Game chat: Eaton seeks to record first win (or loss)

Adam Eaton (0-0, 4.72) goes for his first win of 2008 when the Phillies continue their series with Randy Johnson (1-1, 4.79) and the Diamondbacks tonight at 9:40 ET. Eaton’s string of six no decisions to begin a season is a new Phillies record, according to Elias. He pitched six mostly shaky innings against San Diego his last start. Johnson earned his first victory of the season last Friday in San Diego, tossing six innings, allowing a run off three hits with seven strikeouts. [Live Boxscore]

Comments

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Andy:

The baseball gods have obviously not discovered the subversive attempt to pull wool over their eyes. Either that, or they are reacting to what would have previously been accurate representations about certain players. Consequently, due to the accuracy of the descriptions and inherent Catch 22 situation they have been forced to deal with, they have no choice but to change the course of performances in order to foil surface intentions, thereby actually fulfilling the covertly stated, true intentions of the ambiguous possibility of the non-reverse jinx.

Or they have bestowed some secret powers upon the girth of one Charlie "Baseball Buddha" Manual.

Either way: Adam Eaton is completely worthess. Randy Johnson has succeeded where Ponce de Leon failed, and has discovered the fountain of youth.

Fearless prediction: Johnson 15 K's (D-Backs lineup remain gods gift to baseball).

[Gregg]

Do you think the Phillies will have any interest in signing Jason Michaels? He's better than anyone we can bring up from our minors if someone goes down.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

On Burrell extension:

I just don't see it happening. I don't think they can risk him getting any slower in the OF, and I don't think he is getting any faster. While I would love to see Burrell extended, I don't think he would sign a short term deal. That is the only way I see the Phillies realistically keeping him around. It is very possible that Burrell's defense could make him become more of a role player in the next couple of years if he stays in the NL. Basically the Phillies risk/reward on Burrell is too high, whereas an AL team would instantly be able to plug Burrell in as a DH and occasional OF.

I think AWH noted that Burrell could end up in NY. I could see that, but for the other NY team. I can't stand the Yankee's, but I have to admit, Burrell would only be changing the color of his pinstripes. He does look good in pinstripes (according to the ladies).

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

There is no good reason that the Yankees is in the possessive there, and I'm not racking my brain as to the implicit possibilities that exist there. The Chollies incident was too much for my feeble mind.

[dan_r]

im not feelin a good start from eaton tonight. chaaalie should tell him its shea

eaton= mets kiler

[city fan]

Could someone explain to me what the Phillies are intending to do with the salary situation involving Hammels?

For instance, Chad Durbin is making nearly double Hammels salary, 900,000 to 500,000.
Adam Eaton is making 8,000,000.
Eric Bruntlett is making 600,000 to Hammels 500,000.

Why is a stud like Hammels making Clay Condrey money? Are the Phillies going to give this guy the contract he deserves, and if so, when?

[JD]

Not there is such a thing as team loyalty anymore, but I think Burrell would like to finish his career in Philly, and I think he will do what he can to stay. Of course, if he continues having a monster year, he'll be offered a lot of $$$ elsewhere and he'd be smart to take it.

[CJ]

city fan: Baseball salaries are tied to service time for the first few years of their major league career. Hamels has not yet been arbitration eligible and was renewed at the standard salary of $500,000 for a player of his service time when the Phils and Hamels could not come to any kind of agreement. Hamels will be arbitration eligible for the first time following this season (assuming he's not sent to the minors).

[Dizzle]

Lineups posted yet? Curious to see if Howard sits tonight against Johnson.

[bay_area_phan]

He is sitting. Utley's at first, Brad harman at 2nd.

[CJ]

Here's your Phillies power-packed lineup:

CF Victorino
SS Bruntlett
1B Utley
LF Burrell
RF Werth
3B Feliz
CA Coste
2B Harman
PI Eaton

[city fan]

CJ: Are there exceptions to time of service contracts, and if so, don't you think Hamels should be an exception?

I mean, is there a possibility the Phils are going to lose this guy when he becomes elgible for arbitration?

Wouldn't it be smart to secure this guy now for the next 5-6 years? He's already been an allstar.

[clout]

Why is Feliz batting ahead of Coste? Logic please?

[city fan]

Interesting lineup. Maybe some pine time will help the big guy get his head on straight.
Hope it doesn't adversly effect Utley. Hard to imagine anything adversly effecting him, but changing positions during an mvp type season, it'll be interesting.

[clout]

I could see hitting Feliz in front of Ruiz, considering his slow start. You could make a case for hitting him in front of Bruntlett. Having him ahead of Harman is fine.

But hitting in front of Coste? All Coste does is hit the ball on the button. It's the one thing he does. Why in the world would you bat Feliz in front of him?

[CJ]

city fan: Yes. Teams can offer whatever they want. Cole Hamels wanted $750K. The Phils offered more than $500K, but did not disclose the exact offer. Hamels, feeling insulted, took the $500K to send a message. He's a prima-donna, or at least he's made himself appear to be, so I'm not surprised. He's getting paid more than Chien-Ming Wang was a similar case study the year before and he got paid less than $500K.

[CJ]

clout: Coste is most comfortable batting with the bases empty, so hitting behind Feliz increases the chances of that happening.

[CJ]

(I'm joking, of course... Coste is hitting .333 with an OPS of .949 with men on... but hitting just .273 with an OPS of .885 with bases empty.)

[CJ]

Jimmy Rollins news

Not sure if this was on the other thread, but J-Roll was 2-4 with a HR in an extended spring training game against the Yankees today. He says he's about ready to rejoin the team.

[MG]

Not crazy about this lineup tonight but with the way Howard has been lost against LHP so far this season, you really can't criticize Cholly for benching him.

Last thing this team needs is Howard to take an 0fer tonight with another 2-3 Ks and maybe lose some of the momentum has put together the last couple of days.

[clout]

I wonder what the record is for most starts without a decision at the start of a season.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

Almost a no-brainer to sit Howard against Johnson. He's murder on lefties and Howard doesn't need murdered when he's already a slow suicide.

[stjoehawk]

"Borowski only led the league in saves and was among the mlb leaders in save %, so it is hard to imagine posters were actually arguing that Borowski couldn't have helped last season."

He did lead the AL in saves.

However, there were 30 pitchers in the majors who had at least 20 save opportunities. Borowski finished 21st in save % in that list.

That's not to say that he wouldn't have helped us last year (nor is it to say that he wouldn't have hurt us this year). I just wanted to be be sure that the correct facts were presented.

[Cipper]

Just checking out the preview to the game... Eaton's pitching this year is right with his career average(season 4.72, career 4.70)... as well as hitters BA against him (season .267, career .268).... I'm sure these stats were probably padded up a bit after last season... but still, considering what we got last year i feel Eaton has done pretty decent this year and I think he'll have a good start tonight...

Go Phils

[PB]

Sitting Howard is a smart move tonight against Randy Johnson, but an unfortunate situation for Manuel. The big fella needs to find his groove.

[CJ]

Eaton BADLY missed his spot on that pitch. From low and outside, to right over the heart of the plate.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Have a feeling that the Phillies are going to get to see just how bad this lineup of the D-Rays really is tonight.

[CJ]

What the hell is Feliz doing?

[Hugh Mulcahy]

Did Feliz save us a run there or cost us one?

[doubleh]

Well, I think it's safe to say that the bad Eaton showed up tonight. Looks like the Dback rook from last night (with slower stuff). Of course, our defense didn't show up either. Did we switch teams over night?

[Cipper]

He was shaky last outing as well... Feliz with an error already doesn't help... besides Pat the Bat will make everything all right tonight by following up his hitless night with a 3 hit night!

[CJ]

Hugh: He didn't make the play on the ball, but did slow it down. For some crazy reason, he tried to shovel the ball to Bruntlett, but it was a horrible throw and it allowed the runner to get to second.

That runner was eventually out, however, in a rundown during a later play.

[doubleh]

This is going to be a "weird" night, I think (Wheelerism)

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

BTW, gavin Floyd has a no hitter through 7.

[CJ]

Well, we were fortunate to get out of that inning with only one run allowed.

[dan_r]

i guess coste thought bruntlett would drop it

thats why u were the 33 year old rookie chris

[Hugh Mulcahy]

CJ: I meant did he save the run by knocking the ball down, or did he cost us a run by not fielding it, holding hte runner and getting the guy at 1B. I didn't see the scoring - E or H? I'm guessing H. That runner scored on the hit off Bruntlett's glove, no?

Anyone notice coste screaming at Eaton to cover home so he could charge the runner off second? Standing there with his fucking thumb up his ass watching the play.

[RSB]

Eaton has absolutely nothing out there. Nothing.

[drake]

gavin floyd's got a one run no-no going through 7 innings

[Hugh Mulcahy]

Excuse the French, dan-r but I thought Coste held the ball because no one was backing him up on the runner at 3d.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Apparently the White Sox allowed an unearned run, but thust far no hits allowd by Gavin "Flouride" Floyd.

[CJ]

Hugh: The run scored anyway, so he didn't save anything. However, his mistake allowed allowed the batter to get to second. I'm glad he knocked the ball down... but don't follow it up with a boneheaded play.

[doubleh]

Do you really see Floyd long-term being a great pitcher?

[drake]

the rare pete happy base on balls!

[doubleh]

Just after Wheels and Harry talk about how great the Unit's command is, he hits Coste

[Hugh Mulcahy]

CJ - The question was rhetorical - i was wondering how the inning would end up and more interested in whether someone thought the fielding play was an error or saved a hit, the bonehead flip to Eaton's shoetops speaks for itself, but fortunately didn't cost them.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

This is the second time this season that Floyd has flirted with perfection. Didn't work out the first time.

[drake]

i think he can be a #3 starter, don't think he's a future ace, but the phils gave up on him too early. what'd we get back for him? oh yeah, an injured freddy garcia.

[CJ]

drake: Really? Really?? We're pining for the days of Gavin Floyd?

Sounds nice in hindsight, but I challenge anyway to show me where they said trading Gavin Floyd was a bad idea when it happened.

The guy got plenty of chances here in Philly and failed. Sometimes a change of scenery makes a difference.

[RSB]

Even as badly as Howard's been going, I really am less than enthused watching Brad Harman get the start instead. If Johnson makes a mistake to Howard, he pops one out. If he makes a mistake to Harman, he pops it up.

[brother]

Floyd's only at 87 pitches, and he's got a comfortable lead. He's in good shape to finish this one out one way or the other.

[Andy]

Parker:
That Eaton guy: worthless. (Yeah, I know. Not much of a reverse j**x; but I figured we might really mess with the minds of the baseball gods.)

[doubleh]

Did Eaton just hit that guy in the ass? Is his control really that off?

[Andy]

Just wonderin'
Was the Ojeda HBP payback or Eaton's normal stellar control?

[clout]

doubleh: Payback for Coste?

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Watching a bit of the White Sox game, Floyd looks pretty nasty. Very different looking than while with Phils. He looks like a professional pitcher, whereas with Phils, he looked like a kid that was totally lost out there. Maybe he had too much Dubee while in Philly.

[drake]

i thought we gave up on him too early, sure it would've been nice if garcia wasn't busted, but the guy just turned 25 this year, he got rushed to the bigs, and he wasn't nearly as good as cole hamels who caught on quickly to the big league game. if he was given adequate time to develop instead of being called up when he was 23, we'd have an actual #3 starter right now instead of three #5s.

[doubleh]

I'm thinking he schooled him for Coste...his control isn't THAT bad

[brother]

They're showing Floyd on ESPN if anyone wants to watch. I'm actually pulling for him.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

No hit through 8.

[clout]

Andy: Eaton's ball/strike ratio isn't bad at all tonight. In fact identical to Johnson's.

[Andy]

clout -
In answer to a previous question -
The best defensive metrics prove that a third baseman saves .783 more runs batting sixth as opposed to seventh. Really.

And you should see how many he saves if you bat him second.

[doubleh]

Out of all the mistakes the Phillies have made, Floyd is not one I spend any time dwelling on. There's just too many...
Just how bad was that Unit bunt attempt? It's like he wasn't even trying. I hate that.

[brother]

Floyd had the "deer in headlights" look with the Phils. Seems much more confident now.

[Andy]

So basically, after Coste got hit, Eaton went out and got him a little piece of, um, retribution.

[drake]

not saying i wouldn't have made the move though, a healthy freddy garcia would've been a great deal.

[doubleh]

@ Andy: yeah, a piece of Auggie's retribution

[RSB]

If that HBP was 'payback', it wouldn't have made much sense. Johnson hit Coste with a slider, and it forced a man into scoring position.

[AWH the RBP]

Ok boys get ready to rip me, BUT, Eaton is actually getting ahead of hitters tonight.

That run in the first was as much a result of suspect defense as poor pitching on Eaton's part.

Now he helps himself by getting to 2b with no outs. Too bad he can't play 3B.

[Andy]

Adam "Anything Jamie Does I Can Do Maybe" Eaton strikes again!

[drake]

adam eaton is not impressed by the big unit

[AWH the RBP]

gnome!!!!

[Andy]

GNOME RUN!!!!!!!!!

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Keeping with he supersticious theme:

Maybe it is the curse of Michael Dubee coming back to haunt the Phils.

Bruntells Gnomster!!! (Worthless)

[drake]

he hit that one back to the shire!

[doubleh]

Gnomie with the 2 run HR...wow

[ABP]

did that just happen? I think my MLB.TV feed is screwed up.

[CJ]

Woo hoo... Bruntlett!

[RSB]

Whoa...are you kiddin' me? Eric Bruntlett?

[doubleh]

The Unit must really piss Utley off--he's one of the only pitchers he can't hit.

[AWH the RBP]

Utley looks lost. Too bad e don't ave Wes Hlms to play 1B tonight.

[JD]

AWH, how dare you give Eaton credit where credit is due?

[johnnysanz3]

Wait...Eaton and Bruntlett provided the offense that inning? nice

[AWH the RBP]

JD, I'm an audacious man.

[Andy]

Okay. This is, indeed, entering "weird" territory. A Feliz walk. An Eaton double. A successful sacrifice. A two-run Gnomer. And Uts and Burrell actually whiffed. (PLus Chollie's gut was wise enough to sit Howard against the Unit.)

Weird.

[doubleh]

Yeah, that Utley. He's worthless.

[drake]

utley's getting owned and bruntlett's knocking the ball out of the park... these must be the bizzaro phillies

[RSB]

Eaton was soft-tossing in the first, looked a lot better in the second. The guy ought to start his warm-ups at noon.

[JD]

Yes, you are. I tip my cap to your audaciousness!

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Anybody that tunes into Floyd's no-no bid, does he not look like a totally different guy? To me he looks filled out, and more grown up. I always thought he looked like Jeff Spicoli on the mound with the Phils (No offense Kahlil Green).

[doubleh]

Does anyone have violent reactions whenever you see someone named Drew come up to the plate or is it just me?

[The Theory]

"he hit that one back to the shire!"

*nerd alert*
I don't think there are any gnomes in Lord of the Rings... though if there are any bigger nerds out there who know I'm wrong, speak now...

[Andy]

RSB - word.
He was (dare I say it) dealing in the second.

[Andy]

Theoty:

U da Nerd

[Andy]

errrr....
"Theory"

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Floyd on ESPN.

[The Theory]

holy crap, Manuel's face looks some kind of sunburnt...

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

1 down.

[doubleh]

Hobbit, gnome...what's the difference? Furry feet?

[drake]

1 out base hit, no-hitter for floyd broken up