Gameday: Braves (13-18) at Phillies (18-12)
Posted by Pat Gallen, Sun, May 09, 2010 12:59 PM | Comments: 98
2010 Gameday, Posts
Atlanta Braves (13-17) at Philadelphia Phillies (18-12)
Kenshin Kawakami (0-5, 5.47 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (2-2, 4.42 ERA)
Time: 1:35 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
TV: MyPhl 17 / TBS
Weather: Overcast/Cool/Windy, 55
Twitter: @philliesnation
First things first, the DL is getting another member. Brian Schneider joined it today with a left achillies injury, Paul Hoover was brought up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to be the backup to Carlos Ruiz.
Another very winnable game went by the wayside yesterday as the Braves took Game 2 of the set, 4-1. The Phils left nine men on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They couldn’t even muster one extra base hit, although they did manage 13 base runners on the day.
Cole Hamels will look to build on his last two starts which have been very good. Two weeks ago in San Francisco, Hamels went six and struck out 10. He followed that up with an 8-inning, 1-earned run performance against the St.Louis Cardinals this past Wednesday. A third solid outing could mean he’s very much back as one of the best in the National League. If it’s a dud, more questions will arise about the maturity and focus of their young lefty. A good deal is riding on today’s start.
On the other side it’s Kenshin Kawakami. His stats don’t look pleasing to the eye, but Bobby Cox and his staff have all said he’s pitching better than those numbers indicate, and he’s not getting much run support to back it up. He did fairly well against the Phils last season, going 1-0 in two starts, with an ERA in the mid-three’s. Let’s hope he isn’t “due” for a win just yet.
Lineup:Victorino (CF), Polanco (3B),Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (LF), Ruiz (C), Valdez (SS), Hamels (P)
Your gameday beer: Pacifico
Cerveza Pacifico Clara is the real name for this beer which was brewed by three German men in Mexico in 1900. In 1954 it was purchased by Modelo (you’ve heard of them, yes), which is now owned by Anheuser Busch. Seems like they own every beer. So I guess Pacifico is like the Bud of our neighbors to the south. Oh, well. Happy Mothers Day!
Go Phillies!
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Well Hoover can’t be any worse than Schnieider had been up to this point can he?
Come on Cole! Keep up the solid work.
Posted: 01:02 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Tracey
CHOOCH!!! What a play at the plate!
Posted: 01:45 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Chuck
Actually, the little bit I’ve seen of him, I like Paul Hoover. I think he’ll be fine.
Posted: 01:48 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Number 47
Hooray for Werth (why haven’t we resigned this guy yet?) and Chooch!
Posted: 01:49 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
Dang, it’s nasty outside today!
Werth to Chooch!!!!! OUT!
Posted: 01:50 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Mulvi
Intentional walk in the first to get to Werth? Bobby’s got brass ones.
Posted: 01:55 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Number 47
And that, my friends, is why intentionally walking the bases loaded is a Bad Thing.
Posted: 01:57 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NJ
Greatest beer on earth!
Nice to see the Phils break out of last nights hitting without runs-fest
Posted: 01:59 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Mulvi
Chooch’s patience has really been something else.
Posted: 01:59 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Mulvi
I didn’t expect Valdez to weakly ground out.
Posted: 02:01 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Sean P.
Carlos Ruiz should lead off while Rollins is out.
Think that sounds crazy?
Chooch has the best OBP in the national league and only 1 player in all of baseball get on base more than Carlos Ruiz!!!
Posted: 02:03 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NJ
Got to say I love the way pitchers have been pitching around Chooch more than you’d expect for a catcher without a middle of the order bat.
Posted: 02:05 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NJ
Chooch works in the 8 hole (or 7 when injuries dictate) because he gets very favorable pitches. He’s a scrappy hitter and he makes the best of those balls around the zone or just takes his walks. Where is in the line-up he’s almost forgotten as an offensive threat and thats how he’s gone from a mendoza line defensive catcher to an all-around almost top-tier catcher.
Posted: 02:09 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
Props to Chad’s mom for teaching him to “pay it forward”. Very good words to live by.
Posted: 02:12 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Mulvi
Polly!
Posted: 02:14 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Number 47
Polly want a homer.
Posted: 02:18 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
C’mon Cole…
Posted: 02:23 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 trent
Whos startin on the hill for the phills tomorrow?
Posted: 02:26 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 The Dipsy
Alright. I think the question is not whether we’re gonna sign Jayson, but where we’re going to get the money from.
The Dipsy
Posted: 02:29 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NJ
This is why you just have to bite your lip when the Phils are losing games because these hot streaks are unlike any other team most of the time…
Go Phils!
Posted: 02:33 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Number 47
What are the odds Exxon actually gets a hit?
Posted: 02:35 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NJ
Jayson’s like Aaron Rowand (‘cept you know the bats a surething)… If someone gives him $80-90m then the Phils aren’t likely to be able to have matched that irrelevant of the Howard deal.
But boy I hope we do manage to keep him…
Posted: 02:37 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Number 47
4-pitch walk to Glaus, and two of those were straight down the middle for a ball. The ump seems to have a strange strike zone today.
Posted: 02:39 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
Cole can’t let that strange strike zone rattle him.
Posted: 02:42 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
Why’s he throwing in the dirt?????
Posted: 02:45 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NYphilsfan
Enough with the lead off walks already!
Posted: 02:58 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Jim
Jesus christ cole hamels, what a mess
Posted: 03:02 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Number 47
Oh, HELL.
Posted: 03:04 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Jim
boo hamels man. what a disgrace. good pitchers adjust to bad weird strike zones. the mans a bum
Posted: 03:07 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Number 47
Pull him ALREADY!!!
Posted: 03:07 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NYphilsfan
Why didn’t Hamels cover first?
Posted: 03:10 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Jim
I think its about time we use hamels as trade bait. Yes, i did his beautiful 8 inning performance vs the cards but come on. the man is inconsitent, cnat adjust to strike zones we give hima respectable lead and he throws it away by giving a lead off walk to the pitcher. trade him
Posted: 03:12 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Mulvi
Jim, you’re a Grade A Moron!
Posted: 03:14 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Jim
oh wait, i forgot, we signed him to pretty big deal no one will want that
Posted: 03:14 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Jim
Sorry Mulvi but thats just my opinion, if you dont agree thats ok. The man was great in the 08 world series but he hasnt been the same and he never will be.
Posted: 03:15 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Number 47
Finally. Thank God.
Posted: 03:15 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
So does Cole Pitch the 6th?
Posted: 03:16 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NYphilsfan
NO!
Posted: 03:18 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Despite Hamels giving up 3 runs in that inning, he did settle down with the bases loaded and get three outs to hold the lead.
Trying to find the silver lining here.
Posted: 03:20 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
His control was really off, I wonder if he’s hurt or something?
Posted: 03:23 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 bureaucratist
I’m just now tuning into the game. What about making Cole a closer? He’s basically a two-pitch pitcher, not good for a starter’s long-term success. Plus,h e’d probably gain a few MPH on the fastball, making both of his pitches even better. Thoughts?
Posted: 03:27 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
bureau, I don’t think Cole has the mental make-up for a closer.
Posted: 03:31 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Chuck
Man, Valdez is brutal at times. Still….I’ll take him over Bruntlett.
Posted: 03:35 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 bureaucratist
True, Georgie. Might be worth a shot, though. He is proving himself not to have the mental makeup for a starter, either, although his reaction to the second field-jumper the other night does not bode well for his closing (or starting, for that matter) capacity, that is for sure.
Posted: 03:35 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 bureaucratist
Youch. Anyone ever seen Durbin look so good?
Posted: 03:38 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Keith E
The BP will save the day.
GO PHILS!!!
Posted: 03:38 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
To tell you the truth, Cole worries me…
Posted: 03:39 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Mulvi
Durbin is a stud!
Posted: 03:39 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 Jim
Great job by durbin today…. 2 innings baserunners and 4 ks. thats 2008 durbin
Posted: 03:40 PM on May 9, 2010
Posts: 0 NJ
Durbin was hurt so much of last year. Now the Phils have Baez and Contreras Durbin’s in the best possible position and he’s getting it done!
Big question is is Lidge the closer tonight…?
Posted: 03:40 PM on May 9, 2010