Rare production comes from 2B and C
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Rare production comes from 2B and C
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Charlie Manuel will often talk about his regulars needing to produce their career averages for the Phillies to succeed.
Through 35 games, four players had done just that: Jimmy Rollins (.286 in 2011, .273 career), Shane Victorino (.289, .279), Placido Polanco (.354, .304) and Ryan Howard (.274, .278) had either exceeded or almost equaled their career batting averages.
The Phillies' offensive problems lie at the bottom of the order, which has been one of the worst in the National League.
Consider this: Entering Wednesday's game, Phillies pitchers had a better OPS (.554) than hitters from the eight spot (.504). Phillies second basemen (.557) and catchers (.574) each have the worst OPS in the league at their respective positions.
Wednesday brought change: The second basemen and catchers were 4 for 8 with three extra-base hits and three runs scored. That, however, was the exception to the rule.
Help, of course, is nearing. Chase Utley, owner of a career .894 OPS, will play his second rehab game Thursday for single-A Clearwater. Carlos Ruiz, who has a career .747 OPS, will also play Thursday for Clearwater and should be activated Friday when the Phillies begin a series in Atlanta.
Not surprisingly, playing a collection of backups and replacement-level players at second and catcher like Wilson Valdez, Pete Orr, Michael Martinez, Brian Schneider and Dane Sardinha has created something of a black hole in the bottom of the order.
"That's who we have and who we play," Manuel said. "We depend on them to help us. We've had guys who've done that. When we get Utley and Ruiz back, yeah, our lineup will be better."
It hurt especially in Tuesday's tight game. With the bases loaded in the second and no outs, Sardinha failed to put the ball in play, striking out. Roy Halladay struck out looking before Rollins grounded out to second.
As Manuel pointed out afterward, even if Sardinha hits into a double play, the Phillies score a run.
In the third inning, the bases were loaded again, this time with two outs. Orr swung at the first pitch and grounded out to short.
When Orr came to bat in the seventh inning of Wednesday's game, he had one extra-base hit. By the time the game ended, he had tripled his total.
Manuel called Orr's seventh-inning double the hit that turned the momentum of the game.
The manager has attempted to mix and match at both vacant positions so as to not wear anyone out. Orr has started frequently at second of late. Schneider has most of the starts behind the plate, but the manager is weary of overusing the 34-year-old catcher. He left with a strained left hamstring Wednesday and could need the disabled list.
Incredibly, Houston Astros pitchers have a better OPS (.593) than Phillies second basemen and catchers (in about half of the plate appearances). Clearly, the Phillies should have kept J.A. Happ (5 for 11 at the plate) to bolster the lineup.
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Hope Sardines does not lose his rabbit's foot— NewMick314- Did you mean "leery" of overusing Schneider, or perhaps "wary" of overusing Schneider? But "weary"?— Bartleby
- The puzzling love affair with Wilson Valdez is nearing its end. He had a sort of Luis Aguayo spell over this town, but he should get the boot when Utley returns.— Repubrebirth
- Until Ultey returns, I'd start Orr over Valdez until Orr shows he can't hit. Right now, it sure looks like he hits more than Valdez and we need offense over defense. The way Francisco's hitting, I'd start Gload and Mayberry more too, and probably hustle Dom Brown along. Of all of them, Francisco has been the biggest, disappointing surprise. I really thought he'd go like .280, 18 HR and 80 RBI. Instead, he's .229 and trending in the wrong direction. Charlie was right about him.— eman
- Valdez won't get the boot when Utley returns. The need him because he can play SS and 3B in addition to 2B. Nobody else on the roster can do that.— Armyofthe15Monkies
- Valdez won't get the boot when Utley returns. The need him because he can play SS and 3B in addition to 2B. Nobody else on the roster can do that.— Armyofthe15Monkies
- Valdez won't get the boot when Utley returns. The need him because he can play SS and 3B in addition to 2B. Nobody else on the roster can do that.— Armyofthe15Monkies
- So nice, he'll post it thrice— balitok
- He made the point I was going to make three times though: No way do you get rid of Valdez. He's very good in a backup role for his defense. — s
- I agree eman, Orr and Mayberry or Gload. I'd really like to see Mayberry. Valdez is needed for defense in case of injury or rest, but when he is at bat with a man on first it usualy turns into a double play.— nickNY
- why do folks like Valdez- because after watching utley botch play after play, his strong accurate arm is refreshing to watch. He is the best fielder on the team. Sometimes he hits, others not, if he were a a .280 to .300 guy he would be a star with a big price tag.— jbcanoe
- there's two big production black holes in LF and RF. get d.brown up here and platoon the stiffs in LF.— snakeplissken
- To quote Dennis Green...they are who we thought they were. Valdez is a good backup glove, period. He can't hit worth shirt. When Utley comes back, either Valdez or useless Martinez must go. One must stay, since you need a backup for Rollins, but you don't take up roster spots for both. Francisco is a decent fourth or fifth outfielder, period. When he plays every day he gets exposed. Mayberry will disappoint you the same way if you think he's more more than just that. Mr. Tattoo Sardinha is a sloppy backup for a backup, period. He makes Barajas and Paulino look like Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk. Orr is a useful backup player with some pop in his bat, speed, defense, and hustle. Lord do the Phillies need corner outfield help, a good young catcher and young two middle infielders waiting in the wings. They will have to move some surplus minor league pitching talent in the near future to try and fill these gaping holes.— dasher
- I guess you have to give Ibanez a few more weeks - I think he's earned a chance to bounce back. But I would not mind seeing Mayberry in left and Brown in right, and I think it would worry opposing pitchers a heck of a lot more than Ibanez and Francisco.— Steve2181
- One black hole is this Rule 5 guy, Mart. He should be dispatched back to the Nats. If they say NO, put him at Lehigh or Reading. Keep Orr , Valdez and then for a week or two they will have to bring up another catcher if Ruiz is not ready. Kratz is at Lehigh. Dom must come up to the Bigs. Sit Ben and rotate John and Dom. Near the break, try again to trade Raul, Joe, Danys, and Lidge. Who knows? Some team may actually need one or two of those guys. If some go, bring up Josh Barfield. He is hitting well.— Koons
