After 4 unimpressive outings by their starting pitchers to open the season, the Phils finally got a decent start tonight from Brett Myers. In becoming the first Phils starter to win a game this season, Myers held the Rockies to 4 runs on 4 hits in 7 strong innings of work. Fittingly, at mile high Coors Field, 3 of those 4 hits were homeruns. So it wasn't a Myers masterpiece by any means, but it was enough, as the Phils finally started collecting hits. In all on the day they pounded Rockies pitching for 15 hits, many of which came at just right moment. In the bottom of the 2nd Troy Tulowitzki slammed a 2 run homer for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd, Ryan Howard socked a 1 out bases clearing double to put the Phils up 3-2. In the bottom of the 4th Garret Atkins launched a solo homer to tie it at 3. In the top of the 5th Jayson Werth legged out a 2 out triple, knocking in 2 runs for a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the 5th, Clint Barmes lined a solo homer into the seats to cut it to 5-4. In top of the 7th, Raul Ibanez absolutely crushed a solo homer for a 6-4 lead. In the top of the 8th the "Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino lined a 2 out double, his 3rd hit of the day, and scored on a single by Chase Utley for a 7-4 lead. In top of the 9th, Ibanez doubled and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz for an 8-4 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th simply because they were playing at Coors where no lead is safe, Brad Lidge came in and closed it out. So the Phils move to 2-3 overall and look to be just fine thank you. By the way if you're wondering what happened to Chan Ho Park, the winner of competition for the 5th spot in the Phils rotation and the guy who was scheduled to start tonight, he was scratched from his start tonight reportedly because he was feeling tightness in his hamstring during warmups. So he'll likely start on Tuesday instead.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers traveled to the Nassau Coliseum today for the last time this season, looking to victimize the Islanders for one more important win. Thanks to 30 saves by Marty Biron and a goal and assist from Simon Gagne they did indeed get the win they needed. Late in the 1st period Sean Bergenheim scored for a 1-0 Islander lead. Early in the 2nd period Joffrey Lupul scored to knot it up at 1. Midway through the period Mike Knuble made it 2-1. Late in the period Tim Jackman scored to knot it up again at 2. A minute later Gagne posted his score for a 3-2 lead. From there Biron ensured that the Islanders would not again forge a tie, as the Flyers eventually hung on to win 3-2. So the Orange and Black move to 44-26-11 overall for 99 points and still 4th in the Eastern conference. They also lock up at least the 5th seed in the East and no matter what they will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs. If they defeat the Rangers tomorrow, they will finish as the 4th seed and host that series, otherwise Pittsburgh finishes 4th and hosts the series.
Friday, April 10, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers returned home to the Wachovia center tonight for a highlight reel matchup with Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. For a change they actually played hard on the defensive end, limiting the Cavs to under 50% shooting from the field. Unfortunately, they had a few too many lapses behind the arc, allowing Cleveland to hit 12 threes. So while the Sixers were able to keep it close with Iggy scoring 26, and Miller and Lou Williams each adding 17, everytime they got close, Cleveland was able to drill a 3 to hold them off. The Sixers were actually only down by 6 at the half, and remained down by that same margin heading into the 4th quarter. There, despite their best efforts the Cavs managed to hold them at bay until victory was assured by 10 with the final score 102-92. So the Sixers drop to 40-39 overall, remaining 6th in the Eastern conference and 1 game behind the Heat for 5th, while dropping to just a game ahead of 7th and 8th place Chicago and Detroit. So things are getting a bit dicey for the Sixers who once seemed assured of at least the 6th seed in the East. Now they may wind up down in 8th, and they might not even finish at .500 this season.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Colorado this afternoon to begin a series with the Rockies. Cole Hamels made his first start of the season, and was decidely less than Hollywood allowing 7 runs on 11 hits in just 3 and 2/3rd's innings of work. Of course it was at Coors field which tends to make a lot of good pitchers look bad, so I wouldn't be freaking out just yet. Still the Phils couldn't muster too much offense of their own again and that could be a problem though it is probably too early tell right now. Anyway In the top of the 2nd Jayson Werth doubled and scored on a sac fly for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, the pitcher, Jason Marquis singled in a run and scored on a fielder's choice, Garret Atkins slugged a 2 run homer, and Troy Tulowitzk tripled in a run for a 5-1 Colorado lead. In the top of the 4th Werth doubled again and scored on a fielder's choice to cut it to 5-2. In the bottom of the 5th Ryan Spillborghs singled in a run and scored on a single by Tod Helton for a 7-2 lead. In the bottom of the 8th singles by Spillborghs and Dexter Fowler and a sac fly by Helton produced 3 more runs and a 10-2 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th Werth slammed a solo homer before the Phils finally succumbed 10-3. So the Phils drop to 1-3 overall but it's too early to worry too much about it right now. They'll turn it around eventually.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers traveled to Chicago tonight for a matchup with the Bulls. Once again they played well in the first half as the Andre's performed admirably, with Iggy posting 19 and 10 assists, and Miller dropping a game high 20. Alas, Miller and Iguodala, just don't appear to be the type of dynamic duo that can win games on their own. This was clear in the second half as again the Sixers couldn't sustain any scoring, without the threat of Thad spreading floor and creating baskets for himself. Dispirited and sluggish on D, they could only watch as Chicago handed them their 3rd consecutive loss. This could be a long Thadless last week or so of the season. Still it is not as if the Sixer's played poorly tonight. They actually shot 52% from the field and 63% from beyond the arc, but they allowed Chicago to shoot 52% from the field as well. That just won't cut it. Without Thad they can no longer outscore teams and must rely on their defense to win games. Thats' a scary proposition. Sure teams are averaging under 100 points per game against the Sixers this, which is good for a team that likes play an up tempo game. However, because they like to get out on the break, the Sixers can have a tendency to get a little too attached to their scoring, and get lax on D as they did tonight. With Thad they had enough scoring that they could afford to do that sometimes. Now they can't any longer, and they really haven't proven this season that they can play tough D consistently enough to rely on it night after night. So they are in the unenviable position of being a team where they could up their best effort every night the rest of the way, and still lose. If they are still somehow able to finish 5th in East it will have been because of an extraordinary effort down the stretch or because Thad pulls a Willis Reed and limps onto the court every game the rest of the way, inspiring the team to victory. Anyway to get back to what happened tonight let's just say this, at half time the game was tied at 50, by the 4th quarter the Sixers had fallen behind by 10 and they never recovered losing 113-99. So the Sixers drop to 40-38 overall, but because Miami was idle tonight, they are still just a game out of the 5th spot in the East, while of course maintaining the 6th spot.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers traveled to New York tonight to faceoff with the stinkin Rangers. They played well enough to win on most night, but the desperate Rangers, who needed the win to clinch a playoff spot, figured out away to pull it out. 29 saves by Marty Biron and a sweet power play by Danny Briere just weren't enough. Early in the first period Markus Naslund scored for a 1-0 Ranger lead. Late in the period Ryan Callahan made it 2-0. Midway through the 2nd period Briere cut it to 2-1. From there despite their best efforts the Flyers were not able to forge a tie and the Rangers got the 2-1 win. So the Orange and Black drop to 43-26-11 overall and into a 3 way tie for the 4th spot in the Eastern conference, which maintain via the fact that they still have one more game left to play than the Carolina Hurricanes and Penguins. They'll probably have to win their last two games in order to hang on to that all important 4th seed and home ice advantage in the 1st round of the playoffs.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
After two disconcerting losses to start the season the Phils took the field against the Braves one last time this afternoon looking to avert a sweep. Before the game they received their world series rings at last, pure silver bling with a large Phillies P on the front to boot, and for a moment the joy that enveloped the city just a few months ago, surrounded the bank one last time. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to inspire the Phils all that much early on, as Joe Blanton was tagged for 7 runs on 9 hits in just 4 innings of work. It was only the beginning of yet another wild day in Philly, but it didn't feel like it at first. Brian Mcann slammed a 2 run homer in the top of the 1st. Raul Ibanez followed with a 2 run shot of his own in the bottom of the 2nd to forge a tie. In the top of the 3rd, Mcann and Jeff Franceour each slapped RBI singles and Matt Diaz doubled in a couple of runs as Atlanta quickly retook the lead 7-2. In the bottom of the 3rd "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino tripled and scored to cut it 7-3. In the top of the 5th Eric Shafer sent another 2 run shot to the seats for a 9-3 lead. In the top of the 7th, things went from bad to worse as Chad Durbin walked in a run for a seemingly insurmountable 10-3 Braves lead. Then in the bottom of the 7th, the impossible happened as the Braves bullpen simply came unglued issuing an unbelievable 4 bases loaded walks. Coupled with RBI singles, by Victorino and Pedro Feliz, and a Ryan Howard ground out which scored another run, the Phils were able to put up 8 runs in the inning and suddenly they were ahead 11-10. In the bottom of the 8th, Ibanez doubled and scored on a sac fly by Eric Bruntlett for a 12-10 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th, after serving up a solo homer to Matt Diaz, Brad Lidge got his first save of the season and remained perfect as a Phil, for the 12-11 Phils win. So the Phils go to 1-2 overall and vacate the NL East cellar to accomodate the winless and hapless Washington Nationals.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
After an embarrassing loss to the Nets in their last game the Sixers traveled to Charlotte tonight for a matchup with the desperate Bobcats, who are still trying to find their into the playoffs. For a while it looked like be another dissapointing night, as the Bobcats built up a 14 point lead at the half with the score 63-49. Thanks to the Andres, as Iguodala posted 19, and Miller dropped 23, the Sixers were able to rally back ahead by heading into the 4th quarter with the score 81-79. Then unexpectedly they just went away in the 4th quarter and Charlotte was able to steal back the win they desperately needed to stay alive in the playoff picture, by 3 with the final score 101-98. So the Sixers drop to 40-37 overall, but fortunately since the Heat lost tonight as well, the Sixers remain 6th in the Eastern conference, just a half a game behind the Heat for 5th. They won't keep getting this lucky and probably will have to win 3 or 4 of their last 5 to wrestle that 5th spot away from the Heat.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers welcomed the Florida Panthers to the Wachovia center tonight. After losing two of their last three games the Orange and Black still needed at least a tie in this one to clinch a playoff spot. Thanks to 29 saves by Marty Biron and and yet another goal scored by Jeff Carter they were finally able to book their ticket to the postseason. Early in the 2nd period Brett Mclean scored for a 1-0 Panther's lead. Late in the period Joffrey Lupul scored to knot it up at 1. Early in the 3rd period Carter scored unassisted for a 2-1 lead. From there Biron ensured the night would belong to the Flyers as they held on to win 2-1. So the Orange and Black improve to 43-25-11 overall for 97 points and still 4th in the Eastern conference. They'll probably have to win at least 2 of their last 3 to lock up that 4th seed.
PHILLIES NEWS
After a tough opening night loss, the Phils were looking to rebound against the Braves tonight in the 2nd game of their series at the Bank. Jamie Moyer got the start and was roughed up a bit allowing 4 runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings of work. The Phils meanwhile, continued to struggle at the plate mustering just 4 hits against Brave's starter Jair Jurrjens, and just 2 more the rest of the way after Jurrjens left in the 5th inning. So it was another less than satisfactory night for the Phils. Right off the bat in the top of the first Kelly Johnson slammed a solo homer and Chipper Jones doubled and scored on an error by Chase Utley for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 4th, Jeff Franceour singled and scored off a pair of infield singles for a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 5th Chipper continued his season opening hot streak with a solo shot to put Atlanta up 4-0. From there the Phils had some opportunities down the stretch to get back in it, but were not able to take advantage, and finally lost 4-0. So the Phils drop to 0-2 overall to start the season. Yeah it is only 2 games, but the Phils aren't going to win much, if they keep playing like this.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Sunday, April 05, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
After a hard fought win over the Pistons yesterday afternoon, the Sixers traveled to New Jersey tonight for a matchup with the Nets. Coming in the Sixers had won 3 in a row, and appeared to be rolling toward locking up the 5th seed in Eastern conference. Unfortunately the party came to an abrupt end on this night. With Thad Young on the shelf the rest of the season the Andre's, Miller and Iguodala , have become the go to guys for the Sixers. As they go so go the Sixers. They simply didn't have it in this one, as Iguodala went 1 for 8 from the field and Miller went just 3 for 9 from the field and had nearly as many assists, 4, as he had turnovers, 3. As a result the Sixers struggled on whole, shooting just 35% from the field and 39% from the free throw line. In fact just one Sixer, Lou Williams, managed to score in double figures one the night. The Nets didn't necessarily play all that well either, but the Sixers play was just so poor, that they didn't need to play that well. While seven Nets did score in double figures, none had more than Vince Carter's 15, a performance that would be more than beatable for the Sixers on most nights. Tonight was not one of those nights. After a decent run to end the first quarter with a 20-18 lead, everything went bad for the Sixers and fast. The Nets were up by 11 at the half, by 17 at the start of the 4th quarter, and mercifully by the end they had themselves a 29 point win with the final score an embarrassing 96-67. That's right the Sixers posted just 67 points. Frankly it is hard to imagine the Sixers performing any worse than they did tonight, and one can only hope this is not a portend of the things to come. They'll be lucky to get better than the 8th seed, if they play anymore games like this and as it stands now at 40-36 overall, they find themselves back down to the 6th seed, .5 games behind the 5th place Miami Heat.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils began their first world title defense in 28 years, as they opened the regular season at the Bank with a game against the Atlanta Braves. Brett Myers got the start and was decent allowing 4 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings of work. However, the Phils were not able to give him much support, scoring just 1 run on 4 hits, thanks to new Brave Derek Lowe who went 8 innings allowing just 2 hits. The Phils simply looked rusty in this one, but it's only one game and hopefully they'll be able to shake off the rust before long. In the top of the 1st Brian Mcann slammed a 2 run homer to put the Braves up 2-0. In the top of the 2nd Jeff Franceour and his new swing went deep for a 3-0 lead. A couple batters later, in his first major league at bat, Jordan Schafer sent one into the seats for a 4-0 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th inning, Jayson Werth slapped a one out single to push across the Phils only run of the night, before Mike Gonzalez struck out the side to close out the 4-1 Braves win. So just like that the Phils are in last place at 0-1 overall. Somehow I don't think they'll be there for long.
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