Game chat: Kendrick takes turn; Dobbs to AAA

Following an impressive seven-inning start against the Yankees, Kyle Kendrick (4-2, 4.48) hopes to keep up the pace against possible trade target Jake Westbrook (4-4, 4.76) and the Indians. First pitch is 7:05 under bake-oven conditions.

Beerleaguer: I watched this morning's dramatic World Cup win and was thrown off track for the rest of the afternoon. So I never got around to posting. What an unbelievable finish by the U.S., who stayed patient and didn't panic. Anyway, here's a checklist of Phillies items I'd hoped to explore. Charlie Manuel was reportedly miffed after last night's game. Jim Salisbury surmised that he was either irritated about explaining why he used J.C. Romero in the ninth, or that the offense fired blanks for the second-straight game, just as it looked like they'd turned the corner. I'd also hoped to discuss Domonic Brown, who homered twice yesterday and is hitting .368 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 19 games this month. Reading beat writer Mike Drago estimated that his first homer traveled 435 feet to right center. The second went 10 feet deeper. One reader brought up a good point earlier. Going by Baseball America's preseason rankings, Brown may rate as the best prospect in baseball due to the promotions of several players ahead of him (Heyward, Strasburg, Stanton, Matusz, Posey, Alvarez, Feliz, Santana, Escobar, and Smoak, just to name a few). My last topic would have been the idea of reactivating J.A. Happ as a reliever. When I talked to Ruben Amaro Jr. this winter, he didn't close the book on the idea, but said the Phillies prefer him in the rotation. The Phillies have to like what they've seen from Kyle Kendrick, and Happ has had good success in relief.

Dobbs clears: Greg Dobbs has cleared waivers and will accept an assignment to Triple-A. It worked out perfectly for the Phillies. Dobbs can regain his footing with regular playing time and be ready in case they need him. We'll see him again. ... Meanwhile, more IronPigs news. Former first-rounder Joe Savery was demoted to the bullpen after going 1-7 with a 5.15 ERA in 13 starts. He's 24, so there's still a glimmer of hope, but not much.

[Jump to the newest comments]

Comments

[GBrettfan]

Phils really missed out by not scoring in the bottom of the 8th. Indians are seizing their opportunities this inning. Looks like their offense is coming to life vs. our pitching.

[DH Phils]

Classic Chris Wheeler "wacky" inning.

[Marc H]

Can't lose 1 run games @ home to teams like the Indians and expect to stay in contention. They had chances---this is just not our year

[Jack]

Anyone wish we had Dobbs to PH here?

[Malcolm]

Schneider-Francisco-Rollins. Pack it up, boys.

[Iceman]

I loved McCarthy's enthusiasm when saying "The Phils have the BOTTOM OF THE ORDER coming up!" going to commercial. No, not even you screaming it at me is going to get me excited about it T-Mac.

[GBrettfan]

Nice job, Utley.

Thanks to that run scoring, we have to get it done now, with Schneider, PHer and maybe Rollins who hasn't started hitting yet.

[GTown_Dave]

Jack: No. But I don't like any of the other remaining options, either.

[holy mackerel]

FIRST Poorly executed run down

Men on 2 and 3rd

Then doesn't walk Santana TO create a DP

Then the Rollins play

If We IBB Santana - we have could have a DP.

Then Manual decides to IBB the next batter – which creates a dp [after the run scored}

Brilliant all the way

[GBrettfan]

A late inning win would be fun.....

[GBrettfan]

This would be a good time for Jimmy to start hitting. Come on, BenFran!

So, if it gets tied, who will catch, that Sardinha guy?

[Brian Schneider's Mother]

Someone please badmouth BenFran.

[NEPP]

Has Francisco always been this "clutch"?

[NEPP]

SO I was off by a day for Jimmy's huge HR....YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tutpsu]

Jimmy's first walk off HR!

[philwynk]

What a great time for Jimmy Rollins to remember how to hit.

[Brian Schneider's Mother]

I believe I badmouthed J Roll under my breath.

[holy mackerel]

HOLY MACKEREL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[holy mackerel]

J ------ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[NEPP]

That's why Jimmy is so huge for this team. He comes up big when they need it.

Totally different team with him in there.

[cjp]

That is one special dude. Okay, team, follow that example the rest of the way!

[tutpsu]

And just like that...

[Malcolm]

"Schneider-Francisco-Rollins. Pack it up, boys."

REVERSE JINX, BITCH!

[Lincoln Hawkes]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuLb0Tnr3Ls

"JIMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[GTown_Dave]

Welcome back to the OFFENSIVE side of the game, Jimmy! Of course now he'll try to hit nothing but dingers for the next couple of weeks, but right now I'll trade that for a Win. :-)

[GBrettfan]

Welcome back, Jimmy!!!!!

There are distinct advantages to having a player who loves big moments and some glory.

[philwynk]

That was actually a tense and very competitive baseball game. Sounded like the Indians were playing above their skill level. I'm proud of the Phillies for coming up with that win.

Jimmy Rollins is the man, and I'm expecting a positive attitude change for the entire team. Well done, boys.

[CJ]

How bout that J-Roll?

[philwynk]

Holy Mackerel, do you also call out your own name at climax?

[Iceman]

I love Rollins and that was probably the best Phillies moment of the year (outside of Roy's perfect game). But if I'm the Indians I'm drilling him in the back for flipping his bat like a punk right after the swing. Imagine if that's someone like Jose Reyes or Chipper Jones doing it to the Phils- we'd want the guy eating a 95 MPH fastball the next night.

[NEPP]

Jimmy definitely has a certain swagger about himself.

[Fatalotti]

Now, we just need the Braves to lose, and we'll back within 3.5 back, if I'm not mistaken.

What a huge hit by J-Roll!

[Malcolm]

On MLB Network, Harold Reynolds said the NL East is in trouble, because the Braves and Mets didn't separate enough from the Phillies when they struggled. Now that J-Roll's back, Reynolds expects the Phils to retain their hold on the division.

We'll see. Need some pitching, and especially in the middle of the 'pen.

[Old Phan]

Marc H, are you really BAP?

[holy mackerel]

A late inning win would be fun.....

This would be a good time for Jimmy to start hitting....

Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 10:20 PM

-------------

MAN - YOU MUST BE PSYCHIC

[gobaystars!]

I have more confidence in Jimmy doing something big late than anyone on the team. Why so much doubt? Who have you been watching for the last 10 years (especially the last 4)? Jimmy live for these moments. He is a winner. He completely undoes modern statistical analysis.

[The Truth Injection]

Big time hit from a guy who has been a big time player for this Phillies team for a long time now. Man I hope he stays healthy.

Sadly though after what I was told about 1 run wins- this game gets racked up as a loss.

I saw Reading play tonight. Happ looked ok in his rehab but struggled with command and gave up a 3 run homer in the one inning. His velocity seemed to be off yet but the radar gun was doing wacky things as well.

Also, everyone talks about Brown (rightfully so) but let's talk about Freddy Galvis. Defensively that guy is pretty close to, if not ready to go in the majors. His bat is not there yet but he showed some better discipline tonight at the plate than I've ever seen so maybe he is turning the corner some. With a glove as good as his he doesn't necessarily have to be an offensive force.

[Old Phan]

There is no such thing as a clutch hitter...but if there was, it would be J-Roll.

[GBrettfan]

Charlie much happier tonight. Not even having to relay the news that Durbin's hammy injury is "bad" could sober him. (Not to suggest he doesn't care. Maybe he's punchy at this point with all the injuries - get one back, injure another.)

It's not good to lose Durbin. Now who becomes our 2-inning relief pitcher? Herndon? Baez (please no)? Contreras? Romero? Oh, maybe Zagurski?

Ol' Innings Eater needs to eat him some innings tomorrow, and effectively, too.

[Malcolm]

There is something to be said about Rollins' presence. Despite two hitless games (until the ninth), the team seemed jumpy when it absolutely had to be, which is quite a change from most of the season.

Then Rollins corks one in the big moment. Before his shot I said to myself, "This is his moment. He does something here. Maybe a double. Something." Hard to bet against him. He just lives for the moment - the ace in the hole for this team and why they've always been so dominant, especially down the stretch, since he's been in charge (after them *ahem* Abreu trade).

[gobaystars!]

If Jimmy flipping bats in big moments brings this team back to life, flip away young james. Part of what Jimmy does with his swagger and showmanship is take the attention off of the lesser personalities on the team. Utley, Howard, Werth and so on do thier best work when Jimmy is taking the boos and saying what needs to be said. "Old School guys" (is that a euphamism) don't like it but it wins games.

[NEPP]

****It's not good to lose Durbin. Now who becomes our 2-inning relief pitcher? Herndon? Baez (please no)? Contreras? Romero? Oh, maybe Zagurski?****

Happ? Or maybe KK. Happ's gotta be pretty near ready to come back. They could always ease him back in the BP or push KK to the BP now.

[Old Phan]

I hope Kentucky/Tennessee/Country/Donut Eater/Innings Eater Joe wakes up hungry tomorrow.

[Iceman]

I remember going through the post-game thread (half-drunk, but I remember this clearly) of NLCS Game 4 last year and someone said right before Rollins came up something to the effect of "This is the last guy I'd want up right here."

Not only shows the power of the BL reverse jinx but the stupidity that comes with short-sightedness. Rollins is a red-light player and has been his entire career. Especially against guys like Broxton or Wood who will groove a heater every now and then. Anyone that wouldn't have Rollins on their short-list of Phils they'd want up with the season on the line is crazy.

[Greg V.]

Oscar Villarreal time!

[st]

mathieson is gonna get called back up.

[timr]

"Jimmy also looks a bit shaky getting up as its pretty evident he's not 100%"

"Thanks to that run scoring, we have to get it done now, with Schneider, PHer and maybe Rollins who hasn't started hitting yet."

Some great reverse jinxes tonight! What a return for Jimmy!