Monday, July 4, 2011
Posted: 9 p.m.Updated: 10:45 p.m.
By John R. Finger
CSNPhilly.com
BOX SCORE
MIAMIThe knock on rookie pitcher Vance Worley was that he lacked the stamina to go deep into a ballgame. Whether it was mere growing pains or simply a matter of the kid getting his reps, Worley just was not gobbling up the innings like his teammates in the starting rotation.
Of course three of those guys are going to the All-Star Game with Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee taking the top two spots in innings pitched in the National League, but nevertheless, Worley suffered in comparison.
That doesnt seem to be the case after his last two starts, though. After beating the Boston Red Sox by scattering five hits over seven innings in his last start, Worley upped the ante a bit on Monday evening at Sun Life Stadium. To beat the Florida Marlins, Worley again posted seven strong innings, only this time he did it without allowing a run.
Worley pitched a two-hitter while Dom Brown beat out two infield singles and scored the only run of the game to give the Phillies a 1-0 victory.
MLB
So much for a fireworks show.
In the meantime, Worley has allowed just one run on eight hits with 15 strikeouts in his last three starts covering 20 innings. In doing so, Worley went seven innings in back-to-back start for the first time all year, and that includes his outings for Triple A Lehigh Valley.
The last couple of games hes pitched absolutely fantastic, manager Charlie Manuel said.
Worleys reward for winning a tight game against the Marlins? How about a trip back to Triple A.
After the game, assistant general manager Scott Proefrock announced the club had optioned Worley back to Lehigh Valley simply so he can stay on his regular schedule. With the All-Star break a week away and the Phillies able to readjust the rotation so that Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels pitch in the final games before the break, Worley will get to start a game in the minors before rejoining the team in time to take a start in New York when the season resumes.
The Phillies want to keep Worley around to contribute, but they also want to avoid the trouble that occurred earlier this season when the pitcher languished between the rotation and bullpen. When he was sent back to the minors after pitching out of the bullpen for two games in the big leagues, he struggled a bit when he returned to the rotation.
This time, both pitcher and managers have learned the lesson.
Hes pitching so well right now we want to make sure he stays on a regular turn, Proefrock said after the game.
Still, it was as if Worley was back in Allentown on Monday night where he turned over a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning to Mike Stutes, who in turn gave a one-run lead to Antonio Bastardo to close it out in the ninth. Better yet, how many folks foresaw a time when the Phillies would get two straight wins in which Worley would turn in seven strong before turning the game over to back-of-pen stalwarts Stutes and Bastardo?
Its almost like being back at Lehigh Valley. After all, Worley, Stutes, Bastardo and Brown all spent time together in the minors the past few seasons, and if the club had its druthers, it might prefer to keep Rule 5 pickup Michael Martinez, whose hit in the seventh sent Brown racing for the plate, back in the minors, too.
Thats who we had so they had a chance to get in the game, Manuel said.
Instead, the young bucks on the veteran-laden team have been coming through.
Were all trying to come up and make a name for ourselves and competing the same way when we were coming up, Worley said.
Then again, even teams with a starting rotation like the one Charlie Manuel gets to send out there needs guys like Worley to step up. Of the 13 shutouts for the Phillies this season, Worley has started two of them with Kyle Kendrick starting another one.
Better yet, the Phillies are 16-8 in one-run games this season and Worley has appeared in four of those victories, including in each of his last three starts.
Hes aggressive and he keeps focused and keeps a level head. He doesnt panic. Ive seen him get hit a couple of times and he handled it pretty good. He stays focused on what hes doing and hes not afraid to throw what hes got.
Eventually, Worley will be called on to give a little more. He threw 100 pitches in his seven innings this time out and a career-high 105 against the Red Sox. Shortly, Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee are going to expect 110 to 115 pitches from Worley
At least, Manuel said.
Next, the Phillies send Hamels (9-4, 2.41) back to the mound after his abbreviated start last Thursday against the Red Sox. Hamels lasted just four innings before exiting when he was struck on the glove hand with a line drive. There had been some debate whether the swelling would subside enough for the lefty to make his next start, but Hamels not only will go on Tuesday night, but also on Sunday as well.
Hamels has faced the Marlins twice already this year with the Phillies winning both games. Hes 5-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 17 career starts against Florida.
The Marlins will counter with righty Chris Volstad (4-7, 5.01), who was at the wrong end of a 9-1 decision on June 14 when Hamels fired a three-hitter.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow him on Twitter @JRFingerCSN.