Notes: Rodriguez making his case

03/25/2006
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Charlie Manuel knows the Phillies are going to hit the ball and score runs this season. Manuel is also confident about his starters and his closer.
What concerns him, though, is the middle relief.
In Friday's night's 5-4 win over the Pirates, Ricardo Rodriguez did plenty to allay Manuel's anxiety. Rodriguez pitched three innings in relief, allowing no runs and no hits with two strikeouts. The performance allowed the Phillies to stay in the game long enough for Chris Coste's game-winning two-run double in the seventh.
"Rodriguez has a big arm, and he had great command and control [against the Pirates]," said Manuel, who expects to make a decision between Rodriguez, Eude Brito, Chris Booker, Robinson Tejeda and Yoel Hernandez. "He threw strikes, and his breaking ball was a lot better. He has the potential to do that during the season if he keeps his command together."
Rodriguez, acquired in the offseason from the Rangers for Vicente Padilla, lowered his ERA from 5.40 to 4.15 for the spring in six games, two of which he started.
The 27-year-old right-hander began last season at Triple-A Oklahoma, and the Rangers called him up in June. In 57 innings, he compiled a 2-3 record with a 5.53 ERA. His statistical line also includes 24 strikeouts and 17 walks.
The Rangers were 5-1 in the six games in which Rodriguez started.
"He has the ability to go both ways, either as a starter or a reliever," Manuel said. "Those are the kinds of things you have to consider."
After his outing Friday, Rodriguez seems to have taken a step or two ahead of the competition.
In the same game, Brito was hit hard. He allowed four runs in two innings.
On Saturday, Tejeda came in to relieve Brett Myers with the Phillies trailing the Pirates, 3-2. Tejeda proceeded to give up five runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Myers shines: Myers is amped to start the season. If he had his druthers, he'd fly up to Philadelphia tonight.
"If it was up to me, I'd rather only pitch two innings and then jump back on the mound," said Myers, who had an efficient day on the mound in the Phillies' 8-3 loss Saturday.
He went six innings, gave up seven hits and allowed three runs, two of which were earned.
"I felt real good," said Myers, who is scheduled to make one more start before the Phillies break camp. "I threw 99 pitches, but it felt like only 85. I wanted to go one more inning, but they wouldn't let me. I'm just ready to go."
Duck! Brandon Duckworth faced his old team for the first time on Saturday. Duckworth, who came up through the Phillies organization after being signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1997, was one of three players traded to the Astros in 2003 for Billy Wagner.
But Duckworth looked at the reunion as all business. He pitched four innings in relief and allowed one run on three hits. He struck out three and walked two, making a solid case to fill the last spot in the Pirates' rotation.
"It was cool to see some of the guys again," he said. "But it was my day to pitch, so that's what I was concentrating on. I feel confident about my chances, and I think I'm progressing at a good pace."
Still going: The Phillies continued their offensive onslaught. They hit two home runs off Pirates starter Victor Santos. Phillies have hit a homer in every game this spring. Overall, they have 39.
"I think it's an indication that, although it doesn't appear on paper, we have a solid lineup from top to bottom," Aaron Rowand said. "There's no egos on this team, and that was a huge part to us winning in Chicago.
"I see a lot of similarities with this team where each guy is pulling for the other one, and that will hopefully equate into wins."
Myers, who was the beneficiary of homers by Jimmy Rollins and Bobby Abreu, echoed Rowand's comments.
"These guys can flat out hit," Myers said. "I was watching Rowand in the cage the other day, and he was saying he was just gonna be a 'Punch-and-Judy hitter.' Then, he goes out there [Friday] and smacks a bomb and a double that bounced off the top of the [center field] wall that should have been another one. I'm excited about this team."
Philly shorts: Pat Burrell will make his first Grapefruit League appearance since March 21.
Burrell, who has been suffering from injuries to his foot and calf, has played in a few Minor League games since then, and Manuel expects him to get a couple at-bats in the game against Boston. ... Mike Lieberthal will see action in some Minor League games before making his return next week.

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/