Phillies Nation

Phils Acquire Lefty Randolph

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, May 08, 2008 11:33 AM

The Phillies today traded a player-to-be-named-later for Astros left-handed reliever Stephen Randolph.The 34-year-old Randolph — born in Okinawa, Japan — is a journeyman who this season with AAA Round Rock, has gone 0-1 with a 1.23 ERA in 14.2 innings. He has struck out 21 and walked 11.

In 2007 with Houston, Randolph went 0-1 with a 12.15 ERA in 13.1 innings.

It sure looks like Randolph could come right up to Philadelphia, as the organization may not be ready to bring up lefties RJ Swindle or Fabio Castro, and Steve Kline doesn’t look like the right fit in the big-league bullpen. Pat Gillick said he was openly looking for left-handed help, so don’t be shocked if Randolph comes up and the team lets go of long-man Clay Condrey, moving the struggling Ryan Madson to a long-relief spot.

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Phils ‘Ambush’ D-Backs For 5-4 Win

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, May 08, 2008 07:40 AM

Whoever said “ambush” in the Phillies’ dugout after Chase Utley plated Eric Bruntlett to give the good guys a 5-4 lead was right on — they pounced on the Diamondbacks in the eighth and held on tight for the big road win.

Utley’s RBI single came after an RBI hit by Eric Bruntlett, who scored Shane Victorino. Vic had a nasty collision with Conor Jackson to reach base on a passed ball, taking Jackson out of the game. Once the Phils had the lead, Tom Gordon eased past a leadoff double to hold the eighth and Brad Lidge was dominant once again to save the ninth.

The win went to JC Romero, who bailed out another Phillie reliever — this time Ryan Madson, who gave up a run in the seventh, giving the D-Backs a short 4-3 lead. Before him Kyle Kendrick pitched an OK six innings, giving up three earned runs and 10 hits while striking out two and walking one (a very Kendrickian effort).

Early offense came from a Victorino single and a Pedro Feliz two-run homer.

Pat Burrell was again hitless, going 0-for-3. Ryan Howard went 0-for-4.

Huge win. Vic and Bruntlett really did their jobs, and Utley proved yet again why he’s the early season MVP. The bullpen locked it down again as well — Gordon was clutch and Lidge was flat-out nasty. It’s a big, big win considering the Phils have to face Brandon Webb today. Getting a split at Chase Field is a nice feeling.

Associated Press photo

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Gamenight: Phillies (19-15) At Diamondbacks (22-11)

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, May 07, 2008 07:57 PM

Last night Adam Eaton didn’t pitch well enough to give the Phillies a win; tonight, Kyle Kendrick will have to baffle the Baby-Backs, as he faces Micah Owings. While Owings isn’t dominant, he sports a superb run support of 6.63 (of course, almost all the D-Back starters have high run support numbers). It’s up to Kendrick to subdue the tough Arizona offense.

Phillies: Kyle Kendrick (2-2), 5.01 ERA
Diamondbacks: Micah Owings (4-1) 4.42 ERA

Gametime: 9:40 p.m.
Weather: 84 degrees, sunny
Lineup: Victorino, Bruntlett, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Jenkins, Feliz, Ruiz, Kendrick

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gamenight beer: I don’t necessarily want to honor an opponent’s player, but Micah Owings is Jewish, and how often do we get to drink Jewish beer? Here is He’Brew’s (good name, eh?) Rejewvenator (good name, eh?). Though it’s not the one pictured (that’s Genesis 10:10, which is retired — to the sauna ha ha ha), it’s a German-type (ironic?) kind of beer with multiple flavors and textures. Drink it with — uhhhh — matzo.

Go Phillies!

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Drew’s Homer Sinks Eaton, Phils

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, May 07, 2008 11:20 AM

Stephen Drew’s three-run homer in the fifth inning turned out to be the difference in the Diamondbacks’ 6-4 win over the Phillies last night. The Phils made it a little closer toward the end, but couldn’t come all the way back from a hole dug by Adam Eaton.

Eaton pitched poorly in the fourth inning, giving up five runs and letting a 2-1 lead slip away. The crucial moment came when Eaton walked pitcher Randy Johnson — not a good hitter at all — on four pitches. With two outs two batters later, Drew laced the bomb that gave the D-Backs the win. If he doesn’t hit that homer, it’s 3-2 D-Backs, and the Phils late comeback would’ve won the game.

Jayson Werth and Eric Bruntlett hit homers for the good guys. Bruntlett also knocked in Shane Victorino with an RBI double. The substitute shortstop has been on a tear as of late; while his average is at a paltry .240, he has been at least a suitable fill-in for the superior Jimmy Rollins, who could be back this weekend.

While it’s not time to completely throw Eaton out to pasture again, there is definite cause for concern. His ERA has ballooned to 5.63; he doesn’t look as disgustingly bad as last season, but one or two more starts where he surrenders more than three or four runs will mean possible demotion from the rotation. While Kris Benson may not be ready for his big league return until June, prospects Carlos Carrasco, Antonio Bastardo and James Happ could slide into the fifth-starter role for a start or two, as cringe-inducing as the whole possibility seems.

Still, we all must remember one inning sunk Eaton. He deserves another fair shot.

Quickly, plays to remember: Pedro Feliz’ horrible baserunning on a misplay by Connor Jackson led to him being thrown out at second with no outs; Ryan Howard, yet again, striking out in a big spot late in the game.

Associated Press photo

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Head Shot

Posted by Brian Michael, Wed, May 07, 2008 12:37 AM

Enjoy this photo of a hardcore Phillies fan with a shaved “P” in his head from tonight’s game in Arizona.

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Gamenight: Phillies (19-14) At Diamondbacks (21-11)

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, May 06, 2008 10:04 PM

After the Phils scored 11 runs on the Diamondbacks yesterday, Adam Eaton will try to earn his first win (or decision) tonight against Randy Johnson. Ryan Howard is on the bench for this one — Chase Utley is at first base with Brad Harman playing second base.

Phillies: Adam Eaton (0-0), 4.72 ERA
Diamondbacks: Randy Johnson (1-1) 4.79 ERA

Gametime: 9:40 p.m.
Weather: 79 degrees, cloudy
Lineup: Victorino, Bruntlett, Utley, Burrell, Werth, Feliz, Coste, Harman, Eaton

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gamenight beer: Because Randy Johnson resembles a goose, go with Honker’s Ale by the Goose Island Brewing Co. He’s not the same guy he used to be, so hopefully we can honk his horn to the tune of a few runs.

Go Phillies!

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Rollins’ Rehab Goes Well; Swindle, Mathieson

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, May 06, 2008 12:13 PM

Jimmy Rollins went 4-for-4 in a rehab assignment — an extended Spring Training game against Yankees Minor Leaguers — yesterday in Clearwater. Three of the four hits were doubles, and he had two RBI.

Rollins said running the bases was OK, but there is a slight concern:

“Running around the bases for the first time, it felt good. Second time, I felt a little twinge, but I was still able to kick it in coming around to score, and I was fine.”

There is hope Rollins will return to the team by the weekend, but he needs to feel no “twinge” whatsoever.

• Also in the Minors, RJ Swindle was promoted to AAA Lehigh Valley.

It’s a sign Swindle is moving up the list of probably LOOGY replacements on the Big League club. Chances after last night are even greater that it’ll be Clay Condrey getting the ol’ heave-ho.

• Finally, Scott Mathieson may need a third surgery on his elbow.

It’s sad to say Mathieson will probably not see Philadelphia this year, or ever.

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Role Players Lead Way In Refreshing Win

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, May 06, 2008 08:04 AM

The Phillies beat the Diamondbacks 11-4 Monday night, and did it without hitting a home run. They did it with Pat Burrell going 0-for-5. They did it without Chase Utley scoring an RBI. How then, you ask?

Eric Bruntlett had three RBI, including a triple. Geoff Jenkins had three hits and drove in a run. Heck, Jamie Moyer had two hits, including an RBI double. Seven of the 11 runs scored by the Phils came with two outs. Sure they left 27 on base, but they plated 11 and had 17 hits in a runaway over the highly touted D-Backs.

Moyer didn’t just do it with his bat - the old man pitched seven innings, giving up two earned and six hits while striking out five. The “Baby Backs” had no answer for the wily veteran. Mop-up work went to Ryan Madson, who closed out the eighth, and Clay Condrey, who gave up two runs in the ninth. Is anyone else ready to rid Clay Condrey and try out Fabio Castro?

That aside, it was a great win for the Phils, who used the spacious outfield of Chase Field to defuse the Backs and beat rookie Max Scherzer. He was only charged for two earned runs as his defense helped him not at all. Most importantly, it was good to see the struggling role players pick up their games and barrage Arizona wire-to-wire.

Associated Press photo

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Gamenight: Phillies (18-14) At Diamondbacks (21-10)

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, May 05, 2008 07:55 PM

It’s a possible playoff preview at Chase Field tonight, as the Phils and Diamondbacks open a four-game set. It’s arguable the Phils and D-Backs are the top two teams in the National League this season; both teams feature strong pitching and a good offense. While the D-Backs are a little younger, the Phils carry a very experienced team.

Tonight it’s very much youth vs. experience, as the D-Backs throw rookie Max Scherzer out there against the Phils’ Jamie Moyer.

Phillies: Jamie Moyer (2-2), 5.11 ERA
Diamondbacks: Max Scherzer (0-0) 0.00 ERA

Gametime: 9:40 p.m.
Weather: 82 degrees, sunny
Lineup:

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gamenight beer: It’s the first really hot weather the Phils will enounter in 2008, so you need a nice, cold beer to keep you chilled. And since it’s Cinco de Mayo, I mean, let’s be real: You need a Corona. Eat some nachos, hombre.

Go Phillies!

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Another Day, Another Late Win For Phils

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, May 05, 2008 08:41 AM

Geoff Jenkins threaded the ball through Eugenio Velez, and Ryan Howard scampered home the winning run in a 6-5 thriller over the Giants Sunday. The game-winner ended a score-and-be-scored-upon hit fest, where no team had an advantage for long.

The Phils drew first blood with a Pat Burrell two-RBI double. Burrell went 2-for-3 and now has an astounding 30 RBI on the season. He’s basically on pace for 150 RBI. But Cole Hamels couldn’t keep the Giants grounded, giving up a few singles and a double to Rich Aurilia of all people, to tie the game at 2.

Aurilia haunted Hamels all day. The Phils took the lead again, scoring on a bunch of wild pitches and errors to make it 4-2, but Aurilia socked a two-run home run to tie it back up. In the eighth, Chad Durbin surrendered an Aaron Rowand single and Jose Castillo triple to give the Giants the 5-4 lead.

That’s when the Phils did what they do best. Carlos Ruiz punched his first homer of the season with one out in the eighth, seizing the game again for the home team and tying it up at 5. It set up the ninth inning heroics, started by two-out walks by Burrell and Ryan Howard off Keiichi Yabu. Jenkins finished the deed.

Games and series like these are the ones contending teams need to win, and that’s what the Phils did this weekend. The Giants are a young group of guys that resemble ticks - you can’t just brush them off. Hamels didn’t have his best stuff today and really served up a couple meatballs, but the offense was able to overcome mediocre pitching. Moreover, they took advantage off Giant errors and finally scored with a runner in scoring position. In the end, they got it done, remaining in first place and grabbing a huge getaway win as they hit Arizona this week for a huge series against the best of the National League.

Associated Press photo

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