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Linkin' Blogs 5/15/10

Here's a list of can't miss posts from around the bloggerhood... Written by me, 1BlueJaysWay has an article detailing former Orioles starting pitcher and #4 overall draft pick Adam Loewen's great strides to reinvent himself as an everyday player after injuries to his arm ended his pitching career. Check that article out by clicking here . Martin Frank of The News Journal's Philled In Blog, that was defeated by PhoulBallz.com in The Phield tournament, has all your details on the Rays designating Pat Burrell for assignment. Check that out by clicking here . Todd Zolecki's The Zo Zone has info on Jamie Moyer becoming the 2nd pitcher in MLB history to allow 500 homeruns. The other man who allowed 500 homers...Phillies Hall of Famer Robin Roberts. Read the Zo Zone by clicking here . This week, Pal of PhoulBallz, Ryan, guest posted in the weekly male gender slot at Chicks Dig the Longball . It's the all MLB Uemployment team! Check that out here . Meech of The Fight...

Series Preview: Phillies @ Brewers 5/14-5/16

The first place Phillies (20-13) visit third place Milwaukee (15-19) for a three game series, starting Friday night. The Brewers have been plagued by inconsistency this season, as they've become one of four teams since 1900 to have scored 17 or more runs three times, and get shut out three times, within a 30-game stretch. The Phillies sport a .588 winning percentage on the road, which is second best in the National League, while the Brewers have a league worst home record of 4-11. Milwaukee defeated Philadelphia in 4 of 7 games between the two teams in 2009, but the Phillies won 2 of the 4 games at Miller Park last September. Read ahead for all the details on the pitching match ups for the series and other key info. Friday, 8:10pm. Jamie Moyer (4-2, 4.38 ERA) vs. Randy Wolf (3-2, 3.95 ERA). Moyer is 10-5 in his career against the Brewers with a 3.77 ERA in 24 games. In 3 road starts this year, Moyer has a 2-1 record with a 4.50 ERA. Prince Fielder is 2-for-11 (.182 avg) with a do...

Domonic Brown: Eastern League BEAST

It could be time to promote Reading Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown up a level...or two...or three...? Currently, the Phillies' top prospect is dominating Double A level pitching throughout the Eastern League. In 27 games played, Brown's batting average is third in the league at .340 (32 hits in 94 at bats). He is tied for 2nd in the league in HR with 7. Most impressive of all is that Brown leads the EL in OPS (on base % + slugging %). That OPS is 1.088. Not blown away by that statistic? Well consider that the batter who is second in the Eastern League in that category, Metropolitans prospect Lucas Duda, is over 100 points behind Brown. Duda's OPS sits at .983 through 32 games played this season. The lefty hitter, Brown, even turns heads where, perhaps, he shouldn't. Against left-handed pitchers, Brown is batting .333 and his OPS is higher than it is against right-handed pitchers. Vs. Left/vs. right OPS splits- 1.185/1.060. Brown's overall numbers have been booste...

Philadelphia Steal Company?

Major League Baseball issued a warning on Tuesday regarding accusations that Phillies bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was stealing signs during Monday night's game against the Rockies in Colorado. The concern over the situation was sparked when Billmeyer was spotted using binoculars from the Phillies' bullpen while the Phillies were at bat. Accusations from the Rockies stated that Billmeyer was watching the catcher's signs to the pitcher and relaying tips to the Phillies' dugout via telephone. The statement from MLB stated, "We found the evidence inconclusive on what was being done, but we have spoken to the Phillies about the situation, and the umpires have been told to be on full alert as to what is going on." According to Fox News, the Metropolitans are believed to have also filed a complaint about the Phillies, after they mopped the field with Johan Santana on national television two weekends ago. The incident in Colorado was brought to light after the Rockie...

Those Without Sin Throw the First Snow Ball

Special to PhoulBallz.com...written by Kelly Bloor and Johnny Bloor Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Had Mr. Franklin lived in his beloved Philadelphia today, he might add one more thing to the list: The national media's neverending stream of negative coverage about Philadelphia sports fans. Philadelphia fans are all too familiar with the Mad Libs-type paragraph that is tacked on to each and every article discussing an incident that took place within a mile radius of Broad and Pattison: "Once again, Philadelphia [Phillies/Eagles/Flyers] fans proved they are among the most [classless/rude/obnoxious] in [MLB/NFL/NHL] as [drunk/unruly/disorderly] fans [fought with/cursed at/spit on] opposing [players/coaches/fans]. Such [reprehensible/boorish/juvenile] behavior is [expected/common/customary] from the league's most [vulgar/uncivil/ill-behaved] fans. After all, these are the same people that [booed San...

Official Announcement: Blue Jays Series on the Move

As we discussed yesterday here on PhoulBallz.com , due to a conflict with the G20 Summit, the interleague match up between the Phillies and Blue Jays was in jeopardy of being moved out of Toronto's Rogers Centre, most likely to Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. The series, scheduled for late June, would have featured former Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay's return to his former home. Today, Major League Baseball announced a firm decision had been made to move the series to Philadelphia. The switch will give the Phillies 3 additional games in their home park this season, however, the Phillies will not actually be the home team. The series will be played as though the Blue Jays are the hosts. In the three-game set, slated for June 25-27, the Blue Jays will be the home team (batting last) and the designated hitter will be used (as is the case in interleague games played only at American League parks). The June 25th game will be played at 7:05pm. The June 26th game is scheduled for...

Series Preview: Phillies at Rockies, 5/10-5/12

Since the Rockies swept the Phillies out of the 2007 playoffs, Philadelphia has been relentless against their new rival. Last October, the phrase " Get me to the plate, boys " was born, as Ryan Howard ended the Rockies' season. This week, the Phillies return to Colorado for the first time since then. The Phillies also won both regular season series against the Rockies last year, winning 2 of 3 in both Philadelphia and Denver. In addition, the Phils won both regular season series in 2008. Overall, the Phils have won 5 straight series against Colorado. This week's clash of NL contenders has the third place Rockies (15-16) hosting the first place Phillies (19-12) for a 3 games series. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and other key notes from this series. Monday, 8:40pm. Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 5.87 ERA) vs. Greg Smith (1-2, 6.35 ERA). Kendrick, in 3 road starts this year, has no decisions and a 5.29 ERA. In 4 regular season starts against Colorado, Kendrick ...

More Home Games? Blue Jays Conflict May Benefit Phils

Recently, PhoulBallz.com received word from a source close to the Blue Jays organization that, due to the conflicting schedule with the G20 Summit , there were discussions in progress to cancel one of the dates (likely Sunday) for the Phillies/Blue Jays series, scheduled June 25th-27th, and play two games on one of the other already scheduled dates (Saturday, if the Sunday date was nixed), to reduce congestion and security issues during the G20 event. The wheels were in motion on that plan, but it had not been finalized. The main issue is that Toronto's Rogers Centre is inside the security perimeter for the G20 Summit, which is a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from around the world. This scheduling conflict has been known for months. There is great anticipation among Toronto fans for this series, as it will mark the return of long-time fan favorite Roy Halladay, who Toronto traded to the Phillies last December. Toronto has NO desire to lose the ticket and c...

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 62

Arthur "Pinky" Whitney was a third baseman with the Phillies from 1928-1933, then again from 1936-1939. Whitney quickly stepped on the scene (crispy and clean) to make a big impact with the Phillies, as he batted .301, hit 10 homers and drove in 103 runs in his rookie season at age 23. Whitney, who hailed from Texas, kept the solid production going and drove in over 100 runs in 4 of his first 5 seasons in the big leagues. 1929 marked the first of two consecutive seasons with 200 or more hits by Whitney. Also a solid defender, Whitney led all National League third baseman in assists, total chances, putouts and double plays three times in his first four seasons with the Phillies. In June 1933, Whitney was dealt to the Boston Braves with Hal Lee for Fritz Knothe, Wes Schulmerich and cash. Whitney's offensive production slowed down in Boston. In just under 3 years with the Braves, Whitney batted .258, hit 24 homers and drove in 194 runs in 358 games. By the end of April 1936,...

PhoulBallz Q&A With Jonathan Pettibone

Jonathan Pettibone is a 19-year-old right handed pitching prospect with the Phillies Low-A level affiliate Lakewood BlueClaws. Pettibone was drafted by the Phillies with a supplemental 3rd round pick in the 2008 amateur draft. Pettibone signed with the Phillies, despite being committed to attend USC out of high school. Jonathan's father, Jay, is a former Major League pitcher. The elder Pettibone was a 1979 draft pick by the Rangers and eventually reached the Majors, in 1983, when he started 4 games for the Twins. Through 5 starts this season, Pettibone is 1-0 with a 3.45 ERA. In his last 2 outings, he has allowed just 2 earned runs in 14 total innings. I spoke with Jonathan the other day and that interview lies ahead. In your most recent start, you went 7 shutout innings against the Yankees affiliate Charleston this week. Can I get some comments from you on that excellent outing? My arm felt good. We had finally gotten a day off after, I think, 24 straight games. So it was good to ...

Series Preview: Braves @ Phillies 5/7-5/9

The Braves make their first visit to Philadelphia this weekend, as the Braves (12-16) will face the Phillies (17-11) in a 3-game series. The series opener will see the 2nd meeting of Derek Lowe and Jamie Moyer this season. The first match up saw Moyer come out on top, when he pitched 6 shut out innings in Atlanta. That win clinched the series victory for the Phils. Off to a good start after winning that series opener against the Phils, the Braves have lost 11 of 15 games since then. The Braves won 5 of the 9 games against the Phils at Citizens Bank Park last season. Atlanta is currently in last place, 5 games behind the division leading Phillies. Read ahead for pitching match ups and other key stats from this series. Friday, 7:05pm. Derek Lowe (4-2, 5.81 ERA) vs. Jamie Moyer (3-2, 5.70 ERA). Lowe is 4-0 with a 1.60 ERA in five career starts at Citizens Bank Park. Lowe is 6-2 with a 2.87 ERA in 15 career games against Philadelphia. Raul Ibanez is 2-for-28 (.071 avg) in his career again...

PhoulBallz Q&A with Prospect Anthony Hewitt

Anthony Hewitt is an outfielder for the Phillies low-A level affiliate, the Lakewood BlueClaws. Hewitt, a first round draft pick by the Phillies in 2008 began his first full season as a pro in extended spring training last year. Hewitt later joined Williamsport, of the NY-Penn League, where he batted .223 with 7 HR in 61 games. Now, making strides to improve himself, the 21-year-old Hewitt is hitting .250 in 23 games played, for Lakewood, with 3 homers and 18 RBI. I spoke with Anthony yesterday. Here is that interview... Can you speak a bit about your progression, from being drafted to where you are now in Lakewood? The draft experience was great. After I got drafted, I went to rookie ball, in the Gulf Coast League. And that was an experience to adjust to the speed of the game and the following year I went to Williamsport...still adjusting, still learning. And at the end of the year in Williamsport, it started clicking a little bit. And I came to Lakewood this year. The first week, fir...