Game chat: Phillies open series in South Florida

Brett Myers (3-7, 5.13) tries to build on a run of strong starts when the Phillies open a three-game series with the second-place Marlins. Ricky Nolasco (5-4, 5.05) takes the ball for Florida.

Preview: If Myers has truly turned the corner, the May 30 game against these same Marlins would have been the turning point. Opponents are hitting just .135 over his last two starts. Considered their best chance to get ace-quality pitching from an internal source, Myers has struck out 19 in his last 15 1-3 innings. Myers will be backed by the best bullpen in the National League based on ERA; led by closer Brad Lidge, the Phils 'pen ranks first in ERA (2.58) wins (17) and winning percentage (.708). Following yesterday's loss to the Reds, the Marlins trail the Phils by a full 4 games in the NL East. Nolasco defeated the Phils back on May 31, allowing two runs over 6 2-3 innings.

Cool stat: Via the AP, the Phillies have outscored their opponents 158-98 in the sixth inning and later this season. The 60-run differential is nearly double that of the second-best team in the majors. They also have the best winning percentage in baseball since April 20 (.660). [Live Boxscore]

Comments

[jr]

The Phillies have signed eight players selected last week in the draft, including high school outfielder Anthony Gose, chosen 51st overall, and Villanova righthander Jordan Ellis.

Gose, 17, is an outfielder from Bellflower (Calif.) High. Ellis, 22, was chosen in the 28th round.

Other players signed are:

* Fifth round, 1B Jeremy Hamilton, 21, Wright State University.

* Ninth round, 3B Cody Overbeck, 22, University of Mississippi.

* 22nd round, 2B Daniel Hargrave, 22, University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

* 23rd round, OF Brandon Haislet, 22, University of Hawaii.

* 36th round, RHP Michael Cisco, 21, University of South Carolina

* 43rd round, OF Bryan Frew, 22, University of Nebraska-Omaha

[Dave X]

Rollins
Vic
Utley
Ryno
Machine
Jenkins
Dobbs
Coste
Myers

Baseball Gods will be angry for consecutive days of gloating

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Well, Ramirez continues to be the envy of Mets fans everywhere.

[p. Red]

If Myers could figure out how to get through a first inning without giving up runs it might help.

[Sophist]

That was left well up.

Man, the Florida announcers take after the DBacks' annoucers.

[KidCarnivore]

Oh, for Pete's sake.

[NCPhilly]

I don't know about the baseball gods, but Han-Ram might be angry.

[NCPhilly]

HR BB HR

Madson? Seanez?

[p. Red]

So is Myers going to get the next 15 straight batters out now?

[naylman]

Just some interesting stats before I go out (I got into a debate with my buddy, he said Burrell wasn't clutch so I had to prove him wrong). The parenthesis are (PA,AB):

2 Outs, RISP
Jimmy Rollins (15,11)- .182/.400/.273, 2 RBI, 1 K
Shane Victorino (30,26)- .192/.300/.269, 5 RBI, 2 K
Chase Utley (28,20)- .350/.536/.650, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 5 K
Ryan Howard (48,39)- .308/.438/.513, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 14 K
Pat Burrell (36,29)- .276/.417/.621, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 6 K
Pedro Feliz (37,33)- .182/.270/.242, 8 RBI, 6 K
Geoff Jenkins (19,17)- .176/.263/.235, 4 RBI, 3 K
Jayson Werth (28, 22)- .227/.393/.273, 5 RBI, 3 K
Chris Coste (15,13)- .308/.400/.615, 1 HR, 6 RBI
Carlos Ruiz (22,17)- .235/.409/.353, 6 RBI, 1 K
Greg Dobbs (6,6)- .333/.333/.500, 2 RBI, 1 K

Late and Close
Jimmy Rollins (31,27)- .481/.533/.704, HR, 7 RBI, 1 K
Shane Victorino (37,32)- .250/.333/.344, 2 RBI, 3K
Chase Utley (53,43)- .279/.415/.465, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 K
Ryan Howard (52,44)- .159/.288/.386, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 22 K
Pat Burrell (47,34)- .353/.532/.853, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 9 K
Pedro Feliz (48,44)- .227/.292/.432, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 K
Geoff Jenkins (42,37)- .189/286/.243, NO HR or RBI, 12 K
Jayson Werth (37,34)- .206/.243/.353, HR, 6 RBI, 10 K
Chris Coste (27,24)- .208/.296/.292, NO HR or RBI, 3 K
Carlos Ruiz (26,23)- .348/.400/.565, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 K
Greg Dobbs (25,22)- .500/.560/.682, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 K

Tie Game
Jimmy Rollins (58,54)- .241/.281/.315, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6 K
Shane Victorino (76,66)- .333/.405/.470, 5 RBI, 6 K
Chase Utley (98,77)- .260/.388/.519, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 14 K
Ryan Howard (85,66)- .242/.388/.545, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 21 K
Pat Burrell (72,58)- .276/.389/.603, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 12 K
Pedro Feliz (53,52)- .231/.245/.462, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 K
Geoff Jenkins (41,38)- .237/.293/.289, 2 RBI, 7 K
Jayson Werth (41,37)- .297/.366/.378, 1 HR, 6 RBI
Chris Coste (19,15)- .133/.316/.267, 3 RBI, 3 K
Carlos Ruiz (35,29)- .138/.265/.241, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 K
Greg Dobbs (16,13)- .385/.500/.462, 4 RBI, 1 K

Within 1 Run
Jimmy Rollins (97,90)- .244/.292/.311, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 8 K
Shane Victorino (123,109)- .294/.358./.404, 8 RBI
Chase Utley (164,135)- .281/.384/.496, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 21 K
Ryan Howard (150,125)- .256/.360/.504, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 43 K
Pat Burrell (144,109)- .321/.472/.679, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 24 K
Pedro Feliz (119,112)- .241/.286/.455, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 12 K
Geoff Jenkins (99,88)- .261/.323/.352, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 16 K
Jayson Werth (83,76)- .303/.349/.487, 3 HR, 12 RBI
Chris Coste (52,44)- .205/.327/.273, 3 RBI, 7 K
Carlos Ruiz (79,68)- .206/.308/.309, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 9 K
Greg Dobbs (37,32)- .375/.459/.406, 6 RBI, 8 K

Within 2 Runs
Jimmy Rollins (122,115)- .304/.339/.478, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 10 K
Shane Victorino (156, 139)- .302/.362/.432, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 14 K
Chase Utley (206,171)- .304/.403/.596, 12 HR, 35 RBI, 28 K
Ryan Howard (194,167)- .216/.309/.449, 9 HR, 32 RBI, 59 K
Pat Burrell (184,142)- .310/.457/.676, 13 HR, 36 RBI, 30 K
Pedro Feliz (163,150)- .240/.301/.440, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 15 K
Geoff Jenkins (128,117)- .256/.305/.393, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 26 K
Jayson Werth (111,101)- .257/.315/.455, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 27 K
Chris Coste (72,63)- .222/.319/.286, 3 RBI, 10 K
Carlos Ruiz (109,95)- .242/.333/.337, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 11 K
Greg Dobbs (52, 47)- .383/.442/.489, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 11 K

Innings 7-9
Jimmy Rollins (47, 44)- .386/.426/.682, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2 K
Shane Victorino (62,54)- .204/.306/.222, 3 RBI, 7 K
Chase Utley (80,67)- .254/.375/.552, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 7 K
Ryan Howard (85,72)- .153/.282/.333, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 36 K
Pat Burrell (72,58)- .293/.431/.569, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 19 K
Pedro Feliz (81,76)- .237/.284/.408, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 7 K
Geoff Jenkins (62,58)- .207/.258/.259, NO HR or RBI, 15 K
Jayson Werth (52, 47)- .191/.250/.319, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 12 K
Chris Coste (45,41)- .317/.378/.537, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 5 K
Carlos Ruiz (54,48)- .292/.358/.417, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 5 K
Greg Dobbs (46,42)- .405/.435/.595, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 9 K

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

I was just about to type something about how big a sweep of the Marlins would be, but right now it is looking like two wins would be a huge plus.

Myers is a model of inconsistency.

[Knight]

This may not be Myers' day. Though, he did give up 3 runs against the Marlins in the first inning a couple weeks ago and pulled a QS out of it.

[JMARR]

Myers better start pitching down in the zone or this is going to get ugly early --- he looks like Joe Roa out there

[p. Red]

Is this a minor league game? Judging by the crowd and announcers it sure seems like it.

[stevo]

The gloating factor concerns me, too. It's way too early for celebration and this month could turn on a dime. Also hoping the Phils aren't reading their own press clippings, though I think guys like Utley, Howard, Burrell and rollins will stay focused and players like Victorino, Werth, Ruiz have too much to prove to get complacent.

[The Theory]

I remember getting this feeling a lot last year when Eaton was pitching. Does that make Myers the new Eaton?

[Sophist]

NCPhilly - Take a look at what Madson and Seanez have done so far this year (I think Madson's ERA since April is under 2) compared to Myers. Seanez' ERA+ is 174; Madson's 131.

Myers has been the worst pitcher on staff this year. His ERA+ is 85.

[redbeard]

ramirez's celebration while rounding 1st was out of line.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Random trade thought:

If Seattle is done, I wouldn't mind an attempt to get Kenji Johjihma (probably murdered the spelling there). Ruiz has been better of late, but I still think he is a liability at the plate. Seattle has a stud catcher in the minor leagues who is tearing it up in AAA. It would not surprise me if he was moved. He is a good hitter and I think a move out of Safeco and into the Bank would have the potential for a major career upgrade for him (or anyone for that matter).

[NCPhilly]

Sophist: I should have written in full sentences... due to Myers' start I was wondering if we would be seeing Madson or Seanez right quick. Or Condrey.

[p. Red]

redbeard: Yeah, that was bush league.

Stupid Myers, just when I got enough confidence in you to start you on my fantasy team. Guess it's back to the bench for the next few starts.

[NCPhilly]

I don't see the need for a catcher. Our platoon is adequate and handling the staff well. Johjima would be a new guy and not much of an upgrade, and we have some potential in the farm for future help behind the plate.

[Morty]

Welcome back, Brett!

[kbless]

This auction is driving me nuts. Anyway we can get them to shut up?

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

I think Johjihma is a significant upgrade over Ruiz as far as hitting although his numbers this year are down. Coste is great, but if I were a betting man, I'd take the over on Coste getting injured and spending some time on the DL this season. If that happens, who do the Phils turn to? Jarmillo/Ruiz? If so, I think Hamels should hit ahead of them when he starts.

[redbeard]

they have the same amount of fans as cbp does on a tuesday... 5 minutes after they open the gates.

[Sam]

lol i know its sad that south fla has such bad baseball fans, Damn needed that run oh well chase has homerun next at back with rollins and vic on

[clout]

stevo: Wait, you mean you can't win the pennant after 65 games?

[king myno]

1.5 innings is enough of these two; I'm muting this game on MLBtv the foreseeable future. I'd rather listen to Remy and that other guy while my roommate watches NESN than hear this unbearable Marlins duo.

[clout]

Luckily there's a black hole at the bottom of the Marlins order.

[Brian G]

I just find it really hard to believe that Myers isn't hurt. You don't lose 5-6 mph off of your fastball when you're 27 yrs old unless there's something physically wrong with you.

[RSB]

I can report that Johjima is a pretty popular player in Seattle. I doubt they'll be parting with him anytime soon.

[timr]

47 pitches through two innings. Nice work, Brett.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Maybe not Johjima, but that team is going to get blown up if they continue to play the worst baseball in MLB. I'd say the only untouchables are Bedard, Felix Hernandez, Ichiro, Balentin, and maybe Jose Lopez. (plus most if not all of their bullpen).

[kbless]

Not only is he up to 47 pitches, but he pops up the bunt foul.

[KidCarnivore]

That's almost as bad as giving up a HR. You gotta get the bunt down.

[Jack]

Parker: Look at Johjima's stats this year and tell me why we would ever consider trading for him. Then consider that he just signed a 3 year contract extension paying him 8 million a year. He is more expensive than Ruiz/Coste, and not as good. Why would we ever give up anything for him? Catcher is not a position we really need to upgrade, and he is not an upgrade.

Myers can't do anything right...

[Brian G]

Johjima is a 32 year old catcher who signed a 3yr/24mil deal and immediately started hitting like Carlos Ruiz. No thanks. As Jason said, catcher isn't an issue.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Jack, indeed, I forgot about the extension he signed. I would add him to close to untouchable status. However, I will not agree with you that he is not an upgrade over Ruiz. His power numbers are the thing of Ruiz' dreams. If they had switched spots over the past two seasons I'd say Johjima would be at about 50 HR, and Ruiz would be at about 9-15.

[AWH the RBP]

"The gloating factor concerns me, too. It's way too early for celebration and this month could turn on a dime."

stevo, I have been daing that for a couple of days.

Just look at the schedule. Including tonight there are 31 games to the All Star break. I'd be happy with 16-15.

The schedule is brutal, so don't get cocky.

The baseball gods won't like it.

[p. Red]

I'm watching this game at work with the sound turned down, but what the hell is going on? Why do they keep showing everything but the game?

[redbeard]

yea, lets trade for a catcher. forget about the inconsistency of our #2 pitcher, we need a new catcher.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

redbeard: Hamels has been fine. (Sarcasm intended)

[Sophist]

Great play Utley.

Hey, let's score some runs on this crappy pitcher!

[AWH the RBP]

Wow, nice play by Uts. Now let's get the leadoff hitter on and actually score some runs.

[redbeard]

seriously, its the 4th inning. score some runs.

[BobbyD]

I thought the Phils would be energized coming off a day off in Florida while Florida played last night. One of those deals where some half-assed pitcher has their number. And Myers probably took the wind out of the sails a little bit in the 1st. Is he officially the Phils' 5th most effective starter?

[p. Red]

I find it funny that Myers struggles in the first inning every game, yet he wants to be a closer.

[BT]

what the hell is with these announcers?

I feel like I'm watching a QVC broadcast over a baseball game.

Crazy...

[AFish]

Tommy Hutton isn't a bad announcer. An in-game auction is just a bad idea, however. The Phillies sure have bad luck with announcer stunts. First Mark Grace in the pool, now Hutton actioning goods in the picnic area.

[Sophist]

Yeah, I'm switching to the audio

[Steve Jeltz]

I'm all for helping a charity, but this auction is painful. Can we all chip in some money to get them to shut the hell up and talk about baseball?

[redbeard]

baseball gods just righted a wrong with that overthrow.

take that ramirez!

JROLL!

[sifl]

Thank you, MVP.

[p. Red]

YES!

Let's add a few more here.

[Knight]

And thats the punishment for not taking your time on an easy play.

[Joshua]

this team sucks ass.

[p. Red]

There went that momentum.

[redbeard]

myers stinks

[AFish]

It's Condrey time!

[Jack]

I guess Myers hasn't turned the corner. What a joke. Why do I feel like our #1 starter has been killing our hot streaks, instead of stopping our cold streaks?

[Joshua]

phillies score, and what do the marlins do??? tehy fight back!

[p. Red]

Another 3 home runs given up tonight for Brett "Meatball" Myers. What does that give him on the year now?

[king myno]

Marlins announcer: "Stay fair! STAY FAIR! GONE!" (celebrates profusely)

king myno: (hits Mute immediately)

[bob]

Myers' start isn't all that unexpected. Myers and Hamels always have trouble at Dolphins' stadium. As I wrote yesterday or the day before, we should be happy if we get out of FLA with a 2.5 game lead (written before the Marlins lost yesterday, so that would be a 3 game lead).

[Sophist]

Joshua - Quit acting like the Phils are 26-39. The Phils are 4-9 when he starts this year. This isn't surprising.

[RSB]

Myers sucks ass, but nothing new there. The storyline is that the Phillies can't do anything with Nolasco once again. I recall them having decent success against him in the past, so I don't know what gives.

[AFish]

I am shocked that Burrell was able to score from second base. In Cholly-land, only Taguchi could have done that.

[RSB]

I'm shocked Jones didn't throw the ball home.

[RSB]

I'm shocked Jones didn't throw the ball home.

[naylman]

RSB: Nolasco has pitched in 6 games against the Phils, starting 3 of them. 21.2 inning with a 2-2 record with a 5.40 ERA, 18 Ks, 13 walks and giving up 3 homers.

[Brian G]

Weak hit by Dobbs. Feliz would've hit a home run.

Myers needs to hit the DL and get healthy. Happ can take his starts in the meantime.

[AWH the RBP]

Coste should have been taking. He wasn't going to get anything to hit with the pitcher up next. The Marlins know it would have forced Chollie to PH for Myers and work the bullpen.

OTOH, maybe the Marlins don't want Myers out of the game.

[Vonderful]

Myers lost confidence in his fastball early tonite and he has been whining about the plate all night. Alot of those pitches he wants arent strikes.

[Sophist]

So Coste comes out so Ruiz can lead off the next inning?

[AFish]

I'm surprised that he's doing the double switch with Ruiz, rather than Feliz.

[redbeard]

can we still shop myers as a closer?

[Brian G]

Condrey throws harder than Myers at this point.

[Vonderful]

If they trade for a starter do you think they can turn Myers into an 8th inning guy? You can't start him all year if he's going to pitch like this.

[Sophist]

Somehow this is a close game. Offense needs those late inning runs.

[BT]

Why put in Feliz when you need hitting more than defense?

The Gut clearly wanted to push the pitcher's spot furthest away from the current spot in the order. At least, if the Gut were logical, that's what it would want.

[Joshua]

the phillies will lose 3 straight to the marlins, i'm sensing it, then we have to go to 2 of hte best teams..so not a good week.

[Sophist]

Ruiz! Nice BB.

[Vonderful]

Bad AB Jimmy

[Sophist]

Maybe Condrey can start for Myers

[redbeard]

not too shaby, condrey

[Sophist]

That's a joke

[RSB]

Nice job by Condrey to hold them where they are.

[AWH the RBP]

Sophist, I was thinking the same thing....mental telepathy

[RSB]

You know you're an absolutely horrendous third baseman when Wes Helms comes into sub for you in a close game.

[jr]

Condrey news
Josh Banks was finally tagged for an earned run in the sixth Thursday night by the Mets, ending his run of 22 straight innings without allowing an earned run. That is the longest such streak to launch a Padres career in club history. The old mark was 20 1/3 by Clay Condrey in 2002.

[redbeard]

pat the bat

[AWH the RBP]

Pat gets the boys within one.

[Sophist]

Pat the bat!

I was just checking to see the last time the Phils played a bad game. I don't think the game against the Reds counts, for obvious reasons.

The last time the Phils lost (before Volques) was to the Marlins. Guess who was the starter? Nolasco.

[king myno]

I don't want to see a Charlie Manuel "Maroonie" Call to the Bench for Pedro Feliz right now.

[Sophist]

myno - Gregg is a RHP, so that definitely would have been a bad idea.

Well, it's a 1-run game. I guess when you lose 2 games in 2 weeks, being down by 1 should feel like a lot. I feel like their down by 10.

[Jack]

Typical Feliz not coming through in a big spot... oh, wait, that was Dobbs?

[RSB]

The bad news is that they weren't able to get close enough to turning the lineup back over. Probably Ruiz & Feliz to start the 9th.

[bay_area_phan]

This game feels like a pre-season NFL game, where the tv announcers talk about every topic under the sun, except what's taking place on the field.

[naylman]

Jack, give me a break it wasn't like Jenkins was in scoring position or anything and Dobbs already connected tonight in a big spot. I understand clout now, you are so pro-Feliz it makes you very uncredible.