Bullpen, Bats Assure D.C. Sweep
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, May 17, 2009 05:26 PM | Comments: 57
2009 Recaps, Posts
Like any good team, the Phillies ran through a bad team, sweeping the Nationals in four games with an 8-6 win.
This time the Phils needed a late comeback, and got it in the eighth. After putting the first two runners on, a well-executed Pedro Feliz bunt resulted in a complete defensive breakdown by Anderson Hernandez, letting in two runs and setting up a third. Eric Brunlett made that possible with a pinch-hit RBI double. The three-run inning handed the Phils a two-run lead, which they wouldn’t squander this time.
That’s because the bullpen was superb. Notching the win in his first career appearance was Sergio Escalona. The Reading lefty callup pitched a fine, scoreless seventh against right-handed hitters. WIth him was Jack Taschner (2.2 IP, H, 2 BB, K), Chad Durbin (2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 K), Scott Eyre (1.1 IP, BB, 2 K) and Brad Lidge, who threw two pitches and got two outs for the easiest save he’s collected as a Phillie. And that was highly important.
The offense teed off against rookie Jordan Zimmermann early, as Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino drove in runs in the first for a 3-0 lead. But Chan Ho Park had a poor start, never getting out of the second while letting up five runs. The Phils battled back early, though, thanks to a Jimmy Rollins RBI single and Chase Utley RBI double.
With the sweep, the Phils are now at 20-16. At 7 p.m. Friday we were all fretting a .500 baseball team; 46 hours later we’re basking in a team four over .500.
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
From draysbay: Pat Burrell to the DL.
Posted: 05:28 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Terry the troll
even though you won today you overused your bull pen
Posted: 05:30 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Terry the troll
This might hurt you at the end of the year.
Posted: 05:31 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
What about Escolona. You get called up, make your debut on the same day and get the win.
Posted: 05:31 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 PhanIN
Can the Phils just play all of their games on the road? They look like a different team, with wins after wins. Sucks Burrell is on the DL for Tampa, least Ibanez is kicking butt.
Posted: 05:32 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
our bullpen wasn’t used that much if u really think about it either. :)
Posted: 05:42 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
with the day off we’re just fine.
Posted: 05:43 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Anyone know why Burrell is on the DL? I wasnt able to actually watch the game, how did lidge look? still hesitent?
Posted: 05:46 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Sergio Escalona has major league stuff, Ill tell you that.
Posted: 06:16 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 sawaob12
Nice bullpen work today. Does today mean we get to start the JA Happ watch again? Park was just awful today, and with a 3 run lead out of the gate.
Can we please give Happ a start? I have tickets for Saturday at the Yankees and do not want to see Park pitch…
Posted: 06:20 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 ryan
i’d have given the ashburn award to Jack Taschner. and i feel like i must be high for saying that. because he’s awful. but he came up huge today when they really needed him.
I think this was park’s last chance. he needs to go to the pen now. or be designated for assignment. i don’t like his attitude and his body language. he seems like a jerk.
Posted: 06:24 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 ll
its weird how they play so much better on the road..you would think it would be the opposite..anyway, good thing all of the games this week are away!
hopefully, Happ will start sometime soon..they need another good pitcher because Blaton, Moyer, and Park, are all pretty inconsistent
Posted: 06:25 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 shag beta sigma delta
reading the other string of post I would have thought Taschner pitched horribly. I really don’t get how bad people say he is, he has had some bad outings but has some good ones too. I am not saying he is good, but the guy kept us in the game today, what 2 2/3 one hit two walks and a K, no runs that is a pretty good outing for a guy coming in the second inning. And is JRoll and Uttley out of their hitting slumps, they hit the nationals well, lets hope this boosts them for the next series, and Pete Happy is quietly hitting what .300 now. LIke to see that all year from him. And it seems like the Kid Escalona pitched well, I will watch the game on DVR when I get home. Good to sweep a team we should beat all year. Rest on Monday hopfully the Kid will stay up for a couple of weeks, but eventually we are going to need another bat on the bench. I am pulling for Moyer to get 250 on Tuesday he is due for a good start, I have faith unlike most of you. GO Phillies
Posted: 06:38 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 shag beta sigma delta
I am predicting 9-3 or 8-4 for the rest of May, lets finish May strong and get into the dog days with some confidence, and a nice winning streak,
Posted: 06:43 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Lets not get ahead of ourselves but we’re doing somethng the Red Sox have all but patented, winning enough games when your nicked up or playing poorly to put you in the drivers seat down the stretch.
Winning when your playing well is one thing, winning when there are glaring problems is another thing.
Posted: 06:50 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
I won’t jump to conclusion and proclaim that Escalona “has major league stuff” as Geoff did on this thread. I’ll wait to see how he handles pressure situations and react to hitters making adjustments. He is not overpowering but relies on changing speeds and locating his spots. Apparently the Phillies would like to see him as another arm and a situational lefty until J.C. Romero returns June 3rd.
Posted: 06:50 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Ped
I think the inevitable switch of Happ and Park will happen soon.
Yay for Escolona!
Is anyone else feeling really good about our farm system lately?
Let’s go Giants, beat the Mets!
Posted: 06:52 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Been feeling good about the farm for a while, its not the Red Sox or Cubs farm but boy we have some post Ed Wade talent.
Posted: 06:57 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Tom G
Smoke screen wins…
Still the same crap…
POOR starting pitching…
the good offense should not blnd anyone to the fact that the PHILS screwed up re-signing Moyer…and not seeking a quality number 2…(Star Trek reference)…
The Phils should scrap the 40 something gig and bring up for good one of the young pithcers in AAA…irrespective of how they are pitching for the PIGS they know what they need to do…so do it
Posted: 07:08 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Funny Tom… 1 or 2 smoke screen wins and sure its SSDD, but the Phils are wracking up wins and they’ve barely got a head of steam going.
Bringing up a kid wouldn’t be the answer, Carrasco isn’t ready and you only bring up the kids to audition when you’ve got roster spots to fill. Despite the longballs Myers is pitching well and not giving up much else, Cole is making progress and the middle of the rotation guys will find a groove and its already been made clear a slot is being made ready for Happ who’s been great so far.
The Phils are fine, better than fine, the chances of repeating are so incredibly slim and things could be going much worse. The Mets are in a much worse place, the Braves have had their issues so enjoy it a little… You can’t play like champions for 162 games and until hoisting the trophy the Phils weren’t exactly playing like champions up to that point.
Posted: 07:26 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
The Nats bullpen makes Bruntlett look like a major leaguer.
I’m happy that the Phils didn’t settle for 3 out of 4 and went for the kill. With a tough schedule coming up, wins will be a lot tougher to come by, but they just won 4 road games in a row-tough to quibble with that.
Chan Ho blows, but we knew that already.
Posted: 07:48 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike N
I looked at Escalona on the mlb Gameday and I’m not sure about him. Looks like he throws 88 MPH fastballs over the plate. That might work on the nationals but seems like a recipe for disaster. But maybe he looked more impressive if you actually watched the game?
Posted: 07:54 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Shawn
a late inning comeback! showing signs of a great team to come
Posted: 08:08 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 mikemike
Hey terry buddy. could you give me a script for Xanax, the mets make me ner—o=u=s/ see
Posted: 08:15 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 mikemike
Mike N Says he isn’t much of a prospect, they don’t want to use up a opnion by bringing up bastardo. Escalona is a 88-89 with okay offspeed stuff. I Try to not say bad things about Geoff but why would he build up this low level prospect. T sometimes think terry and geoff are the same person becasue they post the same stupid nonsense.
Posted: 08:39 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
The Phils are NOT fine. Myers is average AT BEST. Blanton just below and Park and Moyer are horrible. I said horrible. If the Phils are gonna make a run to repeat they need another pitcher. A good one. One that would bump Myers down to #3.
The Dispy
Posted: 09:22 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Bring up a minor league pitcher? Who? Why? For who…for what?
The Dipsy
Posted: 09:26 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
I concur to a degree. The rotation at the end of the season should look like:
Cole Hamels
# 2 starter they do not yet have (probably an impending FA)
Brett Myers
JA Happ
Joe Blanton (assuming he doesnt meltdown)
I actually think Brett Myers will be resigned for cheap at some point during the season. Even if he is just decent that makes him worth keeping but it doesnt mean hes ever going to be our number 2.
Posted: 09:36 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Dude, you cant judge a guys stuff by he gameday. tahts always wrong. his fastball is 88-92 with movement and good breaking stuff. he could be a solid asset if used properly.
Posted: 09:52 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
The difference between Park and Moyer…Park gives up several runs in the first inning or two against a BAD team. Moyer can at least get through the line up once against very good teams then get shelled.
Posted: 10:18 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Havoc
Brian, I agree on the nats being a bad team but their offense isn’t the problem. If you check their stats they are one of the better offenses in the National League. To be honest I’m concerned with Moyer, Park, & Blanton. I feel that Happ could fill one of those spots nicely and that if necessary we could see the return of Kendrick for a second spot, but one of those three pitchers needs to turn the corner before i’ll feel comfortable with our rotation.
To be honest though I feel better knowing that the team can fight through these sort of problems. There have been alot of teams I’ve seen that would roll over and die with the pitching problems we’ve had. Instead we’ve had guys pick each other up. If the pitchers are having trouble getting outs the defense steps up with a double play. If the starter gives up a three run homer (Something we’ve done alot!) then the offense steps up with a 4 run inning. It’s been said time and again, but the team plays the game the right way and has no quit. Maybe i’m an optimist, but I’m imagining how great this team will be when the holes in it are patched.
Posted: 10:34 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
If youre holding onto that thats pretty weak man. Moyer has a worse ERA than Park does..Moyer has two or three starts thats it man to show he still should be playing.
Posted: 10:35 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Tom G
NJ…dude…you cannot sustain success in BASEBALL with a team ERA above 5.38…one run higher than the league average.
Cole is the only legit stud…Myers iffy, Blanton would be a solid number 5…JA is a good pitcher and we should see what he can do…but MOYER was horrible signing this off season!
We need a legit number 2…
Our bullpen can not succeed with having to pitch so many innings…
IF we do not do something, give Happ the ball, bring up a young pitcher…we are doomed…Moyer is done…Myers is a number 4…
don’t believe me…look at the team ERA…this is not sustainable…we cannot out slug everyone
Posted: 10:42 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jim
great game today.
and the mets are losing 2-0 to the giants going into the 9th, looks like we may be a half game back going into next week
Posted: 10:43 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Havoc, thats true Nats batting averages are pretty darn good, but they really havent hit the players in. They dont always hit the players in from Scoring position. Geoff, if you are basing a pitcher based only on an ERA, that “pretty weak man”. Actually REALLY week. Cant always go on ERA alone. Like lidge the other night. Credited with blowing a save, true he gave up a double, but had Chase actually thrown the ball close to the plate, Dunn (I think it was him) would have been out by about 20 feet, and game over, Lidge gets the save. Instead error on Utley game tied, and they had to win it in the 12th. Your outright hatred for some players astounds me. You can find a negative in anything.
Posted: 10:50 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Tom G, Agreed, but much of the team ERA has been giving up the longball. The Defense hasnt been bad really, if they settle down and limit the HR’s to even maybe 1 a game, it would drop the ERA.
Posted: 10:51 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I meant weak, not week. :)
Posted: 10:52 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE ARTISTS. Mets lost. 1/2 game back.
Posted: 10:54 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Myers is a 3. Given that theres still a gap of a one to two years before Carrasco & the other young arms, given Blantons regression, Moyer, Park, Myers being an impending FA. They might have to keep myers for a few years because blanton isnt going to be staying here past the deadline if he keeps performing this way. They HAVE the stud prospects to get a starting pitcher who is under team control for more than this season AND who can be that number two guy weve been looking for.
Posted: 10:58 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
but who is that guy?
Posted: 11:06 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Only time will tell.
Posted: 11:41 PM on May 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Phillies Phan SC
Funny, Pat the Bat to the DL. I do hope he will be OK. Pat did well for us for some time, and I do wish him well. That being said Rauuuuuuuul is fitting in nicely, and he we had the DH I would welcome back Pat, but I am happy the way it is. Pat, wish you a speedy recovery!
On another note, did anyone see the TB Rays blunder? Apparently, Madden accidentally left two people at 3B and no DH, meaning the pitcher ended up HAVING to bat and hitting third. First AL Pitcher RBI since 1972 LOL
Posted: 01:12 AM on May 18, 2009
Posts: 0 chitown phillyfan
I am as cynical and reserved to give praise as the next Philly fan, but seriously some of the posts on here are downright ridiculous. This rotation won us a World Series 7 months ago and the team currently sits 4 games above .500 a mere half game out of first and they are doomed? Yes, there are glaring holes, but there were last year as well. I think the team has kind of earned the right to figure things out before major changes are made.
Posted: 01:50 AM on May 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
Chitown’s got a point, but one glaring hole can and should be fixed immediately: Park needs to get the Heave-Ho. I’m not going to say “he sucks,” or that he “fooled” anyone in the spring. He is simply not working, for whatever reason. Happ, however, is pitching well out of the pen and did well in his spot starts last year and did well in Spring Training. So do you keep the guy who is performing poorly in the more critical spot, or do you move the guy who is performing well to the more critical spot.
It’s time to Chan Heave-Ho.
Posted: 03:48 AM on May 18, 2009
Posts: 0 mikemike
chitown philly fan That was last year. The rotation had hole then myers wag sent down, Blanton being pulled in 9 of 14 start early like the 5 th inning moyer older, park added who isn’t very good, no romano. the thing is Blanton who was 10-0 was not great and our lineup bailed him out every time you can’t be in the whole4 or 5 runs every game in the 2nd inning and keep winning, we need consistent starting pitching, my example to your question is last year no one could touch lee from cleveland , this year he is batting practice, unforuntally Amaro got caught in the emotion of winning, if they didn’t resign moyer and park that was about eight million should have used that to get lowe, and would have made up the difference this next season with letting meyer and his 12 million walk and use one of the kids like carrasco, worley stutes next season. So this year it would have been Hamels. lowe, Blanton,Happ, myers With this rotation you have a good chance of quality starts with the top of your rotation, and sometimes it starts to rub off on. the difference in money is now we are at 29 million with lowe insterted it would have been 38 million for one year next year subtract myer 12 and its around 26 before raises
Posted: 07:05 AM on May 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Doug D.
After reading the comments of the braintrust, I get the feeling that Park will be replaced by Happ in the rotation real soon, possibly this week…Pete Happy is a fantastic bunter. Every time he’s been asked to lay one down, he shows great form and wonderful touch. Yesterday’s bunt was in the perfect spot. I don’t know if he would have beat it out for a hit if Hernandez had actually tried to catch Colome’s throw, but he definitely did his job splendidly…As I suspected, Escalona was brought up because he has “options” available. If the Phils brought up Majewski or Koplove, they would have to either keep them on the roster the rest of the year or waive or relase them when JC returns. As of now, they are both stashed down in AAA and available either as a throw-in at the trade deadline or as a September call-up. I’m certainly not ready to proclaim that Escalona has major League stuff. His fastball topped out at 89 and he showed good of movement on his curve. But he is an unknown to hitters, and that gives him the advantage in the short-term.
Posted: 07:26 AM on May 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Ben from NJ
I am psyched about the sweep, but if it wasn’t for the Nationals this team would be a below .500 team. 7-2 vs. Nats this season.
Really they just need to start winning at home. Imagine if they actually had even a one game over .500 record at home. Starting pitching is still pathetic, I’m just glad the Nationals pitching is the worst in the big leagues.
I’m happy for this sweep, especially a 4 game sweep, but I wanna see the starters start doing their job and pitching quality starts. Let’s have it start with Moyer on Tuesday and maybe he can get the team pumped up by putting in a quality start after the offense carried the team in this sweep.
Posted: 08:25 AM on May 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Park’s outing is exactly why we can’t move Moyer out of the rotation.. I’ll take a struggling Morer (with a proven track record) over Park any day.
Blanton has looked good ONCE
Park has looked good TWICE
Moyer has looked good ONCE
At some point Happ needs to get into the rotation.. but Im not sure when that happens
Posted: 09:44 AM on May 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Morer or Moyer.. either one of them
Posted: 09:45 AM on May 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Havoc
Such a tough call. I was really hoping we’d get one more good year out of Moyer. Maybe this next start against the Marlins will get him on track.
Posted: 09:58 AM on May 18, 2009