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Phillies Week in Review: Goodbye Chooch, Hello A.J.

By Alexis Girardo |
Aug 28, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher A.J. Ellis (34) hits a two run double against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Citi Field. The Phillies won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher A.J. Ellis (34) hits a two run double against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Citi Field. The Phillies won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
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It was a short and forgettable week of play for the Phillies. The team split a two game set in Chicago against the White Sox, and then dropped two of three against the Mets at Citi Field.

The biggest news this week was that the Phillies finally made a trade. The team shipped catcher Carlos Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for veteran backstop A.J. Ellis and minor league pitcher Tommy Begjans. Ryan Howard is now the last man standing from the 2008 World Series Championship team.

While it’s hard to say goodbye to Chooch, fans can take comfort in knowing he will be reunited in L.A. with Chase Utley, and that the duo will likely have a chance to compete for another ring. In case you missed it, Matt Veasey had a nice article this week about Chooch’s place in Phillies history.

Let’s take a look at who was surging and who was struggling for the Fightins this week.

Next: Surging Bats

Aug 28, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher A.J. Ellis (34) hits a two run double against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Citi Field. The Phillies won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher A.J. Ellis (34) hits a two run double against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Citi Field. The Phillies won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Surging Bats

Jimmy Paredes had a great week offensively for the Phils. The utility man hit .429 with a double and one RBI.

Aaron Altherr also had a nice week at the dish. Altherr batted .278 with with a double and three RBI.

Cesar Hernandez cooled off some this week, but still managed to hit .267 with a homer, two doubles, and four RBI.

Honorable mention goes to the newest Phillie, catcher A.J. Ellis. The Phillies newest catcher had a big two run double for the Phils in his debut against the Mets on Sunday. The Phils won the game 5-1.

Next: Struggling Bats

Jul 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) reacts to a hit during the third inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Philadelphia Phillies won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) reacts to a hit during the third inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Philadelphia Phillies won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Struggling Bats

Catcher Cameron Rupp had a tough week at the plate. Rupp hit just one hit (a double) in 14 at bats with seven strikeouts.

Maikel Franco struggled offensively this week, hitting just .190 with no extra base hits.

Peter Bourjos continues to struggle, hitting .154 this week with a double.

The first base tandem of Ryan Howard and Tommy Joseph had a poor week at the plate. The duo combined for just four hits to nine strikeouts this week.

Next: Surging Arms

Jun 24, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Edubray Ramos (61) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park the San Francisco Giants defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 5 to 4. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Edubray Ramos (61) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park the San Francisco Giants defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 5 to 4. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Surging Arms

Hector Neris and Edubray Ramos shined out of the pen this week. The duo combined to toss five scroreless innings with six strikeouts.

Two of the Phillies young starters had nice bounce back performances after enduring some recent struggles.

Vincent Velasquez had a nice start this week. Velasquez gave up just one earned run in five innings pitched and struck out seven in the Phils win against the Mets on Sunday.

Jerad Eickhoff also had a good start this week. Eickhoff gave up just two earned runs over six innings in the Phillies 5-3 win against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Next: Struggling Arms

Aug 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Thompson (44) reacts after allowing a two run home run to Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) during the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Thompson (44) reacts after allowing a two run home run to Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (10) during the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Struggling Arms

Aside from Eickhoff and Velasquez, the Phillies starters had a week to forget. Adam Morgan, Jake Thompson, and Jeremy Hellickson combined to give up 18 earned runs in 14 innings pitched, including seven homers.

Next: Yasiel Puig on Phillies Radar?

Frank Hermann had a poor week out of the pen. Hermann gave up three earned runs in just two innings pitched.

Michael Mariot had a disastrous showing out of the bullpen this week. Mariot gave up six earned runs in just 1.2 innings pitched with three walks.

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