Utley back in third spot; Frandsen, Nix get starts

Despite two straight ugly losses, the Phillies can salvage a split in the four-game series on Thursday afternoon with Cliff Lee on the mound.

Charlie Manuel has been challenged to come up with different lineups through the first 23 games of the season. Thursday's game is no different. With center fielder Ben Revere struggling, Manuel gives Ezequiel Carrera a start.

Meanwhile, Laynce Nix and Kevin Frandsen also pick up a start to give John Mayberry and Michael Young the day off.

Here's how the Phillies line up against right-hander James McDonald and the Pirates:

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Kevin Frandsen, 3B
3. Chase Utley, 2B 
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Laynce Nix, RF
6. Dom Brown, LF
7. Ezequiel Carerra, CF
8. Erik Kratz, C
9. Cliff Lee, P

Utley is 4 for 6 with a homer and a pair of walks against McDonald. Ryan Howard is 3 for 4 with a homer while Jimmy Rollins is 3 for 9 with a solo homer.

In his career against the Pirates, Lee is 1-0 with a 3.05 ERA in three starts. He has 20 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.

The Pirates lineup:

1. Starling Marte, LF
2. Brandon Inge, 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Gaby Sanchez, 1B
5. Michael McKenry, C
6. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
7. Jose Tabata, RF
8. Clint Barmes, SS
9. James McDonald, P

Inge has three career homers off Lee and is 16 for 43 (.372) against the Phils' lefty. Inge has also whiffed 15 times against Lee.

Comments

[Sophist]

Tyson Gillies is hitting .167/.298/.271 for the Iron Pigs.

Bring on the fire sale! Can't wait to see what we get back.

[bittel]

what a dead zone

[GTown_Dave]

lorecore: Subsequent events do not retroactively justify initial f*ck-ups. You can say the bullpen would have blown it anyway, & you'd probably be right ... but that's exactly the point. It was the bullpen's game to lose, & once again Charlie deferred to a player rather than managing the damn game properly.

[GBrettfan]

Just popping in to vent my frustration that this team is terrible! So frustrating!

[Iceman]

Where are all these young bullpen studs that are in waiting to take over and dominate MLB hitters? I could have sworn Aumont was one of them.

[clout]

Nice running catch by Carrera.

[Willard Preacher]

Well, like we all said earlier in the week, 1-3 against the team that hasn't had a winning record in 20 years is about all we could have expected out of this series. I'll take it.

[Phillibuster]

GTown: Again, that bloop was not Lee's fault, and therefore continuing with him was not the wrong move. It perhaps wasn't the best of all possible moves, but considering that Aumont was the only one warm, you can't even make that claim, really.

[Cyclic]

Really really hope we'll be able to look back and laugh saying, "Remember how we all buried the Phillies when they were 5 games under.500 in April".... Ahhhh, unlikely.

[lorecore]

The last team to make the playoffs after losing 15 or more games in April is the 2001 Oakland Athletics, who went 55-11 (.833 WP%) after the trading deadline.

[MG]

I wouldn't mind a DFA for Durbin soon. He hasn't had a single really good outing yet this year where he had good command and control.

[Phillibuster]

WP: To be fair, they're as good as the Cardinals, Reds and better than the Brewers this year.

That's what the record so far means, right?

[GTown_Dave]

Phillibuster: You're citing events as if they have any bearing on Charlie's decision making process. He has been managing this way for years, & it's wrong every damn time. Lee should have been out of the game, period.

[Phillibuster]

MG: He went 2 scoreless innings just a few games back, didn't he?

Mind you, I'm not saying I want him on the team... But that's not being fair, given his statistics.

[MG]

That's 7 BBS in 6 2/3 IP from Durbin this year with just 6 Ks.

Cholly's look in the dugout with Durbin was a look of pure frustration/exparsastion.

[bittel]

Lee should have been out of the game. Inarguable.

[back to work]

WHAT A JOKE

RUBE needs to go...

DUBE needs to go...

CHUCK needs to go...

& while we're at it

WHEELS needs to go...

[HammRadio]

Let's play for one run down three. Exciting.

[Edmundo]

The Durbinator extended his "Lowering His Inherited Runs Scored Pct for the Season" streak to two games. 1.000 -> . 889 -> .818

[Phillibuster]

GTown: It's always a gamble when you decide to/not go to the bullpen. For all we know, Aumont might have come in and given up his plethora of runs even sooner (with the added guys on base from Lee).

We can't tell - just like, before the fact, Manuel couldn't tell if Lee would manage to get out of it with the lead.

I get that you've got a deep and abiding grudge against the guy - maybe he ran over your dog (not Bittel's dog, though)? - but that doesn't mean literally every choice he makes is wrong just because he's the one making it.

[GTown_Dave]

Bunting down 3 Runs. Even Utley has gone entirely friggin' stupid.

[Edmundo]

WHEELS SARGE needs to go...

FTFA

At least Wheels is prepared for the game.

[awh]

They will not win this game. They will not win because of the black hole in the bottom of the lineup, and that's who will be coming to the plate in the 9th.

[Cyclic]

Utley thinks he's playing MLB The Show

[lorecore]

wait, did utley really bunt?!

[Phillibuster]

Bittel: Lee gave up a broken bat bloop that was literally inches from the dirt when it was hit.

That's the sort of thing where you just shake your head and mutter at the BABIP gods.

[Edmundo]

Bunting down 3 Runs. Even Utley has gone entirely friggin' stupid.

Schmidt used to do that, when a rally was needed. Don't know if is a terrible move.

[GTown_Dave]

Phillibuster: You're not going to change my mind any more than I'll change yours. I will, however, say this: Charlie managing these situations in the same infuriating way, year after year, is why I don't like the man.

[bittel]

He should not have pitched to Sanchez, or either of the next two batters. Not difficult.

[Mick O]

Giving up an out in that situation often results in more total runs being scored in the rally.

If you're Tim McCarver, that is.

[bittel]

How many mistakes is Utley going to make? I'm just curious.

[lorecore]

bittel: less than every other single player on this team

[Phillibuster]

I'm not saying you have to like the guy - that's entirely on your own conscience. But when you take a situation that's a total coin flip (and really, if your choice is tired Lee or fresh Aumont, do you feel the odds are 50/50?) and start foaming at the interwebmouth over his choice, it's hard to think a rational discussion about anything in-game is possible.

[GTown_Dave]

What in the living f*ck?! How is that not interference?!

[GTown_Dave]

Charlie should get himself run. This is insane.

[BV2ST]

Losing Hamels/Locke and Lee/McDonald matchups at home. Wow.

[bittel]

According to Larry Anderson, it was Dom Brown's fault that Utley didn't slide at the plate. He practically yelled at DB on the radio, in a fashion he would never do to Utley.
So yeah, I guess you're right.

Utley has been horrifyingly out of sync for several days. Why?

[Phillibuster]

Bittel: Did you actually see the hit? Because if McKenry had known ahead of time where that pitch was going, he wouldn't have swung.

[GTown_Dave]

I think Carlson knew he was wrong, which is why Iassogna came in to toss Charlie. Terrible non-call.

[RedBurb]

Too little too late for UC.

[lorecore]

i think we should trade Chooch now, before he comes back and is tainted by this team and loses value?

tti/phlipper/etc.: Yes I'm 100% serious.

[bittel]

Listening on the radio. But he never should have seen McHenry. The point is that Lee should have been out of the game before then. You're letting a guy pitch to a RH who homered off of him the last AB, when he's thrown 110+ pitches.

If you don't trust Aumont to get an out, then believe me a young players knows that. Why are you then entrusting a whole inning to him?

[Phillibuster]

There's a difference between not trusting Aumont to get an out with runners on first and 3rd, without any ideas about where the ump is actually calling balls/strikes beyond what you can see with the naked eye from the bullpen, and not trusting Aumont to be able to get 3 outs without any runners on to start.

[Willard Preacher]

At least we have Brown, Carrera, Kratz due up. This one ain't over yet.

[RedBurb]

That's one of the manager's mottos "Don't trust younger players. Always go with the veteran."

[Cyclic]

Brown Carrera Kratz... Hmmm maybe Revere can pinch hit.

[Phillibuster]

So Durbin and Valdes prove to be the best pitchers this game for the Phillies.

Exactly how it was drawn up in December.

[Phillibuster]

... Nobody breathe.

[bittel]

@Philli: agreed. I still wanted to see Aumont.

[Jack]

Carrera is horrible.

[bay_area_phan]

How can you possibly let Carrera hit there?

[Phillibuster]

This'd be a real nice time for Kratz to find a bit of that ol' power stroke that made him the darling of turkey bacon manufacturers all over the region.

[Willard Preacher]

After reading that RAJ sees D Young at potential trade bait and upon seeing Carrera here, I'm changing my stance. Bring up DY immediately and let's flip him for some inevitably mediocre prospects that will never see the light of MLB.

[Jack]

BAP: Who do you pinch-hit? Only guys left on the bench are Galvis, Revere, and Quintero.

Maybe Hamels. Good point.

[GTown_Dave]

At the moment I still prefer Carrera to Revere. At least no one built up any expectations RE: Carrera. He is what he is. Revere, on the other hand, has been a tremendous disappointment.

[bittel]

No plate discipline on this team in any kind of high-leverage spot.

[Phillibuster]

Jack: Isn't that what Pettibone's for?

[GTown_Dave]

The Phillies are now 9-14, w/ 4 April games left to play. What's the old saying? You can't win a pennant in April, but you can lose one? The Phillies are well on their way to a mid-season clearance sale.

[bittel]

As i was saying.

[Willard Preacher]

Yep, Galvis is showing that he's still our SS of the future. First pitch pop-up to end the game when down 2 runs in the ninth.

[clout]

bittel: I don't know if you'd factor this into your equation, but the hit that plated the tying run was a broken bat flare that would be an out 95% of the time. Let's say that ball was 4 feet to the left. It would be caught by Jimmy and Lee would leave the game ahead 3-2. Then we would go to the 8th and Aumont would come in and what would happen next?

[Jack]

My prediction of 80-82 for this team looks a little bit optimistic.

[Five-4-One]

anybody out there still think this team is going anywhere?

Cue the, If this, if that, if this, if that happens they've got a shot at the 2nd wildcard crew.

Have at it.

[HammRadio]

terrible hitting at the end here... Kratz tries to pull a ball on the outside part of the plate. And another pinch hitter swinging first pitch... just awful.

[SLO Phan]

Wow. This is not a good team.

[clout]

Jack: What has been the Phillies record at the end of April the past 5 seasons?

[bittel]

@clout: as any number of folks on this site will tell you, no one knows what would have happened. You're presenting a counterfactual.

[RedBurb]

Yeah this team is just not good right now. It could get better, but wow it hasn't looked promising at all thus far.

[bay_area_phan]

Jack: I'd have used Revere if he's available & Galvis if he's not. But you're right; it's pretty much academic. It's like choosing between swallowing arsenic or swallowing cyanide. Although, come to think of it: Swallowing arsenic > swallowing cyanide > pinch hitting with Revere > pinch hitting with Galvis > letting Carrera hit for himself.

[The Hook]

With all these one yr contracts left and the way this team is playing. Lets make a deal. Chooch doc chase bring most value. Young Adams and Delmon if healthy could bring a Lil PC back. Team will look totally different next year. With new manger.

[GTown_Dave]

Phillies Record At The End Of April

'08 15-13
'09 11-9
'10 12-10
'11 18-8
'12 11-12

[Jack]

Clout: Better than what it's going to be this year.

They were 81-81 last year, after an 11-12 April. What makes you think this team is better?

We were a mediocre team last year, and now we've played a month of mediocre (being generous) baseball. At some point, it becomes clear that it's just a mediocre team.

[Phillibuster]

I get the distinct impression today was a "lesson" game for Revere.

Charlie probably should have forced him to wear his finest suit in the dugout, instead of his uni.

["Pedro's lucky midget"]

Well said G-Town...

[lorecore]

clout: the Phillies have been over .500 every April in a year they've made the playoffs except for 2007 when they were 10-14. No team in the last 10 years has ever made the playoffs when losing 15 games in April.

[bittel]

I'm tron. If the Mets take this team apart this weekend (a distinct possibility), maybe Charlie finally finds the door. That needs to happen. I've forgotten what a well-coached Phillies team even looks like at this point.

[bittel]

torn

[GBrettfan]

Leslie Gudel ‏@lesliegudel

Utley error was reversed, still has 4 this yr. For those of you counting, he's avg 12 error a season when playing 100 games or more.
Utley on pace for 28 errors this season

[Phillibuster]

There's pretty much no chance that Charlie gets punted before the end of the season.

We'd have to be all but assured of the #1 draft pick come August, for that to happen.

[Jack]

Clout's question seems to have backfired on him.

[RedBurb]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of UC, but firing him at the end of April would look really bad.

[Jack]

I would fire Amaro at the end of April, happily.

[Corn]

How was Utleys play NOT an error?

[bittel]

@Philli: Vegas has him as the favorite to be the first manager fired this season (at last check). A guy can hope.

I respect your opinion, so it's disturbing to hear you say that. You think there's too much warm feeling from year's past?

[Willard Preacher]

That 11-12 last April was in the midst of "tread water until Utley/Howard come back," too. What is this year's excuse?

[GTown_Dave]

I would fire Amaro at the end of April, happily.

I'd fire him right now. From a cannon.

[Steve]

I don't know, the sad thing is that RAJ most likely believes that he gave Charlie a competitive team this year. He'll view it as Charlie's fault that the team is not "producing"

[GTown_Dave]

33,443 at the park this afternoon. I believe I read somewhere that the only team w/ a higher per-game avg. decrease in attendance thus far is the Marlins.

[curt]

Surround 8 highly paid declining stars with 17 random guys and this is what it looks like.

[bay_area_phan]

How would you like to be a first-time manager taking over this abomination of a team in mid-season? Talk about being set up to fail.

[clout]

Jack: Not at all. Except for 2011, this team has never had a big April. That was exactly my point: Too early to throw in the towel. Although you're the same guy who said Halladay was likely done for the season a couple weeks ago.

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