Spring Training Game 19 - Monday Afternoon, March 14th in Kissimmee
One Sentence Summary: Cole Hamels was touched for three solo home runs, but the Phils prevailed with a gift run in the ninth.
What It Means: Hopefully Hamels was just working on some stuff today, because he didn't look very good. In 3 2/3 innings, he allowed seven hits (3 homers, 2 doubles, 2 singles) and five runs. He also brushed back Billy Hall after allowing a Carlos Lee home run in the second, prompting warnings from the umpire to both benches. Michael Martinez scored the go-ahead and eventual winning run in the ninth when he singled, stole second and came around to score on a wild pitch.
Top Hitters: Ross Gload had two more hits to raise his average to .406 for the spring, and John Mayberry, Jr. continued his hot streak with two more hits, including a double off former Phillie Nelson Figueroa. Josh Barfield went 1 for 2 and drove in two runs.
Top Pitchers: Scott Mathieson continued to make his case for a bullpen spot by striking out two in 1 1/3 shutout innings. Antonio Bastardo impressed again, and he's now struck out six in his four innings this spring, without allowing a hit. Wearing #94 and without his name on his back, prospect Tyson Brummett recorded the final two outs in the ninth for the save.
Featured Card: I'm going to take a break from 1959 to feature a card of future Phillie Tyson Brummett. I thought this was a cool exchange, as reported by CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury:
Brummett, a minor-leaguer called up to provide a little bullpen depth, was speaking with a reporter after the game when [Phillies manager Charlie] Manuel approached the pitcher’s locker.
Manuel motioned toward the reporter.
“He asked me if I knew your name,” Manuel told Brummett.
The manager smiled, stuck out his right hand, and told the pitcher, “I do now.”
Brummett beamed. This was his chance to impress and he did just that. Summoned into a one-run game with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, he threw five pitches – all strikes – and got Drew Locke to hit into a game-ending double play.
Other Stuff: There's a reason why Brad Lidge's fastball has appeared much slower this spring. Lidge has been diagnosed with biceps tendinitis and he skipped the trip to Kissimmee to receive treatment in Clearwater. Both Lidge and pitching coach Rich Dubee downplayed the injury, stating it was just normal soreness. (Queue the talk of Ryan Madson for closer . . . now.)
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