Competition for Phils’ No. 5 starter opens

CLEARWATER, Fla. - If things continue to go like this, the competition for the No. 5 spot in the Phillies' starting pitching rotation is going to be a lot of fun to watch.

And manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee - the Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul judging this throwdown - are going to have a difficult decision to make.

Carlos Carrasco and J.A. Happ launched the competition with a pair of strong two-inning outings in the Phils' spring-training home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday at Bright House Field.

Kyle Kendrick and Chan Ho Park, the other two contestants in what club officials have called a four-man competition, are set to pitch tomorrow and Sunday.

Meanwhile, seldom-mentioned righthander Drew Carpenter hopes to turn it into a five-man competition as he gets the ball against the Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota today.

With much of the Phillies' roster intact from last season, this fifth-starter jamboree will certainly add some spice to camp.

It already has, thanks to Carrasco and Happ.

"They showed everyone they're hungry and want to be in the big leagues," said catcher Carlos Ruiz, who worked with both pitchers yesterday. "I like it. They looked comfortable on the mound. It's nice to see two kids like that pitch like that back-to-back. Very impressive. It's going to be a good competition."

After a 25-minute ceremony welcoming the World Series champs back to their spring home, Carrasco took the mound in front of 5,795 fans.

He didn't stay long. He needed just 23 pitches to retire six batters - all of whom had big-league time. Carrasco struck out Marco Scutaro and Joe Inglett to open the game, and finished his two-inning assignment by striking out Jason Lane on a terrific 2-2 change-up.

Ruiz compared Carrasco's change-up to Cole Hamels' - high praise considering that Hamels has one of the best in the game. Carrasco complemented that pitch with a well-located fastball and sharp curveball.

Carrasco has the most upside of the fifth-starter candidates, but he is young (he turns 22 next month) and has just six starts above double A. Despite his inexperience, the righthander from Venezuela believes he is ready for the majors.

"Yes," he said when asked that question.

"I could see in his face, it looked like he'd been in the big leagues before," Ruiz said.

As Carrasco pitched, Happ warmed up in the bullpen.

"I couldn't tell you what Carlos did," he said after Toronto's 6-2 win. "All I know is he finished two innings pretty quick, so he must have done good."

Happ, a 26-year-old lefty, faced seven batters, allowed a single and struck out one in two scoreless innings. Happ threw a first-pitch strike to each hitter, and Ruiz was impressed with the way the pitcher used his cutter to both sides of the plate.

"Every year he gets better," Ruiz said.

Happ impressed club officials in four starts last season and with his relief work in the postseason. He began his winter throwing program in early December, about the time he heard his name in trade rumors.

"I wanted to come in a little stronger, because I'm fighting for a spot," Happ said. "Obviously, you want to start good like this. At the same time, it's early and hitters might not be used to breaking balls. But this is good to build on."

Happ was rumored to be on his way to San Diego this winter as part of a multiteam deal that would have sent Mark DeRosa from the Chicago Cubs to the Phillies.

"It was an interesting couple of days, hearing my name," Happ said. "That said, I'm glad I'm here."

Dubee liked the presence and aggressiveness both pitchers showed yesterday, but he cautioned that auditions for the job will run throughout March, and added that Kendrick and Park were serious about winning the spot, too. Park, Dubee said, has "looked fantastic" throwing batting practice.

Carpenter, who dazzled against the New York Yankees in a game last spring, has designs on making Manuel's and Dubee's decision a little more complicated.

"I've kind of been under the radar my whole career," said the righthander, who dropped 18 pounds and now weighs 237. "It makes me work harder. I like to come out of nowhere and startle people.

"In the back of my mind, I think I'm in this competition, and I'll do everything I can to win it."