Kyle Kendrick had a shaky outing early in the week which opened the door for the other three competitors in the “Fifth Starter Sweepstakes” to overtake the frontrunner Kendrick. Rich Dubee, the Phillies pitching coach had proclaimed Kendrick as the one to beat early on in spring training. Chan Ho Park threw friday night against the Blue Jays and pitched four effective innings with four K’s allowing one run. J.A. Happ threw saturday against the Tigers and pitched very well by tossing three shutout innings and accumulating seven strikeouts ! Happ used a good heater to mow down the Tigers. Carlos Carrasco goes on Sunday against the Braves in his first chance since coach Dubee announced earlier this week that the competition is now on in earnst.
The Phillies beat the Tigers 8 to 1 but lost to the Jays 4 to 3 to put the spring mark at 4 and 4.
Chatter
John Mayberry Jr. continues to impress as he belted a three run homer against the Tigers. Mayberry is hitting close to .300 in spring games thus far and has shown good athleticism and ability to play the two corner outfield spots. He may indeed make the squad. Ryan Howard belted yet another homer against the Tigers, his third of the spring. The big man is swinging the bat well thus far, hopefully it pays off in a better start to the regular season as well.
Jamie Moyer threw very well against the Tigers going four innings and tallying five k’s. I watched some of the World Baseball Classic and saw the Netherlands team upset Team Dominican Republic. I don’t quite understand what the qualifications are to be on the teams, ex phil Randall Simon is on the Netherlands team and I was not aware that he was from that region ?
Carlos Ruiz seemed to get shaken up a bit playing for Panama against Puerto Rico and left the game early, hopefully not anything of issue.
It appears the Phillies will not make any more free agent signings, they did pick up Rodrigo Lopez off waivers from the Braves but it is expected that he will be a starter in Lehigh Valley. G.M. Ruben Amaro said the team most likely will not sign lefty Will Ohman, the way that J.A. Happ pitched against the Tigers might avail him to the second lefty in the pen spot if indeed he does not earn the fifth starter spot.
