Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Cholley’s 9th man

Jim Thome played his 1st full 9 for the Philadelphia Phillies since his stint on the DL.  The batting order looked much stronger in print and during the contest.  How will this interleague lineup fare against 3 AL squads?

 

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT

 

Penthouse Occupancy for the 9-6 triumph:  3

                                              The Chrystal Champagne Toast is a salute to Shane Victorino.

He produced a 2-out RBI knock in the 1st during his 3 for 4 night with a homer and 5 steaks. He also drove in 2 runs each with a two-bagger and the dong.

He was joined on the top floor by Thome and Mike Fontenot. The second sacker went yard to the opposite field, plating 2 in the 2nd. Jim went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and a single.

Rally Tal & Cap in the 2nd:  3 two-base hits, a triple, a bomb, a HBP and a single equaled a tally of 6.

Ty Wigginton was on the docket at the Kangaroo Courthouse for a miscue between 2nd and 3rd in the 2nd after his leadoff two-bagger.

The Workhouse was a 34-pitch affair for each starter in the 2nd. It was a 6-3 frame for the locals.

Vic was no slouch at the Steakhouse with 5 filet mignons and a tater.

 

WELCOME, NEWCOMERS:

I will publish after every battle that is not washed out. The Phillies finished last summer 42 games over .500, which equaled a year of many positives. I will have many season-long highlights of puzzle pieces, especially important after drubbings and defeats.

 

 

Check out:  Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Trade partners

 

SPECIAL REQUEST:

If you were directed here by a feed and this review does not mention yesterday’s contest, please go to my author archives or Phillies page for my most recent coverage. (Early morning readers may arrive before the latest post.) Scroll down to Tal’s Handy Links at the bottom. Thank you.

 

 

 

NITECAP INSIGHT

 

 

 

 

Skipper’s AL 9:

 

The most interesting aspect of competing against the junior circuit is one team with 9 sticks and the other without their DH or their best defensive unit. When the Sox came to the Bank, there was the DH at first and the 1B in right field. The brain trust let Thome stay comfortable in Clearwater, getting at-bats to prepare him for the DH spot during these 9 battles. All of a sudden the red pinstripes have legit cleanup lumber behind Hunter Pence. Chooch Ruiz was in the 6 hole, forcing opposing hurlers to offer Vic something decent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 3-4-5 middle went 7 for 16 with 6 RBI. Jim is more familiar with the arms in the other league, where he had played for the last 6 campaigns. Aside from 3 tours here, he has mostly starred in the American League. He is going to capitalize on this stretch of away games, which will reinvigorate him and provide a comfort level for his teammates. There were many positives last night, like Antonio Bastardo’s 94 mph heater and his visible confidence. However, that paled next to the happiness on Thom’s face.

 

 

 

PRECAP PITCH

 

 

 

 

Vance Worley:

 
He will be limited to 100 bullets in his 2nd outing back from the disabled list. He should be good for 5-6 innings. He has worked 7 complete in 2 of 8 performances with 2 clunkers.

 

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
2	RHP Vance Worley	3-2, 3.38 ERA	@ O's	RHP Tommy Hunter	2-3, 5.59 ERA	Saturday, Late Day
3	LHP Cliff Lee	0-3, 2.92 ERA	@ O's	RHP Jason Hammel	6-2, 2.97 ERA	Sunday, Night
1	RHP Kyle Kendrick	2-5, 4.44 ERA	@ Twins	RHP Nick Blackburn	2-4, 7.75 ERA	Monday, Night

 

 

Tommy Hunter:

 

He is what is known as hitting time in a batter-friendly park, and he is back up from Triple-A.  He has lasted 7 full in 3 of 10 appearances with 4 monstrosities, including his last 2 for the parent club.  Half of his 10 efforts are at home, where he is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA.

 

DELIVERY = PITCHER’S 2012	DEFINITION OF SEASON
Over The Top	Excellent
3-Quarter Sidearm	Good
Sidearm	Above Average
Short Arm	Approximately Average
Submarine	Below Average

 

 

Quality number of the pitcher:  1 – 5

Slot on his club:  1 – 5

Ranking is 1 to 5 & 15 for the less adventurous.

 

 

HURLER	B.J. Rosenberg	Gio Gonzalez
NUMBER	A Five	A Two
CLUB SLOT	Five	One
FOR 2012	1st Start	Over The Top
'12 RANKING	-- of 5 Categories	1st of 5 Categories
LAST START	1st Start	Changeup
LAST HIGH OR LOW	-- of 15 Categories	8th of 15 Categories

 

 

DISPLAY NOTE:  Non-listed results can go up or down by

* 1 notch & ** 2 clicks (This note will only appear when it’s relevant.)

* 1 Tick DOWN

 

 

	PITCH	INN	ER - R- H		PITCH	INN	ER
1	Gyroball	9 (CG)	0 - 0 - 3	10	Screwball	6	4
2	Fastball	9 (CG)	0 - 0	11	Knuckleball	5	3
3	Cutter	9 (CG)	3	12	Forkball	0 - 4.2	Monstrosity
4	Split Finger	7	2	13	Eephus Pitch	0 - 2.2	Disaster
5	Curveball	7	3	14	*Palm Ball	Ejected
6	Sinker	6.1	3	15	*Spit Ball	**Ejected+
7	Slider	6	2		*Breaking Ball	Injured
8	Changeup	6	3		*Fosh	Rain Interrupted
9	Slurve	5	2		*Knuckle Curve	Pitch Count
	** = Suspended				* = A 2nd Pitch Also

 

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