Sell the Ball Park...Phillies Need to Stay on the Road!

After an awful home stand where the Phillies went 1-8, the defending champs bounced back on Tuesday night with a 10-1 victory against the Rays. The win for the Phillies improves their road record to a Major League best 24-9 (.727 winning percentage), while their home record is second worst in the majors (13-22). I'm pretty sure most phans would be in favor of the Phillies relocating some of their home games, going forward.

Despite Jimmy Rollins' 0-5 effort out of the lead off spot, in game 1 of the series in Tampa, he scored a run. Since the Phillies won the game, that improves the team's record to 28-7 (.800 winning percentage) in games that Rollins plays and scores at least one run. In games that Rollins plays and does not score a run, the Phillies are 8-23 (.258 winning percentage). That's surely proof that Rollins is key for the Phillies as a table setter and a leader.

J-Roll's struggles reflect the Phillies' issues at home. His batting average is 44 points higher on the road than it is in Philadelphia. The 2007 NL Most Valuable Player is not playing like his former self, but if he returns to form, the team will benefit greatly. Rollins scored at least one run in 102 games in 2007. If Rollins could get going on that MVP/139 runs scored pace, and the Phils continue to win at the same rate when he scores, they'd easily be looking at another division title.

John Mayberry Jr. hit a big homer in the rout of the Rays. The 3-run blast in the first inning put the Phils up by 6 and allowed them to sail the rest of the way.

Here's your MLB contribution comparison for Mayberry Jr. and the guy he was traded for in the offseason, Greg Golson...

Junior- 7-for-24 (.292 avg), 2 doubles, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 runs.

Golson- 0-for-1, 1 K.

Golson is in the Rangers organization and was called up for a cup of coffee in May, but was sent back down. With triple A Oklahoma City, Golson is hitting .277 with 1 homer, 25 RBI and 6 steals.

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The South Atlantic League All Star game was played Tuesday night in West Virginia, and friend of Phoul Ballz Justin De Fratus was the winning pitcher for the Northern Division all stars! After giving up the tying run on a homer in the top of the 9th inning, De Fratus got the win when the North team scored the walk-off victory following two singles and a throwing error by the South team.

More of your BlueClaws contributed to the win. Professional baseball's steals leader, Anthony Gose, stole two bags, had two hits and scored twice. Travis D'Arnaud, who played on the North team with his brother, West Virginia short stop Chase D'Arnaud, had a hit in one at bat. Tyler Cloyd pitched a scoreless inning and struck out 2. Second baseman Harold Garcia was hitless in 2 at bats. Reliever BJ Rosenberg did not pitch.

Lakewood manager Dusty Wathan was the manager for the victorious North Division team.

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 73

Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...

Mathieson Still Focused Despite Being Sent Down

CLEARWATER, FL- Somehow, despite the recent news that Brad Lidge is set to begin the season on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury, the Phillies didn't see fit to keep fire-balling righty hurler Scott Mathieson around. Mathieson, who has had a long road back to the big leagues following three elbow procedures (two of which were Tommy John surgeries), appeared in 7 games with the Phillies in spring training this year, posting a 2.00 ERA with 9 strike outs and 6 walks over 9 innings. The Vancouver, British Columbia native made his Major League debut with the Phils in 2006 as a starter, going 1-4 with a 7.47 ERA, but had his career sidetracked due to arm trouble. This spring, Mathieson was back where he wanted to be and felt that he was primed to return to a regular gig in the big leagues. However, on Saturday, the Phillies sent Mathieson back down to minor league camp. Mathieson's goal throughout his recovery has been to get back into the Phillies' red pinstripes...

Velasquez shut down, Eflin on deck?

Eflin with Reading in 2015, image- Jay Floyd Following Vincent Velasquez leaving his start after just two pitches for the Phillies on Wednesday, righty prospect Zach Eflin was pulled from his start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Gwinnett. The 22-year-old sports a 5-1 record with a 3.14 ERA and a .210 batting average against in 10 starts for the IronPigs this season. He could take the place of Velasquez if he is required to miss any additional time. Initial word on Velasquez after he threw two fastballs that clocked in the 86-87 MPH range (considerably slower than the 94 MPH he averages) and was swiftly pulled from his outing, is that he has a biceps strain. He'll be further evaluated in the coming days. Prior to the regular season, Eflin got a taste of competing against big leaguers when he was charged with 12 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits while striking out two and walking one with a wild pitch in three innings of work in an intrasquad exhibition that pitted the Phils...

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