Game 65: Tornadoes, hail and baseball
MINNEAPOLIS — The forecast for baseball is not promising, especially when "large hail" and "funnel-like storms" are predicted. But the Phillies do not return here for the rest of the season, so it could be a long, wet night.
Game 65: Tornadoes, hail and baseball
Matt Gelb
MINNEAPOLIS — The forecast for baseball is not promising, especially when "large hail" and "funnel-like storms" are predicted. But the Phillies do not return here for the rest of the season, so it could be a long, wet night.
Whatever the case, Jim Thome is positioned in his cleanup spot again, where he has found great success. On Wednesday, Thome became the oldest Phillies player to ever have a four-RBI game at 41 years, 291 days old. (The previous holder was Matt Stairs, who did it at 41 years, 195 days in 2009.)
He's been a revelation in five games, but that likely doesn't change anything once play in American League ballparks ends Sunday. Thome's back will prevent him from starting again because he cannot play the field.
"I don't know how we're going to get him in there," Charlie Manuel said. "I don't think we can play him. We'd take a chance on his back stiffening up again. When you really look at it, we have to find some way where he can see BP at a game speed. That way he can keep his timing to a certain degree."
For now, Manuel will hit him as much as possible.
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Placido Polanco 5
3. Hunter Pence 9
4. Jim Thome 0
5. Shane Victorino 8
6. Carlos Ruiz 2
7. Ty Wigginton 3
8. John Mayberry Jr. 7
9. Michael Martinez 4
Meanwhile, Joe Blanton will look to avoid making dubious Phillies history. He has allowed at least five earned runs in five straight starts, which is one shy of tying the franchise record.
| Rk | Strk Start | End | Games | W | L | GS | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | Tm | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvin Maduro | 1997-05-14 | 1997-07-05 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 28.0 | 41 | 33 | 33 | 17 | 11 | 9 | 10.61 | PHI |
| 2 | Ray Benge | 1930-07-12 | 1930-08-02 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 38.1 | 61 | 46 | 39 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 9.16 | PHI |
| 3 | Ralph Head | 1923-05-23 | 1923-08-01 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 29.0 | 54 | 40 | 37 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 11.48 | PHI |
| 4 | Joe Blanton | 2012-05-19 | 2012-06-08 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 26.1 | 44 | 30 | 29 | 5 | 26 | 11 | 9.91 | PHI |
| 5 | Wayne LaMaster | 1937-09-26 | 1938-04-30 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 23.2 | 36 | 30 | 28 | 13 | 16 | 6 | 10.65 | PHI |
| 6 | Cy Moore | 1934-07-07 | 1934-08-28 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 20.1 | 39 | 28 | 28 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 12.39 | PHI |
| 7 | Phil Collins | 1930-09-15 | 1931-05-01 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 28.2 | 49 | 31 | 29 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 9.10 | PHI |
| 8 | Claude Willoughby | 1930-04-27 | 1930-06-08 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 30.1 | 55 | 39 | 38 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 11.27 | PHI |
| 9 | Alex Ferguson | 1928-07-09 | 1928-07-28 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 21.2 | 37 | 26 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 10.80 | PHI |
| 10 | Alex Ferguson | 1928-04-20 | 1928-06-08 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 25.2 | 38 | 28 | 28 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 9.82 | PHI |
| 11 | Les Sweetland | 1927-08-27 | 1927-09-19 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 33.2 | 53 | 34 | 34 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 9.09 | PHI |
| 12 | Brad Hogg | 1919-06-02 | 1919-07-07 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 35.2 | 48 | 35 | 30 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 7.57 | PHI |
Minnesota will start Scott Diamond, who has a 1.61 ERA in seven starts.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Phil Collins...— en37- Is Thome a candidate to play next year? He would play 25% of the year as a DH with the new 15 team leagues...— Clt Philly Fan
- lineup dont seem that bad as long as Polanco and martinez get some hits, and Wiggs dont create any errors. I think they are gonna tee off on Blanton tonight, But im hoping he throws a good game, but wont be holding my breath. Phills lose 6-4. i hope im wrong.— huntnmike3666
- Actually, Thome got hurt sliding into second base, not playing defense. It must be that bizarro Charlie Manuel logic at work again.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- After the final game against Toronto, trade Thome to an AL team for a right-handed bullpen piece and send one of the kids down.— ESFjellin
- I was on the band wagon to get rid of Thome, but the last few games he has been tearing it up. If he cant play the field when this Grapefruit thing is done, he has to go. If he was to retire now, at least he redeemed himself a little bit before his exit! GL Thome, and thanks for the memories if they send you packing!— huntnmike3666
- Can we arrange a heart transplant from Thome to Howard?— lazyboy
- I just saw John Mayberry work out an 11 pitch walk to start the 9th - Phils leading 5 to 1. Where is that type of AB by any of the Phils when they're trailing 2 - 1 in the 9th?— tyroneslothrop
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