April 4, 2015

Phillies 6, Pirates 4

by Dejan Kovacevic • Game previews • Tags: Pirates

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

Getting ready for first pitch …

Game: Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies, exhibition, 1:05 p.m., Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

Pitchers: RHP Charlie Morton vs. RHP David Buchanan

Radio: 93.7 The Fan

Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Official game notes

On deck: Opening day. — GETTY

48 Comments Newest to oldest

JAL

4-4-2015, 12:25 pm

Pirates
1. Josh Harrison 3B
2. Gregory Polanco RF
3. Starling Marte CF
4. Neil Walker 2B
5. Pedro Alvarez 1B
6. Jordy Mercer SS
7. Tony Sanchez C
8. Sean Rodriguez LF
9. Charlie Morton RHP

JAL

4-4-2015, 12:26 pm

Phillies
1. Ben Revere LF
2. Odubel Herrera CF
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Carlos Ruiz C
6. Grady Sizemore RF
7. Cody Asche 3B
8. Freddy Galvis SS
9. David Buchanan RHP

Radio wave

4-4-2015, 12:59 pm

Thanks JAL. Despite the starters, this will become a glorified Eastern League game.

Milo Hamilton

4-4-2015, 1:21 pm

Atrociously Bad Charlie.

Popsfan

4-4-2015, 1:23 pm

Charlie seems to be working with his eyes closed.

Milo Hamilton

4-4-2015, 1:28 pm

This is as wild as I've ever seen anyone. This is Steve Blass circa 1973,

Milo Hamilton

4-4-2015, 1:30 pm

It's 4-0 and only 2 balls have been put into play.

Milo Hamilton

4-4-2015, 1:31 pm

2 hits, 3 walks, 2 hit batters and 2 wild pitches.

Milo Hamilton

4-4-2015, 1:32 pm

How they only got 4 I'll never know.

bpn8pitt

4-4-2015, 1:48 pm

He's hurt. Has to be.

NMR

4-4-2015, 1:57 pm

Borderline blasphemy to question Searage & Co, but why exactly was it a good idea to try and significantly alter Morton's arm slot during an off season in which he spent most of the time recovery from surgery?

Guy clearly has lost his release point, which is exactly what you risk in making such a change.

bpn8pitt

4-4-2015, 1:31 pm

All the angst over Worley, he won't be in the pen long. Jeez.

Karen22

4-4-2015, 1:43 pm

Charlie has had an ATROCIOUS spring! How in the heck has he been deemed ready to take a spot in the rotation? How has he "beaten out" Vance?? Inquiring minds want to know.

bpn8pitt

4-4-2015, 1:54 pm

I think they have messed with his mechanics too much.

Alex

4-4-2015, 1:56 pm

Answer: Charlie Morton is owed $8 a year this year and next because of another ridiculous management decision to give him a long term contract. He gets a rotation spot.

NMR

4-4-2015, 2:02 pm

Nailed it, bpn.

Now let's all go back to DK's old blog one year ago today and read all our prophetic comments about Eddie Volquez last spring and hope we're just as dumb this year.

NMR

4-4-2015, 2:03 pm

Exactly, Alex.

Same reason Jose Tabata is the starting right fielder. Wait, what was that again?

Alex

4-4-2015, 2:05 pm

$8 million a year is harder to ignore than $4 million a year. Tabata might still have a chance to break out of AAA. Maybe not with the Pirates.

NMR

4-4-2015, 2:08 pm

Ugh...not even worth the time to debate...

Karen22

4-4-2015, 4:47 pm

LOL! Chuckie to the Convenience List. I'm shocked!

Steelkings

4-5-2015, 11:57 am

I feel bad for Morton. He works extremely hard to be right. Sometimes it just aint happening.

VABurgher

4-4-2015, 1:55 pm

Getting nervous about both Locke and Morton neither seems like they deserve the slot they were given. People say Worley stats weren't much better but he had one terrible inning he bounced back from the other two have been consistently bad. Looks like Neil and Clint are looking for a repeat of the Vasquez experience last year a terrible spring but a solid season.

JAL

4-4-2015, 2:15 pm

Locke pitched well last night, victimized by his defense in the first. Morton was dreadful today.

bpn8pitt

4-4-2015, 2:16 pm

Smh, Steve Sax.

NMR

4-4-2015, 2:44 pm

Wow. Going to seriously have to consider eating the ball with men on 2nd or 3rd, a la Garrett Jones.

Steelkings

4-5-2015, 11:57 am

And thats a surprise because?

bpn8pitt

4-4-2015, 3:03 pm

Man, I hope Harts knees are okay from running.

bpn8pitt

4-4-2015, 4:10 pm

Meh, losing Cumpton and Volquez is gonna hurt more than I thought.

Durka

4-4-2015, 4:39 pm

Chuck to the DL. Smart move. Thought it was already mentioned before spring training even started

Arriba Wilver

4-4-2015, 5:04 pm

I never understood them pushing him, especially when they had other arms. I guess this means Stolmy and Hughes will Stay north.

JAL

4-4-2015, 5:22 pm

Yep Morton to DL, Worley to rotation, Lambo last bench spot, Cameniero and Liz pen spots. No word on Stolmy, roster needs to be set by 3 pm tomorrow.

chethejet

4-4-2015, 5:43 pm

Morton may need time to get things back to form. At least I hope that is the case. My guess is he is not any better than Worley anyway. But two more years of paying him 8 million looks like money down the drain. the oiption will not be exercised by the bucs with Tallion, Kingston and Glasnow coming.

ledtotheflood

4-4-2015, 6:44 pm

It certainly is a viable point on Hart's knees though I trust the remark was in fun rather than juvenile baiting if that was the intention. Corey Hart, knowledgeable fans may recall, missed the 2013 season due to micro-fracture surgery on both knees. He is not really a guy you want patrolling your pastures. First base is a far better fit, and DH is best.

bpn8pitt

4-4-2015, 7:04 pm

He got lifted for a pinch runner after reaching 3rd on an error. Wherever he's playing I don't think the Pirates intend him running 270 feet at a time.

You maybe right though. If Pedro Alvarez ' s yips are as bad as they appear, Hart's playing 1st more than anything.

ledtotheflood

4-5-2015, 2:40 am

Yep. Mariners found him a liability in the outfield and only used him there 54 innings the whole 2014 season. He wasn't stellar when he was used there. Brewers GM Doug Melvin was on it in 2012, but Hart's agent was tough to deal with on a switch to first base. I guess the agent perceived a dip in Hart as a first baseman exclusively, bpn8pitt. Peace, man!

bpn8pitt

4-5-2015, 8:30 am

He only played 68 games.

Hope you sent Lunchbox an Easter card.

ledtotheflood

4-5-2015, 4:27 pm

Sigh. Going to be a long season, my friend.

JMo

4-4-2015, 10:29 pm

Sure hope the open roster spot doesn't go to piementel.....this would be s great opportunity to bring Holdzkom back up.

wjpresutti

4-4-2015, 10:45 pm

Anyone think Charlie Morton is a starter they can count on? Rather have Vance Worley in the rotation.

ledtotheflood

4-5-2015, 2:47 am

Has Morton started at least 30 games in a season? Has he ever pitched 175 innings in a year? Very deflating given his good stuff that hasn't carried over into real success. He misses time every year. If he can't overcome this setback along with a sudden case of Blassitis, the $8 million owed him (and the $4 million owed Tabate) constrains the club financially from needed upgrades, sadly.

JosePagan

4-5-2015, 11:26 am

Am I the only one to notice that Pedro had 2 throwing errors yesterday, this time throwing from 1B to 2B, and beyond?

I am hoping this is an anomaly...

Jose

bpn8pitt

4-5-2015, 12:45 pm

Game before had some issues too. Also seems like the picks won't be automatic either.

Just hope he hits, man. Gonna have to live with the defense.

theBikeman

4-5-2015, 11:27 am

test

theBikeman

4-5-2015, 11:28 am

test

theBikeman

4-5-2015, 11:28 am

test

theBikeman

4-5-2015, 11:28 am

test

theBikeman

4-5-2015, 11:28 am

test

Phillies 6, Pirates 4

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