Spring training: Pirates @ Phillies review

The Phillies suffered an 11-6 loss Thursday to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the team's second Grapefruit League game. The good news for the Phillies is that nine of the 11 Pirates runs were surrendered by pitchers who do not figure into the team's plans for this season.

Starter Kyle Kendrick had a decent outing, giving up one run over three innings. Kendrick hit right fielder Xavier Nady with a pitch in the first inning, but retired the other three batters with ease. Bucs' first baseman Adam LaRoche hit a solo home run to lead off the second and infielder Chris Gomez singled to right two batters later, but Kendrick forced backup infielder Brian Bixler to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the frame. Kendrick struck out another backup infielder, Josh Wilson, to lead off the third, and outfielder Nyjer Morgan's single was the only other baserunner Kendrick allowed.

Pitching prospects Joe Savery and Josh Outman did not fare as well. Savery tossed the fourth inning, facing eight batters and giving up five runs on four hits: three singles and a Nate McLouth three-run home run. Savery struck out two in the frame and walked one. Pitching coach Rich Dubee forced the 2007 first-round draft pick to work through his mistakes, and Savery showed good composure even if he is still several years away from the big leagues.

Outman, who reached Double-A Reading last season, gave up four runs on five hits over 1 2/3 innings. Outman retired the first two batters he faced before utility player Steve Pearce tripled to deep center and nonroster-invitee catcher Michel Hernandez singled Pearce home. Outman struck out invitee infielder Jorge Velandia to end the inning. Outman got into trouble in the eighth, giving up three hits, including an RBI single by highly-touted Pirates invitee Andrew McCutchen, to start the inning. A groundout knocked in another run and a passed ball charged to Phillies prospect catcher Jason Jaramillo allowed McCutchen to come home. Outman was pulled with two outs in the eighth.

Rule 5 draft pick Lincoln Holdzkom relieved Outman and showed his characteristic struggles with command despite not allowing a run over an inning and a third. Holdzkom walked three and hit a batter in addition to giving up a double to invitee infielder Luis Cruz. The last thing the Phillies need is a pitcher who cannot find the strike zone, so it would be surprising if Holdzkom were not offered back to Boston.

Righty Francisco Rosario, who spent a good portion of last year on the disabled list, pitched two innings, giving up one run on one hit, with two walks and three strikeouts. His performance may keep him in camp a bit longer, but he must improve if he wants to grab one of the few open bullpen spots.

At the dish, the top of the Phillies' order found its swing. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins, second baseman Chase Utley, and first baseman Ryan Howard all made solid contact. Rollins worked a walk to lead off the game and stole second for his first swiped bag of the spring. He also singled in the fourth in his 1-for-2 effort.

Utley knocked in a run on two doubles to raise his spring average to .400.

Howard struck out looking to end the first inning, but smashed a three-run home run during a five-run third inning. Howard finished 1-for-3 with three RBI.

Third baseman Pedro Feliz stayed hot for the Phils, singling in the second and doubling in the third before finally being retired for the first time in red pinstripes when he grounded out in the fifth. Feliz is 4-for-5 with a run and an RBI this spring.

Among other new faces, backup outfielder So Taguchi got the start in center field, giving Shane Victorino the day off. Taguchi struck out, walked, scored a run, and grounded into an inning-ending double play in his three plate appearances. Utility player Eric Bruntlett took over for Taguchi in center and went 1-for-2 with an RBI triple.

Right fielder Geoff Jenkins was 0-for-2 with two groundouts and a walk. New acquisition Ray Olmedo took over for Utley at second base and went 0-for-2 with a ground out and a fly out to end the game. Potential backup outfielder Chris Snelling struck out and lined out in his two at-bats after replacing designated hitter Greg Dobbs.

Dobbs had a single and a run scored in his 1-for-2 effort. Carlos Ruiz again started behind the plate and scored a run after doubling. Ruiz struck out looking to lead off the fourth before being lifted for Jaramillo. Jaramillo walked and flied to left in his two appearances.

Nonroster invitees Jason Donald, Andy Tracy, Mike Cervenak, Val Pascucci, and Brandon Watson all saw action in the late innings. Donald, who split time between Lakewood and Clearwater last season, was 1-for-2 with a double and committed a fielding error in the fifth inning. Tracy, a 34-year-old with 136 Major-League games under his belt, walked in his sole plate appearance. Cervenak, 31, flied out to right in his one AB; Pascucci, 29, flied to left on the only pitch he saw; and Watson, who broke the International League record with a 43-game hitting streak last season, struck out looking on three pitches.

For the second straight day, the players projected to be on the 25-man roster did nothing to hurt themselves, and those trying to make the cut did nothing to set themselves apart.

The Phillies "B" team, led by starter Brett Myers, is heading on the field to take on the Pirates as we speak, and you can tune in later today to listen as J.D. Durbin starts the main game at 1:05.

Double-A pitching preview

The Reading Phillies website has posted a look at 25 pitchers who could figure into the Reading rotation and bullpen in 2008. Worth a look.

Spring training: Reds @ Phillies review

I listed to the first eight innings of the Phillies' first Grapefruit League game via MLB.com's Gameday Audio yesterday, and I was impressed with what I heard. The Phillies had an offensive explosion and a strong effort on the mound to score the 8-1 victory.

Notwithstanding two of the Reds' biggest bats, Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, missing from the lineup, four Phillies' pitchers combined for an impressive one-run, five-hit performance.

Jamie Moyer allowed only one hit (a single by baseball's number-one prospect, outfielder Jay Bruce) and struck out three.

Rule 5 Draft pick Travis Blackley, a lefty from Australia, pitched three innings in his effort to make the 25-man roster. He faced the minimum, allowing one hit but picking off backup infielder Jeff Keppinger in the fifth. If Blackley is left off the active roster, he must be offered back to San Francisco.

Inning-eater Clay Condrey surrendered a home run to non-roster invitee infielder Adam Rosales, but had an otherwise flawless inning, including two strikeouts.

Carlos Carrasco, a 20-year-old top prospect who peaked last year at Double-A Reading, pitched a perfect eight inning, and Ryan Madson returned to the diamond for his first competition since July, surrendering two hits before forcing a double play to end the game.

At the plate, the Phillies newcomers were impressive. Right fielder Geoff Jenkins went 1-for-3 with a double. Third baseman Pedro Feliz singled in his first at-bat and had an RBI double in his second. Backup infielder Eric Bruntlett was 2-for-2 with a double, and backup outfielder So Taguchi had an RBI single in his 1-for-2 performance.

Among the nonroster invitees, only infielders Casey Smith (0-for-1 with a walk) and Brennan King (0-for-1) saw action at the plate. Neither improved his Buckley's chance of making the active roster. Smith was a middle infielder for the Angels' Triple-A squad in Salt Lake last season, and King was the starting third baseman at Triple-A Ottawa last year.

Outfielder T.J. Bohn, who is on the 40-man roster but is not in contention for a spot on the 25-man roster, had a single in his only trip to the plate. Bohn was in the Braves' minor league system last year, and has 18 major-league games under his belt with Seattle in 2006.

Among the returning big names, first baseman Ryan Howard, left fielder Pat Burrell, catcher Carlos Ruiz, and platoon outfielder Jayson Werth had solid 1-for-2 performances, including a lead-off double by Howard in the second inning that led to the Phillies' first run of the spring. Backup third baseman Greg Dobbs broke the game wide open with a home run that knocked in three of the Phillies' seven runs in the fifth inning.

The top of the order, however, was less impressive, as shortstop Jimmy Rollins, center fielder Shane Victorino, and second baseman Chase Utley all went 0-for-2. Backup catcher Chris Coste was also 0-for-2.

One of last year's biggest disappointments, third baseman Wes Helms, was showcased for the entire game, but did not help his trade prospects by donning the 0-for-4 sombrero.

The team looked solid and there were no big surprises in the first game of the spring. Things look bright for 2008 as the Phillies and starter Kyle Kendrick turn their attention to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who come to Bright House Field for a 1:05 game this afternoon.

Rotation shaping up

Phillies.com is reporting the starting pitching plan for the first week of spring training contests (EDIT: Updated pitching plan due to Tuesday's rainout). Young Joe Savery will start tonight's exhibition game against Florida State. Jamie Moyer gets the ball for the first Grapefruit League game tomorrow, followed by Kyle Kendrick on Thursday and J.D. Durbin on Friday. Brett Myers and J.C. Romero will throw a "B" game Friday. Adam Eaton pitches Saturday, and Cole Hamels is Sunday's starter.

The article does not say who will pitch after Sunday; if it starts again with Moyer, we might project that the competition for the fifth starter spot has been narrowed to Eaton and J.D. Durbin.

The rotation will become clearer after March 12 -- the Phils' only spring off-day -- when the cycle will be set to put either Hamels or Myers on Opening Day. This is the first talk I've heard of Myers potentially starting the season. If the team decides to alternate lefties and righties as much as possible, the rotation would either be Myers-Hamels-Kendrick-Moyer-Eaton or Hamels-Myers-Moyer-Kendrick-Eaton.

UPDATE: Turns out Myers will get the ball on Opening Day. Is this a quid pro quo for Myers giving up the closer job? Is it to boost Myers' morale? And how will it affect Hamels'? Based on some of Hamels' past indications, I think it might affect his psyche a bit, and I hope he can put it aside and still go out there and pitch the way he's capable.

Paging Brett Myers

"Will Brett Myers please report to the bullpen... Brett Myers to the bullpen... Thank you."

Brad Lidge, the Phillies' new closer who felt something in his knee after throwing a pitch during batting practice on Saturday, will have arthroscopic surgery on Monday (2/25) to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and likely miss three to six weeks.

First report of possible injury here [video report here]. Update here.

So a key free agent signed by the Phillies get injured. Shocker. [does hand signal]

Still, this could be a blessing in disguise. I have shared my thoughts on the the Phillies bullpen with the other Mike in the past and will do so here sometime before opening day.

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Howard wins arbitration hearing

Ryan Howard will make $10 million this year. Developing story here.

EDIT: More in-depth ESPN article here.

Olney: Evaluating Pat Burrell

Buster Olney has written a piece on Pat Burrell on his ESPN: The Magazine blog. Unfortunately, it is exclusive "insider" content, requiring a paid subscription. Here's the free preview:

Pat Burrell, the Phillies' left fielder, had a nice second half last season and helped propel Philadelphia into the playoffs. I asked some talent evaluators to give their assessment of Burrell:

From an NL scout: "He went the other way a lot more in the second half; he didn't try to pull everything. Before that, it was as if he saw the short fence [in Philly] and saw nothing but home runs. It seemed like in the second half of last year, he figured out that the home runs would come by accident, and he tried to hit the ball the other way.

"It'll be interesting to see him this year. He's painful to watch, because of his physical problems, but it's his free-agent year. He'll either sell out and try to hit a lot of home runs and try to be an AL-type DH, or he'll keep taking steps to becoming a more rounded player and a guy who hits to all fields. He may feel pressure to make up for some of the offense that they lose with Aaron Rowand leaving.

I'm not suggesting that someone who has access to the full article should e-mail it to me.

Team to Beat: Phillies or Mets

Mrs. tmmullen says I shouldn't pick on The Evening Bulletin so much. But if you're going to debate whether or not the Phillies are the team to beat in the NL East, it helps to have a point. Or, at the very least, know what you're talking about.


Are The Phillies Still The Team To Beat In The N.L. East?

Yes - By Drew Silverman

Yes, the Phillies are the team to beat in the National League East this year. Just like the Mets were really the team to beat last season, the Phillies are rightfully atop the NL East perch this time around.

Huh? Oh, okay, I think I get it. The whole "defending division champs" thing. I understand now. Still it might have helped if you actually wrote, "As defending champs, the Mets were the team to beat last season. Now, entering this season as defending champs, the Phillies have rightfully laid claim to that title." Or something else better than what you wrote.


Granted, the Mets added Johan Santana in a blockbuster trade with the Twins.

So magnanimous of you to grant that. He is pretty good.


And New York's Carlos Beltran proclaimed his team the favorite to take down the division crown. But that is just talk.

A lot like this argument so far. Any actual facts you want to use to back up your claim?


The Mets still have plenty of issues to deal with, not the least of which is the pressure Santana is going to face in his transition from Minneapolis to the Big Apple.

Yeah, that commute is a bitch. But I'm sure they'll spring for a hotel when he's in town.


And while Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine are accomplished veterans, their age and injury issues have to be a concern at this point.

Very true. Whether or not Pedro can recapture his brilliance is a big question. And Tom Glavine's age will be a serious factor to deal with . . . for the Atlanta Braves! Are you kidding? Come on!


Offensively, the Mets should be solid, but then again, they were solid for much of last year before their bats went silent in September.

He thinks they might hit well, but then again, they might not. Hard to argue with that.


Obviously, the Phillies have their question marks, as well. But as evidenced by things like the Pat Burrell t-shirts and the Kyle Kendrick prank, this team is loose and ready to go.

Well obviously. And I have heard laughter is the best medicine for lack of pitching. So, here's a joke: Two guys are strolling down the street. One walks into a bar. The other one ducks. Yes, a joke as lame as this article.


No - By Dan Murphy

No, the Phillies are not the team to beat this season. And not simply because Carlos Beltran came out over the weekend and said the Mets were the team to beat.

Really? Just saying something doesn't make it true? Do tell.


The Mets didn't make as many moves in the offseason as the Phils, but their moves appropriately filled their needs and complemented the rest of the roster, such as RF Ryan Church and C Brian Schneider replacing an aging Shawn Green and Paul Lo Duca.

Hey - look at that! Some actual baseball analysis. Now I admit that I have not taken the time to look up at any stats, but off the top of my head, I will agree that Ryan Church is an upgrade over Shawn Green and [ugh] Lastings Milledge. Plus on a completely unrelated note, I'm a big Brian Schneider fan [I played American Legion Ball for his uncle in the Lehigh Valley]. Does this mean he's better than Paul LoDuca? No, because, as I said, stats are needed to back up this argument. But at least he tried to make one, unlike the other knucklehead. So kudos.


Trading for Brad Lidge was Philadelphia's best offseason move, because it gives them a capable closer.

Well, it actually allowed them to move Myers back to the rotation so some people say it was one move that filled two holes. I don't exactly agree [a post for another time], but Myers was a more than "capable" closer.


They blew it, however, in the outfield. The Phils let go of a huge fan favorite in Aaron Rowand, switched Shane Victorino from right to center field and brought in Geoff Jenkins, who is a decent player, but he is no Rowand.

Why? You offer no evidence to support this. And as you so aptly stated in the beginning, just saying something doesn't make it true. Oh wait, that was me. My bad.


A lot is made about the Phillies' infield trio of Chase Utley, and MVPs Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard, but the Mets' infield isn't half-bad, either, with David Wright and Jose Reyes patrolling the left side of the diamond and sure-handed Luis Castillo taking care of business at second base. 1B Carlos Delgado can only go upward after a disastrous 2007 campaign.

For what it's worth, IMHO, the infields are a push. But merely mentioning names is not an analysis. Why am I still reading this?


The only piece missing was a quality ace. Enter Feb. 1, when Omar Minaya traded for two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, signed him to a six-year, $137.5 million contract and gave New York a strikeout machine who has far out-performed any starting pitcher in the Phillies rotation.

Great point, terrible writing. Seriously, can a date (Feb. 1) enter? I think he should have written, "Enter two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, a strikeout machine who has far out-performed any starting pitcher in the Phillies rotation and signed a six-year, $137.5 million contract with New York on Feb. 1." But he didn't. I did. Therefore I should get some of the money he was paid for this column.


Does this mean the Mets will win the division and the Phillies will struggle? Of course not, because you can't foresee injuries and slumps.

And because he wants to equivocate in case he is wrong.


But the Mets have made a talented team even better by combining good business smarts with aggressive wheeling and dealing.

For the love of... They were one of the few teams that could afford the best starting pitcher on the market. That's not "business smarts" or "aggressive wheeling and dealing." Like you, I'm so glad this is over.

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Just wild about Harry

Just to clarify, I love Harry Kalas. Anyone who reads this blog knows I don't think he is the problem in the announcing booth. But Keith Groller takes things a tad too far in this from the Allentown Morning Call.


Some have suggested lately that Kalas has lost something off his fastball.

Because, sadly, he has.


And sure, he may mix up a count here and there, or go into a premature home run call on a ball that barely makes the warning track.

But so what, right? It's not like he's announcing the game or telling listeners what's happening. Sheesh.


When the dignitaries, including manager Charlie Manuel, and players Brett Myers and Geoff Jenkins, were introduced at the dinner, Kalas received the biggest ovation.

Well sure. Probably because he is the voice of our childhood, of the Phillies' glory days, of [emotional gulp] 1980. It links us to the past and when we hear it, we remember Schmidt, Carlton, and, well, winning playoff games. Right Mr. Groller?


Probably because Kalas doing Phillies games is one of the things we've come to count on in a time when guys who were once our heroes (Michael Vick, Roger Clemens etc.) tend to let us down, or ultimately disappoint us before exiting the local stage (Allen Iverson, Terrell Owens, etc.).

I guess not. Look, first of all, Michael Vick = Hero? Or Owens? Really? I'll concede that Roger Clemens probably was to some fans, and likely Iverson too. But I call shenanigans on Vick and Owens. Plus, Groller actually describes what Vick did and Clemens is accused of doing as simply "letting us down." And it's his metaphor. Lastly, was anyone really disappointed when Owens left? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?


"Unlike players, broadcasters tend to stay with their teams without moving around very much," [Kalas] said. "You had Jack Buck in St. Louis, Bob Prince in Pittsburgh, my friend Vinny [Scully] who's still with the Dodgers. You get tied to a city, tied to a team..."

Excellent point. Probably because Harry made it, not Keith.


When he mentioned the IronPigs, Kalas said how wonderful it was for the Lehigh Valley to have a team again and predicted an International League title for the new team.

As if he was going to say, "boy, will they suck."


Kalas is also optimistic about the future of the team he works for.

As if he was going to say, "boy, will we suck."


But whether it be an extra-inning win on a Ryan Howard home run or a heartbreaking defeat on a Brad Lidge blown save, Phillies fans don't want to hear the news from anyone but Kalas.

The uncalled for cheap shot at Lidge notwithstanding, I wouldn't mind hearing the news from Scott Graham. He's got mad skills.


Since [Richie] Ashburn's passing, Kalas has had numerous partners in the booth. He misses getting the chance to do more innings with Larry Andersen, who has Ashburn's quirky sense of humor. He also misses Scott Graham, who was unceremoniously released by the organization before the 2007 season.

Like I said.


"These things happen in baseball," Kalas said. "I try to stay away from the internal affairs and inter-office dealings and try to just come to the park and call the game."

Except for that whole Chris Wheeler thing in 2004, he didn't add.


Kalas will be back here doing TV for the Phillies-IronPigs exhibition game on March 30 and there's no better way for Coca-Cola Park to be christened than with Kalas bellowing "That ball's outta here!" on the first Pigs poke over the fence.

I hate to admit it, but I have to agree.

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Mourning has passed

After observing the appropriate mourning period in the tmmullen household (two weeks and two days - don't ask) after New England's Super Bowl loss (mrs. tmmullen is a fan, I am not), I have returned to the blog.

[crickets]

No matter. I just thought I would give you fair warning: I may not have been blogging, but I have been reading some dreadful writing. And now it's time to make fun of it. Among the things you will likely see from me in the future are critiques of:

-- The Philadelphia Inquirer's odd take on Philadelphia fans;

-- A Sandy Penner column for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin; and

-- Disrespectful basketball fans who don't know the rules.

Sure, that last one isn't baseball related, but will hopefully make more sense when you read it. Plus it will be fun for me to write. So please come back often.

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DeMarco on Feliz

NBCSports.com is running a story by Tony DeMarco about the 10 players who will fare best as a result of changing teams this offseason. DeMarco has this to say about new Phillies third baseman Pedro Feliz:

The guy was metronome-like with the bat as a Giant, wasn’t he? Wind him up, and for the last four years, there wasn’t much variance in his numbers: Hits — 139, 142, 147, 141; home runs — 22, 20, 22, 20; runs — 72, 69, 75, 61; RBI: 84, 81, 92, 71; and batting average — .276, .250, .244, .253.

And now he moves from the second-toughest home run park in the NL over the last three seasons to the biggest launching pad — Citizens Bank Park — with a dangerous lineup around him. A 25-30 home-run season should result, and the RBI total should rise, too.

Benson deal close

Phillies.com is reporting that the team is on the verge of signing pitcher Kris Benson. He will compete for the fifth starter spot.

UPDATE: Benson has been signed to a minor-league deal. He'll compete for a roster spot at spring training, but he may need to spend a few weeks in the Lehigh Valley.

Super Bowl champions!

I realize our 10 million daily readers come here for our top-notch baseball analysis, but as a lifelong Giants fan, it is my duty to use this space to celebrate the amazing Super Bowl victory of the New York Football Giants. Long-suffering no more!

(My apologizes to mrs. tmmullen.)