Some notes about Cliff Lee's performance this season

PBR - Looking at Cliff Lee's Fangraph's page during tonight's contest, I wanted to touch on some numbers that stood out:

• His home runs allowed per start is up 61% this season compared to 2011.
• His BABIP against is .317, the highest in his career. His career BABIP against is .296.
• Lastly, his Ground Ball Rate (49.3%) is nearly 10% higher than his career average and 3% higher than last year.

I also looked back at each of his starts and used Bill James' Game Score statistic to see how each of his performances compared to the opposition.

For those unfamiliar with Game Score, the statistic is derived using the following steps:

1. Start with 50 points.
2. Add 1 point for each out recorded, so 3 points for every complete inning pitched.
3. Add 2 points for each inning completed after the 4th.
4. Add 1 point for each strikeout.
5. Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed.
6. Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed.
7. Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed.
8. Subtract 1 point for each walk.

Take a  look at the image below showing Game Scores on the season for Lee and opposing starters:

If nothing else, the graph shows that Lee has been a mediocre pitcher this season - nothing more, nothing less. He's pitched to the level of his competition.  Sure, the offense has sputtered and he's been snake bitten by an unreliable bullpen, but it isn't as if he's went out and tossed several gems that were coughed up.

Yes, Lee has encountered some bad luck this season, but what pitcher hasn't? 

Sometimes a pitcher has to do more with less to succeed. So far this season, Lee hasn't done that.

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Late heroics from Pena trump Hamels and Phils

PBR - Carlos Pena clubbed a three-run home run in the eighth inning off reliever Antonio Bastardo to lift the Rays past the Phillies in the first game of  Sunday's day-night doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, 3-2.

Carlos Pena

Bastardo replaced Cole Hamels to open the eighth and walked both Elliot Johnson and B.J. Upton to set the table for Pena's blast to right field.   

Hamels tossed seven strong innings and finished with 111 pitches, scattering three hits while striking out seven.

Jimmy Rollins opened the scoring with a solo home run to left in the sixth, marking the third time in his career he's hit a homer in three consecutive games.

The Phillies challenged in the eighth with Hunter Pence hitting a one-out double and eventually scoring on a Ty Wigginton single to center, cutting the Rays lead to 3-2. Later in the frame, with the bases loaded, reliever Jake McGee induced a Michael Martinez pop-up to end the threat. 

David Price hurled seven innings, allowing four hits and walking three. He notched eight strikeouts in the winning effort.

Fernando Rodney picked up the save, his 21st of the season.

NOTES: Cliff Lee, who originally was scheduled to pitch Friday's contest that was rained-out, will pitch the nightcap for the Phils. Still searching for his first win of the season, Lee has struggled in his last three starts, posting a 4.79 ERA.

Meanwhile, manager Joe Maddon will use a committee of relievers for the Rays.

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Thome, Phillies win in walk-off fashion

PBR -  Pinch-hitter Jim Thome hit a home run leading off the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Phillies over Tampa Bay after Jonathan Papelbon blew his first save in 18 chances this season.

Juan Pierre and Jimmy Rollins also homered for the Phillies, helping manager Charlie Manuel earn his 900th career win.

Thome connected off Jake McGee (2-2) for home run No. 609, tying Sammy Sosa for seventh place on baseball's career list.

Tampa Bay's Jeff Keppinger was 5 for 5 with three RBIs in his first game after he missed 29 because of a broken toe.

Papelbon (2-2) allowed his first earned runs in a save situation this season.

The victory was Charlie Manuel's 900th as a manager.

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Saturday Notebook: Kendrick's peripheral numbers

PBR - Kyle Kendrick enters Saturday's contest against the Rays hoping to snap a personal three-game slide. The right-hander has surrendered 16 earned runs on 20 hits over his last three starts. He's also walked nine and the opposition has a .304 batting average against.

Kyle Kendrick (2-7, 5.29) starts Saturday.

"I felt like I pitched a lot better than what my numbers showed," Kendrick said after his last start, a 6-2 loss in Toronto. "A couple mistakes they hit and didn't miss."

Kendrick's peripheral numbers this season are intriguing. He's striking out more batters than he has in the past, yet he's also walking more. His BB/9 (3.29) and Opp. BA. (.292) are poor, yet his K/9 (5.71) is a career best. His swinging-strike-rate (7.8%) is nearly 3% higher than at any other time in his career.

Considering the facts above, Kendrick's issue this season may simply be he's trying to be too fine with his pitches. He's getting more balls over the zone (see elevated strikeout rate), but he's leaving them in spots that hitters can reach (see batting average against). He may also be trying to nibble too much around the plate, hence the increase in walks.

Going a step further, Kendrick has been in 27 full-count situations this year. Of those 27 occurrences, batters put the ball in play 14 times, walked 10 times, and struck out just three times (all on swinging strikes).

NOTE: With last night's rainout the Phillies and Rays will play a doubleheader on Sunday, with the first game starting at 1:05 p.m. ET and the second at 6:35 p.m.

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Thome leads Phils past Twins

PBR - Phillies starter Cole Hamels had blown a three-run lead in each of his last two starts, but was staked to a six-run advantage before he even took the mound Wednesday.

Hamels, though, wobbled through six-plus innings and the Twins made a late charge, but Philadelphia hung on for a 9-8 win over Minnesota in the middle installment of a three-game interleague series.

Former Twin Jim Thome registered four RBI, including a mammoth two-run shot, while John Mayberry belted a three-run homer as part of the six-run top of the first for the Phillies, who won for just the second time in their last 11 games.

Hamels (9-3) fanned six and surrendered seven runs -- six earned -- on eight hits. The All-Star left-hander has accumulated a 6.75 ERA over his first three starts in June.

(Sports Network)

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Phillies' Offense Strikes Early

PBR- The Phillies jumped on the Orioles early, scoring all of their nine runs before the fifth inning. Starter Joe Blanton struck out seven in six and two-thirds innings.

Shane Victorino led a powerful offensive charge with five RBIs on three hits, including a home run in the fourth inning with two out. Victorino also scored two runs.

Fan-favorite Jim Thome showed sparks of his old self, cracking three hits and scoring two runs for the Phillies.

Baltimore starter Jake Arrieta struggled, going only four innings and surrendering 9 runs on 11 hits.

The Baltimore bullpen gave up one hit in the final five innings, but the Orioles couldn't muster up enough offense to stage a full scale come back.

Designated hitter Chris Davis had two hits for the Orioles and drove in two runs including a solo homerun. Shortstop JJ Hardy also homered for Baltimore.

Tomorrow, the Phillies continue interleague play as Vance Worley takes the mound tomorrow against the Orioles. First pitch is set for 4:05p.m.

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Phillies Drop Fifth Straight

PBR- It has been a different story with the same ending for the Phillies, who dropped their fifth straight game tonight to the Dodgers by a final score of 6-5.

Kyle Kendrick went five and two-thirds innings, giving up five earned runs on four hits and five walks. The Dodgers jumped on Kendrick in the sixth inning with three two-out runs, taking the lead from the Phillies.

Shortstop Dee Gordon drove in two runs for Los Angeles on a bases loaded single, and first baseman James Loney collected two hits on the night.

For Los Angeles, starter Chris Capuano lasted only five innings, and gave up four earned runs.

Ty Wigginton had three hits and drove in two runs, and Jimmy Rollins scattered two hits to lead the Phillies.

The Phillies drop another game, putting their record at 28-30, while the Dodgers move to 36-21.

Cole Hamels will look to stop the Phillies' current skid against Aaron Harang tomorrow, as the Phillies end their series with the Dodgers tomorrow at 1:00 p.m..

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Late Offense Sparks Dodgers

PBR- Cliff Lee was back. The starter had thrown seven innings of shut-out baseball, all while holding on to a tight one-run lead. In the eighth inning, Lee lost that lead and the Phillies ended up losing by a final score of 2-1.

With two outs in the eighth inning, Los Angeles third baseman Elian Herrera doubled scoring Dee Gordon and Bobby Abreu, giving the Dodgers their first lead of the game.

Chad Qualls came in for Lee, but the damage was done. Qualls threw one and one-third perfect innings, but the Phillies couldn't muster up any offense in the eighth or ninth inning.

Hunter Pence drove in the lone run for the Phillies on one of his two hits.

Starter Chad Billingsley got the win for the Dodgers who now move to 35-21. The Phillies now drop under .500 to 28-29.

Tomorrow, Kyle Kendrick is looking to end the Phillies' losing streak and collect his third win, as he takes the mound against Chris Capuano and the Dodgers.

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Dodgers Outlast Phillies

PBR- Both offenses got off to an early start, as the Dodgers outlasted the Phillies 4-3. Starter Clayton Kershaw went seven innings and gave up three.

Vance Worley made his first start off the DL and lasted only four innings, and gave up three runs on five hits.

The Philadelphia bullpen provided four innings of shut out baseball until closer Jonathan Papelbon gave up one run after shortstop Dee Gordon scored on a single by center fielder Elian Herrera.

Placido Polanco collected two hits and two RBI's, including a two-run homer off of Kershaw in the third.

Los Angeles' offense spread the wealth, with six players collecting hits.

Tomorrow Cliff Lee will be looking to turn around the Phillies' two game losing streak against Chad Billingsley at Citizens Bank Park.

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Zambrano Leads Marlins Over Phillies

PBR- Miami starter Carlos Zambrano was on fire this afternoon, leading the Marlins to a 5-1 win over the Phillies. Zambrano threw seven and two-thirds innings of one run ball, giving up only four hits.

The Phillies' offense struggled with only Juan Pierre collecting more than one hit. Pierre had three hits, including the lone RBI that plated Brian Schneider.

Zambrano silenced the Phillies bats and helped lead the Marlins' offense, with two hits including a homerun off of starter Joe Blanton.

Blanton didn't struggle through six inning, only giving up six runs.  He ran into trouble in the seventh inning when he gave up three runs. The Philadelphia offense just wasn't there to support Blanton.

Shortstop Jose Reyes collected two hits for Miami and third baseman Hanley Ramirez homered in the fourth inning to lead their offensive effort.

This loss keeps the Phillies in last place in the NL East, putting their record at 28-27.

Tomorrow Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers will travel to Citizens Bank Park. Vance Worley is expected to come off of the disabled list and slide into Roy Halladay's spot to start.

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Hamels knocked around in 5-4 loss to Marlins

PBR - With the other starters in the Phillies rotation either struggling or injured, Cole Hamels was out on the mound Saturday afternoon in pursuit of his league-leading ninth win against the Marlins.

He'll have to wait, however, as Miami scored five unanswered runs after being down three to come back and beat the Phils, 5-4, in divisional play at Citizens Bank Park.

Hamels pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits despite fanning eight Marlins in only his second loss.

With the Phillies leading 3-2 in the sixth inning, Miami third basemen Hanley Ramirez hit his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to take the lead for the Marlins. An inning later, Jose Reyes doubled in Chris Coghlan for the insurance run.

Miami closer Heath Bell came out in the ninth inning for the save.

Ramirez ended the day 2-for-4 with three RBI and teammate Logan Morrison also went 2-for-4 on the game.

For the Marlins (30-23), starter Ricky Nolasco gave up four earned runs over seven-plus innings of work in the winning effort.

Juan Pierre moved himself up to third base in the first inning with a steal, then another 90 feet for his 999th run scored in his career to put the Phillies (28-26) up 1-0.

Next inning, veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins unintentionally dribbled one to the left side of the infield for a perfect RBI-single that plated Placido Polanco before Hunter Pence led off the third with a solo shot to right for the 3-0 lead.

Pence added another RBI on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to put the Phils within a run. He finished 1-for-2.

Out of the Phils bullpen, Chad Qualls, Michael Schwimer and Raul Valdes made appearance in relief of Hamels.

Tomorrow, the rubber match will feature Joe Blanton (4-4, 4.96 ERA as starter) for the Phillies against Miami pitcher Carlos Zambrano (3-3, 3.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35.

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Kendrick continues to impress, bullpen shaky in 6-4 win against Fish

PBR - Recently, it doesn't really look like anything can faze Kyle Kendrick.

Not the heat, not the rain ... not even a long delay can rattle him.

The right-handed spot starter threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing a pair of runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in the Phillies' 6-4 win over the Marlins Friday night in a rainy Citizens Bank Park.

Kendrick has pitched well this season, posting a 3.27 ERA in seven starts and also going 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA in his last five starts against National League East opponents.

After Miami jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Giancarlo Stanton's RBI double that scored second basemen Omar Infante in the top of the first inning, Hector Luna singled in both Placido Polanco and Hunter Pence to take the advantage right back.

Luna added an RBI double in the seventh inning to give the Phillies a four-run lead.

Phils catcher Carlos Ruiz has put his average up to .381 with a 3-for-4 night against the Marlins. Chooch now has enough at-bats to qualify for a batting title, putting him into a race with San Francisco left fielder Melky Cabrera for the N.L. lead.

Also, Polanco finished the night 3-for-5 to raise his batting average to .284 for an off-an-on Phils lineup that was hitting on all cylinders with 14 hits Friday.

Kendrick got himself into a jammed with the bases loaded in the third, but got Marlins' outfielder Logan Morrison to ground into a double play and escape any damage.

After nearly an hour-long rain delay, Pence (3-for-4 batting) smashed a two-run home run for the Phillies (28-25) off Miami starter Mark Buehrle to make it 4-1 in the fifth.

Buehrle ended the night allowing four runs on 11 hits in the loss for the Marlins (29-23), who are now just 1 1/2 games above the Phillies in the N.L. East.

Jimmy Rollins hit a roller to first in the sixth inning with one out that scored Freddy Galvis on a hit-and-run to go up 5-2 after Miami added a run itself.

Chad Qualls came in relief for Kendrick. Jose Contreras also made an appearance, albeit a short one due to an injury on the delivery of one of his pitches.

Antonio Bastardo pitched out of the bullpen, giving up back-to-back homers to Morrison and pinch-hitter Justin Ruggiano before rookie Jake Diekman came into the game in the eighth and surrendered a few base runners.

Jose Reyes was 3-for-4 on the game for the Marlins and Morrison went 1-for-5.

Phils closer Jonathon Papelbon had to rescue the 'pen in the eighth for the eventual five-out save, his 15th in as many appearances - tying him for the N.L.-lead.

On Saturday, the southpaw Cole Hamels (8-1, 2.43 ERA) will go for win No. 9, opposed by Miami starter Ricky Nolasco (5-3, 4.26 ERA) in the second game of the series against the Marlins at home. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05.

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