Jayson Werth was the star of the game last night, capping off a superb performance by stealing 3 bases in the bottom of the 7th inning. To make the feat even better, all three swipes were with two outs. Not one person saw it coming. Not the pitcher, the catcher, the batter, the third base coach, or even the manager. Werth said to reporters after the game that he would rather see them win by the long ball. I would definitely say that manufacturing runs never hurt anyone. Werth was the first Phillie since Carlos Ruiz to steal home and the first Phillies since Gary Maddox to steal four in one game.
Chan Ho Park proved me wrong in his second straight quality start going six innings, giving up 2 earned runs, striking out three and walking none in route to his first win on the season. I think that Park has one, maybe two, more starts before being pushed into the pen. His next scheduled start is Sunday against the Nationals. He will likely be opposed by rookie Jordan Zimmerman or Shairon Martis. Zimmerman, who despite a high ERA, is putting a nice rookie season together. He is averaging almost a strike out per inning. Martis is 1-0 in 2 starts versus the Phils this season. But don't let that record fool you. Martis has an ERA of 7.15 giving up 9 runs on 13 hits, including a homer, 6 walks and 4 punchouts in 11.1 IP. Martis would most likely face a dominant LH hitting lineup giving Dobbs the start at third as lefties are hitting .447 against him.
Park's final start, in my mind, will be the one following the Nats, which most likely will be against the Yankees. Yes the Yankees have struggled slightly to start the season, but with A-Rod back, it may be a launching pad in the Bronx that finally kicks Park to the pen. As far as replacements go, I would have to say that Happ is first in line. Carrasco has struggled his last couple of outings in AAA, which I am starting to believe are leading back to his start against Pawtucket. Afterwards he complained of a blister on his throwing hand and inflammation in his arm. Maybe skipping a start for the kid would be the best thing for him right now.
