Game chat: Rubber match has homegrown flavor

Randy Wolf (2-1, 3.68) makes his first start against the team that drafted him tonight when the Phils and Pads settle their series at Citizens Bank Park.

Wolf, a second-round choice of by the Phils in the 1997 draft, elected free agency following the 2006 season, signed with Los Angeles despite a better offer from the Phils, and turned them down yet again when they pursued him this past off-season. On the other side, Adam Eaton (0-0, 5.08), twice a Phillie, gets the ball for the hometown nine. Lineups have been posted: Shane Victorino returns to the lineup in center field and will lead off Charlie Manuel's lineup. And despite some early success with Chris Coste, Carlos Ruiz takes a turn handling Eaton, who's coming off his worst start of the season. [Live Boxscore]

Comments

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Reposted from last threat:

I'm no scout, but when a guy is throwing 95-96 in the two weeks prior to not being able to hit 90, I would not attribute that to throwing a cutter. What does it suddenly, and without notice, sap all of your velocity? If that were the case, I would be throwing harder than Mariano Rivera. He's been throwing almost exclusively cutters for years. I don't buy that theory at all. Unless someone can give me some evidence of a guy throwing a bunch of cutters and then having his velocity disappear like his arm went through the Bermuda Triangle.

Also:

I posted earlier about this Max Scherzer (D-Backs) guy that the Phils will be facing. He went 4 IP, 7K, O R the other day in a relief appearance. I also just heard on ESPN that the guy had 23 IP in the minors this season and K'd 38. Not good, especially when the D-Backs have scored 50 more runs than their opponents this year. I don't like the look of this upcoming series. J-Roll get well soon.

[Matt]

There's the Adam Eaton I know!

[Mike]

This is turning into the Alex Gonzalez series. Or the Tad Iguchi series?

[CJ]

Gonzalez seems to crush the Phils. A career OPS over 1.000 with 5 HR and 15 RBI in 15 games... and that's before tonight's HR.

[CJ]

Mike: You mean Adrian, right?

[curt]

It's a good thing the game is 9 innings. If it was much less, we'd be about 1 - 27 this year.

[J. Weitzel]

Eaton is getting smoked again. Lucky to be 2-0 after two innings.

[Mike]

You're right, CJ. My bad. Not sure why I was thinking Alex.

[ajc1]

not one ground ball, not one! Why the hell did PG sign this guy?

[The Theory]

Assuming Ruiz gets on, is it wrong of me to wish for a pinch hitter for Eaton??

[ajc1]

lovely

[J. Weitzel]

Eaton's AB was 10 times better than Feliz.

[ajc1]

do we lead the league in LOB again?

[ajc1]

Iguchi now 6 for 7 in this series

[Brian G]

Only following online but from all the lineouts I'm guessing Eaton is getting lucky as sh*t... Nothing like giving 8 mil a year to a guy whose career apex was as a mediocre starter, and whose average has been much worse than that.

[curt]

Half of me wants to see Eaton get rocked - hasten his inevitable benching.

[ajc1]

still not one ground ball out recorded

[J. Weitzel]

How is this game sill 2-0? Everything Eaton has thrown tonight has either been well off the plate of out over the plate with no movement ...

[J. Weitzel]

Brian: Correct. Total luck to be in the game. Eaton won't go more than five tonight.

[birds]

I am a Howard apologizer.

But, is he standing closer to the plate now?

[chris d]

if/when eaton can't last 5 innings, and durbin having pitched more than an inning last night, romero and seanez used also, who else pitches tonight?

[brother]

Condrey & Madson. I'm sure Seanez is available again tonight, he threw less than 10 pitches yesterday.

[Brian G]

Not a very good at bat there by Werth.

[Andy]

As a Werth-liker (wouldn't say "lover") I hate it that he hacked at those two high inside fastballs that probably woulda been ball four (to load the bases with Uts coming up). I can understand how they looked good, but...

And out trots Eaton to spin the chamber yet again...

[joe]

and adam eaton breezes through it 1-2-3

[Andy]

Anyone else find it amazing that Eaton has started five games and thrown (now) 500 pitches and still has a (0 - 0) record?

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Could knock Wolf out of it in this inning. I don't think he faces Burrell with men on.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

How was that a strike?

[Andy]

Utley's single is the first Phillies hit not to left center field.

[p. Red]

Howard is going to shatter his K record at this rate.

[johnnysanz3]

Is that Randy Wolf or Randy Johnson out there?

[chris d]

anything else want wes helms right now?

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

I can't see Wolf staying in too much longer. He is already well into 100 pitches.

[Jeltz for the Hall]

On the plus side, Pete Happy took strikes one and two before flailing uselessly at strike three.

[Jeltz for the Hall]

Is there a reason this game isn't on TV anywhere tonight? Normally, stupid Service Electric will throw its subscribers a bone and show CN8 games on its video guide channel, but no such luck today.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Saw some highlights of Wes Helms hitting today. He looks like a different guy. At least his swing looks like it has sped up considerably. Maybe he can only hit against, and not for the Phillies.

[johnnysanz3]

Charlie should make Eaton throw 150 pitches today. Out of spite.

[J. Weitzel]

The Padres have helped Eaton stay in this game. Can't believe he's about to go six innings.

[p. Red]

The Padres offense is a nice tonic for an ailing pitcher.

[Andy]

Now intraducin' "Adam Eaton, Supa-Ace"!!!!

(Well, no; not really. But if the Pads keep hitting like this, he might think so.)

[Andy]

It may have been a bad move to burn Taguchi there. With the way the Pads are hitting, this could turn into one of those 18-inning "classics" (note quotation marks) and we might need him later (to pitch).

[curt]

The guy just mowed 6 down for the first time in his career, and Cholly pulls him.

[bay_area_phan]

I'm fine with pulling Eaton. It's a very rare game when Eaton is effective into the 7th inning and, when he loses it, it happens fast and without any forewarning. Not sure about putting in Madson, though. He has been horrible this year. This game has the feel of a loss. The Phillies' bullpen is improved but, in a battle of the bullpens, the Padres are the last team you want to be facing.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

BAP, last year you would have absolutely right about a battle of the pens. Up to this point the Phils are close to the league leaders in several bullpen statistics, and the padres are near the bottom. Not that the Phillies couldn't do their part to restore order to the world.

[curt]

This is one where Condrey comes on in the 10th.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

The Padres announcer just called Romero the "Barney Fife" of the Phillies bullpen. I would explain the context of that comment, but I believe its comical value is heightened without explanation.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Romero is a complete head case. I love that guy.

[bay_area_phan]

Parker: Yeah, I realize what the stats say about the 2 bullpens. But now that April is over, it's time for the law of averages to start taking hold.

Given the way these 2 teams are hitting, this definitely has the feel of a 15-inning affair, with Clay Condrey pitching the last 4 innings.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

BAP, I can't argue with that. But I will say that I'm thinking the Phillies will hit better against someone that looks a little less like Randy Wolf.

[curt]

Good to have Vic back. Especially with Werth cooling.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Man, somebody missed a sign.

[Andy in 20 years]

"Yup...in my day, Sonny, we didn't believe in none of that "let the runner steal the base stuff." No sirree... We just hacked away. Heck, if it meant a buncha double plays and lost chances, well, tough nouggee. Yup. That's when baseball was baseball..."

[Irishbornkiller]

Man if this is going to be a 15 inning affair Charlie should have saved Madson for his divine calling role.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

If its in the Yard, Vic gets it.

[curt]

Condrey will escape for 2 innings and give up a bases loaded double in his 3rd inning.

[bay_area_phan]

Lol. You had the same thought as I did. What's with all the swinging whenever Victorino tries to steal? How about just sitting back & letting him steal the base, which he does at a 90% success rate?

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Flash is right, that curveball was wicked.

[Andy]

I love the idea of using up two pitchers for the seventh inning in a tie game against a team who's bullpen was lights out last year. Great idea. Really jacks up the excitement level.

And tums sales.

BTW Who is gonna pitch the tenth?

[birds]

Our bullpen doesn't suck!

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Andy, you do realize that you are questioning the wisdom of Chollies "omniscient" gut.

[Tray]

I think the game's a little too close for all this mix and match stuff. We can't be treating our best setup man like some sort of one-batter specialist... although some here will tell you that's just what he is, but they're wrong.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Gut Redeemed.

[curt]

9 pitch inning - Gordon should pitch 2 of em tonight

[clout]

'Bout time!

[Jeltz for the Hall]

RYNO!!!

[Andy]

Of course, Howard could just knock one out. That would work.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

BTW: Ryno's back. That was hit a ton.

[Ribbies]

Noice!

[curt]

Never mind.

[bay_area_phan]

As I just said about the law of averages . . .

[Irishbornkiller]

Charlie's gut is right again!

[Andy]

I have to admit. Chollie's gut is impressive.

[p. Red]

Welcome to the month of May, Ryan Howard. We hope you will find it more to your liking than April.

[bay_area_phan]

Totally off topic, but I wonder what's the record for most consecutive starts without a decision at the beginning of a season

[Tray]

Is it just me or did MLB decide today that you had to pay more money just to watch in 800k? I can't see anything anymore.

[Andy]

Did anyone notice that, with his hit tonight, Bruntlett is now tie with Utley for the longest hitting streak on the team this year?

[Jeltz for the Hall]

BAP: I'm going to go with "a lot." What do I win?

[Andy]

b-a-p: I was wondering that. Or even most pitches thrown. How can you throw five hundred pitches in just over a month and have no wins, losses or saves?

[Andy]

I kinda like Lidge's odds at this point, looking at the next several Pod batters' BAs.

[bay_area_phan]

I did a quick Google search & couldn't find the answer -- which isn't surprising since it's a pretty obscure record.

[brother]

It's early, and it's not by much, but it's FIRST PLACE.

[Ribbies]

Happy May Day! Put this one in the win column for the fightin' Phils.

[johnnysanz3]

No excitement when Lidge comes in, which is a good thing.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Lights out Lidge.

[p. Red]

I don't care how much Myers likes closing, Lidge is so money this year. That trade is looking better and better.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

I'm all for trying to get Lidge signed to an extension. His history is great, and he is relatively young (31).

[Steve Jeltz]

Good teams win games like this one.

[Andy]

b-a-p:
Understanding who we're talking about, and the probable outcome if that particular guy gets a decision, I have the zen (or 'Zen) answer to your question about the record:

As many as possible.

[Jeltz for the Hall]

For (very) obscure stats, check out this site: http://reconditebaseball.blogspot.com/

PS I couldn't find it BAP, but I wasn't looking that hard, either.

[Andy]

I/O Parker - Yup. Extend that man.

[Andy]

JftH: he did have a most games without a decision in a season list, but that one is populated by relievers, of course. It is interesting, however, that Eaton's 34.1 IP would do very well on that last. It makes me wonder how many pitchers have started their first six games and not gotten a decision. It seems like it would be as hard to do as, say, winning 10 games with a 6.3 ERA. (Or finding a stylist to put in those highlights without dying of laughter.)

[That Dude]

It's May 1st...
J Roll and Victorino out most of the month...
Black Bull batting 180...
Myers with a 5.80 era...

The Phillies are in first place.

Bench that Mets fans!

[Tray]

Black Bull? Not the nickname I'd choose.

[lekh tizdayen]

Peter Gammons talked about Lidge developing a split this year and attributes much of his success to this. Either way, sign this man! Anyone think we can offer Burrell and Lidge the same deal. Something like 3 years/$40 million...maybe 35 for Lidge...

[attytood will]

Look who's No. 1!

Philadelphia Phillies 16 13 .552
New York Mets 14 12 .538
Florida Marlins 15 13 .536

So what do we think is more shocking -- that the Phillies are in first on May 1, or that the thing that got them there is bullpen?

[city fan]

Thought the Phillies pen would be like the Eagles wide-receiving group, very suspect.
Glad to be so wrong on this one, they're making a believer out of me. Go Phillies!

[Mr. Mack]

Nice of Ryno to awaken from his hibernation. Maybe it has to do with the following:

1. Moving closer to the plate
2. Seeing the ball better
3. Dislikes the cold weather in April
4. The migration back North from Spring Training is not to his liking
5. His body clock is a month behind

All or any combination of those could be a legitimate reason. Who knows? May seems to be when he wakes up every year. I looked for his month-by-month career batting stats, but couldn't come up with them. If my memory serves me correctly, he is ready to start earning that $10 mil right about now, like he did last year.

[Sophist]

Some really great work on BP.com re: what we learned in April including the following:

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7442

Check it out for sure. They also note Carrasco's start tonight -- the Reading pitching coach compares his (inconsistent) curve with Beckett's.

[Verdeforce]

First place is so sweet - I have a feeling this team can stay there more than just one day this season! That said, Utley should still bat second, Burrell third, and Howard 4th - your best hitters should get the most at bats! I can't wait to see how well they will do once J-Roll returns!

[denny b.]

Here are some bullpen stats that won't last (but they are fun to look at now, on May 1).

Batting average against:

Gordon- .220
Madson- .216
Durbin- .221
Seanez- .103
Lidge- .128
Romero- .217

Anybody who would have guessed in March, that these 6 guys would have put up those kind of numbers, through close to 30 games, would have been laughed all the way to the crazy house. Hope they don't shoot their wad now, and have nothing left in July. But, for now, this is very impressive.