5/15/13
The Phillies came back home last night and were coming off a
successful road trip. They played the San Francisco Giants in a three game
series and had a four game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The
Phillies won four out of seven games against those two teams. They were riding
a two game winning streak going into last night’s game against the Indians. The
Indians have had to reshuffle their starting rotation because they had to play a
doubleheader against the New York Yankees two days ago. Could their players
feel tired after having to play two games in one day? The last time the
Phillies played the Indians, they got shellacked by the Indians as they
outscored the Phillies 20-2 in the two game series. This was when Michael Bourn
and Nick Swisher did not play for the Indians. This time, both Bourn and
Swisher played. Mike Adams was not available in the bullpen for the Phillies
because of back spasms. Chase Utley was not in the lineup for the Phillies as
he got a night off. Kevin Frandsen took his spot at second base. Jonathan
Pettibone started for the Phillies. So far, he’s pitching very well in his
rookie season against inferior hitting teams. This game against the Indians
would be a good test to see where he’s at in his development as a major league
pitcher. The Indians have one of the best offenses in the AL right now and is a
patient hitting team. Scott Kazmir took the mound for the Indians. The last
time the Phillies saw him was in the 2008 World Series. This is a comeback
season for Kazmir as he has not pitched in the major leagues since 2011. Would
Pettibone have the same success against a tougher offense or will this be the
game he starts having growing pains as a rookie?
The Phillies hit two solo homeruns. Kevin Frandsen hit the
first solo homerun of the game to make the Phillies have a 1-0 lead in the
first inning. Michael Brantley hit a two RBI single up the middle to make the
Indians have a 2-1 lead in the second inning. John Mayberry Jr. had a big two
RBI double in the fourth inning in which the Phillies retook the lead 3-2.
Domonic Brown added a solo homerun to the scoreboard to make it a 4-2 Phillies
lead. The Phillies tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning as Mayberry Jr.
hit an RBI single into centerfield and Freddy Galvis hit an RBI single into
left field, but got thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. The
Phillies won 6-2.
Pettibone is making a strong case not to get sent down to
the minors once John Lannan comes off the 15-Day disabled list. He pitched 6
2/3 solid innings. He allowed four hits, two runs, walked two, struck out three
batters, and hit two batters. I liked his poise when he was in a bases loaded
jam in the third inning and got out of the jam. He didn’t let his emotions get
the best of him and throw mistake pitches. This can define how ready a rookie
is to pitch in the big leagues. As much as I wanted Pettibone to finish the
seventh inning because he didn’t throw over 100 pitches in the game, he was
leaving balls over the plate in his last inning of work. I was surprised at how
Charlie Manuel managed his bullpen. He did what Tony LaRussa would do with his
bullpens when he managed the St. Louis Cardinals. He would put in pitchers in
certain matchups. That is what Charlie did with Antonio Bastardo, Justin De
Fratus, and Jeremy Horst. Jonathan Papelbon had an easy six pitch ninth inning,
but didn’t record a save since the Phillies decided to score those two runs in
the eighth inning.
Kazmir didn’t have his best night. He pitched five plus
innings, allowed six hits, four runs, two walks, and struck out three batters.
The bullpen wasn’t any better for the Indians as Bryan Shaw allowed the two
runs in the eighth inning that made this game out of reach.
Overall, the Phillies offense showed up against a solid
team. While the Indians are most notably a patient hitting team, I saw what was
wrong with their approach at the plate from the fourth inning to the end of the
game. They were swinging early in the count and getting themselves out. They
were pressing and wanted to get that big hit to get their team back in the
game. Pettibone is on a good ride right now and I hope he continues to pitch
how he’s been pitching right now. He’s been throwing balls down in the strike
zone and making the hitters hit the ball on the ground.
Can the Phillies
extend their winning streak from three games to four? Sound off and stay tuned
later today when the Phillies conclude their two game series against the
Indians. Cole Hamels gets the nod for the Phillies while Corey Kluber takes the
mound for the Indians.
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