The Phillies snuck by the Astros 7-6 in today's Grapefruit action. On the pitching side, Cole Hamels got roughed up a bit (3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 3 HR) and caused a shouting match when Bill Hall took exception to a pitch up and in. Mathieson, Bastardo, and Herndon all contributed scoreless frames. With the bats, John Mayberry (2/3, 2B, BB, SB) and Josh Barfield (1/2, 2 RBI, SB) continued to strengthen their candidacies for spots on the Phillies bench.
Phillies:
Astros’ Bill Hall calls Phillies’ Hamels ‘a marked man’ after altercation
Okay Bill, whatever.
Phillies beat Astros, though left-hander Cole Hamels struggles
"I don't know him personally, but I do know he is a good guy," Hamels said. "Just kind of something that just kind of happens." Kind of, ya know?
Another Phils injury: Lidge has biceps soreness
I might be wrong, but I don't see this as THAT big of a deal. Madson>Contreras>Lidge.
Projecting the Roster: Attempt # 2
Apropos of Taco Pal's post this morning.
Utley Update (Kind Of)
This is from Saturday, but it seems to have slipped under the radar.
Ruben Amaro Jr. a GM of many talents
Renaissance smug.
Fantasy Beat: Know Your Enemy
Bill "Crashburn Alley" Baer takes a look at our fantasy draft over at Baseball Prospectus. He was befuddled by Phrozen's selection of Jamie Moyer with the 301st pick. I think even Phrozen was befuddled by his selection of Jamie Moyer.
Elsewhere in baseball:
Operation shutdown? Not according to Johan Santana
I love Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, but this is probably a cautionary tale against signing pitchers on the wrong side of 30 to long, expensive deals.
Nyjer Morgan thinks Ricky Nolasco purposely plunked him
Oh yes, this is still going on.
Aaron Rowand Walks Quietly
Soldier for wins.
And now, a new feature in our (almost) daily link dumps...
Stupid thing written about baseball of the day:
