So, did anyone think to check if the moon was blue last night?Adam Eaton, winless in 10 starts and with one victory in 20 starts dating to last year, actually earned a win over the depleted Rockies. He pitched well, too, allowing one run on four hits in six innings and lowering his ERA to 4.99. That's back-to-back quality starts for Eaton, who gave up three runs in seven innings last Friday night in Houston in a performance that Charlie Manuel said was "the best I've seen him pitch."
Until last night, that is.
OK, let's be honest: the Rockies aren't exactly formidable right now. Not with Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe on the disabled list. But Eaton still held Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins and the rag-tag Rox to four singles, only the fifth time in 41 starts for the Phillies that he didn't yield an extra-base hit.
"I was nervous, to be honest with you," Eaton said after the game. "It was a weird feeling. I've got quite a few wins under my belt, pitched with leads before, but it was definitely nice to get that one [win] out of the way. I mean, it's the last week in May."
So, what do we make of this? Eaton has had a see-saw 2008. He opened the season with three straight quality starts (but no victories) against the Reds, Mets and Astros. In his next six starts, he allowed four or more runs three times, didn't get out of the sixth inning and posted a 6.59 ERA. But in his last two starts, against the Astros and Rockies, he has allowed four runs in 13 innings for a 2.77 ERA, arguably his best back-to-back outings since he signed that infamous three-year, $24.5 million contract before last season.
I may be wrong, but I don't think Eaton is too concerned with the specter of rehabbing Kris Benson, who is slated to make his first minor-league start Sunday for Class A Clearwater. In the two seasons I have known Eaton, I've rarely thought he lacks for self-confidence. But if he keeps pitching like this (still a ginormous "if"), there won't be any doubting his job security.
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We'll get into this more in a bit, but in The Paper, Martin Frank offers a good primer on the Florida Marlins, whose on-field formula for winning resembles the Phillies'. That $22 million payroll? That's a different story.
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Pat Burrell had an amusing explanation for the stiff neck that kept him out of the lineup Tuesday night: "I blame the dog," he said. "He had the pillow." Burrell has a 115-pound English bulldog named Elvis.
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Finally, I was asked this question on a radio show this morning, and I'd like to pose it to you: If you had to start a team tomorrow, which player (non-pitcher) would you pick first?
Just something to ponder on the Phillies' off-day.
4 comments:
Chase. Awesome player who also plays the game the way it should be played.
I agree completely... In addition to what's been said, he doesn't seem to be prone to drama - on the field, or off - and if I were starting a team in today's world, that would be important to me, too.
I third the nomination. Chase Utley, hands down. He's a bright guy, an incredible work ethic, and a class act. Oh, and he has the potential to be the best hitting 2B to ever put on a uniform.
Also, Scott, you mentioned that Eaton is not short on self-confidence. Actually, I was just thinking recently that whatever Eaton is doing to stay loose might be worth taking a look into. Because, geez, if I was screwing up at my job and had a huge paycheck and expectations that come with it, I would be a headcase! How is he staying loose?
I love Chase, but he'd be my 2nd pick.
First would be Albert Pujols.
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