Spring Training Gameday: Twins v. Phillies
Posted by Ian Riccaboni, Wed, March 28, 2012 12:00 PM | Comments: 6
2012 Spring Training, Posts, Spring Gameday
Time: 1:05 pm, Hammond Stadium – Fort Myers, FL
Weather: Clear Skies, 86
TV: Sorry Folks, This One is Not on TV Today
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The Phils try to build on momentum gained yesterday by the Podfather’s walk-off in today’s afternoon match-up versus the Twins. If the line-up looks a little strange today, it is because it is: five starters are playing positions that are not their primary positions.
Storylines to follow: Lou Montanez is battling tooth and nail for the final roster spot. Montanez is hitting .318/.354/.455 and trails only Scott Podsednik among Phillies with 40 or more Spring Training ABs in batting average. Hector Luna has cooled off quite a bit since his blazing hot start but he still remains in camp (.243/.317/.459). Luna likely does not have a spot on the Phillies, however he can play first and third in a pinch. The most surprising name remaining in camp may be Miguel Abreu. Abreu is a 27-year old who was essentially the Michael Martinez of the Orioles farm system for the last six seasons with a better bat. Abreu’s natural position is 2B but has seen action primarily at SS for the Phils and has played the outfield. Abreu was very quietly promoted to the Phils big league camp on March 16, the same day Dontrelle Willis was released.
Injury notes: Jose Contreras is expected to throw in a Minor League game today. Freddy Galvis is day-to-day with a bruised foot.
Phillies Lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Carlos Ruiz, C
3. Hunter Pence, RF
4. Ty Wigginton, 3B
5. Hector Luna, 1B
6. John Mayberry Jr., CF
7. Lou Montanez, LF
8. Miguel Abreu, 2B
9. Vance Worley, P
Phillies Pitchers:
RHP Vance Worley
RHP David Herndon
LHP Raul Valdes
Posts: 1051 Manny
Look! They have Chooch batting 2nd! (I assume only b/c Shane and Polanco aren’t playing… but STILL it’s a little something.)
Posted: 12:25 PM on March 28, 2012
Posts: 0 schmenkman
Agreed — even if it never happens in the regular season, it’s nice to see that Charlie doesn’t see it as completely crazy. Then again, maybe he’s just doing it to appease some of the writers who have asked him about it.
Posted: 12:45 PM on March 28, 2012
Posts: 1077 EricL
YES!
Love U Charlie Fuqua!
Posted: 01:40 PM on March 28, 2012
Posts: 1077 EricL
Chooch coming through with a couple more hits in the 2 position.
On the bright side, I have Justin Morneau on one of my fantasy teams and it looks like he’s bouncing back nicely.
On the not so bright side, he–along with a whole lot of other Twins–walloped Worley for 11 runs (only 5 earned though!) through 4 innings.
Posted: 02:56 PM on March 28, 2012
Posts: 0 schmenkman
Worley’s line today: 4 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Obviously 2 errors didn’t help (Worley and Abreu), and the 2 HR were the only extra base hits.
Anybody know if he was hit hard for the 9 singles, or was he “BABIP”ed?
Posted: 02:57 PM on March 28, 2012
Posts: 1077 EricL
One of the beat writers I follow on twitter is where I got the ‘walloped’ from; sounded to me like they hit him hard all day.
Posted: 03:21 PM on March 28, 2012