Cole Hamels wants to pitch a perfect game every year. Freddy Garcia wants to pitch into the seventh inning.Hey, everyone has goals.
Garcia, the Phillies' prized off-season addition, wasn't happy when Charlie Manuel pulled him from yesterday's game with two outs in the sixth inning. Never mind that he'd thrown 114 pitches and walked a tightrope for most of the afternoon by getting into and out of jams in the fourth and fifth innings. Garcia wanted to be the guy to get Tony Graffanino to ground into a bases-loaded, inning-ending fielder's choice. Keep Geoff Geary in the bullpen, he told Manuel, a request he believes he has earned the right to make.
"I've been around a long time," Garcia said. "When I'm in trouble, let me do my thing. Have that confidence in me that I can get myself out of a situation. It's all about confidence. They're not confident in me. I was feeling fine, and they took me out. I get in trouble, but I'm good at getting out of trouble, too. That's why I've won a lot of games."
It's hard to see what Garcia has done for the Phillies to inspire much confidence. Sure, he's had rotten luck. After being remarkably durable for eight seasons, he suffered a right biceps strain in spring training that delayed his debut until April 17. And, honestly, when have you ever seen a pitcher run into a grounds crew cart during batting practice and gash his shin? Garcia had a better chance of being struck by lightning than having that cart parked on the warning track.
But he also hasn't gotten out of the sixth inning in seven starts, uncharacteristic for a notorious innings-eater like Garcia. His fastball, consistently in the mid-90s a few years ago, barely reaches 90 mph now. And instead of making quick work of hitters, he throws too many pitches early in the count. Catcher Rod Barajas made the valid point that Garcia only allowed two runs in six innings yesterday, both on solo homers by Gabe Gross. "If he can do that every game, you'd take it," Barajas said.
That would be true, if the Phillies' bullpen consisted of more than Brett Myers, Geary and a lot of holding your breath in the seventh and eighth innings. The Phillies traded for Garcia to be the workhorse that he's always been with the Mariners and White Sox. So far, he hasn't come close to that reputation.
* Matt In Philadelphia asks when Michael Bourn will get a start in the outfield. Matt, I've been wondering the same thing. Manuel said recently that he needs to find situations to get Bourn more playing time. Yesterday seemed ideal. But it's hard to sit Pat Burrell or Aaron Rowand when the Phillies have to make up so much ground on the Mets and Braves. And when Shane Victorino gets a rest, Jayson Werth has to get at-bats. Also, Bourn has great value as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement. Manuel's idea is to get as big a lead as possible with Burrell, then add to it and safeguard it with Bourn.
But, before long, the Phillies need to find out if Bourn can be their starting center fielder next year. Otherwise, they better start negotiating with Rowand, a free agent after the season.
* Rough week for the Brewers' Delaware connection. Kevin Mench, a Newark native, went 0-for-8 against the Phillies. Graffanino, a Hockessin resident, went 1-for-9 with a walk.
* Don't forget to keep weighing in on the issue below. Are the Phillies overusing Brett Myers?
1 comment:
Freddy isn't happy??? What is up with some of these guys? In the beginning of the season Jon Lieber had a silent hissy fit about going to the pen. Then a few weeks back Shane Victorino was moping around the clubhouse when Charlie pulled him for 2 games in a row in Atlanta. What have these guys ever done to prove they are worthy of what they want/think they deserve? If Freddy wants Charlie's confidence, go out and earn by pitching past the 7th.
Scott makes all the right points about Garcia. He hasn't gotten past the 7th. He has not been able to keep his pitch count down. As was widely reported in the offseason, he's lost several mph off his heater. Charlie had no option yesterday with Freddy up at 114.
Garcia has been brutal, overall, particularly relative to expectations and his reputation. If I could turn back time and play GM for a day, I'd take back Gio Gonzalez and even Gavin Floyd and save Freddy's 10 mil salary. That move has not paid any dividends at all thus far.
If Freddy wants Charlie's confidence, go out and pitch like Hamels or Moyer. He has struggled greatly thus far and I just don't know where he gets off with this attitude.
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