NEW YORK -- So, have you ever taken your seat at a Broadway show and found out that the lead actor, a big-name star, was being replaced by an understudy?Bummer, right?
Well, that's essentially what happened here tonight. Jimmy Rollins, whose sprained left ankle felt no better today than after yesterday's game, was scratched from the lineup before batting practice in favor of Eric Bruntlett. And like the understudy who forgets his lines, Bruntlett made two costly errors in a six-run third inning in which the Phillies looked more like the Bad News Bears.
At least Bruntlett is a stand-up guy. After the game, he said, "First start for a new team, it's not the impression you want to make. It was a big spot. That's the ball game right there. But you just have to try to relax and be ready for the next play. You don't want two to turn into three."
X-rays on Rollins' ankle were negative. Nothing against Bruntlett, but I'll bet Rollins plays tomorrow night.
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Kyle Kendrick walked six batters tonight. Alarming? Yeah, I'd say so. Kendrick is a contact pitcher. Always has been, always will be. And after the game, he said he's trying to make perfect pitches on the corners to fool hitters. Not sure why he'd do that. He won 10 games last season by getting ground-ball outs.
"They only had four hits [against him], but with six walks, it was like they had 10 hits," Kendrick said. "That's not me. I'm a contact pitcher. I'm trying to make better pitches, and I'm nibbling. I'll learn from it and be better the next time."
The Phillies are counting on it.
Talk to you tomorrow. Meantime, ponder this: What are your expectations for Kendrick this season? How many wins, what ERA, do you think he needs to have for the Phillies to have success?
4 comments:
I don't know what his ERA or win total will be but I do think the kid will use this as a learning experience. I would guess that his next start is better, hopefully much better.
an interesting calculation: Ryan Howard is on pace to strikeout 234 times this season. Utley, however, is on pace to strikeout only 18 times and also have 54 HRs...
Of course these calculations mean nothing. just interesting...
Not interesting, just inane.
kendrick got NO help from the umpire last night, either, though. he really was hitting the corners a lot but the ump just wasn't seeing it.
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