The Phillies and Yankees hooked up Saturday and Sunday, resulting in a 9-3 loss and a 7-7 tie for the Phils. Granted, the Phillies were competing against the high-powered offense of the Yankees, but the story of the weekend was terrible pitching, especially from those in competition for the fifth starter spot, as well as Cole Hamels and Tom Gordon.
The Good
The weekend's best performance came from nonroster invitee outfielder Greg Golson. Golson was 2-for-2 at the plate with a home run. Golson swiped a bag as a pinch runner Sunday, and showed off his fielding skills on both days. Golson also homered in Friday's "B" game against the Pirates.
Also impressive was pitcher Carlos Carrasco. The 20-year-old pitched three scoreless innings Sunday, surrendering three hits and fanning three. Carrasco is the Phillies' number-one pitching prospect, and he is showing he deserves that billing. Be sure to catch him in action in Reading or Allentown this year before he gets the call to Philly.
Other Phillies to turn in solid performances versus the Yankees included first baseman Ryan Howard (2-for-2 with a double and a walk), catcher Carlos Ruiz (2-for-2, a double, and a run scored), catcher Chris Coste (2-for-3 and an RBI), reserve outfielder So Taguchi (2-for-5, one run, one RBI), and second baseman Chase Utley (2-for-6 with a double and an RBI).
Invitee infielder Casey Smith continued his strong spring, going 1-for-2 and scoring a run. Another invitee infielder, Brennan King, was 2-for-3 with two RBI; King was Sunday's starting first baseman. Invitee outfielder Brandon Watson had an RBI single in his only at-bat of the weekend.
Left fielder Pat Burrell found his home run stroke Sunday, but otherwise was 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.
On the mound, righty Ryan Madson gave up two hits but no runs in his one inning of work. Righty John Ennis, who cleared waivers and was re-signed by the Phillies, ended the disaster created by Gordon with a strikeout in his one-third of an inning. Scranton native and Kutztown graduate Ron Chiavacci, a nonroster-invitee right hander, struck out two and didn't allow a base runner in his one inning Sunday.
The Bad
On the other side of the spectrum, righty Adam Eaton continued his woes from last season. Eaton allowed three runs Saturday on a first-inning home run by Shelley Duncan. Eaton allowed two other hits in his two innings of work. Eaton claims the shoulder that bothered him last season is better, but he is now feeling the effects of a sore back. Good thing the Phillies have chiropractors now.
Things didn't get much better when new acquisition Chad Durbin took over for Eaton on the mound. Durbin allowed two runs on three hits in two innings.
Combined with Friday's disappointing performance by J.D. Durbin, the prospects for the Phillies' fifth starter look dim. Australian southpaw Travis Blackley, selected in the Rule 5 Draft, is also in the running, and he turned in a solid showing Wednesday. The other pitcher in the discussion is another new acquisition: Right hander Kris Benson is still recovering from rotator cuff surgery.
The Phils' number two starter also looked shaky this weekend. Lefty Cole Hamels gave up two home runs (to Jason Giambi and Yankees invitee Jason Lane) that accounted for four runs over two innings Sunday. Hamels also uncharacteristically walked two batters.
Another young lefty, Fabio Castro, gave up two runs on four hits over two innings Sunday. The Phillies' other Rule 5 selection, righty Lincoln Holdzkom, was charged with the blown save Sunday when he allowed a run on two hits in the eighth inning.
Gordon, the interim closer, demonstrated why Phillies fans are desperately praying for a speedy recovery for Brad Lidge. Gordon gave up a two-run home run Saturday to Wilson Betemit in the top of the ninth inning -- a sight not unfamiliar in 2006 and 2007. The long ball also did in middle reliever Clay Condrey (the only hit he allowed over two innings) and invitee left hander Vic Darensbourg (the only hit in one inning).
Offensively, shortstop Jimmy Rollins was 0-for-6 on the weekend.
Other hitless Phillies included backup third baseman Greg Dobbs (0-for-3), platoon right fielder Jayson Werth (0-for-3, one walk, one strikeout), and bench player Eric Bruntlett (0-for-3). Right fielder Geoff Jenkins and center fielder Shane Victorino, who also worked a walk, went 0-for-2.
Among the prospects, catcher Jason Jaramillo was 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Infielder Ray Olmedo was 0-for-2, infielder Brad Harman struck out in his only AB, and outfielder T.J. Bohn was also 0-for-1.
Utility player Val Pascucci got the nod as Sunday's designated hitter but turned in a pitiful 0-for-3 showing -- all of them strikeouts -- as well as a walk. Other invitees without a hit were infielders Andy Tracy (0-for-2 with a walk that led to a run scored) and Mike Cervenak (0-for-1).
The Average
Third baseman Pedro Feliz stayed consistent with one hit in three trips to the plate. Feliz also scored a run. Outfield contender Chris Snelling played the entire game Saturday and turned in a 1-for-4 performance, including a strikeout.
Today's Games
The Phillies welcome the Pirates to Bright House Field again today at 1:05. Last year's first-round draft pick, Joe Savery, is expected to start. Listen to MLB.com's exclusive online broadcast.
Oldie-but-goodie Jamie Moyer was scheduled to start today's "B" game, which was to get under way at 9:30 this morning.
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