Results tagged ‘ Jamie Moyer ’
Baez to DL Creates Postseason Roster Flexibility
The Phillies gained postseason roster flexibility today when they placed right-hander Danys Baez on the 15-day disabled list with back spasms.
The Phillies, who recalled left-hander Antonio Bastardo from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Baez’s place, have 28 players eligible for the postseason. They have the players on the current 25-man roster, plus the three players on the disabled list: Baez, Ross Gload and Jamie Moyer.
“We’d have one wild card, which would be Jamie’s spot,” assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said.
Moyer is a wild card because he will not pitch again this season. The Phillies can replace Moyer with anybody who is in the organization on Aug. 31. In other words, if they wanted to call up a player from Class A Lakewood they could do that. That is how left-hander J.A. Happ made the postseason roster in 2008. Pitchers Scott Mathieson and Mike Zagurski were on the 60-day disabled list, which allowed the Phillies to take Happ, who was a September call-up.
The Phillies got creative in 2009, when they selected the contract of injured right-hander John Ennis and immediately placed him on the 15-day disabled list. That is unlikely to happen to this year, but there are ways to get more flexibility. Now that Baez is on the DL, the Phillies won’t have to use their wild card on Bastardo, if they would want him on the postseason roster.
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Moyer Foundation Kicks Off Cure for Cancer Campaign
Wanted to pass this along …
The Moyer Foundation announced its 7th annual Catch a Cure for Cancer campaign. Catch a Cure for Cancer is a community-lead fundraising campaign to raise awareness and funds for early cancer detection research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Washington, a world leader in cancer research, prevention and treatment. This year’s campaign has special meaning to Karen Moyer, as her father, Digger Phelps, was diagnosed and underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer. Phelps is currently an ESPN analyst.
The Moyer Foundation and the Hutchinson Center team up annually to encourage the community to organize and participate in special events and activities throughout the month of August including fundraisers, online donations, dinners, auctions and more.
A special 12-hour radiothon sponsored by soft music station, WARM 106.9 FM in Washington will be hosted by Karen Moyer, co-founder of The Moyer Foundation and will be held today from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. PST. All of the proceeds will support The Gregory Fund, a special fund completely dedicated to early cancer detection research at the Hutchinson Center.
To learn more about how you can help, information is available by calling 206.298.1217 or by visiting www.MoyerFoundation.org.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
The Need for Pitching
Ruben Amaro Jr. has said a few times this week that Cliff Lee and Jarrod Washburn were the only two starting pitchers traded before last year’s trade deadline. (Amaro forgot Jake Peavy, although the guy was traded when he was hurt so I’m not sure he counts anyway.)
And last year Amaro said CC Sabathia and Joe Blanton were the only two starting pitchers traded before the 2008 trade deadline.
His point: Trading for pitching is hard.
I mentioned earlier this week that Phillies starting pitchers had a respectable 3.95 ERA before the All-Star break. They have a 4.02 ERA after Jamie Moyer‘s poor showing last night at Wrigley Field.
And that is why Amaro and Charlie Manuel would love to find starting pitching before July 31: Remove Roy Halladay from the equation and the rotation has a 4.68 ERA. Remove Halladay and Cole Hamels from the equation and the rotation has a 4.99 ERA. Now, I know you can’t just throw out Halladay’s and Hamels’ numbers. But Amaro and Manuel see the other three spots and wonder how they’re going to catch the Braves in the NL East with so much inconsistency.
The Braves are on pace to win 97 games, but let’s say they stumble a bit in the second half and finish with 92. The Phillies would need to go 45-29 (.608) the rest of the way just to tie them.
The Rockies are on pace to win the NL wild card with 90 wins. Even then the Phillies would need to go 43-31 (.581) the rest of the way to tie.
Here is a look at the Phillies’ winning percentages following the All-Star break under Manuel and the starting pitcher they acquired before or just after the July 31 trade deadline:
- 2005: .589 (None)
- 2006: .600 (Jamie Moyer)
- 2007: .608 (Kyle Lohse)
- 2008: .606 (Joe Blanton)
- 2009: .592 (Cliff Lee)
- 2010: TBD (TBD)
Do the Phillies have the pitching for another strong finish, especially with the offense struggling compared to seasons past? No doubt that is why Amaro and Manuel keep saying they would prefer pitching help over infield help before the trade deadline.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
More Late Inning Heroics
It has been a few few nights at Citizens Bank Park, but I’m certain the Phillies are hoping today to sweep the Reds in regulation. It’s the All-Star break and some of these guys have places to go, people to see, flights to catch.
But whether or not the Phillies win today, it is a nice way for them to head into the break. They’re still 5 1/2 games behind the Braves in the NL East and 2 1/2 games behind the Rockies in the NL wild card race, but they’re staying close. Imagine if they had lost those three games to the Reds. They’d be 8 1/2 behind the Braves and 5 1/2 behind the Rockies, which means those Jayson Werth trade rumors really would start kicking up.
If the Phillies can get Placido Polanco back before the end of the month — he said the Cardinals series in St. Louis is a possibility — they could be in good position when Chase Utley returns with four of five weeks to play.
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Another start, still no run support for Roy Halladay. Of the 54 qualifying pitchers in the National League, Halladay ranks 42nd in run support at 4.24 runs per game. He’s actually tied with Cole Hamels. Interestingly, Kyle Kendrick (6.24) and Jamie Moyer (5.85) rank sixth and 10th, respectively.
It could be worse for Halladay and Hamels. Ted Lilly ranks last in run support (2.41). Roy Oswalt (2.70) and Johan Santana (3.30) are 53rd and 50th respectively.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Moyer Sets MLB Home Run Record, Throws 4,000 Innings
Jamie Moyer set a Major League record today, when he allowed the 506th home run of his career in the third inning at Citizens Bank Park.
Moyer allowed a two-run home run to Blue Jays centerfielder Vernon Wells. Robin Roberts, who had held the all-time home runs allowed record since he retired in 1966, moved to second place with 505.
A few Moyer home run facts:
- He allowed his first home run June 23, 1986, at Veterans Stadium against Phillies second baseman Juan Samuel. He allowed a home run to Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt in the same game, which was the second start of Moyer’s career.
- Moyer has allowed homers to 322 batters.
- He has allowed a homer in 42 ballparks.
- He has allowed seven grand slams and one inside-the-park homer.
- Manny Ramirez has hit 10 home runs against Moyer, more than any other player. Behind Ramirez are Carlos Delgado (eight), Bernie Williams (seven), Eric Chavez (six), Alex Rodriguez (six) and Frank Thomas (six).
- Joe Randa has 48 at-bats against Moyer without a home run. No player has more at-bats against Moyer without homering. Behind Randa are Roberto Alomar (47 at-bats), Adam Kennedy (42), Tony Fernandez (41), Mike Bordick (40) and Shannon Stewart (40).
- He has allowed 15 homers against the Phillies: Lance Parrish (four), Schmidt (two), Luis Aguayo (two), Lenny Dysktra (one), Ron Jones (one), Chris James (one), Von Hayes (one), John Russell (one), Rick Schu (one) and Samuel (one).
But Moyer also became just the 40th pitcher in baseball history to throw 4,000 innings. A pretty remarkable accomplishment. Moyer is pitching remarkably well these days. He is 6-4 with a 3.66 ERA in his last 10 starts, which includes two runs in seven innings today against Toronto. Remove Moyer’s June 11 start in Boston — nine runs in one inning, the worst start of his career — and Moyer has a 2.48 ERA since May 2.
Some people have kicked around the idea that Moyer could make the NL All-Star team. I don’t think he’s there yet, although he is tied for fourth in the National League with nine wins. Ubaldo Jimenez has 13. Mike Pelfrey and Adam Wainwright have 10. Roy Halladay, Chris Carpenter, Derek Lowe and Moyer have nine.
But Moyer ranks 33rd out of 55 pitchers in the NL with a 4.30 ERA. There are 13 pitchers with an ERA under 3.00. There are 34 pitchers with an ERA under 3.50. Wins are important, but ERA is a much better indicator of a pitcher’s overall performance. Wins are dependent on so many factors: run support, bullpen, etc. Halladay should have at least two or three more wins this season, but because of poor run support doesn’t. I think in “The Year of the Pitcher” that Moyer needs to get his ERA under 4.00 to get into serious consideration.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. His Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Turning Things Around?
The Phillies were stuck in an 8-17 slump before Jamie Moyer beat the Yankees last night and Kyle Kendrick beat them tonight. The Phillies took 2 of 3 from the Yankees. It’s just their second series victory since May 15-17, when they swept the Brewers in Milwaukee. They finished 3-3 on a road trip that couldn’t have started worse with Moyer allowing nine runs in one-plus inning Friday in Boston and Joe Blanton allowing nine runs in four innings Saturday.
It has been a grueling stretch, but maybe this is a sign of a turnaround.
We won’t know that until the Phillies finish their nine-game home stand against the Twins, Indians and Blue Jays. But the Phillies have looked a little looser the last couple games. It’s not why they won, but I thought it was interesting that Chase Utley, who rarely shows his sense of humor to the outside world, tried to loosen up the clubhouse. He arranged bats, fruits, batting gloves, vitamins, a can of Red Bull and a tin of chewing tobacco in a crop circle-like pattern next to his locker before last night’s game. Then in a nod to the movie Major League, a Darth Maul bobble head, a miniature bottle of rum and a shot glass full of rum sat in the locker next to his before Thursday’s game.
“I think it was like a couple years ago (in the 2008 World Series) when Charlie put the rubber ducks in everybody’s locker,” Ryan Howard said. “Just try to loosen everybody up and play. Right now it’s whatever works.”
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. His Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Moyer Gets Rocked, Worst Start of Career
Jamie Moyer suffered the worst start of his career tonight at Fenway Park, allowing nine hits, nine runs, one walk and one home run in one-plus inning.
Moyer had not pitched this poorly since he pitched for the Seattle Mariners and allowed 11 runs in 3 2/3 innings Aug. 9, 2000, against the Chicago White Sox.
It was the third time a Phillies starter had allowed nine or more runs in one or fewer innings since 1951. It was the first time it happened since April 20, 2006, when Ryan Madson allowed nine runs in one inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Ben Rivera allowed nine runs in one inning July 9, 1993, against the San Francisco Giants at Veterans Stadium.
Moyer allowed six doubles and one home run as the Phillies entered the third inning down nine runs.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. His Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Perfection!
A few thoughts on Roy Halladay‘s perfect game:
- It’s the 20th perfect game in baseball history, which is only eight more men than have walked on the moon.
- Good to see Halladay smile.
- I’ve seen pitchers carry no-hitters into the seventh inning before and I’m like, “OK, somebody is going to get a hit here.” And somebody always does.” I only started to think Daisuke Matsuzaka would throw a no-hitter May 22 when Carlos Ruiz hit into a line drive double play in the eighth inning. Juan Castro hit a broken-bat flare into left field in the following at-bat. But there was a different feeling when Halladay carried a perfect game into the seventh. This is going to happen. Nobody is going to get on base here.
- Cool to hear Halladay give Jamie Moyer some credit for the suggestions he made in between starts.
- Guess we’ll be hearing much less about pitch counts, right?
- The Phillies have thrown one perfect game and one no-hitter since I started covering the Phillies. I’ve missed both. I started covering the Phillies for The Philadelphia Inquirer in April 2003. The first game I ever missed as a beat writer Kevin Millwood threw his no-hitter against the Giants at the Vet. I was flying to LA at the time because the Phillies opened a series the following night at Dodger Stadium. I remember getting into my rental car, finding the Dodgers game and hearing Vin Scully say, “And in Philadelphia, Kevin Millwood has a no-hitter through eight innings!” I almost drove my car off the road. And the Halladay perfect game? I typically get one road series off a month. Taking off this series made the most sense because it split up a three-city, nine-game trip. But at least I got to watch it while having an adult beverage or two over the holiday weekend.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. His Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Moyer Hits 262 and 500
Jamie Moyer picked up his 262nd career win last night in a 9-5 victory over the Brewers, which is 40th all-time.
He also allowed his 500th career homer, which is second all-time.
Moyer sits at 501 after he allowed three solo homers in the second inning to the Brewers, which has him four behind Robin Roberts, who allowed 505 for the all-time record. Moyer has thrown 3,947 2/3 innings in his career, which ranks 43rd. Roberts threw 4,688 2/3, which ranks 21st.
Rounding out the top 10 in career homers allowed are Ferguson Jenkins (483), Phil Niekro (482), Don Sutton (472), Frank Tanana (448), Warren Spahn (434), Bert Blyleven (430), Steve Carlton (414) and Randy Johnson (411). That’s not bad company.
“There’s a lot of chances out there,” Moyer said. “You can’t give up 500 in 600 at-bats, can you? I’ve thrown a few innings in my career. You’re going to give up hits, home runs, walks, strikeouts, errors. I don’t really keep track of it all.”
A couple Moyer homer notes:
- Manny Ramirez has homered off of Moyer the most – 10 times.
- Moyer has surrendered home runs in 41 different ballparks (89 in Safeco – the most for any one park).
- He has allowed 292 solo home runs and seven grand slams.
- He has served up 377 homers to righties and 124 to lefties.
- Jim Edmonds, the man who touches Moyer up for the 500th, had never homered against Moyer before the milestone.
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The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. His Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!
Todd Zolecki
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