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BY SCOTT LAUBERA few days ago in this space, we told you about all the progress that Kris Benson has been making at triple-A Lehigh Valley.
So, naturally, Benson got rocked in his very next start.Facing the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees today, he permitted five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and three walks in only 5-1/3 innings. It marked the first time since July 9 that Benson didn't last at least six innings. In three of his previous four starts, he had even completed the seventh. But Benson figures to get at least two, possibly three, more starts before the minor-league season ends. And if he continues to pitch well, I think he'll join the Phillies in September. Last week, Benson told me that he doesn't think he can be a reliever because he takes too long to get loose. He also said that he's afraid he missed his chance to break into the Phils' rotation this season. When Brett Myers was in the minors last month, Benson still hadn't put together enough starts in his rehab from March 2007 shoulder surgery to warrant consideration for a call-up. But if Benson and/or J.A. Happ finish strong at Lehigh Valley, they could give Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee another option if struggling Kyle Kendrick doesn't straighten himself out. Kendrick is 2-4 with a 6.90 ERA in his last six starts, 10-7 with a 5.01 ERA in 25 starts overall.What do you think? Should the Phillies be considering a replacement for Kendrick down the stretch?
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Jamie Moyer continued to refuse to act his age (more on him below). Pat Burrell interrupted a 2-for-30 slump with a solo home run. And the Phillies broke a four-game losing streak with a 1-0 victory over the Padres, who have perhaps the one offense that's colder than the Phillies'.But the most encouraging scene tonight was this one.Brad Lidge, hampered recently by shoulder tendinitis, pitched a spotless ninth inning to earn his 29th save in as many chances. It was Lidge's first appearance since last Friday night at the Bank, and he was razor sharp. He threw 11 pitches (nine strikes), and after Kevin Kouzmanoff lined to center, he struck out Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley.***With seven shutout innings, The Amazing Moyer extended his streak of starts allowing three runs or less to 13. Moyer moved into 53rd place on the all-time list with his 241st career victory. He got his team-leading 11th win and lowered his ERA to 3.64, 16th-best in the NL. The pitchers with better ERAs than the 45-year-old Moyer: Jake Peavy (2.61), Tim Lincecum (2.67), Brandon Webb (2.85), Edinson Volquez (2.86), Johan Santana (2.89), Ryan Dempster (2.92), Dan Haren (2.96), Ben Sheets (3.00), Chad Billingsley (3.11), Jair Jurrjens (3.15), Tim Hudson (3.17), Cole Hamels (3.32), Carlos Zambrano (3.38), John Lannan (3.40) and Matt Cain (3.57).Moyer repeatedly has said he intends to pitch again next season. But he'll be a free agent. The Phillies must begin considering negotiations to bring him back, don't you think?
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Anthony Reyes had allowed five runs on nine hits against the Phillies last June 22, lowering his record to 0-9 and hiking his ERA to 6.64. But as he trudged away from the mound that night at Busch Stadium, a ticket to the minor leagues awaiting the following week, a sellout crowd of red-clad Cardinals fans gave him a standing ovation.That's the kind of unconditional support Jimmy Rollins wants.As expected, Rollins phoned the "Best Damn Sports Show Period" yesterday to explain, but not to retract, his controversial comments Wednesday about Philly-area sports fans. (To listen to Rollins' full comments, click the link on the post below). He admitted that he chose his words poorly. Philly fans aren't "front-runners." To be a front-runner, you must root for teams that win, and as you know, neither the Phillies, Eagles, Sixers nor Flyers have won a championship since 1983. Rollins doesn't question your passion or loyalty. But he doesn't know why y'all booed Eric Bruntlett after only one start in April just because he made a pair of errors against the Mets. He couldn't understand why Tom Gordon took so much abuse from fans after one bad opening-day appearance. Sure, Rollins knows the history. He understands the frustration of long-suffering fans. But he doesn't really care that the Phillies have been to the playoffs once since 1993, or that they've won only one World Series in 125 years. To Rollins, none of that should matter when you're cheering on the 2008 Phillies.And, with the Phils in a race to win their second straight division title, Rollins believes it's your job, as a fan, to offer positive reinforcement.Agree? Disagree? Let's hear from you. ***The Phillies mustered two hits (two hits!) last night and were swept in a four-game series at Dodger Stadium for the first time since July 2-4, 1962. They also slipped into second place, a game behind the Mets. And they found out that Greg Dobbs (left quad strain) is banged up, just like Shane Victorino (lower back stiffness).***Want a positive? Try Brett Myers. He allowed three runs in seven innings, struck out eight, and most impressive, didn't throw a tantrum when Charlie Manuel took him out of the game. In his last four starts against the Nats, Cards, Pirates and Dodgers, Myers is 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA. In five starts since his return from the minors, he has a 2.48 ERA and has allowed 20 hits in 32-2/3 innings.***Here's a preview of the weekend series at San Diego, home of Ron Burgundy:PHILLIES (64-57) at PADRES (47-74)Tonight, 10:05: LHP Jamie Moyer (10-7, 3.81) vs. RHP Greg Maddux (6-8, 4.12)Saturday, 10:05: RHP Kyle Kendrick (10-7, 4.74) vs. RHP Chris Young (4-4, 4.74)Sunday, 8:05: LHP Cole Hamels (9-8, 3.32) vs. RHP Cha Seung Baek (4-6, 5.12)Hot: Moyer has allowed three runs or fewer in 12 consecutive starts, the longest such streak since by a Phillies pitcher since Milford’s Chris Short had 23 in a row in 1967; Phillies 2B Chase Utley has six hits in his last 17 at-bats; Padres LF Chase Headley is 13-for-30 during his nine-game hitting streak; Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez leads the team with 28 homers and 89 RBIs.Not: Phillies 1B Ryan Howard has one hit in his last 15 at-bats; Phillies LF Pat Burrell is stuck in a 2-for-28 slump; Padres 2B Tadahito Iguchi is 2-for-26 since coming off the disabled list; Padres SS Khalil Greene went on the disabled list Aug. 1 with a fractured left hand.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
So, as expected, Jimmy Rollins spoke by phone today with the hosts of Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show Period" and elaborated on his comments from yesterday's show that Philly sports fans are "front-runners." Rollins didn't offer an apology. In his mind, he didn't say anything that is untrue. But he did explain his comments in greater detail.
Here's the interview with Chris Rose and John Salley:
By SCOTT LAUBER
Apparently, Jimmy Rollins has more to say.Rollins, who irritated fans with his comments on last night's episode of Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show Period," will re-appear on the show tonight before the Phillies seek to stave off a four-game sweep by the Dodgers. He's scheduled to join the show by telephone from Dodger Stadium, and presumably, he'll clarify what he meant when he called Philly fans "front-runners" during his in-studio appearance yesterday. Here's the video, courtesy of The Fightins.According to a Fox spokesman, transcripts of Rollins' comments will be available to the media after he concludes his interview. At that time, we'll bring them to you here.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Generally speaking, I cringe when pro athletes are asked about the fans, especially the fans in Philly. To me, those questions are posed only to prompt athletes to say foolish things, and most of the time, they're wise enough not to take the bait and rip the fans who help to pay their salaries.
But Jimmy Rollins rarely censors himself.
Rollins and Ryan Howard were in-studio guests on last night's episode of "The Best Damn Sports Show," which is filmed in Hollywood. At one point, they were asked if Philly lives up to its reputation as the most unforgiving sports town. I'm trying to hunt down the video, so I can post it here for y'all to see (if you haven't already). But, for now, here's the transcription of Rollins' answer: "It can be, yeah. There are times, like, it's one of those cities. I might catch some flak for saying this, but, you know, they're front-runners. When you're doing good, they're on your side. When you're doing bad, they're completely against you."
When the show's co-hosts argued that many cities fit that description, Rollins said: "I hear you. But, for example, Ryan is from St. Louis, and St. Louis, it seems like they support their team, they're out there and encouraging."
So, what do you make of that?
***
Hard to find a more crushing defeat for the Phils this season than last night's. They led 6-1. They lost 7-6. And, now, they're back in a first-place tie with the Mets, and the Marlins are still on their tail, 1-1/2 games off the pace.
***
Once again, the Phils scored all of their runs on homers. And, once again, they didn't muster any offense after the early innings. In fact, Pat Burrell's double in the fifth was the last hit they got all night. But don't count on the Phillies getting help from Gary Sheffield or Raul Ibanez.
Sheffield, who likely will clear waivers today, told reporters in Detroit that he doesn't expect to be traded. His $14 million salary for next season all but guarantees that he won't be, unless the Tigers are willing to pick up most of that money. Ibanez, meanwhile, also is expected to clear waivers today. And while the Phils certainly might make a claim and try to work out a trade (Ibanez did break into the majors with the Mariners while Pat Gillick was the GM there), this report out of Seattle indicates that Ibanez's likeliest suitors may be the Rays and Jays.
By SCOTT LAUBER
Lots to discuss today, and on many of these topics, I'd like to hear from you. So, we'll do this in the form of a reader poll.What was the worst loss endured by the Phillies last night?a) Barring a medical miracle, Tom Gordon won't pitch again this season after noted orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum concurred with team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti's diagnosis that Gordon has damage to the ulnar collateral ligament (and more) in his right elbow?b) Cole Hamels pitched well (again) and didn't win (again), largely because of a lack of offensive support (the Phils had one hit after the third inning and were shut out over the final three innings by the Dodgers' bullpen). Hamels' winless streak has reached seven starts.3. After striking out in the seventh inning, Shane Victorino left last night's game with lower back stiffness. Victorino has been the Phillies' hottest hitter, batting .345 (38-for-110) with eight homers and 21 RBIs in the last 27 games.Go ahead, discuss.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Kris Benson's timing couldn't be worse.
If Benson hadn't suffered another bout of biceps tendinitis in early June, he may have started pitching in the Phillies' farm system three weeks sooner. And when Brett Myers consented on July 1 to take a confidence-restoring trip to the minors, it may have been Benson, not J.A. Happ, who was called up to take Myers' place.
Instead, Benson didn't begin pitching until mid-June. And he didn't begin pitching well until July 26, when he made the first of five consecutive solid starts at triple-A Lehigh Valley. The latest came last night at Coca Cola Park when he went seven innings, allowed three earned runs and didn't walk a batter against Buffalo. Over his last five starts, Benson is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA. He has thrown 97 pitches in each of his last two starts, and he has completed seven innings in three of his last four.
But just as Benson appears ready to return to the majors, the Phillies' rotation suddenly has stabilized, Kyle Kendrick's clunker last night in LA notwithstanding. In the 12 previous games, Cole Hamels, newly acquired Joe Blanton, Myers, Jamie Moyer and Kendrick had combined for a 2.35 ERA and 10 quality starts.
"I might've missed my opportunity when it presented itself at the All-Star break," Benson said last night. "But I definitely need to get my shot this year. I need to get my feet wet up there. We've got only about three more weeks here, and I don't think it'll do me any good to just stay here. I'm only going to get better and stronger."
A team official told me recently that Benson likely will get a September call-up. Benson's minor-league contract cost the Phils only $100,000, but they'd like to get a gauge on whether he can help their rotation next year. Barring injury, though, it's doubtful they will give Benson a start in the midst of a pennant race. And Benson told me last night that he doesn't believe he'd be effective as a reliever because of how long it takes him to get loose.
How would you use Benson? Would you trust him enough to give him a few starts down the stretch? If so, whose spot would you want to see him take?
***
Pat Gillick admitted the Phillies inquired about trading for Manny Ramirez. But, as best I could tell, the Phils were far more serious about trading for Casey Blake, who wound up in LA because the Indians preferred the Dodgers' package of minor leaguers (triple-A right-hander Jon Meloan and single-A catcher Carlos Santana) to anything the Phillies offered. And, wouldn't you know it, Blake's two-run homer last night was every bit as big as Manny's two-run double.***Chad Durbin will throw out the first pitch before next Monday night's Blue Rocks game at Frawley Stadium. And, as we mentioned in this space last week, Durbin and fellow former Blue Rocks pitcher Jake Chapman will hold a showcase for high school players at Frawley on Aug. 25 from 8-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Click here for more info. Durbin went 10-7 with a 2.92 ERA in 26 starts for the Rocks in 1998.***
Larry Bowa wants to hear from you. He is scheduled to host an online chat at 5 p.m. today on the Dodgers' Web site. Click here to join in.
By SCOTT LAUBER
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Rudy Seanez, who has been on the disabled list since Aug. 1 with right shoulder inflammation, just tossed a clean eighth inning tonight for triple-A Lehigh Valley in his first minor-league rehab appearance. He recorded one strikeout and threw 11 pitches, eight strikes.
Seanez is slated to pitch Wednesday night at single-A Lakewood before rejoining the Phillies. He likely will be activated before Saturday night's game at San Diego.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
So, the Phillies managed to win the three-game weekend series against the lowly Pirates despite the following factors:
1. Chase Utley went 1-for-12 and stranded 15 baserunners (he was 4-for-22 with 21 runners stranded on the six-game homestand).
2. Pat Burrell went 0-for-9 with three strikeouts (he's hitless in his last 12 at-bats and went 1-for-17 on the homestand).
3. Ryan Howard went 2-for-11 with one RBI (he went 5-for-24 with two RBIs on the homestand).
4. The Phillies batted .235 (23-for-98) and scored 10 runs against the Pirates. In the six games against Florida and Pittsburgh, they batted .226 (44-for-195) and scored 17 runs. At one point, they were shut out for 23 consecutive innings. Yet they still managed to go 3-3, and as they open a seven-game trip tonight in Los Angeles, the Phillies actually have made a slight gain in the NL East. They are two games ahead of the second-place Mets, 2-1/2 ahead of the third-place Marlins.
Go figure.
Utley provided the big hit yesterday, a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Pirates reliever Tyler Yates in the seventh inning. Greg Dobbs made an interesting observation: He said he wasn't aware of how rough a week Utley was having, mostly because few hitters look so good even when they're going to bad. Now that I think of it, I know what Dobbs means.
***
Dobbs got a pretty big hit himself (a pinch-hit, of course) to tie the game before Utley's homer, and with that RBI double, Dobbs broke Doc Miller's 95-year-old Phillies record for most pinch-hits in a season. Also, within the notebook, Jamie Moyer made a nice open-field block on first-base umpire Randy Marsh, Rudy Seanez begins his rehab assignment tonight at triple-A Lehigh Valley (more on that later), Scott Eyre earns a victory in his Phillies debut, Tom Gordon heads to LA to have his elbow examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum, Adam Eaton actually pitches well at double-A Reading ... and more.
***
To me, though, the biggest story at the Bank yesterday was the news on Brad Lidge's balky shoulder. Lidge is hoping to be able to pitch tonight, and as I wrote in this space yesterday, the Phillies better hope so, too. Other than maybe Cole Hamels, I'm not sure there's a player the Phils can ill-afford to lose more than Lidge.
Do you agree?
***
A preview of this week's four-game series against the Dodgers.
PHILLIES (64-53) at DODGERS (58-59)
Tonight, 10:10: RHP Kyle Kendrick (10-5, 4.37) vs. RHP Derek Lowe (8-10, 4.10)
Tuesday, 10:10: LHP Cole Hamels (9-8, 3.35) vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw (2-3, 3.71)
Wednesday, 10:10: RHP Joe Blanton (1-0, 3.27) vs. RHP Brad Penny (6-9, 5.66)
Thursday, 10:10: RHP Brett Myers (5-9, 5.09) vs. RHP Hiroki Kuroda (6-8, 4.02)
Hot: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins was 10-for-23 (.435) during the six-game homestand; Phillies CF Shane Victorino is batting .337 with eight homers and 19 RBIs in his last 23 games; Dodgers LF Manny Ramirez is 17-for-37 (.459) with four homers and 11 RBIs in nine games since being acquired in a July 31 trade; Dodgers 2B Jeff Kent is batting .379 with seven RBIs in his last eight games.
Not: Phillies 2B Chase Utley is batting .222 with two home runs and five RBIs in his last 10 games; Phillies LF Pat Burrell is hitless in 15 at-bats and 2-for-24 in his last seven games; Dodgers CF Andruw Jones is batting .153 with one home run since coming off the disabled list July 4; Dodgers C Russell Martin has six hits in his last 36 at-bats (.167).
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Morning, all. Hope you're enjoying your rainy Sunday.Just heard from Charlie Manuel that, for a second consecutive game, closer Brad Lidge is not available to pitch today because of tightness in his throwing shoulder. But Manuel and Lidge insist it's nothing to worry about, and Lidge said he's hoping to be ready tomorrow night in LA.Some background: Lidge warmed up six times before finally pitching in the All-Star Game on July 15 at Yankee Stadium. Manuel said "he's just now getting his strength back" after that experience, but Lidge said his shoulder began feeling "sluggish" before the All-Star Game. Lidge believes his shoulder troubles have stemmed from some faulty mechanics that were discovered last week by pitching coach Rich Dubee. Since the All-Star break, Lidge has made 11 appearances. And although he's 8-for-8 in save opportunities, most of them haven't been easy. He has has walked seven batters in 7-1/3 innings and put runners on base in eight of the 11 games. Of the last 209 pitches Lidge has thrown, only 122 have been strikes.Lidge, who has been taking anti-inflammatory medication and seen team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti but has not undergone at MRI exam, said he played catch this morning with Dubee and feels considerably better.Clearly, though, this is a situation worth monitoring. To me, Lidge and ace Cole Hamels are the two players the Phillies can least afford to lose to injury.***The Phillies are batting .232 in their last 11 games, but their pitching staff has compiled a 2.94 ERA. Nine of the last 11 starts have been quality starts (at least six innings, no more than three runs). Here's a look at that run.July 29 at Washington: Brett Myers -- 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 2 K
July 30 at Washington: Jamie Moyer -- 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 5 K
July 31 at Washington: Kyle Kendrick-- 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 4 K
Aug. 1 at St. Louis: Cole Hamels -- 6 IP, 8 H, 5 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 5 K
Aug. 2 at St. Louis: Joe Blanton -- 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 5 K
Aug. 3 at St. Louis: Myers -- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K
Aug. 5 vs. Florida: Moyer -- 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 4 K
Aug. 6 vs. Florida: Kendrick -- 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R (0 ER), 5 BB, 4 K
Aug. 7 vs. Florida: Hamels -- 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 7 K
Aug. 8 vs. Pittsburgh: Blanton -- 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 7 K
Aug. 9 vs. Pittsburgh: Myers -- 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 6 K
BY SCOTT LAUBER
About that nose-to-nose confrontation in the dugout tonight between Charlie Manuel and Brett Myers in the eighth inning:Myers, as you might imagine, wanted to stay in the game. And he had a point. He'd pitched 7-2/3 superb innings. He had thrown only 93 pitches. Yes, the tying run was at the plate, but there was no sense that Myers wasn't in total command.Manuel, as you might imagine, wanted to make sure the Phillies held a two-run lead, and with three lefties and a switch-hitter coming to the plate, he figured J.C. Romero and Chad Durbin had the best chance to do that. So, he took the ball from Myers, who made a very public demonstration of his frustration by yelling and stomping his way toward the dugout. When he handed the ball to Manuel, Myers didn't make eye contact. And when Manuel got back to the dugout, he tried to confront Myers, who kept walking. When Myers finally turned around, they came nose-to-nose.After the game, though, tempers had calmed."I wanted to stay in," said Myers, who allowed one run on five hits, walked one and struck out six in 7-2/3 innings for his third consecutive quality start. "I'm a competitor. Sometimes, I let my emotions get the best of me. You've got to control your emotions, and I didn't do a good job of that. But we're all patched up. We're still buddies."Said Manuel, "It was two strong-willed people who disagreed. Everything's all right. He was wanting to stay in the game. I like that. Two tempers kind of clashed. But it's OK. It's fine."
Myers has some boxing training. Manuel is a pretty tough dude. Not sure who I would've bet on if they had duked it out. Good thing I'm not a betting man.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Some ugly numbers from tonight's 2-0, 12-inning shutout:-The Phillies have been shut out in back-to-back games for the first time since Sept. 11-12, 1999 at Arizona, a span of 18 consecutive scoreless innings.-Jimmy Rollins' RBI single in the sixth inning Wednesday night marked the last time the Phillies scored a run. That was 23 innings ago, their longest scoreless streak since Sept. 1-3, 2000, when they had 24 consecutive scoreless innings against the Dodgers. The franchise record scoreless streak is 38 innings, set July 21-26, 1960.More in tomorrow's News Journal.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Tom Gordon may need Tommy John surgery.That ominous diagnosis could be made official Monday when Gordon goes to LA for a second opinion on his balky right elbow from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum. Gordon, who left a rehab start Wednesday night at single-A Clearwater, saw team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti yesterday and underwent an MRI exam that revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament. Depending on the extent of the damage, Tommy John surgery may be required. Yocum performed that surgery on Gordon on Dec. 13, 1999."Right now," athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said this afternoon, "we are not optimistic that he will [pitch again this season]."That would be a big blow to the Phils' bullpen. Before the season, Charlie Manuel said the bullpen's success hinged on Gordon's sustained health. Now, at age 40, and with a partial tear in his labrum (shoulder), you have to wonder whether Tommy John surgery would end Gordon's 20-year career. Either way, Gordon's tenure with the Phillies may be finished. He's in the final year of a three-year, $18 million contract.***J.A. Happ was reassigned to triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room for lefty reliever Scott Eyre, who joined the team today. Also, Juan Samuel has been inducted into the Phillies' Wall of Fame. Make sure to check tomorrow's News Journal for more details.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
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?
***
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."***
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.
***
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.
This just in ...The Phillies have acquired lefty reliever Scott Eyre from the Cubs for single-A right-hander Brian Schlitter. Eyre, 36, will give the Phils a second true lefty reliever in their bullpen after J.C. Romero. Recently, the Phillies recalled lefties J.A. Happ and Les Walrond, both starters by trade, from triple-A Lehigh Valley. Neither were effective in relief appearances Tuesday night, and one of them figures to be sent back to make room for Eyre.About Eyre: He was designated for assignment Tuesday after the Cubs activated Kerry Wood. He was 2-0 with a 7.14 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 11-1/3 innings in 19 appearances for the Cubs, but his season has been interrupted by separate disabled-list stints for left elbow inflammation and a groin strain. He didn't allow a run in his first 14 appearances (nine innings), and against NL teams, he's 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA. Six of the nine earned runs he has allowed have been against AL teams.Eyre has held left-handed hitters to a .259 (7-for-27) average this season and .244 (214-for-877) for his career. Since 2004, he has appeared in 317 games, the fourth-highest total among major league left-handed pitchers. The Cubs signed Eyre to a three-year, $11 million contract before the 2006 season. He has approximately $1 million left on his contract.The Phillies expect Eyre to join the team tomorrow. At that time, they'll make a roster move.For more on Eyre, click here. More later.
If Freddy Garcia pitches this season, it won't be for the Phils.
After dispatching minor-league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller to watch Garcia throw 30 pitches in an audition for at least 13 teams Tuesday at the University of Miami, the Phillies don't believe the rehabbing right-hander will pitch effectively enough to help them this season after undergoing shoulder surgery late last August.
"He may help someone down the road, but we see him as a guy for 2009," assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told me last night. "He had major surgery on his rotator [cuff] and labrum. And while he looks like he is on the road to recovery, we don't feel he can help us this year."
***
It wasn't easy, but the guy who replaced Garcia in the Phils' rotation last season won again last night. Kyle Kendrick navigated jams in each of the first four innings en route to six shutout frames in a 5-0 victory over the Marlins.
Now, other than perhaps Jamie Moyer, there isn't a pitcher that Kendrick admires more than fellow sinkerballer and 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb. So, as Kendrick walked in from the bullpen after warming up last night, catcher Chris Coste hit the right note while delivering a pregame pep talk.
"Do you think Brandon Webb cares that everybody knows his sinker is coming?" he said.
Coste's message: Like Webb, the sinker is Kendrick's best pitch. So, just because the Marlins hammered it (and everything else he threw) for 4-1/3 innings July 19 at Dolphin Stadium didn't mean Kendrick should go changing his strategy against them last night. He didn't. And he won. In fact, all Kendrick does is give the Phillies a chance to win. After his Houdini act last night, he improved to 10-5 with a 4.37 ERA. He's 2-1 with a 1.45 ERA in his last three starts, and in his 23 starts overall, the Phillies are 16-7.
"In a way, he's slightly anonymous, and it's because he does it in a non-glamorous fashion," Coste said. "He doesn't blow anybody away. He doesn't shatter bats. But all of a sudden, you look up in the sixth inning and you're getting shut out."
And about those skeptics who doubted his major-league staying power?
"Maybe people look at it that way," Kendrick said. "People might think, how am I doing it? Watch the game. I'm 10-5. I think I'm good. I think I'm all right."***Nice story: Mike Cervenak went undrafted out of the University of Michigan in 1999, so he spent his first two pro seasons in the independent Frontier League. He toiled for 8-1/2 more seasons in the minors, bouncing from the Yankees organization to the Giants to the Orioles despite a solid .294 career average. He finally got called up by the Phillies last month, and last night, in his third major-league at-bat, Cervenak picked up his first career hit and RBI with a pinch-hit single in the sixth inning.Suddenly, all the late-night bus rides and lousy minor-league hotels must've all seemed worth it.
Tom Gordon was pitching to his second batter in the first inning tonight for single-A Clearwater when he walked off the mound with an elbow problem. At this point, that's about all we know.
"He threw a pitch and felt something in his elbow and left the game," said assistant GM Mike Arbuckle, who is attending the game in Lakeland, Fla. "Obviously, it's something our medical people will have to look at and examine. Other than that, I can't tell you anything more."
Gordon, the Phillies' 40-year-old setup man, was making his second rehab appearance as he tries to come back from right elbow inflammation. He got Justin Justice to ground out to second base before suffering his setback while pitching to Louis Ott, who eventually walked.
More later.(Update, 8 p.m.): The Phillies just announced in the press box that Gordon has been diagnosed with right elbow discomfort. He will fly here tomorrow and be examined by team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti.
So, the Phillies sent minor-league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller to the University of Miami yesterday to watch Freddy Garcia throw a simulated game. And Garcia's agent, Peter Greenberg, has told the Phillies that Garcia would be open to returning after a terribly disappointing 2007 season. (Truth is, after undergoing major shoulder surgery last August, Garcia is open to pitching for any team that's willing to give him a job.)That's all very interesting.But it's difficult to imagine Garcia coming back to Philly. For starters, the Phillies don't have an opening for another starter. Not with Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick entrenched in the starting rotation, and J.A. Happ waiting in the wings if there's an injury. Secondly, after their experience with Garcia last season, it's unlikely the Phillies will make a tremendous push to get him.Scott Eyre may be a different story.Eyre (above) was designated for assignment yesterday by the Cubs, who activated closer Kerry Wood. Here's the skinny on Eyre, who has held left-handed hitters to a .244 average during his career. He has battled injuries and ineffectiveness this season, but he has to be a better option than Les Walrond or Happ, starters by trade who got bombed last night to assure that Moyer's mastery of the Marlins would finally end. Eyre already has cleared waivers, giving the Cubs seven days to trade him. Bank on them getting a call from the Phillies.***Pedro Feliz had trouble doing routine exercises last week. His back problems, caused by a bulging disk, have lessened, but don't count on seeing Feliz over the weekend when he's eligible to be activated. He hasn't resumed throwing a ball or swinging a bat, and he won't until after tomorrow when he sees the back specialist who gave him an epidural injection last week.***Adam Eaton's line last night at double-A Reading: 3-1/3 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. Here's how it happened.***Attention gossip-column enthusiasts: Kendrick reportedly is dating Stephenie LaGrossa, a former Survivor contestant.***Finally, a camera was installed next to the Phillies' dugout to test possible angles for instant replay. An MLB spokesman said it was being used strictly for informational purposes, so it wasn't any help to the umpires last night when Shane Victorino hit a home run that appeared to be foul. After watching the replay, third-base umpire Dale Scott later admitted that it was foul. More proof that MLB could benefit from replay, which likely will be implemented by the final month of the season and/or playoffs.OK, three questions for you this morning:1. Would the Phillies be crazy to bring back Garcia?2. Eyre: Good move or bad move?3. Replay: Good idea or bad idea?Fire away.
Could Freddy Garcia, the $10 million disappointment last season, be headed back to the Phillies?It's possible.But it isn't probable.Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. just got through saying that the Phils dispatched minor-league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller to the University of Miami today to watch Garcia's throwing session for several teams. The team is still awaiting Heimueller's report. Garcia won one game for the Phillies last season before undergoing major shoulder surgery. His agent, Peter Greenberg, has told the Phils that Garcia would be open to returning, according to Amaro.But the Phillies don't have an opening in their rotation for J.A. Happ, so it's doubtful they could find one for Garcia. More likely, they're just covering their bases by making sure they see Garcia throw.Also, the Phillies are interested in lefty reliever Scott Eyre, who was designated for assignment today by the Cubs. They are not interested in right-hander Livan Hernandez, who was released last week by the Twins.More in tomorrow's News Journal.
BY SCOTT LAUBER
