January:

January was filled with many head-scratching moves.

The first of which was the signing of Chad Qualls, a man that had an ERA north of 5.00 at Citizen’s Bank Park.  That was along with a one-year contract to Kyle Kendrick (LFR).  I questioned theses moves a lot last winter, and then I remembered: Ruben Amaro Jr. and it all made sense.

One the flip side, Cole Hamels agreed to a contract for his final year of arbitration.  Many were hoping that his contract extension would occur here, but alas, it was not meant to be.

On what might have been the most under-the-radar signing of the offseason, Amaro signed Juan Pierre to a 1-year minor league contract.  That turned out to be a great move for the Phillies.   Pierre did a great job with the team over the summer, even if he couldn’t really throw.

To go along with the Pierre signing, Amaro turned Wilson Valdez into Jeremy Horst.

Grade: Optomistic

» Continue reading “Reflecting on 2012: Grading Month-by-Month”

It was a crazy night in Atlanta.  It was hot and muggy and the baseballs were flying out of the park

Erik Kratz was on Roy Halladay’s side tonight.  In the first, he caught Michael Bourn stealing third on a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out play.

Ryan Howard got the party started with a homerun in the top of the second.

Halladay ran into trouble again in the fourth when, well, Kratz did this. Yeah, amazing I know!

Unfortunately, Halladay did NOT look good in the fifth.  And after 2, 2-run homeruns, Halladay was chased from the game.

Fortunately, the offense woke up in the top of the sixth.

• A single by Jimmy Rollins.
• A single by Kevin Frandsen.
• A bunt single by Chase Utley (!!!) (Did you know that he even knew how to bunt?  I didn’t!  The last bunt single he had was back in 2006.  Weird right?)
• A 2-run single by Ryan Howard.
• An RBI sac-fly by Mayberry.
• And the game was all tied up.

» Continue reading “Kratz Has Himself A Night. Mayberry Wins It. Papelbon Saves #250.”

I will go on record that I am not a fan of how Charlie Manuel uses the bullpen.  Never have been.  But tonight, he used it correctly.

On a night when Cole Hamels was on fire, (ok, so that can be said about his month of August,) the Phillies offense did it’s job.

The second inning featured John Mayberry Jr. hitting a 2-run shot and Erik Kratz following with a solo-shot.  In the 3rd inning, Chase Utley hit a double, which Ryan Howard immediately drove in with his own double.

Cole Hamels biggest Achille’s heel throughout his career has been his penchant for giving up the long ball, and tonight that was still true.

He gave up a solo shot to Aramis Ramirez in the 2nd and a 2-run homer to Ryan Braun in the bottom of the 8th.  (Which begs the question, why does anyone pitch to Braun? Ever?)

The Braun homer forced Hamels out of the game.  He struck out 10 and walked 1 over 7.2 innings.

The problem with Hamels leaving, meant that the bullpen was entering.  We lost a game the first game of this series because of that exact same issue.

Luckily, Charlie decided to make the correct move and bring in the highest paid reliever in the history of baseball.  I know, there are two shocking moves here:

1) Charlie Manuel used the bullpen correctly

and

2) Jonathan Papelbon still plays for the Phillies.  Contrary to popular beliefs, he is still alive and still in the Phillies bullpen.  And Charlie remembered that!

Papelbon gave us a drama-free (!!!!) 4-out save, and secured Cole Hamels 14th W of the year.

Oh, and he gave the strangest interview after the game, and well, he looked, well, judge for yourself…

Karilee Jeantet is Lead Contributor for A View From Section 116.  Follow her on Twitter @kjeantet and @viewfromsec116 and e-mail her AViewFromSection116@gmail.com.

Is that enough bad puns for you?  Yeah, I think so too!  Though I may be about to come up with some more later, we’ll see.

The day started out pretty good for the Phillies.

The first four batters reached:

1. Juan Pierre on a hit-by-pitch.
2. Kevin Frandsen on a bunt single.
3. Chase Utley on a beautiful triple, that he might have been out on.
4. And a Ryan Howard single.

That’s three runs scored before an out was recorded.

That was all that the Phillies would score in the first, but the day was not over yet.

On some really, really bad defensive plays by the Phillies, the Cardinals took the lead in the top of the 4th.  Only for Ryan Howard to mash a baseball to tie the game in the bottom of the 4th.

» Continue reading “Everybody Kratz Your Hands! The Phillies Juan!”

Have the events of yesterday settled in with you yet? No, neither have I.  But it did change the Phillies roster… a lot, so let’s see who is in and who is out.

Out:

Hunter Pence was shipped off to San Francisco 367 days after he was brought to Philadelphia.

In:

Nate Schierholtz was brought in that trade.  He’s another 4th outfielder and should be serviceable.  He is not an everyday player, but he will be right now.  He likes playing at CBP though, so that should help some…

Out:

Shane Victorino was sent to Los Angeles.  Which, incidentally, is the same team that left him unprotected in the Rule 5 Draft…Twice.  The second time the Phillies liked him, but didn’t think he was ready for the Majors yet, so they offered him back.  The Dodgers didn’t want him.  The Phillies kept him and sent him to the minors.  He was a great Rule 5 pick.

In:

Domonic Brown is alive!  I know.  It’s kind of shocking.  I’m not sure which position he is going to be playing, but I am excited to see him back.  I truly believe in this kid, and no I don’t think I’m just fooling myself.  He might not always be the best outfielder, but he should make it up at the plate. (And let’s be honest, he can’t be any worse than we had this year in left field.)

» Continue reading “As The Phillies Roster Turns: Part 12″