and four walks, in his five and a third innings. Happ threw 106 (!) pitches, in obtaining those sixteen outs. Clay Condrey and Chad Durbin struggled out of the pen, while Mets' relievers Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez silenced the Phils' bats in the final innings.

The Phillies came back from a 3-0 third-inning deficit, to take a 4-3 lead in the sixth. They fell behind 6-4, after the seventh, and failed in their opportunities to tie the game. All of their runs came on home runs, back-to-back solo blasts by Howard and Ibanez in the fourth, a two-run shot by six-hole hitter Jimmy Rollins in the sixth, and an eighth-inning tater by Chase Utley. Jimmy Rollins had an outstanding game, which included three hits (raising his average to .230), and a game-saving baserunning play, where he broke up a potential game-ending double play in the ninth. Raul Ibanez also continued to be good at defense, despite all of the .gif and UZR evidence that he can't field, gunning down a runner at second base.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Phillies attempted to improve their bench, by replacing injured reliever Brad Lidge on the roster, with backup catcher Paul Bako. This personnel move was intended to free up right-handed hitting backup catcher Chris Coste to be utilized as a pinch-hitter. The days of Eric Bruntlett, and his .152 average, being the top right-handed pinch-hitter were over. The roster adjustment bore fruit in the seventh inning, when a pinch-hitter for the pitcher (Condrey) was needed. With the left-handed/tiring Santana on the mound, Manuel was able to call upon...Eric Bruntlett. (Yep. I totally lied about the fruit-bearing.) Why, Manuel, why? The Gnome did manage a walk, but why wasn't Coste used here? The Phillies are only likely to pinch-hit a right-handed batter for the eighth and ninth-place batters. Those spots in the lineup weren't likely to come up again, until the ninth inning. The ninth inning is the domain of the Mets' right-handed closer, Francisco Rodriguez, so the Phils would use their lefty pinch-hitters, Greg Dobbs and Matt Stairs, at that point. An extra-base hit by Coste in the seventh, and the preceding paragraph might have detailed a Ryan Madson save.

The Phillies' bench was further exposed, as the game ended with the tying run on first base, in the form of Matt Stairs. In the end it didn't matter, but it was an obvious position to pinch-run for the lead-footed Stairs. Unfortunately, the only remaining position players, backup catchers Coste and Bako, are two of the few MLBers who might not be a baserunning upgrade over Stairs. A pitcher could have been used to run, but Manuel could have been concerned about a potential injury on the basepaths. If Coste had pinch-hit in the seventh, Bruntlett could have pinch-run in the ninth. But the real issue might not be Manuel's management of his players, but the limitations of the players he is managing. Hopefully, the Phils can reinforce the bench with some more versatile players, through the trade market.

The Phillies take on the Mets in the second game of the series, with ace Cole Hamels getting the start. The Mets send Mike Pelfrey to the mound. With Hamels on the mound, the Phillies should be able to even the series.

Phillies Further Adjust Petco Park Factors in Bastardo's First Win

Apparently, Petco Park only suppresses offense in games that do not involve the Phillies. The Phils' offense continued their assault on the ballpark-once-regarded-as-"pitcher-friendly" with eleven hits, including three home runs, in their 10-5 victory over San Diego on Tuesday. Raul Ibanez celebrated his 37th birthday, by bashing a pair of homers, and knocking in five runs. Greg Dobbs, starting at 3B to give Pedro Feliz a day off, had the other homer. By the time the Phillies are done with their three-game series, Petco might not be in last place in Park Factor.

Phillies rookie hurler Antonio Bastardo made his first MLB start, matching up with Padres ace Jake Peavy. The Phillies got Bastardo a 4-0 lead, before the young southpaw even took the mound. Peavy left the game after the inning, with what was reported as a viral upper respiratory infection. The Phils pounded the Padres pen, while Bastardo overpowered the San Diego bats. Bastardo's mid-90's fastball was too much for the Pads, as he only permitted four hits and a run, in six superb innings. Bastardo has likely earned another start, which could come Sunday night, in the ESPN game against Randy Wolf and the Dodgers.

With a 10-1 lead in the seventh, the Phillies should have been able to get through the final three frames using the weakest links among Fuqua and Dubee's Plus Eight. However, Manuel was reticent to use Jack Taschner and Sergio Escalona. He brought Chan Ho Park out of the pen, and Park had the same horrid results he had oft-displayed as the fifth starter. He "pitched" one inning, allowing four hits and two walks. Park was fortunate to escape after allowing four runs. Chad Durbin loaded the bases in the ninth, and Ryan Madson had to come in to get the final out.(Lidge had the day off, after four consecutive saves. Madson should have been able to get the day off, as well.) One of the weak links will need to be removed from the roster on Wednesday, to open a spot for J.C. Romero. The only thing, probably, keeping Park on the team right now in his $2.5 million salary.

The Phillies go for the sweep on Wednesday, with rookie J.A. Happ opposed by Chris Young. At the Phils' current rate of improvement they figure to score twenty-five runs Wednesday night. That should be enough for a win, provided that they don't use Chan Ho Park.

Phillies Batter Reds, 12-5

Nine hits in twelve plate appearances. Five runs scored, eight runs batted in. Those were the numbers put up by the top three hitters (Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Raul Ibanez) in the Phillies' lefty-heavy lineup, sparking their 12-5 victory over the Reds on Thursday afternoon. (Remember last week, when Rollins was batting .199? Well, he's at .234 now, with eleven hits in his last twenty-six at bats. Nothing to worry about...) Those kind of numbers will win a lot of games, sometimes, even games started by Kentucky Joe Blanton.

The Phillies jumped to a 5-0 lead, after four innings. Greg Dobbs and Chase Utley hit solo homers, and Kentucky Joe contributed a key walk, took a throw off his left (non-throwing shoulder) for the team, and scored a run. Blanton was also dealing on the mound, holding the Reds to three hits (and zero walks!) in the first four innings. It looked like a quality start, without those pesky quotation marks, could be in the offing.

Then Blanton faced eight Reds batters in the fifth inning, with five of them scoring. The Reds increased their WE from 4.7% to 34.3% in the painful inning. With ninety-seven pitches thrown through five, that was it for Blanton. Was he unlucky? Did the Reds figure him out the third time through the lineup? Did the stocky right-hander just run out of steam? Probably, all of the above. But the Phils scored six runs in the next three innings, keyed by Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez, while the Phillies' bullpen kept Cincinnati off the scoreboard. Chan Ho Park appeared out of the bullpen, throwing twenty-five pitches in his consistently wild, two-walk frame. Clay Condrey and Scott Eyre each allowed two baserunners also, but the Phillies managed to get the win, without requiring the services of Chad Durbin, Ryan Madson, or Brad Lidge. Blanton improved to 2-3 on the season, but his ERA rose to 7.11.

With the demotion of Chan Ho Park to the bullpen this week, there has been a lot of talk about how much of a mistake the Park signing had been. Opting for Park over the likes of Derek Lowe, Juan Cruz, Joe Nelson, you know, people good at baseball, was certainly a mistake. But another error by GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. this week, has gone almost unnoticed. In Thursday's lineup against Reds' starter Micah Owings, seven of the eight Phillies' position players had left-handed hitting powers. The sole exception: catcher Carlos Ruiz. If Amaro had been more aggressive in his negotiations with left-handed hitting catcher Gabor Paul Bako II, the Mighty Bako could have been ready for this game. Another lost opportunity...

The Phillies travel to New York this weekend, for a huge three-game series against the Yankees. With the Phils' bats hot, and the Yanks' new stadium permitting homers at a blistering pace, expect at least thirty runs for the Phils this weekend. Also, expect a roster move before Saturday afternoon's game which will, hopefully, bring up leftfielder John Mayberry, Jr., freeing Raul Ibanez to serve as the designated hitter in the final two games. Watching Eric Bruntlett DH is not something any Phillies fan wants to see. Mayberry, Jr. hitting bombs in the new Stadium, just as Mayberry, Sr. did in the old Stadium, now that's something worth watching.

Brett Myers starts for the Phils on Friday, opposed by A.J. Burnett. The Yankees' bullpen threw eight and two-thirds innings Thursday night, in their win over Baltimore. Hopefully, that excessive workload will work in the Phillies' favor.

Phils Win Rain-Shortened Second Game

Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel controls time, space, and the elements. Or at least one of the three. Fueled by Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez home runs, the Phillies jumped to a 7-5 sixth-inning lead, in the second game of their double-dip in Washington. With the bases loaded, and Ryan Howard at the plate, the rains came. The Nationals' grounds crew struggled mightily with the tarp, and could have used Adam Eaton's proficiency in that area, which in his one true talent. After a ninety-minute rain delay, the game was called, and the Phils had swept the day. In the context of a rain-shortened second game, Manuel's decision to use his originally-planned starter for the second game, J.A. Happ, in relief on Friday night, made more sense. As did using Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge in relief, during the first game of the day. As well as playing the Saturday's first game down a player (DFA'd Miguel Cairo), instead of starting Andrew Carpenter in the day game, and replacing him for the nightcap. Obviously, Manuel knew something that we didn't.

Andrew Carpenter, making his first MLB start for the Phillies, pitched adequately, and was not helped by a tight, inconsistent strike zone. Though Carpenter did pick up his first major league win, as a result of the shortened game, it was a quotation-marks-worthy "win." He survived four and a third innings, allowing five runs on eight hits/three walks. He threw ninety-nine pitches. Fortunately for the Phils, Nats' starter Daniel Cabrera was atrocious, particularly against the top of their left-handed heavy lineup. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Ryan Howard combined to go 9-12, with two home runs, three doubles, a triple, seven runs scored, and six of the seven RBI. (The rest of the Phils' lineup was a combined 0-12, with three walks.) Cabrera permitted all seven Phillies' runs, in five innings of eight-hit, four-walk ball. He pitched like a minor leaguer with serious command issues. His rotation spot should be in jeopardy, but given an injury to rotation-mate Scott Olsen, Cabrera might stick around a while longer. (Note: The Nats are calling up ace minor leaguer Ross Detwiler from AA to start on Monday night, might be worth watching as the Phillies have Monday off.)

In a good roster-management move, the Phillies sent Carpenter back down to AAA after the game. (Carpenter would not have been available to pitch again for at least three days, and is best-served starting in AAA. We could see him in the Phillies' pen later in the season, and certainly in September, when rosters increase.) They made an intriguing replacement decision, recalling LHP Sergio Escalona from AA. LHP Jack Taschner, whom Manuel avoided using on Friday and Saturday, may be in danger of losing his spot in the bullpen. With LHP J.C. Romero slated to return on June 3, Taschner would likely have been jettisoned then. But Escalona might have about a week's worth of time to audition for the job of keeping Romero's spot warm.

With a three-game interleague series looming for next weekend, Escalona or Taschner, might be gone by Friday's game, to be replaced by another position player. Though the use of a designated hitter lessens the need for pinch-hitters, John Mayberry, Jr. may be recalled to play left field, in games that Raul Ibanez DH's. Matt Stairs may also spend some time in the DH role. Hopefully, the Phils won't recall utilityman Pablo Ozuna, instead, as he might make us long for Miguel Cairo. (Cairo will, likely, pass through waivers and go to AAA Lehigh Valley. He could be back up with the Phillies in a couple of weeks. Ugh.)

The decision to promote Escalona may also give us some insight into the time horizon that the Phillies considered. It doesn't seem likely that they will go with an extra bullpen arm for an extended period. As Escalona was already on the 40-Man Roster, and has options remaining, he can easily be sent back down to the minors on Friday. (If he beats out Taschner to be the Romero Placeholder, Taschner will be DFA'd, and won't be a major loss.)

If the Phils thought it likely that the recalled reliever would be up with the team for an extended period of time, they might have recalled Mike Koplove or Gary Majewski from AAA. However, they would need to put either of those two players on the 40-Man Roster, in order to recall them, and either would have to pass through waivers to be sent back to AAA. (Note: With open slots on the current 40-Man Roster, adding them wouldn't be a problem, it's the potential demotion that would be the issue. Neither Koplove nor Majewski has options remaining.) It seems unlikely that either one would make it through waivers without being claimed by another club. (Given that waiver priority starts with the team in the same league with the worst record, the Nationals would likely scoop up either one. I wonder if the Nats would deal RH-hitting OF Josh Willingham for either of them? Or both of them? Plus Cairo?) Recalling Koplove or Majewski, only to be lost on waivers in five days, wouldn't be very good utilization of assets. The Phillies made a good decision here.

On Sunday afternoon, the Phils will try to complete the four-game series sweep of the Nationals. Chan Ho Park, coming off two excellent starts, gets the ball for the Phillies. Jordan Zimmerman, coming off three poor performances, starts for the slumping Nats. The Phillies are in great position to finish off the sweep, and get closer to the top of the NL East.