Charlie Manuel avoids his fussy left/right lineup instincts with left-hander Mike Minor on the bump tonight as Cole Hamels and the Phillies look to rebound from a sloppy loss Monday night. First pitch is 7:05.
Notes: With the exception of replacing Brian Schneider with hot-hitting right-hander Erik Kratz behind the plate, it's a similar lineup to last night: Rollins SS, Brown LF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Mayberry CF, Kratz C, Schierholtz RF, Frandsen 3B, Hamels P. Juan Pierre hasn't started a game this month. John Mayberry Jr., who needs to make the most of these last two months, is 5-for-15 with a homer and a pair of doubles in his last four games. Better Mayberry in center field than Michael Martinez, which, as I said previously, was just plain dumb.
Morgan promoted: Rising left-hander Adam Morgan, who was named the July pitcher of the month in the Phillies' chain, will get a taste of Double-A hitters to finish out the season. Morgan, 22, was 4-10 with a 3.29 ERA and 140/28 K/BB ratio in 123 innings with Clearwater. His 140 strikeouts led the Florida State League; Morgan, lefty Jesse Biddle and lefty Austin Wright rank 1-2-3 in the league in strikeouts. Opponents were hitting just .227 off Morgan.
Having Mini Mart on the team is just plain dumb.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:06 PM
Charlie is doing exactly what he should be doing with this lineup. He's going to find out if Brown-Mayberry-Schierholz is an every day starting outfield. He's going to find out if Frandsen is better filler at third than Wiggy, Martinez. He's letting Schwimer and Rosenberg get some innings to find out if they are major leaguers. And he's letting Kratz do the bulk of the catching.
It's fine to platoon one or two spots if you have to. But is better to have players who can rake from one side and be passable against the other if you can. He's going to find out if Mayberry and Schierholz can play every day, or nearly ever day.
Charlie is either being given orders from above, or he's actually using his head during the last few months of a lost season.
Posted by: aksmith | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:11 PM
Phils need to place a wanted ad on Craiglist:
"Part-time OF needed!"
General Summary:
1. Defense - Be able to run and catch fly balls and throw the ball to the cut-off man. Glove provided.
2. Offense - Hit from the right-side, make contact, and hit a thrown baseball occasionally 300-400 feet. Bat and helmet provided.
3. Baserunning - Be able to run 90 feet or 180 feet without resting. Shoes provided.
If interested, please contact ramaro@phillies.com for further details!
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:21 PM
Good thing Brown-Mayberry-Schierholtz won't be considered an every day starting outfield next year because they almost certainly would be the worst in MLB.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:22 PM
I caould envision a Mayberry/Schierholtz platoon possibly working
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:41 PM
I feel like we have made a move back to the early years of 2000's putting a flawed product on the field and being told that we can compete again next year. Attendance will start to erode and before long we will hear that we can no longer afford to have a world champion team and that we must be satisfied that we can compete but not win. Sad that we have taken a step backward every year since 2008.
Posted by: Bob | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:42 PM
That is just a terrible lineup vs. LHP
Posted by: clout | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:44 PM
4-10 and he gets promoted?
Posted by: Joe Morgan | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:46 PM
Bob - won 102 games last year. Added two of the best pitchers in the league. Step back how? Playoffs are a crap shoot. Get over it.
Posted by: adam | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:47 PM
Here's the scouting report on Adams Morgan:
Started real classy, but fell on hard times, went through a lot of changes, picked up a strong Latin influence and then really went on the upswing.
Most scouts put him in the high rent district.
Posted by: clout | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 05:49 PM
Rube is not working this Worley situation to his favor. Back in my day, I would have sold the rights to his bone chip to the Herr's people to make a commercial out of the idea.
Posted by: The Evil Ed Wade | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 06:03 PM
That's satire, right? Joe Morgan suggesting the record matters? Pretty clever if it is.
If it's not satire...
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 06:14 PM
Cholly holding fielding practice today. It's about time.
Cholly: "If you don't get it by the time you're 29 or 30, I'll be dead by the time you do get it."
Posted by: Conway Twitty | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 06:21 PM
Mayberry in CF is not too smart either.
Posted by: Moondog | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 06:22 PM
Moondog: Mayberry is not an everyday CF at the MLB level. He's a corner guy and a pretty good one. The problem is, the team does not have a true CF on its roster. Pierre used to be one, but his arm is so bad now he can no longer play the position. CF is obviously a position they must fill in the offseason.
Posted by: clout | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 06:36 PM
Bt Mayberry is less likely to misplay balls at the wall like he does in LF
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 06:40 PM
Pierre always had a lousy arm. I wonder how much worse it is now. Moot point, however, as he is not a starter on any winning team at this point.
And as for Pierre, I think Rube should sign him up for next year on the same contract. He's been a nice bench piece for the Phils. He's been a better baserunner than advertised and he's been very effective with the bat. He's also the best bunter, for a hit or for a sacrifice, on the team.
Those are valuable skills to bring off the bench in late innings for a competitive team. If you can get him as cheaply as you did this year, he should do it.
Of course, you have to find some righty power somewhere to augment the bench as well. And I'm afraid that is not Wigginton.
Posted by: aksmith | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 06:40 PM
Hamels really needs to have a good game tonight
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:02 PM
Defense!
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:10 PM
Ok let's get some offense going tonight
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:14 PM
no popup good job
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:15 PM
nice one, clout. that wasn't lost on me.
Posted by: elliott | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:17 PM
coolhandluke, why? are we afraid the season might be slipping away?
Posted by: bruceg | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:18 PM
Young James and Little Brown looking good!
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:18 PM
Dom Brown. Starter in this league.
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:19 PM
good job Dom
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:19 PM
BAP's pronouncement that Brown has made no progress at the plate after like his fourth PA is proving to be...well, you know.
Posted by: Iceman | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:20 PM
o boy Howard against another lefty. this could be ugly
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:22 PM
If Utley can stay this strong for a season, he can be an all-star again and a productive part of this line-up. We'll see.
It's still too early in Howard's rehab to full strength to tell what he'll give the team. We'll see how he looks physically come spring. It isn't fair to judge a guy who still looks this hobbled.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:23 PM
OMG!!!
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:24 PM
But I'll take that. A clearly broken Howard can still hit a ball pretty good.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:24 PM
Dammit, Ryan!
Oh.
Nevermind.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:24 PM
I love when Ryan Howard bombs one the other way.
A joy to watch.
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:25 PM
Way to make me eat my words Ryan
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:26 PM
Would standing closer to the plate help Mayberry?
Seems like he waves at outside pitches far too much. Usually after he's been set up with a called strike on the outside corner.
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:26 PM
Brown looks like a legit ballplayer. Oddly enough he doesn't look that different than he did when they brought him up last year. I really wish they had let him learn in the bigs last year and opened this year on the big club.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:27 PM
Did they call Brown's hit a double?
I thought he clearly would have been out on the throw if not for the 2nd baseman dropping it.
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:28 PM
Dom looks much improved to me
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:28 PM
Might as well save the effort & plunk Chipper w/ the first pitch.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:31 PM
gobaystars- you don't think his stance looks completely different? The positioning of his hands looks completely different to me.
The patience and advanced judgment of the strike zone, which is something he's had since his last call-up, is something that is sorely needed on this team.
Posted by: Iceman | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:33 PM
Howard bomb off a lefty after a 0-2 count - wow
Posted by: lorecore | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:35 PM
"Would standing closer to the plate help Mayberry?"
No. He needs to get his arms extended to make solid contact. At 6'6'' with a long swing, standing on top of the plate makes no sense. He just needs to start driving that outside pitch more to CF/RF instead of trying to yank everything.
He's looked a lot better up there with consistent playing time in the past 10 days.
Posted by: denny b. | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:35 PM
Jimmy worked extra hard to save Utley after a lazy feed right there. Real scrappy play by Rollins.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:35 PM
"And as for Pierre, I think Rube should sign him up for next year on the same contract."
There's no place on the team in 2013 for Pierre. Not with Brown, Schierholtz and Mayberry already in place. This team will be getting a CF in the offseason. And that's not Pierre.
He's a 35 year old player. This team doesn't need anymore guys north of 30 on the roster.
Posted by: denny b. | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:41 PM
I think Pierre has a better chance of being on the team next season than Schierholtz.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:43 PM
Re: Brown
His hands are in a diff position for sure. I think his strike zone judgement was excellent when they brought him up last year as well. He appeared to have more power last year but we'll have to see if he's lacking that due to the injury or due to his lowered hands. He has certainly improved but I'm not so sure it's something that couldn't have happened up with the big club. I don't think getting Pence and sending Brown down really helped him much.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:43 PM
lets just hope he continues to improve
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Thanks, denny.
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Wow, another searching interview by Tbag and Wheels.
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:49 PM
Oh yeah. I think Brown is still on his way to a solid career.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:49 PM
Dom certainly has a better stance and his pitch selection has improved
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:51 PM
where is everyone?
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:55 PM
Beerleaguer sellout streak also ended yesterday.
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:57 PM
Really, what is there to say right now? I figure we'll gave something to discuss later when the Phillies blow the lead.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:57 PM
gave = have
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:58 PM
Dom is always smiling. I like that
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:59 PM
"He's looked a lot better up there with consistent playing time in the past 10 days."
Mayberry has played in 99 games and logged almost 300 ABs. That is pretty 'consistent.'
As for his last ten games, he's hitting .242 (8 for 33) with 1HR, 1RBI, one walk and 7 K's. That doesn't include his 0-2 with a K (vs a LHP) tonight. He's been just as bad as he's been the entire year.
Posted by: Iceman | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 07:59 PM
thats the way to think GT lol
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:01 PM
I'll bet TBag wears his underwear in the shower.
Posted by: donc | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:03 PM
I bet wheels wears his panties in the shower
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:04 PM
Night/Home Hamels Superior, Day/Road Hamels Inferior.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:05 PM
I'll bet Murphy conducts a meaningless interview w/ TBag & Wheels while they wear their underwear & panties in the shower.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:05 PM
Go Kratz !!!!
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:06 PM
oops. almost forgot....lol.
Posted by: donc | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:07 PM
Does Wheels wear his flipper in the shower?
Posted by: wes covington's ghost | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:09 PM
come on Frandsen
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:10 PM
wow he crushed that ball
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:11 PM
Brown with the hose!
Posted by: Iceman | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:20 PM
Don't mess with the Domo!!!!!!
Posted by: Buy sell | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:20 PM
On the fly.... dayum
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:22 PM
lucky bounce but great throw
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:23 PM
Kid's got a hose.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:24 PM
I like Jim Jackson but he gets too excited on these fly ball out calls.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:27 PM
OOh Utz just missed that one
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:28 PM
So far, it looks like the know all scouts were wrong about Brown's hittimg and defensive skills -- yes I know it's only been a little over a week, but at least it's encouraging..
Posted by: Buy sell | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:28 PM
Best Hamels has looked in a while. Has all of his pitches working tonight so far.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:30 PM
** s be hitting. ( not hittimg)
Posted by: Buy sell | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:30 PM
now if howard could just make more contact
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:31 PM
2013 is going to be a better year than some think.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:31 PM
Clout,
That Adams Morgan stuff is pretty racist. You ignorant son of a bitch.
Posted by: The Unknown Latino | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Been a busy week for some of us too.
Posted by: NEPP | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:32 PM
"2013 is going to be a better year than some think."
Complete unknown at this point. Team will go as far as the healthy and effective rotation takes them. Since the ASB, the starting pitching has been pretty strong.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:34 PM
70 pitches for cole
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Dom looks better this time around...not that surprised really.
Posted by: NEPP | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Another $140mill for me and my friends!
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:35 PM
If I'm not mistaken Cole has faced the minimum so far.
Posted by: donc | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:36 PM
MG, going out on a limb calling the future unknown. That's bold, sir.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:37 PM
Brown's had 23 ABs so far. Still want to see how his defense and if he can hit for power over the next 2 months.
Wanted the Phils to keep him at Lehigh. Dead wrong. Good a time as any to play him everyday, see what he can do, and if they can pencil him at one of the corner OFs spots for next season.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Its a good thing we blocked Kratz with Brian Schneider for 2 years.
Posted by: NEPP | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:39 PM
Schierholtz hitting a lefty. good sign
Posted by: coolhandluke | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:39 PM
We've had too many baserunners tonight to have only 3 runs. Which number on BAP's list is that one?
Posted by: donc | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:40 PM
Nice night by Schierholtz.
Posted by: NEPP | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:40 PM
gobaystars - I love to speculate but there are just too many unknowns at this point to prognosticate on 2013.
Going to have a decent change over in personnel & I want to see how healthy they are next spring.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:40 PM
I realize SSS and all, and this probably means nothing, but Dom's OBP is higher than his SLG%. Not trying to insinuate anything, just thought it was weird to see.
Posted by: norbertods | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:41 PM
Mayberry now 8 for his last 36 (.222). #consistentplayingtime
Posted by: Iceman | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:42 PM
MG- so you would concede, then, that those already proclaiming doom and gloom for 2013 are getting ahead of themselves?
Posted by: Iceman | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:43 PM
Kind of overlooked but Hamels is on pace to win 16 games this year (career high) if he wins tonight.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:43 PM
Iceman - Of course.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:44 PM
Iceman - Take the lineup tonight. There are 4 guys starting tonight who won't be next year and 2 guys (Mayberry/Kratz) aren't locks for the roster next year.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:44 PM
I don't know why they just don't stick Dom in center for a while. They had him playing there in AAA for a reason.
Posted by: Corn | Tuesday, August 07, 2012 at 08:45 PM