Archive: April, 2012
Marc Narducci
Phillies general manger Ruben Amaro Jr. says that an MRI disclosed that lefthander Cliff Lee has a Grade 1 left external oblique strain.
“That is kind of what we thought it would be,” Amaro said before tonight’s game with the Chicago Cubs.
Amaro stressed that he doesn't know the timetable for Lee, who is eligible to come off the disabled list on May 4 when the Phillies open a weekend series in Washington.
Marc Narducci
Jimmy Rollins is back in the Phillies lineup Friday against the Chicago Cubs after getting most of the game off during Wednesday’s 7-2 win at Arizona.
Rollins, who had started the first 18 games this season, entered the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning.
Manager Charlie Manuel feels giving him a breather, in addition to the team’s day off on Thursday, will benefit Rollins.
Marc Narducci
Here is the Phillies lineup for tonight’s game against the visiting Chicago Cubs.
Juan Pierre leads off and plays LF, followed by Placido Polanco, 3B; Jimmy Rollins, SS; Hunter Pense, RF; Shane Victorino, CF; Ty Wigginton, 1B; Carlos Ruiz, C; Freddy Galvis, 2B and Roy Halladay, P (3-1, 1.50).
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
PHOENIX — One game remains on this season-long road trip and for all its ugliness, the Phillies can break even with a victory Wednesday. That's saying something.
To do it, Charlie Manuel will use his 15th different lineup in 19 games. He's sticking with the hot hands — Laynce Nix and Pete Orr. And why not?
Jimmy Rollins will sit on the bench for the first time in 2012. He's 3 for his last 33. Orr has one more extra-base hit (four) than Rollins (three) in 59 fewer at-bats. With the day off Thursday, Manuel can give Rollins two full days to clear his head.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
PHOENIX — The immediate effect of Kyle Kendrick's three-inning clunker Monday was a Phillies loss. But its aftermath extended into Tuesday, when Charlie Manuel was left with a short bullpen.
Kendrick threw 63 pitches and allowed seven runs.
"Sometimes you see guys settle in and they could give you three or four innings," Manuel said. "But they just kept hitting the ball on him. Even in the inning where he was clean, they hit some balls hard. He just had a tough night."
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
PHOENIX — Earlier Tuesday, the Phillies released an ominous statement from general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. that Hunter Pence would undergo a "precautionary" MRI on his injured left shoulder.
Well, Pence is slotted fourth in Charlie Manuel's lineup and playing right field.
So much for that.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
PHOENIX — There isn't much else to discuss in the aftermath of a 9-5 drubbing at the hands of the Diamondbacks, so look ahead. And this is way ahead, far more ahead than we should be thinking.
Freddy Galvis has played quite well. It's only been 17 games, but the 22-year-old rookie has done more than hold his own. His defensive contributions will compensate for his shortcomings at the plate. (And he does have five extra-base hits, which ties for the team lead.)
The Phillies first baseman quartet of Ty Wigginton/John Mayberry Jr./Laynce Nix/Jim Thome? They haven't been awful; Phillies first basemen ranked eighth in the National League with a .730 OPS entering Monday.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
PHOENIX —
UPDATE (7:50 p.m.): Hunter Pence is sidelined by a left shoulder injury.
EARLIER: Charlie Manuel did not specifically name Hunter Pence during his postgame lecture Sunday about his players pressing. But Pence is the best example. He made five outs with four swings Sunday and cost the Phillies three runs with his defense.
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO — Carlos Ruiz is back in the lineup after a two-day absence because of a left wrist injury. Joining him in Charlie Manuel's Sunday lineup is Jim Thome, who is making his first start in nine days.
Manuel is looking for something to spark this offense, which has scored 14 runs in six games during this West Coast trip. He'll start Juan Pierre for the fifth straight game and seventh time in the last eight.
1. Juan Pierre 7
2. Shane Victorino 8
3. Jimmy Rollins 6
4. Hunter Pence 9
5. Jim Thome 3
6. Ty Wigginton 5
7. Carlos Ruiz 2
8. Freddy Galvis 4
9. Joe Blanton 1
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO — Carlos Ruiz is out of the Phillies lineup for the second straight night because of a sore wrist. And after a four-run outburst Friday, Charlie Manuel will stick with the same lineup even with a lefty, Cory Luebke, on the mound.
1. Juan Pierre 7
2. Placido Polanco 5
3. Jimmy Rollins 6
4. Hunter Pence 9
5. Shane Victorino 8
6. Ty Wigginton 3
7. Freddy Galvis 4
8. Brian Schneider 2
9. Roy Halladay 1
Pierre is in the lineup for the fourth straight game and six of the last seven. It's the first time the opposition has started a lefty and John Mayberry Jr. has not played.
