Familiar foe helps Giants top Phils in 14
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies were reminded of what could have been Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants.
Imagine San Francisco's Hunter Pence still playing in an outfield at Citizens Bank Park that has become a game of mix and match for manager Ryne Sandberg, save for Marlon Byrd and his production in right field.
It was Ben Revere's opportunity to start Tuesday as Sandberg tries to find the right combination, and he took advantage going 3 for 6 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in the Phillies' 9-6 loss against the Giants in 14 innings. Brandon Crawford knocked in three runs with a bases loaded-double to provide the big blow against reliever Jeff Manship (1-2) in the 14th. Two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum entered from the bullpen with two Phils on base to register the final two outs for his first career save.
"Tough one to swallow on the offensive side of things," Sandberg said. "We had some opportunities. We couldn't put the ball in play."
But Revere is part of an outfield unit that during this season has featured Domonic Brown, Grady Sizemore, John Mayberry Jr. and Darin Ruf with middling success. The Phillies certainly could use Pence, who was traded to the Giants on July 31, 2012, and has become a key piece of a San Francisco team that sits atop the National League West as their leadoff hitter.
In almost two seasons (2011-12) with Philadelphia, Pence hit .289 with 28 home runs and 94 RBIs. Pence crushed a 2-2 pitch to center field off Phillies right-hander Roberto Hernandez for a solo homer to give the Giants a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning. Pence's homer was his 13th of the season. Outside of Bryd, the rest of the Phillies outfielders have combined for 14 home runs this year.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are locked into expensive contracts for aging players. Philadelphia has more than $127 million committed to next year's payroll, which includes $107 million to five players who will be 35 years or older on opening day. One of those players, closer Jonathan Papelbon, blew the save chance Tuesday by giving up a home run to Buster Posey, the first homer he has allowed this season.
"One pitch. First-ball swinging," Sandberg said. "Pitch came back to the plate. But, yeah, he's been on a good roll."
The decision to move Pence was largely influenced by the Phillies organization's unwillingness to give him an expensive, long-term contract – like the five-year, $90 million deal the Giants gave Pence before this season – for a player they didn't believe was a good fit for the middle of their lineup.
Of the three players the Phillies received in the Pence trade, one is in Double-A (Tommy Joseph, who has a history of concussions), another now plays in the Texas Rangers' organization (Seth Rosin) and the last player in the deal plays for the third-worst team in baseball, the Chicago Cubs (Nate Schierholtz).
The scuffling Phillies certainly could use the 31-year-old Pence, with his .303 batting average, .360 on-base percentage, 13 homers and 38 RBIs, in their lineup. The lack of consistent offense has been one of Philadelphia's biggest issues. Phillies starting pitchers have received the third-worst run support average in the majors this season with 3.80 runs per 9 innings.
The year before Pence received his deal from the Giants, the Phillies invested five-years, $125 million in Ryan Howard. Howard, 34, is hitting .222 with 15 home runs and a .303 on-base percentage. He struck out and grounded out in the ninth and 11th innings, respectively, with the potential game-winning run in scoring position on Tuesday.
Contact Meghan Montemurro at mmontemurro@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter at @M_Montemurro.