Phillies Notes | Rotation offers a stretch of quality starts
Phillies Notes The Phillies' starting rotation had been on quite a roll. It entered last night's 8-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park with seven straight quality starts (at least six innings pitched and no more than three earned runs allowed): two apiece from Cole Hamels and Freddy Garcia and one each from Adam Eaton, Jamie Moyer and Jon Lieber. They had allowed a combined 17 earned runs in 48 innings for a 3.19 ERA in a 4-3 stretch.
Phillies Notes
The Phillies' starting rotation had been on quite a roll.
It entered last night's 8-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park with seven straight quality starts (at least six innings pitched and no more than three earned runs allowed): two apiece from Cole Hamels and Freddy Garcia and one each from Adam Eaton, Jamie Moyer and Jon Lieber. They had allowed a combined 17 earned runs in 48 innings for a 3.19 ERA in a 4-3 stretch.
That streak ended last night when Moyer allowed five runs in 61/3 innings.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Phillies had not had seven consecutive quality starts since Aug. 26-Sept. 2, 2000, with two quality starts each from Randy Wolf and Bruce Chen, and one each from Robert Person, Omar Daal and Kent Bottenfield. They allowed a combined 10 earned runs in 511/3 innings for a 1.75 ERA. But the Phils went 3-4 in that stretch with losses of 2-1, 4-3, 2-1 and 1-0.
The Phillies have not had eight straight quality starts since May 3-11, 2000, with two quality starts each from Wolf and Person, and one each from Paul Byrd, Curt Schilling, Andy Ashby and Chris Brock. They allowed a combined 10 earned runs in 59 innings for a 1.53 ERA. That included a shutout each from Schilling and Person. The Phillies went 6-2 in that stretch, with a pair of one-run losses thanks to reliever Wayne Gomes.
Flash update
Righthander
Tom Gordon
was discharged yesterday from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital after being admitted Friday with an upper respiratory infection. It's unclear when Gordon, who has been on the disabled list since May 2 with inflammation in his right shoulder, will return to the mound.
Madson gets closer
Righthander
Ryan Madson
is on the DL with a strained left abdominal muscle. The Phillies hope he can be activated in time for the next road trip beginning next Tuesday in Florida. He is expected to make a couple of minor-league rehab appearances first, possibly this weekend.
Howard's hitting
First baseman
Ryan Howard
is on the DL with a strained left quadriceps. He is taking batting practice but not running or fielding.
"He's taking active rest," said Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phillies' assistant general manager. "What aggravates him the most is running. Those quick movements are what we're trying to stay away from. We're hopeful he comes off [the disabled list] on the 25th."
- Todd Zolecki