Phillies Nation

Washington Nationals (34-36) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (35-37)

Gio Gonzalez (3-3, 3.40) vs. Kyle Kendrick (6-4, 3.76)

TIME: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
WEATHER: 72, clear
MEDIA: Facebook or Twitter

Chase Utley is playing at Reading tonight. More good news, the Phillies can sweep the Nats with a win tonight.

It’s up to Kyle Kendrick to bounce back from a terrible start in Colorado over the weekend. We’ll see if he’s trending down or if it was the Rocky Mountain air.

With one mroe RBI, Michael Young will hit 1,000 for his career – a nice milestone. If/when he gets there, he’ll be the 242nd player in MLB history.

Lineup: Revere CF, Young 3B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Brown LF, D. Young RF, Frandsen 2B, Ruiz C, Kendrick P

Gameday Beer: Elysian The Wise ESB

Last night we went with Loser from Elysian, which has a bit of a bittery taste for a pale ale. Tonight’s brew is an extra-special bitter. The Wise ESB Pours reddish-copper with a thin, creamy beige head. Subtle smells of caramel, honey, citrus and grassy floral hops entice while the taste delivers a pleasantly bold hop flavor against a very strong malt backbone. Well-balanced and delicious. Grill some chicken and pop some brussel sprouts in the pan, and enjoy tonight’s game. -PG

GO PHILLIES!

Washington Nationals (34-35) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (34-37)

Ross Detwiler (2-4, 3.02) vs. Cliff Lee (8-2, 2.55)

TIME: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
WEATHER: 70, rain
MEDIA: Facebook or Twitter

After a walkoff win by Domonic Brown yesterday, more good news. Carlos Ruiz is back. But more bad news, too. The rain is staying, the game is delayed to start, and the showers will likely last all evening. They should play ball tonight.

Some things: Cliff Lee hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a game since May 1. The Nationals are 27th in MLB in runs scored. Good math.

Ben Revere is batting .324 since may 1, third among all centerfielders behind only Mike Trout and Andrew McCutchen. Nice.

Lineup: Revere CF, Young 3B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Brown LF, D. Young RF, Frandsen 2B, Ruiz C, Lee P

Gameday Beer: Loser Pale Ale

Funny name, and maybe not apropo after last nights victory. However, this beer is quite tasty. I had a bottle over the weekend, and while it’s not my favorite, it’s definitely one I’ll try again. Loser is made by Elysian. Says one beer advocate commenter: Overall: In basketball players who don’t really fit into any one position but can do a few different things well enough are known as “tweeners” and this is a tweener beer. The Andre Iguadola of beers perhaps? Nice.  -PG

GO PHILLIES!

Washington Nationals (34-34) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (33-37)

Dan Haren (4-8, 5.70) vs. John Lannan (0-1, 6.14)

TIME: 7:05
TV: CSN
WEATHER: 78, partly cloudy, chance of rain
MEDIA: Facebook or Twitter

After a brutal road trip, the Phillies return to the bank and will face the Washington Nationals for the first time this season. They trail the Nationals by 2 games in the NL East and the Braves by 8.5 games. So, here is an opportunity for the Phillies to leapfrog back into second place. First place is clearly a different story…

Ruben Amaro spoke to media and voiced his frustrations with the team, but also placed blame on himself. However, he gave the old cliche that they aren’t giving up and they aren’t blowing it up.

The good news for the Phillies is that the Nationals have scored 237 runs, tied for the second fewest in baseball. The bad news is that the Phillies can’t really score enough to get past most teams, so it may not even matter.

Lineup: Revere CF, Young 3B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Brown LF, D. Young RF, Frandsen 2B, Quintero C, Hamels P

Gameday Beer: Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

You will undoubtedly be refreshed by this summer beer from Leinenkugel. Don’t let the haze of the pour keep you away, it’s got fruity notes that will tickle the taste buds. Yeah, I went there. I wouldn’t suggest drinking a whole six pack by yourself, but one or two of these will do the trick as an aside from your normal beer routine. -PG

GO PHILLIES!

In a bit of a shocker, lefty reliever Jeremy Horst is headed to the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain. The corresponding move is the activation of starter John Lannan for tonight’s game against the Washington Nationals.

Analysis: This one came out of left field. On Saturday, I wrote that I anticipated Joe Savery to head back down to Lehigh Valley today. Instead, it is Horst heading to the DL. Horst’s effectiveness has varied this year: for instance from May 8 to May 27, Horst did not allow a run in ten appearances but from May 30 to June 15, Horst’s BAA was .429/.500/.679.

In his last outing, Horst threw 41 pitches in Saturday’s outing, the only time he has topped 40 pitches this year. The high pitch count likely played a big part in his strain.

According to the IronPigs’ Director of Media Relations Matt Provence, LHP Mauricio Robles and INF Miguel Abreu are headed to Allentown. Robles, 24, was selected off waivers from Seattle in the offseason and is a member of the 40-man roster. Robles has a 2.77 ERA with 37 Ks in 26 IP for Double-A Reading. Abreu, 28, was hitting .230/.269/.405 with 3 HR for the Reading Fightins. Abreu has played all infield positions except for catcher this year and has experience in the outfield.

In a corresponding move, LHP Bobby Bramhall was assigned to Reading. Bramhall, 27, was quietly signed by the Phillies earlier in the month after being let loose by the Washington Nationals organization. The lefty had a 6.39 ERA in 12.2 IP in long relief work for the Pigs.

In a separate move reported overnight by MLB Daily Dish, the Phillies signed former White Sox, Indians, and Marlins infielder Andy Gonzalez to a minor league deal. Gonzalez, according to Anthony Burkhart of the Republican-Herald, will report to the Reading Fightins. Gonzalez, 31, was a former fifth-round pick of the White Sox in 2001. He appeared at every position in the field except for catcher in 2007 with the White Sox and has a career Major League line of .182/.281/.258. He last played for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League earlier in 2013 where he hit .273/.337/.312 in 86 PA.

Philadelphia Phillies (24-25) at Washington Nationals (25-24)

Cole Hamels (1-7, 4.45) vs. Stephen Strasburg (2-5, 2.66)

TIME: 1:35, Nationals Park
TV: My Phl 17
Weather: High 60s, mostly sunny
Media: Twitter and Facebook

In today’s rubber match, the Phillies hope to take the series and get back to .500. Two aces take the mound; one has pitched very well this season, while the other has yet to meet his expectations.

Along with Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg is the future of the Washington Nationals. He has lived up to all the hype as he has dominated in the major leagues. He has had success against the Phillies in his short career thus far, as the Phillies roster collectively has a .200 average against him.

It will likely not be a fun day for both offenses, as the game has the potential to be a pitcher’s duel. Cole Hamels has lacked run support in 2013, and it is doubtful he will receive much today with Strasburg on the hill. Despite some of his struggles this season, Hamels is capable of pitching a great game. At Nationals Park, he is 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Galvis 2B, M. Young 3B, D. Young RF, Brown LF, Frandsen 1B, Revere CF, Quintero C, Hamels P

Your Gameday Beer: Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA, suggest by Jimmy L. via Facebook. Inspired by West Coast I.P.A.’s, but brewed with Michigan style. The Crooked Tree is heavily dry hopped to give it a big aroma of pine and citrus. The flavors are big, yet very balanced between fresh hops and malt. Often described as “grapefruit” our hops give this beer an excellent fruit flavor that finishes dry, crisp, and clean. It will pour a nice deep copper color with a bit of haziness.

GO PHILLIES!

Philadelphia Phillies (23-25) at Washington Nationals (25-23)

Jonathan Pettibone (3-0, 3.00) vs. Dan Haren (4-5, 5.54)

TIME: 7:15, Nationals Park
TV: FOX
Weather: 50′s, partly cloudy
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The season of ups and downs continues.  The Phillies have been playing their best baseball of the year as of late, but they dropped last night’s game to the Washington Nationals.  The Phillies have yet to build a significant winning streak, but it would be great to start one this Memorial Day weekend.

Jonathan Pettibone will attempt to put the Phillies back into the win column.  Since being called up, Pettibone has done better than the Phillies could have asked.  He’s been consistent and has yet to toss a bad outing.  In each of his six starts, Pettibone has had a quality start or better.  He will look to continue his success tonight in D.C.

Dan Haren has a pretty good resume, but he has struggled thus far this season.  He has yet to earn the $13 million that he will make in 2013, as his ERA is well over five.  He is coming off his worst start of the season, in which  he allowed seven runs to the always weak-hitting San Diego Padres.

Your Gameday Beer: Victory Hop Devil Ale, suggested by Gary J. via Facebook

GO PHILLIES!

Philadelphia Phillies (23-24) at Washington Nationals (24-23)

Kyle Kendrick (4-2, 2.82) v. Jordan Zimmerman (7-2, 1.62)

TIME: 7:05, Nationals Park
TV: CSN
Weather: 50′s, partly cloudy
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Phillies are in Washington tonight for the start of a three game series with the Nationals. They will look to be reach the .500 mark for the first time since April 14. They’ll hand the ball to Kyle Kendrick, who is 4-2 with a 2.82 ERA this year. However, he is coming off a start where he gave up four runs over six innings.

For the Nationals, Jordan Zimmerman gets the call, and with a win tonight, will become the NL’s first eight game winner. He’s 7-2 on the year with an amazing 1.62 ERA. He has struggled against the Phillies in the past, however, as he is 1-6 with a 5.04 ERA against the Phils.

Tonight will be cold and cloudy, which makes for a low scoring game, especially when the two starting pitchers have been pretty good this year. But then again, I’ve been way off before.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Revere CF, M. Young 3B, Howard 1B, Delmon RF, Dom LF, Galvis 2B, Kratz C, Kendrick P

Your Gameday Beer – Hoegaarden
On this Memorial Day weekend, good beer is a must. I’ve always like Hoegaarden, which can be enjoyed in small sips with good food. It flows smooth and tastes like citrus. Have some barbecue chicken with it. – By Tim

GO PHILLIES!

Adam Morgan had a fine Triple-A debut for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs tonight. Photo by: Jay Floyd.

Date: 4/6/2013

Location: Coca Cola Park, Allentown, PA

Opponent: Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, Washington Nationals)

Conditions: 6:35 PM start – 46 degrees, 6 MPH wind blowing across field

Final Line: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR. 85 pitches, 60 strikes.

Who is he? Adam Morgan is 23 year old lefty who is pitching in just his second season of Minor League baseball. He has rapidly ascended prospect ranks after posting a 3.29 ERA and 140 Ks in 123 IP for Clearwater and a 3.53 ERA and 29 Ks in 35.2 IP for Reading in 2012. Keith Law ranked Morgan ahead of Jesse Biddle, the consensus top Phillies prospect, in his most recent rankings.

Continue reading PN Scouting Report – Adam Morgan

Polanco is headed to Miami. Photo: AP

Former Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Marlins, reported by CBS Sports’ Danny Knobler. Polanco played in just 90 games last season while nursing various back injuries. Polanco hit career-lows .257/.302/.327 for the Phillies but still provided positive fielding value in the field. Polanco, 37, leaves Philadelphia after earning a Gold Glove and All-Star appearance with the club. He is entering his 17th Major League season.

Former Phillies infielder Brian Bocock signed a Minor League deal with the Washington Nationals according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Bocock last appeared in the Majors as a member of the Phillies in 2010, seeing time in six games primarily as a defensive replacement. Bocock spent last year with the Blue Jays’ Double-A New Hampshire club and their Triple-A Las Vegas affiliate.

Pitcher Andrew Carpenter has also found a new home according to Eddy. Carpenter is entering his age 28 season and has signed a Minor League deal with the Cubs. Carpenter has pitched in 65 games over parts of five Major League seasons with a 7.56 ERA. No word on what his former Cal-State Long Beach teammate John Bowker is up to these days.

Reliever Nelson Figueroa signed a Minor League deal with the Diamondbacks per Eddy. Figueroa spent 2012 with the Triple-A affiliates of the Red Sox and Yankees. Figueroa saw time with the Phillies in 2010, pitching in 26 games before being traded to the Astros.

Utility infielder Cody Ransom signed a Minor League deal with the San Diego Padres according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. Ransom hit .220/.312/.411 with 11 HRs for Arizona last season, playing all four infield positions. Ransom was a Phillie in 2010 and provided a pair of memorable home runs in 22 games for the club.

2012 Lehigh Valley IronPig Dave Bush has signed a Minor League deal with the Blue Jays, the team that drafted him in 2002, also reported by Eddy. Bush posted a 3.16 ERA in 11 starts last year for the ‘Pigs and also spent part of 2012 pitching in Korea.