Saturday, April 19, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The offensive doldrums continued today for the Phils in the 2nd of the 3 game weekend set with the Mets. This time it was Oliver Perez blanking the Phils for 6 innings, just enough for the Mets to wrestle away another ugly win. the veteran Jamie Moyer got the start for the Phils, and pitched well enough to keep the Phils struggling hitters in the game, allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings of work, but it wasn't quite enough. In the top of the first the Mets got off to a quick start as David Wright knocked in two runs with a double. In the top of the 7th Jose Reyes slammed a 2 run homer, which turned out to be the difference in the game. In the bottom of the inning Chase Utley finally put the Phils on the board with a solo homer to cut the lead to 4-1. Then in the bottom of the 8th the Phils had a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and one out, but they could only manage one run, on a bloop single by Carlos Ruiz as Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth both struck out to end the inning. Finally in the 9th Billy Wagner came in and closed it out again for a 4-2 Met win. So the Phils drop to 8-10 overall. They'll need a win tomorrow to at least stay near .500 and avoid an ugly sweep at the hands of the hated Mets.
FLYERS NEWS
Coming into tonight the Flyer's had their first chance to closeout a first round victory over the Caps. Sadly, despite a late push they fell short against the desperate Caps. They simply didn't play with the same urgency as the Caps and it cost them. Midway through the first period of play, Niklas Backstrom scored for a 1-0 Caps lead. Early in the 2nd period of play, Sergei Federov made it 2-0 Caps. Then late in the period Vinny Prospal finally put the Flyers on the board, cutting the lead to 2-1. Late in the 3rd period of play, Alexander Semin seemed to put it away for good, scoring on the power play for a 3-1 Caps lead. However, the Flyers weren't ready give in just yet and a minute later Derian Hatcher scored to cut the lead to 3-2. From there the Flyers had there chances, and in the waning moments Danny Briere had a golden opportunity, with a one timer from point black range, but it hit off the stick of a Washington player and went wide and the Flyers finally succumbed. So the Caps get the win and force a game 6 back at the Wachovia center. If the Flyers want to move on to the next round they'll have to close it out here.
Friday, April 18, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils began an important weekend series tonight, welcoming the arch rival New York Mets to the Bank. Tonight, the opener of the 3 game set, presented the ultimate pitching match up with Cole Hamels going for the Phils and Johan Santana going for the Mets. The game lived up to its billing as Hamels allowed just 5 runs on 8 hits in 7 innings of work, while Santana tore up the Phils in 7 innings, allowing just 3 runs on 4 hits. Unfortunately for the Phils, when it finally came time for some offense, the Mets just had a bit more and prevailed. In the top of the first inning David Wright banged an RBI double for a 1-0 Met lead. In the top of the 3rd inning Jose Reyes walked, stole second, and scored on a triple by Wright. The Phils finally got on the board in the bottom of the 7th as Chase Utley crushed a solo homer to cut the lead to 2-1. In the top of the 8th, Ryan Howard bobbled a possible double play ball, allowing one run to score, while Angel Pagan doubled and Matthew Schneider singled for a couple more runs ,as the Mets pushed ahead to a 5-1 lead. The Phils came right back in the bottom of the inning as Greg Dobbs slugged a 3 run homer to cut the lead to 5-4. In the top of the 9th, a sac fly by Carlos Delgado gave the Mets some breathing room with a 6-4 lead. Billy Wagner then closed out the 5-4 Met win in the bottom of the inning, so once again the Phils fail to get above .500, as their record drops to 8-9 overall.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their 3 game set with the Astros this afternoon with quite a bang. Brett Myers got the start and produced a better than solid effort allowing just one run on 5 hits in 7 innings of work. Of course, he could have pitched poorly and probably still would have won this one, as the Phils lineup finally came to life pounding the Stros for 10 runs and 16 hits. Basically it was good old fashioned ass whupping that the Phils put on the Stros today. In the bottom of the first, the Phils quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead as Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell each slapped RBI singles and Geoff Jenkins slammed an RBI double. In the bottom of the 3rd, a Chris Coste RBI double made it 4-0 Phils. The Stros finally got on the board in the top of the 4th, as Miguel Tejada slammed a solo homer. The Phils came right back in the bottom of the inning as Chase Utley crushed a 2 run homer to push the lead to 6-1. In the bottom of the 6th Howard and Burrell banged out back to back homers to push the lead to 8-1. In the bottom of the 8th, Coste slugged a 2 run homer for a 10-1 Phils lead. Finally, after serving up a Carlos Lee solo homer, Clay Condrey closed out the stros to finish a 10-2 Phils win. So once again the Phils improve to .500 at 8-8. Maybe this time they'll finally get above it.
FLYERS NEWS
Leading their first round series with the Caps 2 games to 1, coming into tonight, the Flyers had a golden opportunity to put a commanding stamp on the series. Marty Biron provided another solid effort in goal, saving 38 of the 41 shots he faced including a couple dazzling game saving stops deep into the night as the game wound up in double overtime. For their part the Flyer's did not play their best, but they made the plays when it mattered most, while Washington came up short time and time again, and sometimes in a playoff game that is all that is needed to pull out a win. Just 42 seconds into the first period of play, Jeff Carter put the Flyers up 1-0. A couple minutes later Niklas Backstrom scored on the power play to knot it up at 1. Then late in the period Alexander Semin scored yet another power play goal for a 2-1 Caps lead. Finally Carter netted his second goal a few minutes later to knot it up at 2. Early in the second period of play, Steve Eminger scored for 3-2 Washington lead. In the 3rd period of play, with just under 10 minutes to play, Danny Briere saved the day with a power play goal to knot it up at 3. From there neither team could score again before the end of regulation so the game went into overtime. There, both teams had great chances to score and end the game, but both came up short and the game went into a second overtime. Finally, just under 7 minutes into the second overtime Mike Knuble slapped it into the net, off a rebound and the Flyers had themselves a thrilling 4-3 win. So the Flyers lead the series 3 games to 1 and can move on to the second round with a win in game 5 on Saturday.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
After a dramatic win last night the Phils once again had a chance tonight to get above .500 for the first time all season with a win in the second of their 3 game set with the Astros. Kyle Kendrick got the start and delivered a solid effort, allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings of work. However, just as with Adam Eaton last night, the Phil's offense could do nothing with it as Roy Oswalt held them to a run on 5 hits through 7 innings and this time there would be no 9th inning comeback. In the top of the first inning, ex Phillie Michael Bourn, beat out an infield single, stole second and scored on a double by Carlos Lee. In the bottom of the inning Jayson Werth singled and scored a couple batters later on a single by Ryan Howard. Bourn stuck again in the top of the 5th with a solo homer to put the Stros up 2-1. From there, the two team's pitching staffs took over and kept it 2-1 Stros until the bottom of the 9th. There after two quick outs, Jimmy Rollins(no he's not back yet, just pinch hitting) slapped a pinch single to briefly raise hopes of another Phils comeback, but Greg Dobbs followed Rollins with a strikeout to the end the game in a 2-1 victory for the Astros. So the Phils drop back under .500 again at 7-8. Apparently they are just not meant to be over .500 in April.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers finished the season tonight in Charlotte against the Bobcats. With their playoff seeding already decided there wasn't much for the Sixers to play for, except that a win would give them a .500 record for the first time in 3 years. Sadly it was not to be. Charlotte jumped out to a big lead early, and despite a furious late Sxier's rally, was able to hang on. Offensively, 4 Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Willie Green, Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams) with Green's 27 leading the way. Defensively, it was not a good night for the Sixers as they allowed Charlotte to shoot 57% from the field, never a recipe for victory. In the first quarter of play, the Sixers actually got out to a 4 point lead with the score 25-21. In the second quarter of play the Bobcats asserted themselves and sprinted out to a 10 point lead with the score 61-51 at the half. In the 3rd quarter of play the Sixers were able to cut into the Bobcat's lead and by the 4th it was down to 7 with the score 87-80. Finally in the 4th quarter of play the Sixers were actually able to rally back for a one point lead at one point before the Bobcats finally hung on to win by 6, with the final score 115-109. So the Sixers finish the season at 40-42 and will now prepare for an opening playoff round match up with the Pistons. May the best team win.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
After losing a heartbreaker on Sunday to finish off their weekend series with the Cubs, the Phils welcomed the Houston Astros to the Bank tonight to begin a 3 game set. Adam Eaton got the start and again surprised everyone with another solid effort, allowing just 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings of work. Unfortunately, the Phils at least initially could do nothing with itas Shawn Chacon blanked them for 8 innings. However, it would be the Phils this time who would be saved with some late luck and superb bullpen pitching, as Chad Durbin and the veteran Rudy Seanez of all people, blanked the Astros for the game's final two innings, opening the door for a late Phils rally. In the top of the first inning Miguel Tejada slapped a clutch two out single, to plate Lance Berkman for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 6th a single by Geoff Blum and a sac fly by Hunter Pence produced two more runs for a 3-0 lead. Thanks to the bullpen it stayed that way until the bottom of the 9th as Jose Valverde came into close it out for the Stros. Pinch hitter Chris Snelling(just called up to fill Shane Victorino's roster spot while he nurses his calf injury) lead off the inning by depositing Valverde's first pitch into the seats to cut the lead to 3-1. Chase Utley was then hit by a pitch, and after Ryan Howard struck out, Ted Williams, er Pat Burrell(.349 BA, .791 slugging percentage, 5 HRs, 15 RBIs, 15 hits, .482 OBP), stepped to the plate with a chance to tie the game and did so slamming a 2 run homer to the opposite field. Geoff Jenkins then struck out, but Brad Ausmus forgot to catch the ball, and Jenkins reached first safely on the passed ball. Finally Pedro Feliz rolled a base hit all the way down the left field line and into the corner and Jenkins made like Enos Slaughter in the 1946 world series and raced all the way home from first to finish a thrilling 4-3 Phils win. So again the Phils get back to .500 at 7-7 and hopefully this time they'll finally get above it.
FLYERS NEWS
The Orange and Black are really rolling now. After a crucial victory in game two on Sunday, the Flyer's returned home for game 3 tonight and continued to thrash the Capitals. The defense continued its gritty play, allowing Washington just 19 shots on goal and Marty Biron put forth another solid effort, allowing just 3 goals on those 19 shots. Late in the first period of play Danny Briere put the Flyer's on the board first for a 1-0 lead. Then about a minute later, Eric Fehr briefly tied it at 1 for Washington before Scotty Hartnell, and Sami Kapanen each scored late goals within seconds of each other for a 3-2 Flyer's lead. Early in the second period of play, Mike Green scored on the power play to cut the lead to 3-2. Then late in the period Briere answered with a power play goal of his own to push the lead to 4-2. Late in the 3rd period of play, Brooks Laich scored to cut the lead to 4-3, to briefly reignite Washington's victory hopes, but Mike Richards scored two minutes later to quickly extinguish those hopes and push the lead to 5-3. Mike Knuble then put the nail in the Caps coffin with an empty netter to cap off a 6-3 Flyer's victory with just over a minute to play. So the Flyers take a 2 games to 1 lead in the series and will be in good shape if they win game 4 on Thursday.
Monday, April 14, 2008
SIXERS NEWS
After a dismal 4th quarter in Washington on Saturday, the Sixers returned home tonight for a crucial match up with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a game they needed to win, to at least entertain any hope of finishing as the 6th seed in the East. Early on things didn't look good as the Cavs front ran most of night but a furious late rally nearly saved the Sixers before controversy intervened in the Cavs favor. Offensively, five Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Willie Green, Louis Williams, Thaddeus Young) with Miller's 26 leading the way. Defensively, it was Sammy D leading the way, with 10 rebounds and and a block, but ultimately it was not until late in the game that the D came to life to fuel a Sixer's comeback. In the first quarter of play the Sixers actually clung to a 3 point lead,with the score 22-19. The King and the Cavs took over in the 2nd quarter sprinting out to a 6 point lead with the score 47-41 at the half. It was more of the same in the 3rd quarter of play as they extended their lead to 8 with the score 67-59 heading into the 4th. There the Cavs actually led by as many as 11 at one point before the Sixers went on a furious comeback to retake the lead, not once, not twice, but three times before a jumper by sweet Lou seemed to cement a glorious 90-89 Sixer's victory with 5 seconds to play. The Cavs had one last chance though and gave the ball to the King. He drove into lane, but Sammy D blocked his shot, and the follow by Devin Brown, was no good and the Sixers had won 90-89! Well not quite. Apparently before time expired a foul was called on Sammy D as Brown rose up for the final shot and replays, much to the chagrin of incredulous Sixer's fans, did indeed show officials calling a foul before time expired and a faint whistle could be heard sounding. So Brown went to the line, and coolly sunk two free throws and the Sixers 91-90. So the Sixers drop to 40-41 overall and with the loss they will indeed be the 7th seed in the East and will face the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round. A tough task indeed.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
After blowing a 2 goal lead in the 3rd period of game 1 of their best of 7 series with the Caps, the Flyers came into game 2 this afternoon desperate for a win to keep hope alive. Thanks to a gritty defensive effort, that included 6 penalty kills, they were able to do just that, evening the series at 1 game a piece. Marty Biron also had the afternoon of his life in goal, saving all 24 shots he faced to lead the Flyers to victory. Early in the first period of play, R.J Umberger scored his first playoff goal for a 1-0 Flyer's lead. Late in the 2nd period of play, Jeff Carter scored for a 2-0 Flyer's lead. From there Biron and the Flyers tough D held the Caps in check, until the final buzzer sounded as neither team scored in the 3rd period. So the Flyers even series at 1 and return to the friendly confines of the Wachovia center on Tuesday for a crucial game 3. I'll tell you though, if they keep playing defense like this they'll win that one too.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their 3 game set with the Cubs early this afternoon. Unfortunately, they finished with a whimper instead of a flourish. The veteran Jamie Moyer got the start and pitched fairly well, allowing just 4 runs on 9 hits in 5 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils sprayed the ball around for 5 runs on 10 hits and appeared well on their way to victory, before a late defensive gaffe did them in. The Phils struck first in the bottom of the 1st as Jayson Werth(starting in place of Shane Victorino who is now on the 15 day DL) scored on a sac fly by Pat Burrell. The Cubs finally answered back in the top of the 3rd, as 3 straight singles by Henry Blanco, Alphonso Soriano, and Reed Johnson, and a double by Derek Lee led to 3 runs and a 3-1 Cubs' lead. In the bottom of the 5th, Werth struck again with a solo homer to cut the lead to 3-2. In the top of the 6th, Mark Derosa answered Werth with his own solo homer, despite the fact that replays clearly showed it to be a foul ball, as the Umps apparently were only paying attention long enough to toss a livid Charlie Manuel from the game. Then in the bottom of the inning Eric Bruntlett hit a solo homer, Carlos Ruiz, Geoff Jenkins, and Werth each singled, and finally Chase Utley hit a sac fly to push the Phils ahead seemingly for good, 5-4. Then things began to unravel. In the top of the 8th Giovanni Soto singled in a run to tie it at 5, as neither Flash Gordon nor J.C Romero could shut the door on the Cubs. Then came the bottom of the 9th where Ruiz was robbed of a game winning single on a great snare at 1st by Lee. The Collapse became complete in the top of the 10th, as with one out and two on, Carlos Zambrano, yes the pitcher from Friday, came into pinch hit and grounded into what appeared to be a dead double play ball, but Utley's relay to first went into the dirt and Ryan Howard couldn't dig it out, allowing a run to score for a 6-5 Cub's lead. Utley nearly redeemed himself in the bottom of the inning with a two out double, but two batters later Sao Taguchi grounded into the last out to cap off a 6-5 Cubs win. So the once again the Phils fail to get above .500 in April as they drop to 6-7 overall.
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