Bats keep clicking as Phillies' streak reaches five

The Phillies are winning the games they're supposed to win, but last night's unrelenting display proved they're no longer on equal footing with the cellar dwellers of the National League.

Here's what I liked most from last night. With the Phillies still in control, but the Nationals within striking distance, the Phils punched the Nationals squarely in the chops with a leadoff triple from Michael Bourn, followed by a two-run jack from Jimmy Rollins, putting the game out of reach 9-3. On a raw night for baseball, another team – possibly the Phils from a week ago – would have rushed to pack up and go home.

The last few nights have been good therapy as the Phillies continue to claw toward .500. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Aaron Rowand are locked in. Pat Burrell is hitting balls he wouldn’t normally hit and driving in runs. As a team, they’re manufacturing runs better. And Jon Lieber showcased something we wouldn't have expected two months ago: dominance. The box score won’t reflect it, but aside from the 4th inning, which included a misplay by Rollins, Lieber worked ahead of hitters and painted the black all night.

How much is a byproduct of the opposition? The debate continues. Truthfully, Washington trotted an especially bad crop of pitchers to the mound, perticularly in relief. Rule 5 picks and Triple-A lifers abound. It’s a shame what’s happened to starter John Patterson; he’s a shadow of his former self.

Take nothing away from the Phils. They still need to win these games. They just happen to be doing so in convincing, inspired fashion.

Game chat: Hamels aims for series sweep
Preview: Cole Hamels (2-0, 2.57 ERA) is coming off the best start of his young career, a 15-strikeout shutout over the Reds, becoming the youngest pitcher to notch 15 strikeouts in a game since Mark Prior in 2003. Shawn Hill (1-2, 2.92 ERA) has been one of the few bright spots for Washington. He'll try to help the Nats avoid their first sweep against the Phillies since 2005. Aaron Rowand tries to extend his hitting streak to 14 games.

[Live Boxscore]

Comments

[Dave Kingman]

Jason, we should get some answers if things have really turned around starting next Monday in Atlanta.

[joe]

Smith optioned to Ottawa, FABIO TO PHILLY!

[fljerry]

Its ironic that we (I included) were down on Rowland,Burrel,Alfonseca and Lieber and as of now they are doing extremely well. Maybe we can get on Howard more so he can get his stroke back. (just kidding) Nothing can help Nunez though. We were on Bourn the other day and he has gotten 2 hits since.

[joe]

and that would put Werth and Madson on the bubble.

[ae]

Madson isn't on the bubble, for two reasons. one, he has no options and would have to be waived. he would not pass through waivers. two, he hasn't given up a run in his last four appearances (5 2/3 innings), and since April 12 has a one ER, 8 H, 0 BB, and 2 SO in 7 2/3 IP, and his ERA has dropped more than 4.5 points (he did allow 2 of 3 inherited runners to score, but a bases-loaded 1-out situation is pretty tough).

he's not lights-out, but at the moment he's pitching like a perfectly acceptable 6th/7th inning guy.

[Mike H.]

Can't believe the front office moved that fast on Smith. Bring out the Dictator...

We're goin' sweeping today.

[joe]

you're right, i forgot that madson was out of options, and yes, his performance has been much better snce Brett went to the pen.

But Werth. Ugh.

[MG]

"Therapy" is a very interesting term to describe the Phils. No team in the majors has been more schizophrenic than the Phils to start the season.

Winning 5 games is not special but it is in context to where this team was after their 8-1 loss to the Mets last Tuesday. This team quit in that game and I am shocked at the Phils have a decent chance to finish the month at .500.

Instead of "Goose Bumps" as their marketing campaign slogan, I suggest "Motion Sickness" because this team looks like it will duplicate the wild ups and downs of last season.

[Bridoc10]

I'd like to see "pedal to the metal" approach to today's game. Keep it going, boys.

It's clear this team is finding its identity. I'd like that identity to include beating teams into submission.

I hope for another strong game from Cole, and would love to see Ryan notch a couple/three hits.

[John]

Uncle Cholly and the Great Frisco Freak out!

[MG]

Not surprised on the quick move to send Smith down to Ottawa. Smith was almost desperate to throw a strike last night and practically aiming. It is going to be a while before he is up in Philly again. Maybe not even until Sept. 1 when the roster expands.

[Lake Fred]

Let's hope the Dictator does a better job than Smith as our LOOGY. Let's also hope that Smith finds himself in Ottawa and can make his way back to the big team with some good stuff. I hope the best for both of these players.

Looking forward to Cole retaking the strikeout leadership in the NL today along with another win.

[mm]

quick jason, knock on wood: you just compared Cole to Mark Prior.

[GM-Carson]

Thee Model Dictator returns, women are swooning, Cubans are fleeing, and the Phils are going to keep winning!

[Alby]

So much for my prediction that Brito rather than Castro would get the call...

Truth be told, it would be nice to have two lefthanders in the 'pen when it's time to face the Braves and Mets, but I guess that can't happen when nobody out there (I'm looking at you, Madson) has any options remaining.

[Lake Fred]

I can't get the comment box to appear in the next thread about Fabio. I was looking at the photo and Fabio's face looks thinner than my bad memory remembered, so I went to Google Images and requested Fabio Castro. The second thing to pop up is Dr. Fabio Castro's Plastic Surgery site out of Florida. We can now also refer to the Model Dictator as the Plastic Surgeon! He can pitch surgically to cut up the opposing batters and make them look silly!

[Malcolm]

Alright! Bay of Pigs back in the 'pen! Woooot!

[Malcolm]

By the way, Castro's out pitch should be called "The Bay of Pigs Invasion."

[GM-Carson]

Didn't Roger "Rocket" Clemens nickname his out pitch the lame "Mr. Splitee"?

Boy of Pigs Invasion sounds much more menacing.

[Alby]

Unfortunately, his spring training out pitch was generally called "Ball Four." Let's hope that's behind him.

[Alby]

Carson, you might be thinking of Randy Johnson, who called his slider "Mr. Snappy," I think.

[Tony]

Brito got hurt, pulled his groin i think, thats why he didnt get the call

[Willard Preacher]

Not close enough to Philly, so has my prediction that Cholly's run-in with "a local radio media personality" will be spun into firing this team up to win games, come true yet? He's either a moron or a genius, depending on whether its a win-streak or losing-streak. Got to love the media.

How *is* "unnamed local radio personality" handling the win-streak, anyway? No doubt he's taking credit for it.

[joe]

alby -

well, it seems that mr. smith leared the "all four" pitch from him, then.

smith won't be back for a while. the erratic throw to 2nd is a major case of nerves.

[J. Weitzel]

Smith reminded me of Gavin Floyd the way he looked this season.

[dajafi]

The Phils visit San Francisco next weekend, after the Atlanta series. You can understand not wanting to visit Mr. Bonds' Neighborhood with only Matt Smith as a lefty relief option. Too bad we couldn't borrow Fultz back just for that series...

I still think that eventually the Phils will need both lefties in their bullpen. But I'm not sure who'd go in order to make room for the second one; no way Rosario would clear waivers. It would be a nice irony if the team suddenly found themselves with *too many* usable relief pitchers.

[martin]

How bad was Matt Smith..11 BB's, 1 K in 4 innings. Steve Blass, famous for losing the strike zone, had 93 BB's, 29 K's in 93 innings (73-74) And one of the all time wild guys, minor leaguer Steve Dalkowski, had 375 BB's, but 353K's in 180 innings (57-58). He gave up 75 hits in those 180 innings.

[J. Weitzel]

I'm just concerned with having quality major league pitchers who can throw strikes, regardless of whether they're righty or lefty. Smith was pretty useless against everyone. I have doubts Castro will be much better, then again, Smith was shockingly futile. We'll see ...

[Tony]

Smith reminds me of that kid on your little league team right after tee ball that would walk 6 batters in a row and then the umpire would extend the strike zone from head to toes so the team could finaly get out of the inning. Sad thing is I really think the umpire last night gave him some gift strikes.

Over/under on Hamels K's tonight is 7 1/2.

[yt]

Did you make that up Tony or is that an actual line? (I mean if betting were legal and of course it isn't, just curious)

[GM-Carson]

Hamels will have a 10+ K game today...total domination!

Castro can't do much worse than Smith did.

We should have signed Ricardo Rincon to a minor league deal.

[MG]

Cardinal sin of a reliever is walking guys and Smith grossly violated that by walking 10 in 3+ innings.

[Steve Jeltz]

Tony: Against the Nats, I'll take the over.

Hopefully Smith pitches well in Ottawa and get some confidence back. He'll be back; inevitably someone will go on the DL.

[JH2]

Put me down for the over also. He may not allow a hit either.

[Parker]

I'll go 9 K for Cole in the over under. I dont know what the weather is like so, my prediction is not solid.

mm: fortunately (knock on wood): Hamels is not such a power pitcher like Prior. Additionally, if I'm not mistaken, Priors best pitch was a hard breaking curveball. From my understanding, throwing the curve is much rougher on the arm. It doesnt seem like pitchers that have a changeup as their dominant pitch end up getting hurt as much (At least with the arm). Look at Hoffman, he is still going strong (Except last night) over 40. Glavine is another good example of this, he has not had a long history of injury problems with his arm. It seems that power pitchers are much more prone to arm injuries than guys that get outs on changeups and the like. I think Clout or Kdon pointed this out a few weeks ago, and I agree with them.

[siralden]

Hey! I just got an idea. Rememeber "The Wolf Pack" Section with Wolfman Masks, and then the "The Padilla Flotila" Section with slightly drunken Philly Phans wearing Colorful Mexican Blankets and overly large Sombreros holding paper cut out boats at the Vet?

How about "The Fabulous Fabios!" sitting in one section next to "The Castro Cubans!" with the first section wearing Long Blonde Wigs, Silk Hawaiian Print Shirts Open Down to One Button Below The Navel, and each Holding Up a Harliquin Romance Paperback with a Fabio Type on the Cover; and the second section wearing Castro Green Army Caps, Plastic Groucho Marx Fake Black Plastic Eyeglasses - Big Plastic Noses - and Black Plastic Mustaches, and Long Black Fake Beards.

When our lights out lefty pitching hero comes into the game the Fabios begin CHANTING "TASTES GREAT!!! beers held high, followed by the Castros CHANTING "LESS FILLING!!!"

[Tony]

yt, I made it up.

What does everyone think of innings 4-6 when it's just Wheeler and Matthews commentating?

[Parker]

I honestly think that if the Phils are in contention after the break, Gillick moves to get a lefty arm for the bullpen. I think that if the Phils were to make the playoffs (Playoffs??, Playoffs??), then it would be wise to have at least 2 lefties in the pen.

Rosario: I've been very impressed with this guy so far. Aside from the 13 inning catastrophe, Rosario has been excellent thus far. I still cannot believe that we got this guy for cash. At this point, Alfonseca and Rosario make the Phils bullpen totally different than last year. Two power arms that were nonexistent last year (aside from Gordon). With Myers (think what you want about the move) in there this team is a lot differrent. I just hope Lieber can continue his good stuff.

[Malcolm]

Come June, they'll need to get an experienced lefty for the 'pen, if they're finished worrying about insurance for the back end.

So far the trade deadline needs are as follows:

1. Experienced lefty (and we used to have a damn good one.)

2. Bench player (preferably lefty OF) who can actually get the job done.

3. Possibly a long-innings eater. And that's not a necessity.

[stjoehawk]

"What does everyone think of innings 4-6 when it's just Wheeler and Matthews commentating?"

I had it on mute for most of those innings yesterday.

[J. Weitzel]

On a related note, Smith was definitely one of the players namedropped constantly by Pat Gillick this offseason as part of the young and promising nucleus. I wonder if Gillick has changed his mind about getting a veteran left-hander.

[Billy Mac]

Lineups

Standard lineup for Phils with Barajas catching and batting 8th.

Nats go with Wilson at ss and Restovich in LF against the southpaw Hamels.

Phils
1. J Rollins, SS
2. S Victorino, RF
3. C Utley, 2B
4. R Howard, 1B
5. P Burrell, LF
6. W Helms, 3B
7. A Rowand, CF
8. R Barajas, C
9. C Hamels, P

Nats
1. J Wilson, SS
2. R Belliard, 2B
3. R Zimmerman, 3B
4. D Young, 1B .260
5. A Kearns, RF .275
6. R Church, CF .293
7. M Restovich, LF
8. B Schneider, C
9. S Hill, P

[Steve Jeltz]

Malcolm: You're right on about needing a bench player/pinch hitter. I'd try to trade Barajas (then call up Coste) and Werth for a 4th outfielder who's worth a damn. Hopefully somewhere a catcher gets hurt so Barajas will be of value to someone.

[Billy Mac]

Shawn Hill has given the Phils problems in the past. I recall him shutting the Phils down last year. I am expecting a low scoring game today.

[Malcolm]

I can't see getting much of equal value for Barajas and Werth. Yes, some teams may be in need of a backup backstop, but Werth ain't gonna get much.

I'd almost rather package Smith, who has more of a future, if the return is right.

[craig one]

great. as much as i recognize WHY barajas is starting this afternoon i just hate when hes in there PERIOD and i cant be stopped from complaining about it. but GO PHILS! sweep these natholes, take 2 of 3 this weekend and get jacked for the braves series!

[Dave Kingman]

Maybe they can send Barajas to Oakland, their backup catcher was optioned to the minors leaving Piazza as the only backup to Jason Kendall.

[Willard Preacher]

Don't think trading Barajas is an option yet, as he was a FA signee. That doesn't change the fact that the Phils still need more LH help in the 'pen and a bench player/PH.

Hate to say it, I may be driving the Burrell Bandwagon, but I don't see 7.5 K's from King Cole today. Usually, after an outing like the one he's coming off of, teams review a ton of tape to see how he's getting guys out and adjust accordingly. Nats are going to be sitting change-up today. Will probably be a souvenir ball or two in the left field stands. This one is going to come down to whether or not the Phils' bats stay hot.

[Steve Jeltz]

Yeah, neither one of those guys is going to get other GMs to put the Phils on speed dial (which is pretty much why I'd try to dump them). But I think we gave up less for Conine last year which is the type of 4th OF/pinch hitter type guy I'd try to get.

[GM-Carson]

Barajas isn't going anywhere. Free agent signees can't be dealt without their permission prior to June 1st.