CLEVELAND -- Charlie Manuel told anyone who asked -- and believe me, everyone asked -- that a three-game series in Cleveland was no different for him than a three-game series anywhere else. Manuel wants the Phillies to win every series, not just the ones played in a city where he was a hitting coach and manager for nearly 10 years.Of course, that's true.
But last night, after the Phillies' 10-6 loss in the rubber game against the Indians, Manuel was as disgusted as I've seen him in two years of covering the team. The Phils have dropped back-to-back series for the first time since April, losing two of three to the Tigers and Indians, two of the best teams in the American League. "We definitely can play with them," Manuel said. "If we fill our holes, we definitely ... whatever."
A not-so-veiled challenge to Pat Gillick to get the bullpen help the Phillies desperately need? Draw your own conclusions.
* Jon Lieber's right ankle wasn't wrapped last night, and the injury that forced him from the game in the sixth inning wasn't deemed serious enough to derail his plans to go to Alabama today to visit his family. Lieber also doesn't think he'll have to miss a start, especially since off-days today and Monday will allow him to get some extra rest. The Phils won't need him until June 29. Regardless, Kyle Kendrick will make his next start, and he should. The kid has been good.
* Didn't make it into the 50-cent edition: Carlos Carrasco, the Phillies' 2006 minor-league pitcher of the year, was promoted to double-A Reading. Carrasco, 20, was 6-2 with a 2.84 ERA at single-A Clearwater. Zack Segovia, 24, who opened the season with the Phils and made his major-league debut April 8 in Florida, was a train wreck at triple-A Ottawa and got demoted to double-A Reading. Segovia was 1-9 with a 6.09 ERA in 13 starts for Ottawa.
* Lost in the lopsided late-inning margin were two scoreless innings for Geoff Geary. Maybe the lack of goatee really worked. Then again, maybe he just pitched better.
* Four Milwaukee Brewers appeared as themselves on a soap opera yesterday. They probably shouldn't quit their day jobs. Although, you have to like J.J. Hardy's line -- "She can warm up with me any day." Now that's good acting.
Heading to St. Louis later today. More after I get there.
3 comments:
there's nothing for us to trade to get relief help. we're effed in that department.
I tend to agree with Jamie... Not only do the Phils have nothing to trade that wouldn't create another problem somewhere else, but other teams now how bad the Phils' needs are, so they are going to demand an even higher price.
Bottom line: Myers and Gordon have to get back healthy and quick.
we have guys in the low minors, and 1 or 2 guys higher up that we could trade, but if we do that we'd be completely barren for the next 2 years.
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