Morning Phil Up (Mile High Edition) – 4/19/2014
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Friday’s Recap
Chances are better-than-average that Jonathan Pettibone never wants to step foot in Coors Field again. Can you blame him? The Colorado Rockies administered a beating like only they can in their home park, routing the punch-drunk Phillies, 12-1.
Pettibone has failed to pitch five innings in only two of his 20 major league starts. Both starts took place at Coors Field. The Rockies tagged him for eight earned runs on nine hits, in only four innings. Pettibone is now the owner of an earned run average of 18.00 in Denver.
After the game, Pettibone was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The move had already been determined prior to the start of the game. Cole Hamels is due to be activated from the disabled list and make his season debut next Wednesday in Los Angeles. The Phillies purchased the contract of journeyman right-hander Shawn Camp to reinforce the bullpen for the rest of the series.
Pitching aside, the Phillies offense has been in a tailspin the last three games, scoring only two runs in that span. Only two runs since Domonic Brown‘s three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.
Historically, Coors Field is a cure for what ails an offense. The Phillies did not get the memo. Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood held the Phillies to two meager singles. 20 of the 21 outs that Chatwood recorded were via ground ball or strikeout. Phillies’ hitters killed enough worms to start a fishing derby.
Saturday’s Preview
Phillies (7-9) at Rockies (9-9)
Starting Pitchers
PHI: Kyle Kendrick, RHP (0-1, 3.50 ERA)
COL: Jordan Lyles, RHP (2-0, 4.32 ERA)
Coors Field (Denver, CO) 8:10 PM ET
The Phillies will face another ground ball pitcher on Saturday night. Jordan Lyles, like Chatwood, features a heavy, two-seam fastball. He doesn’t give up many home runs (1.2 HR/9, career) but does allow plenty of base runners. Lyles has a career WHIP of 1.445. The Phillies will have to find holes in the infield and manufacture runs.
Kendrick will be making his fourth start of the young season. He is coming off a solid outing against the Miami Marlins last Sunday – allowing two earned runs in six innings. Like Pettibone, Kendrick has experienced his share of troubles at Coors Field. Although, not to the same extent.
Kendrick is 1-0 with a 5.58 ERA in six career appearances at Coors Field. If he is on top of his sinker, the Phillies’ infielders should see plenty of action Saturday night.
Notes
– Chase Utley went 0-4 Friday night. It was only the second time he was held hitless this season.
– When Shawn Camp appears in his first game, the Phillies will be the fifth major team he will have pitched for. (Royals, Devil Rays, Blue Jays, Cubs)
– Reliever Mike Adams made his season debut Friday night, pitching a scoreless fifth inning. It was his first major league appearance since last June 19.
– The Phillies and Braves played back-to-back 1-0 games this week. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this was the first time that has occurred in the rivalry which dates back to 1883.