Will Moyer be back with Phils? Maybe
Jamie Moyer has said he plans to pitch in 2009. And why wouldn't he? Moyer entered last night's game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park with an 11-7 record and 3.54 ERA. He had allowed three or fewer earned runs in 14 consecutive starts, the longest streak for the Phillies since Chris Short allowed three or fewer in 23 consecutive starts in 1967, until he gave up six runs in just three innings against the Mets.
Jamie Moyer
has said he plans to pitch in 2009.
And why wouldn't he?
Moyer entered last night's game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park with an 11-7 record and 3.54 ERA. He had allowed three or fewer earned runs in 14 consecutive starts, the longest streak for the Phillies since Chris Short allowed three or fewer in 23 consecutive starts in 1967, until he gave up six runs in just three innings against the Mets.
Will Moyer, 45 and a free agent after the season, be back with the Phillies?
"We've chatted with him, but we thought it was most appropriate to kind of wait until the end of the season to move forward on anything," Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "But he has expressed that he is pitching next year, and beyond, probably.
"But we'd be crazy not to think that he'd be able to help us next year. But again, that doesn't mean he's going to be back."
Leftfielder Pat Burrell is in a similar situation. The Phillies have talked informally with Burrell, who will be a free agent. They also will wait until after the season to talk to him about a possible contract.
Kotsay deal unlikely
Atlanta outfielder
Mark Kotsay
cleared waivers, and the Phillies are looking for outfield help. No wonder they contacted the Braves about him.
But one source last night indicated it was unlikely the Phils would acquire Kotsay. ESPN.com reported later that the Boston Red Sox were close to acquiring him. The Phils would have to get him by Sunday to make him eligible for the postseason roster.
The lefthanded-hitting Kotsay has a .289 average with six home runs and 37 RBIs in 318 at-bats.
Hey, it's working
Jimmy Rollins
hit only off the practice tee - no batting practice, no flips in the cage, no nothing - before Monday's 5-0 win over Los Angeles. He went 3 for 3 with a double, triple, two RBIs and a run scored. He also walked and was hit by a pitch.
He repeated Monday's pregame routine last night but said it's not a matter of being superstitious.
"It's a progression," he said. "Superstitions? There are stup-erstitions - stupid stuff you do that you think works. That stuff doesn't work - wear the same underwear, make sure one is marked 'game' and the other is marked 'bp,' make sure the socks are the same way. All that stuff. It's crazy. There are only 24 hours in a day."
He went 5 for 7 with a home run, a double and three RBIs.
Kendrick is ready
The Phillies could have adjusted their rotation last week to have lefthander
Cole Hamels
(11-8, 3.20 ERA) face the Mets tonight for just the second time this season. Instead, they gave Hamels an extra day of rest, which put
Kyle Kendrick
(11-7, 4.87 ERA) on the mound tonight.
Eaton's exile
Righthander
Adam Eaton
has been out of sight and out of mind in the minor leagues.
That's probably because he hasn't made a case to be recalled by the Phillies. He is 0-3 with a 7.09 ERA in five starts for double-A Reading and 0-1 with a 9.82 ERA in one start for single-A Lakewood.
That's 0-4 with a 7.41 ERA in six starts facing no better than double-A hitters.
But once rosters expand Sept. 1, expect Eaton to rejoin the team - although there's no chance he will be in the rotation. Instead, Eaton, in the second year of a three-year, $24.5 million contract, will be no more than a long man.
Record crowd
The Phillies had an announced crowd of 45,204, their 44th sellout this season. That tied a franchise record set in 2004 during the inaugural season of Citizens Bank Park.