Cardinals rough up Gonzalez in big-league debut

ST. LOUIS - The fluid state of the Phillies' starting rotation should create a slew of openings this season. A lack of depth, injuries, and potential trades could lead to opportunities for several members of the triple-A rotation.

The first two factors led the Phillies in their 21st game to use their seventh starting pitcher already. Severino Gonzalez's turn to pitch proved brief Tuesday night in an 11-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gonzalez was shelled in his major-league debut as the night amounted essentially to what the Phillies called up the pitcher to avoid: a bullpen game. The wiry 22-year-old righthander was tagged for seven runs and 10 hits, three for extra bases, and lasted only 22/3 innings. He had recorded only six outs when Dustin McGowan began warming in the bullpen.

"It seemed like he really didn't establish both sides of the plate with his fastball, keeping them honest," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "It seemed like most of the balls were over the plate and [the Cardinals hitters] would get extended and have good swings at them. It was an experience for him. I'm sure that he'd like to make some adjustments next time out."

The Phillies (8-13) battled, scoring two runs in each of the third and fifth innings and another in the seventh, but they could not overcome an early five-run deficit. Jake Diekman's woeful month continued with three more walks and two more runs allowed in two innings.

Tuesday was only Gonzalez's fourth start above double A. The Phillies promoted him in an effort to preserve their bullpen. McGowan, a 33-year-old starter-turned-reliever, started Thursday's game only to run out of steam in the fourth inning. Four relievers finished out that game. Four were needed again to get through Tuesday night.

The final straw for Gonzalez came when Michael Wacha (4-0), the opposing starter, roped a two-out RBI single in the third. In the Cardinals lineup, only Jhonny Peralta failed to reach base against Gonzalez. The veteran shortstop managed just a sacrifice fly.

Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis compiled his fifth three-hit game of the young season and his third in five days. Chase Utley and Odubel Herrera each drove in a pair of runs. Ben Revere hit two infield singles.

Gonzalez, touted for sharp control and command of his pitches, was the youngest Phillies pitcher to debut in nine seasons. He said he was aware of the fact that he and catcher Carlos Ruiz combined to become the first Panamanian-born batterymates to start a major-league game. He described the 36-year-old Ruiz as a father figure.

"I was very calm," Gonzalez said through a translator, first-base coach Juan Samuel. "I was concentrating on keeping the ball down and trying to throw strikes. But unfortunately things did not work. Everything was up."

The Phillies signed Gonzalez four Aprils ago for just $14,000. His breakout 2013 season began in extended spring training in Clearwater and ended in double-A Reading. A spot Grapefruit League start this spring impressed Sandberg, who spoke of the pitcher's "outstanding" composure.

Two walks Tuesday matched Gonzalez's total in 172/3 triple-A innings this year. With a cutting fastball from 88 to 90 m.p.h., Gonzalez is reliant on pinpoint command. In 415 professional innings entering Tuesday, he issued only 67 walks.

That efficiency was not on display against the Cardinals, who teed off on the young righthander. With Chad Billingsley set for probably two more rehab starts, Gonzalez is expected to get another shot Sunday in Miami. His likely won't be the last debut the rebuilding Phillies see this year.

@jakemkaplan