Phillies Nation

Yesterday, the Phils walked off via back-to-back homers in the ninth inning for the first time since MLB began collecting official records in 1930. If that wasn’t unlikely enough, the Phillies who hit the two home runs were Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis, who came into the game with 11 and five MLB homers respectively for their careers. And how about the pitcher they did it against, Aroldis Chapman? Chapman entered the game with a 2.41 ERA and 30 K in 18.2 IP and came off a 2012 where the fire-balling lefty had a 1.51 ERA with 122 Ks in 71.2 IP with a WHIP under one.

Perhaps the most remarkable feet, however, was the fact that, by winning, the Phillies had a won a series two games to one despite being outscored 8-15.

Yesterday’s game wrapped up a what can only be described as a remarkable stretch for the Phils. The Phillies have not lost a series since May 1, posting, what feels like, a pedestrian 9-7 record. Two of those losses came against the lowly Marlins, but since then, the Phillies played four teams who are a combined 27 games over .500 in what was arguably their toughest stretch of the season and posted a 7-5 mark, winning series against the Wild Card-leading Reds and the half-game-out-of-the-West Giants and split with the first place Diamondbacks and Indians.

Coming off possibly the low-point of the season, where Roy Halladay gave up nine earned runs against the lowly Fish and revealed that he was injured, the Phillies answered the bell against four teams with among the top records in baseball. Is this the stretch of the season that changes the course of the Phillies season?

Continue reading The Wild and Crazy 2013 Phillies

The Phillies took an otherwise boring game and brought some excitement to those who remained in Citizens Bank Park on this dreary Sunday. With the team trailing 2-1, just having snapped their 16-inning scoreless streak, the Phils were staring down the barrel of Aroldis Chapman. Undeterred, Erik Kratz tied the game with a homer and Freddy Galvis won it with a line-drive shot that just cleared the left field wall.

The Ninth Inning

Delmon Young led off the ninth and promptly drew a four pitch walk from the flame-throwing Chapman. As we all know, D. Young is not the fleetest-of-foot; but still the choice to pinch-run with Cliff Lee is always a questionable one. Lee got caught in a rundown after Chapman attempted a pick-off. It was a poor baserunning move and Cliff knew it. He was visibly frustrated in the dugout as Erik Kratz stepped to the plate. After Chapman threw a few of his signature high-90s fastballs, Kratz zeroed in on one and delivered it to the left field seats. The crowd celebrated, but Lee’s pickoff was still fresh in their minds. Lee’s reaction said it all after the Kratz homer – he knew that would have been the win. Continue reading Phillies win on back-to-back walk-off; Howard and Ruiz MRIs

It’s time for the weekly rundown of minor league notes, taking a look at who is hot and who is not, from each team.  Stats and standing accurate through game action played on Saturday.

Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (18-24, 4th place, North Division International League)-

Hot list…

Cody Asche with Reading in 2012

Third baseman Cody Asche has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 contests.  In his last 10 games, Asche is batting .326 with two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI.  The 22-year-old was the Phillies’ 4th round pick in 2011 out of the University of Nebraska.

Cold list…

Joe Savery has allowed nine earned runs in one total inning over his last two appearances with the IronPigs.  Savery, whose season ERA in the International League sits at 5.87, sported a 0.63 mark this season prior to his most recent two appearances.

Lefty starter Adam Morgan has a 0-4 record along with an 8.33 ERA over his last five games.  The University of Alabama product was the Phillies’ 3rd round draft pick in 2011.  Morgan, a Georgia native, is 23-years-old. Continue reading Minors Notes: Who’s Hot, Who’s Cold & Venezuelan Summer League Begins

Kyle Kendrick was due for lackluster outing, and that’s just what he had today. (Photo: AP)

On April 15, Bronson Arroyo dominated the Phillies for eight innings in Cincinnati, allowing just two runs and five hits in a deflating 4-2 defeat. Today’s ballgame felt eerily similar to the one that took place at Great American Ballpark last month, only this time the Reds more than doubled their output, while the Phillies didn’t bother scoring any runs–though they did equal their five hits–in an 10-0 defeat. The damp weather was a perfect accompaniment to the sleepy feeling this game had, a long and painful loss.

The game got away from the Phils quickly. The Reds went up early, and the bats never had an answer for Arroyo. It was the perfect formula for a dull drubbing, the Reds asserting their will over an overmatched Phillies team.

KENDRICK’S STREAK COMES TO AN END

Kyle Kendrick hadn’t allowed more than two runs in any start since he allowed five to the Royals in his 2013 debut. That streak swiftly came to an end today when he served up a second inning meatball to Ryan Hanigan, who sent it into the seats in left to give the Reds a 3-0 lead. The homer looked to be a portentous sign of how things would go for Kendrick today.

He would calm down, though. And while Kendrick didn’t pitch a great game–the Reds hit a lot of balls hard off him–he did manage to limit the runs after Hanigan’s long ball. In fact, I’d even argue that the fourth run Kendrick allowed was more on bad managing than Kendrick himself.

It looked like he’d be lifted for a pinch hitter after five when he had over 90 pitches, but Charlie Manuel inexplicably let him hit with a runner on first and two outs in the fifth. Kendrick struck out to end the inning, and went on to allow another run in the sixth. There was absolutely no reason to let Kendrick pitch in that spot and it cost the Phils a run–not that it would matter in the end. Kendrick’s final line looked like this: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K. It was no doubt a battle for KK, as he failed to record a single 1-2-3 inning. A definite throwaway game.

Continue reading On A Dreary Evening, The Reds Thump The Phillies

Cincinnati Reds (25-17) at Philadelphia Phillies (20-22)

Bronson Arroyo (3-4, 3.76) vs. Kyle Kendrick (4-1, 2.47)

TIME: 4:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: Fox
Weather: 70, cloudy
Media: Twitter and Facebook

BIG Z UPDATE: Carlos Zambrano made his debut in extended Spring Training today, throwing two innings, allowing one hit and striking out five. A pretty good return to professional baseball for Big Z.

With last night’s win, this series is already going better for the Phillies than the one they played last month, when the Reds swept them out of Cincinnati. It’s been a struggle to get back to.500 for the Phils, but with ace Kyle Kendrick on the mound, they could actually pull to within one game of that mark for the first time since April 15 when they were 6-7.

Kendrick has pitched at least seven innings and allowed two runs or less in his last four starts, and five of his last six. In fact, since his rocky 2013 debut, he hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any start. Against the Reds, he has posted a career 4.19 ERA, but much of that came when he was a less seasoned pitcher. He hadn’t started against the Reds since July of 2010 before this season when he held them scoreless of seven innings on April 16 in a 1-0 loss. He’ll have his work cut out for him against a Reds lineup that is third in the NL in runs scored.

It’s the rock star, Bronson Arroyo, on the bump for Cincy. Hard to believe the 37-year old is still pitching the way he is, as he’s consistently given the Reds solid seasons over the course of his 30s. But even at 3.76, Arroyo has the highest ERA of any Reds starter. The Phils need to get to this guy. Over the course of his career, Arroyo’s had trouble when facing Philly, posting a 6.00 ERA. Surprisingly, much of that has been done is his home ballparks, as his ERA is a very respectable 3.33 when pitching at CBP.

John Mayberry gets the start in center for the fourth consecutive game, while Erik Kratz gets a look behind the plate.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Utley 2B, M. Young 3B, Howard 1B, D. Young RF, Brown LF, Mayberry CF, Kratz C, Kendrick P

GAMEDAY BEER: Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre

The box on this brew from Dogfish Head proclaims, “American beer of the year!” I’m too lazy to verify whether that’s actually true or not, but I can tell you the Raison D’Etre is one hell of a craft beer. It’s a mahogany ale, brewed with Belgian beer and green raisins. Like most Dogfish Head selections, it’s got a rich flavor and is quite heavy. At 8% alcohol by volume, it’s a great beer to get your night started. Enjoy! – RD

PHOTO: AP

Cliff Lee pitched a good game, but a home run given up by Antonio Bastardo in the top of the eighth inning not only stripped Lee of a win, but in my opinion severely lowered the Phillies chance at a win. Fangraphs had the win probability at 50/50 after Joey Votto‘s home run, but the game looked like it was headed for extras, and with a diminished bullpen, the Phils would’ve been in a tough spot.

But an eighth inning rally by the Phils propelled them past the Reds, 5-3. The win is a big one, considering the Reds were 25-16 coming into tonight’s game and had already smacked around the Phillies this year. Additionally, at the time of the last out, the Phillies were three game back in the NL East.

LEE SOLID AT THE PLATE AND ON THE MOUND

Cliff Lee pitched well–a line of 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K–but he also hit well. He got on base twice via a fielder’s choice and a double, and scored both times. Sometimes, you get the feeling that Lee is seeing the ball better than some of the full-time hitters in the lineup. Or that he’d be a viable option to pinch hit at times. The man is a treat to watch.

His opposition, Tony Cingrani, pitched just OK. He tossed five innings while giving up three runs and scattering five hits. The 23 year old lefty held the Phillies hitless in the first two innings, and, aside from J-Roll’s home run, actually threw the ball well.

J-ROLL HEATING UP

Jimmy Rollins extended his hitting streak to six games with a two run home run in the third inning. He’s hitting .375 over that span (24 AB) with 8 RBI. A significant improvement over his previous 40 at-bats where he hit .150 with just two RBI.

He also scored his 1200th run of his career with the home run.

Michael Young, arguable the Phillies best hitter so far this year, was 1-1 with a double and three walks. If J-Roll, Young, and Chase Utley can all get (and stay) hot at the same time, the top of the order will actually be something to fear again.

BROXTON HELPS THE PHILS AGAIN

We remember 2008. We also remember 2009. And Friday night, Jonathan Broxton again came up short in a big situation against the Phillies. With one out and runners on first and second, in a tie game Broxton came in to try and get out of the jam created by Sean Marshall. He then plunked Delmon Young, and gave up a ground ball up the middle that resulted in no outs when the play at second was bobbled.

Then he gave up a sac fly to Carlos Ruiz (that was admittedly a blown call at the plate). Thanks, buddy. :)

Cincinnati Reds (25-16) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (19-22)

Tony Cingrani (2-0, 2.89) vs. Cliff Lee (4-2, 2.86)

TIME: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: 68, sunny
Media: Twitter and Facebook

News and notes:

-Mike Adams had an MRI and is considered day-to-day, although a DL stint is not quite out of the woods. He has a mild back strain, and if he does do to the DL they can retro him to 5/11.

-Ruben Amaro Jr. gave an update on Carlos Zambrano. Big Z will throw two innings in an extended spring training game, or somewhere around 30-40 pitches tomorrow. They will then ramp him up to 50 pitches his next outing.

-John Lannan will throw a bullpen session on Monday or Tuesday according to Amaro, but he’s still not all that close to being ready.

As for tonight’s game, the Red hot Reds are in town and looking to get on base. That’s what Shin-Soo Choo and Joey Votto do. They are 1-2 in the NL in OBP, with Choo getting on at a ridiculous .458 clip this season. As Corey Seidman pointed out today on twitter, Joey Votto and Shin-Soo Choo have reached base 177 times … which is the exact same number as Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Domonic Brown and Ben Revere combined. Wow.

Cliff Lee will have his work cut out for him as Votto has hit him well. He is 7-for-16 with a HR off the fellow lefty.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Utley 2B, M. Young 3B, Howard 1B, D. Young RF, Brown LF, Ruiz C, Mayberry CF, Lee P

GAMEDAY BEER: Stone Levitation Ale

This deep amber brew has a rich maltiness, big hoppy character, citrus overtones, and an impressively modest alcohol content for a beer with so much flavor packed into it. It’s at 4.4%, so it’s not overbearing. Beer Advocate has it highly ranked with a score of 88. And Stone Brewing Co. rarely let’s anyone down. Enjoy!

According to all the usual suspect beat writers and the Phillies, LHP Raul Valdes has been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and RHP B.J. Rosenberg has been called to take his place. Valdes was at best mediocre in 2013 and at worst completely ineffective, with a 7.65 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP, allowing 10.8 H/9 IP.

Rosenberg, 27, has been mildly effective as a starter this year for the IronPigs, going 1-3 with a 4.30 ERA in seven starts. As Matt Provence points out, Rosenberg was sharp in his most recent start, picking up the win after seven scoreless innings pitched on 5/12 against Durham.

The Phillies haven’t gotten off to the best of starts but the team hasn’t been devoid of bright spots. The Phillies’ bench has been one of the best in the league and Kevin Frandsen deserves much of the credit. Frandsen is hitting .258/.361/.516 in 37 plate appearances after hitting .338/.383/.451 last year.

Frandsen had the best season of his career in 2012, and in the early going this year, both his wOBA and wRC+ are even better. His walk rate, isolated power and slugging percentages are also higher than they were last year. His .361 on-base percentage is great, especially in a reduced offensive environment, but it would look even better if not for a .231 BABIP. Just like last year’s .366 BABIP wasn’t likely to be sustained, Frandsen isn’t very likely to continue struggling to convert balls put in play into hits this season.

If his current true talent level falls somewhere in between the last two seasons, the Phillies have a very valuable bench player and someone who deserves legitimate consideration for an extended platoon role. His defensive versatility should enable him to spell any of the four infielders at any given time, and he could likely handle corner outfield activity as well.

What stands out in analyzing his numbers over the last two seasons is how he compares to the recent gold standard of pinch-hitting: Greg Dobbs, circa 2007-08. From 2012-13, Frandsen has logged about half of Dobbs’ playing time from 2007-08 and has essentially matched his overall productivity. Frandsen’s production has been seemingly less important than Dobbs, given the overall performance of the 2007-08 Phillies in conjunction to this current iteration, but that doesn’t make him any less valuable.

Continue reading Frandsen Channeling and Surpassing Dobbs

Domonic Brown may be walking less, but he’s hitting the cover off the ball. Photo: AP

This past offseason, Ruben Amaro drew quite a bit of criticism when he told reporters that he didn’t value walks very much. The quote, taken from Phillies beat writer Matt Gelb, went like this:

“I don’t care about walks. I care about production. To be frank with you, I’ve said this all along. All of the sabermatricians and all of the people who think they know exactly what makes a good club… to me, it’s more about run production and being able to score runs and drive in runs.”

If you’re anything like me, you had a good laugh after reading that one (laughter to keep from crying). After that laughter subsided, though, I was left wondering how Amaro could say he doesn’t care about walks and then go on to say winning is about driving in runs, something that is made possible from teams getting baserunners, which sometimes come from–you guessed it!–guys getting walked. Logically, Amaro’s statement just didn’t add up. Continue reading Domonic Brown’s New Approach