Results tagged ‘ Cliff Lee ’
Lee Still Winless in 9 Starts
If April showers bring May flowers, then what does June bring? The only thing I know for sure is that for Cliff Lee, June has not yet brought him a win. That is 9 starts, a 2.92 ERA and a 0-3 record. Yikes.
And it is not that Lee has not deserved a win; the Phillies offense has simply not scored for him. In Lee’s 9 starts, the Phillies have scored a total of 16 runs while he was the pitcher of record. In 5 of those 9 starts, the Phillies scored only 1 run or NO runs while Lee was pitching.
In last night’s 2-1 loss to the Dodgers, it started out looking like perhaps this was Lee’s night. Jimmy Rollins led off with a double, Juan Pierre moved him to third with a sac fly and then Hunter Pence finally got a hit with a runner in scoring position. This sort of start HAD to be sign, right? Wrong.
After those first three batters and one run, that was it for the offense. The bats went right back to sleep and never woke up. In fact, after the 1st inning, only 1 Phillie even made it past first base for the rest of the game.
Lee is a great pitcher; but even he needs more than a 1 run cushion to get a win. The lack of offense blew up in his face in the 8th inning. With 2 outs and 2 men on base, Lee finally threw a bad pitch which turned into a 2-run double for the Dodgers who took the lead. It was pitch #122.
Had the Phillies scored more than 1 run in this game, it is possible Lee would not even have been out there for the 8th as his pitch count was rising. With the exception of that one pitch, Lee was fantastic all night long. And as in most of his other starts, he should have gotten a win here.
Game 3 with the Dodgers starts at 7:05pm tonight; Kyle Kendrick will pitch.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Support Group: Get Cliff Lee a Win!
The Phillies beat the Mets on Wednesday night by a score of 10-6. And while the offense finally produced some big runs, the hit parade did not actually arrive until after pitcher Cliff Lee exited the game. You know what that means…still no wins for Cliff Lee.
It has been 8 starts and 2 months and poor Lee has been shut-out of the win column. Carlos Ruiz tried to bust him out of winless jail by smacking a pinch hit 2-run homer in the 7th, but that merely tied the game. The lead finally arrived in the 8th when Shane Victorino hit a sac fly to score Juan Pierre. Sadly though, Lee was no longer the pitcher of record at that point.
And all those runs they pounded out in the 9th inning, including a Jimmy Rollins homer, also did Lee little good. We can all agree…wins are good! But how about sharing the cookies with a starving man? Geez.
With that in mind, I have decided to start a support group for Cliff Lee. As you can see, his teammates appear to be on board:
So let’s get to it, Phillies! Get Cliff a freakin’ win already!
Thank you in advance.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Another No Decision for Lee in Phillies Win
These are the kind of games that make me wonder why so much emphasis is put on pitcher wins and losses. It is a flawed statistic. Phillies starter Cliff Lee has a 2.82 ERA in 7 starts and NO wins through no fault of his own. At least 5 of those he should definitely have won, but the offense did not help out.
Why is the win/loss stat still heavily relied upon when determining who should be an All-Star, an MVP or a Cy Young winner? Lee is a prime example of why this should not be an influential factor in those decisions or in figuring who the top pitchers in baseball are.
You can then see why Lee is obviously frustrated as evidenced by an altercation in the dugout last night with Shane Victorino. After two missed fly balls in the 4th inning, one by Victorino and one by Hunter Pence, the Cardinals took the lead in the game, leading to another no decision for Lee.
The two balls were lost in the twilight and probably not really anyone’s fault. But the chain of events did emphasize a larger issue; this Phillies offense is wildly inconsistent and the starting pitchers are rightly annoyed. In fact, assuming Lee spoke for everyone last night, I am glad they are annoyed. It shows that they actually give a crap. And maybe this little outburst will light a fire under the rest of the team.
Lee is frustrated more than most as he has received the least amount of run support. And for a guy that has a reputation of being laid back and never getting rattled, seeing him tee-off on Victorino last night speaks volumes. Clearly, he does care…a lot.
Victorino later made some great defensive plays to keep the Phillies within reach. A solid relay throw to Freddy Galvis turned into an out at the plate in the 8th inning as Yadier Molina tried to bowl over Carlos Ruiz. In his usual tough guy style, Ruiz held onto the ball despite the blow.
And Lee helped his own cause with 2 hits and huge run scored in the 7th where he went from first to home and looked good doing it. After the play, Lee probably could have used some oxygen, but he was just fine.
That run tied the game, which went to extra innings. And then Pence, who made the 2nd blunder in the outfield earlier, came out the hero with a 2-run homer in the 10th. Jonathan Papelbon closed out the 5-3 win for the Phillies 3rd straight victory.
Game 3 with the Cardinals starts tonight at 7:15pm; Kyle Kendrick will start.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
An UnbeLEEvable Let Down
So this is what I get for being optimistic…a clunker from Cliff Lee. Ugh. The Phillies lost the 3-game series to the Red Sox today with a 5-1 loss. Lee still does not have a win on the season, although the previous losses were not his fault.
The offense kept letting Lee down. Today, it was Lee’s turn :O( The first batter he faced smacked a home run to center, which was not a good omen. Through 7 innings, Lee surrendered 5 runs, all of which came in the first 3 innings. Lee found his groove after that, but it was too late.
The offense simply stunk again. Lee created the most excitement at the plate with a double in the 3rd. But while there was plenty of action at second base, the Phillies could not seem to find home plate.
Hunter Pence had two hits in the game and missed what may have been a third hit except that it was lined sharply to first. I do not know why the Red Sox were belly aching about having less defense with David Ortiz at first base due to National League rules, because Big Papi snagged every ball that came his way. He was quite annoying.
But Big Papi also had a little fun with rookie Freddy Galvis when they met at first base. Galvis had one hit in the game and played amazing defense, like usual. And now, he has been officially baptized in the majors as Ortiz appeared to razz him a bit. Although the look on Galvis’ face in the photo to the far right below says about all you need to know about how this game went…
But do you want to know what the real problem with the Phillies offense is? For starters, Jimmy Rollins has been quietly having an awful year. He is batting .229. Shane Victorino is not far off with a .253 average. Essentially, all of the regular starters (meaning, those not on the DL) are underperforming while the “bench” guys or secondary starters are doing most of the damage.
Oh, and the other issue. A photo is worth a thousand words (see photo to the right)…need I say more?
In the “good news” column, Jake Diekman appears to be back on track after one bad outing. He was really sharp as he struck out the side in the 8th inning.
The Phillies squeaked out one run in the bottom of the 8th, but left the bases loaded…again. They seem to be allergic to home plate. Benadryl, anyone? Ah-chooo!
And just in time, when the offense has begun to stink again, here come the Nationals…Game 1 is Monday night at 7:05pm.
Here is the full Photo Album from today’s game.
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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
Blanton Bombs Against Red Sox
Now that Phillies fans have all gotten used to seeing Joe Blanton in top form, I suppose he was due to throw a clunker. Blanton had only given up 2 home runs all year, but last night, he gave up 4 in just one game against the Red Sox.
By the middle of the 4th inning, the score was 5-1 and Blanton had also already made two huge fielding errors in the game. Clearly, this was not his night. So when Pete Orr was on deck in the bottom of the 4th to hit for Blanton, I thought, great idea! Let’s get some more runs and let the pen have a shot at shutting down the Sox.
Imagine my dismay when, after Freddy Galvis smacked a 2-run homer, Orr was called back to the dugout and Blanton went out to hit! Really? Those 2 runs meant Blanton would suddenly snap out of his funk? I think not…
And sadly, I was correct. I get that manager Charlie Manuel did want to rely on what has been an unreliable bullpen. But if there was ever a time to give them a shot to redeem themselves, this was it. Blanton looked awful out there and the insanity continued in the 5th inning.
Only after allowing 3 more hits, including a 2-run homer, was Blanton finally pulled from the game, having recorded only 1 out in the inning. Buried in a 7-4 hole, the bullpen did actually get the job done after that, not allowing another run to score. But by that time, the damage was done and the Phillies scored only one more run.
The offense had changes, but luck did not go their way. Carlos Ruiz, the teams hottest hitter, was robbed of what should have been a 2-run double in the 7th by Ryan Sweeney, who suddenly grew wings, flew through the air and snagged Ruiz’s hit out of the air. It was an amazing play.
In the 9th, Ruiz was robbed again as he smoked a ball…unfortunately, it went right to the shortstop and was caught. The ball was hit so hard that Hunter Pence had no chance to get back to first and was doubled up. Bad luck, indeed…
Later, Shane Victorino popped out on the first pitch he saw with the bases loaded in the 8th. And that was the end of the threat as the Phillies went on to lose by a score of 7-5.
There were some bright spots, like Galvis’ homer, making it 2 games in a row with a bomb. And John Mayberry Jr. reached base all 5 times he stepped to the plate for the first time in his career. Hector Luna also had a great night with 3 hits and an RBI.
But mostly, the good news is that the Phillies never gave up, even when it looked like the game was out of reach. This is something that we have all been waiting for this season…a little extra fight even when they are down.
They have another shot at the Sox today. If they win, the Phils will take the series. Cliff Lee is pitching and I will return with photos! Game time is 1:35pm.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
The Ups, Downs and All Around of Hunter Pence
This season has been quite a roller coaster ride for Hunter Pence. And Tuesday’s extra inning win over his old team, the Astros, was a microcosm of his year so far.
Ups - Pence gave the Phillies a 3-0 lead in the 6th inning with a solo home run to right field. It was the first time in a long time he got ahead of pitch and sent it the other way. Brian Schneider had a 2-run homer in the 1st inning which accounted for the other 2 runs to that point.
Downs – With a 3-1 score in the 9th, thanks to 8 amazing innings pitched from Cliff Lee, the wheels began to fall off. Chad Qualls did his Jekyll and Hyde routine again, giving up hits left and right. But even after the Astros crept closer, cutting the lead to 3-2, Hunter Pence had another bad moment.
On a single to right with a man on third, Pence fielded the ball nicely, freezing the runner. But after he exchanged the ball to his hand, it fell out off his hand, bounced off his knee and skidded away, allowing the run to score and tie the game. This is a really original error; I have never seen anything like it.
All Around – What comes around, goes around, or so they say. And luckily for Pence, the game came full circle as he was given a chance to redeem himself in the 10th inning. The walk-off homer he smashed to left was made even more sweet by the fact that it came off a pitch from former Phillie, and Pence’s former teammate, Brett Myers. Ah, redemption!
The one thing I can tell you about Pence for sure is that he is not boring. As far as what may be in store for Pence next, I do not think even he knows….toss a coin.
The Phillies are in Chicago next for 2 games starting tonight at 8:05pm against the Cubs. Vance Worley stayed in Philly to have a sore elbow checked out so Kyle Kendrick will start instead. There has been no word on Worley’s condition yet…stay tuned.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Hitting Rock Bottom
You may have thought that the Phillies hit rock bottom days ago. It was hard to imagine things getting much worse. And yet, it did get worse. After getting swept in 3 games by the Mets yesterday, I think we can officially say, here it is; rock bottom.
And it is not because they were swept by the Mets that this is rock bottom. It is because of the manner in which they were beaten, or slaughtered, if you prefer a stronger term. Murphy’s Law even entered the equation last night. Anything that could go wrong did.
Through the first six innings, we saw a glimmer of hope. The offense was hitting, Cliff Lee was pitching well in his first start off the DL; he even collected an RBI for himself. But not wanting to push Lee too hard in his return, he was pulled after 6 innings. From the time the 7th inning began, it was clear that the Phillies bullpen would pull out all the stops to LOSE the game.
Let me begin by saying I have never been impressed with Kyle Kendrick as a pitcher. I am sure he is a fine human being, but his pitching usually leaves a lot to be desired. He is inconsistent, he gets rattled easily and he wanders about with that awful, sad puppy look on his face.
And last night, he managed to impose the sad puppy face upon every Phillies fan watching the game. With a 4-2 lead to start the inning, before he recorded a single out, Kendrick gave up a double, 2 walks and then hit the 4th batter to force in a run. By the time the inning ended, the Mets had 3 more runs and a 5-4 lead.
But Kendrick was not done yet. He gave up 2 more runs in the 8th without recording an out. Jose Contreras helped him out and added a run of his own. Then Brian Sanches gave up a solo homer in the ninth. That is 8 runs out of the bullpen, 7 of them earned runs, which led to an embarrassing 10-6 loss.
The defense added to the humiliation as Shane Victorino dove for a ball which wound up flying right by him. And Hunter Pence dropped an easy fly ball that was right in his glove.
Manager Charlie Manuel was so disgusted after the game, he finally ripped into the team. Manuel said they needed to play better and prepare better. The preparation bit is what was alarming. Are these guys just strolling into the ballpark without getting ready physically and mentally? That sure is what it seems like.
That would also confirm my theory that this team is not focused and an overall sense of complacency has set in. Complacency or apathy could be occurring for a variety of reason including past success, arrogance about one’s abilities, off-field distractions, making a ton of money and the fact that many of these guys have already won the big prize.
While I would hate to think that about this Phillies team, the reality is that all of those factors may be playing a part. As an example, you know who is the opposite of complacent? A guy like Freddy Galvis, who is working his behind off. Galvis was a homer short of the cycle last night, plus his defense and intensity are off the charts. Why? Because he has something to prove. He is trying to stick in the majors, make a good impression and someday, get his payday.
Look around this team. Are there guys who look a bit less focused than others? You know how they say hitting is contagious? Well, so is complacency.
I would say a number of changes are coming this team’s way in the very near future. They have already sent reliever Joe Savery back to the minors. Michael Schwimer went as well. Here is what I think they should do: If someone is not doing their job, like the entire bullpen, for instance, then bring in someone who will get it done or at least give you a complete effort.
I do not care if they stock this team full of rookies. Because if they are going to suck, I’d rather see players out there who are giving it 100% and living up to their potential. This team has spent way too much money on talented players to be this bad. They need a shake up…fast.
Thursday is an off-day, which many of the players will spend at a Chase Utley charity event this evening. But on Friday, the Padres come to town and they need to be ready. Cross your fingers…
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Player photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Injuries & Bad Offense Sinking the Phillies
A little help here, please? Anybody? It may still be early in the season, but the Phillies ship is sinking fast. Is 15 games into the season a bit too early to begin yelling, “Mayday! “? Maybe not…
With a 7-8 record, the Phillies are barely staying afloat in the NL East where they are tied for last place with the Marlins. Last nights’ awful 5-1 loss to the Padres combined with star pitcher Cliff Lee being sent to the DL is making a lot of fans sea sick, and with good reason.
Lee’s injury occurred in the 10th inning of Wednesday’s game against the Giants where he apparently strained his left oblique. The injury may have nothing to do with Lee going 10 innings, as he only threw 102 pitches. However, had the Phillies offense given him any support at all, Lee probably would not have been on the mound for the 10th.
This Phillies offense seriously needs to batten down the hatches and figure out how to score or be sent to walk the plank. Too many guy are simply not toeing the line.
There were only 3 hits in the game from the Phillies, and one of those came off the bat of pitcher Roy Halladay. The only run scored came with 2 outs in the ninth on a Ty Wiggington double. In the 4th inning, the Phillies had 2 men on and no one out. But the extremely undisciplined hitting killed the rally; Hunter Pence struck out while swinging at pitches way out of the zone; Shane Victorino flied out and after Wiggington walked, Freddy Galvis flew out.
Halladay had walked three batters in a row for the first time ever, but he still battled back and gave up only 2 runs. He made the adjustment. The offense did not. And so once again, the Phillies waste a strong pitching performance. Here is a silly thought…Maybe Lee really did not hurt his oblique pitching on Wednesday; maybe the offense simply made him so nauseous that he threw-up one too many times after the game? This entire pitching staff is probably feeling sea sick along with the rest of us.
So, what is the answer? No one really knows, but I do wish everyone would stop whining about Ryan Howard and Chase Utley being out. Because they are not the answer either. When you have most of your lineup regularly swinging at bad pitches and watching good ones fly by, it makes no difference what Howard and Utley might do.
All I know for sure is that if this team does not figure it out soon, they are going to sink like the Titanic.
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Manuel Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
The Vanimal Returns
After a shaky start to the season, Phillies pitcher Vance Worley was trying to locate his inner animal last night against the Padres. In 7 innings of shut-out ball, the Vanimal has indeed returned.
The 11 strikeouts Worley recorded were a career high and left many Padres shaking their heads. Worley did walk 3 batters, but only allowed 4 hits, fewer than Cliff Lee allowed the night before. If Worley can maintain this pace, it will be a huge boost for the team going forward.
And they could use a boost because the Phillies batters have still not found their inner animal. Right now they are playing at the level of a timid lamb instead of a proud lion, like Worley. This zoo needs a serious upgrade.
After getting only 4 hits against the Giants in the previous game, against the Padres, the Phils posted only 6 hits. It looked like they may get going when they scored a run in the first on a Jimmy Rollins sac fly. But then with a man on third and only one out, the Phillies could not add on.
They scored only 2 total bookend runs, one in the 1st and one in the 9th on a wild pitch. Thanks to the pitching from Worley, Chad Qualls and Jonathan Papelbon, 2 runs wound up being enough for the win.
Game 2 with the Padres starts at 10pm tonight…TGIF!
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Photoshopping by Jenn Zambri Photography
Cain vs. Unable: A Total Waste of Lee’s Performance
The Phillies awful offense was unable to scratch out a single run for their pitcher who battled through 10 innings of work against the Giants. Cliff Lee became the first pitcher to go 10 shutout innings in a losing game since Brett Saberhagen of the Mets lost to San Diego in 1994. I am pretty sure this is not a record he was interested in setting.
But against Giant’s pitcher Matt Cain, the Phillies offense seemed uninterested in hitting. They managed just 4 hits. They had a shot to score in the 10th after Carlos Ruiz doubled and was sent to third with a sacrifice bunt by Freddy Galvis. But Jim Thome struck out and John Mayberry Jr. grounded out.
Lee was finally pulled after 10 innings and Antonio Bastardo took over in the 11th. After Bastardo coaxed what should have been a double play ball out of Brandon Belt, Ty Wiggington at 3rd fumbled and everyone was safe. Then Melky Cabrera did what the Phillies could not all series long; take advantage of a mistake. His single scored the only run in the game for a Giants win.
You cannot blame Wiggington for the loss, although he did not help. But why was Placido Polanco not put in for defense this late in a game where the starting pitcher put in such an amazing effort? And where were the bats? Lee deserved a better effort than this.
The Phillies have now lost 2 straight series and continue to dig themselves a huge hole early in the season. As for the National League East, the Phils are dead last. Looks like it is going to be a long season…
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