Where's the home cooking?

Two things we need to do: (1) get the starting pitching straightened out and (2) begin a hot streak at home.  We marched through October’s postseason, winning seven of nine home games.  It hasn’t carried over to this season as we are 6-8.

Next six games are at Citizens Bank Park.  Braves begin a weekend series tonight, three games in three days with three different starting times: 7:05 tonight, 3:40 tomorrow afternoon (FOX TV) and 12:35 Sunday afternoon (TBS).  Blackout rules will apply for Sunday’s telecast.

Fielding Gem
Our starting pitchers had the dubious distinction of yielding home runs in the first 16 games of the season, something that has never been done.

Well, the defense set a new standard.  According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Phillies set a major league record by not allowing an unearned run in the first 24 games of the season.  Place an asterisk beside this one: *since the statistics became official in 1912.

Unfortunately, the streak ended on Wednesday night and an error led to the winning run in a 1-0 defeat.

Guess who held the previous record, 23 games?  None other than the 1998 Phillies.

The most unearned runs allowed this year?  Detroit and Baltimore, 23 each.

Did you know?
**The Phillies are second to the Dodgers in average attendance, 42,172 to 42,408.  Phillies average should increase during this homestand.

**The Phillies and Oakland A’s have something in common, the fewest games played this season (26).

**The Phillies lead the NL in homers hit (37) and homers allowed (49).

April Winners
Reading Phillies outfielder Michael Taylor is the Phillies minor league Player of the Month for April.  Pitching award goes to Yohan Flande of the Clearwater Threshers.