Game 70: Riding Mayberry
There is a righthanded pitcher opposing the Phillies on Wednesday, and usually that means Ty Wigginton is in the lineup. But John Mayberry Jr. will start at first base instead, as he's hit home runs in three straight games.
Game 70: Riding Mayberry
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
There is a righthanded pitcher opposing the Phillies on Wednesday, and usually that means Ty Wigginton is in the lineup. But John Mayberry Jr. will start at first base instead, as he's hit home runs in three straight games.
Mayberry's quest for relevancy has not exactly gone as planned. He's hitting .241 with a paltry .274 on-base percentage. (Raul Ibanez, for the record, is only 20 points better at .294.)
But even as Mayberry has heated up, his season splits tell the story of his career.
vs. RHP (102 PA): .213/.275/.287
vs. LHP (73 PA): .278/.274/.569
No, Mayberry has yet to draw a walk against a lefthanded pitcher. And he has only five extra-base hits against righthanded pitchers. Five of his six home runs have come off lefties.
The full lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Juan Pierre 7
3. Hunter Pence 9
4. Carlos Ruiz 2
5. Shane Victorino 8
6. Placido Polanco 5
7. John Mayberry Jr. 3
8. Michael Martinez 4
9. Joe Blanton 1
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Michael Martinez could not hit in my softball league.— auntesther- How about Shane Victorino and his .248 average takes a few days off. With Rollins and Pence putting it together it would be nice if Victorino could go on a little tear over this homestand. If nothing else than to improve his trade value.— FABER
- El Wingador is a cokehead.— stoptothinkisanidiot
- mayberry started hitting better when he moved his stance away from plate. Prior tothis adjustment, his hands were in the strike zone and he was unable to handle anything fastballs on the inner half, especially fastballs down and in. Since he's moved further from the plate, he now can handle strikes on the inner corner and he is able to take for balls those inside pitches that he was constantly swinging over or taking for strikes.— southpaw57
- Speaking of El Wingador can I just say that that WIP morning show has to be the worst on the planet. I mean TERRIBLE!! 97.5 The Fanantic is sooooo much better all the way around. And what's the big fasination with Big Daddy Graham?? He's TERRIBLE on the radio too...wow.— barkley3407
Matt. Mayberry's stats against RHP last year were fine. Maybe he just needs to keep playing and actually get a full year in before we over-analyze his numbers. JMO— zubzub- Vic is trying to be a #5 hole hitter and he isn't. Trying to do too much and not playing hit game.— tpizza
- Love Ibanez, but some of those terrible slumps he used to have seems to have rubbed off on some of the guys in Philly.— Alpheratz
- nothing personal, but JIM THOME, claims he is happy in his role with the PHILLIES of now just pinch hitting.First of all,in all due respect, the PHILLIES cant afford to carry, a player that cant play in the field, and cant run the bases, if he does get on.2ND of all JIM,your not a good pinch hitter,so i dont care how happy you are in your role,we dont need a cheerleader, we need a 25th player, that can
contribute not just as pinch hitter, (and force the mgr to get a pinch
runner, when you do get on base)but on the field as well.You are a LUXURY ITEM, that belongs in the AL,if anywhwere!
— flyers11 - Amen, zubzub. It's not like the rest of the offense was leaving Mayberry in the dust, except for Chooch. He had to be feeling more pressure than anyone else in the lineup, Galvis included, because his spot in the lineup was the most precarious. Let's hope he keeps slugging.— The K Man
- Amen. Keep the guy in the lineup and guess what, he'll start hitting consistantly. He better as he most likely will be our 2013 staring center fielder. Let him play EVERY DAY!— drhoffman
- Mayberry last year hit 250 against righties slightly over 300 vrs. lefties.In 2011 at AAA he hit 239 against righties and a whopping 350 against lefties. John can run throw and hit with power but if he wants to be more then a platoon player he wiil have to improve against righthanders. It seems he's late a lot against righties suggesting he's guessing. Its a shame since he has all the other tools and is a good defender.— Don w
- Sorry meant to say JMJ hit 239 vrs righties and 350 in 2010 not 2011. Why doesn't Manuel skip Kendrick saturday and pitch Lee with normal rest?— Don w
