Post by kalasfan on May 2, 2008 10:03:46 GMT -5
Philly homecoming awaits Rowand
San Francisco (13-16) at Philadelphia (15-13), Fri., 4:05 p.m. PT
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
SAN FRANCISCO -- Aaron Rowand did his best to downplay his return to Philadelphia this weekend.
But once Rowand actually finds himself back among Citizens Bank Park's vocal fans and across the diamond from his ex-teammates, he might not be able to brush off his visit as just another three-game series.
Rowand was an integral part of the Phillies in 2006-07, on and off the field. On it, he particularly sparkled last year, batting .309 with a career-high 27 home runs and 89 RBIs to help Philadelphia capture the National League East title. Off it, he was a central figure in a harmonious clubhouse.
But last offseason was a good one to be a free-agent center fielder, as was the case with Rowand. Phillies management was unwilling to meet his demand for a five-year contract, but other teams were -- including the Giants, who signed him to a five-year, $60 million deal.
Since leaving the Phillies, Rowand has tempered his remarks about their front office. But there's something about the set in his jaw and the steely expression on his face when he's asked about Philadelphia that suggests he's just a little peeved at the way events developed.
"That's in the past. I'm in San Francisco now playing for the Giants," he said. "I look back at my time with Philadelphia with fondness and it puts a smile on my face. But I'm not going to dwell on any of the stuff that happened during the offseason."
Rowand was unrestrained in his enthusiasm for Phillies players and manager Charlie Manuel.
Asked which Phillies he's looking forward to seeing, Rowand replied, "All of them. We had a really close group over there. It'll be nice to see those guys again."
Of Manuel, Rowand said, "I loved playing for him. He was a great man, a great manager and I was very close with him. I miss him just as much as I miss the guys on the team."
Rowand has adjusted well with the Giants, whose younger players regard him as a positive example. But little has come easily for Rowand, who played most of April with a cracked rib. Despite the injury, he's batting .326 with two home runs and 14 RBIs.
"I'm looking forward to May," Rowand said with a grin. "In this game, you're not going to be 100 percent all the time. This month happened to be a particularly rough one, but it's almost over. We'll start over again in May."
Pitching matchup
SF: LHP Pat Misch (0-0, 3.00 ERA)
Misch was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Sunday, when right-hander Kevin Correia was placed on the disabled list with a strained left side. Misch pitched that day after Barry Zito allowed eight runs in three innings and saved San Francisco's bullpen by gobbling up the final six innings. Misch surrendered only two runs, both on homers by Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips. Since 2006, Misch is 0-4 with a 3.99 ERA in 20 Major League appearances, including four starts. He's not overpowering, but he's capable of maintaining effectiveness by hitting the corners with his fastball and changing speeds.
PHI: RHP Kyle Kendrick (2-2, 5.13 ERA)
The 23-year-old Kendrick has never faced the Giants in 25 career starts. The only player on the Giants roster he has faced is infielder Jose Castillo, who is 2-for-3 with a double against him. The Phillies are 16-9 when he starts.
Tidbits
The Giants will sell select bleacher and view reserved tickets to the Friday, May 9, game against Philadelphia for $5 off, due to the five strikeouts accumulated by San Francisco pitchers Tuesday. ... Castillo drew two walks in a game Tuesday for only the ninth time in his career. ... Rowand needs five home runs to reach 100 for his career. ... The Giants and Phillies not only split the eight games they played last year, but they also divided each four-game series in both cities. The Phillies were 5-1 against the Giants in the previous two seasons. ... Ray Durham's batting .314 (11-for-35) while hitting safely in nine of his last 11 games.
San Francisco (13-16) at Philadelphia (15-13), Fri., 4:05 p.m. PT
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
SAN FRANCISCO -- Aaron Rowand did his best to downplay his return to Philadelphia this weekend.
But once Rowand actually finds himself back among Citizens Bank Park's vocal fans and across the diamond from his ex-teammates, he might not be able to brush off his visit as just another three-game series.
Rowand was an integral part of the Phillies in 2006-07, on and off the field. On it, he particularly sparkled last year, batting .309 with a career-high 27 home runs and 89 RBIs to help Philadelphia capture the National League East title. Off it, he was a central figure in a harmonious clubhouse.
But last offseason was a good one to be a free-agent center fielder, as was the case with Rowand. Phillies management was unwilling to meet his demand for a five-year contract, but other teams were -- including the Giants, who signed him to a five-year, $60 million deal.
Since leaving the Phillies, Rowand has tempered his remarks about their front office. But there's something about the set in his jaw and the steely expression on his face when he's asked about Philadelphia that suggests he's just a little peeved at the way events developed.
"That's in the past. I'm in San Francisco now playing for the Giants," he said. "I look back at my time with Philadelphia with fondness and it puts a smile on my face. But I'm not going to dwell on any of the stuff that happened during the offseason."
Rowand was unrestrained in his enthusiasm for Phillies players and manager Charlie Manuel.
Asked which Phillies he's looking forward to seeing, Rowand replied, "All of them. We had a really close group over there. It'll be nice to see those guys again."
Of Manuel, Rowand said, "I loved playing for him. He was a great man, a great manager and I was very close with him. I miss him just as much as I miss the guys on the team."
Rowand has adjusted well with the Giants, whose younger players regard him as a positive example. But little has come easily for Rowand, who played most of April with a cracked rib. Despite the injury, he's batting .326 with two home runs and 14 RBIs.
"I'm looking forward to May," Rowand said with a grin. "In this game, you're not going to be 100 percent all the time. This month happened to be a particularly rough one, but it's almost over. We'll start over again in May."
Pitching matchup
SF: LHP Pat Misch (0-0, 3.00 ERA)
Misch was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Sunday, when right-hander Kevin Correia was placed on the disabled list with a strained left side. Misch pitched that day after Barry Zito allowed eight runs in three innings and saved San Francisco's bullpen by gobbling up the final six innings. Misch surrendered only two runs, both on homers by Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips. Since 2006, Misch is 0-4 with a 3.99 ERA in 20 Major League appearances, including four starts. He's not overpowering, but he's capable of maintaining effectiveness by hitting the corners with his fastball and changing speeds.
PHI: RHP Kyle Kendrick (2-2, 5.13 ERA)
The 23-year-old Kendrick has never faced the Giants in 25 career starts. The only player on the Giants roster he has faced is infielder Jose Castillo, who is 2-for-3 with a double against him. The Phillies are 16-9 when he starts.
Tidbits
The Giants will sell select bleacher and view reserved tickets to the Friday, May 9, game against Philadelphia for $5 off, due to the five strikeouts accumulated by San Francisco pitchers Tuesday. ... Castillo drew two walks in a game Tuesday for only the ninth time in his career. ... Rowand needs five home runs to reach 100 for his career. ... The Giants and Phillies not only split the eight games they played last year, but they also divided each four-game series in both cities. The Phillies were 5-1 against the Giants in the previous two seasons. ... Ray Durham's batting .314 (11-for-35) while hitting safely in nine of his last 11 games.
If I know the Phillies fans, Rowand will get a mixed reaction tonight. There will be some boos and some cheers, mostly the latter.