Game 13: It gets better, right?
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Game 13: It gets better, right?
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO — Maybe all the Phillies need is a stop in this beautiful city.
They have, after all, won 11 straight games at Petco Park. That is the longest active streak for any team at any ballpark in the majors. It also ties a franchise record set in 1954-55 when the Phillies won 11 straight at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field.
All told, the Phillies hold a 22-4 mark at Petco since it opened in 2004.
A night after watching his offense fail to score for 11 innings, Charlie Manuel tinkered with the lineup again.
1. Juan Pierre 7
2. Placido Polanco 5
3. Jimmy Rollins 6
4. Hunter Pence 9
5. Shane Victorino 8
6. John Mayberry Jr. 3
7. Carlos Ruiz 2
8. Freddy Galvis 4
9. Vance Worley 1
One notable thing: Ruiz will catch Worley. That hasn't happened since July 15, 2011, a span of 14 starts. Brian Schneider has served as Worley's catcher, but it's hard for Manuel to remove Ruiz from a lineup that has done nothing.
Meanwhile, the Padres hold baseball's worst record at 3-10. They are returning home from a miserable 1-5 roadtrip and are starting righthander Joe Wieland, who has all of five major-league innings to his name.
It gets better, right?
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Comment removed.
At 3-10, I think the Padres are happy to be facing the Phillies. Agree with all who believe Rollins is a poor 3-hole hitter...something has to be done. Although with the limited abilities of the entire lineup, there really isn't a good answer. Charlie makes some poor baseball moves, but I can't think of too many managers who could consistently win with the Phillies lineup. At some point, you need players who can play and not rely solely on your pitching staff.— MrPhillie- scuse me - meant to include Worley in "good to useful" grouping— warbiscuit
- How many more games before we can say Worley was no fluke last year? Simply outstanding tonight. 11 strikeouts. He's as fun to watch as the three aces. — s
- Phils have maybe 10 good to useful players: Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Papelbon, Ruiz, Rollins, Pence, Victorino, Bastardo, Qualls - other 15 are all useless cr$p and need to go to retirment home or back to minors— warbiscuit
- Why aren't the off season crown jewel pick up from the pro scouting department Wiggy and Nix in the lineup? Answering my own question: They can't Play!— Dull
- esfjellin -- I;m sure Rube can trade Kendrick with his new $7 mil. deal for someone like Granderson... I'm sure Blanton and his $8 mil. contract this season can be parlayed into Cano...— warbiscuit
- Granderson had 3 HRs tonight and that was just his first three at bats ... 3 HRs in 4 innings. Then gets two more hits to go 5-for-5. How sick is that? — s
- sure esfjellon Phils just about 15 players away -- at Ruben's trade rate of 3 prospects for ever hole he needs to fill each July, he just needs to trade 45 top prospects— warbiscuit
- They ought to be able to scrounge a win or two from the Padres. Maybe they can switch Wiggington for Headley when nobody's looking on Sunday. That would help a lot!— jtj06
- I'd rather see Victorino switch spots with Rollins, but there's not a whole lot you can do with these hitters. When you have Rollins hitting third and Pence hitting cleanup, you're in trouble.— p-diddy
- Why is Schneider on the roster??— tulsaphil
- Wow! We should get at least 5 hits and 1 run tonight.— zeke128
- thanks for the input fraudbiscuit, now go back to being a Cubs fan. This team is a bat away from being back to their normal selves, whether that comes internally or from somewhere else is all dependent on Ruben, Monty and Co. if they want to break the lux. tax.— ESFjellin
- JRo in the 3 hole is .275 with 1 HR and 7 RBI the past 2 seasons in 156 AB's. Projects to 4 HR, 28 RBI for a 600 AB season. Why does Charlie's love affair with JRo cloud his judgment and why won't Charlie try ANYONE else in the 3 hole, but JRo ? JRo presses in the 3 hole and needs to be moved !— 80mac
- Oh wow, yet another record they can break. Even the worst team in baseball will be a challenge for this inept offense.— MrLincoln
- with these awesome lineups and managerial decisions, Phils no. 2 through 4 starters, Lee, Hamels and Worley, combined, have as many wins as Jamie Moyer --digest that for a second— warbiscuit
- Best lineup we have.— WFChamps
- Better rub Chooch for good luck just to be sure.
A loud voice also told me that if we don't get David Murphy on a plane to San Diego, locusts will descend on Petco Park. You have been forewarned.— s - YAY! Unexpected Chooch tonight. I am glad to see it! Really don't like JRoll in the 3 spot. Move him down to 6, Shane to 3 and Mayberry to 5...— bingbangbong
- YAY! Unexpected Chooch tonight. I am glad to see it! Really don't like JRoll in the 3 spot. Move him down to 6, Shane to 3 and Mayberry to 5...— bingbangbong
- Glad to see Chooch in the game. Worley has not won the last five times that Schnieder has caughthim. Not that it is his fault. We just need the offense. Chooch can rest later.— johnny eagle
