Pat Gillick is pretty honest about why the Phillies picked up Russell Branyan from Cleveland last week.
"Basically, Charlie (Manuel) had him before," he said after Branyan's game-winning two-run homer last night in a 3-2 victory over the Nationals at RFK Stadium, "and we don't have any position players on option at double-A or triple-A. Consequently, we had 13 pitchers and 12 players and needed another player. We talked about getting somebody who might be able to run into a ball and win a game for us. Branyan was the guy we got."
So they weren't expecting miracles.
They just hoped he could run into a ball.
I will say this, when Branyan runs into the ball, it leaves the ballpark quickly.
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Branyan played for Manuel from 2000-02 in Cleveland. Both are fans of one another.
"I came up with Charlie," Branyan said. "I remember going to spring training early back in 1998 to work with Charlie. I like his approach. I like the way he thinks hitting. He's very knowledgeable. He has a way of communicating it to the hitters. It's nice getting back and seeing Charlie in good health and seeing him have fun. He's still around to work with hitters and talk with us. Just being around him is very, very helpful."
"Russell can make the other manager overthink," Manuel said. "He's got that kind of power."
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That eighth inning started with Ryan Zimmerman's throwing error from third base. Nats fans aren't happy. Keep an eye on those Nats fans, by the way. They could be up to some dirty tricks.
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Today looks like D-Day for Adam Eaton.
Is he in?
Is he out?
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It appears Shane Victorino suffered a setback last night with double-A Reading. Victorino, who is on the DL with a strained right calf, felt a grabbing sensation in the calf when he bounced a ball in front of the plate and tried to beat the throw to first. There's no new timetable on when he could be back in action, but it seems he won't be back with the Phillies before the weekend.
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Chase Utley said he "absolutely" expects to be back before the end of the month.
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Hitters love Citizens Bank Park more than any other ballpark in baseball. Why shouldn't they? Going from ballpark to ballpark, you really see how small the Bank is compared to other places.
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Loyal Zo Zone reader Matt Levengood from Urbana, Ill., sees a similarity between Jamie Moyer and Gyro Gearloose from Duck Tales. That's pretty good, although Moyer has said he thinks he looks more like Jim Varney.
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When Former Phillies Attack ... Former Phillies!
Jose Offerman played briefly for the Phillies in 2005. Matt Beech pitched for the Phillies from 1996-98.
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Comments (10)
A couple more times running into the ball and we'll need to dedicate a section of the "Zen" and come up with a nickname.
Posted by Andy | August 15, 2007 10:51 AM
Posted on August 15, 2007 10:51
Any word on which, if any, of the unsigned draft picks are going to sign before the deadline today?
Posted by Dan | August 15, 2007 10:59 AM
Posted on August 15, 2007 10:59
Is Branyan really a giant or is that a weird camera angle?
Posted by tc | August 15, 2007 11:00 AM
Posted on August 15, 2007 11:00
That's bad news on Victorino, but the Phillies have some depth in the outfield. While I'd rather have him back than on the shelf, it's not an immediate concern.
As for Utley, it'd be great to get back 17 HR, 82 RBI and a .984 fielding percentage by the end of August. Right in time for the playoff push.
tc - Branyan is listed at 6-3. Rollins, at 5-8. So it might not be the camera angle. There's a considerable difference between the two.
Posted by V | August 15, 2007 11:13 AM
Posted on August 15, 2007 11:13
I approve of Charlies handling of Lohse in the 7th. Phillies seem flat, over-swinging alot, especially with runners in scoring position. Looks like Lohse's nose may not be wooden after all.........
Posted by jay | August 15, 2007 11:25 AM
Posted on August 15, 2007 11:25
Really great win - maybe Gillick wins a few points back for grabbing Lohse. And Branyan.
I listened to the game on XM - with all the Phillies fans, you'd have thought the game was at the Bank/Zen. Keep it up!
Posted by John in LA | August 15, 2007 1:02 PM
Posted on August 15, 2007 13:02
This Victorino injury is not good. Character and work ethic goes so far, we need some skill players back.
The baseball Gods(and Pat Gillick)have smitten us with Garcia, Eaton, Barajas and Helms, not to mention the injuries. They have also smiled on us with Ruiz, Dobbs, Kendrick, Lohse, Durbin, Coste, Werth and Iguchi.
I will trade a swarm of locusts and fireballs from the heavens during Jimmy Rollins backpack day for 7 quality starts from Adam Eaton, some consistant at bats from John in LA's "One who shall remain nameless" and Shane and Chase coming back to preinjury level on their return.
Posted by jimmymack | August 15, 2007 2:15 PM
Posted on August 15, 2007 14:15
Gillick gets big props for Loshe and I hope they are smart enough to sign him at the end of the year. With all the question marks about the pitching staff for next season and the complete lack of free agent depth out there I think Loshe would be a nice addition to the team long term.
Myers looked fantastic again last night.
Why is it that Gillicks in season deals seem to work so well while his off season moves don’t? We need to find this out.
Posted by B Dub | August 15, 2007 3:26 PM
Posted on August 15, 2007 15:26
B Dub--So one good start by Lohse against a terrible offensive team in one of the best pitcher's parks in the majors makes him worth signing long-term? Are you Lohse's cousin or something? I'm not saying it wasn't a good trade, especially because it didn't cost much, but let's give it til the end of the season.
Posted by E Goo | August 15, 2007 3:40 PM
Posted on August 15, 2007 15:40
E Goo,
I’m basing my decision on the 24 games Lohse pitched this year where in 11 of those starts (not counting his first start as a Phillie) where Lohse gave up 3 or less earned runs, and 16 games where he gave his team at least 6 innings.
Not to mention that he is posting a 4.57 ERA pitching in hitters parks and while with in Cincinnati he had having one of the worst defenses in the NL behind him.
Lohse is going to have melt down days but he’s got the stuff. I’ve seen it in the last too games, it just some days he has better command.
I’m not saying Lohse is going to be a Cy Young winner, I’m just saying it’s a piss poor pitching market out there coming up, and it’s better to grab a guy like Lohse when you can. Especially since the only definite rotation guy for next year is going to be Hamels. Who know if Moyer will retire or not, Eaton is a mystery, though I’ll bet he starts of in the rotation. Kendrick should get a chance, but again who knows, and Myers could still be the closer. Lohse gives the team a solid back end guy and if you can do better then him as well all the better.
I know I’m getting ahead of myself here. I should just enjoy this year.
Posted by B Dub | August 15, 2007 5:35 PM
Posted on August 15, 2007 17:35