The Sixers are preparing to start playing summer league games, specifically there usual stop in Orlando in about a week. Besides Mo Speights, and 1st round pick Jrue Holiday, the Sixers have also added ex Temple star Dionte Christmas to their summer league roster. Christmas whom many thought would go in the 2nd round of the draft because of his outstanding outside shooting and scoring touch(he torched Tennessee for 40 points and about 6 threes early last season in a upset win for the Owls), went undrafted. However, thanks his ability to hit threes and score at will at times, he could easily make the team, in fact if they'd had a 2nd round pick the Sixers might have taken him. Plus Sixers fans always love to cheer on local products, so he'd be hit with the wachovia center faithful right off the bat. So anyway get ready to hear the phrase its Christmas in July on highlights shows in the next week or so.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Blue Jays this afternoon and what a difference a day makes. J.A Happ got the start and was brilliant, allowing just 5 hits in the first complete game shutout of his career. Perhaps even more impressive is that he didn't allow a single walk in the game, and threw just 100 pitches. So he was rolling big time and so were the Phils, as they beat up on Toronto starter Brad Mills for 8 runs on 8 hits and eventually finished with 10 runs on 14 hits overall. They jumped out early with 4 runs in the 1st on 2 run homers by Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz. They then added 1 in the 4th, on a double by Carlos Ruiz, 4 in the 5th on singles by Werth, Ruiz and Ryan Howard, and a sac fly by Eric Bruntlett, and finally 1 in the 6th on a solo homer by Werth to cap off the 10-0 win. Yeah Werth had about as good a day as Happ, with 4 hits, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBIs, to singlehandedly account for over half the Phils offense. I really didn't see this coming from Happ, although he really hasn't had a bad start since replacing Chan Ho Park in the rotation and I would say he's pretty much earned himself a spot in the rotation for the rest of the season and actually he has better numbers than anyone else in the rotation right now, at 5-0 with an ERA of 3.00. Seriously, how did Chan Ho Park beat out Happ for the 5th spot in the rotation during spring training anyway. I don't know if this win will carry over in to tomorrow for the Phils, but I don't see why not with the veteran Jamie Moyer on the mound. It just depends on whether or not the Phils can keep hitting for once. Anyway with the win the Phils move to 38-34 overall and back up to 1.5 games up in the NL East, as the Mets, Marlins, and yes, Braves all lost again today.
FLYERS NEWS
On day 2 of the NHL draft the Flyers actually made some picks although nothing significant. In the 3rd round they took goalie Adam Morrison and defenseman Simon Bertillson. In the 5th round they took goalie Nicola Riopel. In the 6th round they took center Dave Labrecque and left wing Eric Wellwood. Finally in the 7th round they took defenseman Oliver Lauridsen. Ultimately, none of these guys will be joining Flyers anytime soon if at all. In fact they're all 20 years of age or younger and will probably need at least 3 years to develop. Probably the best of all the picks would be the defenseman Bertillson who scored 31 points including 9 goals in 30 games with his Swedish team Brynas. God only knows about the rest of these guys.
Friday, June 26, 2009
FLYERS NEWS
The the first day or round 1 of the NHL draft was tonight. However, the Flyers did make any picks tonight because they traded away their first round pick(number 21) along with their 1st round pick in the 2010 draft, forward Joffrey Lupul, and defenseman Luca Sbisa to the Anaheim Ducks for future hall of fame defenseman Chris Pronger and young forward Ryan Dingle who will probably play in the AHL next season. Although he is now just one of the best defenseman in the NHL, rather than the best, Pronger is exactly what the Flyers needed, a tough as nails defenseman not afraid to intimidate others. He is the blue line leader the Flyers have lacked since Derian Hatcher's was felled by career ending injuries. Sure, they had to get rid of a lot to get him, but Lupul an average 25 goal scorer, was being grossly overpaid at 4 years for $4.5 million and thus was expendable and getting rid of him frees up the cap space the Flyers needed to sign a backup goalie and to re-sign Mike Knuble. Also both of the picks the Flyers gave up were late first rounders and in the NHL especially, late first rounders are always hit or miss and often take years develop before they can assume a role on the team. In fact Anaheim didn't even use that 21st pick they got from the Flyers tonight, instead trading it to Columbus. So ultimately all the Flyers really gave up for Pronger was Sbisa. Out of all the young defenseman on the Flyers he probably had the potential to become the most talented, but it would have taken him at least a couple more years to harness that talent. Also Sbisa was never going to have the same 6-6 221 lb size and the intimidation ability of Pronger. Therefore, while some would say the Flyers gave up too much for Pronger, I think it may have been worth it. The only problem is that Pronger has only a year left on his current contract so if the Flyers want to keep him for a few years at least, they'll have sign him to a new deal, but it sounds like that won't be a problem. At any rate this clearly shows the Flyers are committed to winning a cup now rather than a few years from now because at 34 years old Pronger probably can only help them get to the cup for another 3-5 years. So let's leave it at this. If the win a cup in next 3-5 years, than this arguably the best trade they have ever made. Otherwise it is a huge bust. At any rate though with Ray Emery and now Pronger in tow the Flyers will at least be a fun team to watch next season.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Toronto tonight to begin a series with the Blue Jays. After getting demolished by the Tampa Bay Rays last night , they were hoping to bounce back tonight. Instead, it was only more of the same. Even Cole Hamels, who got the start tonight, couldn't save the Phils as he allowed 4 runs on 8 hits in just 4 and 2/3rd's innings of work. Meanwhile Ricky Romero sparkled for Toronto no-hitting the Phils for 6 innings, before losing it in the 7th. In all he tossed 7 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits. Thus, by the time the Phils finally scored a run in this one, it was the top of the 9th and too late mount any sort of comeback. All of the Toronto runs off Hamels, came in the 4th and 5th innings. In the 4th, Alex Rios singled in a run for a 1-0 lead, and in the 5th a 2 run double by Aaron Hill and a sac fly by Scott Rolen pushed it to 4-0. Later Toronto added 2 in the 8th on a single by Raul Chavez and a bases loaded walk issued to Hill to push the lead to 6-0. Finally as mentioned the Phils scored in the 9th on a sac fly by Jason Werth, but it was too late and they fell 6-1. So the Phils lose their 3rd in a row on the road for the first time all season. It really was just another terrible night for the Phils. They had exactly 3 hits all night long, 2 by Chase Utely, and one by Werth and everyone else, Ryan Howard(finally back at 1st) Pedro Feliz, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, etc; went hitless. Hamels had his worst start of the season thus far and he's now just 4-4 overall with an oddly high 4.44 ERA. Brad Lidge did get finally back into a game again tonight, but he threw a wild pitch and gave up those 2 runs in the 8th inning. They just don't look like the same Phillies team that won the world series with now. I don't know maybe it is just that they're stuck in interleague play, which is alway they're worst time of the year. Simply put they stink against american league teams, year in and year out. Especially against the AL East, which who they have been playing this year. So hopefully that's all that is going on with them right now, and as soon this series is over and they go back to playing NL teams they'll be fine. In the mean time, despite the loss they remain 1st in the NL East at just 37-34 overall, since the Mets(0.5 back), Marlins(1 back), and Braves(4 back) all lost tonight as well, thank God.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phillies completed their series with the Rays tonight and it wasn't pretty. Antonio Bastardo got the start and was touched up for 6 runs on 7 hits in just 3 and 2/3rd's innings. So maybe he's just not ready to be a part of the Phils rotation after all. Meanwhile the Phils put up 4 quick runs in the 1st inning, then um didn't score again the rest of night. Seriously it was like the whole team fell asleep. They made fielding mistakes(Jayson Werth badly misplayed line drive off the wall in right), base-running mistakes(Pedro Feliz got caught way off first on an obvious fly out with just one out at the time) and just a lot of really stupid mistakes. Suffice it to say they didn't play like world champions tonight. Doubles by Ryan Howard and Matt Stairs, and a single by Pedro Feliz put the Phils up 4-0 in the 1st inning, but it was all down hill from there. Tampa came right back with 3 runs in the 1st inning on a double by Carlos Pena and 2 run homer by Ben Zobrist. They scored 3 more in the 2nd inning on a solo homer by Willy Aybar, a double by Carl Crawford, and a fielder's choice. So before you knew it Tampa was ahead 6-4 and they never looked back. With 3 in the 6th on singles by Jason Bartlett, and Aybar, and 1 in the 7th on a fielder's choice, Tampa went on to win easily 10-4. Frankly I am disgusted with the way the Phils played tonight. Champions aren't supposed to play like this. Where's the heart? Where's the hustle? Wherever it is they better find it, because now after dropping to just 37-33 overall they lead the NL East by just a half a game.
SIXERS NEWS
The NBA draft was tonight and with 17th pick of the 1st round, their only pick in the draft, the Sixers selected UCLA point guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday was projected as a top 10 pick so I guess the fact that the Sixers got him can be considered a steal. The problem is that Holiday is a bit of a project. He has the potential to become a very good point guard in the NBA in a couple years and probably will be, but he's not ready to step in as the Sixer's point guard right now. Which means the Sixers either must be confident they can bring back Andre Miller for at least couple more years or they really don't plan on putting together a contender for a couple more years. Honestly, Thad Young and Mo Speights probably won't be good enough to elevate the Sixers into contention for a couple years anyway so perhaps getting Holiday was a smart pick. I just wish the Sixers were a little more committed to winning now instead of a couple years from now. Realistically though, with the Magic adding Vince Carter, and the Cavs adding Shaq, the Sixers probably weren't going to be able to get much farther this season or even next season, than they did last season. So ultimately, I guess I would say getting Holiday was a nice pick for the Sixers. In fact if the Sixers can bring back Miller then it would be the perfect learning situation for Holiday and maybe he could end up being a very good pick. Make no mistake is a very good player. At a big physical height of 6-3, with a wingspan of 6-7 he is a very good defender capable of wreaking havoc in the lane and he's also a good athlete and good ball handler. Also other than his one college season at UCLA, he has played point guard his entire life, so unlike Lou Williams he really is a pure point guard. The only problem with the Holiday is that he needs to work on his shooting. Once he gets that done though he could be a star. So who knows maybe the Sixers really are better after this draft.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Rays tonight. Joe Blanton got the start and pitched well, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 10 in 7 solid innings. However, the Phils lineup went stagnant providing Blanton with just 1 run on 4 hits. Jimmy Rollins went hitless again, as did Shane Victorion, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, and Pedro Feliz. Matt Garza pitched well for Tampa but not that well. It was really just one of those off nights for the Phils lineup. Still, through 7 and 1/2 innings it was actually enough to keep the Phils in it. Pat Burrell hit a 2 run homer in the 2nd inning and Jayson Werth slugged a solo homer just inside the foul pole in the 7th inning, but that was it, 2-1 Rays going into the bottom of the 8th. There J.C Romero took over for Blanton and got a couple outs before loading the bases, prompting Charlie Manuel to bring Chan Ho Park into the game. Park got Burrell to ground into what should have been an inning ending fielder's choice but JRoll flipped to 2nd instead of trying to get the slow footed Burrell at first, and Ben Zobrist beat the flip to keep the inning alive and allow a run to score. After that a 2 run single by Jason Bartlett and a 2 run double by Gabe Gross put it out of reach for a Phils comeback, with the score 7-1 Rays. So the Phils drop just their 10 game on the road, so they'll have to win tomorrow to avoid losing their first series on the road this season. I commented on this earlier but I just wanted to reiterate here that Brad Lidge is expected to return to the Phils bullpen which should help the Phils avoid messes like this one. By the way, Ryan Howard was still the DH for the Phils today so I don't know when he'll back at 1st base, but apparently he is over his recent bout with the flu, so it shouldn't be long now. So anyway the Phils drop to 37-32 overall now and to just 1.5 games up in the NL East.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled down to Tampa tonight to begin a series with the Rays. After 6 straight losses the Phils were just hoping for something, anything, positive and boy did they get it. What a difference the road makes. Jamie Moyer got the start and rolled through 6 innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits. Meanwhile the Phils just destroyed David Price, for 10 runs on 7 hits. Honestly the outcome of this one was only in doubt for about 3 innings. Price just kept throwing fastball after fastball and payed dearly for it. In the 1st inning alone the Phils scored 6 runs, on back to back doubles by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard(DHing for tonight, and probably back at first tomorrow) and a 3 run homer by John Mayberry Jr. In the 4th the Phils put up 4 more runs, on a fielder's choice, an RBI single by "the Flyin Hawaiian" , Shane Victorino and a 2 run homer by Utley for a 10-0 lead. It was pretty much over from there, although Tampa did finally score a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Jason Bartlett, to cut the final score to 10-1. So the Phils improve 24-9 on the road now. Apparently all they needed to get back on track was to get the heck away from the Bank. Seriously, the Phils couldn't have played any better in this game and the Rays couldn't have played any worse. It was the complete opposite of all those games the Phils played at home and it simply defies all the logic I can think of. So anyway, after this impressive night, to say the least, the Phils move to 37-31 overall and now back to 2.5 games up in the NL East. In others news on the injury front, Brad Lidge apparently close to the returning to the Phils bullpen after a rehab stint tonight in clearwater. Raul Ibanez also appears to be on the mend after participating batting practice today. On other hand reliever Clay Condrey went on the DL today, joining already injured relievers Lidge and Scott Eyre. So Lidge either has to come back perfect very soon or the Phils need to go get someone in a trade, because Ryan Madson, J.C Romero, Jack Taschner, Chan Ho Park, and a couple of rookies just won't do as the Phils bullpen for long.
Monday, June 22, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils are off today as they head to Tampa for a world series rematch with the Rays. You know what that means, time to continue our top 25 most dramatic Phillies victories. This week we'll do numbers 20 to 16. Next time it will be numbers 15 to 11. Okay so away we go.
20. Top Gun June 6, 2008 Phillies 4 - Braves 3
Along the way to a world title there exist several stops along the way where you win a game you have no business winning and you begin to think hey maybe this is our year. This was one such game. It is the first of 9 consecutive victories at Atlanta for the Phils on the season and the first of 3 straight games in which the Phils enter the 9th inning trailing only to rally to victory. On this night Tim Hudson takes the mound for the Braves and appears headed to an easy win, as he allows just one run on 5 hits and pitches into the 8th inning. The Phils bullpen however, keeps Atlanta from pulling away with 3 and 2/3rd's scoreless innings. Still the Phils trail 2-1 heading into the 9th. With 2 out and runners on 1st and 2nd Chris Coste hits what should be an game ending groundout, but Kelly Johnson drops it before he can throw to first, allowing Coste to safely reach first, while Eric Bruntlett streaks home from 2nd to tie the game before Johnson recovers to throw out Pedro Feliz at home. Johnson slaps a one out double in the bottom of the inning but he's stranded, setting the stage for some Phillies magic in the 10th inning. "The Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino, who scored the Phils first run way back in the 1st inning, triples with one out to score one run and then scores on a double by Chase Utley to put the Phils up 4-2 heading into the bottom of the inning. Brad Lidge, perfect on save opportunities thus far, comes on to get the save but his perfect season looks like it will be over. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 out Yunel Escobar slaps what he believes is a game tying single. Instead Victorino has other ideas and with a perfect throw from center, he guns down Gregor Blanco, the tying run, at the plate by a split second to preserve the 4-3 win.
19. JRollin' July 25, 2007 Phillies 7 - Nationals 5
In the midst of a miracle season the Phils were just beginning to hit their side with 4 straight wins coming into this night. 7 brilliant innings from "Hollywood" Cole Hamels and a 3 run 4th inning appear to have the Phils headed towards a 5th successive win. Then, the bullpen which had been the one bright spot other than Hamels on an otherwise shaky pitching staff unravels in the top of the 9th inning, specfically Antonio Alfonseca, and Washington rallies to take a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the inning. After two quick outs the Nats are poised to ruin another Phils playoff push. Next up Jimmy Rollins. In the middle of an MVP campaign and performing heroics not seen in this town in over 10 years, JRoll gets lucky here. He slaps what should be a game ending flyout to left, but Ryan Langerhans blows the catch and boots the ball away from himself, allowing JRoll to race all the way to 3rd, with a triple. Then as Jroll slides into 3rd, Langerhans throws off line, even though there's no chance to get him, and the ball gets away from Ryan Zimmerman. JRoll has just enough time to see the ball get away, pick himself up and scamper home with the most incredible tying run in Phils history. 4 and1/2 innings later in the bottom of the 14th Ryan Howard crushes a game winning 2 run homer and in the most unlikely of fashions the Phils have their 5th straight win. It is only the beginning of one of the most miraculous late season charges in franchise history.
18. Mitchy Poo to the rescue July 2, 1993 Phillies 6 - Padres 5
This is yet another of those weird, wild, and wacky 1993 finishes and without a doubt the most memorable, in the regular season anyway. It is the second half of a doubleheader which is rain delayed until just before midnight and surprisingly it begins at about 1:30 in the morning not longer after game 1 is finished, an hour that as his whiteness, Richie Ashburn, puts it to Harry Kalas, "would be bad for most people, but is just the shank of the evening for you and me". Coming into the game the Phils are embroiled in their only losing streak of the season and have seen their NL East lead drop under 5 games for the first time in months. So they need to win on this night to regain composure and maintain control of the division for the remainder of the season. The Phils actually fall behind 5-0 through 3 and 1/2 innings, but as usual they're not willing to go away quietly. Behind an RBI single by Jim Eisenreich in the 4th, a 3 run homer by Ricky Jordan in the 5th, and an RBI single by Darren Daulton in the 8th, they come all the way back to tie it. In the 9th "the wild thing" Mitch Williams walks a batter, and throws a wild pitch, but gets out of the inning anyway. He gets through the top of the 10th inning too and then in botttom of the 10th with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd, because no one is left in the bullpen, Williams comes to the plate for just his 16th and as luck would have it final major league at bat. At a little past 4:00 in the morning the unthinkable happens. Take it away Harry. " The 0-1 pitch to Williams, line drive base hit left field, here comes Incagavilia, Billy Beane's throw is late, Incavagilia's gonna score, this game is over, Phils win 6-5 in the bottom of half of the 10th inning on an RBI hit by Mitchy Poo".
17. A star is born July 19, 2005 Phillies 4 - Dodgers 3
This is another one of those 2005 miracle finishes which as mentioned were only enough to bring the Phils one agonizing game short of the playoffs. On this night Brad Penny and Brett Myers duel to a stalemate with each allowing 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings, thanks mostly to a clutch 2 out single in the 5th inning by Chase Utley which ties the game at 3. So it comes down to a battle of the bullpens which would seem to give the edge to the Phils with the likes of Ryan Madson, Ugueth Urbina, and Billy Wagner. Instead after he rolls through the 9th inning, Wagner seemingly blows it in the top of the 10th, issuing a bases loaded walk to then Dodger Jayson Werth. Then in the bottom of the 10th Pat Burrell, of all people, leads off and legs out a triple, setting the stage for young Ryan Howard to hopefully tie the game or at least get on base. At the time Howard has hit just 5 homeruns in his career and has been struggling to the fill the shoes left by Jim Thome who's virtually done for the season with various injuries. No one expects the kid to do anything special here. Probably already shocked to see Burrell round the bases, a stunned Citizens Bank crowd looks on as Howard crushes the first pitch he sees from Yhenzy Brazoban for a game winning 2 run homer. From who? to hero just like that, Howard is only at the beginning of arguably the greatest rookie season any Phillies player has ever had. In just 88 games he racks up an incredible 22 homers, 63 RBIs, and 90 hits, and runs away with rookie of the year honors.
16. Didn't I October 11, 1993 NLCS Game 5 Phillies 4 - Braves 3
It's been a great season thus far, but the Phils are still 2 wins away from the world series. Coming into this night their NLCS series with the Braves is tied at 2 games a piece and the winner will probably win the series. Thankfully, Curt Schilling is unhittable on this evening, tossing 8 scoreless innings. After Darren Daulton slugs a solo homer the Phils take a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 9th. Then Schilling runs out of gas, allowing the first 2 runners to reach base on a walk and an error. Despite having thrown 131 pitches, Schilling pleads to stay in the game, but Jim Fregosi will have none of it and brings in the "wild thing" Mitch Williams for the save, oops. Williams is wild again on this night, allowing Atlanta to tie the game at 3 and with only one out they load the bases, putting the Atlanta Fulton county stadium crowd into a frenzy. Somehow after Mark Lemke slaps a potential game winning single just foul, Williams gets out of the jam. After that with one out and nobody on in the top of the 10th "the Dude" Lenny Dykstra steps to the plate, knowing its up to him to save the day again. A few minutes later he sends Mark Wohlers 3-2 offering over the fence to put the Phils up 4-3, and as he rounds 3rd, he screams into then 3rd base coach Larry Bowa's ear, didn't I! didn't I!. Yes Dude you did it. Minutes later lost in the Dykstra euphoria, an exhausted Larry Andersen comes in and gets his only save of the season in the bottom of the inning and just like that the Phils are one game away from their first trip to the world series in 10 years.
15-11
20. Top Gun June 6, 2008 Phillies 4 - Braves 3
Along the way to a world title there exist several stops along the way where you win a game you have no business winning and you begin to think hey maybe this is our year. This was one such game. It is the first of 9 consecutive victories at Atlanta for the Phils on the season and the first of 3 straight games in which the Phils enter the 9th inning trailing only to rally to victory. On this night Tim Hudson takes the mound for the Braves and appears headed to an easy win, as he allows just one run on 5 hits and pitches into the 8th inning. The Phils bullpen however, keeps Atlanta from pulling away with 3 and 2/3rd's scoreless innings. Still the Phils trail 2-1 heading into the 9th. With 2 out and runners on 1st and 2nd Chris Coste hits what should be an game ending groundout, but Kelly Johnson drops it before he can throw to first, allowing Coste to safely reach first, while Eric Bruntlett streaks home from 2nd to tie the game before Johnson recovers to throw out Pedro Feliz at home. Johnson slaps a one out double in the bottom of the inning but he's stranded, setting the stage for some Phillies magic in the 10th inning. "The Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino, who scored the Phils first run way back in the 1st inning, triples with one out to score one run and then scores on a double by Chase Utley to put the Phils up 4-2 heading into the bottom of the inning. Brad Lidge, perfect on save opportunities thus far, comes on to get the save but his perfect season looks like it will be over. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 out Yunel Escobar slaps what he believes is a game tying single. Instead Victorino has other ideas and with a perfect throw from center, he guns down Gregor Blanco, the tying run, at the plate by a split second to preserve the 4-3 win.
19. JRollin' July 25, 2007 Phillies 7 - Nationals 5
In the midst of a miracle season the Phils were just beginning to hit their side with 4 straight wins coming into this night. 7 brilliant innings from "Hollywood" Cole Hamels and a 3 run 4th inning appear to have the Phils headed towards a 5th successive win. Then, the bullpen which had been the one bright spot other than Hamels on an otherwise shaky pitching staff unravels in the top of the 9th inning, specfically Antonio Alfonseca, and Washington rallies to take a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the inning. After two quick outs the Nats are poised to ruin another Phils playoff push. Next up Jimmy Rollins. In the middle of an MVP campaign and performing heroics not seen in this town in over 10 years, JRoll gets lucky here. He slaps what should be a game ending flyout to left, but Ryan Langerhans blows the catch and boots the ball away from himself, allowing JRoll to race all the way to 3rd, with a triple. Then as Jroll slides into 3rd, Langerhans throws off line, even though there's no chance to get him, and the ball gets away from Ryan Zimmerman. JRoll has just enough time to see the ball get away, pick himself up and scamper home with the most incredible tying run in Phils history. 4 and1/2 innings later in the bottom of the 14th Ryan Howard crushes a game winning 2 run homer and in the most unlikely of fashions the Phils have their 5th straight win. It is only the beginning of one of the most miraculous late season charges in franchise history.
18. Mitchy Poo to the rescue July 2, 1993 Phillies 6 - Padres 5
This is yet another of those weird, wild, and wacky 1993 finishes and without a doubt the most memorable, in the regular season anyway. It is the second half of a doubleheader which is rain delayed until just before midnight and surprisingly it begins at about 1:30 in the morning not longer after game 1 is finished, an hour that as his whiteness, Richie Ashburn, puts it to Harry Kalas, "would be bad for most people, but is just the shank of the evening for you and me". Coming into the game the Phils are embroiled in their only losing streak of the season and have seen their NL East lead drop under 5 games for the first time in months. So they need to win on this night to regain composure and maintain control of the division for the remainder of the season. The Phils actually fall behind 5-0 through 3 and 1/2 innings, but as usual they're not willing to go away quietly. Behind an RBI single by Jim Eisenreich in the 4th, a 3 run homer by Ricky Jordan in the 5th, and an RBI single by Darren Daulton in the 8th, they come all the way back to tie it. In the 9th "the wild thing" Mitch Williams walks a batter, and throws a wild pitch, but gets out of the inning anyway. He gets through the top of the 10th inning too and then in botttom of the 10th with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd, because no one is left in the bullpen, Williams comes to the plate for just his 16th and as luck would have it final major league at bat. At a little past 4:00 in the morning the unthinkable happens. Take it away Harry. " The 0-1 pitch to Williams, line drive base hit left field, here comes Incagavilia, Billy Beane's throw is late, Incavagilia's gonna score, this game is over, Phils win 6-5 in the bottom of half of the 10th inning on an RBI hit by Mitchy Poo".
17. A star is born July 19, 2005 Phillies 4 - Dodgers 3
This is another one of those 2005 miracle finishes which as mentioned were only enough to bring the Phils one agonizing game short of the playoffs. On this night Brad Penny and Brett Myers duel to a stalemate with each allowing 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings, thanks mostly to a clutch 2 out single in the 5th inning by Chase Utley which ties the game at 3. So it comes down to a battle of the bullpens which would seem to give the edge to the Phils with the likes of Ryan Madson, Ugueth Urbina, and Billy Wagner. Instead after he rolls through the 9th inning, Wagner seemingly blows it in the top of the 10th, issuing a bases loaded walk to then Dodger Jayson Werth. Then in the bottom of the 10th Pat Burrell, of all people, leads off and legs out a triple, setting the stage for young Ryan Howard to hopefully tie the game or at least get on base. At the time Howard has hit just 5 homeruns in his career and has been struggling to the fill the shoes left by Jim Thome who's virtually done for the season with various injuries. No one expects the kid to do anything special here. Probably already shocked to see Burrell round the bases, a stunned Citizens Bank crowd looks on as Howard crushes the first pitch he sees from Yhenzy Brazoban for a game winning 2 run homer. From who? to hero just like that, Howard is only at the beginning of arguably the greatest rookie season any Phillies player has ever had. In just 88 games he racks up an incredible 22 homers, 63 RBIs, and 90 hits, and runs away with rookie of the year honors.
16. Didn't I October 11, 1993 NLCS Game 5 Phillies 4 - Braves 3
It's been a great season thus far, but the Phils are still 2 wins away from the world series. Coming into this night their NLCS series with the Braves is tied at 2 games a piece and the winner will probably win the series. Thankfully, Curt Schilling is unhittable on this evening, tossing 8 scoreless innings. After Darren Daulton slugs a solo homer the Phils take a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 9th. Then Schilling runs out of gas, allowing the first 2 runners to reach base on a walk and an error. Despite having thrown 131 pitches, Schilling pleads to stay in the game, but Jim Fregosi will have none of it and brings in the "wild thing" Mitch Williams for the save, oops. Williams is wild again on this night, allowing Atlanta to tie the game at 3 and with only one out they load the bases, putting the Atlanta Fulton county stadium crowd into a frenzy. Somehow after Mark Lemke slaps a potential game winning single just foul, Williams gets out of the jam. After that with one out and nobody on in the top of the 10th "the Dude" Lenny Dykstra steps to the plate, knowing its up to him to save the day again. A few minutes later he sends Mark Wohlers 3-2 offering over the fence to put the Phils up 4-3, and as he rounds 3rd, he screams into then 3rd base coach Larry Bowa's ear, didn't I! didn't I!. Yes Dude you did it. Minutes later lost in the Dykstra euphoria, an exhausted Larry Andersen comes in and gets his only save of the season in the bottom of the inning and just like that the Phils are one game away from their first trip to the world series in 10 years.
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Sunday, June 21, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Orioles and thus their homestand this afternoon. Cole Hamels got the start and went 8 brilliant innings, allowing just 2 runs on 9 hits, while striking out 10. Unfortunately with Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez both MIA the Phils could only give Hamels one run and ultimately fell 2-1 for their 6th consecutive loss. Charlie Manuel even took my advice and got himself thrown out of the game but the Phils still didn't get fired up. Either no one was paying attention or only road trips get them going these days. The Phils actually led early 1-0 on a solo homer by Greg Dobbs and then Brian Roberts rallied Baltimore ahead for the 2nd game in a row, doubling and scoring the tying run in the 6th and singling with one out in the 8th inning to knock in the eventual winning run. So the Phils drop to 13-22 at home and are just dying right now. Hopefully with the off day tomorrow Howard will get well and return to the lineup to start the road trip on Tuesday, because they are really going to need him to provide the spark until Ibanez comes back, especially considering that Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Jayson Werth, and Pedro Feliz all failed to register a single hit today, as they went a combined 0 for 13. So anyway the after getting swept for the 2nd straight time the Phils drop to 36-32 overall, but thanks to another Met's loss the Phils remain 2 games up in the NL East
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