Saturday, August 26, 2006
PHILLIES NEWS
Remember last night, when I said if you score runs early and get good pitching, those runs stand up long enough to get you win. Well, that didn't quite work out for the Phils tonight. Just Like last night the Phils started strong. Yes, They trailed early 2-0 on a 2 run homer by Carlos Beltran in the 1st inning, but Ryan Howard led them back with a grand slam, as part of a 5 run 5th inning for a 5-2 lead. This time however, that lead would not hold up for the remainder of the game. Starter Jon Lieber pitched well, tossing 6 innings and holding the Mets to 4 runs, but the Phils bullpen just didn't have it tonight. When the bottom of the 7th inning started the Phils were holding a precarious 5-4 lead, but by the time it ended the Phils bullpen had imploded, and the Mets had scored 7 runs to take what would be an insurmountable 11-5 lead. All told in the inning, relievers Rick White and Aaron Fultz were roughed up for 7 runs on 7 hits. Basically, when the 7th inning was over the game was over too, as the Phils never recovered from it, and lost 11-5. In the end the Phils lost because their offense didn't keep after the Mets, and their bullpen just picked a bad time to have arguably their worst night of the year. Fortunately for the Phils, the Reds also lost earlier today so the Phillies remain 1.5 games back in the wild card race, so they are still okay for now. Well, happy trails everyone.
Friday, August 25, 2006
PHILLIES NEWS
Sometimes when you score runs early and you get good pitching, those early runs stand up for the entire the game, and stand up they did for the Phillies tonight. The Phils got on the board early with 4 runs in the 1st 3 innings and they held up for the rest of the night, as Randy Wolf pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, and relievers, Geoff Geary, Arthur Rhodes, and Ryan Madson combined to blank the Mets for the final 4 innings. Now, if I was to ask you who the team leaders are for the Phillies, you would probably answer Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. Well wouldn't you know it was those 2 that combined to knock in all 4 Phillies runs. Utley had an RBI single in the 1st inning and Howard had a sac fly in the 1st inning and a 2 run homer in the 3rd inning (that's 45 now). Now, just to put this win (it was 4-3 Phillies) in perspective let's look at how the Mets played tonight. Their starter Brian Bannister actually pitched 6 innings, 1 more than Wolf, but he gave up 4 runs on 6 hits, as opposed to 3 runs on 5 hits, and he too was followed by scoreless innings from the Mets bullpen, although only 3 instead of 4. Now offensively, a guy you might consider a team leader on the Mets, like Utley and Howard on the Phils, Carlos Beltran knocked in all 3 Mets runs on an RBI double and a 2 run homer. So as you can see, the 2 teams played pretty evenly, but the Phillies were just a little better, which bodes well for them ,for the remainder of the season. I mean, it really says something about your team when they can go from being blown out by arguably the worst team in the NL 1 night, to beating what is arguably the best team in the NL the next night. Anyway speaking of the remainder of the season, the Reds lost tonight and the Cardinals won, so the Cardinals are back in 1st place in the NL Central, and the Reds are now back in 1st place in the wild card by 1.5 games over the Phils. Well, happy trails everyone.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles played their 4th of 5 preseason games tonight and defeated the Steelers 16-7, but let's not dwell on that. Let's deal with some more important matters instead. As they have been all preseason long, both starting units were impressive. On offense, Donovan Mcnabb completed 7 of his 9 passes for 79 yards and Correll Buckhalter rushed 7 times for 31 yards. Their only real problem on the night is that they were unable to put the ball in the end zone, as they settled for a pair of field goals by David Akers. However, the Eagles starting defense also kept the steelers out of the endzone, and off the scoreboard, as they bottled up the Steelers running game and limited Ben Roethlisberger to just 52 yards and an interception. Now as for the Eagles backup units there is much to talk about as usual, but I'll mention a few things. Backup QB Jeff Garcia was impressive tonight completing 6 of his 12 passes for 110 yards, including a 61 yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis. Also CB J.R Reed looked pretty good with a sack and a forced fumble in the redzone, and an interception late in the game. Well, that's about all there is to talk about tonight, so all and all the Eagles had good night and there is plenty to be happy about.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Reds update
the Reds beat the Giants 6-3 tonight, so the Phillies are now 2.5 games back in wildcard. However, with the win the Reds are now tied with the Cardinals for 1st place in the NL Central, which means the Phils now trail both the Reds and the Cardinals by 2.5 games and the Padres, currently 2nd in the wild card standings, by 1.5 games.
PHILLIES NEWS
So far in the month of August Cole Hamels had been unhittable with a 1.33 ERA and opponents batting just .187 against him. Today he wasn't so good allowing 9 runs on 9 hits in 2, that's right just 2 innings of work. Yes, the phils bullpen did keep the Cubs to just 2 runs the rest of the way, but the damage had already been done. Oddly enough the Phils actually led early 1-0 following the top of the 1st inning, but they would never lead again. Hamels allowed 4 runs in bottom of the inning, then after a scoreless 2nd inning, he allowed 5 more runs and failed to retire a batter in the 3rd inning. Thus, the Phils had to piece together 7 innings out of their bullpen, and like I said they did but it didn't matter. While the Phils were piecing together innings with their Bullpen, Carlos Zambrano was dominating for the Cubs pitching 7 solid innings, giving up just 2 runs on 6 hits, and striking out 7. Basically, the phils offense could only fire blanks all day long, and if you haven't guessed by now the Phils lost 11-2. Yeah so the phils had a bad day, but so what, no matter what happens with the Reds (currently they are tied with Giants at 3 in the top of the 7th inning, I will have an update later) tonight, the Phils will still be at least within 2.5 games of them. So if you are ticked off by this loss and are looking for someone to blame, just blame it on Wrigley, because today was just one of those days with the wind blowing out, where everything the Cubs hit went out (they hit 4 homers today, I know I forgot to mention it earlier). Also whatever you do, don't blame Hamels, because he's a young pitcher , he's going to have days like this, and the best thing for you and him to do is to just forget about it and move on. Well, happy trails everyone.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
PHILLIES NEWS
For those of you out there who like pitching, tonight was your kind of night. For 8 innings the Phillies' Brett Myers and the Cubs Angel Guzman and relievers David Aardsma and Will Ohman were locked in a pitcher's duel. Myers pitched 8 innings while Guzman pitched only 6 innings, but both gave up just 1 run on 4 hits. Now there is obviously not much offense to talk tonight, but I'll give it a try anyway. Initially, the Phillies led 1-0 through 7 and 1/2 innings on a solo homer by Ryan Howard (that's 44 now) . The Cubs tied it at 1 in the bottom of the 8th inning on a solo homer by Matt Murton. Then in the top of the 9th with Cubs threatening to send the night into potentially dangerous extra innings, the phils came up with some big hits to regain the lead. After the 1st 2 batters of the inning were retired, Abraham Nunez worked a walk. Then Joe Thurston ,in his 1st at bat as a phillie, blooped a single to right field, moving Nunez up to 2nd base. Jimmy Rollins then delivered an RBI double scoring Nunez, and ending the inning as Thurston was thrown out trying to score, though it should be noted that it wasn't his falt as he was waved around by third base coach Bill Dancy. Anyway, when all was said done the Phils were back ahead 2-1, and that's how it ended as Arthur Rhodes and Geoff Geary combined to put the cubs down in order in the bottom of the 9th. Now this win is a pretty big one for the Phils for a couple reasons. First, Brett Myers had been struggling this month, so it was huge for him to get back on track with a night like this. Second the Reds finally lost earlier today so the Phils have now moved to within 1.5 games of the wild card. So if you weren't excited about the Phils yet, you should be now. Well, happy trails everyone
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
PHILLIES NEWS
When a collision, like last night's occurs it's effects can be lingering. One of those effects is obviously roster changes which we'll talk about later, but another effect can be a let down in the game following the collision. Tonight however, the Phillies were able to put it behind them and take care of business. In his 1st start as a Phillie Jamie Moyer pitched 6 solid innings, giving up just 3 runs on 6 hits. Now if Moyer was still with the Mariners, his aforementioned stats probably would not have been enough to get the win, but the with potent Phillies offense by his side they were. Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, David Dellucci, and Ryan Howard all knocked in 1 run a piece, and the suddenly hot Pat Burrell knocked in 2 runs. Add it all up and you've got 6 runs on the board and a 6-3 win the for the Phils. Its was as simple as that tonight, although I should mention that the bullpen had another strong night, pitching 3 scoreless innings to finish the game. Anyway like I said at the beginning the Phillies made some roster changes today. 1st of all it was announced today that Aaron Rowand had in fact fractured his ankle rather than spraining it as was originally thought. Thus, he will be out for the remainder of the regular season, but should the Phillies make the playoffs he would available. Obviously with no Rowand, Shane Victorino will start in center field for the rest of the season. Now, with Victorino starting the Phillies found themselves short of extra men on the bench, and so today they added some players to their roster. First they acquired veteran infielder/outfielder Jose Hernandez from the Pirates for cash to fill the void left by Rowand. Then since Chase Utley sat out tonight's game just as a precaution because his ankle felt a little sore, they recalled infielder Joe Thurston from AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Now I don't know much about Thurston, but I know Hernandez is one those guys who can play anywhere in the field , and do it well, so I think the Phils will be okay without Rowand. Anyway, the Phillies who at 63 -62 are at .500 for the 1st time since May, remain 2.5 games back in the wild card race. Well happy trails everyone.
Monday, August 21, 2006
PHILLIES NEWS
Sometimes, even when you win you lose, and there is as much bad news to talk about as there is good news. So is the case for the Phillies tonight. Things started well, for the Phils as they scored 4 runs in the 4th inning, capped off by Jimmy Rollins' 2 run homer, and took an early 4-0 lead. Chase Utley kept the good times rollin with a solo homer in the 5th inning for a 5-0 lead. Despite giving up a hit in every inning he pitched. Jon Lieber kept it that way for 6 innings, but in the 7th he was not able to get out of trouble and allowed 3 runs to score. Still, the PHils remained ahead 5-3 and only needed 6 more outs to get the win, so there was no reason to panic, yet. However, in the 8th inning things took a turn for the worse for the Phils, and not because Cubs scored runs. John Mabry led off the inning with a shallow fly ball to center, and both Chase Utley and Aaron Rowand raced after it. Both called for it, but Utley got to it 1st and tried to wave Rowand off, but he didn't see it in time. Just as the ball landed in Utley's glove, Rowand collided with Utley, going end over end, and knocking the glove and the ball out of Utley's hand. Fortunately, Utley was not injured on the play, but Rowand wound up with at least a sprained ankle and had to be helped off the field. Although, Mabry reached 3rd on the play he never scored as reliever Geoff Geary struck out the side following the collision. Now, ultimately the Phillies did manage to hang on for a 6-5 win, but wasn't what everyone was talking about after the game. All the post game focus fell on the health of Rowand, which pending x-rays is a sprained ankle, but it could be broken, and if it is it could be a devastating blow for Phillies. At any rate, the Phils won tonight so I am still happy, but I would be happier if Rowand didn't get hurt. Speaking of getting hurt, closer Tom Gordon was placed on the 15 day DL today due too a strained shoulder. Over the last couple of weeks he had been sidelined with soreness in his throwing arm, and apparently the Phillies just weren't confident enougth in his health to let him get back on the field to soon. Thus for the next 2 weeks Arthur Rhodes will be the Phillies closer, hopefully he will be able to hold down the fort until Gordon comes back, because the Phils are in big trouble if he can't. Anyway the Reds also won tonight so the Phillies remain 2.5 games back. Well, happy trails everyone.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
WEEKLY POLL QUESTION
What do you think of the Phillies acquiring Jamie Moyer, for 2 minor leaguers?
a. smart move, Pat Gillick is the man
b. what were they thinking, he's nothing but an old fart now
c. not sure
last week's results:
b. they are done 50%
c. not sure 50%
a. win wild card 0%
a. smart move, Pat Gillick is the man
b. what were they thinking, he's nothing but an old fart now
c. not sure
last week's results:
b. they are done 50%
c. not sure 50%
a. win wild card 0%
PHILLIES NEWS
Given how the Phillies have been playing lately, it seemed justified to think that day belonged to them, after they had scored 10 runs through the 1st 4 innings on a homer and RBI single by Mike Lieberthal, a 3 run homer and 4 RBIs by Abraham Nunez, 4 hits and 3 runs scored by Aaron Rowand, and 2 hits and 2 RBIs by Pat Burrell, and owned a 10 -1 a lead. However, no one told the Nationals the game was over. Through 5 innings phils starter Randy Wolf had dazzled the Nationals hitters, holding them to just 2 runs, but in the 6th inning the bottom the fell out as he tired from spending to much time on the base paths. Wolf was unable to retire a batter in the inning and wound up being charged with 5 runs allowed before the inning was over, as part of a 6 run 6th inning for the Nats. Suddenly, and without warning the Nationals had stormed back, and the Phillies now led by only 2, at 10-8. In only 1/2 of an inning, the Phillies had gone from a relatively comfortable victory, to a real dogfight, but that wasn't their only problem. Back in the 5th inning with his team ahead 10-2, manager Charlie Manuel, apparently sensing victory, had taken Chase Utley out of the game in favor of Danny Sandoval. Thus, Utley was no longer available for the Phillies for the remainder of the game. Now since they were only ahead 10-8, the Phillies really needed to tack on some extra runs in order to put the outcome to rest, but without Utley, it seemed like that would not be easy. Luckily for the Phils, replacing Utley with Sandoval did not prove to be disastrous, as Sandoval himself wound up plating the phils 11th and eventual winning run on a sac fly in the 7th inning. the Nationals actually battled back in with 2 runs in the 8 inning, but the the Phils were able to tack on another run in the bottom of the 8th and hang on for a 12-10 win. Yeah, so the Phils made it a lot harder than it should have been, but a win is a win, so they have nothing to be ashamed of. Now unfortunately the Reds won again today as well so the Phils are still 2.5 games back. Well, happy trails everyone
WEEKLY TRIVIA QUESTION
So far this season Ryan Howard has hit 43 homers, making him only the 6th player in Phillies history to have 4o homers in a season, who are the other 5?
last week's answer:
Steve Jeltz and Tomas Perez
last week's answer:
Steve Jeltz and Tomas Perez
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