Phillies/Twins Preview & Other Notes

As seen on Phillies Nation.

With the rain pushing back J.A Happ’s start, the Phillies altered their rotation for the week. On Monday, Roy Halladay will start and Jamie Moyer will pitch in a B game. Cole Hamels will pitch on Tuesday, Joe Blanton Wednesday, Kyle Kendrick Friday, and Halladay on Saturday. The Phillies have off on Thursday, when Happ will throw again.

Happ will start in today’s game against the Minnesota Twins. It can be seen on MYPHL 17 and MLB Network at 1:00 p.m. Carl Pavano will take the hill for the Twins.

The Twins lineup will consist of almost all regulars, except Joe Mauer: Denard Span, Orlando Hudson, Justin Morneau, Jim Thome, Michael Cuddyer, Wilson Ramos, Delmon Young, J.J Hardy and Nick Punto.

For the Phillies, all the regulars are in the lineup for the first time this spring: Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Ben Francisco, and Carlos Ruiz.

Other Notes:

Phillippe Aumont, Yohan Flande, Scott Mathieson, Drew Naylor, J.C Ramirez, Jesus Sanchez, Joe Savery, Bill White, Tuffy Gosewisch, Kevin Nelson, John Suomi, Freddy Galvis, Quentin Berry and Tyson Gillies have all been re-assigned to minor league camp.

Scott Matheison is the most surprising name on the list. Ruben Amaro said that Matheison could appear in the big leagues in 2010, but also said that he needed to “refine” his secondary pitches.

It is still uncertain if J.C Romero and Brad Lidge will be ready by April 5. Romero says not to count him out for Opening Day, although it appears to be a long shot at this point.

Romero threw 30 pitches yesterday, and mixed in a few changeups. Romero will start throwing sliders tomorrow.

Today, Lidge threw to a few hitters. On Monday, Lidge will likely throw in a minor league game. Both Lidge and Romero see progress.

Latest News Around Baseball

J.C Romero, who is on the disabled list with a strained left forearm, made a rehab appearance in Clearwater. However, he suffered a setback. Romero threw ten pitches before being shut down due to soreness.

Romero, the Phillies left-handed specialist, has missed a significant amount of time this season due to a 50 game suspension and trip to the disabled list. Romero has a 2.87 ERA in 15.2 innings this season.

On the other hand, Chad Durbin felt fine after throwing an inning in Clearwater. He could be activated any day now. Charlie Manuel said that Clay Condrey (oblique) is “still a ways off.”

The Phillies released Triple-A infielder Pablo Ozuna. Ozuna had been suspended for 50 games after violating the minor league drug policy.

The 34 year old signed a minor league contract with the Phillies during the off-season. He batted .294 with 15 runs batted in with the IronPigs.

In MLB News, Josh Hamilton, who said has been drug and alcohol-free since 2005, now takes that back. Last January, several girls took "suggestive poses" with him. The pictures were released on Deadspin and Hamilton was surprised they didn't come out earlier. During that night, he also asked for cocaine. Hamilton admitted that he was drunk at the time. Embarrassed, he told his family and the Rangers organization right after the incident.

Hamilton, who battled a drug addiction, said "it was one those things that reinforce that I can't have alcohol."

After his named was leaked on the 103 players who tested positive in 2003, David Ortiz claimed that he is clean.

Alex Rios was claimed off waivers, but it is still unsure as to which team claimed him.

Even though this is a few days ago, in case you haven't seen, Prince Fielder tried to break into the Dodgers clubhouse after being hit by a pitch by Guillermo Mota.

Romero Might Be Charged

Also posted on Phillies Nation.

The St. Petersburg Police Department filed a complaint against J.C Romero to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s office and he may be charged with battery.

“Remember, this is a simple battery,” Kajtsa said. “No weapon was used. There
were no injuries to the victim whatsoever, except as he says in the report he
was embarrassed because it happened in front of other fans and his family. This
is a very minor incident so the state’s attorney will probably concentrate on
more serious matters, but it will be up to the state’s attorney to make the
determination.”

Robert Eaton asked for an autograph, but Romero ignored him. Eaton made a comment about steroids and got into screaming match with Romero. Romero allegedly hit Eaton.

QUOTE SOURCE: Phillies.com

Romero Attacks Fan

Following Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, an unidentified Phillies player, which has not been identified at J.C Romero, was involved in an incident with a Rays fan.

“We are disappointed to learn about the alleged incident with a Rays fan and one
of our players following Thursday night’s game at Tropicana Field,” the Phillies
said Saturday in a statement. “We are in the process of gathering all of the
details surrounding the situation. Until such information is provided, it would
be inappropriate for us to comment at this time.”

The St. Petersburg Times reported that a police dispatcher confirmed a report for a battery call at 11 PM at Tropicana Field.

Rays fans Robert Eaton claims Romero grabbed him by the throat and pushed him after Eaton made a steroid comment.

Another Embarrassing Loss

Seen on Phillies Nation.

The Phillies have made mental mistakes. Their pitching has given up key runs. But like the last 11 of 13 games they have played, they have found a new way to lose.

Ricky Romero no-hit the Phillies for six innings before Chase Utley broke up the no-hit bid with a single in the seventh. He pitched seven shutout innings allowing only two hits and one walk. He struck out seven.

Cole Hamels struggled and was ejected for arguing balls and strikes after he left the game in the fifth inning. In 4.2 innings, Hamels allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks.

The bullpen continues to have its woes. Chan Ho Park left the game with a knee contusion. Brad Lidge gave up two earned runs in 0.1 innings.

The Phillies ended their streak of 97 straight games with an extra base hit. They scored a run on a sacrifice fly in the ninth, however, this loss is on the offense. Tip of the cap to Ricky Romero who pitched a terrific game by keeping the Phillies off-balance, however, it is always embarrassing when a potent lineup like the Phillies is no-hit for six innings.

The Phillies lose 6-1, and pending the outcome of the subway series, the Phillies could fall to a half game behind the New York Mets.

Note: Vote for the ESPY Awards! Several great athletes, and Phillies, are up for nomination.

Phillies Looking for Revenge Against Jays

For the full gameday, visit Phillies Nation!

The Philadelphia Phillies (37-33) will take on the Toronto Blue Jays (40-34) at 7:07 PM at Rogers Centre.

Cole Hamels (4-3, 4.24 ERA) will face Ricky Romero (4-3, 3.59 ERA).

The Phillies seek revenge on the Toronto Blue Jays after last week's three game sweep. The Phillies hope to stay in first place as their lead in the National League East was cut to a half game.

The match-up, Cole Hamels and Ricky Romero, is an exact rematch of game one at Citizens Bank Park, a ten inning Blue Jays victory.

In his start against the Blue Jays, Hamels allowed two runs over six innings. He did not pitch as deep as he would have liked as his pitch count exceeded 110 pitches. Against the Phillies, Ricky Romero pitched seven innings and gave up three runs in the no decision. He struck out nine Phillies, a career high for Romero.

Alex Rios and Vernon Wells are probably the two most feared hitters in the Jays lineup. However, former Phillies Rod Barajas and Scott Rolen destroyed Phillies pitching last week. Barajas was 4-for-9 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI. Rolen was 6-for-14 with 4 RBI and a home run.

Jimmy Rollins will find himself on the bench once again even though he is batting .500 against Romero.

Call of the day: In 1994, John Kruk returned from cancer with a base hit.

"Swing and a line shot to right center! It's a gapper! And would you
believe it! The Krukker at second with a double!"

Free At Last, Bastardo, and Other Notes

J.C Romero is back! After his 50 game suspension for violating the drug policy, Romero is back in the Phillies bullpen. After several minor league appearances, Romero will look to get right back into Major League action.

To make room for Romero, left hander Sergio Escolona was sent back down to the minors.

In about a month from today, Manny Ramirez, another violator of the policy, will return from his 50 game suspension.

Another left hander, Scott Eyre, says there is a 90% chance he could retire after the 2009 season.

“My wife is probably ready for me to be home. I’ve been playing for 13 years,
and it’s basically all she’s ever known. We’ll talk about it at the end of the
year, but as of now I would say, yeah, I’ll retire.”

Another southpaw, Antonio Bastardo, dominated last night taking advantage of an early 4-0 lead against Jake Peavy, who left the game after one inning with a respiratory illness. In the Phillies 10-5 win over the San Diego Padres, Bastardo allowed just 1 earned run over 6 innings. He allowed just four hits, struck out five and walked one.

Bastardo's velocity regularly reached 94, harder than was thought to throw. Known for his offspeed pitches, he dominated most of the game with one pitch: his fastball.

On his birthday, Raul Ibanez hit two home runs, the 200th and 201st home runs of his career.

Call of the Day: Jimmy Rollins made a great play to nail Kelly Johnson back in September of 2008.

"Chopped to Rollins.. The play at the plate.. OUT at home
plate! Out at home plate is Kelly Johnson. J-Roll got it into Ruiz in a
hurry, so the runner is now at first base with two outs here in the eighth
inning, on a huge out- here comes Charlie Manuel."

USA's Comeback

Look at the photo above. A Met. A Phillie. A Red Sock. A Yankee. In one uniform, one team, one country. Together. That is what the World Baseball Classic is about.

Team USA dog piled after they advanced to the semifinals in their dramatic come from behind victory against Puerto Rico.

For the first few innings, the game was back and fourth. Alex Rios and Carlos Delgado each hit home runs for Puerto Rico. Shane Victorino and Brian McCann drove in runs for USA.

Carlos Beltran flashed some leather when he leaped against the wall to rob McCann of a home run in the 4th inning.

On the other hand, Derek Jeter was unable to flash leather a few times as the ball squeaked up the middle twice. Jimmy Rollins, the better defensive player of the two, was the designated hitter. Davy Johnson's decesion to play Jeter at short was controversial since the hits led to runs for Puerto Rico.

Going into the bottom 9th inning, 3 outs from eliminating USA, Puerto Rico was up 5-3.


Shane Victorino led off the 9th inning with a single off his Philadelphia Phillies teammate, J.C. Romero. As he jogged down to first, he and Romero had a chuckle, but Romero would have the last laugh.

Brian Roberts singled and Derek Jeter flied out to right. With runners at the corners, Roberts stole second base. Jimmy Rollins would draw a walk against his Phillies teammate after a long at bat. Romero was lifted for Fransico Cabrera.

"I just had to bear down, the concentration you have in that situation, the
adrenaline, the feeling of importance is very close to what it was like in the
World Series last October," said Rollins.

Kevin Yokilis, who homered earlier in the game, drew a bases loaded walk with just one out. USA was down by one.

David Wright followed with a bloop down the right field line scoring Brian Roberts and Jimmy Rollins to give USA a 6-5 victory.

QUOTEABLE:

"The celebration was pretty wild," Wright said. "I never thought that we'd
be dogpiling in March, but it was pretty special and something I'll always
remember."

"All I know is that David Wright's face was in the dirt, and all the Mets
fans were panicking," said Brian Roberts. "When people say these games aren't important
they should have been in the dugout in the ninth inning."

"I heard a guy in right field yelling you guys don't have the desire or
attitude to win. We showed them that we do. I think that's one of those things
everyone criticizes, but we find a way to win." Victorino said.

"It's right there with it, I think, the excitement and that adrenaline rush," Youkilis said. "When you win the World Series and stuff like that, the dogpile is the same. That was nuts to go out there and do that, and just to be able to celebrate with different guys. I think that's the most special thing is, you're celebrating a game, you're celebrating a nation."

"Being with the United States and all the fans out there were supporting us today, you're celebrating as a whole, and that's what is so special about that."

Rollins on being teammates with player of their rival teams:

"We'll deal with that when we get there," Rollins said. "Tonight, we're
celebrating.".

USA will play Venezuela tonight to determine their seed in the semifinals.

Romero Suspended

The Phillies reliever, J.C. Romero, has been suspended for 50 games due to substance abuse.

Romero was tested positive in August. Initially, Romero was supposed to be suspended immediately, resulting in missing the postseason. However, Romero denied he used the substance.

Romero tested positive again in September for the over the counter substance he purchased at a GNC store. Romero was unaware it caused the positive test, and stopped taking the substance. In October, tests were negative.

MLB officials said they would reduce the suspension in half if Romero pleaded guilty. But Romero declined, opting for arbitration.

"[Sergio] Mitre and Romero both legally purchased nutritional supplements from
national chain stores in the United States. Nothing on the labels of those
supplements indicated that they contained a trace amount of a substance
prohibited under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment
Program. Neither player intentionally ingested this prohibited substance, but
the arbitrator nevertheless found, wrongly in our view, that the players'
conduct violated the Program's 'no fault or negligence' standard."

Romero claimed to have the substance tested. The substance also did not show a warning sign on the label.

"The season is a grind," Romero said. "When you're a middle reliever, you have
to be ready to get up and down and pitch every day. Everyone takes something.
Some guys drink coffee, others supplements. We try to make sure they're all
legal. I certainly did."

The Phillies lost their best left handed option out of the bullpen for 50 games. Romero, was picked up mid 2007 season after his release from the Boston Red Sox, pitched 59 innings in 2008. He was 4-4 with an ERA of 2.75, WHIP of 1.34, and struck out 52.

Romero is currently on a Phillies cruise, and try to work things out. As of now, Romero is suspended for the first 50 games of 2009.

QUOTE SOURCE: MLB.com

Year In Review: 07-08 Offseason

This is Part I of Swing and a Long Drive's 2008 year in review. The offseason, spring training, regular season and playoffs will all be reviewed. In Part I, we will look at the 2007-2008 offseason.

"Curveball... Struck
him out! The Phillies, are National League East Champions! Look at
the scene on the field. Look at the scene in the stands! This is incredible! The Phillies are National
League East Champions, and will go to the postseason, for the first time since
1993! Wow!"

Harry's Kalas' call of the 2007 National League East Division clinching replayed over and over in our heads. Upset about going 3 and out against the NL Pennant winning Rockies, there was some satisfaction knowing that the Phillies finally made the playoffs. However, the Phillies knew they needed some key acquisitions in order to make in deeper into the postseason.

The very first Phillies offseason move extended J.C. Romero's contract to 3 years. The Phillies claimed Romero in mid 2007 after he was released from the Boston Red Sox. Despite a high walk ratio, in 36+ innings, Romero had an ERA of 1.24 with the Phillies. In 2008, Romero continued to pitched well as he ended the year with a 2.75 ERA, not to mention the last win of the 2008 season.

The Phillies biggest move of the '07-'08 offseason came on November 7. The Phillies traded Michael Born, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo to the Houston Astros for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett. Nobody knew what to think of this trade at the time since Lidge never really got his act together after allowing a postseason homerun to Albert Pujols in 2005. Would a change of scenary help Lidge? How would Lidge fair in a hitter's park? Would giving up a speedy player with potential be worth it? We now know all the answer's to those questions. Phillies ex-GM, Ed Wade, didn't make any great trades in his time with Philadelphia, but the Lidge trade helped the Phillies big time.

The Phillies later signed So Taguchi, Geoff Jenkins, and Pedro Feliz. Despite missing time due to injury, Jenkins started off the last 3.5 innings of the World Series with a hit. Feliz provided solid defense at third base. Kris Benson was also signed to a Minor League contract, but it never panned out.They also signed Chad Durbin, who proved to be the unsung hero. Durbin finished with an ERA of 2.87

The Phillies also had a key departure in Aaron Rowand. It was unclear of who would be the team leader. It later proved that there was not one leader, but everybody played a role as a leader.

The offseason quickly came to a halt, and it was time for pitchers and catchers to report to Spring Training.

Feliz Navidad

No doubt about it Pedro Feliz was the hero of the day.

Joe Blanton started the game for the Phillies against Hiroki Kuroda. Feliz was left out of the starting lineup with the righty on the hill.

Kuroda last faced the Phillies in LA. He only gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 7 innings of work.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made some noise against Blanton in the first. James Loney singled to drive in a run to give the Dodgers an early lead.

The Dodgers had a chance for more in the first, but Blanton and the Phillies got out of a bases loaded jam.

Kuroda did not allow a hit until the 5th inning. Carlos Ruiz broke the no hitter up. Chase Utley would drive Ruiz in to break up the shutout, and tie the game at 1.

Blanton pitched well. He lasted 6 innings and only gave up the one earned run. He gave up 6 hits and walked 3, while striking out 4.

The Phillies defense played well behind the Phillies pitching. Shane Victorino made an amazing over the shoulder running catch in the 6th inning. 3 batters later, with 2 runners on base, Ryan Howard made a terrific diving catch in foul territory to end the inning.

J.C. Romero came into the game in the 7th inning. Juan Pierre reached base on an infield single. Romero threw over to first base several times. Matt Kemp, the batter, kept fouling pitches off. Romero would then pick off Juan Pierre for first out of the inning. Romero would finally win the battle between he and Kemp on a 3-2 pitch to strike him out.

Romero then gave up a walk to Andre Eithier. Ryan Madson and Pedro Feliz came into the game on a double switch. However, the inherited runner scored on a Jeff Kent RBI single, and the Dodgers went ahead 2-1.

The Phillies were down in the bottom of the 9th. With 2 outs and Victorino on second, newly call up Andy Tracy was at the plate. He drew a huge walk and gave the bat to Pedro Feliz.

Feliz singled to right field to drive in Victorino and tie the game.

The game would go extra innings, all the way until the 11th, score still tied at 2.

The Dodgers had a golden oppurtunity in the 10th inning. Bases loaded, no outs. However Casey Blake grounded into a 5-2 double play. The Phillies would escape the jam.

Victorino led off the 11th inning with a big double. Victorino went 2-4 on the day his hometown state Hawaii won the Little League World Series.

There was one out with runners on second and third. The Phillies were out of bench players, so they decided to go with pitcher Cole Hamels who has a .270 average this year at the plate. Hamels is second in the league in hits for a pitcher, trailing only Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs.

Would Cole Hamels win it? Nope. He hit a hump back liner to the second baseman. Two outs.

Feliz was due up. Feliz, who tied the game in the 9th had a chance to win it. And he did. He hit a walkoff homerun to deep right center field to win the game. Phillies win 5-2. An intense game down to the last pitch.

Feliz trotted around the bases while his teammates waited to mob him at home plate. Ruiz wore his rally cap, and it worked. Feliz flipped his helmet and was mobbed by his teammates. A few highfives later and the Phillies are only .5 games out of first place with the Met's loss to the Astros today.

A sweep today could possibly land the Phillies in first place once again, where the belong.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILLIES.COM