When you look at Eaton’s 2008 numbers, you don’t see anything completely horrible. You see four starts of at least six innings and at the most, three runs. You see one five inning, four run start. And you see two starts that weren’t favorable at all. His last was a three inning, six earned gem against Arizona, his first loss (and decision) of the season.

His ERA, however, is close to 6.00 again, which means we have to start thinking about Eaton for a potential hook from the rotation. If Eaton continues to revert to his 2007 self today, the thoughts should become surefire motions. James Happ has been tearing it up in AAA and Kris Benson is setting down that road back. Eaton can’t afford to be clumsy today.

The Phils will try to win their seven-game western swing. Currently they’re at 3-3.

Phillies: Adam Eaton (0-1) 5.63 ERA
Giants: Jonathan Sanchez (2-2) 4.74 ERA

Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EST
Weather: 58 degrees, mostly sunny
Lineup: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Werth, Feliz, Ruiz, Eaton

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gameday beer: We featured Anchor Steam’s main ale yesterday; today we go with Anchor Steam’s Old Foghorn. I picture Eaton dressed up as Foghorn Leghorn, about to get barbecued by a fireball or something. Remember that look Foghorn would carry after getting burnt? I hope I don’t see that look today. Old Foghorn is the first barleywine in the United States. Drink it with some Indian red curry and chicken.

Go Phillies!

Share This

It was a very, very poor outing for Moyer, but one that’ll happen from time to time. For every start that punches Moyer’s ERA closer to 3.00 there’s another start that brings it up, somewhere between the former number and 7.00. Lincecum, 5-1 with a 1.61 ERA, has been way too hot and the Phils would’ve never been able to catch up to the Giants with him on the hill.

What did they do? Ryan Howard hit his seventh homer of the season in the first inning. He says his swing is coming back — let’s hope so. Geoff Jenkins, Greg Dobbs and Chris Coste (a homer) provided the other hits in the game. Four hits won’t cut it.

Pat Burrell’s average has finally dipped under .300, as it’s now at .295. Chase Utley also has seen a little drag in his average, as he stands at .327.

Clay Condrey and Ryan Madson pitched scoreless innings to close the game.

Associated Press photo

Share This

We will be sending them a copy in hopes that they review the game and tell us whether its worth the $60.

Our winners were selected using this handy list randomizer which took the email addresses of all those entered and generated a random list. We selected the top 2 and that’s how Heather and Joe won.

Don’t be jealous though, as we have two more copies of the game. We will doing another drawing in a month so if you haven’t already signed up, be sure to do it now by clicking here or on the photo.

In minor league television news, for those people whose cable provider carries the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, you can catch two Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs games next week. The Phils’ AAA club will take on the Norfolk Tides live on Thursday, May 15 at 7pm and Saturday, May 17 at 2pm (a rebroadcast). Also on Comcast Sportsnet this Sunday, May 11 at 7pm be sure to check out John Fitzgerald’s latest baseball project, Playing for Peanuts. The entertaining show is a reality TV documentary that follows the independent minor league ballclub South Georgia Peanuts in their inaugural season.

We are proud to announce that Phillies Nation is once again sponoring Wiffleapalooza. This annual wiffleball tournament raises funds for The Ray Withelder Memorial Scholarship Fund. If you are interested in playing, here are the details:

Date: Saturday, June 21st (Rain Date - Sunday, June 22nd)
Time: Registration at 10am
Place: Sun Valley Highschool
Donation: $25/player
Deadline to enter: June 7th
Email Dan to signup

Finally, for those fans in or around Washington, DC don’t forget the Phillies will be in town for a three game series against the Nationals on Monday, May 19, Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21. Email us if you plan on going to the game, we’ll coordinate tickets and tailgating.

Share This

Has Ryan Howard turned the corner or is he still flirting with disaster?

Will Jamie Moyer show another young pitcher who’s the boss?

Can the Phillies extend their league-leading road wins to 12?

These questions and more will be answered this afternoon as the Phillies take on the Giants for the fifth time in nine days. 23-year old Tim Lincecum takes to the mound for San Fransisco after going six innings and allowing 4 unearned runs in his start last Sunday against the Phils. He has a 9.00 ERA against the Phillies in his career but is pitching at the 1.49 mark this season. Jamie Moyer was drafted the same month Lincecum was born (June 1984).

Phillies: Jamie Moyer (2-2) 4.15 ERA
Giants: Tim Lincecum (2-1) 1.49 ERA

Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EST
Weather: 50 degrees, fair
Lineup: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Jenkins, Feliz, Coste, Moyer

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gameday beer: Keeping with the San Francisco theme, this afternoon’s beer is Anchor Steam. Brewed in the Bay Area since 1896, this drink has a deep amber color, thick creamy head, and rich flavor. You can drink it with anything, but I’m gonna recommend some bar food like chili fries or nachos.

Go Phillies!

Share This

The MVP went 3-for-5, driving in three, in a 7-4 win over the Giants. The effort backed Cole Hamels, who had a rough third inning (three runs) before settling in and pitching well. He went seven, striking out seven while walking three and giving up six hits. The difference between Hamels rebounding from a bad inning and Myerstwo nights ago is easily evident.

Pedro Feliz added a key RBI double to tie the game in the sixth. The Phils went ahead thanks to Carlos Ruiz and — yup — Rollins in the eighth. As usual, Tom Gordon and Brad Lidge slammed the door shut for the Phils. Lidge earned his ninth save and totes an 0.00 ERA. He struck out all three batters he got out.

Share This

Jimmy Rollins returns to the starting lineup after a practical month off nursing an ankle injury. Pedro Feliz returns to the place he played his entire career. Cole Hamels is on the hill, looking to rebound from a mediocre start last time out, against the Giants.

Phillies: Cole Hamels (3-3) 3.10 ERA
Giants: Pat Misch (0-0) 5.40 ERA

Gametime: 10:15 p.m.
Weather: 50 degrees, fair
Lineup: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, Burrell, Werth, Feliz, Ruiz, Hamels

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gamenight beer: Since San Francisco is close enough, grab a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It’s an awesome beer that you can drink at any time with anything. But tonight, have it with some Pad Thai.

Go Phillies!

Share This

Rollins was activated from the disabled list today. Brad Harman was sent back down to AA Reading.

Share This

Comparing Bruntlett to former Phillies utility players, how good is he?

Abraham Nunez, 2007: .234 AVG, .318 OBP, 0 HR, 16 RBI, 24 R
Abraham Nunez, 2006: .211 AVG, .303 OBP, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 42 R
Tomas Perez, 2005: .233 AVG, .289 OBP, 0 HR, 22 RBI, 17 R
Tomas Perez, 2004: .216 AVG, .257 OBP, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 22 R
Tomas Perez, 2003: .265 AVG, .316 OBP, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 39 R
Tomas Perez, 2002: .250 AVG, .319 OBP, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 22 R
Tomas Perez, 2001: .304 AVG, .347 OBP, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 11 R
Kevin Jordan, 2000: .220 AVG, .257 OBP, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 30 R

As it stands, Bruntlett: .250 AVG, .308 OBP, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 14 R.

With 108 at bats, he has about half the ABs as most of these utility men through one season. So, let’s double up those numbers:

Bruntlett, 2008: .250 AVG, .308 OBP, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 28 R

So, while Bruntlett’s numbers seem overly good right now, one has to remember he’s been subsituting for Rollins, and one also has to remember Abraham Nunez wasn’t really good offensively. Perez seemed to be a nice offensive player; Bruntlett’s 2008 should fit somewhere in the middle of Perez’s numbers.

Share This

It’s becoming increasingly painful to admit that Brett Myers is not an ace. Not even close.

Myers struggled through five innings, giving up six earned runs (seven total) on nine hits and three walks. The game quickly got away from him in the fourth inning, when the D-Backs put up a four-spot with the bottom of their order.

With seven runs, the D-Backs were more than comfortable  with Brandon Webb on the hill. The now 8-0 stud hurled a complete game for Arizona, throwing only 104 pitches. The Phillies had no answer for Webb — they were grounding into outs left and right (18 total).

Shane Victorino and Eric Bruntlett continued to stay hot at the top of the order, each getting two hits with Vic manufacturing a run on his own in the first inning. Chase Utley (0-for-2) and Ryan Howard (1-for-4) each had an RBI.

You couldn’t think the Phils would get much out of Webb, who has been all-universe this season. A first inning run is tremendous. Myers surrendered a home run to Chris Young in the bottom of the first. If that was all he gave up, it’s a different story. Instead, Mr. Self Destruct failed to even give his offense a chance.

Share This

It’ll be difficult to reach 21 today. The boys will face all-universe starter Brandon Webb, who is 7-0 and is your early favorite for NL Cy Young. The Phillies counter with their “ace,” Brett Myers, who pitched relatively well his late time out, a no decision against the Giants. If the Phils win, they would take the weeklong series, 3-1. Pat Burrell gets the day off after two straight 0-for games. Greg Dobbs gets the start at third base.

Phillies: Brett Myers (2-2), 4.70 ERA
Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb (7-0) 2.49 ERA

Gametime: 3:40 p.m.
Weather: 90 degrees, sunny
Lineup: Victorino, Bruntlett, Utley, Howard, Jenkins, Dobbs, Taguchi, Coste, Myers

MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday

Your gameday beer: Hopefully Brandon Webb doesn’t put a spell on the Phils, but I’m prepared. Today we go with Hocus Pocus by Magic Hat. Kind of a second-rate Sam Adams Summer Ale, it’s light and refreshing and goes well with a burrito.

Go Phillies!

Share This