I got quite a few calls, texts and e-mails yesterday that went like this:
"What the hell happened to Kyle Lohse?"
The Phillies happened.
Or maybe it just seems that way. He lasted just one inning in his Phillies debut in a 10-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Jacque Jones, Lohse's teammate in Minnesota, smoked him in the right forearm with a line drive. Lohse suffered a bruise and had to leave the game.
Lohse said he should be able to make his next start Wednesday.
But he probably should avoid sharp objects, stairs, jaywalking, spicy foods, cracks in the sidewalk and games of tag in the meantime.
*
Could have seen this one coming. After the way the Phillies used their bullpen the last two games in Chicago, they needed another arm for tonight's game against the Brewers at Miller Park. So they placed catcher Rod Barajas on the DL with a strained right groin and purchased the contract of righthander Clay Condrey from triple-A Ottawa.
This is Condrey's fifth stint with the team this season. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Phillies placed Francisco Rosario on the 60-day disabled list.
Barajas becomes the 13th Phillies player to spend time on the DL this season, and the fifth in the last eight days. The others are: Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Michael Bourn, Brett Myers, Tom Gordon, Rosario, Ryan Madson (twice), Jon Lieber (twice), Freddy Garcia (twice) and Scott Mathieson.
Barajas barely has played recently, especially the way Chris Coste has been swinging the bat. But I still would not be surprised if Barajas is not with the team by the end of the month, especially if Victorino, Bourn and Utley are activated. Then again, they could just keep him on the disabled list until the team's roster expands Sept. 1. That way they have a third catcher.
We'll see.
*
Part of the reason the Phillies made this move is because Gordon probably won't be available until Sunday based on recent history. I know the Phillies said they felt they made two big trades at the deadline by having Gordon and Myers activated, but if Gordon can ony pitch twice a week that's not the boost they need.
*
The Northwest Herald's David Brown goes 20 Questions with Jimmy Rollins. Good stuff. Definitely worth checking out. Check out his other 20 Questions, too.
*
Pitching matchups for this weekend's series against the Brewers.
*
The Phillies should beat up on the Brewers this weekend. Milwaukee opened the season 24-10 for the best record in baseball, but are just 34-41 since, which is the fifth-worst record in the National League. They actually have the second-worst record in the league since June 30. They are ready for the taking.
Comments (8)
The 2007 Phillies, brought to you by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Band-Aid, Bactine and Motran.
Glad to see Condrey back, I thought he was better than some of the arms we had anyway. I guess Barajas got hurt scratching himself, sounds like a NBA phantom injury.
Everytime Coste gets a hit, I say a big 'bite me" to Pat Gillick. I'm enjoying his succcess, good for him. And kudos to Charlie for running him out there in place of Barajas. I'm sure Rod is a nice guy and I wish he was hitting .280, but Coste is getting it done.
Save Gordon for Sunday if we get the typical Eaton performance, we'll need him and a cast of thousands. Need 2 out of 3 minimum. sweep would be better.
Posted by jimmymack | August 3, 2007 12:29 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 12:29
Apologies to Jimmymack and others, but I agree with Paul Hagen - all things said, Manuel has done a pretty amazing job holding this team together. And the players seem to like him.
The pick-up of Mateo is a total joke, and only reinforces the fact that the team brass is totally second-class. Yeah, it's great to compete, but sorry, sometimes you need to have standards.
Todd, did Brett "I meant to do that" Myers really say he tried to bounce that pitch up there to Ruiz the other night after nearly throwing two to the backstop? Not like it was the bottom of the ninth in a tie game or anything.
And maybe Howard will find a consistent swing at some point this year. Amazing how reallyreally terrible he looks up there about 75% of the time - makes you think that when he does make contact, it's pretty much an accident. Oh, right, he's pressing. Or he's not seeing the ball well. Or he's not getting any protection. Or he's not in shape yet...
Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with things.
Posted by John in LA | August 3, 2007 12:33 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 12:33
I really am pleased with where the team is - all things considered. And Jimmymack, you're still the godfather of this blog!
Posted by John in LA | August 3, 2007 12:35 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 12:35
Isn't 13 pitchers a bit much, even with part timer Flash? That's four part time closers (including Mesa), a lefty, and three long relievers in a month with no games on Monday.
A lot of teams have won championships with eleven or even ten pitchers, making use of pinch hitters and defensive replacements. I'm just saying.
Posted by Ian | August 3, 2007 2:00 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 14:00
John you are totally wrong about mateo and howard. yes mateo is facing charges for "allegedly" beating his wife. but we do live in america last time i checked( well actually you dont you live on the left coast in the panzi nation known as california). And didn't brett myers "alledgedly beat his wife last year and everyone crucified him. and then nothing he wasnt even indicted on a charge. and you saying howard looks bad 75% of the time is a joke. hes hitting close to 280 for the year and after he was hurt for 2 months hes played pretty good since. so dont rip on him. and he hasnt made excuses either.
Posted by mark | August 3, 2007 2:41 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 14:41
No apologies to me, I'm with ya John in LA and Paul Hagen (and I'm positive Todd also, he just can't say so) that Charlie has done a pretty amazing job this year...not so much in tactics, which I think get bent by his bizzarro bench at times, but keeping his team playing hard and not feeling sorry for themselves. He's got some character guys no doubt, but boy he keeps everyone else in the game. Most teams would have folded with all these injuries. His haters rant about the team's record in late or extra innings, well, DUH, what do they expect with this bullpen? They should rant about Pat Gillick.
They make the playoffs, how can he not be NL Manager of the Year?
And thanks John, but Todd rightfully gets all the credit on this blog, honestly think it's the best in Philly for sports, he really gives us die-hards good stuff. And your comments are right on about Howard flailing away and Myers, I'm still LOL.
Posted by jimmymack | August 3, 2007 2:46 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 14:46
It's two innings into the Brewers series and I hate the center field camera angle.
Todd, you're lucky in the press box.
The rest of us have to suffer with and angle that's too far to the left field side to judge any pitches. It's worse than the nosebleed angle you get at the Little League World Series.
OK. I feel better. Vent over. This team is too much fun to watch to let 10 degrees along the outfield to keep me down. These guy could have packed it in in June, then the recent injuries gave them more reason to call it quits. Bravo Phils 2007!
Posted by Joe in Haddonfield | August 3, 2007 8:52 PM
Posted on August 3, 2007 20:52
With Utley, Victorino, and Bourn down, the phil's whom once were the number one offense in the league will free fall like a ton of lead balloons. Jason Werth hitting leadoff is a joke, Rollins hitting third is a joke, and right now howard hitting four is a bigger joke. This lineup has to be the laughing stock. Unwatchable!!!!
Posted by Lee in Easton | August 4, 2007 10:32 AM
Posted on August 4, 2007 10:32