42-year-old Randy Johnson might be the least of the Phillies' worries as the Yankees’ high-powered offense marches into Philadelphia for the first of three games.
Brett Myers won’t be the only source of hot air tonight at Citizens Bank Park. If the weather holds (40 percent chance it will) home runs could fall like rain. It’s one of these soupy, still nights when balls fly out of Citizens Bank Park.
Adding to that, once mighty Randy Johnson (8-5, 5.32 ERA) has surrendered a team-high 15 homers this season. Johnson will look to build on his best outing of 2006 Wednesday when he gave up one run and four hits in 6 1-3 innings before he was ejected – and suspended five games! – for throwing inside to Eduardo Perez.
He isn’t the only one bringing rain. The Yankees are averaging 5.79 runs per game, best in baseball. It's a tall order for Philadelphia’s dismal starting rotation, which luckily sends its one-two punch to the mound tonight and tomorrow. Woo-hoo.
Myers (4-3, 3.86) will be making his first career start against the Yanks. The default Phillies’ ace has not pitched well lately, going 0-1 with a 10.22 ERA in three June starts. Tonight’s atmosphere could mirror his last start, and we all know what happened then.
The Yanks are playing their fourth game on a six-game road trip after dropping two-of-three to the Nationals over the weekend. Only the Yankees could squirm with a 38-29 record, dropping a game back of the Red Sox for the AL East lead. The Yankees have undergone some acid-enducing roster developments this season, losing two corner outfielders to injury and also designating Aaron Small for assignment Saturday. A little less than half their starting lineup isn't all-star worthy. Imagine that.
Tonight also marks the return of Larry Bowa, who talked to the New York Post about it this morning:
"If you're going to make a change, say you're going in a different direction," the first-year Yankees third base coach said. "I don't want to use the word 'sour,' but I am disappointed that the front office said the team was batter than it was, that we didn't play up to our potential. When I took over (2001) they hadn't had a winning season (since 1993) and we had winning seasons three of the four years and were fighting for the pennant or a wild card spot."
Update: Bobby Abreu and Ryan Howard will sit this one out against the big left-hander. Chase Utley starts at first. Abraham Nunez gets into the game at second, his third start in a row.
Watch out for that Nunez/Fasano power combo!!!!
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 05:38 PM
I'm sure old Randy is quaking in his boots over them WP.
But look at it this way, if they keep it close, Abreu and Howard are some real nice bats to come off the bench in the 8th or 9th. Of course that assumes where not down 7 already, which is a big assumption these days.
Posted by: yt | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 06:52 PM
I'm a huge fan of Larry Bowa's, always have been. But he's wrong, and he needs to shut up already about being fired.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 07:24 PM
Bowa had his chance and wore out his welcome here after 4 seasons. It was time for a change of pace. Still, I think Bowa got more juice of this lemon than Uncle Charlie has so far.
Dallas Green's interview on WIP was interesting today. Always interesting to hear someone so bluntly say the "Phils stink." Phils will be lucky to take 1 out of 3 against the Yanks & Sox. Phils' fans should be thank for 3-3.
Posted by: MG | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 07:40 PM
I also am a huge Bowa fan. Unfortunately, he's lousy at handling pitchers and had a pitching coach that insisted on micro-managing his staff (Kerrigan).
That and the fact that a lot of these guys whined about him being too mean did him in.
I think he's a GREAT 3B coach. I mean, look at the guy we have now. Got Howard thrown out by a mile yesterday (if the catcher holds on). He's terrible.
Bo should let the past lie, but there is some truth in what he says.
I'm hoping that we'll get Piniella over the winter.
Posted by: theragtopguy | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 08:14 PM
WTF is Howard doing not playing? I HATE THIS.
Posted by: That Dude | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 08:16 PM
anyone else call the innings (4-7) in which Wheels and Graham do TV the Whining and Excuse Innings like me? I can't take all the excuses wheels gives for everything. He even defended Abreu the other nite by telling us that Abreu is an OFFENSIVE player and just not ever going to be more than adequate in the field. Adequate, Wheels? HUH what is he smoking? The guy is just plain terrible.
Anyone notice its kind of interesting that Abreu and Howard are sitting. Abreu screwed one of Myers starts recently with his lously play out there and I heard a rumor on the radio that possibly the two had some words about it after the game. In addition, Howard dropped a ball again yesterday and almost threw a ball away going to 2nd towards the end of the game when all he had to do was go to first himself and get the 2nd out of the inning. He just doesn't look comfortable out there when the ball is thrown or hit towards him. Maybe our moron manager grew some balls and is sending these guys a message.
I personally don't care if the phillies lose this game because i would rather them be demoralized by having Washington and Florida pass them prior to the break. Florida is only 2 games back in the loss column and Wash is 4 games. I would love to see this team in last ASAP.
Kuddos to Burrell he got his one hit and 2 rbi's for the series. Now get ready for 0-12 in the rest of the series with most likely 8 k's.
Posted by: Wheels AHHHH! | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 08:24 PM
for all the facial expressions and umpire blow-ups i was really disappointed in Bowa as a manager. I think the players would have respected him more if he got in their faces personally rather than whine in the papers/radio about guys.
Players these days are no doubt pampered and in this city when he started alot of them were used to losing and content with it. The only way to get them over the hump is to preach winning and chew em out right there in the dugout.
Look at Travis Lee - that guy is so badly waiting for someone to rip him a new a-hole its pathetic. He has to have the worst attitude when it comes to the game and it shows with his body language on the field. Bowa had his chance with him but he rather talked about him to the media and give stupid expressions in the dugout for TV cameras.
Rolen - the whole situation was a no win situaton for Bowa. Rolen in the late 90's was the poster boy of the franchise and coddled by Francona to take days off when he wanted and not to worry about losing because they were a young team. By the time Bowa got here, Rolen was only thinking about one thing - going home and getting away from this city ASAP. He was a good solider and has never talked bad about Bowa
Posted by: Bowa | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 08:34 PM
"Message", my elbow. Abreu and Howard didn't start because of Randy Johnson. I suppose that just wasn't quite obvious enough for some.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 09:15 PM
So its better to have Nunez and his ~.175 against lefties than howards ~.280? Makes no sense.
"Me Charlie. Me see lefty. Me put righty."
Posted by: Greg | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 09:38 PM
Very entertaining game. Good pitching. Nice 2-out hitting. Impressive defensive plays by Nunez and Rollins. Hopefully they can hold on to this one!
Posted by: Jon | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 09:43 PM
Yeah, haha Sutcliffe..... shut up.
:-)
Posted by: Ed | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 09:56 PM
I realize they just took a 4-2 lead, but the situational hitting is killing me. That's one of the worst ABs of the season by Bell, swinging at each pitch after Farnsworth walks the bases loaded. Then Fasano does the same! They should be statues! Enough, enough, enough!
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 10:09 PM
Why can't they all go like this???
The Braves are still in last place. God bless America.
Posted by: Mike H. | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 10:10 PM
Can someone please tell me where this team I see playing the Yankees has been for the last week? Pat made a terrific ranging play in foul territory, showing off a very improved foot. Nunez and Rollins made great diving stabs at the middle infield. Myers pitched a fine outing, Cormier got out of a jam. And we got the bounces when we needed them, thanks to Jorge Posada.
The last game I saw was Friday against the D-rays where there wasn't a single phillies batter who could hit the starter's change up.
These two games are night and day. The Jekyll and Hyde personality of this team is really what maddeningly frustrates/gives me hope.
Posted by: agwynne | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 10:12 PM
Great defense and Myers' breaking ball was the difference in tonight's excellent, crisply played win. The Phillies committed no errors for the first time in a while, and a good two-out hit by Rowand proved to be the winner against Big Unit.
A couple observations. Burrell seems to be responding well to the extra days off. I also noticed the run in foul territory.
Two runs again for Victorino on a 2-for-3 night, and a solid play to cut off a ball down the line.
This is their second win in a row with two or more regulars sitting. They have snapped two losing streaks this way, if memory serves.
Tonight's "defense-minded" lineup is something I'd try again against a tough left-hander. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some truth to the Abreu/Myers thing mentioned above. How many times has Abreu burned Myers in right? Lots and lots.
As a pitcher, I'd feel pretty confident about the right side of tonight's defense, and it looked like Myers was trusting his stuff. Season high 11 strikeouts against the Yankees of all teams. Damn impressive.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 10:26 PM
And, Pat was able to motor into second base on his shot to the left field corner in the fourth. Sure, Cabrera threw it in to Jeter along the third base line, to try and make a play on Utley at home, but the truly hobbled Pat might not have even made the turn around first and tried for second.
That being said, A-Fraud could still double clutch on Pat's smash behind third and have a play on him at first. But I see today as a glass half-full day as far as the saga of Pat's foot injury is concerned.
Posted by: agwynne | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 10:58 PM
hey congrats Rod, Rex and Justin you all should've won that cup here if it weren't for our moron GM! Hats off to the former flyers on that team!
Posted by: Brind'amour | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 11:22 PM
I guess the question is, does Snider do the right thing and retire #17?
Posted by: Brind'amour fan | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 11:23 PM
Ya know, it stands to reason that if the guys who are playing every day are stinking up the National League it might be good to play some other guys instead. Even Nunez. Or maybe especially Nunez. Not that I think he's really good or anything, but I don't think he's as bad as he's looked so far this year and maybe if he gets in more games (and not just as a PH) he can at least round up to his career averages. Besides, you really can't be running Utley, Rollins and Howard out there every single game. And while it would be nice to never have to play David Bell again, I'm really more concerned that the guys who don't totally suck don't get totally worn out.
So let Nunez spell the regular infielders regularly and the same with Victorino and the outfielders. I think we've all seen enough of the "regular lineup" at this point, anyway.
Now if there were just some way we could not see so much Fasano.
Posted by: Nat | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 11:57 PM
Me Bizarro enjoy watching Bizarro Phillies play Yanks. Bizarro Phillies have timely hitting, great starting pitching, and good defense. Me look forward to having Bizarro Phillies play more often!
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 12:30 AM
I'd rather have Mets fans post on here than hockey fans.
Too bad the Phillies couldn't get similarly inspired for the other New York team. Although it appears the Yanks have considerably less presence compared to the Mets this season.
When Myers is able to channel all that adrenaline in a positive way, he's a totally different pitcher. Guy ought to see a sports psychologist - the mental aspect is the most important part of his game. Emotion either eats him alive or drives him to greatness. I'd settle for a steadying force that's somewhere in the middle.
"Bizarro Phils" pretty much sums it up. They do the opposite of what you expect. Now they'll probably go on a tear and run off 4 more wins against the Yankees and Sox, and then get swept by Baltimore.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 02:54 AM
About Cormier, his obvious stat (ERA) isn't all-telling. He may be hovering around 1.00 with his ERA, but he allows an awful lot of inherited runners to score when he enters the game. He doesn't give up many of his own runner, but he surely has a knack for surrendering hits to knock in the previous pitcher's men left on base. With that said, Cormier has been much better this season and should bring us something come trade deadline.
Posted by: Book | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 06:06 AM
That was one of the more enjoyable games to watch all year.
Posted by: Tom W | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 08:35 AM
I was happy to actually see the Phillies on TV in New Orleans thanks to ESPN's interest in showing the Yankees. 11 K's is sweet. I was surely confused to see Utley fielding at first base. Flash was excited. It was good.
I don't feel too good about Lidle vs. Mussina. Maybe a rested Abreu and Howard can light up Mussina. This is a game where the Phillies will have to outslug the Yanks.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 08:50 AM
I think we played a great game.
For those of you who think we didn't shut up because you have never been in a uniform
Posted by: Chase Utley | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 08:51 AM
I did show my northern roots last night. I told all my friends to watch the hockey game, a sport foreign to the hot South. I told them what a treat is is to see the winning players skate around holding the Stanley Cup. Due to the unique nature of a 7th game in the final series, I told them that they were guaranteed to see this spectacle.
When the Phillies game was over, I switched over to NBC to watch hockey, wondering why they are ice skating when the first day of summer is near. With two minutes left in the game, I called my wife and daughters in to watch the cup carrying. It brought back memories of the Broad Street Bullies glory years. My daughters thought all the hockey players looked alike, all sporting full beards. They like clean shaved guys.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 08:59 AM
"I would love to see this team in last ASAP."
Why?
Posted by: Tony | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 09:14 AM
When we need an insurance run via a bases loaded 2-out strike out RBI, there is no one I'd rather have up to bat than David Bell. He's got some great strikeout experience and K'd beautifully last night. Good job David.
Why not pinch hit Howard (a lefty against a righty) in that spot with bases loaded, two out? For the ninth, Howard goes back to first, Utley back to 2nd and Nunez can move to 3rd.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 09:35 AM
Willard's pinch hitting Howard for Bell idea makes perfect sense. Why didn't Foghorn think of that?
Posted by: Lake Fred | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 10:03 AM
I was thinking the same thing WP, but when you think about, if the had brought in a lefty, the Yanks would have pulled their pitcher. Plus, with a lead I don't really like the idea of putting a cold Howard at first base.
That said, I was racking my brain to come up with a way to avoid having David Bell in that spot, talk about dumb luck. I guess the old saying is true; The sun shines on a dog's (rear) once in a while.
Posted by: yt | Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 10:05 AM