Game 5: Orr, Schneider in line-up
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Game 5: Orr, Schneider in line-up
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
One of my beat-writing resolutions this season: Do a better job at posting the line-up and some pre-game notes each night. I'll also try to do a little bit of live-blogging in the comments section, where hopefully you folks can chime in with your observations.
The biggest headline tonight, other than Joe Blanton making his 2011 debut, is Pete Orr's first start as a Phillie. The veteran utility man is playing second base and batting seventh tonight. Orr is 2-for-4 lifetime off of Mets starter Mike Pelfrey, and he's had a couple of good pinch-hit at-bats thus far this season. Orr has never started more than 16 games in a season (that came in 2006 while a member of the Atlanta Braves).
The one thing that surprised me about the 32-year-old Orr this spring was his base-running ability I didn't realize he was as fast or fluid as he is.
The only other line-up change has Brian Schneider starting at catcher in place of Carlos Ruiz. This is just a normal day off for Ruiz. With a day game scheduled for tomorrow against lefty Jon Niese, Manuel elected to start the left-hand hitting Schneider against righty Pelfrey tonight and save Ruiz for tomorrow.
The line-up:
- Shane Victorino CF
- Placido Polanco 3B
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Raul Ibanez LF
- Ben Francisco RF
- Pete Orr 2B
- Brian Schneider C
- Joe Blanton RHP
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Why isn't Mayberry getting any time in? Did I miss something? I'd much rather have him subbing for Victorino, than Orr for Valdez. Mayberry was riding a hot bat into the season, and it's just going to cool off.
Either way, I hope Victorino can finally get something going, we need that spot to warm up a bit. We need the win tonight.— MFPhils- I wouldn't be surprised to see Mayberry get the start tomorrow in left field. Day game after a night game, older player in left field, lefty on the mound. It's a good spot for Orr to get the start because there is a righty on the mound.
- Can't lose a series at home to the mets. Go get em Blanton.— P Even
- MF, interesting point; wish Big Joe the best tonight...— M60tanker
- Dave, was it just me, or did Hamels seem to give attention to his throwing arm a couple times during the game last night. It seemed after a couple pitches during the follow through, there was a little extra shake of the arm. Maybe he was just trying to keep the fastball down, as it appeared to sail on him a bit. Is there any injury concern with him around the organization right now?— flyrzfan1978
- Any chance Victorino follows Jimmy's lead and lays down a bunt to get on base? Amaro should post a "help wanted" ad for a lead-off man.— psuflyers
- flyrzfan needs a hobby and not t start hamels injury rumors
— tremo12 - @tremo12, not trying to start a rumor, something looked off about his follow through on more than a few pitches last night. Maybe it was the cold, maybe it was something else. I'm just asking a question. I saw something while watching that looked odd.— flyrzfan1978
- Two good moves. Tired of seeing singles go under Valdez glove.— Joe at the shore
- Orr has hit Pelfrey well. Limited at bats, but he's hit him. Howard has also hit Pelfrey well. Blanton's been good against the Mets. I like the Phils tonight (but what else could I say).— s
- The Schneid and Ms Kathy will score like Orr at the Shore— NewMick314
- Orr missed the first throw to him (to get Reyes stealing). Then Victorino screwed up and Reyes goes to third. But Blanton looks pretty sharp.— s
- Nice start so far tonight..— furio
- I asked Charlie before the game about Victorino maybe trying to get on base via bunt a little more, especially with him struggling. He squared to bunt on the first pitch he saw in the first inning, but finished the at-bat by lining a triple to the alley in right-center. Good start so far for the Phils. Also notable: Pete Orr busting down the line to beat out a slow grounder up the middle that Reyes gloved.— David_Murphy
- Howard 4-for-4 and a walk. I guess that's why we should trade him. 8-)— s
