Webster’s Phillies (6-0) putting on a clinic in the early going

Jack Webster is having a hard time playing off his famed “underdog” image so far as his Phils are barely being scored upon as the regular season approaches the mid-way mark. This week the Phils went 3-0 with two blowout wins and two shutouts. To make it interesting to an already overpowering staff, a new pitcher Tim O’Sullivan was introduced and he allowed just two runs in seven innings of work. O’Sullivan also had a key rbi triple to go a long with his five shutout innings in his teams 4-0 win over the Astros. In that game Mike Rainone threw out a would-be base stealer and had an rbi double. In the weekday routs hitting was plentiful with Zac Sahagian hitting a grand slam and double, Dan Baker three hits, Justin McKiel two hits and a double and Rainone four hits and a triple. 

For other NL highlights, the Padres had two wins last week. Harrison Fiscus had three doubles for the week to lead the hitters and Troy Anderson was a force on the mound including disposing of six straight hitters on 17 pitches in one outing. Player of the Week Cary Thabet starred in both wins (see details below).  The Astros took a nice win over the Padres in the mid-week game behind Andrew White who recorded his second straight win, this time a complete game victory in which he retired the first 12 batters he faced. 

In the AL, the story of the week was the Angels being defeated for the first time by the upstart Athletics. The A’s have been a Jekyll and Hyde outfit this season and it was their better side that took down the Halo’s 5-4. In that game Kevin Dewing was the difference maker, with Matt Weber and Matt Coughlin providing strong support. Matt Lenox had a nice outing in the Mariners first win, only some sloppy defense prevented him from a spotless three inning save along with his two hits. Dan Tighe also had three hits for the victors. The Royals prevailed after a series of close losses to start the year. Ronnie Bartalini got the seven inning win with 11 strikeouts and adding two hits himself. Ryan Fargo and Spencer Hilliard both had two hits and two rbis apiece. In the White Sox two wins, Kyle Ventura was strong of the mound with five of his six innings pitched being scoreless and Joe Rizzo threw a four inning shutout in their 4-1 win over the Bucs. 

OLDE REDDING BUTCHER SHOPPE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cary Thabet (Padres)

Cary Thabet had an outstanding week of play.  He has been solid on both offense and defense.  Cary was 6 for 10 last week at the plate with two doubles and seven RBI’s.  In the field he turned three double plays at shortstop and one was a solo effort with an outstanding catch robbing the batter of a sure hit and throwing the runner out at first trying to get back.  In his final Babe Ruth season it was noted by his coach that Cary has shown strong character on the field and with his teammates, and performing any role asked of him.

Honorable Mention:   Tim O’Sullivan (Phillies)    Ronny Bartalini (Royals)