Game 56: Brown out
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Game 56: Brown out
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
WASHINGTON -- Domonic Brown's .526 (10 for 19) batting average in his last six games has earned him a spot on the bench for the series finale against the Nationals.
That's because Washington is starting lefty John Lannan and Charlie Manuel said he is not ready to unleash Brown against a lefthanded starter. So Ben Francisco is starting in right field.
Brown's confidence has grown immensely in the past week so this seemed like a logical next step in the prospect's progression. But apparently Manuel does not agree.
In minor league games at triple A and double A last season, Brown posted a slash line of .313/.376/.535 in 109 plate appearances (small sample sizes apply). Brown was 6 for 19 with two extra-base hits against lefties in his 16 minor-league games this season.
It's also a day off for Jimmy Rollins, who was 0 for 9 in the first two games of this series. Rollins also had last Thursday off.
That leads to a slightly unconventional lineup for Manuel, the 37th different one he has filled out this season.
1. Placido Polanco 5
2. John Mayberry Jr. 8
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Ben Francisco 9
6. Raul Ibanez 7
7. Carlos Ruiz 2
8. Wilson Valdez 6
9. Roy Oswalt 1
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Comments (30)
Watching the Phillies play the Nationals is boring baseball. The Phllies make the Nats look like the Yankees.— eaglesman1- there we go....Mayberry plunked. I am so sick of this *($&^@*( with Lannan.— uncle meat
- Is it me or is this managerial team petrified of making changes and letting young bucks have a crack? Brown, Worley, Mayberyy--all have to struggle to get regular time. I mean, pitch Kendrick this coming weekend instead of Worley? what's the logic? The issue, so they said, was that Worley needed more regularity in the rotation--well, put him in, Chaz. Yeah, Brown should hit against lefties--that's what baseball players do.— Rando
- if Lannan hits yet ANOTHER Phillie in this game, and it goes unretaliated... I say Oswalt needs to dust Lannan regardless. Send a message that his hitting (and injuring) Phillies won't be tolerated. I'd say nail Zimmerman, but he's already on the DL.— uncle meat
- A dreadful Phillies effort brings out the best in humanity, doesn't it?— dasher
- Brown is finally playing well and contributing, so, of course, you would bench him for the day. Oh, the machinations of the great baseball mind of ole' Charlie Manuel!— pajamas
- This isn't a big deal. I think the Phils should rest their aging infielders (Howard, Utley, Rollins & Polanco) periodically. I also believe they are better served rotating the OF. Including Victorino, we have 5 guys who can play, let's use them all.— mtairy1
- It is remarkable how much continual (continuous?) whining there is about a team with the best record in the league, and a shot at 100+ wins. "Charlie is often wrong…" could mean something, but what? All the Phillies have done since Charlie Manuel arrived is WIN, so I guess when windmill boy agrees with him, we'd better look out below! As far as ole mr frying for freedom is concerned, do you really mean that Vance Worley is the KEY to the starting rotation? If so, we are in BIG trouble in So. Philly!— BEMiller
- dont get your panties in a bunch, they all have tomorrow off and we need to win this series.— drerock6
Comment removed.- I am writing this post ecause I like to see my name on the Internet and I highly value my opinions.— tommy_the_k
- Hey MF Phils, why do you bother to post a lengthy criticism of another fan. I suggest you limit your postings to comments about the Phils, coaches and players. Your comments are a waste of space.— Fast Eddy
- Utley and Ibanez both have great career numbers against Lannon
- Just win and then the lineup order doesn't matter— shawnmac
- Something has gone wrong with the Phillies starting staff ever since the mistreatment and demotion of rookie Vance Worley. First Roy Halladay pitched a clunker, then Cliff Lee. Whether or not the Phillies win this series versus the lowly Washington Nationals is going to depend on whether Roy Oswalt can stay focused.— Freedom Fries
- Didn't realize Vance Worley was the KEY to the starting rotation. What mistreatment are you invoking, here? That things went as could have been expect? If it were mistreatment to be sent back down after a short fill in period, half the players in baseball have been mistreated! Last time I looked (yesterday) it's the typical ups and downs of baseball! — BEMiller
- If Brown's confidence is this fragile then why is he in the major leagues? For that matter, why isn't he home living with his mother? He's an adult, right? Sheesh.— n62
- Quix, did you think before you wrote that out? I mean...it's obvious you've never coached anything at any level, because of the way you act towards another coach. So, given that...and the fact that no one in this country would hire you as a coach on a professional level...What in the world makes you think you are even remotely qualified to make a comment like that? I get how we fans like to coach from the couch...but to go to that extent?
I just wonder how completely oblivious you are in other areas of your life...I bet your one of those guys who follows the electrician around questioning what they're doing, despite having no knowledge of the field.
To give off that kind of impression about yourself...you have to be absolutely clueless...You do realize when your mom told you that you were the smartest guy in the world, she only told you that because you were her son right?— MFPhils - what impression are you giving off? that you fly off the handle after reading someone's opinion? — phils_tnj1
- Does Ibanez ever get a day off? I know he hits the Nats well, but if I'm not mistaken, he is 39 years old. Would love to see Brown in today in left instead of noodle arm Raul. Raul has really hurt them defensively in left this year with his range & arm.— march951
- MFPhils
Time to lighten up! Quixote is entitled to his/her opinion. You arent' the "comment guru". 
Don't we usually light Lannan up? Has he ever beaten the Phillies?- Can't learn to hit lefties when you're sitting on the bench. Ugh.— UncleEddie
- Watched Matt Rizotti line a base hit off of Lannen last year in a AA game in Harrisburg. Lannen is nothing special. He is the perfect lefty for Brownie to get some at bats against. Last year Brown had similar numbers against both lefties and righties at AA and AAA. Why is he not in there? The future is not Ben Francisco.— Dull
- Watched Matt Rizotti line a base hit off of Lannen last year in a AA game in Harrisburg. Lannen is nothing special. He is the perfect lefty for Brownie to get some at bats against. Last year Brown had similar numbers against both lefties and righties at AA and AAA. Why is he not in there? The future is not Ben Francisco.— Dull
- yo they better win im about to leave for the game and i was there last night and they decided to take the night off— BigredDC
- "Charlie is often wrong?" I don't really like what that implies. However, if often wrong leads to a championship and repeated division titles and playoff appearences I'll take often wrong anyday. Cholly goes with his disappearing/reappearing gut most of the time and I'd say he's usually right.— Phillyphan26
- As long as the lineup is screwy, why not break up Utley and Howard with a righty? Polanco-Utley-Mayberry-Howard.— jpk
- I would have given Utley the day off also. There is bad history against Lannan and a day game after a night game.— EL Zorro
- Comment removed.
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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