Marc Narducci
WASHINGTON -- Rookie righthander Jonathan Pettibone looks to continue his early-season success when he makes his seventh start for the Phillies in tonight’s second of a weekend series with the Washington Nationals.
Pettibone (3-0, 3.00) is the first Phillies rookie to allow three earned runs or fewer in each of his first six career starts since Ben Rivera from June 9 to Aug. 19, 1992. The last Phillies rookie to accomplish this in seven career starts was Charles Hudson in 1983.
Pettibone will be opposed by righthander Dan Haren (4-5, 5.54).
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Marc Narducci of the Inquirer gives a recap of the Phillies' 5-2 loss in to the Nationals in Washington.
Marc Narducci
WASHINGTON -- After a shaky first outing this season, Kyle Kendrick then went seven straight starts allowing two earned runs or fewer.
Now Kendrick is looking to regain that form after a second straight difficult outing. Kendrick pitched five innings allowing eight hits and five earned runs in Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Washington Nationals at NationalsPark.
Even more indicative of his struggles was the fact that Kendrick walked four and struck out just one. He threw 107 pitches, 62 for strikes.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — Chase Utley believed it was prudent to inform the Phillies moments after pain shot through his right side during batting practice Tuesday. Rather than play through it, an idea a twentysomething Utley might have embraced, Utley was confident in his caution.
His diagnosis Thursday of a "very mild" oblique strain reaffirmed that decision. Utley will miss at least two weeks and Phillies officials are optimistic that is all.
Utley, while describing his injury the "best-case scenario," is taking a more conservative view.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — Rich Dubee wanted Mike Adams to appear in a minor-league game before his activation from the disabled list. After throwing to hitters Friday in Clearwater, Fla., the Phillies decided that was unnecessary.
Adams (back strain) will be activated Sunday, the first day he is eligible.
"While he was a little rusty at not having thrown in several days, he physically felt fine," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — When the Phillies evaluated potential roster replacements for Chase Utley on Wednesday, team officials said a middle infielder was not a priority. Freddy Galvis, obviously, will assume the majority of Utley's at-bats. Kevin Frandsen can play second and third, so if a shortstop was required, Galvis could slide over.
Ultimately, the Phillies decided they needed insurance there. So Michael Martinez is a major-league player again.
Martinez, 30, was hitting .239/.306/.284 in 121 plate appearances for triple-A Lehigh Valley. That was just slightly better than his career majors line of .188/.241/.272 in 356 plate appearances. His .590 OPS was the worst among all current IronPigs position players.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Thirteen months removed from his last major-league appearance, Mike Stutes is back in the Phillies bullpen.
The 26-year-old righthander was recalled Thursday and will join the team for Friday's series opener in Washington. He replaces Phillippe Aumont, who was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley to improve his control.
Stutes underwent shoulder surgery last summer and was sporadic in spring training. The Phillies wanted him to build innings and confidence in the minors. He posted a 3.33 ERA at triple A with 25 strikeouts and 11 walks in 27 innings. His last three weeks have been particularly encouraging. Stutes had a 0.59 ERA (one run in 15 1/3 innings) during that span.
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Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI — The Phillies promised changes to their mediocre middle relief. The first happened after Wednesday's 3-0 victory when Phillippe Aumont was demoted to triple-A Lehigh Valley.
But Charlie Manuel made it clear: The team is still enamored of the hulking Canadian pitcher.
"He has all the potential in the world," Manuel said. "One of these days, Aumont has a chance to be a big-time back-end bullpen piece. But right now he needs to pitch and get regular work in to develop his pitches."
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI — Mike Adams, red faced after a strenuous bullpen session at Marlins Park, was optimistic he could return from the disabled list before the weekend ends. Pitching coach Rich Dubee later offered a dose of reality.
"He's throwing fine," Dubee said. "But he needs to see some hitters."
Adams (back strain) will travel to Clearwater, Fla., while his teammates head north to Washington. He will throw a live batting practice session Friday. He is scheduled to appear in a game Monday.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI — Curt Schilling, sixth among all Phillies pitchers in wins and fourth in strikeouts, will be inducted to the team's wall of fame Aug. 2, the Phillies announced Wednesday.
In addition to the weekend's alumni ceremonies, Brad Lidge will retire as a Phillie. He will throw the ceremonial first pitch Aug. 1 against San Francisco. On Aug. 4, the Phillies will honor the 1993 National League champion team with a pregame event.
Long viewed as a controversial figure because of his unceremonious exit from the city, Schilling spent nine of his 20 seasons in Philadelphia. He is one of the franchise's greatest righthanded pitchers. He was the first one to 300 strikeouts and won the MVP of the 1993 National League Championship Series.
