Another tricky match-up for Phillies
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Another tricky match-up for Phillies
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
This is one of those match-ups that might not look all that intimidating on paper, but look a little deeper and you'll see that the Phillies could have their hands full today against 23-year-old lefty Drew Pomeranz. Cole Hamels pitched well at Coors Field last year, going six innings while allowing two runs, one home run and one walk with five strikeouts. His only other start in Denver was in 2009, when he allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings.
The key, as is usually the case, will be Carlos Gonzalez, who is one of the few name-brand hitters in this Rockies lineup. He is also 5-for-6 with a pair of doubles in his career against Hamels. Colorado catcher Ramon Hernandez is 4-for-9 with a pair of doubles and a home run against Hamels.
As for the Phillies' lineup, Pomeranz is coming off a start in which he held the Nationals to one one hit and two walks in six scoreless innings. The highly-regarded lefty hasn't allowed an earned run in either of his last two starts, and he has only allowed one extra base hit in his last four starts. When he's gotten in trouble, it has been because of walks. Through seven starts he is averaging 5.1 walks per nine innings with a 6.9 K/9 rate and a 3.06 ERA.
Charlie Manuel is resting Chase Utley and Ryan Howard today. Pomeranz has been effective against lefties thus far in his young career, holding them to eight hits, five walks and one HBP in 43 plate appearances. He has yet to surrender and extra base hit to a left-handed hitter.
Here are the lineups:
Phillies
- Rollins SS
- Victorino CF
- Pence RF
- Ruiz C
- Wigginton 1B
- Polanco 3B
- Mayberry LF
- Fontenot 2B
- Hamels LHP
- Fowler CF
- Scutaro 2B
- Gonzalez LF
- Hernandez C
- Cuddyer 1B
- Colvin RF
- Nelson 3B
- Ruttledge SS
- Pomeranz LHP
Sitting BOTH Utley AND Howard on the same day makes absolutely no sense at all. Charlie should alternate their days of rest instead of resting the only proven RBI guys they have at the same time!— makrom- Chawlie with his Sunday clown lineup. When will this incompetent be fired?— wo_fat
- Not really fair for me to say this but the Phils won easily today.Cole was virtually unhittable striking out 7 and walking just one in 8 full innings.— JamesSeitz
