You didn't really think Freddy Garcia would let a grounds-crew maintenance cart prevent him from starting tonight, did you?Well, for a moment yesterday, it didn't look good. Garcia ran into a cart on the warning track while tracking a batting-practice fly ball hit by Ryan Howard, skinning and bruising his left shin. "Ouch" doesn't even begin to describe it. But Garcia said last night in San Francisco that he'd probably be able to pitch, and sure enough, he arrived in Arizona today and told Charlie Manuel that he could go.
Really, there never should've been any doubt.
Garcia hasn't missed many starts -- only four since 2000 -- in his career. And although he hasn't pitched well this season (1-2, 6.05 ERA), his track record suggests he'll get better. Even when he's not going well, he's a better alternative than Adam Eaton on short rest or Clay Condrey, Francisco Rosario or anyone else in the bullpen. By the way, in his only other career start at Chase Field on July 18, 2000, Garcia allowed one run in seven innings.
3 comments:
Why, why, why didn't Charlie keep Garcia in the game and have him bunt, instead of lifting him for a PH after just 70 pitches?
GV
Good question, GV. Trailing 2-1 in the seventh inning with nobody out, Charlie almost had no choice but to pinch-hit for Garcia. Trust me, he wanted to leave Freddy in the game. He knows how bad his bullpen is. But with Rollins and Victorino coming up next, you're looking at a potentially big inning. Werth drew a walk, putting the go-ahead run on base, which was exactly what the Phillies wanted to do.
Hey Scott...great job on the blogs as usual. I have a question and you probably know Garcia fairly well. Is his personality really laid back? Because during the games it seems as if he just does not care and I do not know whether that is the truth or whether he just has a laid back personailty. Thanks.
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