Memorial Day Weekend Recap
Whether you were down the shore or at home barbequing, Phillies Nation will recap the Phillies’ eventful Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, the weekend was filled with more downs than ups, but there were some bright spots (besides the weather), including David Buchanan’s first Major League win. The Phillies dropped two out of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, but slugged the Colorado Rockies 9-0 on Memorial Day.
Here are some of the top stories from Memorial Day Weekend (after the jump):
*By now, you probably know that the Phillies were no-hit against Josh Beckett and the Dodgers on Sunday. This was certainly one to forget as Beckett found his way into the history books. In the 6-0 Dodger win, Beckett went the full nine innings without allowing a single hit. He walked three batters and struck out six on 128 pitches. Chase Utley made the final out of the game, shortly after he thought he had drawn a walk on a borderline pitch that was called a strike. The no-hitter was the first regular season no-hitter at Citizens Bank Park, and first ever from the away team.
After the game, Jimmy Rollins said: “[Beckett] was good. There’s no more to be said.”
That pretty much sums it up.
*David Buchanan won his Major League debut on Saturday. The rookie looked sharp in his five innings of work. He gave up two runs on five hits. He struck out two and did not walk anybody. He came out firing and was able to keep the ball on the ground, finishing with a 9-1 groundout/flyout ratio.
*Also during Saturday’s 5-3 victory, a Phillies beerman became a local celebrity when he caught a foul ball in his beer bucket.
*Cliff Lee has been showing improvement in his pitching elbow, but he has not been cleared to throw. For now, Lee’s return will be delayed at least a couple of games. Lee was diagnosed with a 1-2 level elbow strain earlier last week.
“It’s definitely better than it was, but it’s still there. It’s a real small spot right on the edge of the bone where the flexor tendon attaches. When I have to turn (my arm) I can feel it,” Lee told Bill Evans of the South Jersey Times.
*Kyle Kendrick earned his first win of the 2014 season on Monday. He tossed 6+ shutout innings, as the offense exploded a day after being no-hit. Ryan Howard and John Mayberry Jr. hit home runs in the 9-0 outburst against the Rockies. Howard had 5 RBIs on the day.
*Cody Asche was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an ailing hamstring. Justin De Fratus was re-called from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Asche could return as early as June 7. Cesar Hernandez or Reid Brignac will fill in at third for the time being, although Ruben Amaro Jr. said that calling up red-hot Maikel Franco is a “possibility.”
