Phillies Nation

Tyler Cloyd pitched another gem. (Photo: AP)

Behind a second straight admirable start by Tyler Cloyd, the Phillies were able to snap a three-game losing streak against the Marlins, beating them 7-3.

After scoring three runs in three straight against Miami, the Phillies offense finally found its stride. The team notched 15 total hits, including four doubles and a home run. The outburst was a welcome sign for a team that had really been struggling. It’s a step forward. Now the challenge becomes doing it consistently and preventing the two steps back.

CLOYD EFFECTIVE ONCE AGAIN

- Juan Pierre has always been known for causing havoc on the base path, finding inventive ways to get on. Tonight, it was Tyler Cloyd injecting a little chaos of his own that allowed Pierre to reach base. Leading off the game, Pierre bunted a ball hard down the first base line. Ryan Howard fielded it cleanly and should have been able to tag Pierre with ease. Except Cloyd, who also broke on the ball, was still standing on the base line, directly in Howard’s path to Pierre. Using Cloyd as a human shield, Pierre averted the tag and slid safely into first. The play looked like a potential tone setter for Cloyd, an indication of snake bite. That proved to be untrue, as Cloyd would instead shake off the mishap and go on to pitch another good game. By the time Cloyd walked off the mound to close out the seventh inning, the unrecorded error was a distant memory.

- Much like his last outing, Cloyd wasn’t particularly dominant. The Marlins managed eight hits, but only two for extra bases. It was ex-Phillies who did all of the damage. Pierre had an RBI and Placido Polanco scored two runs–the only ones Cloyd allowed. Hovering in the mid-80s, he doesn’t blow it by anyone. But right now, he’s missing bats. He struck out five and walked two. Cloyd also got two doubleplays to get out of tough jams, including one to erase his first inning gaffe. Thus far, Cloyd has turned in two very valuable starts.

Continue reading Phils Bats Breakout In Win Over Marlins

Shortly before tonight’s first pitch, the Phillies were dealt another crucial blow when Chase Utley pulled himself from the lineup due to soreness on his right side. He was replaced in the lineup by Freddy Galvis.

Utley began to feel the discomfort during batting practice, and the issue was obviously strong enough to raise concern for the long-time Phillies second baseman, as Utley is often not wont to take himself out of a ballgame.

Utley will be reevaluated on Wednesday, and more information should become available at that time. If there is one silver lining here, it’s that Utley’s injury was not to his knees.

Still, with Carlos Ruiz and Mike Adams already on the DL, and Ryan Howard battling soreness in his knee, a DL stint for Utley, who leads the Phillies with an .814 OPS, is the last thing this team needs right now.

Philadelphia Phillies (21-24) at Miami Marlins (13-32)

Tyler Cloyd (0-0, 2.84 ERA) v. Jose Fernandez (2-2, 3.48 ERA)

TIME: 7:10, Marlins Park
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Weather: 77, mostly cloudy
Media: Twitter and Facebook

BREAK UP THE POWERHOUSE MARLINS!!!

Apparently this Miami Marlins team is supposed to be pretty bad. You wouldn’t know it from watching the Phillies last three contests against the Fish, in which they were outscored 21-3. It’s no wonder then that four of the Marlins 13 wins (30.7%) have come against the Phils this year. Last night’s loss may have been the most frustrating of the season, as the Phils wasted an otherwise dominant outing from Cole Hamels by once again forgetting to bring the lumber.

If you’re looking for a reprieve tonight, you’ve come to the wrong place. That’s because the man on the mound for Miami has flatout owned the Phillies so far this season. For that reason, you probably already know the name Jose Fernandez. He’s an unpolished rookie with a very high ceiling, who has been an otherwise pedestrian pitcher this year, except when facing the Phils. In fact, if you remove Fernandez’s two starts against the Phils–in which he’s held them scoreless over 6 innings and 7 innings, respectively–he would have a 4.94 ERA. That’s right. Simply facing the Phils has saved Fernandez a cool run and a half on his ERA. That needs to change tonight.

Starting for the Phils is Tyler Cloyd, who’s making is second start of the season in place of the injured Roy Halladay. In Cloyd’s first start, a couple weeks ago in Arizona, he pitched well enough to get a win. Though his numbers looked pretty good, for those who watched the game, it seemed apparent Cloyd had been let off the hook by Arizona. He left a few balls over the plate, and Arizona failed to capitalize. While it’s always a slippery slope to delve to deep into statistics after one outing, Cloyd’s 4.56 xFIP suggests there is going to be quite a bit of regression over the long haul, if the Phils continue to go with him. For now, he has a (supposedly) weak Marlins lineup to deal with, and he should be able to handle them.

Despite speculation on this website that Howard could be headed for a DL stint, he returns to the lineup and is batting cleanup tonight.

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

GAMEDAY BEER: Shiner Red Ruby

When you think of Florida, what’s the first fruit you think of? If you said oranges, you are 100% correct. But the second fruit you’d probably associate with the Sunshine State would be grapefruit, as Florida is one of the world’s largest exporters of the tart citrus fruit. The idea behind Shiner’s Red Ruby is to give you a hint of that grapefruit taste in your beer. Combined with the a strong malt taste, the beer has a citrus aftertaste, and a subtle bitterness. It’s definitely a summertime beer, which goes great in Florida, or on an 80 degree, humid night in Philly.  – RD

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

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

The Phils were swingin’ well early. Unfortunately they forgot games are nine innings. (Photo: AP)

One pitch. That’s all it took for Mike Adams to serve up a line drive home run to Miguel Montero in the eighth inning of a 2-2 game. The bomb down the rightfield line would be the difference in tonight’s game, as the Phils dropped their second straight to Arizona and third straight overall losing.

In a lot of ways, the homer seemed inevitable. After the Phils started fast, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, the bats went cold. From riches to rags in an instant. And while the pitching did its part, desperately trying to nurse a one-run lead as it became apparent the offense had nothing more to contribute, the ominous feeling that eventually the bottom would drop out crept over the Phillies dugout. When Montero tagged Adams, destiny had been fulfilled. The Phils are now five games under .500 for the second time this season. After tonight’s 3-2 loss, they’ve lost three one run games in a row.

ROLLINS SPARKS THE BATS…BUT NOT FOR LONG

Jimmy Rollins jumpstarted the offense in a hurry tonight when he sent the first offering from Ian Kennedy over the wall in right center for his 44th career leadoff home run. It looked to be  the start of a big inning when Chase Utley hit one off the wall in center, but he was gunned down trying to stretch a double into a triple for the first out. The play seemed to sap a lot of the energy from the inning. However, the Phils would continue to battle, getting another run when Domonic Brown drove in Michael Young. It marked the first time the Phils managed two runs in the first since April 21. The good times would not last. Continue reading After Early Rally, Phils Bats go Silent In Loss

Philadelphia Phillies (16-20) at Arizona Diamondbacks (20-15)

Tyler Cloyd (0-0, 0.00 ERA) v. Ian Kennedy (1-3, 5.19)

TIME: 9:40, Chase Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Weather: Arizona
Media: Twitter and Facebook

After seemingly finding their stride in San Francisco, the Phillies once again stumbled, dropping the series opener to Arizona by a score of 2-1. Consistency has eluded the Phils so far. Whenever they seem like they’re about to get rolling, they find a way to lose a few games in a row, usually because the offense disappears again.

Tonight’s matchup will feature the 2013 debut of Tyler Cloyd, pitching in place of the inactive Roy Halladay. Cloyd made waves in the organization last season when he had a superb season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. However, he was underwhelming when he was called up in late August, starting six games and going 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA and a 5.25 FIP. The decision to give Cloyd the start was a curious one, as many with knowledge of the organization thought Adam Morgan would get the call. In six starts at Lehigh Valley this season, Cloyd has gone 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA. He did notch ten strikeouts in his last start, however.

Countering Cloyd will be Ian Kennedy. 2013 has been no picnic for Kennedy so far, and he seems like he may never rediscover the form that made him so dominant in 2011 when he won 21 games and finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting. He has quite a bit of success against the Phils in his lifetime, going 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts.

Charlie Manuel has once again tinkered with his lineup, benching Delmon Young in lieu of John Mayberry and batting the struggling Carlos Ruiz fifth.

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

GAMEDAY BEER: Kona Brewing Co’s Longboard Island Lager

It’s a steamy one in Arizona, and a warm and humid day here in Philly. What better time to bust out a summertime beer. Tonight’s selection comes from the Kona Brewing Co., based in Hawaii. The Longboard Island Lager is a smooth beer with no abrasive tastes at all and an absence of hoppiness. It is slightly sweet with a hint of vanilla. Fire up some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill and crack open one of these delightful brews.  – RD

GO PHILLIES

Kyle Kendrick purses his lips for his haters during another brilliant start. (Photo: AP)

What a difference a flight out west makes.

When the Phillies arrived in San Francisco yesterday, they had been in a rut, dropping two straight to the lowly Miami Marlins, including an embarrassing 14-2 loss on Sunday. Now, for a second straight night, they got a dominant performance from their starting pitcher on the way to a victory. This time, Kyle Kendrick was the responsible party, easily dispatching the Giants lineup in a 6-2 victory that never seemed in doubt.

CYLE KENDRICK

Coming into tonight’s game, Kendrick led Phillies starters with a 2.43 ERA. Dating back to July 1, his ERA is a pristine 2.57. He’s been dubbed the team’s stopper–albeit with a tongue in cheek connotation–for a reason. He’s pitched like a true ace. Combine his recent run of success with his 1.89 career ERA when facing the Giants–his lowest against any National League opponent–and his final line would be no surprise: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. These stellar outings from Kendrick are becoming commonplace.

He was in control all night, rarely getting into trouble and finding a way out whenever he did. KK was particularly impressive in the fourth. After allowing two in the third, the fourth frame began with an ominous tone for the 28-year old. Buster Posey led off with a  single. That was followed by an error by Michael Young on a dead doubleplay ball. With two on, no outs, and a tight one-run ball game, Kendrick was in hot water. No matter. Pitching like a seasoned veteran with ice water in his veins, Kendrick calmly struck out the next two hitters before getting the third out on an easy groundball. Lord Kendrick giveth; Lord Kendrick taketh away.

Kendrick could have pitched the eighth, as he only threw 88 pitches through seven. However, he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top half of the inning, capping another routine day for the lead horse in the Phillies rotation. Check out this nugget our own Corey Seidman tweeted about Kendrick: “His last 17 starts: 2.44 ERA, .217 opponents batting average, 14 quality starts.” Continue reading Behind A Sensational Kendrick, Phils Beat Giants For Second Straight Night

Ryan Howard’s second inning home run started a Phillies power surge tonight. (Photo: AP)

Behind the steady pitching of Jonathan Pettibone, and a few home runs from the offense, the Phillies were able to make it two in a row with a 4-1 victory over the hapless Miami Marlins.

PETTIBONE: CONTINUED SUCCESS

In tonight’s Gameday, I predicted Pettibone would pitch through the sixth inning for the first time in his big league career. He did not disappoint. In fact, he turned in what is probably his best start yet. His final line: 6.1, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 SO.

Pettibone’s only hiccup came when he allowed a homer to Donovan Solano in the fourth. What was most impressive about his outing was his continued ability to prevent free passes. Coming into tonight’s game, he had walked just two in 10.1 innings pitch. It’s now two in 16.2 innings pitched. Not a bad number at all. The Phils needed Pettibone to be serviceable in place of the injured John Lannan, and he has done just that, turning in quality outings consistently.

HOWARD LEADS THE WAY FOR THE OFFENSE

Folks, Ryan Howard has begun to heat up. After a porous start where he didn’t hit much of anything, Howard had been marred in a stretch where he seemingly couldn’t hit anything but singles. That was before this current nine-game stretch. After his second inning home run to make it 1-0, Howard has now hit four homers and four doubles, including one tonight, in his last nine games. During that stretch, he was slugging .714. And that was before his two extra base hits in tonight’s game.

Chase Utley would keep the phone going when he lead off the third with another dinger, his sixth of the season.

As for Domonic Brown, he homered for the second time in two nights. Coming into tonight Brown had hit .353/.378/.588 with two homers and two homers in nine games. The sudden jolt of power in the middle of the lineup is a welcome sign for this Phillies club.

The Phils would tack on another run in the second in what may be the least probable scenario we’ll see all season. After Carlos Ruiz singled and stole second, Ben Revere, batting in the eight hole, drove him home with a liner to right to snap a 4-for-25 stretch. Revere would go 1-for-4 on the night, so he still continues to struggle.

BASTARDO STRUGGLES WITH CONTROL

In relief of Pettibone, Antonio Bastardo‘s command issues–something that has been an on again, off again issue for him throughout his career–once again reared their ugly head when he walked the first two hitters he faced to load the bases. He’d come back with the dominant stuff we know and love, however, striking out two hitters in a row to end the inning without any damage.

After a scoreless eighth and ninth, the Phils had themselves another victory. Enjoy your Friday night!

UP NEXT

The Phillies look to keep the win streak going tomorrow when Cole Hamels  (1-3, 4.78) takes on Jose Fernandez (0-2, 4.50).