Hard-luck left-hander Cliff Lee (0-3, 2.92) is hoping June 10 will go in the books as his first win of the 2012 season when the Phillies and Orioles conclude their Mid-Altlantic showdown today at 1:35.
Notes: Surprising right-hander Jason Hammel (6-2, 2.97) toes the slab for the Orioles. It would be nice for Lee and the Phillies to finally get the monkey off their back, but it would be even nicer to put one in the win column and secure a series victory. Saturday, the Phils' bats made enough noise early, but handed over the game because of sloppy play, which has become a regular occurance the last few weeks. Meanwhile, hovering along at .500, or slightly below, is slowly beginning to cost the Phils in the standings as the Nationals, who are 13-3-4 in 20 series, have opened up a seven-game lead in the National League East. The Phils also trail the fourth-place Marlins by three games, so they've got some problems.
Mini-Mart makes 2012 starting debut: Here's your lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Pence RF, Thome DH, Victorino CF, Ruiz C, Wigginton 3B, Luna 1B, Martinez 2B. It's Michael Martinez's first start since Sept. 28, 2011.
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What is particularly egregious about Lee's outing today is that all 4 runs, in 2 different innings, came after he had 2 outs and no one on base. And, again, this last inning, he retires the first 2 hitters and then allows the O's to stage a rally -- though, fortunately, this one came up short.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:24 PM
2012 Phils motto: no lead is big enough.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:25 PM
BAP, as long as you have a knack for seeing your predictions come to pass, how about predicting something good? Maybe that would work. I'm up for anything that works.
Rollins did score a run today. Doesn't that mean we're supposed to win?
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:26 PM
Things going so well lately that JPierre is the Phillie of the Week and they have to use footage of him playing at the Vet to fill up the spot.
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:26 PM
Nice catch, Pierre! I was nervous.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:32 PM
Schwimer's warming up. If it wasn't already, game=over.
Posted by: Muuurgh | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:34 PM
Nice catch, Pence!
Happy to see some good defense today.
I'm still frustrated with Lee today. And if Schwimer's up, then it doesn't look good for us.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:36 PM
Sorry guys,no one should write off a team 7 games out a playoff spot with 100 (that's ONE HUNFRED) games left in the season. All the "Season=over",'Feels like a loss" posted an hour before gametime is all nonsense.
I ain't saying things don't have to change but Cliff Lee isn't going winless for the season.A healthy Roy Halladay for the stretch,The return of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley? Completely disregarding these potentially positive things is just not being blindly pessimistic. We don't have to be optimistic.But let's stop with the Nostradamus like projections.
Posted by: Lance Phillips | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:36 PM
GBrett: As Shakespeare wrote, "This above all: to thine own self be true." Hence, no optimistic Phillies predictions from me.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:37 PM
Our starters have allowed 48 HRs. That's terrible.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:38 PM
remove "not" from the beginning of the 7th line.Thanks.
Posted by: Lance Phillips | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:40 PM
I already know who won the golf tournament, but will gladly watch it now that I already know who will win this
mess.
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:41 PM
Impressive series from the Nats to shut down the Red Sox offense (so far).
For those who whine incessantly that focusing on starting pitching is a poor way to construct a team, take a look at the Nats.
Anything's possible, but I'd say it's time to start setting out sites on the WC.
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:42 PM
Ruiz having a Werthian day today - strands 8, but a 2 out single with bases clear.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:43 PM
BAP, I knew you'd say something like that. I was just hoping for a reversal of fortune in the game today.
Lance - You're right, we don't know that the season will end as badly as it's begun, but there are a lot of "if"s in the return of Utley and Howard, if not also Halladay. And we have a lot of things that are going badly right now. SP, BP, rallies, defense with the scrubs....
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:44 PM
Hey T-Mac,how does a bullpen having 13 victories 61 games into the season reflect positively on them? Sounds more likely you have a team that can score late in the game or comeback from a run down.Some of the premier relivers in the game go through the entire year with 2-1 records.
Posted by: Lance Phillips | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:45 PM
Has Wigginton done anything positive this entire series?
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:45 PM
Has there ever been an all-Jewish bullpen?
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:47 PM
Bomb?
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:50 PM
re: the pitching.
Today will be the 10th loss of the season when they score 4+ runs. 13 such losses in 2011.
Posted by: BobbyD | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:50 PM
When Hamels wasn't getting any run support he would have been thrilled to have Lee's runs this year. I've heard comparisons between the two situations but they are quite different
Posted by: can_of_corn | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:51 PM
Bomb?
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:52 PM
Schwimer didn't drown!
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:55 PM
schwimer looked............ good.
didn't realize he had such a good fastball.
Posted by: lolwut | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:55 PM
"Has there ever been an all-Jewish bullpen?"
I don't think there has ever been an all-Jewish anything in baseball -- except for maybe an ownership group.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:57 PM
My guess is that Charlie's going to pitch Schwimmer until he gives up some runs.
No matter how long it takes.
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 03:58 PM
Mini is on! Well maybe this will be the game of unlikely miracles after all
Posted by: can_of_corn | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:00 PM
Kind of a philosophical question: Which is worse, tons of baserunners that don't get knocked in or never getting the runners on base to begin with?
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:00 PM
Martinez should go play in traffic.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:00 PM
i'd go with tons of baserunners, as there's always a chance of scoring on an error, wild pitch, or balk.
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:03 PM
Great. Ump decides to completely change his strike zone from the entire previous 8 innings.
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:03 PM
Rollins 1-15 (.067) on the series, w/ 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R & 1 BB.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:03 PM
Are there a lot of Jewish owners in baseball? I can't think of any. Certainly none of the Phillies owners is Jewish.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:04 PM
I left to go grocery shopping with a 4-1 lead and Lee on the mound. Imagine my surprise when I returned to find that Mr. Clutch had let the team down again.
This is becoming sickening. The offense isn't good enough to overcome the poor defense. But it certainly isn't good enough to overcome mediocre pitching as well.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:06 PM
Rollin has been frustrating, no question. Was it a short-lived hot streak, or is he going to only hit at home this season?
Speaking of hot v. cold, does it seem like the Phillies have been going through more cold spells than hot ones? It feels like they've only had a few hot streaks in an otherwise cold season.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:08 PM
Wigginton is 2-13 (.154) on the series, w/ 0 R, 0 RBI & 0 BB. And after one of his two hits, Ty was promptly picked off. He also made roughly 874 Errors at 3B.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:08 PM
aksmith: The Lerner family (Nationals), Jerry Reinsdorf (WhiteSox), Lewis Wolff (A's), the Wilpons (Mets). I'm pretty sure there are others.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:09 PM
is this Schwimer 2.0? new arm angle and a 96 mph fastbal.
Posted by: bullit | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:10 PM
Would love to see Pap earn some of hIs money today. Is one run more th inning too much to hope for?
Posted by: can_of_corn | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:10 PM
Time for a round of "Jew or not Jew?"
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:11 PM
Doesn't Wilpon have to give up being Jewish after being swindled by Madoff?
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:13 PM
Yikes. Chooch had more LOB in his first 3 ABs today than any other Phillies player has had in the entire series, total.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:13 PM
I don't know if reading BAP's posts are getting to me, but this game certainly has a feeling of inevitability about it. And it ain't a good feeling of inevitability.
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:13 PM
BAP - You're pretty sure there are others? Why are you pretty sure?
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:14 PM
Pence took a mighty rip at something high out of the strike zone, then tapped out weakly to shortstop. Color me surprised.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:15 PM
I don't think anyone expects a Phillies W. Why would we? The track record this year is set one way unless and until the Phillies prove otherwise.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:15 PM
is selig's daughter an owner of the brewers, or just president?
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:17 PM
"Seven of the 30 major league teams have Jewish owners."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/901825-modern-baseballs-jewish-owners-executives-and-players
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:19 PM
Now that Schwimer is pitching well let's just use him until his arm falls off
Posted by: can_of_corn | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:19 PM
Putting Schwimer out for a 3rd inning? Feels like playing Jenga.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:19 PM
Well, it's worked so far.
Bomb?
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:20 PM
Putting Shwimer out for a 3rd inning? Feels like playing Jenga.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:20 PM
Pence is 7-13 (.538) on the series, w/ 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB & 0 LOB.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:20 PM
Third inning for Schwim? Have to assume that this is where the magic ends.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:20 PM
aksmith: Because I remember there's a long list of Jewish owners -- though, admittedly, most of them are in the NFL. It's possible I've named all of them in MLB.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:21 PM
1914 Cleveland Indians Bullpen:
Jacob Goldman
Ezra Adler
Abraham Horowitz
Joshua Teitelbaum
Asa Blumenthal (closer)
Posted by: Timmy | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:24 PM
Schwimer's in good company under the category of surprising facts:
Matt Gelb @magelb
Two Phillies relievers pitched 3 scoreless innings in 2011: David Herndon and Danys Baez. Schwimer does it.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:25 PM
Go Michael! Prediction: The next inning ends with a Mini Mart out.
Posted by: can_of_corn | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:26 PM
If Schwimer were a Beerleaguer poster, he would now be entitled to write an "I told you so" post to all the posters who said that the Phillies should have demoted him instead of Valdes.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:27 PM
I have to say that I agree with not bringing Papelbon into this game until it's absolutely necessary or the Phillies have a lead (longshot.) He has pretty much stunk like the rest of the pen when it's not a save situation. He's just "a guy" when he's not pitching with a lead.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:27 PM
I hate to suggest this, but shouldn't Fontenot pinch hit for Wiggy here?
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:30 PM
Works like a sacrifice.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:31 PM
aks I agree. Fontenot has a much better chance of getting on
Posted by: can_of_corn | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:31 PM
hoser will bat for mini.
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:32 PM
I was curious about that HR stat. Phillies starters have given up 48, so I wondered how many Phillies hitters have gotten.
55 HRs by Phillies players, if I counted right. 67 given up by Phillies pitchers (starters & BP).
(257 R allowed. 274 R scored. Someone should definitely check my math. I didn't even double check or use a calculator.)
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:34 PM
Papelbon's not even up in the 'pen right now. The only reasons for that are (a) injury, or (b) Charlie Manuel's poor management. Or, I suppose, (c) Charlie Manuel has given up hope, too.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:35 PM
Fontenot, given a chance to at least partially redeem himself, chooses to drop a fat dookie in his uniform pants instead.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:37 PM
It is just uncanny how, when the Phillies score some runs early, they then proceed to shut it down completely for the rest of the game. They do it game after game after game. It is as predictable as the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano every spring.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:39 PM
GTown? Dookie? He smashed that ball. Inning Endy simply ran it down.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:39 PM
I'm 2 for 2 on predictions today. Let's go for the trifecta: it ends on a walk-off homerun this inning.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:40 PM
aksmith: Fontenot was so terrible yesterday that anything less than a 5-run HR counts as forfeiting his right to exist.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:42 PM
Bomb?
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:42 PM
Yeah, yesterday was one for the ages.
I think I'm going to go get in the pool and check the bad news later.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:43 PM
Wigginton at 3B, everyone. Honestly, how long do we have to put up w/ this sh*t? Move Luna to 3B, dammit!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:44 PM
I'm embarrassed for Wiggy. Oh my
Posted by: can_of_corn | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:44 PM
Bomb?
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:44 PM
BAP: Considering he is an active tweeter, occasional phuturephillies columnist, and writer of emails to Grantland, Schwimer may actually be a BL poster. I suspect "pissy pants posse".
Posted by: DH Phils | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:45 PM
what a worthless piece of shite
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:45 PM
Back to the tallest catcher discussion for crying out loud!
Posted by: Timmy | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:45 PM
That could only work for so long.
Posted by: Phlipper | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:46 PM
I really, really, really dislike Wigginton as a member of our team right now.
And I'm disappointed in Lee, Rollins and our offense in general.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:46 PM
Wiggy kicks a ball? Who'd have thunk it?
LA said he can't seem to get a good hop down there. The replay showed a perfect hop about belt high and Wiggy swatting at it like it was a fly.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:46 PM
I don't care what anyone says, piss f*cking poor fielding, more than any other single factor, cost the Phillies the past 2 games. F*ck the godawful mess.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:46 PM
Now we're getting pretty close to full-on sell mode.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:47 PM
David Hale @DavidHaleTNJ
Sixth error in four games by 3B/2B without Galvis/Polanco. And with less generous scoring, could easily be double that.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:47 PM
Well, that was fun. Oh wait. No, it wasn't.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:48 PM
Also:
Gelb: "That's seven walk-off losses without the richest reliever in baseball history pitching."
Just imagine how different things would look right now if the Phillies had won even 3 of those games.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:48 PM
Just to add fuel to the fire already burning on BL about the travesty of recent Phillies baseball...
Matt Gelb @magelb
That's seven walk-off losses without the richest reliever in baseball history pitching.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:49 PM
Have a better day everyone. At least this sorry mess won't ruin our night.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:49 PM
would the o's like to have pence? mb for a couple of those relievers they seem to have in excess?
Posted by: bullit | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:49 PM
aksmith: word.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:50 PM
How is Paps the richest reliever in baseball history? Rivera gets about 18 mil per to close for the Skankees.
Posted by: aksmith | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:50 PM
Well at least the nats lost. Oh wait. No, they didn't.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:50 PM
Have your opinion but bring Savery in to face that part of the O's lineup was sure stupidity. Is there a clause in Paps contract we don'r know about?
Posted by: jr | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:51 PM
Does Wiggy take extra field practice? Or is he beyond help if he stays out there all night practicing fielding?
Posted by: GBrettFan | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:52 PM
aksmith: I wondered the same thing. Total guaranteed value of Papelbon's contract = $50 million. Most Rivera ever got in a single deal was $45 million.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:53 PM
Only 8 games back now. Can't wait till chase Howard and Roy get back 15 out then. Stick a fork in em this team is done. Sorry bunch of so called professionals. Rube better get on phone and trade shane and Cole. Get the best offer you can. This team stinks.
Posted by: The hook | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:54 PM
luna has played many more games in his career at 3rd than 1st. doesn't make sense.
Posted by: bullit | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:54 PM
So what's that, 8 back in the NL East, 10 in the Loss column? What are we thinking, maybe 13-15 back by the All-Star break? That's not very competitive.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:55 PM
Cholly has placed a call to Dr. Kevorkian. He can no longer wait for Rube to do the humane thing.
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 04:55 PM