Monday, March 14, 2011
Posted: 6:03 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
BOX SCORE
KISSIMMEE, Fla.So you think spring training games are meaningless?
Dont tell that to John Mayberry Jr.
Or Cole Hamels.
Or Michael Martinez.
MLB
And especially dont tell it to Tyson Brummett.
So you dont know who Brummett is? Dont feel bad. Neither did Charlie Manuelthat is until Brummett calmly rolled a double-play ball to wrap up the Phillies 7-6 win over the Houston Astros on Monday.
Brummett, a minor-leaguer called up to provide a little bullpen depth, was speaking with a reporter after the game when Manuel approached the pitchers locker.
Manuel motioned toward the reporter.
He asked me if I knew your name, Manuel told Brummett.
The manager smiled, stuck out his right hand, and told the pitcher, I do now.
Brummett beamed. This was his chance to impress and he did just that. Summoned into a one-run game with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, he threw five pitchesall strikesand got Drew Locke to hit into a game-ending double play.
Not bad for a just-in-case-guy with No. 94and no nameon his back.
That was a lot of fun, said Brummett, a 26-year-old right-hander out of UCLA who is in his fifth season in the Phils' system. I found out I was coming last night just in case they needed an extra guy. Not a bad day.
The Astros had loaded the bases against Dan Meyer in the ninth when Brummett was waved in.
I just tried to throw strikes and see what happens, said Brummett, who hails from Salem, Utah and figures to open the season at Double-A or Triple-A.
Like every Phillies farmhand, Brummett dreams of pitching in the majors. Until then, hell always have Mondaythe day he forced Manuel to learn his name.
The Phillies had taken the lead in the top of the ninth inning on a smart baserunning play by Martinez. He moved from second to third on a wild pitch and took a wide turn when the pitcher, Fernando Rodriguez, showed no inclination to cover home plate. After retrieving the ball from the backstop, catcher Brian Esposito threw to third. Martinez took off for home and scored untouched.
Heads up play, Manuel said. He was aggressive.
Martinez, a Rule 5 pick from Washington, has had an impressive camp. He plays both middle infield spots and centerfield. He could squeak onto the roster, especially with the Phils looking for depth in the infield and outfield because of injuries to Chase Utley and Domonic Brown.
One guy who wont be squeaking onto the roster is Mayberry. He looks to be a lock to be the teams fourth outfielder. He had a couple more hits, including a hard-hit double, in Mondays win. He is hitting .350 (14 for 40) with four homers and nine RBIs this spring.
Hamels struggled with the location of his fastball in his fourth spring outing. He hadnt given up a home run before allowing three of themall on high fastballsMonday. Hamels had been sharp in his previous three outings. He has three more spring starts before his regular-season debut.
Hamels showed some regular-season intensity when he briefly exchanged words with Astros infielder Bill Hall in the second inning. Hall stepped out of the batters box as Hamels went into his windup. Agitated, Hamels feigned a quick-pitch on Hall then aborted his delivery. Hamels then returned to the rubber, got his sign and brushed Hall back with a fastball that was inside, but hardly menacing. Hall took umbrage and he and the pitcher barked at each other. The benches were warned, but that was it. Hall grounded out and there was no further problem.
After the game, Hamels called Hall a good guy and said it was all part of the game.
Hall wasnt so nice. He wants a piece of Hamels.
Hes definitely a marked man for me now, Hall told Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle. So when I do some damage off him Im going to let him know I did some damage off him. I guarantee that. Im not going to let him disrespect me. If you disrespect me Im going to do my best to disrespect you back.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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