GAME RECAP: Game Postponed Due To Rain…
The Phillies will play a
double header on Saturday before the season finale on Sunday… can they finish
with the worst record in baseball this season? Can they reach the 100 loss milestone?
This final series will provide the answers to both of those questions.
NEXT
GAME:
The Phillies open their final series of the season tomorrow
against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies will play a double
header with Aaron Harang taking the mound in game 1 and rookie Alec Asher
finishing the day in game 2. This will likely be Harang’s final start in a
Phillies uniform while Asher will look to make a final impression on the team
in the hope of being on the opening day roster in 2016.
PHILS PHACTS:
Wanting To Return - Carlos Ruiz has slowly
watched the Phillies rebuild, piece by piece. Injuries took the careers of
teammates like Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee earlier than expected. Trades sent Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, Ben Revere, Jake Diekman, Marlon Byrd and Antonio Bastardo
away. Only Ruiz and Ryan Howard remain from
the Phillies' 2008 World Series championship team. "It's been tough,"
Ruiz said Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. "Being around teammates like
Chase and Jimmy, we spent a lot of time together and we made some good
memories. I feel like we're a family. It's tough to see them walk away and go to
different teams. But at the same time baseball continues." But will the
Phillies continue with Ruiz? It is likely, despite the fact he turns 37 in
January and is finishing the toughest season of his career, posting a .585 OPS
in 315 appearances. Ruiz will make $8.5 million next season and he has value as
a backup, although Ruiz said he still views himself as a starter, despite the
fact Cameron Rupp has
started 54 of the team's last 89 games. "I believe I am still a No.
1," Ruiz said. "But at the same time they gave a chance to Rupp and
I'm happy that he played well and did a great job." Ruiz has been one of
the most respected and well-liked players in the Phillies' clubhouse for years.
If he returns, he can continue to mentor the team's young pitchers and catching
prospects Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp, who could be in big league camp in
Spring Training. "I'm real happy here," Ruiz said. "I'm going to
go home, rest a little bit and come back to work. I believe in myself. I feel
great. I don't make excuses, but there were days when I felt great and days
when I didn't feel good. That's tough." Ruiz cited the arthroscopic
surgery on his left shoulder last October. He said the shoulder felt weak at
times. "I don't know if I'm going to be here or somewhere else, but
hopefully it's here," Ruiz said. "I'm disappointed with the year I
had, and I'd like to turn it around. I'm going to do everything I can. We'll
see what happens next year. I think I'll feel better."
THE BEGINNING:
The
Phillies have returned to their lackluster ways and regained their grip on last
place in the NL East with a record of 62-97. Given the departures, aging stars,
injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this could still end up
being the worst team in franchise history… at least that is something to hope
for this year! All time, the Phillies are 23-20-2 on this day.
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