Tagged: Kyle Kendrick
Circling the Drain
Remember was back a few weeks ago when the Phillies won 7 games in a row? Ah, memories! And it does seem like a very distant memory now that the Phillies have just lost 7 games in a row. They were swept by the Rockies today, losing the 3rd game of the series by a score of 1-4.
So just how bad is this team? Let us count the ways…
Before the game started, Cole Hamels tried to convince Kyle Kendrick to come back; Kyle thought this was very funny. Odubel Hererra could not decide on a thumbs up or down for his team, which is sad. And the Phanatic had to bring a Panda friend to the game to stop all the children from crying as the game got worse and worse.
But seriously, the Phillies were already down 0-2 only 5 pitches into the game. This was not a good sign. Jerome Williams has been struggling for a while now and today, he gave up 4 runs in only 5 innings.
The Phillies managed only 7 hits in the game, with Cody Asche scoring the lone run. And this is just how bad it got: In the 7th inning, the Phillies managed to load the bases with no outs and then Cameron Rupp, Darin Ruf and Ben Revere all proceeded to strike out to end the threat. There were not many people left in the stadium at that point, but those who were there boo’ed loudly.
Actually, the attendance was bad even before that. It seems like people are still coming to games for two reasons only – to get free giveaways for their kids or to get really, really, really drunk. I unfortunately had a close encounter with some of those very drunk people today. Two girls and a guy behind me were yelling, cussing, bumping into me and generally being such a nuisance, I was actually ready to call security. Then one of the girls proceeded to throw up – everywhere. Luckily, I heard it coming and moved, but the ground beneath me was puddling up with vomited beer, forcing me to find another seat. And that, folks, just about sums up your 2015 Phillies. A stomach churning, vomit-inducing mess that no one wants to clean up. Yup…nailed it.
And yet, much like seeing an accident on the highway, I can’t stop watching. I keep waiting for the next disaster. Like sending Asche to the minors for two weeks just to piss him off. And then letting Grady Sizemore go when they could have just done that in the first place and let Asche learn left field in the majors. Then Ruben Amaro Jr. bites the hand that feeds him by saying Phillies fans don’t understand the game. By the way, a few days later, I got a call from the Phillies thanking me for being a season ticket holder and offering to upgrade one of my next games for free. Thanks, Ruben! I’d also like free food at my games so maybe Ruben can go on TV again and call fans stupid a few more times…thank you in advance.
So you see where this is all going right? Straight down the proverbial toilet. But before you flush, at least try to enjoy the view 😉
Here is the full Photo Album from today’s game.
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Photos by Jenn Zambri
Phillies First Combined No-Hitter
Congratulations to Phillies pitchers Cole Hamels, Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon and catcher Carlos Ruiz on Monday’s combined no-hitter against the Braves. It is the 12th no-hitter in Phillies history and the first combined no-hitter. Altogether, there have been only 11 teams in baseball history to record a combined no-hitter.
One other fun note is that this is the 3rd no-hitter caught by Carlos Ruiz in his career. He is ties for second all-time behind Jason Varitek, who caught four no-hitters for the Red Sox from 2001-2008.
Oddly enough, Hamels had what appeared to be one of his most difficult outings of the year, even though he did not allow a hit. His pitches were all over the place and he walked 5 batters. I am guessing this erratic performance completely confused Braves hitters.
Overshadowed in the 7-0 no-hit victory was a 5-RBI day for Ben Revere, who is now batting .310. Jimmy Rollins had 3 hits and Chase Utley walked twice. It was a nice day offensively, but the no-hitter took the front page news, as is appropriate.
So in an otherwise awful Phillies season, this was a very nice moment for the team and the fans. Fans do have a little more fun ahead as September call-ups start streaming in. It looks like Maikel Franco will finally get a shot in the Bigs. We will also get our first look at Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, the Cuban righty that the Phillies spent a fortune on and, so far, have little to show for it. Also, Mike Adams and Tony Gwynn Jr. will return.
I look forward to seeing the line-up for tonight’s game. First pitch is at 7:10pm and Kyle Kendrick will pitch. That is a nice gift to the Braves following the no-hitter. Just sayin’…
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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
Back to Reality as Nats Pound the Phillies
Did you get your hopes up after that 5-game winning streak? And the 5-game winning streak last month? Well, today was a statement game for the Phillies in their last outing before the All-Star break. And the statement, summed up in the nice photo to the right of Marlon Byrd getting hit by a pitch with nothing to show for it, was this: “We suck; let the trading begin.”
So just how bad was today’s game? Let us count the ways…for starters, Kyle Kendrick apparently cannot get out of any 1st inning without allowing at least 3 runs. And today he did that against the Nationals without recording a single out. So we were treated to this lovely home run and tongue lashing by our old pal, Jayson Werth.
Later in the game, Kendrick was pulled after 88 pitches which, even though I have obvious reservations about KK, I felt was a big mistake in that spot. Kendrick had already struck out Bryce Harper twice in the game. So why when Harper came up again was Kendrick pulled in favor of Mario Hollands? Hollands proceeded to give up a single to him. Harper scored later that inning and we got yet another Nationals treat, Harper’s hair rounding the bases. Thanks, Mario!
And then there was the Phillies offense, or lack thereof. Most of the offense consisted of players looking straight up into the air to admire their pop-ups or looking down at foul balls. It was not pretty. In the end, they squeezed out 3 runs, but it was far too little, too late as the Nats scored 10 runs.
Pretty much the only entertainment in this game was watching Byrd chug some mystery red substance before the game (5-Hour Energy, perhaps? If so, it didn’t work well.) and watching Chase Utley dig dirt out of his cleats.
Here is the full Photo Album from Sunday’s game. The Phillies will return from the All-Star break on 7/18/14 with yet another likely depressing series against the Braves. Despite showing signs of life here and there, this team is going nowhere. Now we must all brace ourselves for big changes…they are coming soon.
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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
Phillies Take 2 of 3 From the Nats
The Phillies just barely squeaked out a 1-0 win over the Nationals today thanks mostly to great pitching. Cole Hamels was scheduled to start but was unable to go as he has the flu. So Roberto Hernandez, who had not gotten out of the 6th inning yet this season, filled it.
Hernandez was outstanding, going 7 1/3 innings without allowing a run to score. When he first started to pitch, it looked like he would not be able to throw a strike as he walked 2 batters in the first inning. But he settled down and wound up with 3 walks and only 4 hits allowed.
The lone Phillies run of the game came in the first inning. After a Jimmy Rollins triple, Chase Utley singled to score Rollins. Utley had a very strange day. After that RBI, he sprinted around the bases on a Marlon Byrd pop fly and got doubled up. Maybe he forgot there was only 1 out? And then later he committed an error in the field when he totally missed the feed from Jayson Nix at third on what may have been a double play.
But those blunders did not come back to haunt the Phillies luckily. And that is a very good thing especially considering the Phillies only managed 4 hits in the game, including a Ben Revere triple. They also had some very nice plays in the field, which helped.
The weather was very interesting as well. It was cold, very windy and bits and pieces of wrappers, bags and dust were floating around everywhere. Some of the shadows in the field were brutal by the time the relievers came in too.
My eyes were so dry, at one point, I thought maybe I was seeing things. See the first photo below to the left…there are 3 guys there, right. Nope…check out the 2nd photo on the right. I guess Nix is just so small he blended right in.
Check out the full Photo Album from the game for more interesting stuff. There are very nice photos of Domonic Brown with his mother and VERY pregnant girlfriend pre-game during the Mother’s Day celebration. I also took some photos of our old friend, Kevin Frandsen. Miss him….sigh!
So a weird 2-game home and away series stars tomorrow with the Blue Jays; 2 games here and 2 in Toronto. Game time Monday is 7:05pm and Kyle Kendrick will pitch.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Hamels the Humanitarian
Cole Hamels is a true humanitarian. He has adopted a child from Africa and created a foundation to fund programs both there and in Philadelphia. And now, apparently, he has also adopted the New York Mets.
Hamels gifted the Mets with 6 runs and a win in Tuesday night’s game that ended in a 1-6 loss for the Phillies. He especially loves Mets pitcher Jonathan Niese, whom he walked in the 4th inning with the bases loaded to score another Mets run. You know how pitchers just have that little extra warm feeling for other pitchers? Well Cole was man enough to wear his heart on his sleeve. Touching, really.
Many Mets were beneficiaries of Hamels’ generosity. Daniel Murphy, Ruben Tejada and Chris Young all raised their batting averages by at least 20 points! It was like Christmas for the Mets. They probably sent him a very nice fruit basket after the game.
Joking aside, in only his second start this season, Hamels crashed and burned. It was ugly. Afterwards, Hamels told the press he was “embarrassed” by his performance. I guess we can give him brownie points for that.
The only offense for the Phillies was a Marlon Byrd home run. Ryan Howard had 2 hits as well but was left stranded on base both times.
The Phillies are supposed to play the Mets again tonight, but with the forecast looking grim, it is hard to say if that will actually happen. Tuesday’s game was delayed by an hour and a half and that rain was much lighter than predicted for tonight. If they do play, Kyle Kendrick is scheduled to pitch.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Phillies Win Series Amidst More Home Plate Rules Controversy
The Phillies took 3 of 4 games from the Dodgers this week, ending with last night’s 7-3 win. The only game they lost was in Cole Hamels’ return from the DL. Hamels pitched well, but once again, the bullpen blew the lead. Ugh.
Yesterday’s win was much more pleasant, although nerve-wracking at times. Kyle Kendrick pitched pretty well considering he allowed 10 hits and a walk and only 2 runs scored. He would have gotten the win, except Mike Adams immediately gave up the lead in the 7th with a home run ball to Adrian Gonzalez. Adams pitched 2 innings for which he earned BOTH a blown save AND the win. Go figure. This is a perfect example of why I hate the win/loss rules for pitchers.
Speaking of rules I hate, let’s talk about home plate. This no blocking the plate, anti-collision thing is officially on my last nerve. Tony LaRussa, the former manager who fought for this rule, can take his big ideas and stick ‘em where the sun don’t shine.
Yet another play at the plate was challenged last night when the Dodgers purported that Carlos Ruiz did not give Hanley Ramirez a lane to the plate. I guess they thought the edge of the nail of his little pinky toe was touching the imaginary parallel line from his foot to where the plate meets the dirt? I am exaggerating, but how utterly ridiculous is all of this?
Ramirez was still called out after review, but this brings up a bigger issue. Why would anyone NOT challenge an out call at home plate with this rule in place? Seriously. There is a very high probability, as we have seen in previous Phillies games, that they runner will called safe. Because it seems that if even a small part of the catcher is in front of the plate before the ball arrives, he has been a bad boy and thus unworthy of an out call. This means EVERY out call should be challenged.
Complicating matters, no one is exactly sure what the rule really is. On April 13th, the Phillies lost a run due to a replay review at home and Tony Gwynn Jr. was called out. The next day, MLB called to apologize for getting the call wrong. If the people in charge do not even know the rule, how is anyone else supposed to?
Besides that, the rule is insane to begin with. I understand they want to limit injuries and all that, but it seems to me this is likely to create MORE injuries. If the catcher cannot be in front of the plate until he gets the ball, this forces the catcher to move very quickly and awkwardly from the point where he catches the ball (away from the plate) to the point he makes the tag (in front of the plate usually).
This “sweep” tag is fine when the catcher is not overly concerned with where the end of his foot might be. But this rule will force guys to be even further away from the plate to make sure that little toe is not considered an obstruction, turning a “sweep” into an outright dive to make the tag. Not allowing the catcher to properly set himself means any type of collision will be made worse as he won’t be braced for it.
The runner is not allowed to charge or go out of the way to hit the catcher, but in making a tag, avoiding a collision of some kind is nearly impossible. So please, please just go back to the old rules and add a clause that runners cannot charge or take cheap shots. Or here’s an idea…forget the tag altogether. The runner and catcher can just meet at home plate and thumb wrestle to determine the winner. Much safer. Or rock, paper, scissors anyone? Food for thought.
It has already been reported that MLB is going to make “adjustments” to the rule, but no word yet on specifics. I will assume thumb wrestling is probably not an option. They are no fun. But let us hope they do not screw this up further.
The Phillies begin a series tonight in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. Game time is 9:40pm.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Feast or Famine: Phillies Sweep the Marlins
After losing 3 straight games to the Brewers, the Phillies bounced back with 3 straight wins over the Marlins. This all-or-nothing week ended with big offensive performances from 3 players today.
Chase Utley, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Will Nieves all had a 3 hit day. Nieves knocked in two runs in the 5th to tie the game at 3-3. And then Utley had the big bang in the 8th with a go-ahead home run, making it a final 4-3 Phillies win.
Kyle Kendrick pitched mostly well, although he was up and down. His game started a bit shaky thanks to another Ryan Howard error on the very first batter of the game. So Kendrick started in a hole right away, but he hung in there.
Other than the one error, the fielding was fairly clean. There was one base running blunder as Gwynn Jr. stumbled around third base and went home anyway where he was thrown out.
But the bullpen came into the late innings and actually held the lead. In fact, all 3 guys, B.J. Rosenberg, Antonio Bastardo and Jonathan Papelbon, retired each of the 3 batters they faced. Finally!
Speaking of the bullpen, Justin DeFratus has been sent back to the minors after some rather disastrous outings recently. Luis Garcia has taken his place.
And just one fun note about today’s game, it was Kid’s Opening Day. As part of that, some children were apparently commissioned to render their best images of Phillies players which were shown during each players first at bat. Some of the drawings are hysterical. Check out my Photo Album from the game to see those and more game shots.
The Braves come to town tomorrow. Game time is 7:05pm.
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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
Braun Puts a Roid Rage Hurting on Phils Opening Day
Do not make Ryan Braun angry. You won’t like him when he’s angry. The Phillies found that out the hard way during Tuesday’s 1-day delayed Home Opener. First it rained (Monday), then it poured (Braun).
The day must have been cursed from the start as Chase Utley was sent home with the flu before the game. But aside from that, the day started off so nice, who would have guessed it would turn into a massacre? The pre-game festivities, as always, were colorful:
Of course, for the umpteenth, the Navy parachuters jump was cancelled due to wind. I seriously do not know why the Phillies bother scheduling this every year. It almost never happens.
Instead, we got 2008 World Championship pitcher and current broadcaster, Jamie Moyer to toss the first pitch with his baseball idol, Steve Carlton looking on. He had a nice reunion with Carlos Ruiz as well:
And then the game started and it was all downhill from there. In his typical inconsistent behavior, Kyle Kendrick followed up a good 1st start with a horrible one on Tuesday. Adding insult to injury, he pitched against former Phillie Kyle Loshe and gave up the first 2 of Braun’s 3 home runs.
A former All-Star, Braun is actually best known for his steroid use and overall bad behavior. He got away with a positive test by blaming the Fed Ex man, who was then fired from his job after Braun’s adamant denials. But then Braun did finally get caught afterwards and was suspended 65 games. The number of people Braun hurt with his lies is what makes him, in my opinion, one of the worst offenders in baseball. It is also what prompted all of the boo’s and chants of “Cheater!” throughout the ballpark.
But those chants did nothing but fuel Braun’s fire to beat the Phils. He even killed a Phillies rally in the 2nd inning with a diving catch in right field that would have scored 2 runs.
The Phillies did manage to scatter some hits throughout the day and made a few nice plays in the field.
All of the good plays were unfortunately overshadowed by 3 errors and some head scratching misreads in the outfield. The worst of the day was Ben Revere in deep center, who had the ball lined up to catch and then just missed it. The 3rd photo below is the most interesting as you can see Revere’s head and face smashed into the fence. That pretty much sums up the day:
That misplay put another run on the board for the Brewers. Then in the next inning, Braun hit his third homer of the day. He finished with 7 RBI and single-handedly crush the Phils. I seriously hope someone checked his urine after the game (insert your own sarcastic remarks here).
The 4-10 loss was a disappointment, to put it mildly. But today is another day and maybe the Phillies can bounce back with a strong start from Roberto Hernandez. Game time is 7:05pm.
Here is the full Photo Album from the Home Opener, including batting practice, pre-game festivities and more.
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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
The Perplexing Papelbon Problem
Wednesday night’s Phillies 3-4 loss to the Rangers was the kind that makes you want to scream. It was a game they had well in hand; very winnable. Enter the $50 million dollar man, Jonathan Papelbon:
Through 7 innings, starter Kyle Kendrick was great, allowing only 1 run. Rookie reliver Mario Hollands totally redeemed himself from a very rough outing the previous day by pitching a scoreless, hitless 8th inning. Papelbon entered the 9th inning with a 3-1 lead that any closer making $50 million dollars, the largest payday ever for a reliever, should be able to preserve. That did not happen.
Papelbon has lost 3-5mph off his fastball since the signing and has yet to make an adjustment for his lost velocity. He just keeps flinging the ball up there figuring he’ll get all the swings and misses of days past. He was severely up in the zone all inning and the Rangers put a beating on him with 4 hits and 2 walks.
The 2nd walk was literally a walk-off win for the Rangers. The 4th ball of the at-bat was not even anywhere near the strike zone. How does a veteran pitcher walk home the winning run? I almost looked like he just said “screw it, I want to go home now” and just threw the ball without even thinking. This is a big problem.
After the game, here was Papelbon’s take on the loss:
“Obviously, this is a disappointment,” Papelbon said. “I thought Kendrick pitched well enough to deserve that win, and unfortunately the bullpen wasn’t able to preserve it for him. But it’s a long season. I think that’s one of the stronger points of my game is being able to bounce back and not have any memory of the previous game good or bad.”
So he is saying “the bullpen” couldn’t hold the lead? Try again…the ONLY guy who gave up a run after Kendrick left the game was Papelbon. The least he could have done was owned it.
And one of the strongest points of his game is a lack of memory? I guess he likes to take full advantage of this “strong points” by blowing games so he can then utilize his terrible memory to the fullest.
But maybe a bad memory is not so helpful. Frankly, I think Papelbon needs to remember what he did wrong and try not to do it again. I know he was speaking more to the mental aspect of the game, but perhaps those words have a deeper meaning than he realizes. If we do not remember, how can we learn from our mistakes?
Or is that a moot point and Papelbon’s career is to suffer a very expensive and painful end? Not expensive for him, of course. But the Phillies have him under contract for at least 2 more seasons, with an automatic vesting option for 2016 if he finishes 15 games in 2015. That is a scary thought.
Yes, it is only 3 games into the season. But this issue goes all the way back to last season and Papelbon has still not adjusted his pitching style. Is he capable of doing so? Sure, I think so. But will he? That is the real question.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Game 2 Questions
Only 2 games into the season, some odd things have happened with the Phillies. Game 1 was a 14-10 hitting spree win. And yesterday’s 3-2 loss to the Rangers was quite the opposite. Manager Ryne Sandberg made some very puzzling moves with the line-up and pitching during the game.
First, not all the line-up changes were too weird. I liked Ryan Howard hitting 5th against a lefty and using Chase Utley as the DH. But starting Jayson Nix at third instead of Cody Asche the day after he has a career game with 4 runs scored and 3 hits? That I do not understand.
I get the whole lefty facing a lefty thing and if it were a week or two into the season, then sure, give Asche a break against a lefty. But the timing of this move in only the second game of the season with Asche having big momentum coming off Monday’s win is confusing. I do not think it was the right call; but they don’t pay me to make those decisions.
Another decision I would not have made was tossing a rookie pitcher making his major league debut into a tie game in the 9th inning against a very strong lineup. Poor Mario Hollands had to face Shin-Soo Choo (walk), Elvis Andrus (sac bunt) and Prince freaking Fielder (walk)! Seriously? Is there anyone else out there who thought this was a good idea? Talk about being thrown into the fire…
Sandberg also reused 3 relievers who had pitched the day before while leaving 2 guys in the pen, Justin DeFratus and Brad Lincoln, who have not pitched at all in 2 games. Lincoln did not have a great spring, but few Phillies did. And I definitely would have thrown DeFratus out there in the 9th before a rookie who has barely pitched above Double-A ball.
The end result was a frustrating loss in a very winnable game. Plus it wasted an outstanding effort on the mound by A.J. Burnett who allowed only 1 run over 6 innings. Is this just growing pains for a new manager or is there some method to this madness I am not seeing?
Sandberg is a Hall of Famer and all around cool guy, so he will be given the benefit of the doubt here. A win tonight would go a long way for me :o) Game time is 8:05pm; Kyle Kendrick will pitch.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
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