With Ryan Howard the only starter to make the bus trip to Sarasota on Sunday, the Phillies lost 5-2 to the Reds, ending the Phillies four-game unbeaten streak.
From Grapefruit League correspondent Billy Mac: "Ryan Franklin (pictured right) took the loss and gave up four hits and two runs with no strikeouts in two innings. Again, I was fortunate to be seated behind a scout and Frankin's fastball was in the 88-89 mph range. Gavin Floyd pitched 2 2-3 innings. He went 1-2-3 in his first inning and lost command in the second inning walking two and surrendering a run. He retired the two batters he faced in his 3rd inning."
Alex Gonzalez delivered a fourth-inning RBI single to score the Phillies’ first run. Sal Fasano, pictured right, led off the fifth with a home run to left field off David Weathers. Fasano is slugging .875 this spring. Shane Victorino went 2-3.
Brian Sanches worked 1 1-3 innings of perfect relief. In 2 2-3 innings this spring, the right-hander has struck out five and walked one and has not allowed a run.
Aaron Fultz was rocked in his second-straight game, allowing two runs in two innings, including a home run.
Do not count on Aaron Fultz this year. Last year was an aberration, one which is highly unlikely to be repeated.
He's a journeyman Loogy, not a setup man.
Posted by: pawnking | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 07:54 AM
The Phillies have lost twice. I'm not sure why they're not counting the games against WBC teams, but they lost to the Abreus...er Venezuela
Posted by: fp | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 10:13 AM
billy mac, if you're reading this, how did floyd look? was he his usual lost-looking self or did he exhibit some guts working through his rough patches? any read on his velocity? if he improves, even just steadily, he should be clearly better than franklin by late May. that is to say, he really doesn't have to improve much to be appreciably better than franklin.
Posted by: gr | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 11:44 AM
As bad as Franklin is, I think Floyd would be a worse option for the fifth starter. He has no confidence or command on the mound and his stuff isn't all that great. The future is looking dimmer by the moment for him.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 12:39 PM
I have a feeling that Floyd is gonna end up being traded for the elusive 'bat with pop' off the bench. Franklin appears so far to be as advertised: inning eater that gives up lots of hits.
I guess patience is the key here, it's early, right?
Posted by: theragtopguy | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 12:54 PM
It's very early when talking pitchers five games into ST.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 01:00 PM
alls i'm saying is this: floyd is 22/23 and franklin is 30-something. both of them are destined for 5 or even 6 ERAs this year. floyd should start at S/WB, but all he needs to do to overtake franklin is get the ball over the plate. that's how bad franklin is or will be at CBP. there's no way he lasts a whole year on a decent team in that stadium.
Posted by: gr | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 01:19 PM
gr,
Floyd looked fine except for the shaky second inning. According to the scout's radar gun in front of me, he hit 91 on his fastball. Fasano came out to talk to him and did a nice job settling him down and then Floyd beared down to get out of trouble. Franklin on the other hand has been a disaster so far.
Posted by: Billy Mac | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 07:35 PM
Do you guys think that Manuel, and even Gillick notice that Ryan "Freakin" Franklin sucks, and will hopefully keep him out of the rotation.
Posted by: steve m. | Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 08:19 PM