Tag Archives: Phillies

Back-to-Back Homers by Galvis and Kratz Give Phillies an Improbable Walk-off Win over Reds

20 May

Revere’s Hustle Fuels Phillies Comeback

By Chris Murray

For the Chris Murray Report and Philadelphia Sunday Sun

Ben Revere's two out single in the eighth started the Phillies come back. Photo by Webster Riddick.

Ben Revere’s two out single in the eighth started the Phillies come back. Photo by Webster Riddick.

PHILADELPHIA—After the Phillies were shut out by the Cincinnati Reds the previous day, Charlie Manuel talked about the importance of his team hanging in there and not quitting.

“You stay aggressive and keep working on trying to get a good ball to hit. Not trying to overdo it, but just stay within yourself and do something. … Never get down, play 27 outs,” Manuel said.

For a team that was scoreless for 16 and two-thirds innings, that mentality would pay dividends in the Phillies 3-2 walk-off win over the Reds in the series finale at Citizen’s Bank Park Sunday afternoon.

The back-to-back homeruns off the Reds hard-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman by third baseman Freddy Galvis, who hit the game-winner and Erik Kratz, whose homer tied it gave the Phillies an improbable win.

“As soon as I hit, I thought hit it good,” Galvis said. “It was the first time in my life (hitting a walk off homer). I don’t think I’ll forget it.”

The Phillies ninth inning heroics were set up by the speed and hustle of centerfielder Ben Revere, who had three hits in four at-bats. It was his last hit that put the Phillies on the path to victory on a day when it looked like they were going to get shut out again.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth and the Phillies trailing 2-0, Revere smacked a hard grounder to Reds first baseman Joey Votto who dived for the ball and gloved it, but couldn’t get the ball to the pitcher covering first base in time put out the Phillies speedy centerfielder.

“It’s just all about hustle,” Revere said. “I could have just gave up on the play. About a week ago that could be an out, but no way today because I was feeling comfortable at the plate.”

After stealing second and a walk to Michael Young, Revere scored on a single by Chase Utley to cut the Reds lead to 2-1.

“Maybe that was the moment to get stuff going off of this,” Kratz said. “Anytime Ben gets on base, he can score from anywhere because of what he can do on the base paths.”

Kratz’s game-tying solo homerun should have been the game-winner if Chapman had not picked off pitcher Cliff Lee, who was pinch-running for Delmon Young who walked to open the bottom of the ninth.

“That was brutal. I’ve never been so disappointed when a guy hit a home run to tie the game in my life,” Lee said of his gaffe.  “That was bad. I felt horrible. Fortunately, Kratzy hit the home run and Freddy right behind him and that was a really good feeling. They made up for my mistake, which was unacceptable and basically brutal.”

Rookie Jonathan Pettibone kept the Phillies in the game. He gave up two runs on seven hits in seven innings. Photo by Webster Riddick.

Rookie Jonathan Pettibone kept the Phillies in the game. He gave up two runs on seven hits in seven innings. Photo by Webster Riddick.

For about seven and two-thirds innings, it was looking like the Phillies offense was going to waste another outstanding effort by a starting pitcher. Rookie sensation Jonathan Pettibone definitely pitched well enough to win. The offense’s late heroics turned a certain defeat into a no-decision.

In seven innings, Pettibone allowed just two runs-solo homer by Jay Bruce in the second inning and an RBI double to Todd Frazier in the sixth-and seven hits. He had four strikeouts and three walks.

More importantly, Pettibone and relievers Justin De Fratus and Antonio Bastardo kept the game within reach and didn’t allow the Reds to score anymore runs after the sixth inning.

“It was huge,” said Kratz, who came into the game in the third inning after Carlos Ruiz left the game with a strained right hamstring. “It doesn’t matter if we would have gone through seven guys in the bullpen or one guy, as a catcher you come out and you tell them we got to keep it right here.

“We got to play it like it’s a zero-zero game. You can’t let them get to three. Chapman with a two-run lead is tougher than Chapman with a one-run lead.”

HOWARD TO GET MRI

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard missed Sunday’s game because of soreness in his left knee. Team officials said Howard will get an MRI Monday in Miami where the team will begin a four-game series against the Marlins.

Howard said the knee had been bothering him for awhile and that the pain was bothering him more than normal Saturday night.

“It’s been acting up since Spring Training and I was able to tough my way through it,” Howard said. “(Saturday) it just kicked up a little bit.”

When asked if he thought that soreness was affecting his hitting in any way, he said it’s been tough trying to push off that knee. Howard has just four hits in his last 33 at-bats.

“We’ll see if the rest helps it,” Howard said.

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Phillies Can’t Do Anything Right in Shutout Loss to the Reds

19 May

By Chris Murray

For the Chris Murray Report and the Philadelphia Sunday Sun

Kyle Kendrick struggled in 10-0 loss to Cincinnati. Photo by Webster Riddick.

Kyle Kendrick struggled in 10-0 loss to Cincinnati. Photo by Webster Riddick.

PHILADELPHIA—You knew at some point this season that Kyle Kendrick (4-2) was going to have one of those games where he would struggle and his team would not score enough runs.

In Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Kendrick found himself in several jams and was actually lucky to just give up four runs on eight hits with four walks in six innings on the mound.

Kendrick’s lackluster performance was further complicated by another episode of “Disappearing Acts” by the Phillies offense and the Phillies bullpen which enabled the Reds to turn the game into a 10-0 laugher of a victory over the Phils in front of 41,817 fans at Citizen’s Bank Park.

“Kendrick got hurt by a three-run homer from (Ryan) Hanigan, but at the same time he battled, he kept us in the game and of course, we couldn’t score and the bullpen let the game get out of hand,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.

Pitching deep into counts and allowing a man to reach base in every inning during his tenure on the mound, Kendrick was constantly pitching his way out of trouble. The Phillies were fortunate that the lead wasn’t larger.

Kendrick’s worst inning of the game would occur in the second inning. After giving up consecutive singles to third baseman Todd Frazier and leftfielder Donald Lutz, catcher Ryan Hanigan crushed a three-homerun to the leftfield seats.

“It seemed like the whole game my command wasn’t very good and I fell behind a lot,” Kendrick said. “It was one of those days where I had to battle. It was a tough day all around.”

With the silence of the Phillies bats that’s all the runs the Reds would need. Before departing the game in the sixth, Kendrick gave up a run-producing double to Reds shortstop Zack Cozart that scored Hanigan.

Of course, the Phillies bullpen—B.J. Rosenburg, Jeremy Horst and Phillipe Aumount helped the Reds put the game out of reach by allowing the Reds to score four runs in the eighth. Cincinnati also added a pair of runs in the ninth. The runs in the eighth were charged to Rosenburg. For the game, Phillies relievers gave up six runs on eight hits.

“I think it’s about getting ahead in the count kind of thing,” said Phillies reliever Chad Durbin. “I thought Rosenburg’s stuff was outstanding today. He just had some poor luck. Horst gives up one there instead of a double.

“Phillipe makes a wild pitch, but it’s a matter of getting ahead. All of them did other than Horst. They got behind and they battled back.  It’s a day in, day out thing. It’s having a three-run lead instead of being down three.”

Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo (4-4) pitched seven and two-thirds innings and allowed no runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

Meanwhile, the Phillies big hitters-Ryan Howard and Chase Utley went a combined 1-for-7. By the time Howard doubled to begin the bottom of the ninth, the outcome was already decided.

While Manuel has said the team is going to eventually come around on the offensive end. He also said the team has to keep their heads up and not let things snow-ball into something worse.

“We’re in that area where we start doubting ourselves instead of just keep firing,” Manuel said. “You stay aggressive and keep working on trying to get a good ball to hit. Not trying to overdo it, but just stay within yourself and do something. … Never get down play 27 outs.”

As silent as their bats were, Phillies hitters were equally a quiet during postgame interviews as none were available to speak to reporters after the game. When the media gathered to interview Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins walked away and told reporters:

“There’s nothing to talk about, write what you saw.”

What fans saw today was a team that couldn’t do anything right.

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The Phillies May Have Something Left, But the End is Near

18 May

By Chris Murray

Cole Hamels has struggle in his eight starts this season. Photo by Webster Riddick.

Cole Hamels has struggle in his eight starts this season. Photo by Webster Riddick.

For the Chris Murray Report

PHILADELPHIA—In a week in which the Phillies face the possibility of not having starting pitcher Roy Halladay until maybe September or possibly not at all, the Phillies are facing a crossroads in the early season with a combination of injuries and players not playing up to their potential.

Phillies team doctor Michael Ciccotti said for Halladay to come back in September, he would have to get to the point where he has all his range of motion in the shoulder.

“(Halladay) needs to meet certain milestones before he can progress to the next level,” said Ciccotti. “If he achieves his range of motion if he’s strong and he can pick up a ball. If he can go to a mound and he can pitch and he’s comfortable. He has to pass those tests along the way and if he’s not comfortable and we’re not comfortable, we’re not going to let him get on the mound and pitch.”

As it stands now, the Phillies (20-22) are 3.5 games out of first place behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East and they are now down two starting pitchers. John Lannan, who had strained ligaments in his knee, is expected to be off the disabled list in June.

But the real issue facing the Phillies is that their run of success that goes back 2007 and includes one World Series title, two National League pennants and five National East titles is slowly coming to an end.

That’s not to say the 2013 season is a done deal by any stretch of the imagination because we’re not even at the All-Star Break just yet. The Phils can still contend for a playoff spot and a division title, but they don’t have a lot of margin for long stretches of games where they struggle to hit, have bad starts by their pitchers or have their bullpen blow games.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins recently told MLB.com that team could be broken up if they don’t start winning on a consistent basis

“We’ve just got to make sure we do what we need to do before they blow it up,” Rollins said.

You have to think that at some point Cole Hamels (1-6, 4.61 ERA) is going to break out of his current funk. If he doesn’t do it anytime soon, then more than likely, the Phillies will be sellers by the time the July 31 trade deadline.

Oddly enough, Phillies starters outside of Halladay, Hamels and Cliff Lee, have combined for a 7-2 record so far this season while aforementioned big three are combined 7-12.

“We haven’t gotten the pitching performance — other than Lee — the guys at the top of the rotation haven’t pitched the way we know they can pitch, in particular Roy wasn’t very consistent, although he threw a couple good games,” said Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.  “And Cole hasn’t been real consistent. But I am less worried about Cole than our offense, which has to come around and be a little more consistent.”

While the offense has played better within the last week or so, Amaro said he is concerned about Delmon Young, who is 2-for-11 on the current homestand and Ryan Howard, who is also 2-for-11, in the Phillies last three games.

“Right now, we have to be patient and see if Delmon starts swinging it and Ryan is going to have to start swinging it,” Amaro said. “If those guys do, then’ we’ll be OK. If they don’t, then we will have to figure out what we are going to do.”

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Howard has to work on finding some consistency at staying on the baseball.

“He’s not right yet,” Manuel said. “His swing is not consistent right now and he’s got to keep working until he finds it.”

The Phillies, whether they want to or not, are going to be finding how good or not so good their minor league farm system is getting ready pitchers are ready to start in the big leagues. So far, Jonathan Pettibone (3-0, 3.41 ERA) has raised as few eyes with his performances on the mound since being called up from Lehigh Valley.

At some point, teams around will the league have a better understanding of what Pettibone is doing on the mound and they will make the appropriate adjustments. If Pettibone can work through that, the Phillies will be in good shape.

Another possible “X” factor for the Phillies starting rotation is Zambrano, who recently signed a minor league contract with the team. In 12 years in the majors with the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins, Zambrano is 132-91 and has a 3.66 earned run average.

If the 31-year-old Zambrano can overcome his volatile past which includes fights with teammates and he comes back and still has something left, it will certainly give the Phillies a much-needed boost.

“We’re just trying to find some additional depth and some options for us,” said Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock. “It’s low risk and hopefully high reward …It’s one of those thing where just get him down there and see where he’s at. From the reports we got the other day, he’s in pretty good shape. We have to get a gauge of where he’s at.”

Meanwhile, some of the players feel that they are on the verge of putting together a run of game that would put them near the top of the division.

“I’ve been feeling that way the whole season,” said Phillies leftfielder Domonic Brown. “We’ve got a great team here. We just got to put it together.”

 

 

 

 

 

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Hamels Woes Continue As Phillies Fall to the Cleveland Indians

15 May

By Chris Murray

For the Chris Murray Report

Cole Hamels is 1-6 on the season and the team is 1-8 in his nine starts.

Cole Hamels is 1-6 on the season and the team is 1-8 in his nine starts.

PHILADELPHIA—The Phillies 10-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday was not because of a solid pitching gone to waste because of a lack of hitting by the Phils.

That’s because the starting pitching by the ace of the Phillies rotation wasn’t good at all. By the top of the fifth inning, Cole Hamels had thrown 106 pitches, given up five runs on six hits including a pair homeruns. The Phillies (19-22) were in a 5-1 hole.

“What you saw was he was having a hard time putting the ball where he wanted to go,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. “He thought he had some close pitches. Evidently, he didn’t get them, but at the same time, he was having trouble locating his pitches.”

Hamels record dropped to a dismal 1-6. The Phillies are 1-8 in the games that Hamels has started for the Phillies. In 2012, the Phillies were 21-10 in his 31 starts.

“I’m constantly making adjustments,” Hamels said. “I feel healthy, I feel strong. I’m able to throw all four pitches for strikes at times, but not able to do it nine out of 10 times, especially when you’re not able to do it off the bat to get ahead of a hitter, you’re not putting him in an uncomfortable at bat.

Throughout his time on the mound, Hamels did not have command of his pitches and threw a large amount of pitches. By the second inning, he had thrown 50 pitches. In his defense, some of Hamels balls came as the result of some questionable ball and strike calls by home plate umpire Dan Iassogna.

Hamels to his credit still put the onus of his bad performance on himself and what he didn’t do.

“You can get squeezed anytime, but when you’re going 3-2, it’s hard to call a strike when you throw ball after ball,” Hamels said. “In different situations 0-2, 1-2 not getting pitch here or there, you’re attacking the strike zone, you’re being aggressive.

“When you’re not attacking the strike zone and not being aggressive, you’re not going to get those calls. The outcome was my effort and my pitching ability.”

The Phillies would cut the deficit to 5-3 in their half of the fifth on a two-run double by Jimmy Rollins, but that’s about as close as they would come. Rollins was 2-for-4 with three runs batted in for the game.

The Phillies relief pitchers were equally as horrid as the starting pitcher, giving up five runs on five hits and a home run. The combination of Chad Durbin, Jeremy Horst, and Phillipe Aumont could not keep the Indians off the board after Hamels left the game. In the sixth inning, Cleveland pushed two more runs across the plate on a bases-loaded single Asdrubal Cabrera.

In the top of the eighth a three-run homer by second baseman Jason Kipnis effectively ended the competitive portion of the game and sent most of the 38, 440 fans at Citizen’s Bank Park to the exits. Kipnis was 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and two doubles.

“The object of the game when you bring somebody in if you’re behind or tied or even if you got a lead, you gotta hold the other team,” Manuel said. “If you’re going to give up runs, especially when we’re losing that makes it really tough, we got hold them. Can you do it all the time? No, but you have to do it a higher percentage.”

The Phillies have gone 5-4 in their last nine games. At times, they have looked like a team on the verge of going on a run to be a contender and push their record above .500. Just when it looks like things are about to look up for the Phils, they’ve come down to a crashing halt.

“It’s just a matter of continuing to get over that hump,” said Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard. “It’s winning like three games and it’s trying to limit that step back. You’re winning three games and you lose that’s cool. Being able to bounce right back, that’s the thing. We go into this off-day and try to bounce back on Friday.”

Notes—The Phillies signed former Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano to a minor league contract. The volatile 31-year-old right hander is 132-91 with a 3.66 earned run average in a career that spans over 12 years.

The team said Zambrano would have to go through an extended spring training down in Clearwater, Fla.and he would make a start with the Phillies Triple A affiliate at Lehigh Valley. It could take a up to a month or so for him to be ready with the big team. He could ask to be released if he’s not with the Phillies by July 1.

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Phillies Bats Support Solid Effort by Pettibone on the Mound

15 May

By Chris Murray

John Mayberry Jr. was 3-for-4 with three runs batted in against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday night.

For the Chris Murray Report and the Philadelphia Sunday Sun

PHILADELPHIA—For the third time in as many games, the Philadelphia Phillies actually scored enough runs to go along with a solid effort from a starting pitcher.

Is it the beginning of the end of their hitting woes?

“I think it’s a matter of time,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. “I think we can end up having a good offense, but we have to stay at it and keep going.”

In any event, the Phillies will be happy they came away with a 6-2 win over a Cleveland Indians team that mercilessly bludgeoned them into submission by scoring 19 runs in two games two weeks ago.

Center fielder John Mayberry Jr. was 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and said it was good to get a win over the Indians after the beating the Indians gave the Phillies in Cleveland.

“You try to forget about it, but it’s definitely in the back of your mind of how the series went in Cleveland,” Mayberry said. “We definitely wanted to come here in front of our home fans and play well. We did that (Tuesday) night.”

Tuesday night, the Phillies offensive performance supported a solid effort on the mound by 22-year-old fifth starter Jonathan Pettibone (3-0), who allowed just two runs on four hits in six and two-thirds innings of work. He also had three strikeouts and two walks.

“Pettibone pitched brilliantly, I thought,” said second baseman Kevin Frandsen, who had a solo homer in the first inning. “He kept us in there when were 2-1 down and he kept fighting, fighting and made great pitches. That’s a stud right there. He’s a rookie, but he didn’t back down.”

Pettibone’s biggest challenge came in the Indians half of the third inning when he hit two straight Indians batters-first baseman Nick Swisher and catcher Carlos Santana-to load the bases with two outs. He got out of the inning by getting third baseman Mark Reynolds to fly out to second to end the threat.

“It’s big, after escaping with no runs, especially after second inning, giving up two you don’t want to dig yourself too big of a hole that early in the game,”  said Pettibone, who retired the last 13 men he faced. “Getting out of that inning, I was able to build off that and go from there the rest of the game.”

The Phillies bullpen came up huge as well. With Antonio Bastardo pitching in the Indians half of the eighth inning, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera tripled off the wall in right center field. Bastardo struck out Swisher, but walked Santana.

Manuel brought in reliever Justin De Fratus who got Reynolds to pop out to second. Jeremy Horst replaced De Fratus and then struck out Brantley to strand Cabrera at third to end the threat.

“Our bullpen did a real good job,” Manuel said. “De Fratus and Horst got some big outs.  Bastardo, I thought, pitched good. We started the eighth with a triple and we left him there. That was good.”

Meanwhile, Frandsen got things going for the Phillies offense in the first inning when he smacked a solo home run to the left field seats off Cleveland left-handed starter Scott Kazmir (2-2).

The Indians took a 2-1 lead in their half of the second inning on a single by left fielder Michael Brantley that scored Santana, who reached on a double and Swisher, who singled to start the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Phillies would take the lead for good on a double by Mayberry that brought home catcher Carlos Ruiz, who reached on a walk and Domonic Brown, who got on base with a lead-off single.

In the sixth inning, Brown, who was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, added to the Phillies lead with a frozen-rope of a home run to right field. Mayberry and Freddy Galvis added a pair of RBI singles in the bottom of the eighth to put the game out of reach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Halladay Headed to Disabled List After Marlins Rout Punchless Phillies

5 May

By Chris Murray

For the Chris Murray Report and The Philadelphia Sunday Sun

Roy Halladay has struggled in his last two outings of a sore right shoulder. Photo by Webster Riddick.

Roy Halladay has struggled in his last two outings of a sore right shoulder. Photo by Webster Riddick.

PHILADELPHIA–If you were wondering if there was something physically wrong with Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay after two disastrous starts in which gave up 17 earned runs in five innings, you absolutely right.

After the Phillies 14-2 loss at Citizen’s Bank Park to the last-place Miami Marlins in which he gave up nine earned runs in less than three innings, Halladay told reporters after the game that he had been experiencing soreness in his right shoulder since an April 19 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“My shoulder was bothering me,” Halladay said. “I woke up and I really didn’t think anything of it. I thought it was regular soreness. It kind progressed over the last two weeks or so. ..I felt good all spring, I felt good all year. It was after that start against Pittsburgh, I had soreness in there and I wasn’t able to get rid of it.”

 Meanwhile, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Halladay will be on the disabled list sometime within the next day or so once the team decides who they’re going to bring up from one of their minor league affiliates. He said Halladay will be examined by doctors in California.

“Clearly, it does seem like he’s not healthy,” Amaro said. “It was pretty apparent with his performance today unfortunately.”

Halladay apparently kept his condition from manager Charlie Manuel and Amaro. Because Halladay is a proven veteran, he felt that he was able to pitch his way through his soreness.

“Listen, he’s a competitor. If he feels he can pitch, he can pitch,” Amaro said. “Clearly, he wasn’t pitching to his custom level and it was apparent today and after his last outing.”

Going back to his last start against the Cleveland Indians, Halladay has given up a grand total of 17 earned runs, 12 hits, seven walks, two hit batsmen and four homeruns.  He hasn’t been able to pitch beyond the fourth inning.

The competitive portion of Sunday’s game ended in the first and third innings.  In the first inning, the Marlins scored five runs on two hits because Halladay had absolutely no command over his pitches. He walked three batters and hit another in the back.

“He couldn’t find his pitches today,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “He didn’t have his location and command. It was a combination of things. He kept falling behind and when had to come in and throw the ball in the big part of the plate he got hit.”

 Halladay gave up a two-run double to Miami rightfielder Marcell Ozuna that was almost a home run.

Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria hit a bases loaded triple to put the Phillies in a 5-0 hole after one half of an inning.

But Hechavarria wasn’t done with Halladay. In the third inning, the Miami shortstop hit a grand-slam home run that sent Halladay to the showers.  For the game, Hechavarria had seven runs batted in.  It was 9-0 and the rout was on.

With Halladay definitely out of the starting rotation, the Phillies, starting with their seven-game road trip to San Francisco and Arizona, will be playing a stretch of games against teams with winning records with the exception of the Marlins.

“I think our road trip is big,” Manuel said. “I think we need to win today’s game.  I think we need to win tomorrow’s game. I come here with the mindset that we’re going to win. We definitely need to start winning some games.

Last season, it was late May in which Halladay wound up on the disabled list and the Phillies went from being a game above .500 to being 13 games below .500 prior to the All-Star break. They were in a huge hole from which they never recovered.

In addition to Halladay’s problems on the mound, the Phillies offense in the last two games of the Miami series could only muster just two runs. After being shutout in Saturday night’s loss, the Phillies managed to score two runs (one earned) in the eighth.

“Until we start hitting the ball and start making better contact and doing things right, we’re going to struggle,” Manuel said. “We’ve got to come out and play-get runners on base and hit the ball. With the lineup that we got we better get some extra base hits because we’re not getting a whole lot out of our speed right now.”   

 

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Brown Starting to Find His Rhythm for the Phillies

5 May

By Chris Murray

Brown is getting better with each game. Photo by Webster Riddick.

Brown is getting better with each game. Photo by Webster Riddick.

For the Chris Murray Report

PHILADELPHIA—When Phillies leftfielder Domonic Brown was struggling in just about every aspect the first time he came up the big league club in 2011, there was a huge sentiment among fans calling the local sports talk stations that said he was a bust.

Even though he was the best prospect in the Phillies organization and lacking in significant league experience, there were more than quite a few fans and local media folk calling for the team to cut ties with the rising young star.

Coming into the 2013 season, Brown had a grand total of a year and 78 days of service as a major league player and had never played a full 162-game season.  How can somebody be a bust win just a short period of time? Can we at least wait until the guy has a full year or two before we make that kind of judgment?

So far this season, Brown is getting a chance to play on a regular basis and for all his critics out there, he’s not playing badly at all. We’re not ready to anoint him as the team’s next superstar just yet nor are we saying he’s a lock to make the National League All-Star team.

“You definitely can find your rhythm when you’re playing every day because that’s what I’m used to,” said Brown, who went 0-for-3 in the Phillies 2-0 loss to the Miami Marlins. “I’m not used to coming off the bench. It’s been a blessing for Charlie to tell me I’m going to be in the lineup every day.”

But Brown is starting to show the potential that the Phillies were raving about since the team selected him in the 20th round of the 2006 draft.

In his last nine games coming into Saturday’s game against the Marlins, Brown is batting .382 with two doubles, three homeruns and eight runs batted in over his last nine games. He is currently tied for second on the team in homeruns (five) and is third on the team in runs batted in with 14. Brown has also batted .353 with runners in scoring position.

“When the season started, he was working to hold his own,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. “I think right now you’re starting see that some of the at-bats he’s putting on that’s how he was doing it in the spring. He was very consistent in the spring. He showed his power, he showed his talent. We’re starting to see that and that’s good.”

During spring training, Brown batted .356 with seven home runs and 17 runs batted in. Manuel said playing on a regular basis at the major league level and being around batting coaches like Wally Joyner has helped him as well.

“I think being around the game, learning about the major leagues and learning about himself,” Manuel said. “I think he talks a lot with our coaches, he’s relaxed and feels a lot better about himself.”

Of course, the name of the game for Brown will be consistency and doing it on a regular basis. That also means doing in the field as well. Since Brown misjudged a ball that turned a routine single into a triple in the Phillies home-opener versus the Kansas City Royals, he’s done a solid job playing the outfield.

For a team that already has sluggers like Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, Manuel believes that Brown has the potential to hit a lot of home runs for the Phillies.

“I think he’s capable of hitting some. How many he hits, I’d like to let him play and see how many hits,” Manuel said. “(30 home runs) is not beyond the realm of possibility.”

We’ll have a quite few games to see if that all rings true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hamels Gets No Run Support as Marlins Rookie Holds Phillies to One Hit

5 May

By Chris Murray

For the Chris Murray Report and the Philadelphia Sunday Sun

Cole Hamels pitched eight innings and allowed just two runs and struck out six. He got no run support from the Phillies offense.

Cole Hamels pitched eight innings and allowed just two runs and struck out six. He got no run support from the Phillies offense.

PHILADELPHIA—You can’t put the Phillies 2-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on the shoulders of Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels because he did his part.

In eight innings, Hamels allowed a pair of solo homeruns with six strikeouts, no walks and just four hits. He also retired the last 13 men he faced.

Unfortunately, the Phillies offense could not figure out Marlins 20-year-old starting pitcher Jose Fernandez, who simply shut down a hot Phillies offense and held them to just one hit while striking out nine in seven innings of work.  It was his first major league win.

“He was on,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. “He brought his game to the yard today. He was on and he was really good. “I’ve seen a lot of young pitchers (Bert) Blyleven when he was about that age or younger. I remember Jim Palmer when he was young. I’ve seen quite a few pitchers. When you’re good, you’re good.”

It was just one of those nights where the Phillies simply had to just to tip their collective hats to the performance of the other guy. After Freddy Galvis first-inning single up the middle, it was all Fernandez.  The Phillies also could get anything Marlins relief pitchers Mike Dunn and Steve Cishek.

“(Fernandez) was real good,” said Manuel. “I thought their guy was throwing strikes. He was throwing strikes with his secondary stuff, his breaking ball, his changeup. He was aggressive and he came right at us with good fast ball.”

The Phillies faced Fernandez on April 13 in Florida and found themselves on the short end of a 2-1 loss. The Phillies players who saw the young pitcher Saturday night said Fernandez was even better and did a good job of keeping them off balance at the plate.

“He mixed up his pitches well the whole night,” said Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown, who went 0-for-3 on the night. “I got ahead in the count and he was still throwing his off-speed pitches where he wanted to throw them.”

Brown said the real disappointment for the Phillies offense was not being able to give Hamels any run support.  The Phillies simply could not find a way to break through a pitcher who was just too hot to handle.

“It sucks. As hitters we’re trying our hardest to produce runs for Cole,” Brown said. “He pitched a heck of a ball game and we only can buy one hit. We hit a couple of balls hard. The second baseman made a couple of good plays, but that’s baseball. ”

Meanwhile, from one pitcher to another, Hamels couldn’t help but admire Fernandez’s performance.

“(Fernandez) is really impressive,” Hamels said. “He’s going to be a really great pitcher for a really long time because he came up early and he’s going to learn how to pitch, if he already doesn’t how to. He’s got a power heater, a power curve ball, a pretty good changeup and he’s not afraid. I think that’s what ultimately what separates for being great because he’s not a afraid.”

Hamels gave up a solo homer to Miami rightfielder Marcell Ozuna to left center and another one to first baseman Chris Valaiaka in the third inning. Other than the two yard shots, Hamels had an outstanding effort that wound up going for naught.

“There are some instances when you don’t get any runs, you just have to keep playing the game because it definitely turn around,” Hamels said. “Last year, I gave up some runs here and there, but we were always able to score more than the opposing team.

“It’s just matter of being comfortable and making sure you’re confident in what you’re able to do.”

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Coming into His Own: Kyle Kendrick is Finding His Rhythm in the Phils Starting Rotation

3 May

By Chris Murray

For the Chris Murray Report and the Philadelphia Sunday Sun

Kyle Kendrick is off to a good start for the Phillies in 2013 after going 9-4 after the 2012 All-Star break. Photo by Webster Riddick.

Kyle Kendrick is off to a good start for the Phillies in 2013 after going 9-4 after the 2012 All-Star break. Photo by Webster Riddick.

PHILADELPHIA—Outside of the Phillies big starters-Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and Cliff Hamels- Kyle Kendrick has been doing more than holding his own so far this season.

He hasn’t lost a start since the team’s home opener against the Kansas City Royals and has been the most consistent pitcher in the Phillies starting rotation. He has gone six or more innings in his last five outings. Since the loss to the Royals, Kendrick has a 1.54 earned run average.

“He’s being aggressive with his pitches and I think he’s really consistent,” said Phillies catcher Erik Kratz. “I think his ability to throw all of his pitches in any situation is what gives him a lot of success.”

In the Phillies 7-2 win Thursday over the Miami Marlins, a team he has owned throughout his career, Kendrick had another solid outing, allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out five and giving up just two walks. He retired the last six batters he faced after giving up a solo home run to Miami centerfielder Justin Ruggiano in the sixth inning.

Dating back to last year’s All-Star Break, Kendrick has found his rhythm as a starter. In his last 18 starts, Kendrick has 12 wins and has firmly established himself as the team’s fourth starter.  While the Phillies big three starters have struggled at various times this season, Kendrick has been the team’s most consistent starter.

“There’s a lot of things that go into that, but I think just having good secondary pitches that I feel comfortable with throwing,” Kendrick said. “Knowing what kind of pitcher I am, and not trying to do too much out there and getting ahead and throwing strikes. I use my secondary pitches—my cutter and change up-when I want to.”

Manuel said Kendrick’s workout and conditioning have made him a stronger pitcher and he’s improved where he places the ball and he’s done a better job of commanding his pitches.

“His fast ball, his sinker is a little bit better velocity wise and he’s improved his location with his cutter and his changeup,” Manuel said. “He’s more relaxed and calmed down is a good word for it. I like it when he doesn’t take a long time to throw the ball and I like for him to get into a good tempo and rhythm and keep the flow of the game going.”

After a pretty good rookie campaign in 2007 where he won 10 games, Kendrick has had his ups and downs over the last six years. He has been scrapping and fighting to get back into the Phillies starting rotation. He has had his share of stints in the bullpen and in the minor leagues.

But in the second half of last season, Kendrick made his case to be the Phillies fourth starter. He went 9-4 and had a 2.87 earned run average.  Kratz said Kendrick has gotten even better in 2013 thanks to his success in the second half of the 2012 season.

That certainly came through against the Marlins Thursday night even when some of Kendrick pitches weren’t working at first. Kratz said that Kendrick didn’t panic and fought his way through it.

“Early tonight his cutter wasn’t there and so he didn’t us it early and his changeup, he wasn’t commanding it as well,” Kratz said. “He was basically pitching one pitch on both sides of the plate and still being aggressive. When certain pitches aren’t working, I think you get a little tentative. You pick here, you pick there, afraid of contact.  He’s not afraid of contact.”

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Phillies score Five Runs in Last Two Innings to upend St. Louis

22 Apr

By Chris Murray

Ben Revere's RBI single in the eighth put the Phils on top for good in the win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Photo by Webster Riddick.

Ben Revere’s RBI single in the eighth put the Phils on top for good in the win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Photo by Webster Riddick.

For the Chris Murray Report/The Philadelphia Sunday Sun

PHILADELPHIA—It was looking like another night where the Phillies offense was going to waste a decent effort by a starting pitcher. After scoring two runs in the first inning to take a 2-1 lead, it was nothing for the next five innings.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals had taken a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh.  But in the next two innings, the Phillies offense finally came alive and scored the game’s last five runs to en route to a 7-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in a nationally-televised contest at Citizen’s Bank Park.

“I’ve seen us do some good things and I think if we can put them together, I think we can be a consistent team,” Manuel said. “We’re not quite there yet, but hopefully tonight can get us started.”

After the Phillies tied the game in the seventh on an RBI double by Laynce Nix, the Phillies took the lead for good in the eighth on an RBI single by Ben Revere that scored Michael Young, who got an infield single to start the rally on the Phils final at-bat.

For Revere, it was redemption from hitting into an inning-ending double play in the sixth inning. He said he was able bounce back thanks to taking a few deep breaths based on a form of meditation.

“I just came back into the clubhouse with a little ‘woo sah’ meditation and then I went up there and said I have to redeem myself and I saw a pitch that I drove into center field,” Revere said.

Catcher Erik Kratz, who batted eighth in the Phils lineup, put the game away on a three-run homer to the left field seats.  Reliever Mike Adams was the winning pitcher for the Phillies.

“If the bottom of the lineup isn’t doing their job, we’re not going to have wins,” Kratz said. “Tonight it was the bottom of the order. Tomorrow it’s the middle of the order, another night it might be one guy. It’s all 25 guys that come and bring it every day.”

Though he didn’t get the win, starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick certainly did his part to help his team’s cause. He allowed just two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and one walk in six innings. He also pitched his way out of some difficult jams.

“When you don’t have your good stuff, you’ve got to battle and keep your team in the game,” said Kendrick, who threw 116 pitches. “I was able to stay in there and not give up many runs and keep the damage to a minimum. It was a nice win for us.”

The Cardinals started the scoring in their half of the first inning with a solo homerun from second baseman Matt Carpenter.

But the Phillies would bounce back in their half of the first inning. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins smacked a Jake Westbrook pitch  to the gap in left center and wound up with a triple.  After a walk to Mayberry, Chase Utley singled to right and drove home Rollins.

The Phillies took the lead on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Ryan Howard that scored Mayberry who went third on Utley’s single.   Utley hustled and took second on Howard’s sacrifice. But then Utley made bone-head play on a routine fly ball to left center hit by Young.

Apparently thinking the ball was hit harder than it was, Utley was half way around the third when Cards left fielder Allen Craig caught the ball and threw it to Carpenter covering second base for an inning-ending double play.

After giving up the home run to Carpenter in the first, Kendrick settled down and kept the Cardinals at bay. He also showed the ability to pitch his way out of some tough jams. In the fourth inning, he gave up singles to Yadier Molina and Matt Adams, but then retired the next three batters in order to end the threat.

In the sixth inning, Kendrick gave up a single to Allen Craig and after striking out Molina gave up a double to Matt Adams.  He got David Freese to ground out from third to first, but Craig scored from third to tie the game at 2-2.

Somehow Kendrick survived the inning without giving up another run. He gave up a single to right to Pete Kozma. But the ball wasn’t shallow enough to score Adams from second. Mayberry’s throw was cut off by Howard, who caught Kozma in a run down between first and second. Kozma beat the throw to second, but Rollins alertly threw the ball to third to force Adams back to the bag at third.

Kendrick escaped the inning when Westbrook was thrown out on an attempted suicide squeeze play.

The Cardinals took their last lead of the game in their half of the seventh on an RBI single by Craig that scored Jay, who reached on a two-base throwing error by Chase Utley.

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