The Fightins are eleven exhibition games into the spring season and the record stands at 4 wins and 7 losses.  This following the most recent 12 to 10 loss to the Atlanta Braves.  Kyle Kendrick was hit around pretty good by the Braves and if the “competition” has truly started for the fifth starter spot one would certainly think he is behind in the race.  Comments I have read from pitching coach Rich Dubee do not indicate that Kendrick is in dire straights yet though as Dubee points out that he still has three more spring starts and is working on locating a new pitch, his change up.  Kendrick has been basically a one pitch pony thus far relying on his sinkerball to gain his 21 big league wins. 

Notes

Add Jason Donald to the mix as to potential right hand bats off the bench.  The 24 year old is tearing it up this spring thus far offensively after going 3 for 4 against the Braves.  His spring average to this point is a very robust .379!  Donald may be targeted for Lehigh though to groom as the 2010 third baseman.    Ryan Howard continues to impress offensively as well and leads the Grapefuit circuit in home runs.   Gary Majewski is making a strong bid thus far to gain a bullpen spot as he has impressed in each outing, looks like his velocity is back up according to published reports.

Chatter

The World Baseball Classic has been fun to watch thus far, too bad for the Domican Republic team being eliminated so early but one has to root for the underdog team from the Netherlands as they move into the second round.  I think that the Puerto Rico team may be one to watch along with our U.S. boys to potentially take the crown away from Japan.  I don’t think the tourney is doing so well with attendance or TV viewership but it is a nice twist to spring training in that the games are competitive, the rules sort of remind me of the Little League World Series what with pitch count and all but I am enjoying watching games thus far.   Both Carlos Ruiz and Matt Stairs are back in camp with the Phis as their respective teams Panama and Canada were eliminated in the first round.

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.

Manny finally signed a contract, woohoo!  Seriously, does anyone outside of L.A. care ?  When alot of folks in the real world are either struggling to find work, worrying about losing work or working for not enough to pay their bills do we really care about this guy “struggling” to get his $45 million over two years ?  Manny being Manny wore thin last season and even more so this offseason.

Phillies Spring week in Review

The Phillies went 3 and 1 during the last four spring games beginning 3/1 with a win over the Atlanta Braves.  They then beat WBC Team Canada and the Toronto Jays but fell to WBC Team U.S.A.   Pitching highlights of the week were the spring debuts of Brett Myers and Cole Hamels.  Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, Chan Ho Park and  Carlos Carrasco all threw during the week albeit none stood out with superior outings. 

On the offensive side Marcus Giles had a couple knocks against his old team, the Braves.  Ryan Howard belted a true bomb against the Jays while Raul Ibanez smoked a couple of doubles.  John Mayberry Jr. belted a dinger against Team Canada as did non roster invitee Jeremy Slayden.  Howard added another blast against Team U.S.A as did Jason Donald.

Injury Updates

Chris Coste continued to battle hamstring woes while Jayson Werth is taking it slow with leg issues.  Brad Lidge experienced shoulder tightness and also was taking a slow approach.  Better now than when the season starts!

Chatter

Nomar Garciappara signed a contract with the Oakland A’s ending speculation that he might become a Phillie.  That would seem to leave that right handed bat spot open to the likes of Ronny Paulino, Chris Coste, John Mayberry Jr. or perhaps Jeremy Slayden ???   Ok, maybe Slayden is a stretch but he is having a good spring at the least. 

Let me tell ya the Cal Ripken Experience baseball facilities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are top drawer!  Spent the week there and if the weather had cooperated it would have been great.  It was in the high 30′s for most of the week so not so great baseball weather.  I would recommend the site however to any college or high school team looking for a spring site for a great baseball experience!

On one of the saddest days in Eagle fan’s history, the day our heart and soul, Mr. Brian Dawkins…..alias Weapon X decided to take the money and signed with the Denver Broncos another now former Philly hero made his first appearance against us.  Pat Burrell and the Tampa Bay Rays played against the Fightin’s in Clearwater for the first time this spring.   Burrell had two at bats as the DH and got one hit.  The Phillies hammered the Rays, however, as the posted five runs in the first inning led by dingers from Ryan Howard, John Mayberry Jr. and Miguel Cairo.  The final count in the game was 12 to 5.

Mayberry, Cairo and Howard had two hits apiece to lead a 13 hit Phillies attack and help earn the team’s first win of the spring.  On the hill Kyle Kendrick tossed two and two thirds innings in the start followed by five relievers.  Of the relievers philly native Mike Koplove, a non roster invitee and Clay Condrey were most impressive as they each threw a scoreless inning.

The defending champions, damn I like writing that!, are now 1 and 3 on the spring as they dropped a game on Friday against Cincinatti in which starter Drew Carpenter did not make it out of the first inning.   That game’s final count was a 10 to 3 loss but most of the Phillies lineup did not contain the regulars as it was a “road game” and in the spring many of the “starters” on each club do not go to the away games, only two are required per team to be in the lineup and Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez represented on the two hour trip south of Clearwater to Sarasota.  J.C. Romero and Ryan Madson had good outings on the hill for the Fightins in that one.

Chatter

Jayson Werth has yet to make his spring debut, he was taking a bit longer to get his legs in condition and was scheduled to play against the Rays but suffered a shoulder sprain pre-game.  He is day to day at this point.  John Mayberry Jr. has gotten the early notice as a standout early in the spring, he is swinging the bat well and has demonstrated he can play the outfield…….perhaps a darkhorse to make the club as a right handed bat option off the bench ?

I am down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the week and no not for golf!  My son’s college team, Eastern University is here to play their spring schedule at Cal Ripken’s baseball facility.  Ripken built a state of the art baseball complex in Myrtle Beach that has seven fields within.   My son is a senior at Eastern, the previous three years the spring trip has been to Florida, this year is a bit different.  Only problem thus far with South Carolina is that when I arrived yesterday it was pouring rain and they are calling for snow tonite……….. not good baseball weather !   It is supposed to warm up as the week progresses though.

For those who are interested and in the area I will be doing book signings of my book “2008 Philadelphia Phillies – A Poetic Season” at the Neumann College Bookstore on March 31st from 10 to 2 and also at the Kennett Bookstore in Kennett Square, PA on 4/4/09 from 11 to 3.   I will have more book signings coming at the BC Sports stores in King of Prussia, Exton and Havertown but dates have yet to be determined.   Lastly the Lehigh Valley Iron PIgs are kicking off opening the stadium for the 2009 ticket drive this week and my book is also available for sale within their store!  Give it a read, a great recap of the championship glory game by game !   You can order online at www.authorpotter.com also.

One  more footnote :   My new buddy Jim Nelson, ex pro linebacker in the NFL is also carrying my book in his Big League Haircuts stores at Exton, Westtown and Chestnut Hill.   It is also available at Chester County Bookstore in West Goshen, Caln Pizza and Pasta in Thorndale , Giordano’s Sports Bar in Kennett Square and Brother’s Pizza in West Chester.  Please frequent these fine establishments and pick up a copy!

Fittingly the Philies open the 2009 spring training with pitchers and catchers reporting on Valentines Day!   An offseason love story, spurred by winning the 2008 World Series,  between the team and it’s fans thus comes to conclusion this day as it is time to get back to the true business of baseball….playing !

Skipper Charlie Manuel told the troops that it is time to put 2008 behind and begin the focus on the new season.  Resting on laurels will not be tolerated either by the skip, the veteran core of the team or at the very least, the fans!  I watched an interview with Jamie Moyer and he addressed that very same thing and how anxious he was to get started, so much so that he had trouble sleeping the night before camp opening!

Brett Myers arrived at camp as a much slimmer version, reportedly losing 30 pounds!  Myers vows to start 2009 in a much more positive fashion that he did 2008 and thus dedicated himself to a more vigorous off season workout regimen.   Myers is in the last year of a contract and is eligible for free agency after the season if he and the team do not agree on an extension.

J.C. Romero is in camp albeit will not go north with the big club as he must serve a 50 game suspension for the use of performance enhancing “vitamins”.  Romero tested positive for a banned MLB substance in 2008 and is forced to sit out almost a third of the 2009 season. 

Adam Eaton is also in camp but with little or no chance at making the ballclub, Eaton is due a large sum of cash for the final year of the contract he signed three years ago but has little shot at gaining a starting spot with the Fightins this spring.  Eaton has stated that he will not accept a minor league assignment therefore the Phillies will either have to release him or attempt to trade him, any team that has interest will most likely sit and watch awaiting his release rather than reqlinquish anything in trade.

There will be a battle for the fifth starter’s spot…….. Chan Ho Park, Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco will attempt to impress the skipper enough to earn the rotation spot.  Happ may have the early edge coming in but we will see.

One thing is for certain, Cole Hamels has been named as the opening day starter by the skipper already, coming off the winning of the National League LCS and World Series MVP’s it is well deserved. 

Chatter

Want a true darkhorse to make the ballclub ?  How bout that Sergio Escalona ?  The 23 year old Venezualen is a lefty and might possibly earn the fill in spot till Romero is able to return ?  One to watch perhaps!

The backup catcher spot is also up for grabs apparently, defending champ Chris Coste must defend the spot against newly acquired Ronny Paulino who comes to the team from the Pittsburgh Pirates in an offseason trade.  Both catchers still have minor league options so one most likely will be asked to go the minors as an insurance policy however I have read rumblings that if Paulino wins the job that the Phillies may entertain the Florida Marlins interest in Coste in a trade.  I hope not as Mr. Coste is one of my personal favorites on the club!

With the division won yesterday the final game of the regular season became one that allowed skipper Charlie Manuel to rest his core players and play callups and reserves.  Kyle Kendrick was given the start and he pitched four innings but had similiar struggles as he displayed during the stretch drive.  Kendrick gave up three runs on four hits while walking one.

The Phillies bats though stayed hot as rookie catcher Lou Marson, the Phillies minor league player of the year,  collected his first big league hit in his first at bat in the game and later belted his first major league home run.  It is expected that Marson will make a strong push to make the ballclub next spring.  So Taguchi had a good game out of the leadoff spot as he had three hits.  Eric Bruntlett and Tadahito Iguchi also had two hit game.  The Phillies prevailed by an 8 to 3 count capped off by a pinch home run by Matt Stairs.  Les Walrond got the win in relief.  The Fighins finished the season with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.

Chatter

Kendrick will be sent to Clearwater, Florida to work at the spring training complex.  He will not be on the initial playoff roster but as needs arise may be added later.  Management must decide who they are going to place on the playoff roster as the NLDS will start on Wednesday.  The Milwaukee Brewers will be in town Wednesday to kick off the best of five series, their ace C.C. Sabbathia threw today in the clincher so he will not be available till at the earliest the second game.  Cole Hamels will take the ball for the Phillies, lets hope he does not psyche himself out like he did last year. 

Great time to be a Phillies fan!  Sure hope our team stays fired up and approaches the playoffs to win, team members admit that last year they were pretty happy to just make it, this year there is an urgency to do some damage!

The Phillies jumped out early once agan by scoring in their first at bat.  They were helped immensely by the achilles heal of the Marlins, defense!  Mike Jacobs butchered a ground ball hit by Ryan Howard that allowed Chase Utley to score the first run.  Utley had reached on a walk and advanced on Jayson Werth’s single.  Werth scored the second run of the game on a wild pitch by Florida starter Josh Johnson, Werth had went to third on the error by Jacobs. 

Florida bounced right back in the bottom of the first to score five runs as the first five batters all got hits including a two run home run by Dan Uggla.  Greg Dobbs homered to lead off the second inning marking the first dinger that Florida starter  Josh Johnson has given to a lefty hitter all season.   Chris Coste then singled and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Brett Myers.  Florida made yet another fielding mistake as Jimmy Rollins singled to right field and Cody Ross overthrew the cutoff man allowing Rollins to advance to second base.  Coste then scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Chase Utley.   After only one and one half innings of play nine runs had scored as the Marlins led 5 to 4 !

The Big Man Ryan Howard put the Phillies back on top in the fifth inning as he belted a two run home run to right field to score Chase Utley in front of him.  Howard battled in a classic at bat by working the count to 3-2 and fouling off numerous pitches before belting the blast!  Brett Myers struggled again in the home fifth as Florida bounced back to regain the lead.  Myers could not record an out in the inning and left with the bases loaded after allowing two runs to score.  Rudy Seanez came in as first relief and got tagged for a three run home run by Alfredo Amezaga after getting two outs.  Score at the end of five was 11-6 Marlins.  Florida added two more in the sixth off of Les Walrond to add insult to injury.    The Phillies offense though does not understand the word quit and  scored two off Florida reliever Andrew Miller in the seventh and eighth innings including a solo home run by Shane Victorino.   That forced the Marlins to lift Miller in favor of another reliever Logan Kensing who got two outs in the eighth  but allowed two runners and was then pulled in favor of ex Phil Arthur Rhodes who came on to get out of the inning with no further damage.  Kyle Kendrick got an inning of work in the eighth and got lit up by Jorge Cantu for a long solo home run.

Final Score :  Florida 14 Phillies 8   Have to come back and get ‘em tommorrow boys!  The only saving grace was that Milwaukee also got smoked by Cincy and at the time I filed this summary the Mets bullpen was trying their damdest to blow another one in Atlanta ! 

Chatter

The stands were pretty empty in Florida for the game, never quite understood how the Marlins maintain a presence in the Miami area as they usually put a decent product on the field but have historically never really drawn.  Similiar situation in Tampa Bay where the Rays are argueably the most talented young team in baseball but very rarely sell out the park.  With the lack of support the Marlins management is forced to sell off players that reach arbitration simply because they cannott afford to keep them. 

I don’t know if folks notice but Brett Myers starts every game now by standing behind the mound looking at Jimmy Rollins and mimicking the celebration hand signal that Jose Reyes does when he scores for the Mets.  Myers follows the signal with a smirk and  another signal of throwing his hand up in the air as if to say “Yeh Right!” ……….. that is at least what I think it is anyway.  It didn’t bring us any luck tonight though.

The Phillies marched into Atlanta tied for the wild card lead and only 1/2 game behind the division leading Mets, they also entered the contest with a perfect 6 and 0 record in Atlanta thus far this season.  That being said you knew it wasn’t going to be easy in this one as nothing has this season.

Veteran Jamie Moyer started for the Fightins in this one and albeit he struggled with command did manage to go 5 and 2/3 innings.  Moyer was tagged for six hits and six runs and left the game trailing.  Ryan Howard provided the big offensive push for the Fightins as he had four hits in the game including a triple in the seventh and a home run in the eighth.  Howard had three RBI’S in the game.  Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz also homered in the contest.  Ryan Madson was huge in this one as pitched perfect seventh and eighth innings to shut down the Braves who had erupted for four to take the lead in the sixth inning.  Jimmy Rollins had two hits in the game and Shane Victorino had a three hit game.  Howard’s home run came in the top of the eighth and  gave the Phils a one run lead to protect.

Brad Lidge earned his 37th save in 37 tries albeit it was not an easy one as he walked the bases loaded before striking out the last hitter!  Phillies took over first place with the win!

Chatter

The Mets were shutout in Washington and lost 1 to 0.  At least they can’t blame that one on the bullpen!  J.A. Happ will start tommorrow night in the fifth starters spot.  He was given the nod over veteran Adam Eaton and struggling Kyle Kendrick.   Scott Eyre has voiced a wish to resign with the Phils next season, Eyre is a free agent at end of season, he has been very effective since coming over from the Cubs and in my opinion should be welcomed back.  Moyer did not have location in this one but remember that he threw on three days rest last start and on four days in this one, during the summer the team has tried to give him extra rest if possible.  He is a pro though and will not turn away the assignment !  

If Phillies win the division Ryan Howard  is gonna be the MVP again !  He can’t be denied if he keeps up this pace !

On an unusually hot day in September, ( heat index over 100!), things started lethargic for the FIghtins.  Starting pitcher Joe Blanton was tagged for a two run home run in the Brewers first at bat by Ray Durham to put the Phils immediately in a hole.  Blanton’s woes with the Phillies have been caused by his lack of demand on his pitches and he hung a curve ball to Durham that the hitter actually seemed to double clutch on before swinging!    The Phillies got one back in the fourth inning as Chase Utley doubled, went to third on a single by Ryan Howard and scored on a double play ground out by Pat Burrell.   Milwaukee made it a two run game again in the top of the fifth as Mike Cameron smoked a Blanton changeup into the rarified air of the left field upper deck!

Ryan Howard tied the game in the home sixth by belting his 44th home run of the season over the left field wall to score Chase Utley in front of him.   Dave Bush did a nice job for Milwaukee as he went six innings and only gave up five hits.  Bush is a local Philly boy as he grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs,  likewise Joe Blanton pitched effectively for the Fightins as he was pulled in the offensive seventh in favor of pinch hitter Matt Stairs.  

Ryan Madson got the first two outs in the eighth before skipper Charlie Manuel went to lefty Scott Eyre to turn switch hitter Ray Durham into a right hander.  Eyre did the job by striking out Durham who was left in for the at bat despite only hittiing .219 against lefthanders this season.  Milwaukee had Ricky Weeks and Bill Hall available on the bench, not our worry though!

Jayson Werth led off the eighth with a single off of righthander Guiellermo Mota  which prompted a pitching change by Milwaukee, they brought lefthander Brian Shouse in to presumably face Utley and Howard……… but in a surprise move our three hole hitter Chase Utley sacrificed Werth to second with a bunt!   Ryan Howard was then intentionally walked with first base open  but the Brewers still  kept Shouse in to face right hand hitter  Pat Burrell rather than go to righty Eric Gagne.   Burrell singled to left field to score Werth with the go ahead run on a very close play at the plate!  Shane Victorino then belted a three run home run to put the Phils up by four !   Pedro Feliz then singled.   All of this happened against Shouse, he did not retire a hitter as finally Brewer skipper Ned Yost came and got him…………. if Milwaukee sports talk shows are anything like Philly’s  then Mr. Yost’s ears will be burning off as the second guessers will be out in full force!

Brad Lidge recorded the final two outs in the ninth after Scott Eyre got the first one.  Charlie is taking no chances down the stretch and is using Lidge even in four run lead non save closeouts.  The Phillies increased thier record to 67 and 0 when leading after eight.  Lidge should be fine for tonight’s game as he only threw seven pitches to get the last two outs!

Chatter

The team seemed flat once again at the start, perhaps due to the weather or the lack of a capacity crowd.  J-Roll struck out to begin the game and as he goes so does this crew.  Blanton had to be considered a disappointment thus far in the way he had pitched, he too often was getting behind hitters and then was hit hard, even the outs he got seemed to be struggles.  By pitching seven in this one he did his job and saved burning the pen for the game tonight, alot of between game work with pitching coach Rich Dubee has been going on to help the big fella find a consistent release point on his pitches.    Corey Hart lost a ball in the sun in the bottom of the fifth but stayed with it and made a last minute dive to record the catch.   The game tonight has tremendous importance as it will swing the wild card race in a distinctive path forward.  Tuesday offers another challenge for the starting pitching staff as it is a situation for the fifth spot in the rotation, if that spot is skipped Jamie Moyer would have to pitch on three days rest again.  Who do you give the chance to ?  J.A. Happ who got hit around behind Kyle Kendrick last week, Kendrick who is in a deep slump or do you ask veteran Adam Eaton to earn that big paycheck ?    I don’t believe I am saying this but Eaton may be the best option if Moyer cannott go !  Stay tuned.

Chase Utley broke his own team record for getting hit by a pitch in the sixth inning when he took one in the shoulder.  It marked the 26th time Chase has taken one for the team this season!

Eighteen games left in the season and more than one behind in the playoff race means little if any wriggle room for failure.  The Phillies needed a big effort from starter Kyle Kendrick against the Marlins in this one with that in mind.   Kendrick could not deliver as he was belted around and only lasted one and one third innings giving up 7 runs on six hits and also issued two walks.   Jorge Cantu blasted a three run home run in the second inning to seal Kendrick’s fate.  Sinker ball pitchers who cannott locate get blasted and Kendrick is in a major funk……….. not good for a team hoping to reach the playoffs! 

Marlins starter Chris Volstad was lifted after three innings not because of how he pitched but strictly due to being hit by a line drive off the bat of Carlos Ruiz in the third inning.  Volstad only gave up one run on two hits.  J.A. Happ relieved Kendrick and threw two shutout innings before getting lit up by Mike Jacobs in the fourth for a two run home run to make the count 9 to 1!

Eulogio Dela Cruz came on to pitch for the Marlins in the fourth and the Fightins greeted him by scoring three runs including a two run home run by Ryan Howard and a triple by Pat Burrell.  Just when you thought we might come back Happ gets blasted in the fifth for another bomb by Cody Ross to make it 10-4 !  One thing I know about this team though is that quit is not in the vocabulary.  That being said the Fightins scored four in the home sixth to make the count 10-8 !   Key hits were delivered by Shane Victorino, Matt Stairs and Greg Dobbs.

The Marlins held on though as too much lead was given by Kendrick and the Fightins could not overcome the early deficit.  With the Phillies loss and Mets win they now fall 3 back in the loss column, hole gets deeper.

Chatter

The appearance of J.A. Happ in this one means that Jamie Moyer will start on Thursday against the Brewers on three days rest.  Moyer gets the importance of these games so I am sure he eagerly stepped up to the request.  If the Phillies can win every series remaining they would go 11 and 6 meaning to tie the Mets they must go no better than 9 and 9.  At a minimum I think that is what the Fightins must accomplish to earn the division albeit the Mets are unlikely to lose 9 of the next 18.  Can’t have your starter get whooped early if you are trying to win at that pace !

My good buddy Ray was caught on the TV screen in the fourth inning as he caught a foul ball off the bat of Dan Uggla.  Where the ball was hit was more significant than the catch, it was in the upper upper deck!  Gotta get better seats than that Ray my boy !