Saturday, April 14, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
After opening the season with two stellar starts you would think that the Phils' Cole Hamels would be 2-0 on the season or at least 1-0, but alas the Phils bullpen brokedown in the both games, blowing leads after Hamels left the game with a chance to win. Thus, instead of two wins he was left with two no-decisons and basically nothing to show for his efforts. This time however, it would be different. Jimmy Rollins hit his NL leading 6th homerun, Chase Utley homered and drove in a run in the 6th inning which wound up being the game winner, the Phils bullpen pitched 3 scoreless innings although the last one was pretty shaky (Flash Gordon got in a jam in the top of the 9th and nearly blew the save) , and the Phils hung for an 8-5 win, their first, yes first, win at home on the season. Ironically, out of his 3 starts thus far this was Hamels worst as he allowed 5 runs and 8 hits in 6 innings, and twice allowed the Astros to come from behind just after the Phils had given him a lead. In fact, he won only because of Chase Utley's RBI double in the bottom of the 6th inning, just after he had left the game. Still, a win is a win and the Phils need every one they can get at this point as they have now improved to only 3-8. In other exhilerating news, Freddy Garcia has finally been activated from DL by the Phils, and will make his first start as a Phil tomorrow, provided the game doesn't get rained out by the noreaster that's supposed to hit town tomorrow, but that's another story alltogether.
SIXERS NEWS
Well, it's official the Sixers will not be going to the playoffs this season. Coming into today's game against Orlando they trailed the magic by 3 games with 4 to play for the 8th and final playoff spot in the east. Dwight Howard poured in 35 points and ripped down 11 rebounds as the Magic won going away 104-87. The win gave the Magic the season series over the Sixers, thus even if the Sixers were to somehow finished tied with Magic, which they still could, the tiebreaker would go to Orlando. Still, considering how bad the Sixers were earlier this season, its quite an accomplishment that they were able to stay in the playoff picture this late in the season, so cheers to that. Of course, with the Sixers officially eliminated from the playoffs, it's now time for them to start getting ready for the draft lottery, so here's hoping they get that first pick.
Friday, April 13, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
It started just like their last game. This time, instead of Tom Glavine it was the Astros Roy Oswalt who struggled through the first inning, allowing 3 runs on 2 infield hits and 3 walks, all with two outs in the inning. Unfortunaltely for the Phils Oswalt settled in and ptiched 5 innings for the win, as supposed Phils ace Brett Myers failed to deliver for the 2nd time in as many games. Myers lasted only 3 and 1/3rd innings, allowing 7 runs including a grand slam to Carlos Lee, just after the Phils had gone ahead 3-0, and 3 run homer by Morgan Ensberg. Lee wound up with two more homers on the day and helped to thwart any Phils comeback attempts, as the Astro hung on to win 9-6. The Phils had their chances to get back in the game, but poor situational hiiting and bad base running erased all of them. Still, the biggest problem for the Phils right now are the continued struggles of Chase Utley(.220 BA) and Ryan Howard (.243 BA). Until those guys get going this team will continue to struggle as it is now at just 2-8.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
PHILLIESS NEWS
He'd been booed mercilessly for two days by the city that never sleeps. Apparently, they weren't too happy with what he had said during spring training. After all, who was he to say that their team wasn't as good as his and wouldn't win the division like they had the past season. Tonight, though was going to be different, tonight he was going to quiet them. His team had beaten theirs the night before, but he hadn't much to do with it, with only one hit all night long and a strikeout at the end to their delight. Tonight, if his team was going to get a win he was going to be one to get it for them and he nearly did. He hit not one, but two titanic blasts, off the future hall of fame pitcher he was facing and his team had led for 3 and 1/2 innings, but it all came a part in the 4th inning. His pitcher, although he competed well, lasting 6 innings and striking out 6, including the 2000th of his career, had been unable to keep his team ahead, but he kept them close, with their deficit being only 4-3. Now they began booing the misstalker again, and now he could do nothing to stop them, going o for 2 the rest of night. As he was falling from grace, they tacked on another run. and then it was over. The Mets had beaten the Phillies 5-3, Jamie Moyer had his 2000th strikeout, and Jimmy Rollins had two more homers, but the chorus of boos continued to reign down on him. That's what happens when you predict a division title and your team starts out 2-7.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Well, the Sixers won today so there was no way that the Phils could win right? after all it's the philly mantra that if one team wins the other must lose. You simply can't have your cake and eat it around here. However. someone forgot to tell the Phils that they weren't supposed to win, and they actually came out on top for once. Mets pitcher Oliver Perez struggled mightily on the day, issuing 7 free passes, and for once the Phils took advantage of it, scoring 3 runs on exactly 1 hit in the 3rd inning. Of course, we'd all seen this story before, the Phils jump out to a 3-0 lead then go on vacation for the rest of the game as the bullpen implodes to give the other team the win. However, that didn't happen today, as the Phils tacked on additional runs in the 6th and 7th innings and SP Adam Eaton pitched 7 strong innings allowing just 2 runs and striking out 5. In the end the bullpen hung on for the final two innings and Phils walked away winners and Flash Gordon walked away with his first save of the season. Not bad huh?
SIXERS NEWS
Once again the Sixers were without Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala tonight, and once again they found a way to win. Of Course they were also playing the worst team in the Eastern Conference in the Boston Celtics, so that kinda helped as well, but you get the idea. Anyway, like last night it didn't look to good at first with the Celtics taking an 11 point lead into the second half. Once again though the Sixers were too much in the second half, outscoring Boston 54-36, and pulling away for a solid 102-94 win. Andre Miller scored 19 points, Steven Hunter scored 20 points and pulled 7 rebounds, Samuel Dalembert scored 11 points, and pulled down 7 rebounds, Louis Williams again poured in 18 points off the bench, and Joe Smith chipped in 16 points and 7 boards off the bench as well. Still, despite their now 3 game winning streak they are a paltry 3 games behind Orlando for the the 8th and final playoff spot in the East with 4 games to play, not a bad situation to be in, but not a good one either. However, they are scheduled to play Orlando on Friday and if they win that one look out.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers kept their dim playoff hopes alive tonight with a big 90-86 win over the Pacers tonight. That's pretty impressive considering they were without both Andre Iguodala who once again strained his back and Kyle Korver still with that sore wrist. In their absence, Andre Miller with 19 points and 11 assists, Samuel Dalembert with 15 pts and 12 rebounds, Joe Smith with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and young Louis Williams with 18 points off the bench shone brightest. The Sixers led pretty much most of the way, as the Pacers struggled from the field. With the win the Sixers are now 10th in the Eastern Conference, 4 games behind the Orlando Magic for the 8th and final playoff spot, with 5 games to play. Basically the Sixers have to win out, and the Magic have to lose out. Can you say draft lottery?
FLYERS NEWS
The NHL draft lottery took place today, yeah they have one too, and wouldn't you know it the Flyers, with the worst record in the NHL did not get the first pick in the draft, instead that went to Chicago, and the Flyers were left with, you guesssed it, the second pick in the draft. I guess sometimes you just can't win for trying or lack thereof.
PHILLIES NEWS
No game today, they got an off day for some reason, even though they still have two more games to play in their series with the Mets. Hmm, maybe it has something to do with the fact that Ryan Howard spent the day on the tonight show with David Letterman.
Monday, April 09, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Ryan Howard hit his first homer of the season today against the Mets and the Phils took a 5-4 lead into the 8th inning. Unfortunately that would be as good as it would get for the Phils today. All told in the top of the 8th inning Geoff Geary walked 4 batters and threw a wild pitch, Jimmy Rollins booted a ground ball, and the Mets capitalized for 7 runs and an 11-5 victory going away. Thus, the Phils have now matched last season's 1-6 start and Jimmy Rollins prediction of a Phils playoff run seems long ago.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
SIXERS NEWS
Big win for the Sixers today! well okay maybe not, but they did win, it just wasn't all that big since the playoffs are pretty much out of the question for them at this point. Anyway tonight's game was a tale of 2 halves. In the first half it was all Hawks with the Hawks up by 12 at half, 53-41. With Kyle Korver out with an injury and most of the Sixer starters playing limited minutes, it seemed as if the Hawks had it all sown up. However, the Sixers led by Andre Iguodala and his game high 25 points turned the tide in the second half as Iguodala dunked with 56 seconds left to tie the game at 93 and send it into overtime. There, it was all Sixers with a Willie Green 3 pointer giving them the lead for good, as they held on for the win 109-104. Still mathematically alive, at 4 games back with 6 to play the Sixers will be better served from here on in to forget about the playoffs and start planning for the draft.
PHILLIES NEWS
Today the Phils continued the consistent play that they have exhibited thus far this season. Unfortunately, that consistency has been in all the wrong departments. They have consistently failed to get the big hits when they have needed them. In fact, in today's game they recieved 11, count em 11 free passes from Marlin's pitchers and yet only came up with 4 runs, only one after the 1st inning. They have also consistently combined good starting pitching with bad ptiching out of the bullpen, and vice versa, two combinations that don't work when you always play close games. Still, despite those vices surrounding the team, the Phils were right in it today and even had the lead early with a 3 run first inning. Sadly, that would be the Phils last lead of the day. They did have several chances to get the lead back but failed to do so. They even got the bases loaded with one out in the 9th inning, but a foul out by Carlos Ruiz, followed by a strike out by Micheal Bourn quckly extinguished that final opportunity. Oh well, better luck next time fellas.
FLYERS NEWS
Do you believe miracles? Yesss! and with that exclamation by Al Micheals the celebration in Lake Placid began, for, the miracle on ice had happened. The Flyers as it happens had their own version of the miracle on ice today. Well, okay maybe not exactly but they did actually win for a change which is a bit of a miracle all on its own. Anyway, although it was no miracle on ice today's game did feature two teams on the opposite side of the NHL spectrum. The Sabres win or lose, were to finish the day no worse than tied for the best record in the NHL, while the Flyers win or lose, were to finish the day with the worst record in the NHL. Now, with that kind of set up you would think it would have been an easy win for the Sabres. Well, let's just say that's why they play the games. Simon Gagne scored his 41st goal of the year in the 1st period, but all it did was tie the game at 1. Stefan Ruzicka gave the Flyers the lead, 2 minutes into the 2nd period, but it was shortlived as the Sabres retook the lead with 2 goals late in period. Thus, the 3rd period began with Buffalo ahead 3-2, significantly reducing the Flyers chances to win. So that was supposed to be it right? you know, good game boys, see next season right? wrong? 4 minutes into the 3rd Mike Knuble tied it and then 4 minutes later he assisted on the go ahead goal by Mike Richards, to make it 4-3 Flyers. With new goalie Martin Biron minding the net, that 4-3 lead actually held up for the rest of the night. Yeah, that's right the Flyers finished their season with a win, so who knows maybe this will give them some momemtum going into next season, after all it can't hurt can it.
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