Phillies' Mark Appel: Tagged for six runs Tuesday

Appel allowed six runs on 11 hits over four innings Tuesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.

Appel gave up a couple of home runs in a game that saw a total of five homers, thanks in part to a strong breeze blowing out to right field. The former No. 1 overall pick now has a 7.48 ERA and a 17:9 K:BB in 21.2 innings for Lehigh Valley this season. He has also failed to go past five innings in any of his starts. The Phillies may soon have to think about shifting Appel to the pen to see if his stuff will play up better in a relief role. It is looking increasingly unlikely that he will ever carve out a career as a starter in the majors.