Weekly Wrap: A Series Won and a Series Lost
Posted by Jason Bintliff, Mon, August 03, 2009 08:00 AM | Comments: 44
Posts
The Phillies started the week playing some of their best baseball of the season. Heading west, they took the momentum from a 5-2 home-stand with them as they traveled to Arizona, to play the lowly Diamondbacks.
The road trip started well as the Phillies took the first two from the D-Backs. On Monday, the Phils touched up starting pitcher, Jon Garland for six runs in the win. Phillies starter Jaime Moyer pitched a scoreless six plus innings and had the young D-Backs line-up looking confused.
On Tuesday, Cole Hamels out- dueled starter and Cy Young Award front-runner Dan Haren, giving up just one run in eight innings of work. The Phils bats were able to wear Haren down, forcing him to throw too many pitches, too soon. Haren lasted just five innings, but not before the Phils clawed together three runs. Although closer Brad Lidge made it interesting in the ninth, an insurance run added in the seventh proved to be just enough for the Phillies to take the series win.
The Phils finished the series with a loss, but the clubhouse was abuzz heading into to San Francisco.
The Phillies learned before the game that they had acquired both pitcher Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco from the Cleveland Indians, forgoing a trade with the Blue Jays for starting pitcher, Roy Halladay.
The Phightin’s dropped the opener with the Giants after starter Rodrigo Lopez lasted only four innings and sealed his demotion to the bullpen. Through four innings, Lopez allowed seven runs(three earned) on eight hits. The bats never could find a groove and after getting shut out in their previous game, could only muster two runs.
Friday night ushered in the start of the Cliff Lee era in Philadelphia. the former reigning Cy Young Award winner did not disappoint.
Lee pitched a gem, a complete game, giving up only one run en-route to a 5-1 win for his first in Phillies red. Lee struck out six and walked only two but was just as impressive at the plate. He went 2-4 with a run scored, highlighted by his first career double off the wall in left. He also took a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
On Saturday, the Giants threw out a Cy Young winner of their own. Youngster Tim Lincecum wasn’t perfect, but he was good enough to scatter seven Phillies hits as he threw eight shut-out innings. The Phils line-up had their chances, but couldn’t produce a timely hit and the Giants blanked the Phils 2-0.
On Sunday, Phillies starter Cole Hamels came unraveled and the Phillies dropped their third of four to the Giants thus finishing 3-4 on their trip.
Hamels was superb until he faced his counter-part, Barry Zito, with two outs in the fifth. Zito reached on a single and the wheels fell off the wagon. Hamels went on to allow seven runs in five innings pitched.
The Phils bats went cold. Jimmy Rollins had an awful week at the dish batting only .226. Carlos Ruiz took a doughnut in ten at bats and his partner, Paul Bako wasn’t much better. The Phillies lacked any form of production from their 7-8 hitters all week and it showed.
The middle of the line-up, while hitting well for average, left too many runners on base and were anemic in all of their losses.
The starting pitching had a good week, but Hamels is still an enigma.
Hamels pitched eight strong innings against a bad Arizona club, but was shelled against a good Giants team. It begs the question, which Cole can we count on as we head into the dog days of summer?
3-4 is not a terrible road trip and despite the losing record, the Phillies maintain a five game lead over the Marlins in the division. The losses however weren’t pretty.
A little home cooking should do them good.
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
15, 16, 17 and 18 straight days of playing baseball in a different time zone against a formidable team… I expected them to lose this series. Splitting the series would have been a huge victory but they should be able to shrug this one off.
The biggest concern is obviously Hamels… if you give your “ace” a 3-1 lead heading into the second half of the any game, you should expect him to be able to bring it home. Hamels had pretty good velocity yesterday and he looked really good through four but he started saying, “Woe is me” in the 5th and completely lost his composure… he was fidgety, he was calling Ruiz off, he was irritated… he took himself out of his groove. It’s probably unfair to say that he got shelled. If he gets out of that fifth inning; an inning marred by a 2 out broken bat single by the pitcher, a Texas league blooper and a Howard error, his confidence isn’t broken and we probbaly win that game.
We got a great performance out of Blanton that should have resulted in a win… Lincecum is like a buzz saw… we did manage 7 hits off of him and at Citizens Bank Park, some of those end up in the seats.
Give the Giants credit; they know how to play at home… an off day today should really boost morale.
Posted: 09:43 AM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Argive
This series sucked, but I don’t think anyone could have reasonably expected them to keep up that incredible pace they were on in July. We all knew that their road record was going to start balancing out at some point as well. Slumps like this trip are the nature of the game.
Posted: 10:04 AM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Terrence
Finally some rest for the Phils today. Its been like a month since the phils all stars got a day off. Phils should get a big boost with rest and the home crowd. Well since the Phillies were so hot, they were due to some slacking. But going 3-4 on a west coast trip not to mention you haven’t had a break in like a month is not bad and shows the phils are a tough team. Just bad for lee to join the team in a cold streak. now he’ll see the real phils and vic expects to be back tuesday.
Posted: 10:05 AM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 SuperFan
check out the new design of SuperLogoz.com
Posted: 10:29 AM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Jason, with all due respect, a 3-4 road trip IS terrible. The Phillies should have at least come away with a split in SF. And…..they LOST part of their lead over their division rivals. I’m sorry…but for THIS team, at THIS point in the season…..3-4 sucks!
Posted: 10:58 AM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
3-4 is not terrible… when you consider that the best teams in baseball only win 60% of their games, you expect some stretches where you only win 3 out of 7 games especially after the stretch that they just went through. Patience… with the Rockies and Fish coming to town, we should be optimistic. We have won 9 out of 12 against those two teams so far this season… and we’re playing well at home right now. I expect the Phils to take at least 4 out of 6.
Posted: 11:41 AM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
I am more concerened about getting rid of Bako and Bruntlett, A effin SAP.
The Dipsy
Posted: 12:20 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
I really don’t understand how July 31 came and went and Eric Bruntlett is STILL on the 25 man roster. Unbelievable. Bako is actually a decent catcher…calls a pretty good game. But wouldn’t Chris Coste have been the better back-up? I still really don’t understand that move.
Posted: 12:58 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
3-4 Road Trip … 4 of those games including a Playoff team with the reigning Cy Young winner … is not bad at all. It would have been really nice to split with San Fran.. and go 4-3 on the trip, but lets relax a little
Again with the Bako and Bruntlett crys??
Im more worried about why Cole Hamels can’t pitch..
Posted: 01:18 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Nobody that you would have as your utility-infielder is going to do anything great with the bat … Bruntlett, Cairo, etc..
So you take the guy that is best in the field, and gives you the most options for whenever you might need him.. that is Bruntlett for now.
I feel like I say this every other day… but if our season comes down to how good Eric Bruntlett’s bat is , then we really have bigger problems to worry about
Posted: 01:19 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
I’m not gonna cry about Bako….I’ve been defending him all along. But, seriously ??……Bruntlett is taking up a valuable roster spot. I know he tries hard and it’s REALLY tough to stay sharp sitting on the bench, but he’s hitting .133 !!!!…..not anywhere reasonably close to the Mendoza line.
And I think that a split with SF would have made the trip a success. losing 3 of 4 to them (although in THEIR balpark) is mildly concerning, especially in view of the fact that we have a good chance of seeing them in October.
Yeah…Cole Hamels is a real head-scratcher. Right now, the Lee deal looks pretty good….
Posted: 01:32 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
i don’t get the Phillies team structure, but it did work last year. A lefty loaded line-up so we chose the lefty catcher, with our two best pinch hitters are lefty. Franciso is a help.
Don’t laugh if I mention Barrajas and Scutaro off waivers. Scutaro would give us more than Bruntlee at the plate and the field. Barrajas can play C, 1B and DH.
Anyone know these two players Elias rating. Scutaro a type B, Barrajas nothin?
Posted: 01:38 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
WHO is a better option that Bruntlett right now … honestly.
Im not saying Bruntlett is really good, he’s not … but you can’t have a team full of All-Stars .. that isn’t reality. And the fact that people would rather complain about him all the time, then about Hamels giving up 10 Hits every game.. or how lousy our defense has been lately .. etc.. it really grinds my gears
Posted: 01:39 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Rod Barajas does not deserve to play for this team again … he’s the only catcher i’ve ever seen that is literally afraid of contact at home plate
Posted: 01:43 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
Agree with you 100% Don… ebb and flow of the game is such that it’s valuable and essential to have a guy like Bruntlett. It makes double moves and late game situations easier to manage. You can’t only have guys like Stairs on the bench and guys that can hit and field are called starters.
Bruntlett has had 82 total ab’s this season… 22 with RISP. More often than not, his bat is inconsequential. Now, the one thing that is notable; out of 43 AB’s with men on base, Eric Bruntlett has only grounded into 2 double plays.
Posted: 01:46 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
Carroll from Cleveland is another guy I’d try and pick up on waivers. only 43 AB’s vs lefties, buthitting .374 and still hits .264 vs Righties. Contract expires. Excellent road average
Posted: 01:46 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
The Original Chuck,
Wouldn’t be better to have a guy klike Scutaro or CArroll that the team could use in a situation that matters? I also thinkit’s beneficial to have a catcher that can play first instead of a .133 Utility infielder.
I knew Barrajas would draw ire. any RH C, 1B with expiring contracts that hit lefties?
Posted: 01:49 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
I realize that Hamels’ pitching and defensive problems and lack of hitting at times is more important than Eric Bruntlett. But, again….. .133.
Who is a better option? I know he was dealt.. but someone along the lines of a Jerry Hairston, Jr. Marco Scutaro was mentioned getting off waivers. Geez….even Jason Donald might have been a better option before he was traded last week. I would think that there has to be SOMEONE out there that can hit better than .133 and play reasonably well in the field.
Posted: 01:50 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
How well does a guy like Carroll do at the plate.. not getting into the final game of a series, then having the next day off, and then MAYBE getting to face a tough reliever in the 8th innings of a game after sitting the whole time leading up to that at-bat
Im guessing the chances he gets a hit aren’t that much higher than Bruntlett ..
and Im not riping the idea. Im all for adding anyone that is an upgrade over what we currently have.. I just don’t see Bako or Bruntlett as problems on our roster. Im much more concerned about Hamels, Lidge, and our bullpen’s health
Posted: 01:52 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
In order Scutaro, Carroll, Eckstein and still looking
Posted: 01:54 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
you have to give stuff up to trade for those guys… and is it worth trading prospects for a guy that MIGHT get an at-bat every game, or every other ?
Posted: 02:00 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
Carroll is 3 for 13 as a sub, but in 197 ABs as a sub lifetime he’s batting .330. Carroll has some playoff experience from when he was with Colorado.
Bruntlett is 6 for 37 as a sub and a pathetic 6 for 46 as a starter.
Is it me or was it embarrassing to see him start at 1B. We need a better option.
Posted: 02:03 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
Don, I agree that I wouldn’t give up much for a 1.5 month rental, but we can’t rest guys like Rollins, Utley and Howard without putting an automatic out in the lineup. Carrol or Scutaro give you the ability to give a guy a day here or a day there. look how tired guys like Howard and Utley looked.
Posted: 02:06 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Ok….question then…
If Rollins or Utley goes down for a period of time then who fills in? Of course, right now it’s Bruntlett. Tell me that’s not a concern..
I guess you could make the argument that regular playing time would benefit Bruntlett’s bat. But what if it doesn’t? And we’ve got a guy hitting .150 in the lineup every night? That’s not a problem to consider?
I hear you…he’s the best option right now because he’s the ONLY option.
Posted: 02:07 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Don M, excellent point on Bruntlett. The Phillies have him for his versatility as infielder/outfielder and not his bat. Any contribution from his bat is a bonus. Someone complains about his BA but disregard the fact he has had so few ABs to try to improve his BA. Unlike last year where he had the opportunity to play and contribute in filling for injured players like Rollins (on the DL), his role has been limited basically to pinch hitting and fielding as the starters remained healthy.
There may be a growing concern with Hamels and his inconsistent outings. Questions are being whispered about his focus and concentration; his location and command of pitches. I noted his breaking pitches, especially the curveball, looked sloppy with little bite last night. It was almost like batting practice for the Giants (10 hits in 5+ innings). No wonder Manuel had enough and yanked Hamels out of the game in the 6th inning after failing to get an out with the first four hitters. All eyes will be carefully observing Hamels in his next start and see if he can improve on his 4.68 ERA.
Posted: 02:08 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
Rod Barajas… no thanks.
Scutaro wouldn’t be a bad addition but I highly doubt he makes it that far down the waiver wire.
Posted: 02:12 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
If Rollins or Utley goes down… THAT is the concern.. not who replaces them
You can’t replace MVP type players . . .
Jamey Carroll isn’t head and shoulders better than Bruntlett either.. can someone give me the list of part-time players who can play every position on the field, while hitting over .250
I can’t find it, but I’m guessing its a short list…
Posted: 02:22 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
Brunlett batted .220 as a starter, .205 as a sub last year
Why not upgrade with someone like Carroll fo 600K?
Teams should always look to get better as long as the price is right.
Posted: 02:22 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
Further, once Shane comes back (tomorrow), doesn’t Francisco takes Bruntlett’s at bats?
Posted: 02:31 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
Don, Bruntlett is was a .220 hitter last year when playing Full time, not .250.
Posted: 02:33 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Who replaces All-Star starters is most certainly a concern, because that person isn’t the same player as the regular. So would you rather have Eric Bruntlett, who’s hitting .133 or Jamey Carroll (just an example) who’s hitting .289?
Again, though….the argument CAN be made that Bruntlett’s avg would POSSIBLY go up due to regular playing time if he was put in that position.
Posted: 02:33 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Yeah, FRancisco takes his ABs AND plays in the OF. No real need to put Bruntlett out there like last year. So his (Bruntlett’s) ability to play many positions is nice but not critical.
Posted: 02:37 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
We’ll see what happens, but Rollins, Utley and the big Dawg need a break every now and then. You put an automatic out in your lineup with Bruntlet.
Obviously there are moer concerns like Hamels, but there’s nothing we can do about him. Have to address the little things you can. probably won’t be able to get Scutaro or Carroll from the AL anyway.
Posted: 02:39 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
LOL, an article on mlbtraderumors named players who could be traded who clear waivers. Carroll was on the list.
Posted: 02:45 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if we claimed Carroll and nobody else did we could get him for nothing couldn’t we? Cleveland is out of it so they migth just want to dump the 600-750K, no?
Carroll is just an example because he’s on a team that’s done and they could save some cash.
Posted: 02:50 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
I didn’t mean to say that Bruntlett WAS a .250 hitter.. but even if he was hitting .220 again, that still isn’t great, and people would still want him gone for “someone better” ..
again, point being, that there aren’t a lot of guys that can come off the bench and hit for a high average.. especailly while playing solid defense at numerous positions.
Carroll already has 173 at bats this year… I doubt he would stay as hot without getting regular plate appearances … in the same way that Bruntlett would probably hit more if he got to the plate more often.
…
…..
It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to have the money and the means to have a bench stacked with players who could be capable replacements if one of your All-Star, MVP type players goes down … we bitched for years about not having a solid lineup … now we’ve got the best group of regulars in Phillies history, and somehow our 25th man and pur backup catcher are on the hot-seat ??
…
To obtain Carroll, or anyone else.. you still have to make a trade with that other team. I kinda dont think the Indians front-office wants to make another deal with the Phillies right now?
Posted: 03:14 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Right now…I would completely settle for Eric Bruntlett to be hitting .220 or somewhere around .200. But, again….. .133. That’s not even CLOSE to being acceptable to earning the right to be on a major league roster (unless you are a pitcher).
I feel that Bruntlett has instead earned the position he is in with at least a lot of us here…being on the “hot seat.”
He doesn’t have to be an All-Star. I understand that.
Posted: 03:24 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
One more point about Bruntlett is that last year he hit .218..
A LOT of people wanted him gone. But I defended him for exactly the argument that is being made…..he’s a solid defensive player that can play many positions and happens to not be the best hitter.
But this year is different. He’s not playing all the positions he did last year. And he’s hitting almost 100 points LOWER. He has become more of a liability than an asset at this point. I would rather see Joe Blanton or Cole Hamels come in and pinch-hit whenever Bruntlett gets the call for that role.
Posted: 03:33 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
funny you say that, because .220 is EXACTLY what So Taguchi hit last year… and people wanted his head on a platter
Posted: 03:33 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
He’s not playing all the positions, because Ibanez can actually play defense in Left Field … Rollins didn’t spend a month on the DL .. etc..
you show me a better option than Bruntlett, and I’ll welcome him with open arms.. but Bruntlett is who they have in-house, they don’t need to add any payroll, or trade any players..
and if you look at the last 9 games that Bruntlett played in .. they lost by 5, lost by 4, won by 4, lost by 8, lost by 5, won by 3 … etc
He really isn’t the difference maker in any of these games, nor should he be. His job is to be ready for anything. the very last thing they need him to do is hit. Be ready in the field, be ready to run, know the defensive signals and assignments for every position on the field … etc
Posted: 03:39 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 JeffR
Once the playoffs start, it doesn’t matter how versatile he is. Rollins isn’t coming out of a game. We don’t nned him as a defensive replacement for Burrell. The main role that position on the roster would play is that of a right-handed pinch hitter, and we need somebody better than Bruntlett.
Posted: 03:55 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 JeffS
For the away games in a WS, can we let the pitcher hit and use the DH for Bruntlett? Just kidding. JeffR makes a good point, I think.
Posted: 04:36 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
If his job is to be ready for anything, then he needs to be ready to effectively pinch-hit. With him not needed as much defensively, he should be ready offensively. And we all know he’s not that kind of player….so, really, it’s a wasted roster spot.
Posted: 04:43 PM on August 3, 2009
Posts: 0 mikeB
Well, the mighty Giants, who are supposedly hard to beat in their AT&T Ballpark, went on the road on Monday evening and continued their losing ways away from home by losing at Houston, 4-2. They are now 21-32 in away games and their other top pitcher, Matt Cain, took the loss.
Posted: 04:19 AM on August 4, 2009