Francisco replaces Ibanez in lineup
Ben Francisco gets the start Wednesday night in place of Raul Ibanez in the Phillies' starting lineup.
Francisco replaces Ibanez in lineup
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Looking for better results against Giants lefty starter Madison Bumgarner, Charlie Manuel replaced Raul Ibanez with Ben Francisco in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the NLCS.
A Phillies win tonight would even the series at two games apiece. A loss would leave them one loss from elimination.
Francisco has just one plate appearance this postseason -- he was hit on the helmet with a pitch against the Reds in Game 2 of the NLDS -- and since Aug. 26 has started just four games. So in close to two months, Francisco has 30 plate appearances.
All four of his starts came in the final week of the regular season after the Phillies had clinched the NL East crown and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
During that stretch, he went 7-for-17 with two home runs, a double, six RBI and four runs.
"I wanted to put another righthander in the lineup," Manuel said. "And also I talked to Raul and I feel like Raul is trying too hard and overswinging, chasing bad balls, the swing's getting long."
Asked what challenges Francisco faces having not played in so long, Manuel said, "I think the biggest thing about it, it would be his timing, and also getting comfortable at the plate. He has a knack for -- he can stay on the ball and he has a knack for hitting. He's a good fastball hitter and he works the count pretty good. And usually he'll pick good pitches to swing at. And like if he has any kind of timing, I feel he has a chance on the guy today."
Francisco struggled last postseason, going 0-for-11 with a walk and two strikeouts in 11 games, two of them starts.
The 28-year-old Francisco hit .268 with a .768 OPS, six home runs, 28 RBI and 24 runs in 197 plate appearances during the regular season.
He hit .284 with a .901 OPS against lefties compared with .253 and a .640 OPS against righties. All six of his home runs came against lefties.
Ibanez started the postseason 3-for-8 with a walk in the first two games of the NLDS. Since then, he is 0-for-15 with one walk and six strikeouts.
Despite Bruce Bochy saying he was planning to switch back to his usual lineup, Aaron Rowand will remain centerfield tonight instead of returning Andres Torres to the leadoff spot. Juan Uribe will not play, with Pedro Sandoval at third and Edgar Renteria at shortstop.
Today's Phillies lineup:
1. Shane Victorino CF
2. Chase Utley 2B
3. Placido Polanco 3B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Jayson Werth RF
6. Jimmy Rollins SS
7. Ben Francisco LF
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Joe Blanton P
Today's Giants lineup:
1. Edgar Renteria, SS
2. Freddy Sanchez, 2B
3. Aubrey Huff, 1B
4. Buster Posey, C
5. Pat Burrell, LF
6. Cody Ross, RF
7. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
8. Aaron Rowand, CF
9. Madison Bumgarner, P
Thank you Cholly!- Too little, too late.— jas157
- If I were Victorino, I would lead the game off with a bunt down the 3rd base line.— micconway
- Jas157, what are you talking about too little too late, if the Phils win tonight, the series is tied and they take back home field advantage— micconway
- Well we removed an automatic out from the lineup, that's a start. Hopefully he wasn't replaced by another one.— n62
- Thank you Charile!— Obie74
jas157 is a typical clown.— gho_matt
Comment removed.- jas157.....its 2-1, relax!!— eisenser
- He can't do any worse than the rusty gate that was batting 7th....— Irishup
- Look at the Giants lineup...............How can we lose to these guys?
Then answer has got to be WE CAN"T— eastender - Eastender, I was thinkin the same thing?? The Giants have a really hot hitter and been getting some breaks. They are batting as a team .178. Pitching too.— micconway
- i like raul, i was hoping he would come out of his slump, but hey i trust manuels decision, hopefully it lights a fire....
- Remember when Raul started with the Phillies on fire then came the steroid allegations and there went his production. His salery is the main reason Werth will be leaving. About time they made a move out there.— chham57
If the Phils were down 3-1, then it would be "too little, too late". Blanton and the offense will rise to the occasion for an 8-4 Phillies win. GO FIGHTIN'S!!!!!
