With four starters out of the lineup and a 23-year-old rookie on the mound, the Phillies handed the Mets a 9-4 thrashing that was far more lopsided than the final score sounds. The Phils lineup read like a Grapefruit League game. Sidelined were veterans Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez. Replacing them were role players like Ben Francisco and Wilson Valdez and John Mayberry Jr.
And yet the result - a lopsided game in which the Phillies led 9-0 before the Mets finally tacked on runs in the final three innings - was the same.
Front and center were a pair of players who have spent the season enduring the frustrating yo-yoing that is common of young pieces on championship teams. Vance Worley and Mayberry bounced back and forth from the big leagues to Lehigh Valley so often that you swear there were times when they waved to each other on the Northeast Extension. Your job as a rookie is to accept that you will only play when somebody does not, and work like hell to make the most of such opportunities.
Well, the Phillies are 83-44, and both Mayberry and Worley are in Philly to stay.
Last night, Mayberry continued his fierce pursuit of an everyday job with his latest home run, hitting a two-run shot off of Mets lefty Jon Niese in the third inning while finishing 2-for-4. Worley, meanwhile, pitched seven strong innings, striking out a career-high nine while walking just one. The contributions were just the latest from players who have been forced into action, following relievers Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes into The Show.
