Philliedelphia

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.

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.

Frandsen Sends Phillies to 4-3 Walk-Off Victory with Bases-Clearing Double

John Lannan made his Phillies debut tonight at Citizens Bank Park against the Kansas City Royals. In game two of this series, Lannan looked sharp while the Phillies lineup seemed to be up to a whole lot of nothing.

Through the first four innings of this game, John Lannan was perfect. Luis Mendoza was nearly perfect, he gave up just one hit through four, a single to Michael Young in the second inning. 

In the fifth, the Royals put up two runs. Lorenzo Cain scored on a groundout from Miguel Tejada, then Elliot Johnson singled to bring home Jeff Francoeur.

In the bottom of the inning, the Phils cut the Royals' lead in half after Ben Revere singled to bring home John Mayberry from second.

Tejada brought home another run in the top of the seventh after he doubled to plate Francoeur. After seven, Lannan's night was done. His line: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K.

Mike Adams came in for the eighth inning and allowed one hit and struck out one. Through eight, the Phillies had collected just two hits. 

Greg Holland came in for the Royals to close it out, and walked Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Michael Young to start the inning. Domonic Brown and John Mayberry struck out to follow, leaving it to Kevin Frandsen.

With one, swift swing, Frandsen lined one to right-center, splitting the gap and clearing the bases with a walk-off double. Phillies win this one, 4-3. 

Tomorrow, this series will wrap up with Cole Hamels and James Shields squaring off at 1:35.

Watch the walkoff on the Phillies website.

Former-Phillie Vance Worley Named Twins' Opening Day Starter

So...the Phillies traded away an ace?

Well, the Minnesota Twins have officially named right-hander Vance Worley as their Opening Day starter this afternoon. Despite Worley having a 6.35 ERA (12 ER in 17 IP) in five starts, the Twins still see Worley the best choice for their rotation (I'll have what they're having, please).

Worley, who began his career with the Phillies, was traded to Minnesota along with RHP Trevor May in return for CF Ben Revere on December 6th.

Worley had a poor 2012 season after being plagued with bone chips in his throwing elbow. He finished the season on the DL after posting a 6-9 record and a 4.20 ERA in 23 starts.  Worley shined in his rookie year (2011), attaining an 11-3 record with a 3.01 ERA. The Phillies won 14 straight games started by Worley, despite Worley not receiving a decision every time. 

The Twins will open up the 2013 season at home against the Detroit Tigers on Monday. Worley will go toe-to-toe with Tigers ace Justin Verlander and will most likely be the Twins' number one guy in the rotation. 

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.

Roy Halladay Scheduled to Throw Off Of A Mound For the First Time This Offseason

(Photo: Todd Zolecki/2012)

It's been nearly five whole months since we've heard any news about the Good Doctor. No heroic tales from the Amazon, nor any updates on his health. Today, however, there is some good news about the Phillies ace.

According to CSN's Jim Salisbury, Roy Halladay will throw from a mound (weather permitting) for the first time this offseason in Florida. Halladay had an injury-ridden 2012, one of his career-worst seasons. He went 11-8 with a 4.49 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP despite missing significant time (May 29- July 17) with a shoulder strain which was later diagnosed to be a strained latissimus dorsi (strained lat muscle). 2012 was the first season since 2004 that Halladay had not been voted as an All-Star or been a candidate for the Cy Young Award.

I personally think that the Phillies rushed Halladay back to the mound last season, but you can't blame the team completely because Doc is a tank and he can be stubborn. Hopefully a five month rest on his arm, lat muscles, and his body altogether will be enough recuperating time for Halladay to stay healthy throughout 2012 and pitch to perfection like he has in the past.

Also in today's news, Kyle Kendrick is set to pitch off of a mound today as well. Kendrick is most likely going to be the Phillies' fourth man in the rotation (John Lannan will most likely be the fifth man) after going 11-12 with a 3.90 ERA in 2012, one of the best records for a fifth spot starter last year.

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI

Chase Utley is Doing "Very, Very Well"

Photo: Philliedelphia/Kevin Durso.

It's somewhat of a busy day for the Phillies. Earlier this morning they signed RHPs Aaron Cook and Juan Cruz to minor league deals and now there is a little more light being shed on second baseman Chase Utley's progress.

In a report by CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury, Chase Utley is improving as the days until Spring Training dwindle down. Salisbury spoke to Phils' GM Ruben Amaro Jr., who shared some positive news regarding the eight-time All-star second baseman. 

“Chase is doing very, very well,” Amaro said Wednesday. “Scott has been with him the last couple of days and he says Chase looks great and is feeling great. We hope it continues.”

According to Salisbury's report, Utley is doing baseball activities five times a week with Phils trainer Scott Sheridan.

Utley has missed nearly a whole season's worth of baseball over the past two years due to knee cartilage issues. Having appeared in only 83 games last season, it's very important for Utley to remain on track while staying healthy at the same time. The Phillies play their first Grapefruit League game on February 23 against the Houston Astros. Utley has not played in a spring taining game since 2010.

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.

 

Phillies Claim LHP Mauricio Robles Off Waivers From Seattle

The Phillies continue to make small moves this offseason. Today they claimed LHP Mauricio Robles off of waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Robles, 23, has not seen any time in the big leagues, but has accumulated five years in the minors while splitting time between the Detroit Tigers' system and the Mariners' system. 

Last season, Robles split time between AA and AAA ball in the Mariners' organization, posting a 2-2 record in AA-Jackson and a 0-3 record in AAA-Tacoma. Robles posted a 2-5 record and a 5.88 ERA all together.

The Mariners designated Robles for assignment last Saturday and today the Phillies picked him up. Is Robles just going to be another pick-up-and-keep-in-the-minors signing, or are the Phillies going to cure Robles into a big league pitcher?

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.

Report: Phillies and B.J. Upton Met Earlier This Week

 

B.J. Upton is one of the hottest free-agents on the market this winter and it seem's like he is wanted everywhere.

There have been rumors that Upton, 28, has been going around the east coast visiting with National League teams. Yesterday, Upton met with the Braves. But according to a report by Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Upton and the Phillies met earlier this week. To follow up on Ken Rosenthal's report, CSN's Jim Salisbury tweeted today that "Charlie Manuel visited with B.J. Upton at a recent golf event."

The Phillies are in the market for an outfielder and have been rumored to be heavily interested in OF Josh Hamilton. If Hamilton is swept up by an0ther team's offer, the Phillies could fall back on Upton or even Michael Bourn.

Although the Phillies have a number of options in the outfield this offseason, it seems like the Phillies are going to be aggressive in an attempt to come back from their detrimental 2012 season.

 

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.

Jimmy Rollins Foundation Hosts "A Night in Paris"; Ruben Amaro Jr., David Montgomery Talk Phillies

 

Check out this video from La Salle University's David Grzybowski, covering the Jimmy Rollins Foundation event "A Night in Paris".   David does great work on La Salle television - Channel 56 on Comcast in Philadelphia - and for La Salle University's Collegian Newspaper.   Here he gets to interview Jimmy and Johari Rollins, David Montgomery, and Ruben Amaro, Jr.

The event was held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia Monday night from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.   The event was co-sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse PA and included food, live jazz, and a silent auction to raise funds.  Tickets cost $300.00 and sponsorships ranged from $5000 - $25,000.   It is unclear just yet how much was raised; what is clear was Rollins' sincere commitment to the community.

Cole Hamels, Carlos Ruiz Named Finalists for GIBBYs; Vote for Your Phillies

Although no Phillie was named a finalist for the BBWAA annual awards, two of our own have been nominated for the less-glorified GIBBY Awards. GIBBY (Greatness In Baseball Yearly Awards) have been handed out to players who achieve great play throughout the season since 2002. Formerly known as the "This Year in Baseball Awards", these awards are the MLB's annual awards.

Cole Hamels and Carlos Ruiz have been named finalists for the MLB MVP Starting Pitcher and MLB MVP Breakout Hitter, respectively. Hamels, who finished the year with a career-high in wins (17), is among the best pitchers of the game, as well as three finalists for the NL Cy Young Award. Hamels went 17-6 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP this season. The lefty, who also signed a six-year extension with the Phillies in July, racked up a career-high 216 Ks.

Carlos Ruiz, who had an outstanding first half before becoming injured, is among seven other hitters who are well-deserved of the honor as well. Chooch batted .325 with a career-high 16 HR, and a career-high 68 RBIs. Along with his breakout numbers, Ruiz had a .935 OPS and did his part on the field with a .994 Fld%. If it weren't for his injury-shortened season, Ruiz could have easily been in the race for the NL MVP award. Chooch was named this year's Phillies' MVP by the Philadelphia writers.

It sucks that the Phillies had a bad year, but on top of that it also sucks that even the one's who shined still get stiffed by the BBWAA. You can give our guys an award, however.

Go to MLB.com and vote for Cole Hamels and Carlos Ruiz for this year's GIBBYs.

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.