Early season Cy Young hopeful Gio Gonzalez, who enters the night as baseball's strikeout king (11.1 K/9) meets Kyle Kendrick in the first of three between the Nationals and Phillies. First pitch is 7:05.
Notes: Jimmy Rollins was scratched from the lineup as he and his wife reportedly welcomed their first child to the world earlier today. The Phillies' official Twitter reported the family is doing well. That means Mike Fontenot gets his first start as a Phillie; he'll play second base while Freddy Galvis slides over to his natural position. Placido Polanco is also back in the lineup and will hit second. John Mayberry Jr. is at first base. ... In other news, Todd Zolecki tweets that Vance Worley is visiting Dr. Andrews (gulp) for a second opinion on his right elbow. Cross your fingers there. ... The Phils are five back in the division race. The Nationals trail the Braves by 1.5 games. ... Finally, look for details about Beerleaguer's first-ever free fantasy baseball challenge tomorrow morning for a chance to win $200 in prizes.
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Can't say that I feel even slightly optimistic about Worley's short-term prospects. Ugh.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 05:44 PM
re: worley situation
hello roy oswalt
Posted by: Cyclic | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:01 PM
First, congrats to Jimmy on becoming a dad. Sending out lots of good wishes to the family.
Looking forward to seeing Freddy in his natural position.
Wouldn't it be interesting if in Jimmy's absence, with Freddy at SS and Pierre in leadoff, the Phils fared significantly better?
Posted by: can_of_corn | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:06 PM
I mentioned Oswalt on here the other day just after the initial Worley announcement and got shouted down. If he's out for any non-trivial length of time (i.e. more than 30 days, total), I put it at 70/30 Oswalt's back here.
Posted by: petey | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:11 PM
Were we playing the Nats last August 21st?
Posted by: goody | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:19 PM
Maybe Jimmy will learn how to hit again now that he's a father.
So...time to just cross Worley off for the year then?
Posted by: NEPP | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:28 PM
Feels likes a loss.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:30 PM
Feels like a win.
Posted by: 3r0ck | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:35 PM
Feels like a tie.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:37 PM
Feels like a suspended game.
Posted by: NEPP | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:50 PM
Feels.
Posted by: Animal Collective | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 06:53 PM
How nice to come here and get a laugh right off the bat - after the bad news about Worley. Ugh.
Very happy for Jimmy Rollins & his wife.
Here's another funny comment - from Twitter:
David Hale @DavidHaleTNJ
So far, #Phillies "Take Back the Park" campaign appears to be a huge success. I haven't seen a single Nats fan anywhere.
Oh & I'm with the "feels like a loss" camp.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:05 PM
Amaro said of Galvis, "I don't know where we'd be without him."
He can't actually believe this, right?
I love Freddy. Love watching him play defense. He's even had some key hits and has definitely come around the past few weeks from 'awful' to 'serviceable' on offense, though there's no proof that it's any more than a hot streak.
But if Amaro had done his job and had a real plan B for Utley, the team would probably have a better record than it does now, as Galvis was flat awful for weeks on offense. And the prospects going forward would look a lot better, too. Rube can't actually believe what he's saying here.
Posted by: Iceman | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:08 PM
Nice work Galvis/Fontenot!
Posted by: NEPP | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:11 PM
***as Galvis was flat awful for weeks on offense***
Considering he's been better than our starting SS and 3B, we might want to cut him some slack. He's having a solid rookie campaign for a middle infielder.
Posted by: NEPP | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:13 PM
Feels like a loss.
Posted by: phanatic's brother | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:17 PM
Feels like history is being made. First 18-strikeout no-hitter.
Posted by: goody | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:21 PM
I'll reiterate, Gio is going to kill them for years, and I'm not going to believe they can hit him even a little bit until I see it.
Posted by: Iceman | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:27 PM
I had a terrible nightmare that the Nationals were better than the Phillies.
Posted by: phanatic's brother | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:36 PM
Come on rain!!!!
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:39 PM
If they don't get Gio out of the game, I think there's a good shot they might get no hit. I don't see any righthander on the Phils hitting his breaking pitch - with maybe the exception of Vic.
Posted by: Phlipper | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:45 PM
I am actually embarrassed for the Phil's hitters right now. Hopefully the second time through the line up will be better.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:48 PM
The only rally they're getting against this guy is if they string 7 infield hits in a row.
Posted by: Phlipper | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:51 PM
dear god, gio is mowing them down.
Posted by: lorecore | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:51 PM
Would the fact that Gio could/will dominate us for the next 5-10 years push his trade ahead of the Sandberg trade?
Posted by: Iceman | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:52 PM
I get the stats on Galvis, but in a season that has so far been characterized in large part by underachievment and unlived up to expectations, Chooch and Galvis have been bright spots to me. I think they have both played significatly above what most people, including me, expected. I'm cutting him a lot of slack.
Posted by: Bob | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:54 PM
Well, at least they got Gio's pitch count up.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:58 PM
KK pitching pretty well so far. He has to be the most unpopular/lightning rod for criticism. Even more so than JRoll.
Chief Medical Officer where I worked wasn't even bother going to the game tonight because "who wants to see KK pitch and sit in the cold & rain."
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:58 PM
If they don't get Gio out of the game, I think there's a good shot they might get no hit. I don't see any righthander on the Phils hitting his breaking pitch - with maybe the exception of Vic.
Posted by: Phlipper | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:45 PM
Funny, if this were posted by BAP, you'd tear him a new one. :)
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 07:59 PM
Excellent. Gross' secret plan to make Gonzalez tire himself out by striking out so many Phils' batters is going exactly according to plan. He'll be gone by the 6th. Phils' will rally against the Nats' middle relievers.
It is diabolically simple.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:01 PM
With Madson gone, Pence is now the recipient of my irrational hatred.
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:03 PM
KK doesn't usually have a problem with walks. Could spell a long night.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:06 PM
Now the wheels fall off....
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:06 PM
Kendrick has no command at all. Walking guys, and then giving a meatball first pitch to Desmond, who is one of the most aggressive hitters in all of baseball.
Posted by: Jack | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:08 PM
KK needed to make some better pitches to Desmond there. Perfect K/DP candidate. Ugh.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:08 PM
Oh boy.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:09 PM
'Danger Cholly Manuel, Danger!'
About to go up 3-0 or 4-0 and put a capper on this game already.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:10 PM
Needs a DP here..
Also, I'd like to thank MG for jinxing KK with the "KK pitching pretty well so far" comment.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:10 PM
Remember last week when everyone was all "Phils are totally back!!"?
That was short-lived.
Posted by: Jack | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:11 PM
Jack - Yeah it was kind of ridiculous given how they were struggling to beat the 3 worst NL teams narrowly.
'Those wins count too' but this is a ~.500 team right now.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:12 PM
Jack: why, because kyle kendrick has is losing to gio?
Posted by: lorecore | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:13 PM
Ankiel K and Flores ground out. Never any doubt.
KK's ability to consistently escape danger in '07 was probably the single most amazing season I have seen by a Phils' starter.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:14 PM
He's just not that good. I don't understand why, but it's almost impossible to admit that (me included). That recognition explains everything about Kendrick.
Posted by: Buddy Ryan in 2008 | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:17 PM
8 Ks through 3.1 IP?
Really?
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:19 PM
C'mon Mayberry. Its a LHP. Too much to ask for a little offense?
Definitely would get a 'Golden Sombrero' tonight if Gonzalez stayed in this game long enough to face Mayberry 4 times.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:22 PM
Mayberry has now taken strike one 452 times in a row. Hey, John. You're not Wade Boggs.
Posted by: MR | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:22 PM
I thought Galvis was supposed to be a decent runner. It doesn't appear he has much foot speed.
Posted by: Raul's grandpa | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:25 PM
MR - Really been a notable trend this year with the Phils. Try to be patient and take the first pitch (#2 in NL in taking 1st pitch) but overall tendency to chase stuff & swing takes over after that.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:27 PM
8 Ks through 3.1 IP?
Really?
Posted by: Fatalotti
He's thrown 81 pitches. Good news is he'll be out by the 5th or 6th.
Posted by: 3r0ck | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:29 PM
Gross: 92 pitches after 5 IP? Excellent. All according to the plan tonight.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:33 PM
That is just an excellent play.
Posted by: Phlipper | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Is anyone else getting so sick of hearing about how Mayberry doesnt stand up more straight with his batting stance?
And every person in the world knows this but him and Greg Gross?
W T PH !!!?!??!!
Posted by: phanatic's brother | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Sarge is correct. Just a bloop and a blast.
That's all.
Bloop.
Blast.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:42 PM
With the exception of his disasterous 1st start in Arizona where he got shelled, KK has been quietly getting the job done.
Shooting now for his 3 QS in his last 4 GS.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:43 PM
Polly is superbly slow.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:46 PM
I expected to be pissed off at Kendrick by this point. Instead, I'm absolutely LIVID w/ Polanco.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:46 PM
Wow!~
Posted by: MS69 | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:47 PM
Just laughing at not scoring with 2nd and 3rd no out and the middle of our lineup.
Posted by: Jack | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:47 PM
OMG, Polly. You suck at running the bases.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:47 PM
WTF. Can't buy a break the last few days with RISP.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:47 PM
What an idiotic team.
Posted by: JRide | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:47 PM
Terrible baserunning by a guy who simply has no speed at all anymore.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:48 PM
BOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:49 PM
2nd and 3rd, nobody out. zero runs scored. phenomenal.
Posted by: lolwut | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:49 PM
2nd, 3rd no outs.
Only the Phillies could screw that up.
Posted by: nonamePHame | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:49 PM
Ball game. Phils managed to execute piss poorly and couldn't buy a little luck.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Maybe the dumass shouldnt be bent over so much with his stance. Maybe he should consider standing up straight. anyone think of that?
any fkn one thinkof thaT???!?!?!?!?!??!!?
boooooo000000oooooooooo000000oooooooooooooo
Posted by: phanatic's brother | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:50 PM
In thee words of Lyle from Blazing Saddles -- "what the hell was that sh**?"
Embarrassing!
Posted by: Let's go eat | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:50 PM
This team has been far more frustrating than fun.
They may have been equally mediocre and infuriating, but the teams from the middle past of the last decade were at least fun to watch--it was always interesting. This mediocre team has just been painful to watch.
Posted by: Jack | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Victorino's an ass for not advancing to 3B, too. Think this team hasn't suffered on the base paths since Lopes left? What a bunch of brain dead losers.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Appropriate for the Phils that inning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMhwddNQSWQ
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:51 PM
Btw, the I dom't want to ever hear another word from the "Polanco could play 2b group." He makes Brian Schneider look fast.
They managed offense against garbage and are now 1 run in 16 innings against quality pitching.
Posted by: JRide | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:53 PM
how long before smug, ego boy makes cholly walk the plank for this mess?
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:53 PM
Can't nobody here drive in a run!
Posted by: Dragon | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:54 PM
MG: Stop confusing the Moronocracy with facts.
Posted by: clout | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:54 PM
If only I hadn't been traded.
Posted by: Wilson Valdez | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:55 PM
Did Folgers secretly replace our team with the Expos or something?
Posted by: Raul's grandpa | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:55 PM
Raul's Gpa that is a good one. !
Posted by: phanatic's brother | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:57 PM
What a bizarre half inning that bottom of the 6th was.
Had Victorino's hit gone into the corner Polly scores. As it is it kicks off the cutout and forces him to stop at third.
Then you get some bad baserunning on the liner to center. (However, Ankiel probably would've gunned Polanco anyway).
Then Polanco goes on contact on the grounder to first and LaRoche comes home for some reason and gets Polanco.
Just a bad inning all around.
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:57 PM
Valdez at .195 with a .434 OPS in 43 ABs? Amaro was right on the money with that call that Valdez was a guy who wasn't worth the cash.
Now only if he didn't love resigning other old, washed up veteran hasbins.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:58 PM
JRide: I rarely respond to your posts since you know so little, but Polanco has never been fast. He had below average speed as a rookie. The guy was never fast, even when he was winning Gold Gloves.
Posted by: clout | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:59 PM
Just shut switched from the Sixers game. Watching the Phils will likely result in a stroke. I'm reduced to watching the Reds, rooting for them against the Braves.
Posted by: Rob | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:59 PM
If only we hadn't traded for Freddy Garcia.
Posted by: clout | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:00 PM
A delay would be perfect for the Phillies here.
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:00 PM
MG: That would've been a good decision on r00b's part if he hadn't turned around & used the money to sign Qualls, who not only sucks, but costs the Phillies wins straight away when he does so.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:01 PM
Good job KK. 9 ground ball out tonight, 4 Ks and really didn't give up that many hard hit balls tonight.
Did his job. Now if only the offense will actually show up.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:02 PM
As I said the other day,
If my emblem is not on OOPS, wrong saying -
trade Victorino,
Trade U/C
Trade Polly
Trade R00B
trade Tbag
Feel free to add to this list...
Posted by: Let's go eat | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:03 PM
Dave - Signing Qualls wasn't a bad move given what he is making. 1 yr/$1M. It was an Amaro 2-yr special.
Those are the kind of deals that are smart to make for veteran relievers. It was either him or a guy like Lidge.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:04 PM
I enjoyed the televised minor league baseball in Dixie over this crew.
Posted by: Raul's grandpa | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:05 PM
KK has a 2.25 ERA (6 ER in his last 4 GS over 24 IP)
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:06 PM
Pete Orr was able to play and he didn't start at 2B?? I'm flummoxed.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:07 PM
HEY Can we 86 the "Feels like a loss" crap before the first pitch is even thrown? Every F..king game! It is SOOOOOOOOO f..king worn out it's not even remotely amusing.It's like a wart you can't get rid of or a stone in your shoe.Just give it the F..k up...or come up with something remotely witty. It's become as predictable as the National Anthem being played before the game!
Posted by: Lance Phillips | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:08 PM
Sixers getting killed. Time to call it a night.
Posted by: Phlipper | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:08 PM
If we hadn't traded Sandberg
If we hadn't traded FJenkiins
If we hadnt traded Lee ( the 1st time)
If we hadn't traded Rich Thompson. (oh wait..)
Posted by: Let's go eat | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:09 PM
MG: Those kinds of deals might be smart for better GMs, but not that of the Phillies. r00b's track record of "veteran reliever" acquisitions includes Taschner, Baez, Contreras & Qualls. He has no f*cking clue what he's doing.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:10 PM
It is criminal that I do not yet have a win.
Posted by: Kyle Kendrick (0-4) | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:10 PM
Freddy Galvis is good at defense.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:12 PM
Feels like a...well, you know.
Posted by: Feelslike Aloss | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:15 PM
- it beginning to feel like a lost season..
Posted by: Let's go eat | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:15 PM
It's a shame that a 2-0 deficit with this team is nearly an insurmountable lead.
Just no power threat on the bench late in most games right now and any half-decent reliever really gives this team fits.
Posted by: MG | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 09:15 PM