Philliedelphia

Reds Thrash Phillies in a 10-0 Loss

I really saw this one coming. Kendrick did what he could with a potent line up but they were able to handle him for four runs over six innings. He definitely got his work in and he battled but in the end, he wasn't a match for them today. Niether was the bullpen. Over the last three innings, they were tagged for six more runs, including a two run blast from Joey Votto off Chad Durbin in the 9th to add a cherry on top of a a pretty brutal loss.

Offensively, the Phillies were lifeless. Chase Utley was horrendous today against Bronson Arroyo including two first pitch flyouts to left. Arroyo was really on today but it makes a whole new statement. Historically, Arroyo is bad against the Phillies. He was the kind of pitcher the Phillies would shell five years ago. Here in 2013, the team that's a shell of what they used to be has no answer for his junk.

These are the worst losses. When it's all on one side. We've seen far too many of them this season.  My biggest gripe so far is the pre-Adams bullpen. Antonio Bastardo is really struggling. Phillipe Aumont can't throw strikes. Durbin and Jeremy Horst both throw batting practice. You feel it falling apart when you see them warming up.

The only bright spot so far is Justin DeFratus who is exclusively the big out getter in the late innings right now. One has to think we'll see more of the Lehigh Valley crew soon enough because what they have now is really hurting this club.

The Phillies get a shot at winning the series tomorrow at 1:35. Jonathan Pettibone goes to the mound and faces Homer Bailey. Another tough task tomorrow. I can't honestly say I feel optimistic about that one either.

Kendrick faces Arroyo and Reds as Series Continues

Kyle Kendrick looks to continue his dominant season this afternoon against Cincinnati. We've already gotten a pretty good look at what a dangerous line up this hot team can be. Big test for the man who's been the staff ace so far this season. They had to battle a bit last night and let's face, got a bit lucky too.

Facing Kendrick is veteran hurler and partime musician, Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo has pitched fairly well so far this season at 3-4 with a 3.76 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.

John Mayberry, who's on a bit of a hot streak right now, gets another start in centerfield. Probably the best decision Manuel has made lately is to play him over Ben Revere who has been brutally bad offensively. Big trade or not, Revere looks like a 5th outfielder, late inning defensive replacement type right now. It's up to him if he is more than that.

Carlos Ruiz also sits today as Kendrick and Erik Kratz have had a fairly nice working relationship right now.

LINE UPS:

 

PHILLIES

Rollins 6

Utley 4

M.Young 5

Howard 3

D.Young 9

Brown 7

Mayberry 8

Kratz 2

Kendrick 1

 

REDS

Choo 8,

Cozart 6

Votto 3,

Phillips 4

Bruce 9

Frazier 5

Lutz 7

Hanigan 2

Arroyo 1

 

ZAMBRANO WATCH:

Carlos Zambrano threw 2 innings in extended spring training this afternoon. He threw 44 pitches, allowed a hit, and struck out 5.

Kendrick Dominant Once Again in 6-2 Win in San Francisco

Kyle Kendrick continued to dazzle tonight in San Francisco.Through seven strong innings, he held the home team to two runs, seven hits, striking out six, and walking none. His confidence is through the roof. It's as if every lesson he learned along the way and all the experience he's had is clicking.  He had a tough inning in the third and escaped it with little damage and continued to keep them off the board after allowing two runs.  He's on a really nice run right now.

The Phillies handled Tim Lincecum through seven inning, scoring five off him. Chase Utley collected two RBIs off him including a home run after it had become a one run affair. Laynce Nix proved to be a nice gamble too, collecting a pair of hits.  Ryan Howard would make it a 6-2 game in the 9th with a solo blast.

Mike Adams and Jonathan Papelbon would both combine for two perfect innings to close it out.

Great game overall and a much needed series win after a demoralizing split series against Miami. The series concludes tomorrow afternoon as Johnathan Pettibone squares off against verteran southpaw Barry Zito.

OTHER NOTES

Keep former Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ in your thoughts tonight. While pitching for Toronto earlier this evening in Tampa Bay, Desmond Jennings hit a line drive that hit him in the side of the head. It was an ugly scene. He was imobilized and taken to the hospital for tests. He did ackowledge the crowd as he was taken off the field which is always a positive sign.

Phillies Look to Take Series Against the Mets

 

After a fairly nice debut from Jonathan Pettibone on Monday, the young hurler looks to build upon that this afternoon at Citi Field as the Phillies seek a much needed series win. After losing 3/4 to the Pirates, I'd even call a sweep essential right now.

Facing Pettibone is Shaun Marcum, making his Mets and season debut this afternoon. Marcum was a name I was lobbying for when the Phillies were still searching for a 5th starter before they signed John Lannan. Though he's injury prone, when healthy he has proven to be a steady workhorse. Though health is a big question mark and even this season, that has come into play. Definitely a good arm to back up Harvey and Niese for New York.

Ben Revere continues to be day to day wih his quad injury and Mayberry is once again in centerfield. Humberto Quintero catches Pettibone today. I began to think this week that Quintero may very well be who stays when Carlos Ruiz joins the club tomorrow. Erik Kratz has an occasionally clutch bat but all and all is a Quad A catcher, to be called upon when needed. Quintero seems a better fit for the team.

Line ups:

 

PHILLIES

1. Jimmy Rollins 6

2. Chase Utley 4

3. Michael Young 5

4.  Ryan Howard 3

5.  Domonic Brown 7

6. John Mayberry 8

7.  Laynce Nix 9

8. Humberto Quintero 2

9. Jonathan Pettibone 1

 

METS

1.  Mike Baxter 9

2.  Ruben Tejada 6

3.   Daniel Murphy 4

4.  David Wright 5

5.  Lucas Duda 7

6.  John Buck 2

7.  Ike Davis 3

8.  Jordany Valdespin 8

9.  Shaun Marcum 1

 

 

Howard Blast Backs Up Kendrick's Gem As Phillies Beat Mets

After three brutal losses to Pittsburgh, Kyle Kendrick threw a beauty tonight in Citi Field. He kept the Mets off balance the whole game, allowing just three hits and one walk. Really can't emphasize how important it was. The bullpen needed to rest up, the offense has been shaky and they just needed a start like this. It was Kendrick's second complete game shut out.

The first five innings were a breeze for both pitchers. Kendrick and Dillon Gee just swapped scoreless frames. It was rather frustrating after they tagged Gee pretty good the last time they faced him. Then in the sixth, three straight singles including an RBI from Michael Young put the Phils up 1-0. Then up next, Ryan Howard went deep for a 3 run blast and that was more than enough for Kendrick as he was able to finish them off.

As stated, a much needed win with great pitching and a nice little offensive outburst.

Tomorrow is a 1:05 start with Jonathan Pettibone making his second big league start against Shaun Marcum making his Mets and season debut. Hopefully their final game for a while without Carlos Ruiz who is due back Sunday.

A Brief Primer On New Phillies Starter Jonathan Pettibone

It wasn't too long ago when Jonathan Pettibone's name appeared among the annoyingly titled group they dubbed "baby aces" alongside Jarred Cosart, Trevor May, Julio Rodriguez, and Brody Colvin. Three of them habe been dealt away and one has really struggled the past few seasons. Pettibone is the last man standing and the first to see big league action as he takes the mound tonight.

What they'll probably tell you about the 22 year old hurler on TV tonight is that he is a workhorse and a command pitcher. The stuff is average but he has a lot of pitches and seems like someone who could hang in the middle to back end of a starting rotation.  His fastball sits around 90-92 but he also has a change up, a slider, and a cutter in his arsenal now.

His ceiling appears to be anybody's guess. I've heard him compared to John Lackey. The few times I've seen him in the minors have been a mixed bag. I saw him have a really great start, a really bad one, and a decent one. What stood out in the bad one was I recall he was able to shake off a bad inning where he got shelled and kept getting outs. 

It's always exciting to see a major league debut. Pettibone figures to be one that is a bit more high profile to those who follow the farm system. Baseball America and Fangraphs have him as the number 4 prospect in the system. Baseball Prospectus has him at number 8. My feelings are it may be a tad early for him. He's had a brutal start in Lehigh Valley this season. However, the need has come and we get to see what he's got against Pittsburgh tonight.

Lannan Looking To Avoid Sweep

 

Well that was fast and also quite predictable. Yet, another game is on tap.

John Lannan looks to build on his rather impressive start to the season against Mike Leake, who comes into tonight's contest with a 6.75 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in two starts. Just the right guy to throw 7 innings of shut out ball against the Phils tonight.

The home squad has been lifeless offensively lately and I saw no signs last night of things getting any better.  The at bats reflect virtually a whole team that's pressing. Five years ago, they would have demolished Homer Bailey. Last night, he looked like Tom Seaver. Strange game. Hats off to Kendrick though who threw a fine game last night himself. He deserved better.

Lannan enters the game with a 2.77 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 7 Ks, BB. He's been effective so far and pretty much as advertised. He has a lot to prove this season as he was kind of screwed over last season. It was easy for us Phillies fans to kind of sneer at this move because they handled him well but he's a decent pitcher.

I don't know about this one though. It just feels like a loss is coming. Lifeless game last night comes to a miserable and fast end today. I can't imagine them coming out blazing tonight. Here's hoping I'm wrong.

Here are the line ups:

REDS

1. Derrick Robinson 8

2. Zack Cozart 6

3. Joey Votto 3

4. Brandon Phillips 4

5. Jay Bruce 9

6. Todd Frazier 5

7. Chris Heisey 7

8. Devin Mesoraco 2

9 Mike Leake 1

 

PHILLIES

1. Ben Revere 8

2. Jimmy Rollins 6

3.  Chase Utley 4

4. Ryan Howard 3

5.  Michael Young 5

6.  Domonic Brown 7

7.  John Mayberry Jr. 9

8.  Erik Kratz 2

9.  John Lannan 1

Checking In On Some Former Phillies

With lots of Phillies turnover the last few seasons, many of our old friends have moved on to new teams and fans still love them.  Others we still hate.  Some in between.  But this is just a quick look at how our former players are doing with their new teams.

Shane Victorino - Boston Red Sox
Boston signed Victorino probably to play center field next season after Jacoby Ellsbury leaves as a free agent.   Victorino is playing right field for the Red Sox, but not hitting  like a right fielder.  He is, however, getting on base.   So far in seven games Victorino is hitting .345 and getting on base to a .409 clip.  He has driven in four runs thus far, but has only recorded one extra-base hit. 

Raul Ibañez - Seattle Mariners
Some of us thought he would be helpful on the Phillies this season.   In the early going in Seattle, Ibañez has played in four of Seattle's seven games.  He started three times and came in mid-game last night against the Houston Astros.   While Ibañez started out one for his first 11, he went had two hits in two at bats in last night's contest.   One of those hits was a home run that drove in two runs.

Josh Lindblom - AAA Round Rock Express
Josh Lindblom (along with Lisalverto Bonilla) landed the Phillies Michael Young this offseason.   While Young is hitting .345 for the Phillies, Lindblom had such an awful Spring Training that the Texas Rangers sent him to the minors.  An added storyline: Lindblom is being converted to a starter while he is down there.  Lindblom wants to start, this Dallans News blog says, so now he will get a chance.

Nate Schierholtz - Chicago Cubs
I pretty much expected the Phillies to non-tender Schierholtz from the moment they agreed to take the unhappy Schierholtz off of the San Francisco Giants' hands, but some were upset when he was let go feeling that he would be a valuable part of a plattoon.  So far, he has bested the Phillies' Laynce Nix.   Starting six of the first seven games for the Cubs, Schierholtz is hitting .304 with one home run, three doubles, and four RBI.  He has walked twice and has stolen a base facing both right-handers and left-handers.

Hunter Pence - San Francisco Giants
Pence may have been the biggest thing in Philadelphia to die out almost before it began.  Pence is off to an effective start for the Giants, hitting .300 with three home runs and seven RBI.  His defense has been a little suspect.  While we watch the Phillies non-platoon platooon struggle at times in right field, some fans wish the Phillies had held on to Pence.  By the way, the catching prospect the Phillies traded Pence for is having trouble catching the ball.

Miami Marlins Juan Pierre, Placido Polanco, and Greg Dobbs
The Marlins are bad, in case you were unaware.  Three former Phillies are starting for them.   Juan Pierre is the Marlins leadoff hitter.  He has started every game and is hitting just .226.  Placido Polanco has served as the Marlins' cleanup hitter most days of the season and is hitting a respectable .310.  But without Pierre getting on base he is not cleaning up much of anything.  Polanco has yet to walk and has one extra-base hit.   It took Marlins manager Mike Redmond one Casey Kotchman start to make Dobbs the starting first baseman.  He has started all six games after Opening Day.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Joe Blanton and Ryan Madson
Joe Blanton has only started once but has been the Joe Blanton Phillies fans remember so well.  Blanton went five innings and gave up four earned runs.   Blanton gave up three home runs to the Reds, as the Angels would go on to lose 5-4.   Ryan Madson has yet to throw a pitch.  As recently as four days ago Madson felt pain while throwing, so there is no clear timetable for his return.

Some Other Notes:

• Aaron Cook signed with the Colorado Rockies, but yet is on their AAA squad in Colorado Springs.
• Rodrigo Lopez has not signed with anyone as of yet.
• Yuniesky Betancourt has been playing first base for the Brewers while hitting .250. 

Former Phillies Starter Roy Oswalt Seeking Out A Contender

Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani

Roy Oswalt's agent told MLB Trade Rumors that he is working out and wishes to sign with a contender preferably to start or as a reliever.  He wasn't all that great for Texas last season. He made 9 starts in 17 games pitching 59 innings to 5.80 ERA. His strike out/walk ratio was still pretty good which makes one wonder if the 35 year old still has some upside.

I'd keep my eye on Oswalt as Halladay pitches in a minor league game on Saturday. I'd be shocked if the Phillies brass weren't seeking someone like Oswalt as insurance in the event Halladay throws batting pracitce or has less than stellar stuff on Saturday. Or just as insurance to a rotation that is currently being backed up by Aaron Cook and Rodrigo Lopez, who should strictly be there for emergencies.

There's a movement which I myself am a part of to bring Lohse in but I find myself wondering if maybe Oswalt is the more economically sound idea. Plus he's not tied to any draft pick compensation. Amaro is known for making big splashes. Oswalt isn't the splash he was at the '10 trade deadline but he could still help the ball club.

Defensively Flawed Phillies Fall to Yankees 6-2

Prime time Spring Training exhibition found the Phillies playing one of the sloppiest games I've seen form a defense that already has it's fair share of question marks. They managed to commit five errors as a whole, two in the same at bat.  Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and the Yankees pen kept the Phillies crossing home plate to a minimum.

Cliff Lee got smacked around pretty good in this one. He was the victim of some sloppy play but he himself had a throwing error. Only two of the five runs he allowed in the 2.2 innings he pitched were earned. The first pair coming from the bat of former Phillie, Ben Francisco in his debut for New York. Though Lee would continue to struggle with command and a lot of his strikes got hit. Typical spring training stinker.

Andy Pettitte threw three innings of one run ball. Him and Mariano Rivera seem like two guys who could pitch forever if they wanted to. Especially Rivera who threw a perfect 5th inning in what will be his final Spring. It's quite a renaissance team the Yankees are rolling out there in 2013 between those two, Jeter, Youkilis, and Suzuki. I don't think it's the incoming disaster that many think it will be but I wouldn't pencil them in for the AL East either. 

The Phillies were hitting pretty light today. Lots of scattered singles, including one which drove in an early run from Domonic Brown. Darin Ruf would homer in the 6th off David Aardsma but it was a quiet day offensively for the club. John Mayberry had the only multi-hit game with a pair of singles.

The highlight of the game for me was Michael Stutes who  threw two shut out innings, allowing a walk, a hit, and striking out two. He looked more in control than I'd seen from him in a while. Health concerns and limited openings mean he really has to earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He made a nice case tonight, as did Justin De Fratus who threw a perfect 7th. Chad Durbin pitched a clean 8th.

Aside from some good relief work, not much positive to report from this one. I found myself getting more of a kick watching some of the grizzled veterans on the Yankees. Five years ago, this team would be a World Series lock with some of the names on it but I wouldn't count them out yet. The same can be said for the Phillies who are back in Clearwater tomorrow for a 1:05 start against Pittsburgh. Sinkerballer Aaron Cook is on the mound vs. Kyle McPherson, a nice middle of the rotation arm for Pittsburgh.