Philadelphia Phillies (17-19) at Chicago Cubs (15-21)

Kyle Kendrick (0-3, 7.32) vs. Matt Garza (2-1, 2.56)

Time: 8:05, Wrigley Field
TV: CSN
Weather: Sunny, 60
Media: Twitter and Facebook

NEWS ALERT! – Vance Worley has no structural damage according to the beat writers with the team in Chicago. He has inflammation in a joint of the right elbow. He wont throw for one week. No Tommy John!!

Also, Chase Utley is taking ground balls with the team in Chicago for the first time this season. This is a HUGE step in the right direction because it’s the only issue he’s had thus far. Let’s see if he can keep this up pain free – that is the key.

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The friendly confines of Wrigley Field will be the site tonight when the Phillies kick off a short, two-game road trip against the Chicago Cubs. Along with looking to extend their season-high three-game winning streak in tonight’s game, the Phils will try to get back to .500 for the first time since May 3rd, when they were 13-13.

Kyle Kendrick will make the start, going in place of the injured Vance Worley, who was placed on the 15-day DL earlier today with elbow inflammation. Since signing a two-year extension with the Phillies in February, it has been a rough 2012 for Kendrick, as his 7.32 ERA indicates. In three starts this season, Kendrick has gone 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA. Fans looking for a silver lining with KK on the mound can take some solace in this: In three appearances–two starts, including one earlier this season–Kendrick has posted a 1.80 ERA against the Cubs. That is the lowest ERA for Kendrick against any National League opponent.

On the mound for the Cubbies will be their number-two man, Matt Garza. In his last start against the Phillies on April 29th, Garza was able to hold them scoreless over seven innings of work. Tonight, however, will mark just the second start for Garza since being sidelined with the flu following that April 29th start. In his last start against Milwaukee, he was able to go just five innings before being lifted due to fatigue.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Ruiz C, Polanco 3B, Mayberry 1B, Galvis 2B, Kendrick P

Your gameday beer: Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown

I happened upon this beer in a variety pack not too long ago and instantly fell in love with it. Brewed in Colorado with pure maple syrup, the dominant flavor in this brew is the maple, but it doesn’t overpower your palette. It is also remarkably smooth. Since you’ve already got the maple syrup taste with the beer, have it with some bacon and eggs and call it breakfast for dinner.–By Ryan

GO PHILLIES!

(Photo: CBSPhilly.com)

-By now you likely know that Vance Worley has hit the DL with elbow inflammation. The injury was reported yesterday and today the Phillies decided to DL him with Joe Savery joining the team in Chicago. There is no word on the severity of the injury, but it’s never good when it’s an elbow. Kyle Kendrick starts in his place tonight.

On a side note, Will Carroll from SI.com tweeted recently that 91 pitchers were currently on the DL. If that number is correct, I expect that Worley is the 92nd. Think about that for a second. That’s a ridiculous amount of injured pitchers.

-The Phillies have reportedly swapped minor leaguers with the Tampa Bay Rays. Long-time Phillies farmhand Rich Thompson goes to the Rays for OF Kyle Hudson.

Thompson had a cup of tea with the Royals in ’04 but hasn’t been back to the show since. Hudson had a brief stint with the Orioles a year ago. He’s expected to go to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

An 8th round draft selection by the Phillies in 2010, Malcolm missed the entire 2011 season after he was sent home for disciplinary reasons in April.

In 2010, after signing as a pro, Malcolm posted a .253 batting average with 3 doubles and 10 RBI in 27 games with the Gulf Coast League Phillies.

Recently, I spoke with Stephen about his promotion, working closely with his manager, former Phillies All-Star Mickey Morandini, his feelings toward the Phillies’ brass and plenty more.  Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider.  You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

Diekman heads to the bigs for the first time. (PhoulBallz)

Listening to Jake Diekman talk to the media, you could tell the nerves were still running high. That’s why it was cool to see the rookie pitch in his first major league game AND come away with the win. It’s not the way anyone envisioned it, but moments like this can hardly be scripted.

Diekman was called upon because Chad Qualls hadn’t done his job in the ninth inning. Privately, I wondered if Diekman was ready for a situation like the one he was summoned for. Runners on second and third with two out, in to clean up the mess of a veteran reliever who had already blown the game for a former Cy Young pitcher. He struck the batter out, of course.

Did he think he’d be pitching in a situation like this right away? “Nope, not at all,” said Diekman. “I really thought I was going to have a four or five-run lead, or something like that.” But it never works out that way, and during Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the Astros it didn’t go according to plan for the Phillies.

With Qualls and Jose Contreras both struggling and Antonio Bastardo now just coming around, a void needs to be filled. Someone needs to hand the game to Jonathan Papelbon without incident and that man could be Diekman. No one else wants to take the role, so in the words of Charlie Manuel, “like, what the hell.”

How did Diekman get through the situation? “When I got put in, I had to make sure I didn’t trip down the stairs first. And then, I just wanted to make it all the way to the mound without tripping.”

“I felt pretty comfortable because I tried to control my breathing as much as possible. So, the second inning helped out a lot, because I had that one hitter already (in the ninth). So I felt like, I did it before, just go do it again.”

With the bullpen in disarray, the Phillies may ask him to do that more than just one time.

But we do get into some pretty good baseball talk, including Carlos Ruiz and his all-star prospects this season. His numbers are silly good, does he deserve it. We also look at a lineup with Ryan Howard in it.

Enjoy!

Worley sits with arm trouble.

Vance Worley will not start for the Phillies in tomorrow’s opener against the Chicago Cubs on the road. He sits with arm soreness, according to multiple reports. No word yet if he is heading to the DL, but Kyle Kendrick will get the start.

Joe Savery is on his way up from Lehigh Valley and will accompany the Phillies on their road trip, according to Matt Gelb. That does not necessarily mean Worley goes to the DL, as another player can be optioned. Worley told Todd Zolecki he isn’t worried about it.

Maybe Worley isn’t concerned, but you never want to hear arm soreness connected to one of your starting pitchers. Especially when it’s those starting pitchers keeping you in games.

Lee was stellar. Others were not. (AP)

What a weird one. Hunter Pence hits a game-winning solo home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, his second home run of the game in the Phillies 4-3 win. It’s the Phillies first three-game winning streak of the season.

ANOTHER ONE BLOWN

-Man, this is getting old. Chad Qualls gave up two runs in the ninth inning, his fourth blown save of this season already. Absolutely brutal.

-Hunter Pence added to the madness by mishandling a single to right field that allowed the tying run to score in the ninth.

-Jake Diekman made his major league debut to clean up the mess Qualls left and held the tie with a strikeout in the ninth. He then retired the Astros in order in the 10th with two more strikeouts giving him the victory. Give the kid the eighth inning.

LEE IN TOP FORM

-Cliff Lee finally almost won his first game this season. He hadn’t hasn’t won a regular season game since September 26, 2011 against Atlanta. His line on Tuesday: eight innings, five hits, one run (earned), one walk, 10 strikeouts. He’s back.

-Lee dazzled with his array of pitches. He struck Astros hitters out with three changeups, three two-seam fastballs, three curveballs, and a cutter.

-He made a mistake to Matt Downs in the seventh inning, which landed 10 rows up in the left field seats for a long solo home run. There weren’t many other mistakes made.

-With 10 strikeouts, it was Lee’s 19th career double-digit strikeout game, and the first this year.

SCHNEIDER PROVIDES OFFENSE?

-You read that right, Brian Schneider gave the Phillies the lead in the second inning with a 3-iron shot to right field off Houston starter Jordan Lyles. It was his first home run since April 21, 2011 against San Diego and a total of 145 at-bats. Looong time coming. It’s nice to get a shot of offense from your backup.

-Hunter Pence hit his eighth home run of the season in the sixth inning, the first of his two bombs. The at-bat began poorly, but Pence held out and nailed a 2-2 pitch the opposite way. Pence plays at such a high level, I think it would be beneficial for him to slow the game down a bit and settle in the box a bit before hacking.

-Pence made a baserunning blunder in the eighth inning. With runners at first and third with no outs, John Mayberry scorched a ball to third, just in front of where Pence was standing. Pence inexplicably started for home, only to get caught in a rundown.

-Pence gets a pass though, since he did bail out the bullpen with a homer in the 10th.

-Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-4, so let’s hope this is the start of a turnaround for him. He got a gift-double in the first inning when first baseman Carlos Lee collided with the umpire. The ball trickled down the line, and Rollins scampered to second.

NOTES

-Charlie Manuel was ejected by home plate umpire Bob Davidson for arguing a strike three call that got away from Brian Schneider. It appeared from the replay that Davidson called a foul tip. I was unable to see more than one replay – correct me if I’m wrong.

-Juan Samuel didn’t have a good series as the third base coach. On Monday, he had Mayberry gunned out at the plate on a hard-hit ball to left field. On Tuesday afternoon, Brian Schneider smoked a ball to right fielder Matt Downs, who threw out Mayberry by a solid 8-10 feet. I get that Samuel is trying to be aggressive with the pitcher due up next, but both pitches were hit too hard to warrant the “go” sign. Plus, Cliff Lee can handle the stick a bit. So having him bat with the bases loaded was probably not the worst scenario ever.

-Astros starter Jordan Lyles fared pretty well arriving from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He allowed three runs in six innings while striking out four.

-Down in Lehigh Valley, Domonic Brown missed his 8th consecutive game with a bad hamstring.

-Paid attendance: 43,781. It was about 70 percent full by my estimation, but, it’s how many tickets they sell, not how many people sit in those seats.

-Tomorrow, the Phillies head to Chicago for their second two-game series of the week. Vance Worley takes on Matt Garza at 8:05.

Houston Astros (15-20) at Philadelphia Phillies (17-19)

Jordan Lyles vs. Cliff Lee (0-1, 2.17)

Time: 1:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Thunderstorms, 69
Media: Twitter and Facebook

On Monday, Joe Blanton continued his consistency en route to a 5-1 win.  Highlighting the offense, Freddy Galvis went 3-for-4 and Placido Polanco smacked a home run, marking his 2,000th career hit.  This afternoon, Cliff Lee looks to finish off this two game series with another Phillies’ victory.

Despite pitching outstandingly, Cliff Lee remains winless.  The Phillies are 0-4 in Lee’s starts this season, but he is not to blame.  In three out of his four starts, the offense has only scored two runs or less.  In addition to the lack of offense, the blowups from the bullpen haven’t helped.  Hopefully Lee’s luck will change today and he can get his first victory.

Your gameday beer: Creemore Springs Premium Lager is one of the better lagers you’ll ever taste. Loaded with malt flavor, it’s crisp and golden, easy to drink and intelligently refreshing. This American-style lager is, in fact, Canadian: further proof those up north make some damn good beer. Pair this lager with some honey-glazed chicken, rice and broccoli. –By Tim

GO PHILLIES!

Funny part about it – Polly signed it with the wrong date. Makes it worth even more, I suppose.

(Thanks to Ryan Petzar, @Petzar, for snapping this photo outside the Phillies clubhouse).

Thanks to Ryan Petzar for the photo.

Last year, with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, the 6-foot-4-inch 230-pounder led the Florida State League in wins when he posted a 16-7 record with a 2.76 ERA and a .186 batting average against. The season before that, Rodriguez split time at short-season Williamsport and with Class A Lakewood, where he combined to post a 7-3 record with a 1.89 ERA in 20 games (12 starts). Prior to that he played two seasons with the Gulf Coast League Phillies.  In those areas, fan attention toward rising prospects isn’t very prevalent.  Things would certainly change when Rodriguez came north to show what he’s all about.

Having never possessed a blazing fastball, regularly registering in the high-80′s with his best offerings, Rodriguez still produces big-time strikeout totals that are reflective of a power pitcher. His 10.50 K’s per 9 innings mark, in his 4 pro season entering this season, is extremely impressive and indicative of some serious talent.

The 8th round draft selection from 2008 uses a bit of trickery on the mound to draw swings and misses. Rodriguez attributes his deceiving windup with helping to blow away opposing batters.

“I just forget about the velocity and try to make my pitches the best that I can and keep the ball down,” Rodriguez stated in an exclusive interview with PhilliesNation.com’s Jay Floyd. “I have a difficult wind up. I keep the ball back and hidden from view. I think that bothers the hitters.”

Despite a bit of a drop in the strike out rate in the early going this year (8 K/9 IP), for Rodriguez, the success has continued into the new season, as he has been an extremely dependable starter for the Reading Phillies. Through 7 starts in the Double-A Eastern League, Rodriguez sports a 3-0 record with a 2.25 ERA.

All of Rodriguez’s minor league success, including the 2010 South Atlantic League title he helped Lakewood win as well as the 2011 mid-season and postseason Florida State League All-Star nods he earned last year, are certainly among the highlights of his playing career. However, the moment of his baseball life that stands out as significantly memorable came in a contest while Rodriguez was pitching away from the Phillies system, when he was competing for Carolina in the Puerto Rican winter league last off-season. The 21-year-old Phillies prospect faced 40-year-old big league veteran Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.

Julio was not able to bond with the future Hall of Famer.  Being on opposing clubs prevented that. However, the younger Rodriguez speaks glowingly about the moment he was able to shine against the Puerto Rican legend that every young player from the same commonwealth grew up idolizing.

“I didn’t talk to him, because he was on another team,” Julio stated of Pudge. “But I did strike him out the just one time I faced him. It was a big, big experience for me. I was following Rodriguez when I was like 8 years old, and then to pitch against him was a great experience.”

Rodriguez, who has previously competed for Team Puerto Rico in the Pan-Am qualifiers, takes great pride in representing his place of birth.

One new thing that ranks up there with the excitement of pitching for his home is the vibe that Rodriguez now gets when he takes the mound in the Philadelphia region with Reading. Located just about one hour outside the home city
to the parent club, the municipality known as Baseball Town provides a taste of the big league life, as fans with generations-old attachments to their Phillies root hard for their team’s star prospects. He hears the attention that well-regarded prospects garner more than he ever did in previous seasons. The high praise that comes along with the “Baby Aces” nickname, given to Rodriguez and his top performing teammates Trevor May and Jonathan Pettibone, is something that flatters Rodriguez.

“It feels good. It feels great when they say that,” Rodriguez said with a smile.  “I really hope to be an ace in the big leagues for the Phillies some day and live up to it.”

With a bright future ahead, Rodriguez will continue to draw from his love of the game that he built as a youth rooting for a local legend from his homeland and now from the fanfare surrounding him in the spirited Philadelphia sports region.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider.  You can check out more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

Galvis had three hits on the evening (AP)

The rain fell, and the first half of the game was like watching grass grow, but the Phillies finally dispatched the Astros in game one of their quick two-game series, 5-1.

SLOWLY EVOLVING OFFENSE

-Boring early, but got moving later. In the fifth inning, slap-hitting sensation Freddy Galvis knocked in a run. He brought home Placido Polanco to make it 1-0. Nice piece of hitting by the kid; he just seems to come up with timely hits. Galvis slapped another single in the sixth, this one to left field, to again knock in Polanco. The inning ended early, however, when Juan Samuel waved home John Mayberry Jr., who was thrown out at the plate by a wide margin. Bad move by Samuel, but I guess when runs are harder to come by, you take chances.

-A note on Freddy: With 25 hits on the season, he has 15 RBI. Not a bad total for hitting just .231 on the season.

-Speaking of timely hits, Carlos Ruiz has done it all year. He singled in Shane Victorino after Shane tripled to deep center field. Then in the bottom of the eighth, he smoked a single to left field and would score on a home run by Placido Polanco. #Vote4Chooch for All-Star Game.

-Speaking of Polanco, the home run was his first of the season, but more importantly, was the 2,000th of his career. Many congrats to Polly.

-Placed in the you-don’t-see-that-everyday file: Placido Polanco drawing a hard-earned walk after fouling a pitch off his foot three times in the same at-bat. One of the more painful bases-on-balls you will see. Polly would remain at first base after John Mayberry Jr. struck out swinging to end the second inning. What a crazy night for Polanco.

BLANTON BRINGS IT AGAIN

-If you want to vote for one of the unsung heroes of this Phillies club, look no further than Joe Blanton. This might be the best he’s pitched as a member of the Phillies. His line: seven-plus innings, six hits, one run (earned), one walk, seven strikeouts. Just can’t get much better.

-His one mistake was to Marwin Gonzalez, who hit his first career home run to right field to put Houston on the board. For you old-heads (and not so old-heads) Marwin was born in 1990.

-To end the top-half of the seventh inning, Blanton threw perhaps his nastiest pitch of the night. A sick slider that broke 10 inches, according to pitch f/x, that locked the legs of Astros catcher Chris Snyder.

-Isn’t this exactly what the Phils need? They continue to rely on the strength of the starting pitching. It’s working.

‘STROS LOOK HAPLESS

-Starting pitcher Lucas Harrell didn’t pitch poorly. He went 5 2/3 allowing three runs, yet his offense could do nothing for him.

-The Astros managed just seven total hits on the evening, three from Carlos Lee.

THE PEN DOES NOT LEAK

-Antonio Bastardo, Chad Qualls, and Jonathan Papelbon cleaned it up for Joe Blanton – just how they drew it up. Things got testy in the ninth as Papelbon jawed with home plate umpire Jerry Layne, who blew three strike calls in one at-bat. Papelbon cooled off and ended the game allowing just a hard-hit single that glanced off of Polanco’s glove.

NOTES:

-Phillies look for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 with Cliff Lee on the mound.

Houston Astros (15-19) at Philadelphia Phillies (16-19)

Lucas Harrell (2-2, 4.58) vs. Joe Blanton (3-3, 3.24)

Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Showers, 68
Media: Twitter and Facebook

2012 hasn’t started the way fans had hoped, but the Phillies’ schedule seems to be in their favor this week. The Phillies were able to win the series against the Padres, who currently have the worst record in Major League Baseball. Tonight, they open a two game set with the Houston Astros, another team below .500. Then, they head to Chicago to face the Cubs, who are last in their division, then return home to face the Boston Red Sox who are also in last place. With this week’s schedule, the Phillies are in a perfect position to improve their record.  The Phillies need to take advantage and win the next few series.

The Astros don’t have much expectations for the 2012 campaign, other than finishing towards the bottom of their division. Despite being under .500, the Astros haven’t been completely awful to this point. Wandy Rodriguez has been their best pitcher, and they’ve gotten some offense out of their 22-year-old second baseman, Jose Altuve. Brett Myers returned to the closers’ role and has converted nine out of ten saves.

Joe Blanton takes the mound for the Phillies, looking to continue his hot streak. In his last three starts, Blanton is 2-1 with a 2.35 earned run average. Opponents are hitting .195 against him in his last 23 innings. Also during that span, Blanton has 21 strikeouts.

Blanton will be opposed by Lucas Harrell. Harrell has struggled in his last two starts, allowing ten runs in his last 11 innings. If Harrell is to struggle again, the Astros will have to rely on their bullpen. Unlike the Phillies, the Astros’ bullpen has pitched very well, posting a 2.70 ERA.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Ruiz C, Polanco 3B, Mayberry 1B, Galvis 2B, Blanton P.

Your Gameday Beer- Artois Bock

Tonight we’ll try Stella Artois. This strong Belgium lager is 6.2% alcohol by volume. The bock has all the components of a good dark beer, sweet flavors of molasses, caramel and toffee. Some might think there is too much sweetness. It goes well with BBQ shrimp. – By Brian

GO PHILLIES!

Cole Hamels has been a bring spot for the Phillies this season.

Cole Hamels finished off the week with his fifth win in a row and leads the Phillies staff with those five wins.  Hamels is the third guy in a rotation behindRoy Halladay and Cliff Lee, but its the lefty thats been confusing hitters all season.

Hamels recent domination has people talking; and calling.  Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported this past week that Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopolous has been asking about Hamels and Shane Victorino.

San Diego Padres (12-22) at Philadelphia Phillies (15-10)

Jeff Suppan (2-0, 0.90) vs. Cole Hamels (4-1, 2.45)

Time: 1:35 Citizens Bank Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: Partly cloudy, 78
Media: Twitter and Facebook

After dropping a close one to the Padres last night, the Phillies will look to take the series win today behind Cole Hamels, who is riding a great season so far in his contract year. There has been some whispers that the Phillies have had some talks with the Blue Jays about Hamels, and Ruben Amaro Jr. even said that the Phillies could become sellers at the trading deadline. If these talks and rumors have any merit whatsoever, Hamels’ days in Philadelphia may be numbered. And that makes me sad.

Getting back to the baseball side of things, Hamels is nearly untouchable to these Padres hitters. Collectively, they have only posted a .194/.235/.302 slash line. Cameron Maybin has had the most success against him, collecting seven hits in twenty-two at-bats, including three doubles and a triple.

For the Padres, Jeff Suppan will take the mound, and he’s only given up one earned run in ten innings this year. However, the Phillies have pretty good numbers against him, with Hunter Pence leading the way with a .412/.545/1.000 slash line against him, with three of his seven hits being home runs. The numbers favor the Phillies, but like most games this year, that won’t mean a thing when the two teams take the field.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Wigginton 3B, Mayberry 1B, Galvis 2B, Schneider C, (Hamels P)

Your gameday beer: Pete’s Brown Ale

Pete’s Brown Ale is a beer from the Bear Republic Beer Co. in California. It’s made with molasses and brown sugar, so it’s bitter, slow and thick. Eat a steak with a sweet potato with this one. – By Brian

GO PHILLIES!

Shane Victorino had three hits and a stolen base tonight, but the Phils offense could only muster one run. (AP)

In tonight’s 2-1 loss to the Padres, the Phillies found themselves in a situation that’s become all too familiar this season: They watched their starting pitcher throw a gem, only to have the offense fail to capitalize on the opportunity to win the ballgame.

DOC PULLS HIS WEIGHT, OFFENSE DOESN’T

- Roy Halladay did everything in his power to get the Phils the win tonight, but the bats once again weren’t there to back him up. He allowed just two runs over seven innings, and recorded a season-high ten strikeouts (his first double-digit strikeout performance of the season). He allowed runs in the third and the seventh, but was more than good enough to deserve a win.

- Say what you want about Halladay’s velocity/control/stamina/performance, the guy has still pitched like a bona fide ace this season. If you take away his one disastrous start in Atlanta, his ERA would stand at 1.76. The peripheral stats (BABIP, LOB%) that suggested Doc’s decline earlier this season have started to level out, and the guy just keeps getting it done. The Phillies may have lost his last five starts–a streak so rare, it’s the first time a team has lost five straight Halladay starts since 1999–but four of those losses are not on the pitcher, including tonight’s game.

PENCE’S NEW APPROACH

- As David Hale wrote earlier today, Hunter Pence has decided to take a new, less-anxious approach to hitting after slumping for the last week or so. Early on, it seemed like the new mindset was working, as Pence worked two walks in three plate appearances. But when Pence came up with the bases loaded, one out, and a chance to tie the game or give the Phillies the lead in the seventh, he reverted back to his old form, hacking away at the first pitch and popping out weakly to second base.

- These high pressure RBI situations are exactly where Pence needs to be more patient. With the bases loaded and a tight ball game, taking a few pitches increases the odds of working a walk or even of a ball getting by the catcher to allowing the tying run to come home. Pence is hitting .316 this year with RISP, but I’d be willing to bet that number would be even higher if he’d wait for a pitch to hit from time to time instead of hacking away.

- Pence did take some pitches in the final at-bat of the game. But he struck out on a fastball up and out of the zone to end the game. Swinging at the first pitch and chasing high heat are Pence’s two weaknesses, and both were on display in his final two at-bats.

VICTORINO WITH THREE HITS

- The 2012 campaign has not been pretty thus far for Shane Victorino. Coming off a year in which he was probably the Phillies best hitter from start to finish, Victorino has struggled to get on base regularly this season. Tonight was a bright spot, however, as he collected three hits and was on base four times. It marked just his second three-hit game of the season. To put that in perspective: Victorino had nine three-hit games last season (though, much like this season, he only had two through May 12th). When discussing why the Phillies offense has the potential to perform better than it has, Vic’s name comes up a lot as a guy who has underperformed. Tonight aside, the offense has been better in the month of May, and Victorino has had something to do with that. He’s now hitting .326 with six extra-base hits since May 1st. He would miss out on the opportunity for his first four-hit game of the season when he was intentionally walked in the seventh and when he struck out with Rollins on second in the ninth.

- It was unfortunate to see Vic strike out in the ninth because that could overshadow the rest of his game, but when you get a base four times, you can hardly be blamed for your team’s one-run output.

GAME NOTES

-The Phils will look for the series victory tomorrow when Cole Hamels returns from his suspension to take the mound against Jeff Suppan.

- The Phillies have won just one series at home this season, and that came back in the opening series against Miami. Beating a team like San Diego two out of three is imperative if the Phils want to gain ground in the standings.

- Mike Fontenot was added to the 25-man roster before tonight’s game and Erik Kratz was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In 15 games with Lehigh, Fontenot had a slash line of .300/.364./.400. He can play several infield positions and is expected to provide Manuel another bat to insert in the lineup. He is a career .263 hitter, and has been known for his patience at the plate–something the Phils could sorely use.

San Diego Padres (11-22) at Philadelphia Phillies (15-18)

Edinson Volquez (1-2, 2.98) vs. Roy Halladay (3-2, 3.28)

Time: 7:05 Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Partly cloudy, 76
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Phillies showed some life in last night’s 7-3 win over the Padres and will look to continue their solid play tonight behind Roy Halladay. However, Halladay hasn’t been so Halladay-like this season, as his outings have been inconsistent to say the least. In his last start against the Mets, he went seven strong, allowing just two runs. But two starts ago, against the Braves, he allowed eight runs over 5.1 innings, one of the worst starts of his career.

Almost all of his numbers this year have drawn some concerns from many analysts and fans, including his velocity, BB ration, K ratio, among others. A solid start tonight could help to ease the worries of many Phillies fans out there.

The good news is that he has been dominant against the current crop of Padres hitters. Collectively, they only hit .252/.292/.293 against him, and have just four extra base hits–none of them home runs–in 130 total plate appearances. Youngster Yonder Alonso has only faced Halladay four times, but has already gotten a double and a walk off of him.

Opposing Halladay will be Edinson Volquez, and he’s having a decent season so far. After he facing the Phillies and giving up three runs over six innings on April 20, his ERA hit a season high at 4.60. Since then, he’s pitched 19.1 innings over three starts, and has given up just three earned runs, bringing his ERA down to 2.98. On top of that, current Phillie hitters have posted just a .221/.326/.416 against Volquez, with Hunter Pence struggling the most, collecting just three hits in twenty-one at-bats against the Padres righty.

Tonight should be a low-scoring affair, and since the Padres offense is even worse than the Phils, along with the fact that Roy Halladay will take the mound, I’m thinking a 3-1 victory for the good guys tonight.

Lineup: SS Rollins, 3B Polly, CF Victorino, RF Pence, 1B Wigginton, C Ruiz, LF Mayberry, 2B Galvis, P Halladay

Your gameday beer: Pete’s Brown Ale

Pete’s Brown Ale is a beer from the Bear Republic Beer Co. in California. It’s made with molasses and brown sugar, so it’s bitter, slow and thick. Eat a steak with a sweet potato with this one. – By Brian

GO PHILLIES!

-Kelly Dugan (pictured), who nastily twisted his ankle last month, has returned to action after missing nearly three weeks of playing time.  On April 20th, the Phillies’ top draft pick from 2009 sprained his ankle when he stepped on first base awkwardly, taking a throw on a ground out.

According to Lakewood manager Mickey Morandini, Dugan played in extended spring training games on Thursday and Friday and is feeling much improved, running and hitting with no difficulties.

For an image of Dugan’s awfully bruised and swollen ankle, from the time of the injury, click here.

In 15 games with Lakewood this season, the 21-year-old Dugan posted a .245 batting average with 2 doubles, 2 homeruns and 9 RBI.

-Lefty pitcher Nick Hernandez is still roughly a month away from facing hitters.  The Phils’ 12th round draft pick from 2009 has been out of action for nearly two years.  The 6-foot-5-inch 215-pounder underwent surgery on the labrum in his throwing shoulder last season after rehabbing the injury since the previous May with failed results.

According to the 23-year-old Hernandez, who spoke exclusively with PhilliesNation.com’s Jay Floyd earlier this week, “I’ve thrown three bullpen sessions already and the ball is feeling good in my hand.”

Hernandez, who was a South Atlantic League All-Star with Class A Lakewood in 2010 when he posted a 3-1 record with a 1.61 ERA through 8 starts prior to the injury, is currently on what he describes as a “recovery week”, to build strength, while he exercises with weights.  He’ll get back to throwing bullpen sessions twice a week on Monday.

-Phillies right-handed reliever Justin De Fratus is still shut down, after dealing with a setback while he rehabbed his elbow.   The 24-year-old is dealing with a strained flexor tendon and was placed on the 60-day disabled list on Friday, to make room for other Phillies roster moves.

After missing the start of the season with the ailment, De Fratus appeared in an extended spring training game and followed that up with a scoreless inning of work for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers on April 22nd.  However, the 6-foot-5-inch 220-pounder experienced considerable discomfort following that outing and was forced to discontinue throwing.

According to De Fratus, he has continued to do rehabilitation exercises and he expects to begin another throwing program in roughly two weeks. There is no current time frame on when he may face hitters again.

De Fratus made his big league debut with the Phillies last September, posting a 1-0 record with a 2.25 ERA in 5 appearances.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider.  You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

Mayberry and Ruiz were a 1-2 punch on Friday. (AP)

The Phillies opened up their series with the worst team in the National League and calmly dispatched them with a solid all-around showing, winning game one of the series, 7-3.

WORLEY NOT BAD

-The line: 6 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 9 strikeouts (93 pitches/58 strikes). Overall a very good outing.

-His trouble spot came in the fourth inning when he gave up two runs on a walk and three singles. He got out of it after a Ty Wigginton error loaded the bases, which could have cost him the lead. Worley induced an inning-ending double-play.

-Worley allowed another run in the sixth as Yonder Alonso blasted a shot off the Budweiser sign in right field to make it 4-3, Phillies. After a one out single, Worley got Nick Hundley to ground into a twin-killing. Minimizing the damage was crucial.

BULLPEN NICE

-Antonio Bastardo allowed a walk to the first batter he faced, but calmly retired the next five in succession, including three straight strikeouts in the eighth inning. Man, they needed that.

-Chad Qualls came in with a four run lead in the ninth and allowed just a double while fanning two. Before the game he said he was completely healthy and it appeared he wasn’t lying. A nice night for the bullpen.

HOT CHOOCH

-Man, is Carlos Ruiz on fire or what? The dude cannot be stopped right now. He hit another home run and drew a walk in the sixth. His numbers right now are staggering: .340, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 7 BB, 10 K, .977 OPS.

-His RBI single in the seventh was beautiful. Chooch calmly poked it to right field, with the moral of that story being that he didn’t try to do to much.

-Vote for this guy for all-star, will ya?

MAYBERRY FREE

-John Mayberry finally stepping up, huh? That’s nice to see. JMJ has been pretty awful so far this year, but stepped up big on Friday night slamming a two-run home run and knocking in another run with a single in the seventh. Let’s hope this is the first step to busting out big.

PENCE AT-BATS

-I hate to be a downer on an otherwise positive night, but too many runs were left on the bases. Hunter Pence began the night with two brutal at-bats. He might be the only power threat the Phillies have in this order, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating when he hacks and hacks early. In the third inning, with runners at second and third base, Pence swung through three straight pitches. The third one was a ripper that he was trying to place in the stands. Instead of going the other way and attempting to place the ball, he just went hacking.

-In the fifth inning, he again swung at the first pitch with runners on first and third with one out, fouling it off. The second pitch he – you guessed it – swung, and softly chopped one back to the pitcher for the second out. Two awful at-bats from Pence with two runners on each time.

-What happened to preaching patience? Hell, Charlie Manuel just reamed the team out in a closed-door meeting because the team isn’t performing to their high standards. It’s at-bats like these that are causing the team harm.

NOTES

-Roy Halladay and Edinson Volquez go at it tomorrow night at 7:05.

Podsednik is on his way out.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that Iron Pigs OF Scott Podsednik is on his way to the Boston Red Sox. Rosenthal does not know if Podsednik will report to the minors or the big league club. Alex Speier tweets he will go to Pawtucket and has been dealt for cash considerations.

With Lehigh Valley, Podsednik was hitting just .203 with a .505 OPS over 83 plate appearances. Not very good numbers, but the Sox will take a shot. He had no role with the Phillies when Juan Pierre beat him out for the final roster spot following spring training.

San Diego Padres (11-21) at Philadelphia Phillies (14-18)

Clayton Richard (1-4, 4.89) vs. Vance Worley (2-2, 2.84)

Time: 7:05 Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Clear, 67
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Phillies will have some new blood on the roster when they take the field tonight. The hope is that with these new guys will come some new vibes around the team, which is currently marred in a season-long, three-game losing streak. Lucky, for the Phillies–a team that could use a few wins and some momentum–there is no better doormat in the N.L. than the San Diego Padres, who are currently sporting an N.L. low 11 wins this season, with just two of those wins coming on the road.

So far, the big issue for the Padres has been scoring runs. While their pitching ranks in the middle of the pack, they have scored just 102 runs this season, second worst in the N.L., ahead of only Pittsburgh. That’s good news for Vance Worley as he looks to bounce back from his worst start of the season against Washington–a game in which he went six innings, but allowed five runs. Worley’s faced the Padres once already this year, and was brilliant, pitching seven shutout innings to get his first win of the season.

Opposite Worley will be left-hander, Clayton Richard. 2012 has been a something of a struggle for Richard so far, as his 4.89 ERA would be the highest of any season he’s pitched in since 2008 when he made just eight starts and 13 appearances for the White Sox. Richard was the only Padres starter the Phillies did not face during their four game series in San Diego, but he has been good against the Phils historically, sporting a 2.40 ERA in two career starts against them. Both of those starts came in the pitcher-friendly confines of Petco Park, however. He has never pitched at the much more hitter-friendly CBP.

Fans looking to get a look at the new faces on the Phillies roster will have to wait as Hector Luna has been held out of the starting lineup. There is a fair chance we could see Diekman or Valdes out of the bullpen tonight, though, as Worley has failed to go deeper than seven innings in any start this season and  has pitched just one complete game in his career.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Wigginton 1B, Ruiz C, Mayberry LF, Galvis 2B, Worley P

Your gameday beer: Heineken

I bought some Heineken for tonight’s game and, knowing that, thought it’d be fraudulent if I didn’t recommend it in my Gameday. As far as imports go, there’s nothing quite like this reliable standby. It doesn’t have a complex taste, so it may not rate highly in the opinions of wiser beer connoisseurs than myself, but sometimes there is reverence in simplicity. I’ve found it goes great with baja fish tacos. – By Ryan

GO PHILLIES