http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/778 Recent articles about Adam Eaton en-us It was a dramatic finish, but another wholesale defeat, leading to the Phillies' seventh series loss in their last eight attempts. Their slow slide from the top of the division continues. Game summary: The Mets tallied 10 hits and eight runs — six earned — in 2 2-3 innings off Adam Eaton, who was back to throwing balls with no movement. It took every last ounce of offense to make up the deficit he created. With Brett Myers gone, we... Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:57:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287258 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287258 There are but 2 rules in my house: No people food for the dog, and the Phillies game gets turned off if Clay Condrey is in before the 5th. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:44:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287224 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287224 Phils tried to make a huge comeback over the Mets last night, but failed and came up just short (that's what she said). The comeback attempt was entertaining, but in the end it's still a loss and therefore doesn't really matter then. Adam Eaton was the main culprit for the loss. Stats since joining the Phils- 38 games started, 13-17 record, 262 IP, 309 H, 171 ER, 43 HR, 111 BB, 149 K, and a 5.87 era. Yuck! For the full article on last night's debacle and more ranting about the current state of the Phils click on the URL. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:53:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287184 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287184 Adam Eaton (3-6, 4.79) is 5-0 in nine career starts against New York. The right-hander matches up with Pedro Martinez (2-2, 7.39) as the Phillies and Mets wrap up their four-game set tonight at 7:05. Take away two series sweeps in Atlanta, and the Phillies are left with a solid month of Kansas City-brand baseball. They won't get the series win tonight and are in danger of dropping their seventh series in eight tries. The good news is that the... Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:10:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287011 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287011 I haven't been posting as much about the Phillies lately, with their poor play and the NHL and NBA free agency periods, it has been hard to get excited about the Fightin' Phils. Now that interleague is over, however, the Phillies appear to be right back on track, winning again tonight over the Braves, 7-3. It was the second win in a row for the Phillies, the first time they had won two straight since June 12th and 13th. The win also guarantees the Phillies a series victory after losing six straight series. There was a bit of a scare in the 9th inning when Ryan Howard had two errors that helped load the bases, but other than that the Phillies got out to an early lead and never looked back. Homers by Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell lead the way for the Phils offensively and Adam Eaton pitched his way out of enough jams to earn the win. The Phillies wrap up the series with Atlanta tomorrow when Cole Hamels takes the mound against Jair Jurrjens of the Braves. Brett Myers' spot in the rotation normally would pitch tomorrow, but since the Phils sent him to the minors, they have bumped up Hamels. They still haven't announced who will be the replacement pitcher for Friday's game against the Mets, however. Count on either Chad Durbin or J.A. Happ to make the spot start. Click the link for highlights. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:56:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285349 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285349 The Phillies try to give Adam Eaton (2-6, 4.86) better run support than he's been getting tonight when they face Jorge Campillo (3-2, 2.54) and the Braves. First pitch is 7:10. Eaton has been better than his two wins suggest because his teammates haven't done him any favors. The Phillies have scored just three runs over Eaton's last three starts and are averaging just 3.4 runs/game in his 16 starts overall. He's settled in lately, thanks to better command. He's... Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:08:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285264 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285264 After leading the Phillies to an impressive victory over the Red Sox in the first game of the series, Cole Hamels suggested that a Red Sox/Phillies World Series is destined to happen. Hamels said that the Phillies could compete with the Red Sox "any day of the week". He should have rephrased that to "any day of the week I am pitching" because the Red Sox won the next two games of the series by getting to Phillie starters Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick early. The Red Sox helped to expose the Phillies biggest weakness, their starting rotation. After Cole Hamels, there isn't another pitcher that the Phillies can count on with their season on the line. If/when the Phillies make the playoffs this year, can you imagine if they have to turn to Brett Myers or Kyle Kendrick in a Game 7? Yes, the Phillie offense is explosive, but when you get to the playoffs, you will be facing the best pitchers in baseball so those 20 run outbursts won't be happening. The Phillies need a solid number two option or they could be looking at another brisk first round ending to their season. The Phillies basically have two options: hope Brett Myers turns it around or go out an acquire a number two. Waiting for Myers might be a risky option, but giving up the farm for short-term help would be even riskier. Jayson Stark of ESPN says that the Phillies have looked into the following starting pitching options: C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Bronson Arroyo, Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard. Click the link for more... Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:48:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280058 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280058 Ryan Howard has been the most criticized Phillie this season. His average has hovered around .200 and he has been racking up strikeouts at a record pace. Fortunately, he has still has monster games from time to time, including one on Sunday that led the Phillies to a 6-3 win over the Braves, completing a three game sweep in Atlanta. 3 Up 1. Howard's double-day: Heading into Sunday's game, Ryan Howard had 8 total doubles on the season. He ended up hitting three two-baggers today which helped him to drive in 4 runs. Howard's average soared to .214, the highest it has been since April 5th, the 5th game of the season. 2. Victorino still Flyin': Shane Victorino nearly single-handedly beat the Braves on Friday, and after being held hitless on Saturday, he busted out again today. Victorino had 3 hits and scored 3 runs, and drove in the game winning run in the 9th. 3. Economical Lidge: After striking out the side yesterday to earn his 16th save, Brad Lidge decided he wanted to get things over with quickly today. Lidge entered the 9th inning of Sunday's game and needed only 7 pitches to finish off the Braves and earn his 17th save. 3 Down 1. Eaton's back! The real Adam Eaton came back today. After putting together two straight good starts, Eaton looked more like his old self in giving up 3 runs in 6 innings. 2. The awful Braves bullpen: Atlanta has some serious problems with their team, none more so than their terrible bullpen. 3. Bruntlett's bad base-running Click the link for the entire article, including highlights of the game! Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:49:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275892 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275892 The Phils are phylin' high, and I'm loving it. Every game seemingly has a new twist to it, which usually leads to a Phils victory lately. They're sitting pretty atop the NL East at 38-26, so that makes this a sweet Sunday. Pitching is pitching well, hitting is hitting well enough, and defense is defending. To make this an even sweeter Sunday would be a sweep of the Braves lead by the resurrection of Adam Eaton. Eaton has quietly become the second best starter on the staff, and is finally settling into some form of consistency. If indeed the Braves are swept today, I would consider them owned by the Phils. Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:07:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275795 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275795 After a season-and-a-half where Eaton's head and nerve failed him, as much as his location and mechanics, it seems like it's finally all coming together. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:26:27 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274168 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274168 ESPN has taken notice. Opposing managers around the NL have taken notice. Phans have taken notice. The Philadelphia Phillies are HOT! Over the last 9 games they are 8-1 and have outscored the opponents 78-37 (more than doubling them). During this hot streak we've seen offensive explosions of 20, 15, and 12 runs; and we've witnessed fine pitch performances from Adam Eaton (twice), Brett Myers, and Kyle Kendrick. Shane Victorino had a hitting streak, Brad Lidge continues perfection in save situations, Pat Burrell is more clutch than a stick shift, Chase Utley is a hitting machine, the bullpen continues to shut up all the naysayers from the offseason. Phils are now 10 games above .500 with a record of 35-25, good for a 2.5 game lead over the pesky Marlins. The Phils are on a roll, and it may be difficult to stop them. Enter stage left: Edinson Volquez (aka- difficult), with a MLB leading 83 k's, 1.46 era, and 7-2 record. The Reds got him in the Josh Hamilton trade. That trade is amazing, as Hamilton may go on to the be the MVP of the AL while Volquez the Cy Young of the NL. Last time Volquez faced the Phils he dominated them while his counterpart Brett Myers (also tonight's match-up) fizzled. Should shape up to be a good ball game if the rains permit. *Happy birthday Juan Carlos Romero. JC has compiled a 1.26 era since joiningg the Phils mid-summer last season pitching in 76 games, logging 57 innings, racking up 27 holds, and striking out 49 batters. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:20:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274126 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274126 3 up and 3 down from another Phils win: 3 Up: 1. Eaton's on a roll! Meet your new ace of the Phillies, Adam Eaton. 2. Burrell supplies the offense: Pat Burrell had the big hit on the night, a two-run blast in the 6th inning that proved to be the game winner. 3. The bullpen holds another lead: If Chase Utley is the team MVP then the bullpen has to be a close second. 3 Down: 1. Utley goes homerless: Chase Utley failed in his attempt to break the Phillie record of consecutive games with a homer when all he did was go 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and 1 run scored. Utley should be ashamed that he didn't hit a homer and was only able to muster a broken bat RBI single. 2. Howard keeps swinging and missing: Like I said before, this team will really take off (as if it hasn't already) when Pat Burrell and Ryan Howard get hot at the same time. Howard went 0 for 4 tonight, striking out 2 more times. 3. Manuel benches Coste: One day after Chris Coste hits his 6th homer of the season, Carlos Ruiz gets the start behind the plate tonight and goes 0 for 4. Hey, Charlie, play the hot bat! Keep Coste in the line-up! Click the link for more on the game, including video highlights. Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:58:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274065 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274065 Wake up party people, it's Saturday and the Phils are in 1st place in the NL East. Last night they triumphed over the previous holders of the top spot in the NL East, Florida Marlins, to the tune of 12-3...nice! Screw the Marlins, screw the Braves, screw the Mets, and screw the gNats; the Phils are in 1st and 1st is where they plan to stay (of course that means they must win tonight). Brett Myers gets scored upon more in the 1st inning (7 straight games) than a female dog in heat, but after surrendering the 3 runs last night he settled in nicely to end up going 8 strong with 11 k's and earning his first victory since April 17th. Still has horrible numbers on the year, but just like Eaton, we can only hope this game made it all "click". Chase Utley continues to be Mr. Awesome. I know that's a gay nickname, but it's very fitting because the man is simply awesome. Blasted MLB leading homerun 18 last night and is currently sporting these fantabulous stats: .312 avg, 44 r, 16 dbl, 18 hr, 48 rbi, and 1.041 OPS. Like I said, Mr. Awesome. Ryan Howard has his average up to .209, and pretty soon we'll be able to replace the Mendoza Watch (in the upper right sidebar) with something like Amazing Feats of Chris Coste. Shane Victorino is riding an 11 game hit streak, but apparently he's still not a "starter" because he never got the official vote of confidence from Manuel like Werth did. There's something to be said about comfort in consistency. Although the Phils pitching staff hasn't be lights out by any standard, they have been reliable in the fact that no member of the staff has seen DL time this year or been demoted. Phils are the only team in MLB to use only 5 starting pitchers this season. The bullpen, best in MLB, has been great too, even mop-up boy Clay Condrey (considering his role and all). Quick #'s: Phils are 2nd in MLB with 305 runs (Cubs 1st). Phils are 1st in MLB with 82 longballs. Phils 1st in stolen base success rate with 85%, thank you Davey Lopes! Staff era of 3.97, would have never predicted that entering the season. Cole Hamels (5-3, 3.18) vs. Ricky Nolasco (4-3, 4.70) tonight at the Cit, 7:05. Go Phils! Sat, 31 May 2008 07:30:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272711 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272711 Mike Benjamin - the muttonchopped Phucco. Obviously, Score handed out the "Rising Star" designation like nitrous balloons at a Dave Matthews Band concert - every loser gets one. He was never any good. Benjamin never hit over .260 in the minors before getting a call-up and then spent parts of his first 5 big league seasons in the minors, only solidifying a permanent gig with the Giants in '94. Yet, Benjamin worked a career .229 average into 12 years and $5 million. The Phils traded pitching phenom Jeff Juden to SF for Benjamin after the 1995 season. The previous year, Benjamin hit .220. Surprisingly, he hit only .223 with the Phillies and was not re-signed. He then played two seasons in Boston, hitting .270 the last year. So, in typical Pirates fashion, they signed a guy who had hit like a Abe Nunez for the last 9 years to a four year contract. The results? Pitiful. He didn't even play one year because of injury, finally flaming out in 2002 after hitting .150. Also, according to wikipedia, "Him and his wife Sherry also have been known to have an explicit video on the internet." So, he has that, and the 5 mil, going for him. ------------------------- Swindle Update 19 games, 28 IP, 2 ER, 29 K, 2BB, 0.64 ERA. Still with the FeHams... ------------------------- Burrell Sleeps With Dogs Pat the Bat missed Tuesday's game with neck stiffness. The origin of said stiffness? "I blame the dog," Burrell said, referring to his 115-pound English bulldog, Elvis. "He had the pillow." ------------------------- Benson Update Benson gave up one run in four innings on Tuesday in an extended spring-training game. He threw over 70 pitches and by reports his fastball was between 86 and 90. He's scheduled to make a minor league start Sunday for Clearwater. "He progressed well. It was encouraging for him, and it was encouraging for us," said Ruben Amaro Jr. Any coincidence that encouraging news about Kris Benson comes out just prior to Eaton pitching his best game of the year on Wednesday? Yeah, probably totally coincidental, the Rockies just suck right now and it is a great time to pitch against Colorado. But a little competition can't hurt. It will be interesting to follow Benson's progress in a few minor league starts and how the talk of replacing Eaton escalates. No reports on whether Anna Benson will be at his start on Sunday... Fri, 30 May 2008 05:45:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272370 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272370 Last October, the Colorado Rockies swept past the Phillies en route to a World Series appearance. This season the Phillies have turned the tables on the Rockies, beating them all five times they have played, including Wednesday's 6-1 win in Philadelphia that earned the Phillies their first 3 game sweep of the season. The Phillies offense once again supplied a big inning, scorching Rockies starter Greg Reynolds for five runs in the 5th. Three of those runs came on Chase Utley's league leading 17th homer of the season. Click the link for much more on the game, including highlights of Utley's bomb. Wed, 28 May 2008 21:25:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/271938 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/271938