Saturday, April 21, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
With their record at only 4-11 the Phils desperately needed some kind of spark t oget them going and today they go it from Cole Hamels. Hamels went the distance against the Reds striking out 15, one shy of the franchise record for strikeouts by a lefty in a single game, held by you know who, and allowed just one run, on 5 hits. Meanwhile, the phils offense continued to struggle as well, but it managed to scratch out just enough runs for a victory, as Chase Utely homered and knocked in 3 runs, and Aaron Rowand homered in the 8th inning to put the Reds away for good for 4-1 win. In fact, as a symbol of the Red's futility against Hamels the Reds managed to put two on with nobody out and David Ross at the plate in the bottom of the 5th inning, with the Phils clinging to a 2-1 lead. With the way the Phils have been playing so far this season, you just knew something bad was about to happen, instead with one swing of the bat Ross got the Phils out of trouble hitting a ground ball that allowed the phils to turn their first triple play since 1999 , and they did it around the horn, with Abraham Nunez fielding the ball tagging third base, and throwing to Chase Utley at second who tagged the base and fired to Wes Helms at first, beating Ross by a step. Now, although Ryan Howard probably won't be back in the lineup until at least Monday, it seems as if the Phils at 5-11 are ready to get on a roll, and they can if they can just get some more pitching performances like the one they got from Hamels today.
Friday, April 20, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Coming into tonight's game against the Reds the Phils had played 14 games on the season, and had yet to win back to back games even once ,in those 14 games. Tonight, however, they had a rare opportunity to do just that, get their first back to back win of the season, and for a while it looked like they would. Although the Phils could only manage to scratch out one run one the night, John Lieber, in his first start of the season in place of Brett Myers(now in the bullpen), made it stand up tossing 5 and 2/3rd's scoreless innings. Then with 2 out and 1 on in the 6th, Lieber was yanked in favor of Geoff Geary, and Matt Smith, who each faced a single batter, and failed to get them out, loading the bases. Fortunately, Antonio Alfonseca then came in the game and bailed them out, forcing a ground out to end the inning. Alfonseca, then quickly retired the side in the 7th inning. In the 8th innings Brett Myers, now in bullpen as the Phils set up man, fanned two Reds, and quickly retired the side again. Then in the 9th Flash Gordon came in to finish off the shutout, and well it didn't quite work out. After 2 quick outs, Gordon fell behnd Scott Hatteberg 3-1, and served up fast ball right down the middle, to avoid walking him, and Hatteberg promptly deposited it in the seats to tie at 1 through 9 innings. Then in the 10th with Flash forced to pitch a second inning, since most of the bullpen was used up back in the 6th, he quickly got himself in a jam, loading the bases with one out. Of course, Gordon couldn't get out of it, allowing Brandon Phillips to slap a game winning single into left field. I guess I should be surprised that the Phils couldn't hold on and win this one, but sadly I am not. At this point, the Phils desperately need something to bring their lineup back to life, because right now it's not getting the job done. Also they should really make Brett Myers their closer and not their set up man, because he just has better stuff than Fash right now and they simply can't afford to have Flash in there at the end of games if he' s always going to be so shaky. Anyway, just in case you were wondering, the final score was Reds 2, Phils 1, which is about as crushing as it gets as the Phils are now just 4-11.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Coming today's 1:00 game things didn't look so good for the Phils. The Bullpen was all used up from last night's 13 inning downer, Ryan Howard was to sit out the game due to injury suffered in last night's 13 inning downer, and their record stood at only 3-10. Thus, today was about as close as you can get to a must win game at the beginning of the season. Fortunately, for the Phils Jamie Moyer was on mound for today's and he knew he had to get the Phils some innings, so he did just that. Moyer went 8 scoreless innings, striking out 5 and allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits, with both runs being scored in the 9th after he had left the game. Meanwhile, the Phils offense, struggled again, but managed to scrap enough runs to get win, as Aaron Rowand homered in the second inning, Jimmy Rollins had 2 hits an RBI and a run scored, and Shane Victorino had 3 hits, an RBI, and a run scored. In all the Phils put up just 4 runs, but it was enough to win 4-2, despite another shaky save and 9th inning for Flash Gordon, who had to get out of a bases loaded jam. Seriously, for a minute there I thought the Phils were going to blow it, but Flash pulled Mitch Williams and got out of it somehow. So the Phils are now 4-10, which still isn't very good but it is better than 3-1, and who knows maybe this will finally get them on a roll.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Well, it took 13 innings, but the Phils finally lost again. Seriously, I know it's still the beginning of the season but do you even remember the last time they won. I mean I am not going to lie, but I really thought they were going to win. They were down 3-1, and then 4-1 for most of the game, but in the 7th inning, Greg "Roy Hobbs" Dobbs singled to score 2 runs and cut the lead to 4-3. Then Micheal Bourn scored on a sac fly in the 9th inning to tie it at 4, and I thought man there going top pull this one out. As the extra innings dragged on through the 10th, 11th, 12th, and then 13th, innings my expectancy a Phils win only grew deeper, as it seemed that every time they appeared down and out, they were able to make a great play and keep the game going. Unfortunately, despite playing just about as hard as they possibly they could, it was not enough. A bloop single, followed by a double, and sac fly wound up scoring the Nats Matt snelling with the winning run in the bottom of the 13th. I would say I am deeply disappointed and utterly sick to my stomach at this point, but honestly I am getting used to this sort of thing now, and just does not have that same effect on me anymore. Basically, the Phils at 3-10 now, have truly become the symbol of the vanitas that has engulfed the whole of the Philly sports theme. You know what I mean, that belief, that sense of hopelessness that no matter how hard you cheer for your team and no matter how much you believe in them, whether it be the Flyers, Sixers, Eagles, or the Phils, they are still inevitably going to find away to lose, whether it be in Game 7 of the world series, or in the super bowl, or in a simple regular season game, they will lose no matter what, just like no matter what you or I do, we are still going to die at some point in the future. Okay so maybe I am overreacting a little, but you get the idea.
SIXERS NEWS
Well, the Sixers finished out there season today, and actually looked pretty good doing, defeating the playoff bound Raptors 122-119. Willie Green poured in a career high 37 points, Andre Miller dropped 29 ,with 8 assists, Joe Smith dropped 26 with 11 boards, and Bobby Jones and Louis Williams again scored in double figures, with Jones putting up 14 points and Williams chipping in 12 off the bench. So I guess with this win and their 35-47, third place finish in the Atlantic division, there's some hope for the Sixers heading into next season. As for the Raptors, well they finished 45-37, first in the Atlantic division, and are headed to the playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. If only, the Sixers could be in that position right now, but who knows with three first draft picks coming, maybe the Sixers can be like the Raptors next season and get back to the playoffs. Well, until next season so long, Sixers fans.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
0 for 14, that's what the Phillies were tonight with runners in scoring position. In fact, the only run they scored was even batted in. It was forced in by Ryan Howard with a bases loaded walk in the 3rd inning. He is still technically credited with an RBI but I mean come on is that not pathetic or what. Oh and Freddy Garcia's debut as a Phillie, not quite everything advertised, as although he struck out 6, he still allowed 3 runs on 8 hits and lasted all of 4 and 2/3rd innings. Obviously that's what the Phillies were hoping for when they traded for him. As far as the Mets are concerned one name comes to mind, and its not Tom Glavine. No, its 40 year old geezer Moises Alou, yes, he's still playing, and no he hasn't slowed down a bit. On the night, he homered twice, first off Freddy Garcia in the 2nd inning, and then again off Geoff Geary in the 6th inning when it was still only 3-1 Mets and the Phils actually still had a chance. As if those Homers weren't enough Alou went on to ruin the rest of the night, by thwarting the Phils last comeback attempt, with a diving catch of a line drive, that was oh so close to dropping and scoring two badly needed Phils runs. So basically, the Phils lost big 8-1, and are now just 3-9, dead last in the NL East.
SIXERS NEWS
Tonight's game meant absolutely nothing to the Sixers and absolutely everything to the Cavs who could've moved into the 2nd seed in the East with a win. So guess who won? that's right the Cavs, 98-92. Larry Hughes poured in 22 and Lebron James dropped in 18 with 6 assists and 5 rebounds to help them pull it out. Still, as you can tell from the close score the Sixers didn't play too badly tonight either, despite once again being without Andre Iguodala and Kyle Korver. Willie Green poured in a game high 24 points, Samuel Dalembert dropped 11 with 10 rebounds, Andre Miller dropped 12 with 7 assists, and youngsters Louis Williams and Bobby Jones, both scored in double figures again with 13 points a piece. Unfortunately for them it wasn't enough tonight, but there's always next year I guess and besides this game didn't really matter to them anyway. Well, that's all I have for today, and there's just one more game left for the Sixers this season, so here's hoping that one goes well or something.
Monday, April 16, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils got rained out again, yes that's two rain outs in a row for the first time since 1998. Anyway, tonight's game with the Mets has been rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader on Friday June 29. Yesterday's game was also rescheduled for Monday April 23, that's this coming Monday, which was apparently an open date on the schedule for both teams. Finally, as result of all this Freddy Garcia will and I mean it this time, make his long awaited Phils debut tomorrow night against Tom Glavine and the Mets. Should be a good game if it doesn't get rained out.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
SIXERS NEWS
In a game that meant nothing to both teams, as the Sixers had already been eliminated from the playoffs, and the Pistons had already clinched the top seed in the Eastern conference, young players getting a look in preparation for next season ruled the night. Detroit native, Willie Green, playing in front of his hometown, poured in a game high 26 points and dished off 7 assists, last year's 2nd round pick Bobby Jones scored a career high 13 points, and recent NBDL call up Louis Amundson scored 8 points ,including his first NBA field goal, and pulled down a game high 11 rebounds. The Pistons were not without a couple young stars of their own, as Philly's own Ronald "Flip" murray finished with 7 points and 6 assists, and Jason Maxiell poured in 10 points off the bench. Still, in the end the determined Sixers pulled out the win by the final score of 102-91. I would talk about this game a little bit more now, but like I said it didn't mean anything, so I don't have anything else to say.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils and the Astros got rained out today, and as yet their game has not been rescheduled although it is expected that it will be. All of which means that Freddy Garcia will make his Phillies debut tomorrow night instead of today as originally planned.
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