The Phils continued their series with the Padres tonight, looking to even it at one game a piece. Brett Myers got the start and pitched well, allowing just 3 runs on 2 hits in 6 and 2/3rd's innings of work. The Phils meanwhile slugged 3 homers and took a lead into the 9th inning once again poised for a win, but would it be enough this time?. In the bottom of the 2nd, Raul Ibanez slapped a solo homer for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd Adrian Gonzalez lined a 2 run homer into the seats to put the Padres up 2-1. In the top of the 5th Brian Giles doubled in a run for a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the 5th Myers himself doubled and scored on a sac fly by Shane Victorino to cut it to 3-2. In the bottom of the 6th Ryan Howard crushed a solo homer to tie it at 3. In the top of the 8th Nick Hundley singled in a run to put the Padres up again 4-3. In the bottom of the 8th Chase Utley clobbered a solo homer and Ibanez singled and scored on a sac fly by Pedro Feliz for a 5-4 lead. That set the stage for Brad Lidge to convert his 48th consecutive save in the top of the 9th. Sadly it was not to be. First Jody Gerut doubled and scored the tying on a fielders' choice, then Kevin Kouzmanoff stunned the Phillies faithful by blasting a 2 out 3 run homer to put San Diego up 8-5. In the bottom of the 9th the Phils again came up empty to finish off their 3rd consecutive loss and drop to 4-6 overall. These San Diego Padres are just too hot for anyone right now.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned to the Bank tonight for the first time since the death of beloved announcer Harry Kalas. The night began with several tributes in Kalas' honor, including the naming of the tv broadcast booth as the Harry Kalas broadcast booth(the radio booth is already named after Richie Ashburn), among others. The Phils were looking to add to the tributes with a win over the visiting San Diego Padres, to get back to .500 at the Bank this season and back over .500 overall. With Cole Hamels on the mound the honorable win seemed destined to be a reality. However, Hamels again did have his best night, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings of work. For a while though it looked like that would be enough as the Phils were equally jarring to Padre's ace Chris Young, tagging him for 7 runs on 9 hits, but in the end it was not to be the Phils night. In the bottom of the 1st, Chase Utley slammed a 3 run homer and Chris Coste slapped a 2 run double for a quick 5-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd Luis Rodriguez launched a solo shot to cut it to 5-1. In the bottom of the 3rd Raul Ibanez tripled and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz for a 6-1 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Ryan Howard doubled in a run for a 7-1 lead. In the top of the 5th Scott Hairston lined a 2 run homer into the seats to cut it to 7-3. In the top of the 6th, Nick Hundley hit another 2 run homer to cut it to 7-5. It was still 7-5 heading into the 8th which with the Phils bullpen would seem to assure victory, but Padres weren't done yet and Ryan Madson just wasn't himself tonight. Jody Gerut singled in one run, and Hairston doubled in two more and suddenly San Diego was ahead 8-7 in the top of 8th. Brad Lidge managed to get it to the bottom of 9th with the score still 8-7, but Howard struck out leading off and Matt Stairs went down looking with one on and 2 out and the Phils had lost 8-7. So the Phils drop to 4-5 and will have to honor Harry with a win tomorrow instead after his memorial ceremony at the Bank early tomorrow morning.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers continued their opening round playoff series with the Penguins tonight in game 2. The Flyers played much better tonight but got unlucky late in the game. Marty Biron was spectacular with 46 saves out of the 49 shots he faced, and Braydon Coburn picked up two assists. In the though 46 saves just weren't quite enough for the Flyers on this night. Late in the 1st period Scott Hartnell scored off the power play for a 1-0 lead. Late in the 2nd period Bill Guerin tied it up at 1 for the Pens. Early in the 3rd period Darroll Powe scored for a 2-1 lead. From there Biron did everything in his power to push the Flyers to a win, but with just under 4 minutes to play Evgeni Malkin tied it up off the power play and the game wound up in overtime. There with about a minute and a half remaining in the overtime period, and the Pens holding a 5 on 3 advantage following a stupid penalty by Claude Giroux, for breaking another player's stick, Guerin scored to break the Flyers hearts and win it for Pittsburgh 3-2. So the Flyers trail 2-0 now and probably have only a slim chance of winning the series at this point, but you never know stranger things have happened.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles finally made a big offseason move today trading the lower of their 2 1st round picks, and a 4th round pick in this years draft, and an undisclosed pick in next year's draft, to the Buffalo Bills for left tackle Jason Peters and then signing Peters to a deal. Peters is a two time pro bowler and at 27 is still in the prime of his career. So on paper this is a great move for the Eagles as it finally completes the rebuilding of their offensive line(Tra Thomas signed elsewhere, and Jon Runyan is likely unavailable to anyone this season as he recovers from knee surgery). Presumably at this point with two new tackles, in Peters and Stacey Andrews and a healthy Shawn Andrews back at right guard, the Eagles could now have one of best offensive lines in the NFL. They also still have one first round pick left in the next weekend's draft with which to go after a running back or other offensive playmaker. Of course they could also use that pick a long with their 3rd round pick in a trade with the Cardinals for WR Anquan Boldin. Either way they're in good shape.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
After two rainfilled afternoons, the Phils concluded their stay in Washington tonight. Joe Blanton, who was supposed to start yesterday,got the start tonight. Once again as in hirst first game Blanton was not able to put forth his best effort, but he was decent, allowing just 3 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings of work. Meanwhile his teammates didn't give him much support as the Phils plated just 2 runs on 5 hits on the day. So in the end the Phils just didn't quite have what it took to keep the Nats winless, but they did keep playing hard to the end. In the bottom of the 1st, Adam Dunn slammed a 3 run homerun for a 3-0 nat's lead. In the top of the 4th Raul Ibanez singled in a run to cut it to 3-1. In the top of the 5th Lou Marson doubled and scored on a sac fly to cut it to 3 -2. In the bottom of the 7th Josh Willingham slammed a solo homer for a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the 8th Elijah Dukes and Alberto Gonzalez each homered and Roger Bernadina and Ryan Zimmerman each singled in runs for an 8-2 lead. From there the Nat's bullpen closed out the Phils, as the Nats got their first win 8-2. So the Phils drop back to 4-4 overall and will look to bounce back tomorrow night at the Bank.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers finished the regular season in Cleveland tonight and seemingly caught a huge break as Lebron, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mo Williams, and Ben Wallace all sat the night out. However, they stupidly allowed the Cavs to do one thing they still could to hurt the Sixers, and that is to shoot threes and lots of them. In all Cleveland hit 10 three pointers and that was really all that kept in the game. If the Sixers would have just stayed with their man, instead of triple teaming every guy who drove to the basket, they could have won easily. I guess they maybe they were trying to both win and expend as little energy as possible at the same time. In the end their lazy play probably caused them to have expend more energy they may have wanted, in order to eek out an overtime win. Frankly they should be embarrassed that they needed overtime to beat a bunch benchwarmers. Anyway, they got the win and I guess that's all that matters. 24 points from Iggy, 20 from Thad, and 30 from Andre Miller were just enough for the win. Despite all that scoring the Sixers actually trailed until late in the 4th quarter, but finally at that point they found themselves ahead by 3 and seemingly headed to victory with the score 98-95 and just 4 seconds remaining. Instead Thad fell down trying to defend Daniel Gibson, who then drilled the resulting open three to send the game into overtime. In overtime again the Sixers seemed safely ahead, but Andre Miller missed a pair of free throws that probably would have sealed it, leaving the Cavs down 111-110 and and yes 4 seconds left. This time Royal Ivey defended Gibson and forced him to lose control of the ball long enough to not get a shot off. So the Sixers finish the season 41-41, their first .500 or better record in years, and thanks to a Bulls loss earlier in the night, just good enough for the 6th seed in the East. So the Sixers will be play the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs and although the Magic swept the season series, they were all close games, so the Sixers have a shot to beat them, even if it is a slim one.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers opened their first round playoff series with the Penguins tonight in Pittsburgh. From the beginning they looked sluggish and never really managed pick it up. Marty Biron was solid saving 29 of the 33 shots he faced, but the Flyers struggled to score all night, needing 8 power plays before finally lighting the lamp. So ultimately the Flyers did not put forth their best effort tonight and will need to play better if they expect to win this series. Early in the first period "the Kid" Sidney Crosby scored off the power play, after the puck somehow bounced off his skate without being kicked and went in, for a 1-0 Pens lead. Early in the 2nd period Tyler Kennedy made it 2-0 Pens. Early in the 3rd period Evgeni Malkin made it 3-0 Pens. Midway through the period Mark Eaton made it 4-0 Pens. Finally with just under 5 minutes to play Simon Gagne put the Flyers on the board with a power play goal. Alas, it was too late and Pens went on to win 4-1. So the Orange and Black trail the series 1-0 and will want to win game 2 to avoid putting themselves in to deep a hole against the defending Eastern conference champions.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils got an unexpected day off today rain washed out their nightcap with Nationals. No word yet on when that game will be made up, although they could probably just play a doubleheader tomorrow if they really wanted to, its' much more likely that they'll do so later in the season.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers welcomed the Celtics to the Wachovia center tonight hoping to catch a break and get a win, as with nothing left to play for, the Celtics were expected to use their starters only sparingly. Unfortunately, Paul Pierce kept annoyingly finding his way onto the court, and he alone with 7 three pointers was enough to thwart the Sixer's hopes of victory. Even Thaddeus Young , finally back in lineup tonight, couldn't save the Sixers despite 18 points and 3 steals. The Sixers' defense just wasn't good enough once again to win this one, as they allowed Boston to shoot 51% from the field and 56% from beyond the arc. It was a close game in the end only because Boston played about of half their starting lineup and only Pierce was still in the game at the end. The Sixers actually had the lead by 8 at half time with the score 58-50. Boston slowly cut into the Sixer's lead and by the halfway point of the 4th quarter they had themselves a lead. With 2 seconds to play and the Sixers possessing the ball, Boston was still leading by 2 with the score 100-98. Andre Iguodala took the inbounds pass and managed to get off a three from way beyond the arc amidst a swarm of defenders. Not surprisingly it fell short and the Sixers lost 100-98. So the Sixers drop to 40-41 overall and into 7th in the Eastern conference. At this point they cannot finish any lower than that but they can still get at least that 6th seed, if they can just figure out a way to win their last game of the season against the Cavaliers, and the Bulls lose their final game.
Monday, April 13, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
I can't tell you how many times I have heard the old saying, "nothing lasts forever". I can tell you that until now I never believed it. I grew up listening to Harry Kalas call Phillies games and for as long as I can remember there was never a spring or summer night in the house when that familiar baritone was not heard reverberating from somewhere. While the players and other members of the franchise came and went, Harry was always there. No matter how bad things got with the team you knew you could still turn on the TV, hear his voice, and enjoy the game. Somewhere deep inside I always thought it would be that way every summer, but today at the age of 73, just hours before the Phillies game, Harry Kalas passed away in the broadcast booth getting ready for the game, just the way he probably would have wanted. It is often in this world, that you don't realize how much someone means to you until they are gone. That was true for me today. I did not know much a part of my life he'd become until I sat down to watch the Phils today and the voice wasn't there. I don't know how it will be to watch the phils the rest of the season, but it won't be the same. Harry wasn't just some hall of fame announcer to those of use who listened to him every night. He was so much more. The coverage of his death on TV today seemed to reaffirm as much. So often when a legendary figure passes away, some news anchor just reads off some short statement saying I was deeply saddened, he will be sorely missed etc; That was not the case today with HK. The amount of people seen or heard commenting on how Kalas touched and even changed their lives, not just on CSN, but on ESPN and all the News channels was simply amazing to me. It goes to show just how much he meant to so many. He was more than an announcer, has was one of us, just another fan watching the game with us in our living rooms every night, just like one of the family, a father, a brother, a friend. I would like to finish this brief tribute by expressing the shock and yes, sadness I felt upon hearing of his death today, but I know not the right words to express such feelings. I only know I wasn't ready to say good bye.
It almost seems inconsequential now to talk about how the Phils did today, but the show must go on. With heavy hearts, simply because Harry would have wanted them to play, the Phils took the field in Washington this afternoon for the first of 3 games with the Nationals. Fittingly, Jamie Moyer, the lone Phillie from the Philly area, got the start. He didn't have his best stuff, but Moyer manageed to tough out 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits, and that was enough for the determined Phils. In the bottom of the 1st, Adam Dunn doubled in a run for a 1-0 Nats lead. In the top of the 2nd, the Phils came right back with 2 runs on a bases loaded walk to Chris Coste and a sac fly by Moyer for a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, Cristian Guzman singled in a run to tie it at 2. In the top of the 3rd "the Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino slammed a solo homer for a 3-2 lead. In the top of the 4th Jimmy Rollins slapped a 2 out double for a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Guzman singled in another run to cut it to 4-3. In the bottom of the 5th Elijah Dukes lined a solo homer into the seats to tie it at 4. In the top of the 7th, Ryan Howard crushed a 3 run homer, and Raul Ibanez followed a couple batters later with a solo homer for an 8-4 lead. In the bottom of the 7th Adam Dunn clobbered a 2 run homer to cut it to 8-6. In the top of the 8th Eric Bruntlett delivered a pinch double and scored on a sac fly by Victorino for a 9-6 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, after allowing Ryan Zimmeran to hit a 2 run homer, Brad Lidge closed out the Nationals for his 2nd save of the season and a 9-8 Phils win. So the Phils move to 4-3 overall with their 3rd win in a row. They'll look to make it 4 in a row on Wednesday.
It almost seems inconsequential now to talk about how the Phils did today, but the show must go on. With heavy hearts, simply because Harry would have wanted them to play, the Phils took the field in Washington this afternoon for the first of 3 games with the Nationals. Fittingly, Jamie Moyer, the lone Phillie from the Philly area, got the start. He didn't have his best stuff, but Moyer manageed to tough out 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits, and that was enough for the determined Phils. In the bottom of the 1st, Adam Dunn doubled in a run for a 1-0 Nats lead. In the top of the 2nd, the Phils came right back with 2 runs on a bases loaded walk to Chris Coste and a sac fly by Moyer for a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, Cristian Guzman singled in a run to tie it at 2. In the top of the 3rd "the Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino slammed a solo homer for a 3-2 lead. In the top of the 4th Jimmy Rollins slapped a 2 out double for a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Guzman singled in another run to cut it to 4-3. In the bottom of the 5th Elijah Dukes lined a solo homer into the seats to tie it at 4. In the top of the 7th, Ryan Howard crushed a 3 run homer, and Raul Ibanez followed a couple batters later with a solo homer for an 8-4 lead. In the bottom of the 7th Adam Dunn clobbered a 2 run homer to cut it to 8-6. In the top of the 8th Eric Bruntlett delivered a pinch double and scored on a sac fly by Victorino for a 9-6 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, after allowing Ryan Zimmeran to hit a 2 run homer, Brad Lidge closed out the Nationals for his 2nd save of the season and a 9-8 Phils win. So the Phils move to 4-3 overall with their 3rd win in a row. They'll look to make it 4 in a row on Wednesday.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers traveled to Toronto tonight for a matchup with the lowly Raptors. Considering it was to be the only one of their season ending games against a non playoff team, it was imperative that they get the win. Once again their defense just wasn't good enough to pull it out. An 18 point 12 rebound night for Sammy Dalembert and a 23 point effort by Lou Williams were both wasted. An impressive night of offensive rebounding, with Sixers pulling down 22 of their 47 rebounds off the offensive glass, was also wasted. All told Toronto shot 53% from the field and when it mattered most they were able to get the scores they needed, while the Sixers could not. At the half the game was actually tied at 53. By the 4th quarter the Raptors were clinging to a one point lead with the score 81-80. Finally the 4th quarter went the Raptors way early, as they built up a 14 point lead with 6 minutes to play. The Sixers then were able to make one final push, but it was too little too late, and eventually they lost by 7 111-104. So the Sixers drop ro 40-40 overall, but remain 6th in the Eastern conference, via the tiebreaker over the Bulls. Also with the Miami Heat winning today, the Sixers can no longer get the 5th seed in the East.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Rockies this afternoon. Chan Ho Park, as it turned out actually made his first start of the season today, rather than Tuesday. Unfortunately, he was shellacked, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits, in just 3 and 1/3rd innings of work. Fortunately, the bullpen then preceded to toss 5 and 2/3rd's scoreless innings the rest of the way. Meanwhile, just like yesterday the Phils managed to mount a rally, racking up another 13 hits, again many of them occuring at just right time. In the bottom of the 1st, Brad Hawpe doubled in one run, and singles by Garret Atkins and Clint Barmes produced three more runs for a 4-0 Rockie's lead. In the top of the 2nd Ryan Howard doubled and scored on a single by Raul Ibanez to cut it to 4-2.In the bottom of the 2nd Dexter Fowler slammed a solo homer to for a 5-3 lead. In the top of the 4th, Chase Utley singled and scored on a single by Jayson Werth to cut it to 5-2. In the top of the 6th Werth slapped in another run to cut it to 5-3. In the top of the 8th Utley slammed a 2 run homer to knot it at 5. In the top of the 9th Matt Stairs clobbered a 2 run homer for a 7-5 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th Brad Lidge came in to record his 2nd save of the season, in closing out the 7-5 Pnils win. So the Phils move to 3-3 overall and seem to have turned things around.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers welcomed the New York Rangers to the Wachovia center this afternoon. They needed a win or a tie to clinch the 4th seed in the Eastern conference. For two periods it looked the 4th seed would be theirs. Then the Rangers posted a few late goals in the 3rd period and poof went that 4th seed. Marty Biron had 27 saves, and Danny Briere had a goal and an assist, but it was not enough. Early in the first period Claude Giroux scored for a 1-0 lead. A few minutes later Brandon Dubinsky scored to knot it up at 1 for the Rangers. A few minutes later Jeff Carter scored off the power play for a 2-1 lead. A couple minutes later Dubinksy scored again to knot it up at 2. Early in the 2nd period Briere scored for a 3-2 lead. Early in the 3rd period Sean Avery scored to knot it up again 3. A few minutes later Blair Betts scored for a 4-3 Ranger's lead. From there the Flyers had their opportunities to tie it up again and get the one point they needed, but Henrik Lundqvist came up with some big saves to preserve the win for the Rangers. So the Flyers finish the season 44-27-11 overall for 99 points and the 5th seed in the Eastern conference. Therefore the first round of the playoffs will begin in PittsBurgh for the Orange and Black.
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