So, after adding Scott Eyre to their bullpen yesterday (more on him later), the Phils admitted they may have to subtract Tom Gordon.Gordon left his rehab start Wednesday night at single-A Clearwater, complaining of right elbow discomfort. (He has been on the disabled list since July 6 with an elbow injury). He traveled here yesterday to be checked out by team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti, and although the Phils were awaiting results, assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said, "We're not optimistic that we're going to have him anytime soon."
It's possible, perhaps likely, that Gordon won't return this season, leaving the Phils with Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson from the right side and J.C. Romero and Eyre from the left side to set up Brad Lidge.
Are you confident in that bullpen?
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Great stat from Martin Frank's game story: The Phillies are second in the NL with 563 runs. But they have scored three runs or fewer in 39.5 percent of their games, going 9-36. Nobody knows more about that offensive inconsistency than Cole Hamels, who lost again yesterday despite giving up only four hits in yesterday's 3-0 loss to the Marlins.
Another good stat: The Phillies are 9-16 against the Marlins and Mets. Don't tell that to Jimmy Rollins, though. "We just have to have a better record after 162 games," he said, somewhat incredulously. "It doesn't matter who you're playing. The best record is going to get you to the playoffs, regardless of who you beat."
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Another injury update: Pedro Feliz (bulging disk in lower back) has resumed some baseball activities, but he won't accompany the Phils to LA and San Diego next week. Instead, he likely will go on a minor-league rehab assignment with the hopes of returning by Aug. 19.
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Here's your preview for the Pirates series that opens tonight:
PIRATES (52-62) at PHILLIES (62-52)
Tonight, 7:05: LHP Paul Maholm (7-7, 3.95) vs. RHP Joe Blanton (1-0, 4.80)
Saturday, 7:05: RHP Ian Snell (4-8, 6.14) vs. RHP Brett Myers (4-9, 5.34)
Sunday, 1:35: RHP Jason Davis (1-1, 2.57) vs. LHP Jamie Moyer (10-7, 3.78)
Hot: Pirates INF Freddy Sanchez is 21-for-46 in his last 11 starts; Pirates 1B Doug Mientkiewicz has seven hits in his last 12 at-bats; Phillies 2B Chase Utley has a 12-game hitting streak (15-for-44, .341); Phillies CF Shane Victorino has eight home runs in his last 20 games.
Not: Pirates 3B Andy LaRoche is 2-for-16 since being acquired from the Dodgers in the Manny Ramirez trade last week; Pirates SS Jack Wilson has one hit in his last 18 at-bats; Phillies 1B Ryan Howard leads major-league first basemen with 14 errors, four shy of Dick Allen's single-season club record for a first baseman; Phillies LF Pat Burrell has two hits in his last 17 at-bats.
2 comments:
Although Jimmy Rollins' comments are a bit unpalatable, he is correct. The best record in the NL East gets in. Albeit, the task of achieving the best record is harder if you can't beat the teams that are chasing you. So the Phils really have to beat up on everyone else in the remaining 58 games (or so). They have eight games left against the Dodgers and four games against the Cubbies left to play. These are the key series to watch. The Phils beat the Cubbies 2 games to 1 earlier this season, and have not yet faced the Dodgers this season. (The Phils lost 2 out of 3 games against the Dodgers last year).
Personally, I hope the Phils drink some of that September Kool-Aide from last year and go on an offensive explosion. If they take care of the Fish and the Mets the rest of the season, they will control their own destiny.
"Not Optimistic" is what I thought every time Gordon pitched in the last 3 years.
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