Howard 'on grind again'; tonight's lineup
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Howard 'on grind again'; tonight's lineup
Daily News staff
Ryan Howard sounded pleased after getting in a workout at the Phillies complex in Clearwater today. “Day one rehab back in Clearwater,” he said on Twitter. “Feels good to be on the grind again. Beast of a workout today.”
General Manager Ruben Amaro said Saturday that Howard would not start hitting for a few days “because he wants to get his legs under him and doesn't want to get in any bad habits." Howard will be taking ground balls and doing other baseball-related work. He has been limited since Feb. 27 when he had a procedure to clean a wound from his initial Achilles surgery. Amaro told reporters that the wound is not completely healed, but was in good enough shape to allow Howard to head to Clearwater for more baseball.
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Jimmy Rollins remains in the leadoff spot as the Phillies attempt a series split against the Cubs tonight at Citizens Bank Park. Placido Polanco returns to the lineup after having Sunday off.
Vance Worley (2-1), who has won his last two starts by allowing just one run over 13 innings, is on the mound for the Phillies.
Righthander Chris Volstad starts for the Cubs. The 6-foot-8 former Marlin is 0-3 with a 6.14 ERA this season and is winless dating back to last July. He allowed four earned runs in six innings in a loss to St. Louis in his last start. He is 2-5 with a 5.88 ERA in his career against the Phillies.
Here is the lineup:
1. Rollins, SS
2. Polanco, 3B
3. Victorino, CF
4. Pence, RF
5. Wigginton, 1B
6. Nix, LF
7. Ruiz, C
8. Galvis, 2B
9. Worley, P
Comment removed.
Phillies win 4-3. Wigginton and Nix go yard.
— eman- I thought Schneider usually catches Worley...what gives?— kilo_005
- "The 6-foot-8 former Marlin is 0-3 with a 6.14 ERA". That sounds like trouble for the Phillies... I guaran-damn-tee his ERA will decrease after facing the Phillies.
— palmyra21 - Here's where you lay some hope tonight. Versus Volstad, over the last 5 years:
Rollins, 29 AB, .429
Polanco, 11 AB, .273
Victorino, 28 AB, .286
Pence, 14 AB, .357
Nix, 7 AB, .286
Ruiz, 20 AB, .450
That and a small animal sacrifice of some sort should get the win.
— s - Like a gopher?
— zubzub - Comment removed.
- ...Somewhere James Timothy McCarver is shedding a tear.
— Jiggs700 - Doesn't matter what the lineup is. It will be below average until Howard and Utley get back. Even then it will be rough...— FightinPhil
- Lets hope the guys who have hit him wel in the past continue to do so tonight! The FLYERS don't play and I really do not want to watch the dam Rangers! LETS GO PHILLIES!!— srcdaddy1216
- I just dont understand, why we are waiting for howard and uttley to
return so we can win the division again. It was clear to me even with those 2 we were having problems scoring runs regularly, not since burrell left did we have an awesome lineup. Just think for a second who in our lineup scares the opposition (no one). It was more fun when we smacked the ball around than it is now pitching close games (boring). Honestly i would trade one of the aces for a legit
power threat. Batista is my pick does anyone share my feelings and who can we trade for?— wildgreenman - The most excitement in Sunday's loss was fact it was the fanatic's birthday party.What has happened to Pence's fielding in right field?— RonGon
- I hope this reaches the front office. You guys really messed up this year in making up the team. I dont care if Pierre bats 500 he is not right for us. He does not have the affection or passion (at least he does not show it) on the field. Podsednik was the right call there.
You did good by bringing in Nix and Wigginton but you messed up with
the rookie shortstop turned 2nd baseman. Not that he does not have
talent but it was wrong to bring him up now. He is someone who is not a major league ready hitter now. Wigginton should have been regular 2nd baseman with orr as the backup. You have really messed up on am other young player again (dom brown with all the changes before) and now John Mayberry who does not know where he belongs and if he belongs in the bigs. The kid should have had a regular job either the outfield or 1st base and just let him play.
I said it before and I will say it again, our ballpark dictates the kind of players who should be on our team, we are not and never will be a "small-ball" team. And also the team needs heart remember Aaron Rowand? and how we missed him? we had a chance this year with podsednik but we meesed up, it's not too late to correct this mess now or forget the string of sellouts and division crowns, if you don't the string ends soon.— wildgreenman
