Beer nuts: First-place Phillies; LV sterilizes pigsty

The 16-13 Phillies overtook first place in the NL East behind Ryan Howard’s two-ribby night. The 13-16 Giants are up next. Some thoughts on last night's performance, plus some minor league transactions.

The box score didn’t tell the whole story of Adam Eaton’s night. Eaton, the beneficiary of hard hit balls right at people, was largely unimpressive and the Pads did him a huge favor late in the ballgame by getting impatient, allowing him to complete six innings. It was a perfect night to exemplify exactly who he is: the guy you settle for when Randy Wolf turns you down. Wolf, meanwhile, looked much better, even though the box scores read similarly.

Transactions: Earlier today, the Phillies released left-handed reliever Vic Darensbourg and infielder Chris Woodward from the Iron Pigs, as they continue to search for answers for their 4-24 Triple-A affiliate. The move follows the earlier release of Val Pascucci, who has already signed on with the Mets. Woodward was hitting .208 and Darensbourg had an ERA of 6.52. New additions include left-hander Les Walrond, infielder Oscar Robles, outfielder Jon Knott and outfielder Rich Thompson, who resides in nearby Montrose, Pa. It's not a good situation in LV; I'm sure Woodward, Pascucci and Darensbourg aren't broken up about this.

Bastardo recognized: Minor league left-hander Antonio Bastardo becomes the first Phillie to be named to Baseball America’s Prospect Hot Sheet, but the magazine was cautiously optimistic about his future.

“Bastardo’s numbers are now too loud to ignore,” the magazine reads. “His 47 strikeouts on the season—including three double-digit efforts—lead all minor league pitchers, and he hasn't given up more than two runs in any of his five starts. Now, before you get carried away, keep in mind this is the pitcher-friendly Florida State League we're talking about and that Bastardo's plus changeup has, naturally, tied inexperienced batters up in knots. He's 5-foot-11, pitches in the high 80s and has shown a severe fly-ball tendency thus far (0.40 G/F), so let's see how Bastardo adapts to Double-A before holding any parades in his honor.”

Pitching matchups for Giants series:
Friday, May 2 (7:05) Misch (0-0, 3.00) vs Kendrick (2-2, 5.13)
Saturday, May 3 (7:05): Cain (1-2, 4.41) vs Myers (2-2, 5.11)
Sunday, May 4 (1:35): Lincecum (4-1, 1.73) vs Hamels (3-3, 2.70)

Comments

[RSB]

Can't believe the Phillies are out front on May 2. This season definitely has a much different feel to it than the past few.

When can we realistically expect Rollins back? Another month?

That matchup on Sunday is a doozy.

There'd better be loud cheers for Rowand tonight.

[martin]

More housecleaning at the Lehigh Valley sty. They sign Les Wolrond and AAAA outfielder John Knott.

[Andy]

VIC DARENSB...

never mind.

[Andy]

I like Jon Knott.

[RSB]

Knott to be confused with Gary Knotts.

[J. Weitzel]

Thanks, martin. I've added them to the header.

[Andy]

In re: Wagner's comments
If the Rat's continued lambasting of his team re-creates the miserable clubhouse atmosphere that lay like a dank and musty fog over their clubhouse in September of 2007, and they bicker their way into a third place mire of petulance and pouting, (despite trading away those "awful trouble-makers" Milledge and LoDuca), should we include Wagner's name right beside Heilman's when we're sending out flowers?

[Willard Preacher]

Cain/Myers and Lincecum/Hamels. Should be a good series (depending on which Kendrick and Myers show up). I can't help but feel as if the Giants are somehow excited that Pete Happy is suiting up for the opposition, though.............

[Tom Goodman]

Randy Wolf looked more like the pitcher who began his career in Philadelphia than the one we saw in the years immediately leading up to and after his surgery. In retrospect it's quite clear he was favoring his arm far too long before shutting down for the TJ surgery. He had zip on his fastball, great location and a plan. His high fastballs were things of beauty. It still amazes me that looping curve of his fools anyone, but it sure had a lot of guys out front or frozen last night. Oh, and that rocket he hit to the wall in right? Too bad it didn't go out.

[Crispix Attacks]

Montrose isn't really "nearby" to Allentown. Well, it's about a two hour drive. About halfway between Binghamton and Scranton.

[MG]

Sabean has made a ton of mistakes the past two or three years with Giants . . . not resigning Feliz to a multi-year wasn't one of them. There is about ZERO interest that Feliz is gone in SF (even from Bochy).

[MG]

More and more you have to wonder about JRoll's health status. Being cautious is fine but I am getting the real impression that he isn't going to back be anytime soon either.

As for the moves at Allentown, no big deal. When a teams starts 4-24, it is no real surprise that some guys are going to be released outright and the roster is going to be shuffled around.

Granted there was a lack of talent to begin with but it is really that hard to find some players to field a team that is slightly below .500.

[MG]

If this offense is going to get a lift, it mainly has to be through Howard. Doesn't have to carry them per se but somewhere near his usual offensive production would cure most of the offensive woes.

[CJ]

Everyone see Derrick Turnbow was released?

[Bob]

phillies should see if they can get a serviceable major league shortstop if rollins is going to be sidelined much longer. i don't have any names but like a kenny lofton of shortstop.

[MG]

Point on last thread:

- RSB made a pretty good point about bringing in a guy like King over Castro at this point. That actually makes a lot of sense and if King washes out you can always bring up Castro (or Outman) in June.

I was in favor of signing Kline just to see if he had anything left/shear lack of alternatives the Phils had coming out of spring training. Signign King to see if he has anything left either wouldn't be a bad move.

Either way it has more value than Condrey in this pen. No sense in having a guy who will only pitch in very low-leverage situations. With the Phils' offense not putting up a crazy amount of runs and them generally getting adequate starting pitching, having a guy like Condrey who pitches once a week for an inning or two in mopup makes no sense right now.

[NCPhilly81]

Bob: like an Omar Vizquel? Been around forever, but serviceable? Maybe trade Feliz for him.

[THe Dude]

growing up Schmidt was my all time fav phil however I sometimes just wish he wouldn't be such a media whore in his post baseball career. His interview on DNL today was awkward. He was very good at hawking his new wine 548 but when asked about the current team he just didn't have a clue and wound up talking about himself and how he wishes he would've been more media friendly like "Utley". Ok Utley is no great interview in fact how many times has Utley given anything in an interview other than the typical baseball talk stuff.

[clout]

Given the Phillies track record against lefties they've never seen before, tonight I'm predicting a Swing and a Misch.

[clout]

NCPhilly: What! And miss the Gold Glove at third that saves 3 runs a game!

[clout]

THe Dude: Utley's answers to media questions show he studied Crash Davis' course from Bull Durham. It sounds good but no useful or interesting information is ever imparted.

[Andy]

clout - that's funny.

Bob - just pray that they don't bring up Robles. (He looks like a weaker, slower, poorer fielding version of Bruntlett.) (Yikes!)

[The Theory]

Bob: You know, Brutlett has grown on me. He has definitely been swinging the bat better and his spot in the lineup is no longer a black hole. Granted, I'd still not bat him any higher than 7th, but I groan much more when GDP Feliz is up. And his defense, while not J-Roll standard, is pretty good... awkward first few outings aside.

[clout]

Bob: Isn't C.J. Henry the Kenny Lofton of shortstops?

[Andy]

CJ - in 6.1 IP this year, Turnbow has given up 13 walks, 12 hits and 11 runs (all earned). I'm guessing Milwaukee stuck the fork in.

[Andy]

Theory - don't forget that team high (tied) hitting streak that our Gnome is in the middle of.

[bay_area_phan]

MG: I don't really disagree about finding a LOOGY to replace Condrey. My only concern would be that there are a few games a year in which the starer exits the game very early or the game drags out to 13 or 14 innings. In these types of games, it's helpful to have a guy out of the pen who can give you 4 or 5 innings, as Condrey can. Durbin and maybe Madson can do that also, but Cholly has a tendency to burn both of those guys early in the game. I doubt Ray King could give you more than an inning.

[AWH the RBP]

clout, nice, very nice.

BTW, I also agree with you on Golson. IMO he'll be lucky to get a cup of coffee. At best he'll occupy a defensive backup/pinch runner role. There's no way he'll replace Burrell's production, hence my prediction that the window closes at the end of this season unless another RH power bat is acquired.

As you all know, I'm in the bring in King camp. Can't hurt, and shouldn't cost much. I was the loudest voice in the offseason advocating bringing him in, and, frankly, am a little surprised at his performance so far. I expected more.

Also, Dave Bush got recalled by the Brew Crew. Gallardo is out with a torn ACL.

Hey, maybe they can trade Golson for Turnbow. (scsm)

[clout]

The Theory: You are exactly right on Bruntlett. He's been playing lately like he has through his career: OK glove, OK bat with no power but average OB. He's never been a good-field, no-hit guy. He's an ehhh-field, ehhh-hit guy who plays lots of positions.

[AWH the RBP]

clout, in other words Bruntlett's a marginal, versatile backup.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Bruntlett is exactly the type of player that a team like the Phillies must have. I'm not saying Bruntlett is any good, but what good player is going to take his salary and come in to back up the league MVP? I highly doubt that you will have any Edgar Renteria types knocking down your doors. Basically, Bruntlett represents about the best the Phils can expect outside of an inside organization move (widely speculated to be barren), or a trade. Basically, to have anyone better than Bruntlett filling this role, he would have to be obligated to play for the team.

[THe Dude]

With Outman & Casto being groomed for the pen it looks like Condrey is going to be on the yo-yo again this season pretty soon. I was actually pretty surprised to not see this move earlier but Condrey did prove down the stretch last year that while he's not great he does serve a role in certain situations where he becomes the sacrificial lamb. Charlie is very loyal to guys and I'm sure he wanted Condrey as the long man over any other options.

[baxter]

When I heard about Josh Outman moving to the bullpen, the first thought that came to mind was: "Is Brad Lidge pitching his way out of town?". Outman's move to the pen has was prompted by Brad Lidge's 0.00 ERA and 7 saves in a contract year.

When you scour the Phils organization for potential closers, Josh Outman is one of the first guys to come to mind.

Josh Outman's a perfect candidate for closer or setup: a hard-throwing, deceptive southpaw with questionable stamina and occasionally erratic control. Outman could have a nice career as a Brian Fuentes type lefty short reliever. I'm just worried about the future implications of this move. Is Outman being groomed to replace Lidge in 2009?

I see nothing wrong with putting Outman in the bullpen. Everyone pitching with the game on the line in the major league should be talented, especially on a contender. I don't see much of a distinction, talent-wise, between a bottom of the rotation starter and a late inning reliever. Ryan Madson had a similar projection, and he's been a great asset in the bullpen. If Josh Outman becomes a quality lefthanded reliever, he'll help us win a lot of games.