Pirates Steal Series As Injuries Mount For Phillies

GAME RECAP: Pirates Finish Phillies 5-4

Rookie Adam Frazier couldn't have picked a better time to knock his first Major League home run that nearly reached the Allegheny River. His pinch-hit solo shot to the top of the right-field bleachers broke a tie in the bottom of the seventh inning, leading the Pirates to a 5-4 series win over the Phillies on Sunday at PNC Park. "I figured [right-hander Edubray Ramos] was coming back with a fastball after just missing with two off-speed pitches," Fraizer said. "I got my hands to it and got the barrel out in front." The Pirates overcame a 4-2 Phillies lead in the sixth, courtesy of Matt Joyce's two-run shot to center field, tying it 4. The Bucs have now won four straight series at PNC Park, while the Phillies have gone 4-11 against the Pirates at PNC Park since 2012. Jameson Taillon gave up four runs on eight hits in his six innings with a career-high seven strikeouts. He has gone three straight starts without registering a walk. "He made some mistakes and he paid for them, but he kept us in the game and he really didn't fold or go away," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He stayed on the aggression throughout the outing." Pittsburgh's bullpen worked a scoreless three innings to preserve the one-run lead and eventual win. "We had opportunities the whole series. Especially today's game included, we need some big hits to score," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. With runners on the corners in the seventh, Neftali Feliz whiffed Odubel Herrera with a 97-mph fastball to keep the score tied. Herrera, who went 7-for-13 in the series, tacked on two RBIs on a groundout in the third inning and a solo shot in the sixth.

PHILS PHACTS: 

• In the bottom of the eighth inning, the game was delayed for one hour, 32 minutes, due to rain.
• Phillies third baseman Andres Blanco homered to center field in the first inning, giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead. He later broke his left index finger and is likely headed to the disabled list, so Maikel Franco replaced him at third base, batting third. Franco sat out Saturday's game after being hit in the wrist by Gerrit Cole's pitch on Friday. He hit a single in the eighth inning.
• "It's just a matter of finishing at-bats. You've gotta finish 0-2 counts." -- Phillies starter Vince Velasquez, on giving up the lead in the sixth inning.
• In the third inning, the Phillies claimed Gregory Polanco had interfered while sliding into second base to break up a double play on David Freese's grounder to third base. The Phillies challenged, and the call was overturned, with the Phillies getting the double play.
• In the eighth inning, the Pirates challenged the call ruling Tommy Joseph safe at first base. The call on the field was confirmed: Joseph reached base safely, though Franco was out at second.
• Hellickson (7-7, 3.84) was excellent against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing just one run on five hits and no walks while striking out eight in a 4-1 Phillies win. He has allowed one earned run in four of his past five starts, going 3-1 in that time.
• The 2.40 ERA Cosart has in his career against the Phillies is his best versus any team against which he has made at least three starts.
• Despite sitting well over .500 for the season, the Marlins have struggled playing against their own division. Miami is a combined 29-11 against the National League Central and West divisions but was only 20-27 against East teams. The Marlins have split 10 games with the Phillies so far in 2016.

NEXT GAME:

After a three-day reprieve away from each other, the Phillies and Marlins reconvene Monday at Marlins Park. The National League East division rivals will play for the fifth, sixth and seventh times over a 10-day span -- and for the 11th, 12th and 13th times over the first four months of the regular season. The familiarity, though, won't be as heightened as it would have been if Wei-Yin Chen wasn't a day-before scratch as the Marlins starter. After Chen missed his regular bullpen session on Saturday because of an undisclosed issue, Jarred Cosart will be called up as the fill-in starter. Chen faced Jeremy Hellickson five days prior in Philadelphia, and a rematch was supposed to occur Monday. Cosart had a 4.09 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A New Orleans after an early-season demotion from the Majors. Cosart (0-1, 7.98 ERA) allowed 13 earned runs on 16 hits in 14 2/3 innings upon making the Marlins' Opening Day roster.

PHILS PHACTS:

Blanco Out – Exacerbating a 5-4 loss to the Pirates on Sunday, third baseman Andres Blanco fractured his left index finger and is likely headed to the disabled list. As Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco tried to steal third base in the fifth inning, Blanco took a throw from catcher Carlos Ruiz and made a move to tag Polanco with his left glove hand. Blanco's hand was crunched between the spikes of Polanco's left cleat and the bag. Manager Pete Mackanin said Blanco's finger took four stitches and will be re-examined before they determine if surgery is needed to further clean up the wound. Not only do the Phillies lose a quality player, but the injury comes at a bad time, with the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline looming. "That's gonna hurt us, because we always could rely on him to play solid defense, come up with big hits for us," Mackanin said. "Plays anywhere, anywhere we put him he plays solid defense. Great guy to have around. "Hopefully it will be shorter than we think it might be. It's definitely a blow," Mackanin said. Maikel Franco, who took a pitch off his left wrist on Friday and sat out Saturday, took Blanco's place in the fifth inning. Third baseman Taylor Featherston, who is already on the 40-man roster, was not in Triple-A Lehigh Valley's lineup on Sunday against Louisville, and is a potential callup to replace Blanco. Before his injury, Blanco sent a solo shot to center field off Jameson Taillon in the first inning, putting the Phillies ahead, 1-0. Blanco has hit .271 this season with 21 RBIs.

Precautionary Day Off – Getting hit by pitches has limited two Phillies players in their series with the Pirates. Maikel Franco was hit on the left wrist by Gerrit Cole on Friday, and did not play Saturday as a precaution, though X-rays came back negative. He entered Sunday's game in the fifth inning, replacing Andres Blanco at third base and batting third. Cameron Rupp was hit in the head with a pitch by Tyler Glasnow on Saturday, with the ball hitting the flap of his helmet and impacting his cheek. Rupp avoided any broken bones or a concussion, but both were out of Sunday's lineup as a precautionary measure. Franco fractured his wrist in the same place last season, but has been icing and wrapping the wrist to ease any soreness. "It's probably just precaution, because I think I'm available to play if needed," Rupp said. "You get hit in the head, you want to take a little more precaution than if it was another part of your body." Blanco was also hit in the sixth inning of Friday's game by Cole, and Arquimedes Caminero pegged Tommy Joseph in the seventh. Pitcher Aaron Nola was hit on his left knuckles by a Glasnow fastball on Saturday, but he continued to pitch. With so many Phillies players getting hit by pitches in the series, there's a question about whether the Phillies feel the need to retaliate -- though Zach Eflin did pop Andrew McCutchen in the lower back after Franco was hit Friday. "That's not for me to say," Rupp said. "[It's not good] to have two guys out of the lineup that are normally in there. But that's just something that whatever happens, happens." Rupp doesn't believe Glasnow did anything on purpose, as the ball can get away from everyone sometimes. But the Pirates are known for pitching inside, which can be dangerous if not done properly. "You play against these guys all during Spring Training," Rupp said. "They do the same thing there. They preach about pitching inside, which, like I said, is fine. But like I said, you've gotta be able to pitch inside. You've got to throw it in there and not hit guys."

Texas Pursuing A Phillies Pitcher (Again!) – The Rangers' search for a young controllable starter continues, leading up to the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Texas was linked Monday to Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez and Royals righty Edinson Volquez. MLB.com's Jon Morosi reported the Rangers' interest in Velasquez, while the Dallas Morning News reported the club's front-office inner circle watched Volquez on Sunday. Morosi reported the price to acquire Velasquez would be high. The Rangers have not commented on the reports. The 24-year-old is 8-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 17 starts for the Phils this season, striking out 103 batters in 91 2/3 innings. Velasquez is under team control through the 2021 season and was one of several pieces acquired by Philadelphia from Houston this offseason in the Ken Giles trade. The Rangers and Phillies are familiar with each other, as they pulled off a blockbuster before last season's deadline. Texas acquired left-hander Cole Hamels, Jake Diekman and cash considerations from Philadelphia for Jorge Alfaro, Jake Thompson, Nick Williams, Alec Asher, Jerad Eickhoff and Matt Harrison. Volquez, 33, is 8-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 21 starts this season, but he has a 2.84 ERA in his last five starts. He has a $10 million mutual option for next season or a $3 million buyout. Volquez began his career with Texas before being traded to Cincinnati in 2007 for Josh Hamilton. He made his lone All-Star appearance the following season and has a 4.32 ERA in 12 years with the Rangers, Reds, Padres, Dodgers, Pirates and Royals. The Rangers have reportedly shown interest in several young controllable pitchers, including the White Sox Chris Sale and the Rays' trio of Chris Archer, Matt Moore and Jake Odorizzi. Although they'd be open to a rental, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said they'd prefer a longer-term option. "I think the only real change is I was hoping we wouldn't consider a rental," Daniels said Sunday. "In my mind, we are open to longterm controllable acquisitions like Cole [Hamels] and down the line. It's still not my preference, but I'd be open to it." 

Congratulations Piazza and Griffey! – To punctuate close to an hour of combined speeches by this year's pair of inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Ken Griffey Jr. turned around his cap to end the Sunday proceedings. Mike Piazza spoke to his Italian immigrant father, Vince, in his native language, thanking him and Italy for giving him his dad. There were more than 50,000 people sprawled out on the lawns far and away beyond the tented stage behind the Clark Sports Center decked out in Mets blue and Mariners teal, tying the second-largest turnout in induction history. And there were enough tears from the participants to easily fill a bucket. "The actual thing about talking in front of 50,000 wasn't bad," said Griffey, the son of Ken Griffey Sr., a two-time World Series winner with the Reds in 1975-76. "The thing is I made the mistake of looking down at my kids in the front row. I remember everybody saying, 'Don't look at your kids, don't look at your kids until you have to.' "Nope, not me. You know what they say when you're a kid? 'Don't do that, don't do that.' What do you do? You do it anyway." Griffey also said it wasn't his idea to don a cap in the style that was his signature during a 22-year career when he hit 630 homers for the Mariners, Reds and White Sox. He gave the credit (or blame) to now Hall of Fame contemporary Frank Thomas. Thomas had the inspiration when the group arrived at the grounds just before the ceremony began. Griffey acquiesced and said he had to get a Hall of Fame fitted model that belonged to one of his sons. "That really wasn't my idea," said Junior, the first No. 1 Draft pick ever inducted into the Hall. "That was from a guy who happened to play for Chicago and Oakland and cried the entire time through his speech. So him being a veteran of the Hall of Fame, I took his veteran leadership and decided to do it." As far as Piazza was concerned, he paced his speech accordingly and decided to leave loving thoughts to his family for last. Piazza praised Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, the man who urged the Dodgers to pick him in the 62nd round -- 1,390th overall -- in the 1988 Draft when he managed that ballclub. He sent his best wishes to Bobby Valentine, a Lasorda acolyte, who managed the Mets into a five-game loss to the Yankees in the 2000 Subway World Series. Piazza, who is the lowest-drafted player enshrined in Cooperstown, said he was moved by the fact that the current baseball team from Phoenixville High School -- where the right-handed slugger played as a teen -- made the four-hour trek from Pennsylvania for the festivities. He also showed a lot of love to Mets fans. "Any time I come to New York and see the fans, it's like coming home," Piazza said. "Their energy and the way they receive me has always given me adrenaline." Piazza's father may not have been as famous as the elder Griffey, but he was no less influential. To his father, whose friendship with Lasorda paved the way to Piazza hitting 427 homers in the Majors -- a record 396 of them as a catcher -- and into the Hall of Fame, Piazza translated the Italian: "I said, basically, 'Many thanks to Italy for giving me the gift of my father. Infinite thanks.' As I've said many times before, that was the one thing when I was a kid my father instilled in me." A love of baseball and Italy. "As a kid you don't think much of it," he added. "But when you get older you reconnect. He was a big fan of [Joe] DiMaggio. I was obviously paying my respects to Yogi [Berra] today. He was on my mind as well. One thing I'm very proud of is the great Italian-American ballplayers and Hall of Famers that are here." Griffey, of course, came from a different place and time. His father was a 29th-round selection by the Reds in the 1969 Draft and went on to play 19 seasons. His was a baseball family and that fact alone gave Griffey a foot up with his new team of Hall of Famers as far as any hazing might be concerned. "I had time to do some research and I have some information about these guys that they probably don't want out," he said with a glint in his eyes. Griffey's speech was heavily directed toward his family and many of the Mariners, whom he played with during his initial iteration from 1989-99. Griffey returned to Seattle to finish his career in 2009-10. Edgar Martinez, the Mariners' current hitting coach and a top designated hitter during the Griffey era, took the day off from the ballpark and was in the audience. Griffey gave him a shout out for election to the Hall. Martinez remains on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot. The Mariners had a huge contingent of past and present executives at the ceremony and staged a private party for Griffey at the Fenimore Art Museum in town on Saturday night. Mets owners Fred Wilpon and his son, Jeff, were also at the festivities to honor Piazza. Griffey said he didn't get to spend too much time with his father this weekend. "This is the first time I saw him today," Griffey said. "He's been ripping and running around town just like everybody else in my family. When I saw him is when I got on the stage. We had a chance to talk [on the phone]. He just said, 'Just go out, have fun and enjoy yourself. I'm here for you.' And then he hung up. A typical dad thing." The crowd was not so atypical. It matched the 1999 induction of Robin Yount, George Brett and Nolan Ryan, but fell far short of the 80,000 that flooded the town for the 2007 deliverance of Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Each induction has its own tone and flavor. Last year, there was a decided Dominican feel to the throng of 45,000 as Pedro Martinez was among the four inductees. Montreal natives once waded out on these same fields, waving the white and red Canadian flag the years when Gary Carter and Andre Dawson were the only members of the now-defunct Expos to be inducted. But an element of all this is certain. It's one thing to play in front of a crowd of 50,000 and quite another to look out from the stage on that kind of assemblage and have to address it. "It was absolutely nerve-wracking," Piazza said. "It's not easy, but as a player you have to find a way to focus and get into your game mode. I was joking with Ken a little bit before we got on stage: 'Come on, we've got this, we've got this.' We were talking like we were going out to play. But nothing can prepare you for the emotions that you feel."

Today In Phils History – In 1924, George Harper hit an inside the park homerun at the Baker Bowl to seal the victory against Chicago. In the first game of a double header in 1948, Richie Ashburn hit into his only double play of the season setting a franchise record for fewest by a regular position player. 2 years later, the Phillies swept a double header in Chicago to take 1^st place in the league which they would hold on to for the remainder of the season. 30 years later, in 1980, Mike Schmidt hit 2 homeruns in the 1^st game of a double header against the Dodgers to set a new franchise record for career homeruns (261) passing Del Ennis. Ryan Madson had an interesting start I 2006 as in the 3^rd inning against Arizona he tied a MLB record by throwing 4 wild pitches (on top of hitting 2 batters and walking 5) but still only allowed 2 runs over 4 innings in the extra inning loss. It was on this day last year, in his final start as a Phillie, when Cole Hamels threw a no hitter against the Cubs. Finally, Happy 45^th Birthday to former Phillies closer Billy Wagner!

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 45-55 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. All time, the Phillies are 43-59-0 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.

Rupp Held On To The Ball!

GAME RECAP: Phillies Stun Reds 4-3

Aaron Nola pitched masterfully for seven innings, but the Phillies literally had to hang on in the ninth inning to secure their 4-3 victory over the Reds on Saturday. The game ended on a double play where Eugenio Suarez tagged up on a fly ball and collided with catcher Cameron Rupp as the throw came to the plate. The Phillies continued their recent dominance by taking the first two games of the series, and are 9-0-1 in home series vs. Cincinnati since 2006. Nola gave up two runs (one earned) with five hits, one walk and nine strikeouts. It was a 1-1 game in the fifth inning when the Phillies scored two runs against Tim Adleman. Tyler Goeddel hit a single through the middle, followed by Nola drawing a full-count walk. After a Peter Bourjos sacrifice, Odubel Herrera shot a hard RBI single through the middle and Cesar Hernandez pulled a roller through the right side that scored Nola for a 3-1 Phillies lead. Adleman was pulled after 67 pitches over five innings, with three runs, eight hits, two walks and three strikeouts. "I think I was a little out of sync early on, especially that fifth inning," Adleman said. "The first three innings turned out. Somebody told me I had 25 pitches and only four balls. I got a couple of double plays, the defense played good behind me. A couple of walks here and there and tough luck on a couple of the groundballs. You look up at the scoreboard and it's 3-1." Philadelphia added a run on Herrera's solo homer to right field against JC Ramirez in the seventh. The ball landed in the first row of seats as a fan reached out and it took a crew chief review before it was determined that the call stands. The game ended in wild fashion. After Adam Duvall's RBI double in the ninth put the Reds down by a run, pinch-hitter Jordan Pacheco lifted a one-out fly ball to left field that was caught by Goeddel. After Suarez tagged up, Goeddel made a perfect throw to the plate. Suarez lowered his shoulder and barreled into Rupp as he caught the ball. He was able to hold onto the ball and make the tag. The Reds challenged, questioning whether Rupp violated Rule 7.13 by blocking the plate. Upon replay review, the call was confirmed and the game was over. "I think they got it right," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "We challenged it simply because you have to take a look at it. We can't tell from there what was going on there from our vantage point. We did the right thing and we had them take a look at it. It validated that the umpires got it right. That isn't really what cost us the ballgame tonight."

PHILS PHACTS:

• Nola loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the first on singles by Zack Cozart and Jose Peraza and a walk to Joey Votto, but got out of the inning allowing just one run. Nola has allowed six first-inning runs in eight starts this season for a 6.75 earned run average in that inning. "Nola was fantastic after his first inning," said manager Pete Mackanin. "I won't say he struggled. He just gave them a couple pitches to hit. After that he was outstanding. If it wasn't for the error I probably would have sent him out for the next inning. But he was great." The 22-year-old ended up pitching seven innings and allowing just one earned run.
• The Phillies beat the Reds Friday night in part because of a safety squeeze by pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. They won again Saturday night partly because Nola didn't get a bunt down with a runner on first and nobody out and the score tied in the fifth. Instead he walked and the Phillies went on score two runs and take a lead they never relinquished. "The big at-bat of the night was Nola's walk," manager Pete Mackanin said. "Then Bourjos laid down a nice bunt. That was huge."
• In the fourth inning after it initially appeared that Hernandez stole second base and was ruled safe, the Reds challenged umpire Ramon De Jesus' call. Upon the replay review, Phillips tagged Hernandez on the helmet before he touched the base and the call was overturned for the first out.
• "It didn't feel good. My legs rolled up underneath me. I just wanted to recoup and lay there. Whatever. I don't know what was going through my head, honestly." -- Rupp, on the game-ending double play and home-plate collision with Suarez.
• The Phillies are 22-15. Last season they didn't win their 22nd game until June 7 (22-36).

NEXT GAME:

Left-hander Adam Morgan will be attempting to build on his first quality start of the season, May 10 at Atlanta, when he faces the Reds in the series finale Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Morgan is 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in three big league starts this season.

PHILS PHACTS:

What A Way To End The Game – It's hard to imagine a more exciting way to end a game. The Reds had already scored once, to pull within a run of the Phillies on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park, and had runners on second and third with one out. So when Phillies left fielder Tyler Goeddel broke back on pinch-hitter Jordan Pacheco's fly ball, it seemed that the game would be tied and that Cincinnati was still well-positioned to take the lead. Seconds later, the Phillies were celebrating in gleeful disbelief after Goeddel threw a strike to catcher Cameron Rupp, who caught the ball a split second before runner Eugenio Suarez barreled into him. Rupp, who was slow to get up, held onto the ball and home-plate umpire Vic Carpazza emphatically signaled that the runner was out, giving the Phillies a 4-3 win. A replay review confirmed that Rupp had set up properly and that the throw had carried him into the base line. Additionally, since the runner didn't slide, the catcher is exempted from a violation for blocking the plate. The Phillies, now 14-3 in one-run games this season, were naturally jubilant. "I thought there was zero chance," said right-hander David Hernandez, who was pitching the ninth because closer Jeanmar Gomez wasn't available. "It was probably one of the best throws I've ever seen from the outfield. Then the fact that Rupp caught it, tagged him and held onto it. I was in the background jumping up and down. It was one of the best plays I've ever seen to end the game." The Reds, naturally, were deflated. "I think they got it right," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "We challenged it simply because you have to take a look at it. It validated that the umpires got it right." Suarez disagreed. "I thought I might score, but [Goeddel] made a really good throw. [Rupp] gave me nothing. He was in my line. He didn't give me a choice to go this way or that way. I just tried to be safe." Rupp admitted that he isn't sure exactly what happened after the collision. "I was thinking, 'Hold onto that ball for dear life, don't let it go and whatever happens, happens. Sacrifice everything. That's my plate, don't let him get to it,'" he said, adding that he doesn't remember being hit that hard since he played high school football. Said Goeddel: "When he hit it, I broke back on it at first. I knew he hit it pretty well. It was really high, so I was able to get behind it and get everything into the throw." Phillies manager Pete Mackanin laughed when asked if he thought Goeddel had a chance to make the play when the ball was first hit. "I was hoping he did," Mackanin said. "I was hoping he's make a perfect throw. That's what I was hoping. And he made a perfect throw. Things are going our way right now and it's just a great way to end a game."

Watching The Bullpen Arms – Phillies setup man Hector Neris is tied for second in the Major Leagues with 21 appearances and closer Jeanmar Gomez is right behind with 20. Before the Phillies' 4-3 win over the Reds on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park, manager Pete Mackanin said he wasn't worried about their workload. "The reason I'm not concerned is because I'm well aware of it," he said before the game. "We're going to take care of them. I'm going to be certain we're not going to abuse them." What he didn't say was that he had already made up his mind not to use either pitcher Saturday night if there was any way to avoid it. So Andrew Bailey pitched a strong eighth and David Hernandez, with the help of a terrific throw from left fielder Tyler Goeddel to catcher Cameron Rupp to cut down the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, earned his first save since July 12, 2013. Earlier in the day, Mackanin spoke at length about his plans to protect his two back-of-the-bullpen relievers and acknowledged that he couldn't keep using them as much as he has to this point. The manager pointed out that Neris and Gomez have each pitched three days in a row just once this season. Their pitch counts are closely watched. It's unusual, he pointed out, for a team to have as many close games as the Phillies have had. "I'm aware that in the course of a long season we can't keep up this pace. And there have been an unusual amount of situations with one-run games that when you try to win games, you've got to do it," he explained. Neris was on a pace to make 94 appearances this season and Gomez, who leads the big leagues with 14 saves, projected to 90 games pitched. The club record is 90, set by Kent Tekulve in 1987. "Once again, I don't feel like I've abused them in any way, shape or form," Mackanin said. "The only thing that happens is, and it happens when you have good pitching and you're playing one-run games, you use your best guys for the eighth and the ninth. Up until this point, Neris has been almost unhittable. Why would I use anyone else? But I have used Hernandez and I have used Bailey in tight situations earlier in the game. It's almost like I'm looking forward to a lopsided game. Preferably in our favor. "When every night it's a one-run game, we've got to try to win the game. But I'm not concerned only because I'm aware of it. It's not going to continue like this. And if it does, we'll have other guys more involved." Which is exactly what he did Saturday night.

A Little Surprise – Close to 30 minutes after Emmanuel Burriss borrowed his glove to field some grounders, 13-year-old Francisco Dotor was still a bit shellshocked. "It was crazy," Dotor said, wearing the glove he shared with a big leaguer. Nearly 100 kids ages 7 to 14 were greeted with surprise appearances from Burriss and Colton Murray at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park on Saturday afternoon. The Phillies players showed up about halfway through a youth baseball clinic put on by the Phillies Urban Youth Academy for the inaugural Play Ball Weekend. Coaches were sending players through hitting, baserunning, infield and outfield drills when Burriss and Murray arrived. They spent the remainder of the camp rotating through the stations, helping at each. "To be able to come into another city that you're not even from," Burriss said, "and be able to touch on their community as much as our community gave to us, wherever we came from, it means a big deal." There weren't any pitching stations, but Murray harkened back to his high school days, when he also played infield. On the outfield drills, though, Murray gave way to Burriss' expertise. They both tossed popups to the kids, though, Murray even succumbing to one's pleading to "go deep" and overshooting him by about 20 feet. Every kid's request thereafter to also get a deep ball exemplified some of the energy and pure love of the game that inspires the Major Leaguers at events like this one. "All these guys are just out here having fun," Murray said. "It allows you to think back to the times of being with your dad or being around all your friends, going out and playing baseball -- having fun." Make no mistake: Murray cherishes his time in Major and Minor League clubhouses. "It's fun all over again," he said. "The grind of it, though," Burriss added, "sometimes you forget what this is all about. This is why we play the game." For a half-hour on a Saturday afternoon, Burriss and Murray escaped the 162-game drudge. They exchanged high-fives, daps and gloves with dozens of Philadelphia kids, making some lifelong memories in the process and possibly inspiring some to further pursue the sport.

RBI Bond – As Ramon Reyes soft-tossed baseballs to participants in MLB's inaugural Play Ball Weekend on Saturday afternoon, he couldn't help but reflect on what the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program had done for him. If a 13-year-old Reyes, fresh off a move to Philadelphia, were told in 14 years he'd be making a comfortable living as a realtor in suburban Pennsylvania, it would have been difficult for him to imagine. But at 16, everything changed. After growing up in the south Bronx projects, where "welfare was the norm ... drug dealers were the role models," as he described it, Reyes and his family moved to the City of Brotherly Love. Three years later, he met Jon Joaquin and joined the Philadelphia chapter of the RBI program. Joaquin, for the past 16 years, has headed the Phillies' youth baseball development department. His realm of responsibilities include the RBI program, Play Ball Weekend and other outreach initiatives to help grow interest in the sport among local youth. "It's all about opportunity, and I always preach that," Joaquin said. "If I can provide these kids with an opportunity -- on the field or off the field -- those are things I think it's all about." Reyes' friends coaxed him into trying out for the RBI travel team in 2005. Already being a talented catcher, Reyes made the Triple-A squad and got to travel the country. With the RBI program, Reyes took trips to New York, New Jersey, Florida, California and more. Hopping on an airplane to go play baseball sounds like a good gig for any 16-year-old. But it was particularly impactful on Reyes. Growing up in the projects, he said, he didn't know anything but rich and poor. "I didn't know anything about a medium income, a middle class family," Reyes said. "It helped me see there's a better world out there." It also created lifelong bonds between Reyes and his teammates, coaches and mentors in the program. He was on the 2007 Philadelphia RBI team that beat the reigning champion Los Angeles squad to win the RBI World Series (becoming the first cold-weather team to do so). The players from that title-winning team had a five-year reunion in 2012 -- not unlike a high school or college graduating class would. They shared stories and reminisced while reliving joyous times. More recently, though, the team gathered again on a far more somber occasion. One member of the 2007 team was Oakland A's pitching prospect Sean Murphy, who died unexpectedly last month. They were able to celebrate his life, rather than wallow, thanks to the memories they shared. "A Philly guy straight in, straight out," Reyes said. "A bunch of us went to the funeral and met up again. Of course we're all down. But when we see each other, it was like happy moments." Joaquin stayed in contact, too, like he does with many former RBI participants. Reyes was a freshman in college when he won the RBI title. Joaquin has watched him go from 16 years old to college graduate and now to a mature adult who wants to give back to the community that gave him so much. "It's like a big brother type thing," Joaquin said. "He's really grown up to be a great man." So when Joaquin reached out about helping out on Saturday, "that's the first thing I did, like 'Oh man, I'm in,'" Reyes said. He largely credits RBI for the man he's become. His dedication to the program as a teenager helped build a work ethic and taught him how to stay organized. Mostly, though, it opened window to a new world for him. So when Reyes took the field on Saturday, he did so with plenty of motivation. The 27-year-old realtor hustled onto the field with the kids he was coaching. He gave hands-on hitting tips and one-on-one time for every kid on the field. Hopefully, he said, he can give them just one tidbit of information. "Then I've made a difference." After all, Joaquin said, "You never know when the Ramon Reyes is going to be coming through our system and referencing RBI as an outlet for them."

Today In Phils History – The history of the day begins with the Phillies crushing the Reds in 1911 by scoring 21 runs which was followed 11 years later when St. Louis scored in every inning but the 5^th in a 19-7 loss. In that same game in 1922, pitcher Tom Sullivan hits a home run in his major-league debut becoming the second pitcher to do so in franchise history… thankfully, it overshadowed an ugly performance on the mound. It was also on this day in 1999 when Mike Piazza lined out to Alex Arias who turned a triple play. A decade later, the Phillies visited the White House to celebrate their 2008 World Series victory. A key member of that team, Jimmy Rollins, hit his 433^rd career double 4 years later passing Ed Delahanty and setting a new franchise record. Notable debuts on this day include Johnny Estrada and Nelson Figueroa in 2001 and Jake Diekman in 2012. None of those players stayed in the Phillies uniform for long.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 22-15 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 52-49-1 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!

Would Schilling Be Inducted As A Phillie?

PHILS PHACTS:

Once again, beat reporter Todd Zolecki answers Phillies fans' questions including whether or not the team should be fishing in the free agent pool or focusing on taking the floaties off of their young talent. The full Q&A can be read/watched here.

An Interesting HOF Ballot This Year – Under new voting rules established this summer by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the annual Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot was released Monday on the earliest date in recent history. Ken Griffey Jr. and his 630 homers and Trevor Hoffman and his National League-record 601 saves are the top candidates among a bevy of first-time qualifiers for the Class of 2016. Billy Wagner, who had 422 saves in 16 seasons for five teams, is another significant new name on the ballot. Mike Piazza (69.9 percent of the vote last year), Jeff Bagwell (55.7 percent) and Tim Raines (55 percent) are the returnees with the best chances of being elected this time around. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on July 24 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Griffey was selected first overall as a 17-year-old in the 1987 Draft and went on to play his first 13 seasons for the Mariners, ending his 22-year career with them in 2010. He batted .284 and produced 1,836 RBIs. Along the way, Griffey played parts of nine seasons with the Reds and part of one with the White Sox before returning to the Mariners for the final two. Griffey was a four-time American League home run champion, hitting 56 homers in back-to-back seasons in 1997-98, and he won the AL MVP Award in '97 and was a 13-time All-Star. Griffey would be both the first Mariner and the first No. 1 overall Draft pick to be inducted. "I am truly honored and humbled to be associated with these people here," Griffey said when he was inducted into the Mariners' Hall of Fame in 2013. "I may have sometimes been standoffish; I didn't mean to. I just wanted to play baseball. That's the only thing that mattered: playing and winning ballgames for this team. I want to thank all of you, and the Mariners organization, for letting me be part of something special. I just want to say thank you." Hoffman would be the third player to go into the Hall with an interlocking SD on his plaque. Dave Winfield and the late Tony Gwynn are the others. Hoffman had a 2.87 ERA and 61 wins in 1,035 games, plus a career-high 53 saves in 54 opportunities for a 1998 Padres club that lost to the Yankees in the World Series. "I know it would be a nice little bow tie if it would happen and to have the All-Star Game in San Diego the same year," Hoffman, who pitched 16 of his 18 big league seasons for the Padres, said in noting that the Midsummer Classic is to be played at Petco Park on July 12. "That would be amazing." Among the other newcomers on the latest ballot are Garret Anderson, David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds, Luis Castillo, Troy Glaus, Mike Lowell and Mike Sweeney. The BBWAA ballot announcement commences the Hall of Fame voting season that includes elections by the 16-member Pre-Integration Committee and nominees for the Ford C. Frick Award and the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, all slated to be unveiled at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., from Dec. 7-10. This year's version of the Veterans Committee will vote on six players, three executives and an organizer who were all active in baseball prior to Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. The Frick Award voters will pick a baseball announcer who was a pioneer during that same period. The BBWAA honors a writer with the Spink Award for meritorious contributions to the baseball writing profession. The new rules for the BBWAA ballot winnowed the rolls by about 125 voters, a Hall official said. While 625 ballots were sent out last year, about 475 were put in the mail on Monday. The ballots historically had been mailed just prior to Thanksgiving and had to be returned by New Year's Day. Voters will now have until Dec. 24 to mail their ballots. The results are to be revealed on MLB Network on Jan. 6, with a news conference involving any of the electees to be held the following day. In the past, all members of the BBWAA with more than 10 consecutive years of membership received a ballot. Under the new rules passed in July by the Hall's board of directors, members who have not actively been a member of the BBWAA for 10 years must apply every year for their ballot. The Hall then determines by the number of games an applicant covered in the previous season whether to issue a ballot. As always, a candidate must have his name written on 75 percent of the ballots to be elected, and the electorate can vote for as many as 10 players. In another change, the Hall will release a roster of all voters, but not how they voted. It's up to each individual whether to release his or her ballot. The BBWAA was established in 1908 and has been voting players into the Hall of Fame since elections began in 1936. It remains to be seen what kind of impact a smaller group of voters will have on the election. In the last election, 549 ballots were cast and a player needed 412 votes to be elected. Piazza, now in his fourth year on the ballot, fell 38 votes short last year. Bagwell and Raines fell 106 and 110 votes short, respectively. Returnees Curt Schilling (39.2 percent), Roger Clemens (37.5), Barry Bonds (36.8) and Mike Mussina (24.6) are much further out. Like Piazza, Schilling, Bonds and Clemens are in their fourth year of eligibility. Others who received sufficient support to remain on the ballot for 2016 are first basemen Fred McGriff and Mark McGwire; second baseman Jeff Kent; third baseman-designated hitter Edgar Martinez; infielder Nomar Garciaparra; and outfielders Larry Walker, Gary Sheffield and Sammy Sosa. Another rule change seriously affects Raines, who is going into his ninth and next-to-last year on the BBWAA ballot. In the past, BBWAA eligibility was for as long as 15 years, but the Hall shortened that period by five years in 2014, grandfathering in three players who were already in the 11- to 15-year range: Don Mattingly, Lee Smith and Alan Trammell. It is also McGwire's final year on the ballot. Mattingly's BBWAA eligibility ended with the last ballot. On this one, Trammell is in his 15th and final year and Smith his 14th. Smith received 30.2 percent of the vote and Trammell 25.1 percent last time. A player must reach at least a five-percent threshold to be carried over to the next ballot until his 10 years of eligibility expires. The ballot: Garret Anderson, Brad Ausmus, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Luis Castillo, Roger Clemens, David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds, Nomar Garciaparra, Troy Glaus, Ken Griffey Jr., Mark Grudzielanek, Mike Hampton, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Kendall, Jeff Kent, Mike Lowell, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Mike Mussina, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines, Curt Schilling, Gary Sheffield, Lee Smith, Sammy Sosa, Mike Sweeney, Alan Trammell, Billy Wagner, Larry Walker, Randy Winn.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies finally put an end to the season finishing in last place in the NL East with a record of 63-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in franchise history! However, at least Ryan Madson got another ring this year.

Harang And Howard Salvage Split

GAME RECAP: Phillies Beat Pirates 4-2

Phillies right-hander Aaron Harang is looking more and more like a solid piece to a contending team looking for starting pitching help, with another strong effort Thursday in a 4-2 victory over the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Harang pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and one walk and striking out six to improve to 4-3 with a 2.03 ERA. The Phillies won their last two games against the Pirates to split the four-game series. "That's something I can't dwell on," Harang said about a possible trade in the next couple months. "I have to think about what I will do five days from now and what I will do to help other guys by watching bullpens and paying attention to things in case I notice anything. I think that's the biggest thing -- being there and being accessible to try and help younger guys go through ups and downs to get them in the right direction." Pirates right-hander Vance Worley lasted just four innings, allowing eight hits and three runs, one earned. The Pirates managed their only runs in the ninth inning against Ken Giles. "Mechanically, I was a little off," said Worley, who delivered 35 of his 81 pitches outside of the strike zone. "I wasn't finding the right arm slot. Just a little out of sync."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

·         Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and shortstop Freddy Galvis each had three hits to lead the Phillies' offense. Howard hit a solo home run to right field in the fifth inning. It is his seventh homer in his last 21 games. Galvis has seven three-hit games this season, which is second in baseball only to Miami's Dee Gordon (10 three-hit games). "We've been able to bounce back against a really good baseball team and show what we are capable of," Howard said. "It's just being able to take that momentum and carry it over to tomorrow."

·         Harang has pitched six or more innings in each of his eight starts this season. He has not allowed a run in three of them, and has allowed one run or fewer in five of them.

·         Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp caught Harrison stealing in the third inning and Starling Marte in the fourth inning. Both plays ended the inning. Just six of 12 baserunners have successfully stolen bases against Rupp this season. If he had enough games to qualify, his 50 stolen base percentage would be the best in baseball. Kansas City's Salvador Perez currently is best with a 52.4 stolen base percentage (11-for-21).

·         After an eventful ninth inning Wednesday night, Jeff Francoeur found himself in another notable moment Thursday. Francoeur hit a sharp ground ball to Mercer and chugged down the first-base line, but first-base umpire C.B. Bucknor called him out. The call on the field was reviewed, and it was ruled that the call stood. The replay lasted approximately 1:20.

·         "We'll see. I'm not sure yet." -- Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg, on Triple-A third baseman Maikel Franco possibly being recalled before Friday's game. It is expected that Franco will be called up.

·         D-backs outfielder Ender Inciarte was selected by the Phillies in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft before being returned to Arizona in April 2013.

·         The D-backs should be familiar with Billingsley, as general manager Dave Stewart is Billingsley's former agent.

·         The Phillies went 4-2 against the D-backs last season.

NEXT GAME:

Will Chase Anderson's wait end Friday? He sure hopes so. The D-backs' right-hander will take the mound Friday in Philadelphia against Chad Billingsley seeking his first victory of the season after winning nine times last year as a rookie. Anderson has pitched well enough to win. He gave up back-to-back singles to start the game against the Padres in his last outing, but retired 11 of the next 12 he faced in a seven-inning, one-run effort in which he received a no-decision. Billingsley has allowed five earned runs on eight hits in each of his two starts this season.

PHILS PHACTS:

3 Hits x 2 – Any time you ask Freddy Galvis what he's changed about his approach this season, he'll tell you the same thing: He's shortened up his swing, and this has led to more ground balls, more balls in play and more opportunities to get on base. As was evidenced Thursday afternoon, Galvis isn't just saying the company line. His new approach is working. Galvis finished Thursday's 4-2 Phillies victory over the Pirates 3-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base. This was Galvis' seventh three-hit game of the season and came in the middle of what is now an 11-for-25 stretch over the past two series. But to Galvis, Thursday wasn't about the hits he recorded so much as it was about how he recorded those hits. "Today I hit three grounders and three base hits," Galvis said. "I think that's the key. When I stay on the ground, I can get base hits." The day improved Galvis' batting average to .353, a mark that is 79 points better than the next best everyday Phillie. To manager Ryne Sandberg, the fact that Galvis has been able to sustain this success this late into the season is a testament to how his approach is working. "When you're hitting it for 100 at-bats and starting to face teams for the second time, which he has, he's just sticking with what's working for him and being real patient out there," Sandberg said. "He's just really on the ball. He's doing a nice job of really cutting down his swing and making some nice contact." As notable as his day was, Galvis was not the only player with three hits Thursday. First baseman Ryan Howard started off the day with singles in the first and third innings before jumping on the first pitch of the fifth inning for a solo home run, his seventh of the season. No teammate of his has more than three. Howard attributed his success to his preparation and patience. "I was just trying to get good pitches up, just trying to hit mistakes," Howard said. "[Pirates starter] Vance [Worley] is a guy who, he's got pretty good movement on his ball. You've just got to be patient and just kind of wait for mistakes, and when he makes them, you've got to jump on them." Howard had been hitting the ball excellently in early May before cooling off in his past five games, hitting just 1-for-15 over that stretch. However, Sandberg said the success the big left-hander found Thursday was tied to his success in previous weeks. "He's squaring up the ball much better," Sandberg said. "He's getting hits to go with that. I think gaining confidence comes with that. I like what he's doing. He can help us win a game. If he can get hot and be one of the guys who gets hot, that goes big with what he can do for us."

No Stolen Base For You! – Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp picked up two hits and the first intentional walk of his career Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, but he really made his mark behind the plate in a 4-2 victory over the Pirates. Rupp caught Josh Harrison trying to steal second base in the third inning and Starling Marte trying to steal second base in the fourth inning. Both plays ended their respective innings. "I like a good challenge," Rupp said. "You want guys to see what you can do. And when you throw them out and you make good throws, it makes you feel better. It kind of gives you a little adrenaline rush. But it's more than just me throwing the ball there. Aaron [Harang] gave me good pitches to throw on. Freddy [Galvis] made the tag." Rupp is hitting .184 (7-for-38) in 11 games this season, but he has allowed just six of 12 baserunners to successfully steal a base against him. If he had played enough games to quality, his 50 stolen base percentage would be the best mark in baseball, according to Stats LLC. "He has a cannon for an arm," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He just has a quick release. And he's usually on target." Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez currently is best at 52.4 percent (11-for-21). Who knows? Maybe teams start will running less on Rupp. "If guys said, 'If you get on base, stay put,' I'm OK with it," Rupp said. "But I've got to be ready. I can't fall asleep. But a lot of this comes from the pitcher. Being able to hold a runner on. Aaron did a great job at it. He gives Chooch [Carlos Ruiz] a chance. He gives me a chance. That's all we can ask for. If you don't have a chance, you might as well eat it. It's not just a one-way deal here."

Harang Showing Value – If Cole Hamels is a little too rich for a contending team's budget, Phillies right-hander Aaron Harang is pitching like a pretty solid substitute. He threw eight scoreless innings in Thursday's 4-2 victory over the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park to improve to 4-3 with a 2.03 ERA. He has pitched six or more innings in each of his eight starts this season, allowing one run or fewer in five starts and no runs in three starts. "That's something I can't dwell on," Harang said about the possibility of being traded before the July 31 Trade Deadline. "I have to think about what I will do five days from now and what I will do to help other guys by watching bullpens and paying attention to things in case I notice anything. I think that's the biggest thing -- being there and being accessible to try and help younger guys go through ups and downs to get them in the right direction." It would not hurt the Phillies to have Harang hang around a little longer, and maybe impart a little more wisdom on some of their younger pitchers. Harang is 37, but he is pitching like he could succeed for a few more years. "I'm having fun," he said. "I know what I can do, and I know my limitations. And I know that I have to control myself and get through tough situations and trying to stay positive. Younger guys make an error and get down on themselves. I've got to be like, 'Don't worry, I'll get you, and we'll get another one. The next time, go get me a big knock or get an RBI.' Just trying to be a positive attitude to get through the rough stuff." Harang had runners on second and third with two outs in the first inning but got out of the jam. He allowed hits in the third and fourth innings, but Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp caught both baserunners trying to steal second base. Harang allowed just one more hit after the fourth inning. "He just hits his spots," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He makes the pitch he wants to make. It seems when he misfires a little bit, it's not over the plate to get hit. He stays away from trouble with that. He's got deception out there with his size, and the ball comes out of his shirtsleeve a little bit. He changes speeds and really studies the game. He's really good with attacking the lineups. A lot of knowledge there." And that is part of what makes Harang so attractive. He is a veteran with a successful track record, playing on a one-year, $5 million contract. There is very little not to like right now.

THE BEGINNING

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 13-23. 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 52-49-1 on this day.