Some Debuts Don’t Go As Planned

GAME RECAP: Jays Jack Phils 11-3 

Josh Donaldson hit a grand slam and Ezequiel Carrera and Edwin Encarnacion added a pair of two-run shots as the Blue Jays scored early and often against rookie Zach Eflin in an 11-3 victory over the Phillies on Tuesday afternoon at Rogers Centre. Donaldson went 3-for-4 with five RBIs and three runs scored. It was his second five-RBI game of the season and the fourth of his career as the reigning American League MVP Award winner also extended his on-base streak to 19 consecutive games. "We watched a little bit of film on him," Donaldson said of Eflin. "I was paying very close attention to Jose [Bautista's] at-bat, and it looked like he wanted to throw his heater early on. In my first at-bat, he threw me a fastball that I could hit, and I was able to hit it pretty well to right field. That kind of started me on the right track. I was able to get some pitches to hit, and I was able to take advantage of it." Kevin Pillar also enjoyed a three-hit game with a homer and a pair of runs scored. Carrera went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. The offensive outburst came less than 24 hours after Toronto was shut out by Philadelphia, but the club has now scored at least 10 runs in three of its past four games. Eflin was making his Major League debut, but it did not go as planned. He allowed nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits and three walks while striking out two. Eflin became the first rookie Phillies pitcher to allow eight earned runs or more in a start since Gavin Floyd on April 19, 2005. "You've got to forget about it," Eflin said about his first Major League start. "Obviously, I'll remember it for the rest of my life, but from a pitching standpoint, I've got to bounce back. I've got to throw quality strikes and get ahead of the hitters." Right-hander Marcus Stroman picked up the victory for Toronto. He entered Tuesday having allowed 25 runs over his previous 29 2/3 innings, but Stroman was much better in this one. Stroman scattered six hits and one walk with six strikeouts over seven strong innings. The one big blow was a solo home run by Cesar Hernandez in the seventh. "I felt a lot better out there," Stroman said. "I think the work that we've been putting in between the last few starts is starting to take shape. Not exactly where I want to be, but definitely made strides and looking forward to the next one."

PHILS PHACTS:

• Playing in his first game against the Blue Jays since being traded from Toronto to Philadelphia for cash considerations on June 1, Jimmy Paredes finished 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Paredes brought home the Phillies' first run of the afternoon with a double down the left-field line in the sixth inning, before notching a single and scoring on Andres Blanco's sacrifice fly in the eighth. The 27-year-old switch-hitter entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning for center fielder Odubel Herrera. Paredes played right, with Peter Bourjos moving to center. "I feel good being back in Canada," Paredes said. "We had a bad game, but we'll see what we can do tomorrow. What I've learned in the National League is that you have to be ready every inning with all the double switches. You never know what's going to happen, and I try to make the most of my opportunities."
• The eight earned runs allowed by Eflin was the highest total given up by a Philadelphia starter since Jerome Williams surrendered eight on Aug. 20, 2015.
• Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco missed his second straight game on Tuesday with a right knee sprain he sustained Sunday, and he is considered day to day. If Franco is unable to go Wednesday, Andres Blanco could make his third consecutive start at the hot corner.
• After spending the past two games at designated hitter, Jose Bautista could make his return to right field on Wednesday. Bautista exited Thursday's game against the Orioles with right thigh tightness, and he missed three consecutive contests before returning to the lineup on Monday.
• Edwin Encarnacion is expected to get the start at first base in Philadelphia, with Justin Smoak coming off the bench for the Blue Jays. Encarnacion has seen a majority of his at-bats as the DH, but he started at first base on Tuesday.

NEXT GAME:

After playing a pair of games in Toronto, the Blue Jays and Phillies shift over to Citizens Bank Park for two games beginning on Wednesday. Marco Estrada (4-2, 2.57 ERA) gets the ball for Toronto having allowed five hits or fewer in nine consecutive starts. Estrada's .168 batting average against is the lowest mark among American League starters, and the 32-year-old has limited the opposition to two runs or fewer in seven of his 12 starts this season. In his last outing against the Orioles, Estrada went six innings and allowed three earned runs. The right-handed finesse pitcher has won his past three decisions, and he has not been defeated since a 4-0 loss to the White Sox on April 27. The Phillies will counter with Jeremy Hellickson (4-4, 4.34 ERA), who will look to rebound after one of his worst starts of the season. The 29-year-old right-hander allowed nine hits and seven earned runs -- including three home runs -- over six innings in a loss to the Nationals on Friday. Prior to his start against Washington, Hellickson had allowed three runs or fewer in six consecutive outings. Hellickson made 15 starts against Toronto from 2010-14 during his time with the Rays, going 5-4 with a 3.45 ERA. However, he is 1-10 with a 6.69 ERA in 15 Interleague starts.

PHILS PHACTS:

Dreadful Debut – Zach Eflin experienced both the highs and lows of life in the Major Leagues during his debut on Tuesday. Eflin was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start in place of the injured Vince Velasquez, and he struck out two of the first three batters he faced -- Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion -- on hard sliders. After that, however, things took a turn for the worst for Eflin, the Phillies' No. 13 prospect. The 22-year-old right-hander lasted just 2 2/3 innings, giving up nine runs (eight earned) in an 11-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Three of the nine hits Eflin allowed were home runs, and he also walked three. He became the first Phillies rookie to allow eight earned runs in a game since Gavin Floyd on April 19, 2005. "This was his Major League debut, and I suppose he was a little nervous," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "He just made a lot of bad pitches. He normally locates a lot better than he did. He was just up in the zone with all his pitches and got hit. Sorry to see his debut turn out that way, but this is a good lineup, and he can't make mistakes to them." The big blow from Toronto came in a six-run third inning, when reigning American League MVP Award winner Josh Donaldson took Eflin into the second deck with a grand slam for a 9-0 Blue Jays lead. Known for his ability to keep the ball down and command his fastball, Eflin didn't display those tendencies in Toronto. "You've got to forget about it," Eflin said. "Obviously, I'll remember it for the rest of my life, but from a pitching standpoint, I've got to bounce back. I've got to throw quality strikes and get ahead of the hitters." "You just got to keep him calm, don't let him get to himself, don't let him get down about himself," added catcher Cameron Rupp. "Just tell him, 'Come on, you can do it, you got one pitch left, you got two outs, you're one pitch away.' And then it was tough for him not to get it. He battled, he never gave in to those hitters, and that's a good lineup, too. You can't make mistakes to that lineup and those guys, and they got him when he did." Acquired from the Dodgers as part of the Jimmy Rollins deal in 2014, Eflin's Major League debut came in front of a packed house at Rogers Centre. In the first row behind the Phillies' dugout were Eflin's father, grandparents, two sisters, girlfriend and her brother. "It was very special," Eflin said about having his family on hand. "Especially because they had their passports and everything ready for whenever and whatever happened, so it was awesome to have them here." While the Phillies are unsure of what the season holds for Eflin as far as a permanent spot in their rotation, they do expect him to get another outing. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-hander knows he'll have to make some tweaks in order to have a better performance his next time out. "Really make sure I limit my pitches up in the zone," Eflin said. "I need to make sure that I focus on every pitch and work down in the zone and really don't give them anything to hit, and go from there."

Today In Phils History – It was on this day in 1945 that Ben Chapman was acquired from the Dodgers… his history with that team did not stop there. 4 years later, Eddie Waitkus is shot in a Chicago hotel by 19-year old Ruth Steihagen. 3 years later, Granny Hamner demonstrated why it is always important to cover home plate when he scored on a foul pop up which was fielded by the Pittsburgh catcher. In 1960, the Phillies said goodbye to Wally Post and Sparky Anderson but also welcomed Tony Gonzalez to the team. 2 year later, the Phillies made a smart acquisition (which they would later negate) when they signed minor-league free agent Ferguson Jenkins. Long time Phillies manager Gene Mauch was fired on this day in 1968 and replaced by Bob Skinner. In 2001, the Phillies honored 2 players from 2 very different eras when Gary Maddox and Gavvy Cravath were inducted into the Philadelphia Baseball Hall of Fame. It is also the birthday of Bab Dahlgren (1912) and Lance Parrish who turns 60 today.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 30-35 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. The Phillies finished the spring exceeding most expectations compiling a record of 15-11-3 (18-11-3 if you include the exhibition games against Reading and the University of Tampa). All time, the Phillies are 42-57-0 on this day. I expect the Phillies to finish in the bottom half of the division but not last in the NL East by finishing the season with a 77-85 record. Let the rebuild begin!

Phillies Return The Favor Against Nationals

GAME RECAP: Phils Swat Nats 4-3

The Nationals' bullpen had been virtually unhittable entering Tuesday, but it proved it could be scored upon as the Phillies claimed a 4-3 win at Nationals Park on Tuesday night. It's Philadelphia's second straight victory over Washington. The score was tied at 3, when the Phillies took the lead in the seventh inning off left-hander Oliver Perez. With one out, Andres Blanco doubled to left field. Maikel Franco followed and doubled over the head of center fielder Michael Taylor to send Blanco home to take the one-run lead. "That certainly had a lot of drama to it, that game with that guy," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said, referring to Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper, who grounded out with the tying run on first in the ninth to end the game. Right-hander Max Scherzer started for Washington and he lasted six innings, allowed three runs with seven strikeouts, but did not figure in the decision. Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez went six innings and allowed three runs for his third win. Blanco got the Phillies on the board with a two-run home run in the first inning and fell a triple short of the cycle.

PHILS PHACTS:

• Blanco engaged Scherzer in a little cat-and-mouse game early. He called time out twice before Scherzer delivered a 0-1 pitch in the first, which Blanco hit for a two-run home run. Blanco called time out three more times in a nine-pitch at-bat in the third. It resulted in a double play, but Blanco came back, singling against Scherzer in the fifth and doubling and scoring the go-ahead run against Perez in the seventh. "He feels comfortable on the mound and I want to feel comfortable at the plate, too," Blanco said. "It's baseball. It's not something I'm just doing because I'm Blanco. Buddy, I'm not playing every day. Let me get comfortable, too." 
• Mackanin said he had a plan to handle Harper and it appeared to be intentionally walking him. It paid off as Zimmerman fouled out and struck out looking to end the third and seventh innings, respectively. The Phillies didn't intentionally walk Harper in the fifth, and he singled to score a run. Harper then came up with two outs and one on in the ninth and Jeanmar Gomez retired the slugger on a grounder to third after an eight-pitch at-bat. "Harper is a tough guy to get out," Velasquez said. "His approach is just ridiculous." Harper said he doesn't mind being walked intentionally by the Phillies because he has faith in the hitters behind him like Zimmerman and Jayson Werth. "I don't mind getting on base. If it's a walk or intentional walk or a hit, I would rather get on base as best I can for the guys behind me. We just take it one day at a time," Harper said.
• "I'm not comparing him to [Roy] Halladay, but I didn't like the way he pitched and he only gave up three runs. I remember sitting with [former Phillies coach] Sam Perlozzo after a game and I'd say, 'Boy, [Halladay] was terrible tonight and he only gave up three runs.' That's how good he was." -- Mackanin, on Velasquez's outing.
• Franco is hitting .444 (8-for-18) with three home runs, eight RBIs and four runs scored in his last four games.
• Franco said he is OK after turning his ankle rounding first base on a double in the seventh. An athletic trainer checked him out on the field, but he remained in the game.

NEXT GAME:

Phillies right-hander Jeremy Hellickson hopes to get back on track Wednesday night against the Nationals in a 7:05 p.m. ET start. After he allowed just two earned runs in 11 1/3 innings in his first two starts, Hellickson has allowed nine earned runs in 7 1/3 innings in his last two starts. That includes an April 15 start against the Nationals, when he allowed five earned runs in just three innings at Citizens Bank Park.

PHILS PHACTS:

Good Game Plan – Give Andres Blanco a break. He just wants to get comfortable, too. He had a big night Tuesday in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals at Nationals Park. He hit a two-run home run against Nationals ace Max Scherzer in the first inning and made Scherzer work hard in a nine-pitch at-bat in the third. Blanco then hit a first-pitch fastball for a single against Scherzer in the fifth and doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh against Oliver Perez. "It's not approach," Blanco said. "It's just getting a chance to play and just having your best swing. He attacks the zone and he found my bat right away." Blanco truly shined in those first two at-bats. Scherzer issued a leadoff walk to Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera in the first. Scherzer got a first-pitch strike on Blanco, but Scherzer got preoccupied with Herrera at first base and held the ball an inordinate amount of time out of the stretch. Blanco called time once. He called time twice. He then smacked a two-run homer to right-center. "I thought he was holding Herrera," Blanco said. "I was wondering if he was holding him or messing around with my high kick. He got mad. You can tell in his face he wanted to say something to me, but he can't. Come on, it's the game. It's baseball." "I'm going to hold the ball," Scherzer said. "I know how to shut down the running game. Herrera's a good runner. He can steal a base at will. I don't get frustrated when the hitter calls time. He can call time all he wants. I don't get frustrated by that. I understand he probably doesn't want to sit there. If he calls time, that's on him. It's up to the umpire." Blanco called time three more times in his third-inning at-bat against Scherzer, who was visibly annoyed on at least one occasion. Blanco then smashed a ball to Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy for a double play. But the point is Blanco made Scherzer work. "He feels comfortable on the mound and I want to feel comfortable at the plate, too," Blanco said. "It's baseball. It's not something I'm just doing because I'm Blanco. Buddy, I'm not playing every day. Let me get comfortable, too. Yeah, take time out. I have a big high kick." Blanco is hitting .346 (9-for-26) with three doubles, one home run, five RBIs and a 1.010 OPS in 14 games. One wonders if Phillies manager Pete Mackanin could find more places for him to play. Left field, maybe? The Phillies have had the lowest production in baseball in left field. "[Bench coach Larry] Bowa asked that during the game," Mackanin said. "[Blanco] is who he is, and I think if he played every day he might not be the same player, but it's hard to find a player who can do what he does. He's the best utility man I've ever seen."

Solid Strategy – Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Tuesday afternoon he had some ideas for handling Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper. He said he conveyed those ideas to Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure. "Just throw him fastballs down the middle of the plate," Mackanin joked before Tuesday night's 4-3 victory at Nationals Park. In reality, the Phillies walked Harper in the first, intentionally walked him with a runner on second and two outs in the third and intentionally walked him with a runner on second and two outs in the seventh. It paid off each time as Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman flied out, fouled out and struck out looking to end those innings. But the Phillies also pitched to Harper twice. He singled with runners on first and second and two outs in the fifth to cut the Phillies' lead to 3-2. He then grounded out to end the game with the tying runner on first base in the ninth inning following an eight-pitch at-bat against Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez, who had allowed two hits in two at-bats in his career against Harper, including a go-ahead homer in the 10th inning April 17 at Citizens Bank Park. "That certainly had a lot of drama to it, that game with that guy," Mackanin said of Harper. Gomez's first seven pitches to Harper were a mixture of sinkers and splitters. He made his eighth pitch a changeup. "The last out was a really good battle," Gomez said. Mackanin said he had no plans to intentionally walk Harper there, even with Stephen Drew standing in the on-deck circle. "I wasn't going to walk him and put the tying run at second base where a single could tie up the game," Mackanin said. But they were cautious earlier. Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez, who allowed three runs in six innings, once played on a travel team with Harper, so they know each other. He discreetly pointed to the Phillies' dugout when he intentionally walked Harper in the third, letting his former teammate know it wasn't his call. But the Phillies' cautious nature against Harper makes sense. Harper got Velasquez in the fifth. "His approach is just flat out ridiculous," Velasquez said. But it is tough to hold down Harper for long. He gets another crack at the Phillies on Wednesday night.

Today In Phils History – In 1988 Mike Schmidt broke up another potential no hitter in the 9^th inning by Nolan Ryan (as if he didn’t already have enough at that point)… the game was later tied on a double by Lance Parrish but the Phillies couldn’t hold on and lost in the 10^th. A big part of the championship team 20 years later was newcomer Pedro Feliz who was born on this day in 1975.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 10-10 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. The Phillies finished the spring exceeding most expectations compiling a record of 15-11-3 (18-11-3 if you include the exhibition games against Reading and the University of Tampa). All time, the Phillies are 39-49-0 on this day. I expect the Phillies to finish in the bottom half of the division but not last in the NL East by finishing the season with a 77-85 record. Let the rebuild begin!

Phillies Shock Powerhouse Blue Jays

EXHIBITION GAME RECAP: Philadelphia Trounces Toronto 8-5

Home runs by David Lough, J.P. Arencibia and Nick Williams lifted the Phillies to an 8-5 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays at Bright House Field on Saturday. The rebuilding Phillies are undefeated in their last eight games. They are 7-0-1 in that span and 9-3-2 overall. It was just the second loss of the spring for the defending American League East champion Blue Jays, who started a lineup that included Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Troy Tulowitzki. Lough is a non-roster outfielder, and Arencibia a non-roster catcher. Lough also figured in the Phillies' run in the fifth when he hit a one-out infield single, stole second, hustled to third on a fly ball and scored on a single by Odubel Herrera. The Blue Jays scored first with two runs in the top of the second against Phillies starter Vincent Velasquez, who is competing for a spot in the rotation. First baseman Chris Colabello led off with a triple and scored when left fielder Michael Saunders singled up the middle. Saunders later scored on a groundout by catcher Josh Thole. Velasquez gave up two runs on four hits and two walks while recording three strikeouts over four innings. "I'm not trying to think about [making the team]," Velasquez said. "I'm not out there thinking about how I have a chance to win [a job]. I just want to pitch. I couldn't think about anything else but who I'm going up against. The Blue Jays, that's a tough lineup." The Phillies came back to tie the score against 41-year-old knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in the bottom of the third after the 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner set them down in order in the first two innings. Lough hit a two-run shot with one out when Dickey experimented with a fastball. "It was just a situation to work on something, a fastball in that ran back over the plate," Dickey said. "In an in-season game, I wouldn't have messed with it, but it was a great opportunity and a great spot to be able to try to use that and get some feedback from it. I got some great feedback, I need to execute a little bit better. It was a great day all around." Arencibia's home run came against veteran Brad Penny with one on in the bottom of the sixth. Arencibia also swatted an opposite-field double over the head of right fielder Roemon Fields in the bottom of the eighth, but he immediately left the game for pinch-runner Logan Moore with an apparent injury. Moore scored on Williams' three-run homer off Roberto Hernandez. "I don't know where this power's coming from, but I like it," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin. "It's fun to win games. The guys are playing hard, and it's fun to do well. I know this is Spring Training and a lot of things are different, but it's always good to win and keep everybody positive." Jio Mier, who took over for Tulowitzki at shortstop, brought the Blue Jays within a run with a two-run home run in the top of the eighth before Williams' homer knocked the game open. Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar had a tough day. He led off the game by smoking a long fly ball to the wall in center but was robbed of extra bases when Herrera made a terrific running catch. In the fifth he ripped a line drive down the left-field line that third baseman Maikel Franco speared with a diving catch.

PHILS PHACTS:

• Catcher J.P. Arencibia left the game after doubling in the eighth inning. He had fouled a pitch off his foot. The injury is not believed to be serious. 

NEXT GAME:

Left-hander Adam Morgan, who is competing for a spot in the rotation, will make his third Grapefruit League start, against the Yankees on Sunday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET, and the game will air on MLB.TV and Gameday Audio. Morgan was the Phillies' third-round Draft pick in 2011, and he missed the entire 2014 season recovering from shoulder surgery. Left-handers Brett Oberholtzer and Daniel Stumpf will also pitch for the Phillies.

PHILS PHACTS:

Hustle Can Earn You A Roster Spot – Everybody will talk about the home run David Lough hit in the third inning of Saturday's 8-5 win over the Blue Jays at Bright House Field. And why not? Everybody loves the long ball. But what caught manager Pete Mackanin's eye was what Lough did in the fifth, when the 30-year-old non-roster outfielder reached on an infield single with one out, stole second, went to third on a fly ball and eventually scored on a base hit by Odubel Herrera. "We're not the Toronto Blue Jays who can just sit and wait because they've got five or six guys who can hit home runs," Mackanin said. "And when you're not hitting home runs or you're facing a tough pitcher, a little bunt for a base hit, get 'em over, get 'em in, manufacturing runs can help you win a game, as well as defense." The signing of Lough, who spent the last two years with the Orioles before signing a Minor League deal with the Phillies just weeks before Spring Training opened, didn't attract a lot of attention. But he's not conceding anything. "It might be a Minor League deal on paper but, in my mind, I'm coming in expecting to win a job," he said. "I have high expectations for myself. I kind of took a back seat the last couple years in Baltimore. But I say one step back, two steps forward. I worked really hard this offseason to try to get my swing where it is. My defense has always been there. So I'm trying to just put some wood on the ball and make this ballclub." Lough hit .247 in 174 at-bats for the Orioles in 2014 and .201 in 134 ABs last season. He's a career .255 big league hitter. "Lough is a solid extra outfielder," Mackanin said. "He knows how to play the game: He can steal a base, solid defender, good situational hitter. I like him a lot. We're going to have tough decisions to make with all these guys. Not just the pitching staff but the extra players we're going to keep." Lough hopes he can be a clubhouse mentor. "I've kind of been around a little bit now," he said. "Our coaching staff has done a good job of going over the fundamentals. And the guys like myself who are a little bit older and have been around a little bit can kind of teach these guys as we go along how to play the game. "The Phillies wanted to rebuild, but I kind of wanted to rebuild my career, too. Why not do it with a young group of guys and teach them the ropes, teach them hard work and hustle and the kinds of things I bring to the table?"

Speed Isn’t Everything – Vincent Velasquez threw a pitch during Saturday's 8-5 win over the Blue Jays that registered at 104 miles an hour on the Bright House Field scoreboard. Now, Velasquez throws hard. But not that hard. And besides, as manager Pete Mackanin frequently mentions when talking about the big right-hander the Phillies acquired from the Astros in the Ken Giles trade, velocity isn't everything. "Once again, you need more than a good fastball to win as a starting pitcher, and once again he showed enough with the breaking stuff," Mackanin said after the 23-year-old pitched gave up two runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts in four innings. "He's got a good two-seam fastball that he can throw for a strike when he gets behind in the count. That pitch is really important. I just like the way he attacks." After giving up two runs in the second while mostly throwing fastballs, he began mixing in his breaking stuff in the third and retired Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Troy Tulowitzki in order in the third. "My fastballs were all over the place. I have to do something else other than throw fastballs, fastballs, fastballs," Velsaquez said. "So then I kind of mixed it up a little bit. I was ahead of myself the first few innings and calmed myself down after those two runs." From all appearances, Velasquez is competing with left-handers Brett Oberholtzer and Adam Morgan, the latter of whom will face the Yankees on Sunday in Tampa, Fla., for the final spot in the rotation. "I'm not trying to think about it," he said. "I'm not out there thinking about how I have a chance to win [a job]. I just want to pitch. I couldn't think about anything else but who I'm going up against. The Blue Jays, that's a tough lineup."

Good Start – Right-hander Jerad Eickhoff, who is being counted on to fill a rotation spot, pitched under game conditions for the first time in a camp game at the Carpenter Complex on Saturday. He's recovering from a fractured right thumb. So it didn't help that a blister popped up on his right foot during his outing, which meant that he pitched only two innings instead of the expected three. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while throwing 34 pitches, 20 for strikes. On balance, he was pleased with his outing. "It feels good to be back out there. It's been a long time coming. Just felt good. Pitches felt good, just getting my feet wet again," he said. "Finger feels good. It's just getting that feel back. That's the biggest thing, getting in a game, getting that adrenaline going, that same feel in the thumb and everything." Pitching coach Bob McClure said before the game that Eickhoff can still be ready to make his first start of the regular season on schedule even if he makes another Minor League appearance before pitching in a Grapefruit League game. "If everything goes [well] and we have no more setbacks," he said. "How he's throwing his BPs and how he's throwing, everything looks pretty good. Not quite where he was at the end of the season, but it looks like it's getting there quick." Eickhoff expects to be ready. "Absolutely," he said. "The body feels great. It's just a matter of getting that feel, getting that repetition. Now I just continue to build. Just focusing on what I have next." He said he needs to improve his command. "I expect a lot of myself, and I'm trying to be in and out, to a 'T' every pitch. But there were some pitches that got away a bit. I was around the zone, and I was happy with that for the most part," he noted, adding that he's thrown all his pitches." McClure added a few more notes about the state of the pitching staff: Charlie Morton and Jeremy Hellickson, who have been slowed by the flu, will each pitch in Minor League games on Sunday. So will Jeanmar Gomez, who will just be getting work in. David Hernandez (triceps tendinitis), who has a chance to fill the closer's role left vacant when Ken Giles was traded to the Astros, threw in the bullpen Saturday morning. McClure said he "looked fine" and that he was waiting to see how he feels Sunday before committing to when he'll throw next and under what circumstances.

Phanatic Vs. Bautista – We haven't come across a "The Phillie Phanatic is in the best shape of his life" #HotTake from Phillies Spring Training this season, but -- and hear us out -- the Phillie Phanatic might be in the best shape of his life. Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista was just going through his pregame warm-up routine before a Grapefruit League game against the Phillies at Bright House Field, when a full-on fitness competition broke out. The Phanatic wandered over to butt his big belly into Bautista's preparation, and ended up getting schooled in a handstand contest. Not one to be out done, the Phanatic quickly regained his composure, channeled his inner Rocky and cranked out a bunch of one-arm push-ups, much to the chagrin of a defeated Joey Bats. As if he hadn't already earned the last laugh, the Phanatic proved he was a gracious winner ... by waiting to have a wardrobe malfunction until after Bautista turned his back. Show us someone who says the Phanatic isn't in the best shape of his life, and we'll show you someone whose pants are probably on fire.

Today In Phils History - In 1987, the Phillies paid up to land one of the big free agents when they signed Lance Parrish to take over behind the plate. Birthdays for the day include Eddie Pellagrini (1918), Bob Greenwood (1928), Luis Aquayo (1959), and, of course, Mariano Duncan (1963).

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have begun the spring with a 9-3-2 record (10-3-2 if you include the exhibition game against the University of Tampa). With the Phillies having finished the 2015 season with a spectacularly awful record of 63-99 it will be interesting to see what kind of team new President Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak put on the field. At the same time I am definitely looking forward to the games against Boston with former GM Ruben Amaro on the field. Given the departures, lingering contracts, a history of injuries, bipolar performances, and unproven talent, it should, at the very least, be an interesting season for the Phillies. Who knows, maybe they can avoid 100 losses... hopefully by more than one game!

Marlins Brought Hurricane With Them From Florida

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.

Pirates Make Phillies Their Wenches

GAME RECAP: Pirates Pillage Phillies 1-0

Right-hander A.J. Burnett threw nine scoreless innings Sunday afternoon at PNC Park and Josh Harrison hit a walk-off single in the 11th, leading the Bucs to a 1-0 win over the Phillies. Burnett shut down the Phillies, for whom he pitched a year ago, and helped the Pirates finish off a three-game weekend sweep featuring two extra-inning, walk-off victories. Backed by several outstanding defensive plays, the 38-year-old right-hander needed only 101 pitches as he gave up five hits and a walk while striking out four. "It was probably one of the funnest games I've pitched in in a while," Burnett said. "I was keeping the ball down the best I can and watching these guys do what they can do behind me." Burnett, now second in the National League behind teammate Gerrit Cole with a 1.89 ERA, went back and forth for most of the game with Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels before Neil Walker singled up the middle off closer Jonathan Papelbon, moved to third on a throwing error by Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis and scored on Harrison's base hit to center. Galvis was disappointed in himself after the game, saying the small mistakes are all the more frustrating in a pitchers' duel like Sunday's game. "Just made a bad throw," Galvis said. "One mistake cost us the game." Coming off a start in which he allowed five runs on eight hits against the Reds, Hamels returned to his dominant form Sunday afternoon. The Phillies' lefty ace struck out 12 while permitting only four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. Hamels has now racked up 103 strikeouts in 94 1/3 innings, fanning 26.6 percent of the batters he's faced this season. "I tried to stay with him. He probably punched out, what, 30 or something," said Burnett, a teammate of Hamels' last year. "He's a competitor like me, and I enjoy going up against him."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• After cruising through the first three innings, Hamels had his back against wall in the fourth. Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen led off the frame with a single, and catcher Francisco Cervelli singled after Hamels secured two outs. Hamels then hit Corey Hart in the foot with a pitch, loading the bases for Jordy Mercer. In a scoreless game, it was a dicey situation for the visiting starter, but he induced a groundout to end the frame.
• With one out in the top of the ninth, Ben Revere tried to steal third base and give Chase Utley the chance at a go-ahead sacrifice situation. While Revere beat Francisco Cervelli's slightly high throw, his foot momentarily came off the bag. Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang kept his mitt on Revere, and the speedster was called out, nixing a potent scoring opportunity. "With a chance with Chase Utley up there, that's a prime position for us that was taken away," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said.
• With one out and Revere on second base, Utley ripped an opposite-field line drive into shallow left field. The ball landed just left of the foul line and was ruled foul by third-base umpire Jeff Nelson. The Phillies challenged the close call, but a 44-second review confirmed Nelson's initial decision.

NEXT GAME:

Aaron Harang, a pleasant surprise for the Phillies this year, will hit the hill again at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday against the Orioles in Baltimore. Harang, toting a 3.04 ERA this season, hasn't pitched well lately -- the 37-year-old has surrendered 12 earned runs combined over his last two starts after ceding seven over his previous six outings.

PHILS PHACTS:

Hamels’ Reign of Dominance Continues – Another dominant start, another no-decision for Phillies ace Cole Hamels. In an 11-inning 1-0 loss to the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park, Hamels was spectacular, but didn't receive any run support. The 31-year-old southpaw recorded a season-high 12 strikeouts and yielded just four hits in seven innings. "We're trying to scratch out a run for him, and allow him to pitch," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He continues to go out and give us a chance to win. ... All he needed was one run today." The way this season has gone, it should be no surprise that Hamels was left hanging by his offense. The veteran starter entered Sunday's game with the fourth-lowest run support (2.71 runs per game) out of all qualified starters in baseball. Sunday was the fifth time this season Hamels gave up two runs or less and didn't end up with a win. On one occasion, he gave up two runs and was tagged with the loss. "I'm just doing what I can do. I only get to effect every five days," Hamels said of the Phillies' struggles this season. "As long as I'm going out there and being accountable, that's all I can do." Despite the offensive struggles -- the Phillies finished the three-game series in Pittsburgh 1-for-25 with runners in scoring position -- Hamels was dealing. And it wasn't just his numbers that popped. He passed the eye test by messing with Pittsburgh's eye levels. Sandberg said it might have been Hamels' best outing of the year in terms of pounding the lower-half of the zone and throwing crisply. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle also took note of Hamels' dominance. "You saw why he's the elite pitcher that he is," Hurdle said. "Twelve strikeouts, from velocity to cut to that filthy changeup in any count. He's a very, very, very good pitcher." Unfortunately for Hamels, the Phillies' offense didn't mirror his success.

Errors Costly In Close Contest – In the eyes of Freddy Galvis, one play was the difference in the Phillies' 1-0 loss to the Pirates on Sunday afternoon at PNC Park -- and he made it. In the bottom of the 11th inning with two outs and still scoreless, Galvis charged a soft ground ball to throw out Jose Tabata at first. It was a routine play for the 25-year-old shortstop, one that Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Galvis makes all the time. Instead of converting the third out of the inning, Galvis gave the Pirates and their packed house a reason for excitement. He overthrew first baseman Ryan Howard, sailing the ball into the stands and moving Tabata to second while Neil Walker took third base. Pirates infielder Josh Harrison followed up with a single on the first pitch he saw from reliever Jonathan Papelbon, sealing Pittsburgh's sweep of the Phillies. "Just made a bad throw," Galvis said. "One mistake cost us the game." Galvis blamed himself, but there were other examples of the Phillies faltering in routine situations. The most egregious, other than Galvis' miscue, was from Ben Revere. After leading off the ninth inning with a single, Revere did well to steal second base, and he nearly swiped third base, too. By all accounts, he should have been safe at third. Revere, the Phillies' leader in steals, clearly beat the high throw from Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli. But mid-slide, he momentarily took his foot off the bag, third baseman Jung Ho Kang kept his mitt on Revere the whole way, and he was called out. Had Revere stayed on, the Phillies would have had Chase Utley at the plate with one out -- an opportunity at a game-changing sacrifice. "That's a prime position for us that was taken away," Sandberg said. The Phillies, losers of six straight and nine of their last 10, aren't in a position where they can overcome routine mishaps. In the weekend sweep, the offense couldn't provide much run support for the pitchers, going 1-for-25 with runners in scoring position in Pittsburgh. Add in mistakes like Galvis' error and Revere's faulty slide, and the Phillies made it difficult for themselves.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 22-42. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance this spring, don’t expect their competitive place in the standings to last. All time, the Phillies are 46-52-1 on this day.