Pedro Martinez had shown flashes of brilliance, in his four starts as a Phillie. He had also displayed maddening inconsistency, as evidenced by his 5.14 ERA. His Friday night start against the Braves was a crucial one, as he continues to compete for a postseason roster spot. Martinez held the Braves scoreless through the first two innings, and the Phillies took a 1-0 lead, on a home run by Ryan Howard. On 70's night at Citizens Bank Park, Martinez was turning back the clock.
Then the predicted rains came. After a sixty-three minute rain delay, the game was, inexplicably, resumed, despite the fact that the rains continued to pour down. A second, forty-five minute rain delay, followed. Play continued, as the Phillies took the field, in the top of the third inning. Wait...is that Jamie Moyer's music?
The deposed fifth starter was making only his second relief appearance, and his first since August 18th. Moyer hasn't had many opportunities, since he was removed from the rotation after his August 9th start. He threw six scoreless innings in the first relief outing, and pitched almost as well on Friday night. With his slow-moving pitches keeping the Braves' off balance, and some assistance from a generous home plate umpire (who wanted to get home in plenty of time to watch Metalocalypse ), Moyer permitted only a single run, in four and one-third innings. Moyer allowed four hits, walked no one, and struck out five (!). Infrequent appearances, in rain-delayed ballgames, have been proven to be an excellent fit for the venerable hurler. Perhaps a return to the Rain City for 2010 would be another excellent fit for the veteran.
Thanks to Moyer's effort, and a two-run homer by Ryan Howard (not to be confused with his solo homer, two innings earlier), the Phillies had a 4-2 lead, entering the top of the ninth. It was Brad Lidge time! Fortunately, with the opportunity to procure his tenth blown save of the 2009 season, Lidge's outing was more reminiscent of the best moments of his perfect 2008 season. The Phillies' closer retired all three batters he faced, throwing eight of twelve pitches for strikes.
The Phils' victory was a crucial one, as it erased the possibility of a series sweep by the Braves. With an eight-game lead over Atlanta (and Florida), the Phillies are in excellent shape in the quest for their third consecutive division championship. The Saturday Night Special isn't the only thing we haven't seen in Philadelphia, since the 1970s.
Showing posts with label Ryan Howard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Howard. Show all posts
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Mets are no match for Cliff Lee, either.
Cliff Lee is a robot. Either that, or he was cloned using DNA retrieved from Steve Carlton in 1976. Perhaps, both. Lee improved to 5-0 as a member of the Phillies, with a remarkable ERA of only .68, in Monday afternoon's easy 6-2 victory over the Mets. The Phils improved their record to 72-50, seven games better than second place Atlanta, and only one-half of a game behind the league-leading Dodgers.
Lee pitched seven innings, allowing only two unearned runs, on six hits and zero walks. Lee struck out five, and threw eighty-three, of his one-hundred and thirteen, pitches for strikes. The confident southpaw worked quickly, demonstrated precise command, and had little difficulty in silencing the New York bats. In the offseason, when waiting for Spring Training to begin, this domination of the rival Mets will be one of the regular season games that needs to be enjoyed again.
Lee didn't need a lot of support from his teammates on Monday, which was good, as he didn't get a lot. Chase Utley had a double-error, leading to both New York runs. An Utley double-error is about as rare as a three-hit game by Eric Bruntlett. Bruntlett got his second consecutive start, giving Jimmy Rollins the day off, and was 1 for 4. Paul Bako was hitless, as is his way.
Almost all of the Phils' offense was provided by the ferociously hot bat of Ryan Howard. Howard crushed a ball over the left field fence in the first inning, driving in the first three Philly runs. In the third inning, he mixed things up by blasting a homer to right, for two additional runs. Raul Ibanez hit a run-scoring double in the ninth, giving the Phils an insurance run. Chan Ho Park and Brad Lidge both retired all three batters they faced, completing Lee's twelfth win of the season. Lidge's appearance, in a non-save situation, was his third strong one, in as many days.
The Phillies continue their road trip on Tuesday, with the cellar-dwelling Pirates waiting in the wings. With Joe Blanton on the hill Tuesday, followed by Cole Hamels, and J.A. Happ, a three-game Phillies' sweep is a distinct possibility. With the slumping Dodgers facing the streaking Rockies, the Phillies could be leading the National League, by the time their weekend series against Atlanta begins on Friday.
Lee pitched seven innings, allowing only two unearned runs, on six hits and zero walks. Lee struck out five, and threw eighty-three, of his one-hundred and thirteen, pitches for strikes. The confident southpaw worked quickly, demonstrated precise command, and had little difficulty in silencing the New York bats. In the offseason, when waiting for Spring Training to begin, this domination of the rival Mets will be one of the regular season games that needs to be enjoyed again.
Lee didn't need a lot of support from his teammates on Monday, which was good, as he didn't get a lot. Chase Utley had a double-error, leading to both New York runs. An Utley double-error is about as rare as a three-hit game by Eric Bruntlett. Bruntlett got his second consecutive start, giving Jimmy Rollins the day off, and was 1 for 4. Paul Bako was hitless, as is his way.
Almost all of the Phils' offense was provided by the ferociously hot bat of Ryan Howard. Howard crushed a ball over the left field fence in the first inning, driving in the first three Philly runs. In the third inning, he mixed things up by blasting a homer to right, for two additional runs. Raul Ibanez hit a run-scoring double in the ninth, giving the Phils an insurance run. Chan Ho Park and Brad Lidge both retired all three batters they faced, completing Lee's twelfth win of the season. Lidge's appearance, in a non-save situation, was his third strong one, in as many days.
The Phillies continue their road trip on Tuesday, with the cellar-dwelling Pirates waiting in the wings. With Joe Blanton on the hill Tuesday, followed by Cole Hamels, and J.A. Happ, a three-game Phillies' sweep is a distinct possibility. With the slumping Dodgers facing the streaking Rockies, the Phillies could be leading the National League, by the time their weekend series against Atlanta begins on Friday.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Phillies Respond to Manuel's Meeting, Sweep Cubs
Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel picks his spots, in determining when to meet with his entire team. Last weekend should have been a memorable one, with a Harry Kalas plaque installed on the Wall of Fame, the greatest of each former Green(e) in attendance (Tyler, Tommy), and a chance to increase their divisional lead over the Marlins. It turned into a debacle, with Shane Victorino ejected from his outfield position, a pregame "Batting Challenge" that included one home run, and three pitchers batting (out of six participants), and Eric Bruntlett remaining on the active roster throughout all three games. Not to mention that the Phillies lost all three games. As there wasn't a UFC event scheduled for immediately after Sunday's loss, that was a very opportune time for a team meeting.
The meeting had a most efficacious effect, as the Phillies responded in impressive, WFC fashion. The Phillies used strong starting pitching, and a reawakened offense, in rolling to a three-game road sweep of the Cubs. Hopefully, the Phils can continue to ride their new momentum, this weekend in Atlanta.
Tuesday's opener at Wrigley Field would have been Phillies co-ace Cliff Lee's fifth day, but the Phillies opted to push Lee back two days, when inserting Pedro Martinez into the rotation. J.A. Happ made the start, with one extra day of rest, after being allowed to throw an obscene 127 pitches in his previous appearance. The draining complete game shutout would have been good reason to push Happ back a few days, and Lee's strong form good reason to keep him on his regular turn. Another good reason to start Lee on Tuesday: he could have returned, on regular rest, for the Sunday night finale against the divisional rival Braves.
Happ permitted seven hits and four walks, in his 100-pitch, six-inning effort. Usually, eleven baserunners in only six innings will result in considerable damage. However, Happ only allowed two of those runners to score. Happ left with the score tied, but after the Phillies took the lead, Brad Lidge contributed his seventh blown save of his imperfect season. The Phillies were not to be denied, however, as Ben Francisco broke the 3-3 tie, with a solo homer in the twelfth inning. Chad Durbin's first appearance, since his DL stint, was a successful one. Durbin closed out the 4-3 win, picking up his second save of the season, with a scoreless twelfth.
The Cubs would get no closer to a victory in the series. Pedro Martinez made his Phillies' debut on Wednesday, scattering seven hits and a walk, in five mediocre innings. Martinez tired in the fifth, when he allowed two, of the three, runs he surrendered. Fortunately, he was pitching with a 12-1 lead, after the Phillies had enjoyed a monstrous eight-run fourth inning. With an eleven-run lead, courtesy of three-run homers by Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez, Martinez' adequate outing was sufficient.
The Phillies had saved Cliff Lee for Thursday, when he would have the opportunity to ensure the Phils' first sweep at Wrigley, since the Kevin Gross-era 1984 team. Lee would have to win under difficult circumstances. Relievers Chan Ho Park, Scott Eyre, and Tyler Walker were unavailable, as they were attempting to track down the bleacher bonehead who doused outfielder Shane Victorino with a beer, during Wednesday night's game. (The three crime-fighting hurlers brought the culprit to justice, capturing him behind a Sonic restaurant in Aurora, Illinois. They proceeded to celebrate with Fried Ice Cream Blasts, after turning the heinous criminal over to the authorities.)
Lee had little need for relief, surrendering only a single run in eight innings, in picking up his third consecutive win as a Phillie. Lee was allowed to throw 122 pitches, which would have been a somewhat questionable move, if the bullpen hadn't been so short-handed. Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz hit homers, and the Phillies cruised to a 6-1 win. The Phillies lead the Marlins by 4.5 games, and the Braves by 5 games. If only every series could be this easy.
The meeting had a most efficacious effect, as the Phillies responded in impressive, WFC fashion. The Phillies used strong starting pitching, and a reawakened offense, in rolling to a three-game road sweep of the Cubs. Hopefully, the Phils can continue to ride their new momentum, this weekend in Atlanta.
Tuesday's opener at Wrigley Field would have been Phillies co-ace Cliff Lee's fifth day, but the Phillies opted to push Lee back two days, when inserting Pedro Martinez into the rotation. J.A. Happ made the start, with one extra day of rest, after being allowed to throw an obscene 127 pitches in his previous appearance. The draining complete game shutout would have been good reason to push Happ back a few days, and Lee's strong form good reason to keep him on his regular turn. Another good reason to start Lee on Tuesday: he could have returned, on regular rest, for the Sunday night finale against the divisional rival Braves.
Happ permitted seven hits and four walks, in his 100-pitch, six-inning effort. Usually, eleven baserunners in only six innings will result in considerable damage. However, Happ only allowed two of those runners to score. Happ left with the score tied, but after the Phillies took the lead, Brad Lidge contributed his seventh blown save of his imperfect season. The Phillies were not to be denied, however, as Ben Francisco broke the 3-3 tie, with a solo homer in the twelfth inning. Chad Durbin's first appearance, since his DL stint, was a successful one. Durbin closed out the 4-3 win, picking up his second save of the season, with a scoreless twelfth.
The Cubs would get no closer to a victory in the series. Pedro Martinez made his Phillies' debut on Wednesday, scattering seven hits and a walk, in five mediocre innings. Martinez tired in the fifth, when he allowed two, of the three, runs he surrendered. Fortunately, he was pitching with a 12-1 lead, after the Phillies had enjoyed a monstrous eight-run fourth inning. With an eleven-run lead, courtesy of three-run homers by Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez, Martinez' adequate outing was sufficient.
The Phillies had saved Cliff Lee for Thursday, when he would have the opportunity to ensure the Phils' first sweep at Wrigley, since the Kevin Gross-era 1984 team. Lee would have to win under difficult circumstances. Relievers Chan Ho Park, Scott Eyre, and Tyler Walker were unavailable, as they were attempting to track down the bleacher bonehead who doused outfielder Shane Victorino with a beer, during Wednesday night's game. (The three crime-fighting hurlers brought the culprit to justice, capturing him behind a Sonic restaurant in Aurora, Illinois. They proceeded to celebrate with Fried Ice Cream Blasts, after turning the heinous criminal over to the authorities.)
Lee had little need for relief, surrendering only a single run in eight innings, in picking up his third consecutive win as a Phillie. Lee was allowed to throw 122 pitches, which would have been a somewhat questionable move, if the bullpen hadn't been so short-handed. Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz hit homers, and the Phillies cruised to a 6-1 win. The Phillies lead the Marlins by 4.5 games, and the Braves by 5 games. If only every series could be this easy.
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.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Welcome to Bakotopia!
Exhilarating. Bakotastic. Miraculous. Devoid of Bruntlett. Not sure which term best describes the incredible events that transpired at CBP on Saturday night. As play entered the bottom of the ninth, the Phillies trailed Pittsburgh, 7-3. The Phils had a Win Expectancy of only 2.0%. This game post had already written itself: start with a Joe Biden reference (the VP was at the game, didn't leave early, and autographed a fan's Tasmanian Devil t-shirt), blame poor luck (check out BABIP/LOB % and K/BB!) for Cole Hamels' poor results (six innings, five runs), close with the usual Gabor Paul Bako II excoriation (no explanation needed), and call it a night.
The Phillies' lefty-laden lineup, however, wasn't ready to call it quits. Against the Pirates' right-handed closer, Matt Capps, the first six Phillie batters were left-handed. Pinch-hitter Matt Stairs had been bypassed in the sixth inning, when the tying run was on second. (Right-handed John Mayberry flew out against a right-handed pitcher. In Charlie Manuel's defense, Jesse Chavez, the Bucs' hurler, has been much more succesful (.203 v. 273) against left-handed batters.) Stairs started the ninth-inning rally, with a towering home run. A Jimmy Rollins walk and a Chase Utley single followed, and the tying run was at the plate. Slugger Ryan Howard is a pretty good bat to have at the plate in that type of situation. Howard's game-tying homer increased the Phillies' WE by 46.7%, from 11.6% to 58.4%.
Surprisingly, the Pirates opted to keep Capps in the game. Raul Ibanez, in his first game back from the DL, doubled. Jayson Werth was walked intentionally, and Pedro Feliz singled. There was only one out, the Phils had the bases loaded, and the winning run was on third, for...Paul Bako. Yep, the offensively-inept backup catcher was due to bat, with the Phillies' fate depending upon his batting prowess.
With a right-handed, non-position player on the mound, Eric Bruntlett was not a good pinch-hitting option. The rest of the non-pitchers on the Phils' bench had already been used. (Also, with the Phillies' other catcher, Carlos Ruiz, possibly not available, there may not have been a viable Bako-less possibility.)
The offensively-feeble Bako, now OPSing .517, hit a hard grounder through the conveniently drawn-in infield, and the Phils had a shocking walk-off victory. If the Pirates had been at double-play depth, slick-fielding shortstop Jack Wilson may have been able to start a 6-4-3 DP. The Phillies had BABIP on their side in the ninth, as well as some questionable game management by the Pirates. Paul Bako has had an MLB career of unsuccesful at-bats (career wOBA: .274), but he had two run-scoring singles on Saturday, and deserves some credit for his part in the victory. (Not an overabundance of credit, as Bako also played a role in the three homers allowed by Hamels. Plus, the Phils still should have kept Chris Coste over Bako. But Gabor done good on Saturday night.)
The Phillies go for the sweep of the Pirates on Sunday, hoping to finish off a 9-1 homestand. Remember when the Phillies were inexplicably poor at home? Me, neither. J.A. Happ gets the ball for the Phils, as they close out the first half of their season.
The Phillies' lefty-laden lineup, however, wasn't ready to call it quits. Against the Pirates' right-handed closer, Matt Capps, the first six Phillie batters were left-handed. Pinch-hitter Matt Stairs had been bypassed in the sixth inning, when the tying run was on second. (Right-handed John Mayberry flew out against a right-handed pitcher. In Charlie Manuel's defense, Jesse Chavez, the Bucs' hurler, has been much more succesful (.203 v. 273) against left-handed batters.) Stairs started the ninth-inning rally, with a towering home run. A Jimmy Rollins walk and a Chase Utley single followed, and the tying run was at the plate. Slugger Ryan Howard is a pretty good bat to have at the plate in that type of situation. Howard's game-tying homer increased the Phillies' WE by 46.7%, from 11.6% to 58.4%.
Surprisingly, the Pirates opted to keep Capps in the game. Raul Ibanez, in his first game back from the DL, doubled. Jayson Werth was walked intentionally, and Pedro Feliz singled. There was only one out, the Phils had the bases loaded, and the winning run was on third, for...Paul Bako. Yep, the offensively-inept backup catcher was due to bat, with the Phillies' fate depending upon his batting prowess.
With a right-handed, non-position player on the mound, Eric Bruntlett was not a good pinch-hitting option. The rest of the non-pitchers on the Phils' bench had already been used. (Also, with the Phillies' other catcher, Carlos Ruiz, possibly not available, there may not have been a viable Bako-less possibility.)
The offensively-feeble Bako, now OPSing .517, hit a hard grounder through the conveniently drawn-in infield, and the Phils had a shocking walk-off victory. If the Pirates had been at double-play depth, slick-fielding shortstop Jack Wilson may have been able to start a 6-4-3 DP. The Phillies had BABIP on their side in the ninth, as well as some questionable game management by the Pirates. Paul Bako has had an MLB career of unsuccesful at-bats (career wOBA: .274), but he had two run-scoring singles on Saturday, and deserves some credit for his part in the victory. (Not an overabundance of credit, as Bako also played a role in the three homers allowed by Hamels. Plus, the Phils still should have kept Chris Coste over Bako. But Gabor done good on Saturday night.)
The Phillies go for the sweep of the Pirates on Sunday, hoping to finish off a 9-1 homestand. Remember when the Phillies were inexplicably poor at home? Me, neither. J.A. Happ gets the ball for the Phils, as they close out the first half of their season.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Descent (Into Madness)
The Phillies completed a 1-8 interleague homestand, polishing off their second consecutive sweep, with a 2-1 loss to the Orioles, on Sunday. The Phils overcame an early 1-0 lead, riding a four-hit attack to their sixth loss in a row. Cole Hamels picked up the loss, his third in seven decisions, but he had plenty of support in the losing effort.
Hamels pitched eight innings, allowing a pair of runs, on nine hits. He struck out ten, and did not walk a batter, but nineteen of the twenty-nine batters he faced put balls in play. Not a very impressive ratio from a supposed "ace." Hamels' performance was zero-dimensional, as he failed to reach base in either of his plate appearances. His ineptitude at the plate necessitated his eventual removal for a pinch-hitter, forcing the Phils' bullpen to cover the final inning. Perhaps some more work with batting coach Milt Thompson, or a stint in Lehigh Valley (AAA), would help Hamels become more of a complete player.
Leadoff man Jimmy Rollins did his job, lulling the Orioles pitchers into a sense of complacency, with another hitless effort. Rollins was able to induce outs in all thirteen of his plate appearances over the weekend, but his teammates failed to capitalize. Rollins has failed to reach base at a .761 clip in June, numbers that would have been impressive even in the Deadball Era. The shortstop almost reached base in the eighth inning, but was the beneficiary of a gracious call by Umpire Larry Vanover, who called Rollins out, despite the infielder's inability to get himself tagged on the play.
Manager Charlie Manuel didn't offer Rollins much support either, making several questionable personnel decisions. Ryan Howard was given the day off, ending his consecutive games played streak at 343, despite having a temperature of only 103.9 degrees. Paul Bako, a career .231 hitter, was left on the bench. (Fortunately, Carlos Ruiz put together a Bako-esque 0 for 3 effort.) Eric Bruntlett, batting a lusty .157 in 2009, also failed to appear. Greg Dobbs (1.062 OPS in June), inexplicably, got the start at 1B, homering for the Phils' run. Dobbs was replaced with a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning, but the damage had already been done.
The Phillies have Monday off, before traveling to Tampa Bay to face Pat Burrell and the Rays. Jamie Moyer will bring his 6.35 ERA (1.54 WHIP) to the mound. Moyer has an 8-4 record, and a 2.85 lifetime ERA against Tampa, but those gaudy stats were accumulated way back when Moyer was good, and the Devil Rays were not. With David Price on the mound for the opposition, the Phils appear well-positioned to keep their winless streak alive.
Hamels pitched eight innings, allowing a pair of runs, on nine hits. He struck out ten, and did not walk a batter, but nineteen of the twenty-nine batters he faced put balls in play. Not a very impressive ratio from a supposed "ace." Hamels' performance was zero-dimensional, as he failed to reach base in either of his plate appearances. His ineptitude at the plate necessitated his eventual removal for a pinch-hitter, forcing the Phils' bullpen to cover the final inning. Perhaps some more work with batting coach Milt Thompson, or a stint in Lehigh Valley (AAA), would help Hamels become more of a complete player.
Leadoff man Jimmy Rollins did his job, lulling the Orioles pitchers into a sense of complacency, with another hitless effort. Rollins was able to induce outs in all thirteen of his plate appearances over the weekend, but his teammates failed to capitalize. Rollins has failed to reach base at a .761 clip in June, numbers that would have been impressive even in the Deadball Era. The shortstop almost reached base in the eighth inning, but was the beneficiary of a gracious call by Umpire Larry Vanover, who called Rollins out, despite the infielder's inability to get himself tagged on the play.
Manager Charlie Manuel didn't offer Rollins much support either, making several questionable personnel decisions. Ryan Howard was given the day off, ending his consecutive games played streak at 343, despite having a temperature of only 103.9 degrees. Paul Bako, a career .231 hitter, was left on the bench. (Fortunately, Carlos Ruiz put together a Bako-esque 0 for 3 effort.) Eric Bruntlett, batting a lusty .157 in 2009, also failed to appear. Greg Dobbs (1.062 OPS in June), inexplicably, got the start at 1B, homering for the Phils' run. Dobbs was replaced with a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning, but the damage had already been done.
The Phillies have Monday off, before traveling to Tampa Bay to face Pat Burrell and the Rays. Jamie Moyer will bring his 6.35 ERA (1.54 WHIP) to the mound. Moyer has an 8-4 record, and a 2.85 lifetime ERA against Tampa, but those gaudy stats were accumulated way back when Moyer was good, and the Devil Rays were not. With David Price on the mound for the opposition, the Phils appear well-positioned to keep their winless streak alive.
Bunts and Balks (6/21)
Brad Lidge is expected to rejoin the Phils by the end of the week, with Scott Eyre returning by the end of the following week. This likely means a return to the "Plus Eight" bullpen, and some time in historic Lehigh Valley for Messrs. Taschner and Bako.
Ryan Howard spent the weekend in and out of the hospital with flu-like symptoms.
Hopefully, he'll be OK for the interleague road trip. No one wants to see Eric Bruntlett DH'ing.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) finally lost again, 4-2, to the Norfolk Tides. Mike Spidale responded to a promotion to the leadoff spot with an 0 for 5 day, dropping his AAA avg. to .316. Andrew Carpenter received his first loss, in seven decisions, permitting three runs (nine hits, one walk/three strikeouts) in six innings.
The Reading Phillies (AA) lost to the Harrisburg Senators, 8-7. The winning Senators run scored on a bases-loaded walk with two outs in top of the ninth inning, permitted by lefty Mike Zagurski. The R-Phils trailed 4-0, before they got their first at-bat. Brian Stavisky and Jeremy Slayden each had four-hit games. Vance Worley had an ineffective start, surrendering five runs, on eight hits and two walks, surviving only four innings. The R-Phils seemed primed for a walk-off victory, inspired by Twisted Sister's finest, before their final at-bat. But former Phils prospect Zack Segovia finished them off in the ninth.
Ryan Howard spent the weekend in and out of the hospital with flu-like symptoms.
Hopefully, he'll be OK for the interleague road trip. No one wants to see Eric Bruntlett DH'ing.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) finally lost again, 4-2, to the Norfolk Tides. Mike Spidale responded to a promotion to the leadoff spot with an 0 for 5 day, dropping his AAA avg. to .316. Andrew Carpenter received his first loss, in seven decisions, permitting three runs (nine hits, one walk/three strikeouts) in six innings.
The Reading Phillies (AA) lost to the Harrisburg Senators, 8-7. The winning Senators run scored on a bases-loaded walk with two outs in top of the ninth inning, permitted by lefty Mike Zagurski. The R-Phils trailed 4-0, before they got their first at-bat. Brian Stavisky and Jeremy Slayden each had four-hit games. Vance Worley had an ineffective start, surrendering five runs, on eight hits and two walks, surviving only four innings. The R-Phils seemed primed for a walk-off victory, inspired by Twisted Sister's finest, before their final at-bat. But former Phils prospect Zack Segovia finished them off in the ninth.
Excruciating
On Saturday night, the Phillies should have ended their losing streak at four games. The victory would have put the Phils in position to win their weekend series against Baltimore. The game would have had a prominent place in the Season In Review section of the 2009 World Series Champions DVD. Ryan Howard's heroism on this fateful night would have merited a mention in Chase Utley's Cooperstown speech, in which he welcomed Howard as the second (of three) member of the 2008 Phillies to enter the Hall. One Ryan Madson offering, wholly devoid of command, sent the Phils to a painful loss, and made Howard's heroics almost an afterthought.
J.A. Happ started for the Phillies, and managed to allow ten hits AND four walks, in only six innings. Somehow, those fourteen baserunners were converted into only two runs. The Phillies' lineup featured reserve Matt Stairs batting cleanup, reserve Greg Dobbs in the sixth spot, and (should-be-minor-league) reserve Paul Bako, inexplicably, in the lineup. Yet, as play entered the bottom of the seventh, the Phils only trailed 3-0.
Ryan Howard had been hospitalized with flu-like symptoms prior to the game, and it appeared that he would be unavailable. The Phillies had closed to within 3-2 in the seventh, with two runners on base for...Paul Bako. However, Ryan Howard was, surprisingly, amazingly, sent in to face Orioles right-hander Danys Baez. The Orioles did not have a southpaw ready to face the flu-stricken slugger, and Howard made them pay. The three-run homer gave the Phillies a 5-3 lead, and added another highlight to Howard's Cooperstown application.
The two-run lead remained into the ninth, with interim closer Ryan Madson summoned from the bullpen to close out the victory. Surely, the Phils would snap their losing streak, and Madson would snap his save-less streak? Well, no. Madson surrendered a three-run homer, decreasing the Phillies' Win Expectancy from 91.9% to only 19.6%. Chris Coste, Pedro Feliz, and Eric Bruntlett (yes, Bruntlett batted in the ninth inning of a one-run game) were retired in order, and the Phillies' fifth consecutive loss was, easily, their most excruciating one.
The Phillies will try to avoid another sweep, and a six-game losing streak, on Sunday afternoon. With ace Cole Hamels in the stopper role, and Paul Bako back on the bench, you have to like the Phils' chances. They are certainly due for a win.
J.A. Happ started for the Phillies, and managed to allow ten hits AND four walks, in only six innings. Somehow, those fourteen baserunners were converted into only two runs. The Phillies' lineup featured reserve Matt Stairs batting cleanup, reserve Greg Dobbs in the sixth spot, and (should-be-minor-league) reserve Paul Bako, inexplicably, in the lineup. Yet, as play entered the bottom of the seventh, the Phils only trailed 3-0.
Ryan Howard had been hospitalized with flu-like symptoms prior to the game, and it appeared that he would be unavailable. The Phillies had closed to within 3-2 in the seventh, with two runners on base for...Paul Bako. However, Ryan Howard was, surprisingly, amazingly, sent in to face Orioles right-hander Danys Baez. The Orioles did not have a southpaw ready to face the flu-stricken slugger, and Howard made them pay. The three-run homer gave the Phillies a 5-3 lead, and added another highlight to Howard's Cooperstown application.
The two-run lead remained into the ninth, with interim closer Ryan Madson summoned from the bullpen to close out the victory. Surely, the Phils would snap their losing streak, and Madson would snap his save-less streak? Well, no. Madson surrendered a three-run homer, decreasing the Phillies' Win Expectancy from 91.9% to only 19.6%. Chris Coste, Pedro Feliz, and Eric Bruntlett (yes, Bruntlett batted in the ninth inning of a one-run game) were retired in order, and the Phillies' fifth consecutive loss was, easily, their most excruciating one.
The Phillies will try to avoid another sweep, and a six-game losing streak, on Sunday afternoon. With ace Cole Hamels in the stopper role, and Paul Bako back on the bench, you have to like the Phils' chances. They are certainly due for a win.
Bunts and Balks (6/20)
Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless inning for Reading (AA) on Saturday night, and indicates that his knee feels "fine." Lidge has been indicating that his knee feels "fine" for most of the season. A good defensive play saved Lidge a run. Lidge is expected to return to the P-Phils this week, moving Ryan Madson back to the eighth inning, and (hopefully) Jack Taschner or Paul Bako to Lehigh Valley (AAA).
Ryan Howard was hospitalized with the flu, but left his hospital bed to hit a pinch-hit home run in Saturday's game. The blast would have been a game-winner, if interim closer Ryan Madson had been able to hold the lead. Howard returned to the hospital after the game, and was replaced in the lineup by Greg Dobbs on Saturday and Sunday. Howard's health is a huge concern.
Paul Bako started behind the plate for the Phillies on Saturday night. This never should have been permitted to happen.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) won their seventh game in a row on Saturday, 5-3, over the Norfolk Tides. The FeHogs are now only ten games out of first place. Carlos Carrasco pitched very well, permitting a single run, in seven strong innings. Carrasco surrendered five hits and two walks (five strikeouts). Recently-promoted outfielder Mike Spidale had three singles, in four plate appearances, increasing his average to .364. Listening to Jason Anderson close out the Tides in the ninth mitigated some of the pain from the P-Phils' crushing loss. (About .23% of the pain was mitigated.)
The Reading Phillies (AA) defeated the Harrisburg Senators, 6-2. Top outfield prospect Michael Taylor hit a grand slam. Top pitching prospect Joe Savery pitched five scoreless innings for his ninth win.
The FSL North squad, which included four members of the Clearwater Threshers (A), beat the FSL South, 6-4. Threshers Yohan Flande and Carlos Monasterios pitched scoreless innings. Tim Kennelly started at 1B, and went 0 for 4.
Ryan Howard was hospitalized with the flu, but left his hospital bed to hit a pinch-hit home run in Saturday's game. The blast would have been a game-winner, if interim closer Ryan Madson had been able to hold the lead. Howard returned to the hospital after the game, and was replaced in the lineup by Greg Dobbs on Saturday and Sunday. Howard's health is a huge concern.
Paul Bako started behind the plate for the Phillies on Saturday night. This never should have been permitted to happen.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) won their seventh game in a row on Saturday, 5-3, over the Norfolk Tides. The FeHogs are now only ten games out of first place. Carlos Carrasco pitched very well, permitting a single run, in seven strong innings. Carrasco surrendered five hits and two walks (five strikeouts). Recently-promoted outfielder Mike Spidale had three singles, in four plate appearances, increasing his average to .364. Listening to Jason Anderson close out the Tides in the ninth mitigated some of the pain from the P-Phils' crushing loss. (About .23% of the pain was mitigated.)
The Reading Phillies (AA) defeated the Harrisburg Senators, 6-2. Top outfield prospect Michael Taylor hit a grand slam. Top pitching prospect Joe Savery pitched five scoreless innings for his ninth win.
The FSL North squad, which included four members of the Clearwater Threshers (A), beat the FSL South, 6-4. Threshers Yohan Flande and Carlos Monasterios pitched scoreless innings. Tim Kennelly started at 1B, and went 0 for 4.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Phils Lose to Boston in 13
The Phillies had plenty of chances to win on Friday night, but their five-hit, twenty-strikeout "offense" did not do enough to earn the victory. The team wasn't helped by some questionable decisions by Manager Charlie Manuel, and the umpiring crew. Over thirteen innings, and four interminable hours, the Phillies transitioned from losers in a pitcher's duel, to walk-off winners, to inevitable, brutal defeat. The Phillies tied, won, and lost on Friday night, but only the 5-2 loss will count in the standings.
Phillies' starter Joe Blanton had a tremendous outing, limiting the powerful Red Sox' offense to a pair of solo homers, over seven innings. But the Red Sox' starter, Jon Lester, was even better. Lester allowed only one run (on two hits), in his seven innings, striking out eleven Phillies in the process. The Phillies have a good bullpen, but it pales in comparison to the Boston bullpen, which is likely MLB's best. Ace Closer Jonathan Papelbon was not available to close out the 2-1 Sox win, so Boston was "forced" to go to reliever Ramon Ramirez (1.89 ERA, .173 opponents' batting average) to end the Phils' hopes. However, with one out in the ninth, the Phillies came up with yet another late-inning miracle. Ryan Howard, who finished the game with one hit, and four strikeouts, in six plate appearances, made his one hit count. His solo homer tied the game at 2, sending the Phils into extra innings, once again.
The two bullpens matched zeroes, as play entered the bottom of the eleventh. With two outs, and two on, the Phillies called upon Greg Dobbs to pinch-hit. Dobbs responded by slamming a game-winning, walk-off homer directly over the foul pole...which was called a foul ball. With the other major sports having adopted the use of instant replay, it is certainly time that MLB followed suit. Available technology should be utilized to make sure that the correct calls are made, at least in boundary calls such as this one. Wait. MLB does have instant replay available, for this exact type of situation. Why didn't they use it, especially considering the importance of this particular call? Why didn't the umpires at least try to see if a helpful replay angle was available? A reversal of the call would have given the Phillies an immediate win. Dobbs proceeded to go down on strikes, and play entered the twelfth inning.
Earlier in the day, Kyle Kendrick was recalled from AAA, as a bullpen reinforcement. Kendrick can have some value as a reliever in two scenarios. If the starting pitcher is knocked out early, Kendrick can pitch multiple innings. In those multiple innings, Kendrick will strike out no one, and surrender a handful of hits and runs. But he could help save the other relievers from being used. The other scenario he can help is as the last man out of the pen. Again, he will pitch multiple innings, at the cost of multiple runs. But that multiple innings part could be valuable.
When Kendrick was called into a tie game, in the twelfth inning, it was neither of these scenarios. Jack Taschner was available, and could have been used for at least an inning, before Kendrick entered the game. It was just a question of how soon Kendrick's propensity for giving up hits would lead to runs, and how many runs he would cost them. Kendrick pitched a scoreless twelfth, but the three runs he allowed in the thirteenth were too much for the Phils to overcome.
Kendrick was the most obvious goat in Friday's loss, but he had some company. The top four batters (Rollins, Utley, Werth, and Howard) in the Phillies' lineup went a combined 1 for 21, with
ten strikeouts. Manuel's usage of Kendrick was situationally-questionable, but even more questionable was his use of the Phils' five-man bench. In the eighth inning, Manuel (correctly) double-switched, so he could use reliever J.C. Romero, for multiple innings. However, he chose to use offensively-inept Eric Bruntlett at 3B, instead of Greg Dobbs. (Given just how bad Bruntlett has been at the plate, Dobbs is a better choice at this point, no matter the handed-ness of the opposing pitcher.) Bruntlett wound up coming to the plate three times in the game, twice before Dobbs had his single plate appearance. With Paul Bako available as an emergency catcher, right-handed backup catcher Chris Coste was available to pinch-hit, but Manuel never used him. Given that Bako's presence hasn't really freed up Coste, maybe the Phils would be better-served by reverting to their "Plus Eight" bullpen format, and replacing Bako with reliever Sergio Escalona.
Friday night's tough loss is best forgotten. Saturday night brings an interesting pitching matchup, with rookie southpaw Antonio Bastardo making his third start for the Phillies. Against the patient Red Sox, Bastardo could be in for a tough, and short, day. The Red Sox send Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound. Matsuzaka, typically, throws 100 pitches by about the fifth inning, while surrendering many hits, walks, and runs. Especially, the walks (4.33 BB/9). Matsuzaka has a remarkably unlucky .453 BABIP in 2009. Hopefully, luck will continue to work against him. It could very well be another battle of bullpens on Saturday night. Until then, I'll be monitoring the Twittersphere, hoping to read that Escalona is replacing Kendrick on the Phils. (And that IronPigs reliever Tyler Walker is replacing Gabor Paul Bako II.)
Phillies' starter Joe Blanton had a tremendous outing, limiting the powerful Red Sox' offense to a pair of solo homers, over seven innings. But the Red Sox' starter, Jon Lester, was even better. Lester allowed only one run (on two hits), in his seven innings, striking out eleven Phillies in the process. The Phillies have a good bullpen, but it pales in comparison to the Boston bullpen, which is likely MLB's best. Ace Closer Jonathan Papelbon was not available to close out the 2-1 Sox win, so Boston was "forced" to go to reliever Ramon Ramirez (1.89 ERA, .173 opponents' batting average) to end the Phils' hopes. However, with one out in the ninth, the Phillies came up with yet another late-inning miracle. Ryan Howard, who finished the game with one hit, and four strikeouts, in six plate appearances, made his one hit count. His solo homer tied the game at 2, sending the Phils into extra innings, once again.
The two bullpens matched zeroes, as play entered the bottom of the eleventh. With two outs, and two on, the Phillies called upon Greg Dobbs to pinch-hit. Dobbs responded by slamming a game-winning, walk-off homer directly over the foul pole...which was called a foul ball. With the other major sports having adopted the use of instant replay, it is certainly time that MLB followed suit. Available technology should be utilized to make sure that the correct calls are made, at least in boundary calls such as this one. Wait. MLB does have instant replay available, for this exact type of situation. Why didn't they use it, especially considering the importance of this particular call? Why didn't the umpires at least try to see if a helpful replay angle was available? A reversal of the call would have given the Phillies an immediate win. Dobbs proceeded to go down on strikes, and play entered the twelfth inning.
Earlier in the day, Kyle Kendrick was recalled from AAA, as a bullpen reinforcement. Kendrick can have some value as a reliever in two scenarios. If the starting pitcher is knocked out early, Kendrick can pitch multiple innings. In those multiple innings, Kendrick will strike out no one, and surrender a handful of hits and runs. But he could help save the other relievers from being used. The other scenario he can help is as the last man out of the pen. Again, he will pitch multiple innings, at the cost of multiple runs. But that multiple innings part could be valuable.
When Kendrick was called into a tie game, in the twelfth inning, it was neither of these scenarios. Jack Taschner was available, and could have been used for at least an inning, before Kendrick entered the game. It was just a question of how soon Kendrick's propensity for giving up hits would lead to runs, and how many runs he would cost them. Kendrick pitched a scoreless twelfth, but the three runs he allowed in the thirteenth were too much for the Phils to overcome.
Kendrick was the most obvious goat in Friday's loss, but he had some company. The top four batters (Rollins, Utley, Werth, and Howard) in the Phillies' lineup went a combined 1 for 21, with
ten strikeouts. Manuel's usage of Kendrick was situationally-questionable, but even more questionable was his use of the Phils' five-man bench. In the eighth inning, Manuel (correctly) double-switched, so he could use reliever J.C. Romero, for multiple innings. However, he chose to use offensively-inept Eric Bruntlett at 3B, instead of Greg Dobbs. (Given just how bad Bruntlett has been at the plate, Dobbs is a better choice at this point, no matter the handed-ness of the opposing pitcher.) Bruntlett wound up coming to the plate three times in the game, twice before Dobbs had his single plate appearance. With Paul Bako available as an emergency catcher, right-handed backup catcher Chris Coste was available to pinch-hit, but Manuel never used him. Given that Bako's presence hasn't really freed up Coste, maybe the Phils would be better-served by reverting to their "Plus Eight" bullpen format, and replacing Bako with reliever Sergio Escalona.
Friday night's tough loss is best forgotten. Saturday night brings an interesting pitching matchup, with rookie southpaw Antonio Bastardo making his third start for the Phillies. Against the patient Red Sox, Bastardo could be in for a tough, and short, day. The Red Sox send Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound. Matsuzaka, typically, throws 100 pitches by about the fifth inning, while surrendering many hits, walks, and runs. Especially, the walks (4.33 BB/9). Matsuzaka has a remarkably unlucky .453 BABIP in 2009. Hopefully, luck will continue to work against him. It could very well be another battle of bullpens on Saturday night. Until then, I'll be monitoring the Twittersphere, hoping to read that Escalona is replacing Kendrick on the Phils. (And that IronPigs reliever Tyler Walker is replacing Gabor Paul Bako II.)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Petco Friendly to Phils' Bats in Win
Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres, is well-known for its anti-hitting properties. The Phillies, with two home runs and twelve hits, proved somewhat immune on Monday night. In the fifth inning, Chase Utley curled a Kevin Correia pitch around the foul pole in right. Ryan Howard followed by drilling a bomb over the fence in center, giving the Phils a 4-1 lead. Phils' starter Joe Blanton chowed seven innings, and allowed only three runs, in a (non-quotation mark) quality start. Brad Lidge picked up the save in the ninth, securing a 5-3 victory. It was definitely worth staying up until 1am for this one.
Game Notes:
-Joe Blanton turned in his second consecutive strong start, giving him three good outings in his last six attempts. Given that two of those outings were against Florida, at the ninth-worst park to hit in (Citizens Bank Park!), and against San Diego, at the worst park to hit in, the Blantonian Excitement should be tempered a bit. He still projects to be sixth in the (likely, four-man) postseason rotation of Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Doug Davis, Carlos Carrasco, and J.A. Happ.
-Brad Lidge saved his fourth consecutive game. That success rate is promising, but Manager Charlie Manuel probably should be mixing Ryan Madson in for an occasional save, if it is necessary to prevent Lidge for being overworked. Hopefully, J.C. Romero's return will give the Phils a quality eight-inning option, and reduce the usage of Madson/Blanton.
-Ryan Howard had a home run and four strikeouts in the game. The homer isn't worth the four whiffs, right? Well, actually, I'll take a homer/game and zero GIDP/game, with little complaint.
-Usual LOOGY Scott Eyre did well setting up in the eighth, and covering for a Madson day off, but his chin is getting a bit mangy.
-The defensively-adept Phillies are ascending to even higher levels of proficiency. Chase Utley caught a ball, while running away from the infield, by utilizing his armpit. Jimmy Rollins acquired a big out in the ninth inning, by nudging a Padres baserunner off second base, in order to tag him out. New defensive metrics may need to be constructed, in order to measure the Phils' brilliance afield.
-It might have been a dream, but I vaguely remembering Phillies announcer Sarge Matthews offering fans free hats from his Collection, if they brought signs celebrating his broadcast partner Chris Wheeler (a.k.a. "Muffin"). It must have been a dream, right?
The Phillies face the Padres again Tuesday night, in another 10:05 Eastern start. Antonio Bastardo makes his long-awaited major league debut, opposed by Padres ace/trade bait Jake Peavy.
Game Notes:
-Joe Blanton turned in his second consecutive strong start, giving him three good outings in his last six attempts. Given that two of those outings were against Florida, at the ninth-worst park to hit in (Citizens Bank Park!), and against San Diego, at the worst park to hit in, the Blantonian Excitement should be tempered a bit. He still projects to be sixth in the (likely, four-man) postseason rotation of Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Doug Davis, Carlos Carrasco, and J.A. Happ.
-Brad Lidge saved his fourth consecutive game. That success rate is promising, but Manager Charlie Manuel probably should be mixing Ryan Madson in for an occasional save, if it is necessary to prevent Lidge for being overworked. Hopefully, J.C. Romero's return will give the Phils a quality eight-inning option, and reduce the usage of Madson/Blanton.
-Ryan Howard had a home run and four strikeouts in the game. The homer isn't worth the four whiffs, right? Well, actually, I'll take a homer/game and zero GIDP/game, with little complaint.
-Usual LOOGY Scott Eyre did well setting up in the eighth, and covering for a Madson day off, but his chin is getting a bit mangy.
-The defensively-adept Phillies are ascending to even higher levels of proficiency. Chase Utley caught a ball, while running away from the infield, by utilizing his armpit. Jimmy Rollins acquired a big out in the ninth inning, by nudging a Padres baserunner off second base, in order to tag him out. New defensive metrics may need to be constructed, in order to measure the Phils' brilliance afield.
-It might have been a dream, but I vaguely remembering Phillies announcer Sarge Matthews offering fans free hats from his Collection, if they brought signs celebrating his broadcast partner Chris Wheeler (a.k.a. "Muffin"). It must have been a dream, right?
The Phillies face the Padres again Tuesday night, in another 10:05 Eastern start. Antonio Bastardo makes his long-awaited major league debut, opposed by Padres ace/trade bait Jake Peavy.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Mistakes are the portals of discovery
The Phillies' Monday night opponents, the Florida Marlins, had been victorious in only nine of their previous thirty-three games. The Phillies, despite another poor start from Jamie Moyer (six innings, four runs), had every opportunity to win this one. Ryan Howard hit a pair of titanic home runs, but it wasn't enough to overcome three crucial mistakes.
The first crucial mistake wasn't by a Phillies' player, it was by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson. After three innings, the Phillies had a 2-0 lead, and Jamie Moyer was pitching well, as he typically does against the Marlins. However, Moyer began the fourth inning by walking the first two Marlins. With a 2-2 count on former Phillie Wes Helms, Moyer threw a called third strike. Except to Marvelous Marvin Hudson it was a called third ball. It is possible Starvin' Marvin was trying to make up for a blown strike call earlier in the at bat. But, as Sarge Matthews indicated, the umpire needs to put mistakes behind him, and make the correct calls going forward. Hudson failed to do this, and it cost the Phillies. With his time at the plate extended, Helms connected with a three-run homer, giving the Marlins a 3-2 lead.
The Phillies continued to trail 3-2, as the Marlins batted in the sixth inning. Moyer got himself into trouble, allowing a pair of singles. But with two outs, and eighth place hitter Ronny Paulino (another former Phillie) at the plate, Moyer had a chance to escape. With pitcher Chris Volstad on deck, and unlikely to be pinch-hit for so early in the contest, Moyer had no need to give Paulino anything to hit. Moyer fell behind 3-0 to Paulino, and it appeared likely that he would throw ball four out of the zone, and take his chances with Volstad. The wily veteran threw the pitch, and Paulino stroked the hittable offering into center, for a run-scoring single.
Typically, when the Phillies permit Chan Ho Park to participate in a ballgame, it turns out to be a crucial mistake. Park entered a 4-3 game in the seventh, and five batters later, it was 5-3. A two out single by Wes Helms increased Florida's advantage, but it was the only run Park surrendered in three innings. Park showed increased velocity in his relief outing, and his performance allowed the rest of the bullpen the night off. Hopefully, Park's results will be similar in future relief outings.
The third crucial mistake was made by Shane Victorino. In the ninth inning, and the Phils trailing 5-3, Victorino started the inning with a walk. The tying run was at the plate, in the form of pinch-hitting slugger Matt Stairs. The Phillies were, potentially, one swing away from a tied ballgame. Victorino, trying to eliminate the possibility of a double play, attempted to steal second base. Often, in this situation, the opposition will surrender second base, in defensive indifference. However, Victorino got a poor jump, and Paulino threw him out at second base. Perhaps, Paulino should not have thrown to second, and risked a throwing error. But the crucial mistake was Victorino's, as he should have waited for a better pitch to run on, and he could have returned to first base immediately, when he realized his jump was poor. Matt Stairs and Carlos Ruiz were retired, and the Phillies had lost, 5-3.
The Phils face Florida again Tuesday, in the second of three games. The Phillies' Joe Blanton faces the Marlins' Andrew Miller, as two mediocre hurlers attempt to escape mediocrity, at least for a day. There should be plenty of offense at CBP on Tuesday night. Hopefully, the Phillies will learn from the mistakes they made in the first game of the series.
Postgame texts
(8) Guess stealing wasn't the best idea there.
(28) No questions asked.
(47) Did you DVR Jon and Kate?
(27) Of course. We're watching with Chollie in ten.
The first crucial mistake wasn't by a Phillies' player, it was by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson. After three innings, the Phillies had a 2-0 lead, and Jamie Moyer was pitching well, as he typically does against the Marlins. However, Moyer began the fourth inning by walking the first two Marlins. With a 2-2 count on former Phillie Wes Helms, Moyer threw a called third strike. Except to Marvelous Marvin Hudson it was a called third ball. It is possible Starvin' Marvin was trying to make up for a blown strike call earlier in the at bat. But, as Sarge Matthews indicated, the umpire needs to put mistakes behind him, and make the correct calls going forward. Hudson failed to do this, and it cost the Phillies. With his time at the plate extended, Helms connected with a three-run homer, giving the Marlins a 3-2 lead.
The Phillies continued to trail 3-2, as the Marlins batted in the sixth inning. Moyer got himself into trouble, allowing a pair of singles. But with two outs, and eighth place hitter Ronny Paulino (another former Phillie) at the plate, Moyer had a chance to escape. With pitcher Chris Volstad on deck, and unlikely to be pinch-hit for so early in the contest, Moyer had no need to give Paulino anything to hit. Moyer fell behind 3-0 to Paulino, and it appeared likely that he would throw ball four out of the zone, and take his chances with Volstad. The wily veteran threw the pitch, and Paulino stroked the hittable offering into center, for a run-scoring single.
Typically, when the Phillies permit Chan Ho Park to participate in a ballgame, it turns out to be a crucial mistake. Park entered a 4-3 game in the seventh, and five batters later, it was 5-3. A two out single by Wes Helms increased Florida's advantage, but it was the only run Park surrendered in three innings. Park showed increased velocity in his relief outing, and his performance allowed the rest of the bullpen the night off. Hopefully, Park's results will be similar in future relief outings.
The third crucial mistake was made by Shane Victorino. In the ninth inning, and the Phils trailing 5-3, Victorino started the inning with a walk. The tying run was at the plate, in the form of pinch-hitting slugger Matt Stairs. The Phillies were, potentially, one swing away from a tied ballgame. Victorino, trying to eliminate the possibility of a double play, attempted to steal second base. Often, in this situation, the opposition will surrender second base, in defensive indifference. However, Victorino got a poor jump, and Paulino threw him out at second base. Perhaps, Paulino should not have thrown to second, and risked a throwing error. But the crucial mistake was Victorino's, as he should have waited for a better pitch to run on, and he could have returned to first base immediately, when he realized his jump was poor. Matt Stairs and Carlos Ruiz were retired, and the Phillies had lost, 5-3.
The Phils face Florida again Tuesday, in the second of three games. The Phillies' Joe Blanton faces the Marlins' Andrew Miller, as two mediocre hurlers attempt to escape mediocrity, at least for a day. There should be plenty of offense at CBP on Tuesday night. Hopefully, the Phillies will learn from the mistakes they made in the first game of the series.
Postgame texts
(8) Guess stealing wasn't the best idea there.
(28) No questions asked.
(47) Did you DVR Jon and Kate?
(27) Of course. We're watching with Chollie in ten.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Happ Beats Nats a Day Early
J.A. Happ threw two scoreless innings Friday night, and Raul Ibanez got the key hit, as the Phillies defeated the Nationals, 10-6. The Phils face the Nats in a doubleheader on Saturday, with Brett Myers taking the ball in the first game, and J.A. Happ getting the start in the...Wait. That's not going to work now, is it? What happened here? It's an interesting story, actually. A tale of exhilarating highs, and tragic, though not entirely unexpected, lows. A saga of heroes (Ryan Howard), villains (Willie Harris), and incompetence (the Usual Suspects).
With a doubleheader a day away, the Phillies needed starter Joe Blanton to eat some innings. The needed Eight-Inning Joe Blanton. (Well, maybe not the eight-inning/six-run Joe Blanton. The seven inning/four run version would be preferable, actually.) Blanton rose to the occasion and contributed...five innings/four runs allowed. Thanks, Joe! Blanton was actually fortunate to only surrender four runs, as he permitted five hits and six walks in his one-hundred and one pitch outing. It was lucky that he was facing one of the worst teams in MLB, or Blanton would have departed with worse than just a 4-1 deficit.
The Phillies rallied against the weak Nats' bullpen, scoring two runs in the sixth, and three more in the seventh. The three in the seventh came courtesy of a Ryan Howard homer, and gave the Phils a 6-4 lead. They just needed their bullpen to hold the lead for the final three innings. Scott Eyre (two outs) and Ryan Madson (four outs) got through the seventh and eighth, without any damage. Brad Lidge entered to close out the Nats in the ninth, with the Phils' WE at 95.4%, after he retired the first batter. A walk, a single, and a fielder's choice later, and the Nats had runners on first and second, with two outs. Fortunately, all that stood between the Phils and the win was journeyman infielder Willie Harris. He of the lifetime .669 OPS. Unfortunately, Harris chose this opportunity to produce offensively, and hit a game-tying double. Lidge was able to strike out Austin Kearns to end the inning, but another save had been blown. (Is it time to DL Lidge, and get AAA reliever Gary Majewski into the bullpen, with Ryan Madson taking over as closer? Quite possibly.)
The Phils were forced to burn reliever Clay Condrey in the tenth inning, and then pinch-hit for Condrey in the top of the eleventh. (Chris Coste, the only backup catcher/last position player on the bench at that point, was used as the pinch-hitter, which sentenced Carlos Ruiz to finish the game behind the plate. Given their weak bench options, I'd like to see Coste pinch-hit more. If Ruiz had to leave the game with an injury later, they could just move Jayson Werth behind the plate. Werth's father had appeared in six MLB games (two starts) as a catcher, so this should be fine. Then pitcher Brett Myers could enter the game as an outfielder, and alternate with Raul Ibanez in left or right, depending on the batter. The possibility of an oufield where Ibanez is the second-best defensively, and centerfielder Shane Victorino covers two-thirds of the ground, would be preferable to another Miguel Cairo pinch-hitting appearance. Besides, it is rather unlikely that Ruiz would get hurt, right?) Coste singled, but the Phils failed to score in the eleventh.
Manager Charlie Manuel had an unappetizing dilemma facing him in the bottom of the eleventh. He could use J.A. Happ, or Jack Taschner, to pitch. If he chose Happ, the Phillies could win Friday, but would have to get creative to handle the pitching shortfall on Saturday. If he chose Taschner, the Phillies would get to leave about four batters later with a loss, but with their Saturday pitching plan in place. Manuel made the right call, and brought in Happ. Happ did his job, and an Ibanez two-run single keyed a four-run twelfth. Happ had beaten Washington, just a day earlier than planned.
Drew Carpenter will be recalled from AAA to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, with Miguel Cairo (finally!) DFA'd to free up a spot on the 25-Man Roster. (Carpenter was already on the 40-Man Roster.) I am assuming Cairo will still be available in the first game. (It might have been preferable to start Carpenter in the first game, and then option him back to AAA before the second game, in exchange for another player. A bullpen arm, such as Mike Koplove or Gary Majewski? Not sure why the Phillies didn't do that.) Considering that Jack Taschner was avoided on Friday night, his days may also be numbered. Brad Lidge was ineffective, again, so perhaps a DL trip is pending. The Phillies have much to consider, when determining roster moves in the next few days.
So, two Phillies games on Saturday. (How great is that?) Brett Myers needs to eat some serious innings in the opener. Drew Carpenter just needs to keep the Phils in the second game. A five-inning/four run outing would suffice. Yep. Carpenter just needs to put up a Blanton Start. Hopefully, the Phils can sweep today. They need these W's. And, hopefully, FOX will let out-of-market viewers watch the early game on MLB.TV.
With a doubleheader a day away, the Phillies needed starter Joe Blanton to eat some innings. The needed Eight-Inning Joe Blanton. (Well, maybe not the eight-inning/six-run Joe Blanton. The seven inning/four run version would be preferable, actually.) Blanton rose to the occasion and contributed...five innings/four runs allowed. Thanks, Joe! Blanton was actually fortunate to only surrender four runs, as he permitted five hits and six walks in his one-hundred and one pitch outing. It was lucky that he was facing one of the worst teams in MLB, or Blanton would have departed with worse than just a 4-1 deficit.
The Phillies rallied against the weak Nats' bullpen, scoring two runs in the sixth, and three more in the seventh. The three in the seventh came courtesy of a Ryan Howard homer, and gave the Phils a 6-4 lead. They just needed their bullpen to hold the lead for the final three innings. Scott Eyre (two outs) and Ryan Madson (four outs) got through the seventh and eighth, without any damage. Brad Lidge entered to close out the Nats in the ninth, with the Phils' WE at 95.4%, after he retired the first batter. A walk, a single, and a fielder's choice later, and the Nats had runners on first and second, with two outs. Fortunately, all that stood between the Phils and the win was journeyman infielder Willie Harris. He of the lifetime .669 OPS. Unfortunately, Harris chose this opportunity to produce offensively, and hit a game-tying double. Lidge was able to strike out Austin Kearns to end the inning, but another save had been blown. (Is it time to DL Lidge, and get AAA reliever Gary Majewski into the bullpen, with Ryan Madson taking over as closer? Quite possibly.)
The Phils were forced to burn reliever Clay Condrey in the tenth inning, and then pinch-hit for Condrey in the top of the eleventh. (Chris Coste, the only backup catcher/last position player on the bench at that point, was used as the pinch-hitter, which sentenced Carlos Ruiz to finish the game behind the plate. Given their weak bench options, I'd like to see Coste pinch-hit more. If Ruiz had to leave the game with an injury later, they could just move Jayson Werth behind the plate. Werth's father had appeared in six MLB games (two starts) as a catcher, so this should be fine. Then pitcher Brett Myers could enter the game as an outfielder, and alternate with Raul Ibanez in left or right, depending on the batter. The possibility of an oufield where Ibanez is the second-best defensively, and centerfielder Shane Victorino covers two-thirds of the ground, would be preferable to another Miguel Cairo pinch-hitting appearance. Besides, it is rather unlikely that Ruiz would get hurt, right?) Coste singled, but the Phils failed to score in the eleventh.
Manager Charlie Manuel had an unappetizing dilemma facing him in the bottom of the eleventh. He could use J.A. Happ, or Jack Taschner, to pitch. If he chose Happ, the Phillies could win Friday, but would have to get creative to handle the pitching shortfall on Saturday. If he chose Taschner, the Phillies would get to leave about four batters later with a loss, but with their Saturday pitching plan in place. Manuel made the right call, and brought in Happ. Happ did his job, and an Ibanez two-run single keyed a four-run twelfth. Happ had beaten Washington, just a day earlier than planned.
Drew Carpenter will be recalled from AAA to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, with Miguel Cairo (finally!) DFA'd to free up a spot on the 25-Man Roster. (Carpenter was already on the 40-Man Roster.) I am assuming Cairo will still be available in the first game. (It might have been preferable to start Carpenter in the first game, and then option him back to AAA before the second game, in exchange for another player. A bullpen arm, such as Mike Koplove or Gary Majewski? Not sure why the Phillies didn't do that.) Considering that Jack Taschner was avoided on Friday night, his days may also be numbered. Brad Lidge was ineffective, again, so perhaps a DL trip is pending. The Phillies have much to consider, when determining roster moves in the next few days.
So, two Phillies games on Saturday. (How great is that?) Brett Myers needs to eat some serious innings in the opener. Drew Carpenter just needs to keep the Phils in the second game. A five-inning/four run outing would suffice. Yep. Carpenter just needs to put up a Blanton Start. Hopefully, the Phils can sweep today. They need these W's. And, hopefully, FOX will let out-of-market viewers watch the early game on MLB.TV.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Good Starting Pitching Sighted in the Wilds of St. Louis!
Monday night's matchup didn't look promising for the Phillies. Their starting pitcher, Joe Blanton, had fallen well short of his usual levels of mediocrity, so far in 2009. The Cardinals' starter, Kyle Lohse, had been one of the best pitchers of the young season, sporting a 3-0 record, and a spiffy 1.97 ERA (3.14 FIP). St. Louis had the second-best record in MLB, with a 10-3 mark at home. None of this was a problem for the Phils. The Phillies won, WFC-style, combining strong starting pitching, timely hitting, good defense, and a shutdown bullpen, in their 6-1 win over the Cards.
In his Phillies career, Joe Blanton has only seen the elusive seventh inning in three of his seventeen regular season starts. The veteran hurler has maniacally chased his goal, a terrifying quest that would have driven others to the point of dementia. Monday night, Blanton continued to wager his very soul in pursuit of his obsession.
Against the Cardinals, Blanton's odds seemed rather bleak. However, he entered the sixth inning with a 6-1 lead, and a 95.4% WE. Blanton was tantalizingly close. He stood on the mound, on the verge of corralling his white whale. Though he held St. Louis off the scoreboard in the sixth, his quarry evaded him. In leaving the bases loaded, Blanton had reached one-hundred and one pitches. He would not return for the seventh inning. He had achieved a quality start of the non-quotation mark variety. Blanton's performance was, arguably, the finest by a starting pitcher in the history of the 2009 Phillies. But this was all of little solace to the bulky pitcher, as his goal, which had been within his grasp, had again disappeared into the abyss.
Former Phillie Kyle Lohse had been offered three years, and twenty-one million dollars, to re-sign with Philadelphia after the 2007 season. He declined, preferring to test free agency. Less than a month before the 2008 season began, he signed with St. Louis for one year, and four and a quarter million dollars. It was a tragic miscalculation. (At least until he signed a four year, forty-one million dollar extension, six months later.)
Lohse had pitched like a ten million dollar pitcher in 2009. Until Monday night, when he put up numbers that would be expected of, well, Joe Blanton. The Phillies scored six runs off Lohse, knocking him out of the game with one out in the fifth inning. On a night when Phillie pitching didn't allow a homer, an occurrence as unusual as a narwhal sighting in St. Louis, a Jayson Werth homer, and a Ryan Howard grand slam, knocked Lohse from the game. The Phillies scored all six of their runs on the two blasts, and their bullpen kept the Cardinals' bats silent. The come-from-behind victory (from a 1-0 deficit) put the Phils into the lead in the Wild Card race, which is crucial, as fewer than one hundred and forty games remain.
The Phillies go for the two-game series sweep Tuesday, as they send Brett Myers to face the Cardinals' Adam Wainwright. Yet another odious pitching matchup. But if Blanton can outduel Lohse, Myers can outduel Wainwright. And Chan Ho Park can outduel Johan Santana (Wed, on ESPN!). Well, maybe not that last part. (But, there is still hope that Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel will see reason, and start J.A. Happ over Park.)
In his Phillies career, Joe Blanton has only seen the elusive seventh inning in three of his seventeen regular season starts. The veteran hurler has maniacally chased his goal, a terrifying quest that would have driven others to the point of dementia. Monday night, Blanton continued to wager his very soul in pursuit of his obsession.
Against the Cardinals, Blanton's odds seemed rather bleak. However, he entered the sixth inning with a 6-1 lead, and a 95.4% WE. Blanton was tantalizingly close. He stood on the mound, on the verge of corralling his white whale. Though he held St. Louis off the scoreboard in the sixth, his quarry evaded him. In leaving the bases loaded, Blanton had reached one-hundred and one pitches. He would not return for the seventh inning. He had achieved a quality start of the non-quotation mark variety. Blanton's performance was, arguably, the finest by a starting pitcher in the history of the 2009 Phillies. But this was all of little solace to the bulky pitcher, as his goal, which had been within his grasp, had again disappeared into the abyss.
Former Phillie Kyle Lohse had been offered three years, and twenty-one million dollars, to re-sign with Philadelphia after the 2007 season. He declined, preferring to test free agency. Less than a month before the 2008 season began, he signed with St. Louis for one year, and four and a quarter million dollars. It was a tragic miscalculation. (At least until he signed a four year, forty-one million dollar extension, six months later.)
Lohse had pitched like a ten million dollar pitcher in 2009. Until Monday night, when he put up numbers that would be expected of, well, Joe Blanton. The Phillies scored six runs off Lohse, knocking him out of the game with one out in the fifth inning. On a night when Phillie pitching didn't allow a homer, an occurrence as unusual as a narwhal sighting in St. Louis, a Jayson Werth homer, and a Ryan Howard grand slam, knocked Lohse from the game. The Phillies scored all six of their runs on the two blasts, and their bullpen kept the Cardinals' bats silent. The come-from-behind victory (from a 1-0 deficit) put the Phils into the lead in the Wild Card race, which is crucial, as fewer than one hundred and forty games remain.
The Phillies go for the two-game series sweep Tuesday, as they send Brett Myers to face the Cardinals' Adam Wainwright. Yet another odious pitching matchup. But if Blanton can outduel Lohse, Myers can outduel Wainwright. And Chan Ho Park can outduel Johan Santana (Wed, on ESPN!). Well, maybe not that last part. (But, there is still hope that Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel will see reason, and start J.A. Happ over Park.)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Phils Slam Nats Twice in (Another) Come-From-Behind Win
Five home runs allowed by their pitching. Six runs allowed by their starter, followed by five runs by the bullpen. Deficits of 6-2 and 11-7. A 3% WE in the eighth inning. The Phillies continued to scoff and sneer at The Laws of Probability, in their 13-11 win against the Nationals on Monday. The Phillies' improbable come-from-behind victory, their ninth of that nature this season, improved their record to a season-best 10-8.
Joe Blanton entered Monday's outing, riding the relative high of two "quality" starts in a row. Blanton hoped for a quotation-mark-free quality start, and to extend the Phillies' streak of games-without-a-home-run-allowed to a season-best two games. After Blanton struck out the side, in order, in the first inning, all things seemed possible. Until the second inning, that is. The Nats bunched three singles, a walk, and a sacrifice fly, in taking a 2-0 lead. Blanton got off to a strong start, but faded at about the time Smiley, the Dollar Dog Pig, visited the Phillies' broadcast booth. It is is unclear whether Blanton was disrupted by the sight of a giant pig throwing hot dogs into the crowd, or if he was merely undone by his own mediocrity.
The Phillies came right back in the bottom of the second, tying the game, and returning the WE to 50%. Blanton was able to hold the lead until the Nats started batting again, at which point he allowed titanic home runs to Ryan Zimmerman and Elijah Dukes. Phillies' announcer Tom McCarthy took advantage of the blasts to prepare clips for his audition to join the 2010 Washington Nationals broadcast team. (I think Nats' fans will enjoy his enthusiasm, as well as his ability to transition between even the most disparate topics in a single sentence.) Blanton reduced the Phillies' WE to 10.7% in the fifth, permitting another long homer to Zimmerman, and left the game three batters later, with a 6-2 deficit.
With a four-run deficit, the Phillies needed five batters to tie the game up. Consecutive singles loaded the bases for Ryan Howard, who tied the game with a grand slam off Nats' starter Shairon Martis. The slam improved the Phils' WE from 22.6% to 53.7%. The teams exchanged single runs in the seventh, and entered the eighth tied at seven.
Scott Eyre came on to start the eighth, in a rare non-LOOGY situation. With Brad Lidge unavailable, due to knee pain (as discovered after the game), the plan was for Eyre to set-up for Ryan Madson. Eyre had retired all ten batters he had faced in 2009. By the time he was done for the night, he had retired ten of fifteen batters in 2009. Eyre's performance went walk-homer-walk-homer-walk, at which point he was removed in favor of J.A. Happ. Eyre threw twenty-five pitches (nine for strikes), increased his ERA from 0.00 to 10.80, and reduced the Phillies WE to under 4%. After tonight, Eyre should expect to be re-LOOGified for the immediate future.
The Phils had the Nats right where they wanted them. Catcher Lou Marson started the bottom of the eighth with a strikeout, reducing the Phillies' WE to only 3.0%. Six batters later there were two outs, but the score was now 11-9, and the bases were loaded for Raul Ibanez. With the Nats RH closer Joel Hanrahan in the game, Ibanez hoped to extend the inning, as LH slugger Matt Stairs was on deck. Ibanez did successfully extend the inning, hitting a grand slam to right field. The slam gave the Phillies a 13-11 lead, and increased their WE to 92.6%. (Construction of the Ibanez statue, to be placed in Ashburn Alley, will begin Wednesday morning. ) Ibanez' homer inspired a "Rauuulll" chant, a "We're not worthy chant", and a curtain call by the "Spanish Jim Thome", as he was dubbed by future Nats' announcer Tom McCarthy. Ryan Madson finished up in the ninth, picking up the save with the aid of his 97 MPH heater.
Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge is listed as day-to-day with knee discomfort, so Ryan Madson should handle closing duties for the immediate future. Catcher Carlos Ruiz was scratched from a rehab start for the Iron (no relation to Smiley) Pigs, so he'll likely stay on the DL a bit longer. Lou Marson will get the opportunity to increase his MLB service time, and steal more ABs from Chris Coste. By the time Ruiz is ready, Marson may not be the catcher who is chosen to go back to AAA.
The Phillies send ace Cole Hamels to the mound against Washington Tuesday night. Hopefully, this will allow them to rest the bullpen a bit, and they won't require another statistically improbable comeback. A second wire-to-wire win would be preferable. They just can't keep coming back from miniscule Win Expectancies to win every night, can they?
Joe Blanton entered Monday's outing, riding the relative high of two "quality" starts in a row. Blanton hoped for a quotation-mark-free quality start, and to extend the Phillies' streak of games-without-a-home-run-allowed to a season-best two games. After Blanton struck out the side, in order, in the first inning, all things seemed possible. Until the second inning, that is. The Nats bunched three singles, a walk, and a sacrifice fly, in taking a 2-0 lead. Blanton got off to a strong start, but faded at about the time Smiley, the Dollar Dog Pig, visited the Phillies' broadcast booth. It is is unclear whether Blanton was disrupted by the sight of a giant pig throwing hot dogs into the crowd, or if he was merely undone by his own mediocrity.
The Phillies came right back in the bottom of the second, tying the game, and returning the WE to 50%. Blanton was able to hold the lead until the Nats started batting again, at which point he allowed titanic home runs to Ryan Zimmerman and Elijah Dukes. Phillies' announcer Tom McCarthy took advantage of the blasts to prepare clips for his audition to join the 2010 Washington Nationals broadcast team. (I think Nats' fans will enjoy his enthusiasm, as well as his ability to transition between even the most disparate topics in a single sentence.) Blanton reduced the Phillies' WE to 10.7% in the fifth, permitting another long homer to Zimmerman, and left the game three batters later, with a 6-2 deficit.
With a four-run deficit, the Phillies needed five batters to tie the game up. Consecutive singles loaded the bases for Ryan Howard, who tied the game with a grand slam off Nats' starter Shairon Martis. The slam improved the Phils' WE from 22.6% to 53.7%. The teams exchanged single runs in the seventh, and entered the eighth tied at seven.
Scott Eyre came on to start the eighth, in a rare non-LOOGY situation. With Brad Lidge unavailable, due to knee pain (as discovered after the game), the plan was for Eyre to set-up for Ryan Madson. Eyre had retired all ten batters he had faced in 2009. By the time he was done for the night, he had retired ten of fifteen batters in 2009. Eyre's performance went walk-homer-walk-homer-walk, at which point he was removed in favor of J.A. Happ. Eyre threw twenty-five pitches (nine for strikes), increased his ERA from 0.00 to 10.80, and reduced the Phillies WE to under 4%. After tonight, Eyre should expect to be re-LOOGified for the immediate future.
The Phils had the Nats right where they wanted them. Catcher Lou Marson started the bottom of the eighth with a strikeout, reducing the Phillies' WE to only 3.0%. Six batters later there were two outs, but the score was now 11-9, and the bases were loaded for Raul Ibanez. With the Nats RH closer Joel Hanrahan in the game, Ibanez hoped to extend the inning, as LH slugger Matt Stairs was on deck. Ibanez did successfully extend the inning, hitting a grand slam to right field. The slam gave the Phillies a 13-11 lead, and increased their WE to 92.6%. (Construction of the Ibanez statue, to be placed in Ashburn Alley, will begin Wednesday morning. ) Ibanez' homer inspired a "Rauuulll" chant, a "We're not worthy chant", and a curtain call by the "Spanish Jim Thome", as he was dubbed by future Nats' announcer Tom McCarthy. Ryan Madson finished up in the ninth, picking up the save with the aid of his 97 MPH heater.
Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge is listed as day-to-day with knee discomfort, so Ryan Madson should handle closing duties for the immediate future. Catcher Carlos Ruiz was scratched from a rehab start for the Iron (no relation to Smiley) Pigs, so he'll likely stay on the DL a bit longer. Lou Marson will get the opportunity to increase his MLB service time, and steal more ABs from Chris Coste. By the time Ruiz is ready, Marson may not be the catcher who is chosen to go back to AAA.
The Phillies send ace Cole Hamels to the mound against Washington Tuesday night. Hopefully, this will allow them to rest the bullpen a bit, and they won't require another statistically improbable comeback. A second wire-to-wire win would be preferable. They just can't keep coming back from miniscule Win Expectancies to win every night, can they?
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Strange things are afoot at the Circle K...
(originally posted 5/10/07)
Wednesday's Phillies game in Arizona didn't start out well for Philly Phans. Ancient D-backs SP Randy Johnson was dominant, hanging Circle K's on the first six Phillies he faced. He allowed just 3 hits and 0 walks over the first six shutout innings. Phillies SP Jamie Moyer allowed only 3 runs over his first six innings, but that seemed likely to be too much for the anemic Phils bats to overcome. The Phils seemed poised to leave Arizona with another loss to their discredit.
But everything can change with just one swing of the bat. Just ask Mitch Williams. Or William Foster. In the top of the 7th, the first three Phillies reached base against Johnson. Johnson was pulled from the game, and replaced by Brandon Medders. The Phillies countered with Ryan Howard, the sub .200-hitting NL MVP of last season. Howard limped to the plate with his sub .430 slugging percentage, as well as the hopes of Phillies Nation, in tow. His sore left quadriceps muscle had kept him out of the starting lineup, and seemed likely to limit his effectiveness here. But with one powerful swing, he changed the course of the game. And perhaps charted a new course for the rest of the Phillies season.
Howard's grand slam gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead. More importantly, it triggered an offensive explosion. (Or perhaps, the Phillies had finally kicked their jet lag.) Either way, the Phillies' bats rained down runs on the D-back pitchers in a torrent of hellacious fury. It was an onslaught more reminiscent of a 2007 MISL Champion Philadelphia Kixx performance, than a 2007 Philadelphia Phillies one.
When the game mercifully (for the D-backs, this time!) ended, Philadelphia had scored NINE unanswered runs, and Brett Myers had served further notice that the Phillies do, in fact, have a quality closer. The 9-3 victory allowed the Phillies to end their road trip on a high note, and breathed hope into the collective chests of Phillies Nation.
The Phillies return home to face the Cubs on Friday. They will face Rich Hill, who at 4-1, with a 1.73 ERA, has been one of the best young pitchers this season. Fortunately, the Phillies have an ace of their own up their sleeve, with Cole Hamels (4-1, 3.59 ERA) getting the start. Hopefully, the Phillies can build up some momentum, and roll themselves back into playoff contention. That Howard HR could serve as a turning point, well worthy of mention in the 2007 World Series DVD.
Wednesday's Phillies game in Arizona didn't start out well for Philly Phans. Ancient D-backs SP Randy Johnson was dominant, hanging Circle K's on the first six Phillies he faced. He allowed just 3 hits and 0 walks over the first six shutout innings. Phillies SP Jamie Moyer allowed only 3 runs over his first six innings, but that seemed likely to be too much for the anemic Phils bats to overcome. The Phils seemed poised to leave Arizona with another loss to their discredit.But everything can change with just one swing of the bat. Just ask Mitch Williams. Or William Foster. In the top of the 7th, the first three Phillies reached base against Johnson. Johnson was pulled from the game, and replaced by Brandon Medders. The Phillies countered with Ryan Howard, the sub .200-hitting NL MVP of last season. Howard limped to the plate with his sub .430 slugging percentage, as well as the hopes of Phillies Nation, in tow. His sore left quadriceps muscle had kept him out of the starting lineup, and seemed likely to limit his effectiveness here. But with one powerful swing, he changed the course of the game. And perhaps charted a new course for the rest of the Phillies season.
Howard's grand slam gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead. More importantly, it triggered an offensive explosion. (Or perhaps, the Phillies had finally kicked their jet lag.) Either way, the Phillies' bats rained down runs on the D-back pitchers in a torrent of hellacious fury. It was an onslaught more reminiscent of a 2007 MISL Champion Philadelphia Kixx performance, than a 2007 Philadelphia Phillies one.
When the game mercifully (for the D-backs, this time!) ended, Philadelphia had scored NINE unanswered runs, and Brett Myers had served further notice that the Phillies do, in fact, have a quality closer. The 9-3 victory allowed the Phillies to end their road trip on a high note, and breathed hope into the collective chests of Phillies Nation.
The Phillies return home to face the Cubs on Friday. They will face Rich Hill, who at 4-1, with a 1.73 ERA, has been one of the best young pitchers this season. Fortunately, the Phillies have an ace of their own up their sleeve, with Cole Hamels (4-1, 3.59 ERA) getting the start. Hopefully, the Phillies can build up some momentum, and roll themselves back into playoff contention. That Howard HR could serve as a turning point, well worthy of mention in the 2007 World Series DVD.
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