Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Breaking Down 76ers' Exhibit 10 Deal with Christ Koumadje

We've officially signed Christ Koumadje to a contract! ✍️https://t.co/s1bYt7x0ET | #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/OQJSzMBor5

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 19, 2019

By Scott Cashin, Sports Talk Philly Writer

The Philadelphia 76ers used the Exhibit 10 to sign Christ Koumadje to a one-year, partially guaranteed contract on Friday afternoon.

You might wonder what is an Exhibit 10 deal?  Exhibit 10 is a clause that can be included in a minimum contract to allow for a bonus for a waived player signing with the team’s G-League affiliate in the event they don’t make the 15-man roster.  To qualify for a bonus that can range between $5,000 and $50,000, the player must be on the G-League roster for at least 60 days.  The player can be signed to a two-way contract if one is available.

Phillies Seek 1st Consecutive Series Wins in Pittsburgh Since 1987

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Behind RHP Zach Eflin, the Philadelphia Phillies (51-47) will look to continue their recent momentum into the second of a three-game road set opposite the Pittsburgh Pirates (45-51) Saturday evening at PNC Park.

RELATED | Phillies Cruise Past Pirates for 2nd Straight Win

The Phillies' offense came alive in the 6-1 series opener win, outhitting the Pirates 15-7 and going 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Adam Haseley tallied two RBI, including his second career home run to tie the game at one in the fifth. Cole Irvin was credited with his first career save, allowing only one hit over the final two frames to secure the Phillies win. Starter Jake Arrieta tossed 5 2/3 innings, allowing only one run on six hits, two walks and four strikeouts.

A win on Saturday would mark the first time that the Phillies won consecutive series at PNC Park, which opened in 2001, and the first time in Pittsburgh overall since 1987, notes The Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Breen.

Starting for the Pirates will be four-year veteran RHP Joe Musgrove. The right-hander was originally slated to start in Sunday's finale, but he was moved up a day to replace RHP Trevor Williams, scratched due to flu-like symptoms.

Pirates are honoring 1979 champs tonight so Phillies and Pirates will both wear throwbacks. Pirates in black and Phillies in powder blue. Two great looks. pic.twitter.com/t5IlAdqx8K

— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) July 20, 2019

Both Eflin and Musgrove struggled in their most recent starts last Monday, allowing a combined 14 hits, 12 runs (11 earned), four walks, and two home runs over 10 2/3 innings. The Phillies lost 16-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Pirates were blanked, 7-0, by the St. Louis Cardinals.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (51-47)			Pittsburgh Pirates (45-51)
RHP	Zach Eflin		RHP	Joe Musgrove
	(7-9, 4.16 ERA)			(6-8, 4.31 ERA)

Phillies Cruise Past Pirates for 2nd Straight Win

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

After splitting their six-game homestand, the Philadelphia Phillies (51-47) started their five-game road trip on a positive note Friday evening at PNC Park, defeating their Pennsylvania state rival Pittsburgh Pirates (45-51), 6-1. The Phillies have now won three of their last four games and four of their last six.

The Pirates got out to an early 1-0 lead in the second, when with two outs Pirates catcher Elias Diaz laced a RBI single to center field. Another run from either side would not score until the top of the fifth, when rookie Adam Haseley drilled his second career home run — and second in as many games — to center, tying the game at one. Earlier in the game, Haseley recorded his first career outfield assist.

402 feet later, the #Phillies' Adam Haseley has #MLB homer No. 2.

The 2017 first-round #MLBDraft pick is up to 12 dingers across @MLB and @MiLB this season. pic.twitter.com/8bVOZiaWtB

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 20, 2019

Bryce Harper would produce the game-winning run two innings later, when with runners on the corners and two outs, he hit a RBI single, his 70th RBI, to center to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead. The next inning, Jean Segura worked a 13-pitch at-bat, with the bases loaded and two outs, that resulted after replay review in a RBI infield single.

The Phillies added three insurance runs in the ninth, highligted by Maikel Franco's RBI single and Haseley's RBI double to deep right, his second extra-base hit of the game.

Despite pitching his second straight start with a bone spur, Jake Arrieta managed to allow just one run, six hits and two walks, while punching out four batters, through 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander was credited with the winning decision, improving his record to 4-2 over eight starts since the start of June.

In relief of Arrieta, the Phillies bullpen in Juan Nicasio (1/3 inning), Jose Alvarez (one inning) and Cole Irvin (two innings) allowed just one baserunner, while striking out one batter. Pirates starter Jordan Lyles allowed one through, seven hits and one walk over 5 2/3 innings.

Nicasio earned the winning decision, while Irvin was credited with his first career save.

The Phillies have scored 24 runs over their last four games, and with the win, they have now won seven of their last eight games against the Pirates dating back to last season.

Report: Phillies, Braves Scout LHP Mike Minor

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Drew Smyly might not be the only left-handed addition to the Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching rotation come the July 31 trade deadline.

RELATED | Report: Phillies Interested in Reunion with LHP Jake Diekman

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Phillies, along with their National League East division rival Atlanta Braves, scouted Texas Rangers LHP Mike Minor in his start Friday evening, away against the Houston Astros. Through his first three innings, the 2019 American League All-Star allowed four solo home runs, one walk and six hits overall.

Report: Phillies Interested in Reunion with LHP Jake Diekman

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

While David Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez are on the mend, the Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly still considering options to improve their pitching staff through external means, in addition to signing LHP Drew Smyly.

The Phillies are reportedly interested in a reunion with Kansas City Royals southpaw reliever Jake Diekman, as they scouted them during the Royals' last homestand, as well as at Progressive Field on Friday, according to MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan.

Entering Friday's action, Diekman had gone 0-6 with a 4.89 ERA this season, but he did record 57 strikeouts over 38 2/3 innings and 45 appearances. The southpaw went 9-11 with a 3.84 ERA in 191 appearances with the Phillies from 2012 to 2015.

Darren Sproles Returns to Eagles on One-Year Deal

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

With just days until the start of Eagles training camp, Howie Roseman and the front office decided to make a change.

On Friday afternoon, the team announced that they had signed veteran running back and return man Darren Sproles to a one-year deal.

Roster Move: #Eagles have agreed to terms with RB Darren Sproles on a one-year contract.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/l6qnpthxLJ

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 19, 2019

Sproles will join Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders and Corey Clement as running backs that seem to have a spot locked up on the 53-man roster. His return will likely make it difficult for Boston Scott, Wendell Smallwood or Josh Adams to crack the roster.

His ability as a return man could also make the path more difficult for guys like Deandre Thompkins and Blake Countess to earn a spot based off of their own returning skills.

You could certainly say it is a debatable move.

On one hand, Sproles could provide a much needed boost to a team that lacked a real return game all season. Sproles also provides and excellent veteran presence.

Of course, it must also be noted that Sproles is currently sixth on the All-Time All-Purpose yardage leaderboard. He is just 162 yards behind Hall of Famer Tim Brown for the fifth spot.

On the flip side, Sproles taking a roster spot seemingly removes young talent from the roster and could come back to bite the team.

Sproles has also appeared in just nine games over the past two regular seasons. A player with that injury history probably can't be counted on to stay healthy all season and the team will likely look to keep at least one of the previously mentioned young backs around by signing them to the practice squad.

One thing is certain - many of his teammates are glad he's back. We'll just have to wait and see if it was a good move to bring him back.

76ers, Christ Koumadje Agree to One-Year, Partially Guaranteed Contract

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By Matt Gregan, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a one-year, partially guaranteed contract with Christ Koumadje on Friday afternoon, according to The Athletic's Michael Scotto. 

The Philadelphia 76ers and Christ Koumadje have agreed to a one-year, partially guaranteed deal, league sources told @TheAthleticNBA. Koumadje played in Summer League for the 76ers after going undrafted.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 19, 2019

Koumadje, a big man from Florida State, went undrafted in this year's NBA Draft before joining the 76ers in late June for the Summer League. He averaged 6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in just under 14 minutes per game in the Summer League. He showed that he possesses some key defensive skills, namely the ability to block shots, but otherwise has a very raw game on the court. 

The big man from Chad, standing at 7-foot-4, still has a lot of developing to do on the court. During his senior year at Florida State, Koumadje averaged only 6.6 points per game. He didn't play many minutes in his four years in college, averaging 12.1 minutes per game.

Phillies' Smyly to Replace Pivetta in Rotation, Debut This Sunday

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Drew Smyly in, Nick Pivetta out.

The newest member of the Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation will make his club debut in Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, according to Manager Gabe Kapler.

While most expected Smlyly to replace Vince Velasquez in the starting rotation, he instead will replace Pivetta, who will be available out of the bullpen starting in Friday's three-game road series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

RELATED | Report: Left-Hander Drew Smyly Agrees to Deal with Phillies

Smyly's Sunday appearance and overall deal is still pending a physical, according to Kapler. Velasquez was supposed to start Sunday, but will instead make his next appearance on Wednesday, away against the Detroit Tigers. Kapler told reporters that the Phillies "have already seen Velasquez in the bullpen" and they want to now "see what Pivetta can do there."

Nick Pivetta seemed a bit frustrated today about moving to the bullpen with the Phillies near a deal for Drew Smyly. “They had their explanation and I’m in the bullpen. That’s all I have to say." https://t.co/I45ve4oEW8

— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) July 19, 2019

Pivetta has struggled has of late, allowing 24 runs (23 earned) over his last six starts and 30 2/3 innings, good for a 6.75 ER and .289/.362/.562 opposing slash. The Phillies acquired the three-year veteran, who is 19-28 with a 5.41 ERA through 72 career games (71 starts), from the Washington Nationals in July 2015 for closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Phillies' Dominguez, Robertson Could Soon Return at 'Full Strength'

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

While the Philadelphia Phillies will potentially further address their starting rotation woes ahead of the July 31 trade deadline — in addition to signing southpaw Drew Smyly on Friday — the club may not be as inclined to acquire relief pitchers.

Such relievers are already on their 40-man roster, as according to Philadelphia Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler in conversation with MLB Network Radio, the team could soon get back two key right-handed relievers Seranthony Dominguez and David Robertson.

"We can envision a scenario where, at some point in the next three weeks, we have [David] back in our bullpen at full strength," Kapler said. "We could also envision a scenario where at some point in the next month we have [Seranthony] back at full strength in our bullpen ... Those would be the kind of acquisitions that would make us much better immediately."

Robertson has been out since mid-April, while Dominguez has been out since early June — both with elbow injuries.

Phillies Open 5-Game Road Trip Behind Arrieta

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Making his second start since an X-ray revealed he has a bone spur in his right elbow, Philadelphia Phillies (50-47) right-hander Jake Arrieta will square off opposite right-hander Jordan Lyles and the Pittsburgh Pirates (45-50) Friday evening at PNC Park.

The Phillies are coming off of a 3-4, seven-game stretch to open the second-half of the season against arguably the hottest- and best-overall teams in baseball in the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Pirates, meanwhile, are 1-5 since the All-Star break, after going 12-5 in their previous 17 games.

Friday's game will mark the Phillies' first meeting against the Pirates this season, the first of a three-game series, and the first of a five-game road trip (concluding with two games against the Detroit Tigers, July 23-24).

The Phillies had much success against the Pirates last season, winning six of seven games. Manager Gabe Kapler's squad took two of three from the Pirates at PNC Park, July 6-8, 2018, outscoring them 21 to 11 in the series; Arrieta earned the win on July 7, allowing only two runs through seven innings.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (50-47)			Pittsburgh Pirates (45-50)
RHP	Jake Arrieta		RHP	Jordan Lyles
	(8-7, 4.54 ERA)			(5-6, 5.16 ERA)