The Phils continued their series with the Mets this afternoon. Jamie Moyer got the start and tossed a gem, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits in 6 and 1/3rd innings. Meanwhile, Jimmy Rollins stayed a hot with another hit and 2 RBIs to lead the Phils to an early 3-0 which like yesterday stood up the rest of the way. Jayson Werth got the Phils started with a sac fly in the bottom of the 1st. Then JRoll slapped a 2 run double in the bottom of the 4th for the 3-0 lead. In the top of 5th, Melvin Nieves, the pitcher, gave the Mets their only run of the day with an RBI single. Finally in the bottom of the 6th "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino slapped a 2 out RBI single to put the Phils up 4-1 and put the Mets away for good. From there, the usual suspects, J.C Romero, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge closed it out, for Moyer's 7th win of the season. I don't want to jump the gun again, but I think this could be it this time, this could be the end of JRoll's slump. Of course only time will tell though. Today for the first time in a while Brad Lidge looked like the guy who was perfect last season, instead of the guy who blew 5 saves earlier this season and that's really a good sign for the Phils bullpen. Even more good news for Phils bullpen, is that Scott Eyre comes off the DL tomorrow so the Phils are starting to get healthy again at the right time. Anyway so the Phils move to 41-37 overall now and still 1 game up in the NL East, but now 3 games ahead of the Mets and the Braves.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Friday, July 03, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned to the Bank tonight to begin a long homestand, starting with a weekend series against the NY Mets. Out of the majors since 2007 thanks to injuries, Rodrigo Lopez, recently called up from AAA to replace Antonio Bastardo who is apparently on the DL now, got the start for the Phils tonight. Lopez put forth an inspiring performance, to say the least, allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 and 1/3rd innings. Meanwhile, the Phils beat up on old nemesis, Livan Hernandez, for 7 runs on 10 hits in just 3 innings. So the Phils enjoyed a rare night in which they took an overwhelming advantage early the in game and could simply sit on it, perfect for a Met game. While the Mets were struggling to figure out Lopez, the Phils jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead. Jimmy Rollins got the Phils going right of the bat, leading off the 1st inning with a double and scoring on a single by Chase Utley. Then after Ryan Howard walked to load the bases, Greg Dobbs singled a couple batters laters for 2 more runs and 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, Utley sac flied in a run for a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, Jayson Werth slugged a solo homer and JRoll slapped a 2 out 2 run double for a 7-0 lead. The Mets finally got on the board in the 7th inning scoring a couple runs on back to back doubles by Nick Evans and Brian Schneider, but they were too little too late and did little but cut the final score to 7-2. What a pleasant surprise Lopez was. I really thought he was going to get lit up but he surprised me big time. If he can keep pitching like that he could be a long term option to replace Brett Myers in the rotation for the rest of the season. Ryan Madson actually had a 1-2-3 9th inning tonight and considering how he'd been kinda struggling lately, it was great to see. Also great to see was JRoll hitting and getting on base. The Phils really need him to keep that up if they want to start a winning streak on this homestand instead of another losing streak. So anyway the Phils move to 40-37 overall and now back to a game up over the Marlins in the and 2 over the Mets in the NL East.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Braves tonight. J.A Happ got the start and tossed 7 good innings, allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits. Unfortunately, the Phils only scored 2 runs in that time as well. Ryan Madson then got unlucky in the 8th and allowed to take the lead and ultimately the win. Happ's one mistake on the night, gave the Braves the early 2-0 lead on a 2 run homer by Casey Kotchman. The Phils answered in the top of the 6th inning as a RBI double by Greg Dobbs and a fielder's choice tied it up at 2. It stayed that way until the bottom of the 8th. There, Madson got burned for an RBI double by Matt Diaz, and a 2 run homer by Garrett Anderson for a 5-2 Atlanta lead. The Phils then went down quietly in the 9th as Altanta completed the series sweep, the first time the Phils have been swept on the road all season, and that after they had gone unbeaten at Turner field last season. What happened to Ryan Madson tonight? He simply missed his spots. He's just not quite as precise and in control of his pitches right now as he is when he is at his best. The funny thing about the game tonight is that Jimmy Rollins actually had a couple hits tonight. Yeah imagine that, JRoll finally got untracked and the Phils lost anyway. They're just not getting enough production from the middle of the lineup without Raul Ibanez in there. They also don't seem to have the same will win Raul in there pushing them. Unfortunately, although he is eligible to come off the DL tomorrow, it is unlikely that he will at this point. So the Phils will have to figure out away out of this funk they're without him. So anyway with the loss they drop to 39-37 overall and now into a tie with the Marlins for first place in the NL East.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Braves tonight looking to rebound from their tough 10 inning loss last night. Cole Hamels got the start and looked to be cruising through 2 and 1/3rd innings, but then wheels came loose completey, and he wound up allowing 7 runs on 9 hits in just 4 innings. Meanwhile the Phils scored just one run in that time on a sac fly by Greg Dobbs in the 4th inning and needless to say they lost badly 11-1 as Jair Jurrjens went 7 good innings, holding the Phils to just 1 run on 1 hit. In fact the Phils had exactly 2 hits all night long which is just awful, although I am not sure they were really trying all that much after they fell behind 9-1 so maybe that explains it. You know for a team that had been struggling to hit coming into this series, the Braves are certainly making it look easy against the Phils. They had 11 runs on 14 hits all together and everyone in the lineup contributed. Martin freaking Prado, had another 2 hits and 2 RBIs, Chipper Jones had 2 hits and 3 RBIs, Matt Diaz had 3 hits and 2 RBIs, including a homer, I mean the list just goes on and on. It just goes to show the heightened the level of intensity teams always play with when they're facing the world champions. The Phillies aren't the hunter anymore ,they're the hunted and when you get to that point everyone you play is going to give the best they've got. So to win the Phils have to play well night in and night out, they can't just coast through games playing at an average level and expect to figure out a way to win in the end like they did last season. Right now they're just coasting again and not surprisingly losing games. If they are ever going to get out of this funk they will have to raise their play to a high level and keep it there consistently night in and night out. What has happened to Cole Hamels? After tonight's shellacking he's now just 4-5 overall with a 4.98 ERA. Is this really same guy who won NLCS and world series MVP last season? He seems to have suddenly lost his velocity and forgotten how think his way through innings. He's just going up there throwing the same pitches over and over again instead of making adjustments throughout the game to keep batters fooled from start to finish. Hopefully this isn't a harbinger of the things to come this season for Hamels. Anyway so the Phils drop to 39-36 overall now and just .5 games up in the NL East.
FLYERS NEWS
The NHL free agent signing period is in full swing right now and so is the Flyer's offseason as they made 2 additions to the team today. First they finally found their backup goalie in former Flyer Brian ,Boosh!, Boucher who had been Evgeni Nabokov's backup in San Jose with the Sharks the last few seasons. He's been a pretty good backup too, with a 12-6 record, 2.18 GAA and .917 save percentage last season, all very good totals for a backup. Ultimately, he is good insurance in case Ray Emery turns out to be a bust, and a reliable backup if Emery plays well. Next the Flyers added 35 year old 14 year veteran defensive minded winger/center Ian Lapierrere who's been with the Colorado Avalanche the last few seasons. Basically he simply adds to the higher level of defensive grit the Flyers had already added with Chris Pronger. He's the type of with 600+ penalty minutes last season who is willing take on anybody and use his body to block shots on net. He's also reportedly a very good faceoff guy which is something else the Flyer's lacked last season. So you can pretty much rest assured that with Pronger and now this guy around, the front of net will be cleared out for whoever is in goal, Emery or Boucher, to make saves this season. The only negative for the Flyers today is that Mike Knuble signed with the Washington Capitals, which removes another 25 goals from the roster. Couple with Joffrey Lupul that 50 less goals the Flyers will have this season. Of course, is Danny Briere actually stays healthy this season he could make up most of that on his own and the improved the defensive toughness will help cover some of that as well. Still, it might be nice if the Flyers added one more scorer just in case.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Atlanta tonight to begin a series with the Braves. Joe Blanton got the start and was decent allowing 3 runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings , just good enough to keep the Phils in the game until they could mount a late rally. The Phils took the early 1-0 lead in the top of the 3rd inning on an RBI double by Ryan Howard. Atlanta answered right back in the bottom of the inning as Gregor Blanco tripled and scored on a single by Edgar Prado. The Phils retook the lead in the top of the 5th on a solo homer by Chase Utley. Then Atlanta again answered back in the bottom of the inning, as a solo homer by Prado and a fielder's choice put them up 3-2. While the Phils bullpen began to shut Atlanta down from there, dramatic homers by John Mayberry Jr. and Pedro Feliz rallied the Phils back ahead 4-3 in the top of the 8th. Unfortunately, Ryan Madson couldn't hold the lead in the bottom of the inning, as Prado slapped a 2 out RBI double to knot it up at 4. Neither team scored in the 9th inning, but the Phils had a chance in 10th to retake the lead with one on and one out, but Jayson Werth was robbed of hit by a diving Chipper Jones on an inning ending double play. In the bottom of the inning the Braves got their chance against Chan Ho Park. Park started the inning with a strike out but it got away from him after that. Matt Diaz and Blanco each singled to put runners at the corners for you guessed it, Prado, who promtply singled himself to score Diaz for the 5-4 win. Coming into tonight, Prado had exactly 3 home runs and 9 RBIs all season. So the fact that he 4 hits and 4 RBIs tonight is ridiculous. I wouldn't expect him to keep that up for the rest of the series. Ryan Madson is killing me right now. How does he keep blowing leads like this. Is it just bad luck or he has slipped a little bit? Tonight it was a little bit of both, as after getting the first 2 batters out in the 8th, he walked Blanco and threw the ball away trying to pick him off first, allowing him to move up to second. Then what happens, the very next batter Prado doubles to tie the game. You just can't make mistakes like that, but you also don't expect the next guy up to double. Sometimes in baseball bad things happen to good people. Honestly, though the Phils have to stop making stupid mistakes like this. Anyway so the Phils drop to 39-35 overall now and just 1.5 games up in the NL East, but it's the Marlins who are 2nd now.
Monday, June 29, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils are off today as they travel to Atlanta to start a series with the Braves. Thus, it's time for the 3rd installment of our top 25 most dramatic phils victories, No.s 15-11.
15. October 19, 1980 World Series game 5 the dynamic Trillo Phillies 4 - Royals 3.
After 97 years of futility the 1st world title in franchise history is finally within reach. However, after winning the first 2 games of the world series at the vet, they've lost the last two on the road in Kansas City. Now after beating up on Marty Bystrom for 3 runs on 10 hits, the Royals are leading again 3-2 through 6 innings at old Kauffman stadium. While the Phils show no signs that they have another comeback left in them, Tug Mcgraw keeps them in the game, with scoreless frames in the 7th and 8th innings. Finally it's the top of 9th and the Phils are 3 outs from watching another title bid all but slip away. Fortunately, the indomitable will to win that got them here, finally kicks in as the Phils mount a rally against ultra tough Royal's closer Dan Quisenberry. Mike Schmidt who knocked in the Phils only runs to this point with a 2 run homer, leads off with a single. Del Unser then doubles down the line in right to score Schmidt with the tying run. Keith Moreland bunts Unser over to 3rd, to set up Gary Maddox "the secretary of defense", to knock in the go ahead run but he grounds out to 3rd, leaving Unser stranded with 2 outs. So its up to Manny Trillo, the NLCS MVP, to come through one more time. After falling behind in the count 0-2 he laces a single back up the middle, Unser walks home, and the Phils lead 4-3. Mcgraw finishes off a remarkable 3 inning effort with a scoreless 9th, but as usuall isn't easy as he loads the bases with the 2 outs before striking out Jose Cardenal to end it and just like that the Phils are one win away from their first world title.
14. October 6, 1993 NLCS game 1 Kim Dandy Phillies 4 - Braves 3
In the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, the Phils are pitted against the heavily favored Atlanta Braves, then the 2 time defending national league champs. It's the Phils though that look like the stronger team in this one. Curt Schilling is brilliant in his first postseason start striking out the first 5 batters he faces, as he allows just 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 10 in 8 innings. Moreover, Pete Incaviglia's 4th inning homer and Steve Avery's wild pitch in 6th have the Phils ahead 3-2 heading into the 9th inning. Then Jim Fregosi decides to bring Kim Batiste into the game as a defensive replacement for Dave Hollins, oops. After Mitch Williams walks Bill Pecota to start the inning, Mark Lemke hits a sharp ground ball right at Batiste which should be an easy double play, except Batiste throws it into left field, allowing Pecota to go 3rd and then score a couple batters later on a fielder's choice. Fortunately for Batiste, Williams strikes out Ron Gant to end the inning with the game still tied. After the Phils fail to score in the bottom of the inning. Williams finds his away out of another jam in the top of the 10th. Almost right off the bat in the bottom of the inning, after John Kruk doubles off the wall in right Batiste gets a chance to redeem himself. He does, sending Greg Mcmicheal's 1-2 offering down the left field line for a game winning double. From goat to hero in a manner of minutes, Batiste is held aloft and carried off the field by his teammates.
13. September 23, 2008 NL East clincher - the double play. Phillies 4 - Nationals 3
Back on September 10 the Phils again found themselves behind the NY Mets in the standings, this time by 3.5 games. Once again NY choked away their lead and by this day the Phils lead the NL East by a game with 2 to play and with NY having lost again earlier in the day, they have their first opportunity to clinch their 2nd consecutive NL East title. They won't need another one. Just as he was a year earlier Jamie Moyer is called on to start and he does not disappoint going 6 strong innings while allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. Meanwhile, a 5th inning homer by Jayson Werth and a clutch 2 out RBI double by Pedro Feliz in the 8th inning pace the Phils to a 4-2 lead heading into the 9th. Brad Lidge comes in for the save looking to close out a perfect regular season. He strikes out Emilio Bonifacio to start the inning and then things get a little wild. Roger Bernardina singles, Ryan Langerhans walks and Anderson Hernandez singles to score Bernardina and cut the lead to 4-3. Then Cristian Guzman singles and suddenly the tying run is on 3rd and the go ahead run is on 2nd, with the Nationals most, er only feared hitter, Ryan Zimmerman coming to the plate. Zimmerman slaps a ground ball towards the hole, which looks like it might get through and put Washington ahead, but Jimmy Rollins makes a spectacular play to get to the ball and flip it to Chase Utley for one out and Utley relays perfectly to Ryan Howard at first for the second and final out and its on to the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row.
12. October 4, 1980 NL East Clincher - Schmidt bombs Expos Phillies 6 - Expos 4.
Neck and neck with Montreal all September the Phils had finally pulled a game ahead after a win the day before in the first game of this series and now they can put the Expos away for good with a win here. Larry Christenson tosses 6 solid innings, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits but the Phils can manage just one run in those 6 innings on an RBI single by Pete Rose and still trail 2-1 late in the game. That is until "the Bull" Greg Luzinski slaps a 2 run double in the 7th inning for a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately Sparky Lyle can't hold the lead in the bottom of the inning and the Phils are behind again 4-3 until a clutch 2 out single by Bob Boone ties it at 4 in the 9th inning. Tug Mcgraw keeps Montreal off the board in the bottom of the inning and in the 10th after the Phils fail to score he keeps the game alive again. Finally in the top of the 11th with one on and one out Montreal manager Dick Williams makes the stupid decision to pitch to Mike Schmidt, when he can easily walk him. Micheal Jack makes him pay, crushing a 2 run homer to put the Phils up for good 6-4. Mcgraw quickly ends Montreal's playoff hopes with a 1-2-3 11th to complete an impressive 3 inning effort and for the Phils its on to the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years.
11. April 24, 2009 Miami Miracle II Phillies 7 - Marlins 3.
Coming into this matchup the Phils are just in 3rd place in the NL East after a rough start to their season. The Fish however, have been on a tear and are in first place coming into this the first of a 3 game series. The two teams trade places after this night. For most of the night it looks the roll will continue for the Marlins. Dan Uggla crushes a 3 run homer off Brett Myers in the first inning and Josh Johnson throws 7 scoreless innings, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 8 as the Phils lineup shows no signs of life. The Phils stay in it though, just down 3-0 as Myers settles down and goes through 6 scoreless innings of his own. After Clay Condrey pitches a scoreless 8th inning the Phils are still only down 3-0 heading into 9th. There the Phils finally come to life. After Ryan Howard grounds out to start the inning, Jayson Werth doubles, Raul Ibanez works a walk, Matt Stairs singles to score Werth and cut the lead to 3-1 and finally Lou Marson walks to load the bases with one out for Eric Bruntlett. After all that Marlins' closer Matt Lidstrom seems to settle down and strikes out Bruntlett. So it looks like he' s going to get out of the jam and the Phils will come up short. Instead Jimmy Rollins works a walk to force in a run and cut it to 3-2. Next up the "Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino. A few pitches later, Victorino does the unthinkable sending his first career grand slam into the seats in right and stunningly the Phils are ahead 6-3. Chase Utley then follows with a solo homer to cap off an incredible 7 run 9th inning and send a reeling Lindstrom to the showers. Final tallies, 7 runs, 5 hits, and yes yet another shellshocked Marlins' team. In fact the win propels the Phils to a series sweep and knocks Florida into a tailspin which sees them drop out of first and eventually down to 3rd. Meanwhile, the Phils finally string together some wins and climb up to first just a week and a half later.
10-6
15. October 19, 1980 World Series game 5 the dynamic Trillo Phillies 4 - Royals 3.
After 97 years of futility the 1st world title in franchise history is finally within reach. However, after winning the first 2 games of the world series at the vet, they've lost the last two on the road in Kansas City. Now after beating up on Marty Bystrom for 3 runs on 10 hits, the Royals are leading again 3-2 through 6 innings at old Kauffman stadium. While the Phils show no signs that they have another comeback left in them, Tug Mcgraw keeps them in the game, with scoreless frames in the 7th and 8th innings. Finally it's the top of 9th and the Phils are 3 outs from watching another title bid all but slip away. Fortunately, the indomitable will to win that got them here, finally kicks in as the Phils mount a rally against ultra tough Royal's closer Dan Quisenberry. Mike Schmidt who knocked in the Phils only runs to this point with a 2 run homer, leads off with a single. Del Unser then doubles down the line in right to score Schmidt with the tying run. Keith Moreland bunts Unser over to 3rd, to set up Gary Maddox "the secretary of defense", to knock in the go ahead run but he grounds out to 3rd, leaving Unser stranded with 2 outs. So its up to Manny Trillo, the NLCS MVP, to come through one more time. After falling behind in the count 0-2 he laces a single back up the middle, Unser walks home, and the Phils lead 4-3. Mcgraw finishes off a remarkable 3 inning effort with a scoreless 9th, but as usuall isn't easy as he loads the bases with the 2 outs before striking out Jose Cardenal to end it and just like that the Phils are one win away from their first world title.
14. October 6, 1993 NLCS game 1 Kim Dandy Phillies 4 - Braves 3
In the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, the Phils are pitted against the heavily favored Atlanta Braves, then the 2 time defending national league champs. It's the Phils though that look like the stronger team in this one. Curt Schilling is brilliant in his first postseason start striking out the first 5 batters he faces, as he allows just 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 10 in 8 innings. Moreover, Pete Incaviglia's 4th inning homer and Steve Avery's wild pitch in 6th have the Phils ahead 3-2 heading into the 9th inning. Then Jim Fregosi decides to bring Kim Batiste into the game as a defensive replacement for Dave Hollins, oops. After Mitch Williams walks Bill Pecota to start the inning, Mark Lemke hits a sharp ground ball right at Batiste which should be an easy double play, except Batiste throws it into left field, allowing Pecota to go 3rd and then score a couple batters later on a fielder's choice. Fortunately for Batiste, Williams strikes out Ron Gant to end the inning with the game still tied. After the Phils fail to score in the bottom of the inning. Williams finds his away out of another jam in the top of the 10th. Almost right off the bat in the bottom of the inning, after John Kruk doubles off the wall in right Batiste gets a chance to redeem himself. He does, sending Greg Mcmicheal's 1-2 offering down the left field line for a game winning double. From goat to hero in a manner of minutes, Batiste is held aloft and carried off the field by his teammates.
13. September 23, 2008 NL East clincher - the double play. Phillies 4 - Nationals 3
Back on September 10 the Phils again found themselves behind the NY Mets in the standings, this time by 3.5 games. Once again NY choked away their lead and by this day the Phils lead the NL East by a game with 2 to play and with NY having lost again earlier in the day, they have their first opportunity to clinch their 2nd consecutive NL East title. They won't need another one. Just as he was a year earlier Jamie Moyer is called on to start and he does not disappoint going 6 strong innings while allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. Meanwhile, a 5th inning homer by Jayson Werth and a clutch 2 out RBI double by Pedro Feliz in the 8th inning pace the Phils to a 4-2 lead heading into the 9th. Brad Lidge comes in for the save looking to close out a perfect regular season. He strikes out Emilio Bonifacio to start the inning and then things get a little wild. Roger Bernardina singles, Ryan Langerhans walks and Anderson Hernandez singles to score Bernardina and cut the lead to 4-3. Then Cristian Guzman singles and suddenly the tying run is on 3rd and the go ahead run is on 2nd, with the Nationals most, er only feared hitter, Ryan Zimmerman coming to the plate. Zimmerman slaps a ground ball towards the hole, which looks like it might get through and put Washington ahead, but Jimmy Rollins makes a spectacular play to get to the ball and flip it to Chase Utley for one out and Utley relays perfectly to Ryan Howard at first for the second and final out and its on to the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row.
12. October 4, 1980 NL East Clincher - Schmidt bombs Expos Phillies 6 - Expos 4.
Neck and neck with Montreal all September the Phils had finally pulled a game ahead after a win the day before in the first game of this series and now they can put the Expos away for good with a win here. Larry Christenson tosses 6 solid innings, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits but the Phils can manage just one run in those 6 innings on an RBI single by Pete Rose and still trail 2-1 late in the game. That is until "the Bull" Greg Luzinski slaps a 2 run double in the 7th inning for a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately Sparky Lyle can't hold the lead in the bottom of the inning and the Phils are behind again 4-3 until a clutch 2 out single by Bob Boone ties it at 4 in the 9th inning. Tug Mcgraw keeps Montreal off the board in the bottom of the inning and in the 10th after the Phils fail to score he keeps the game alive again. Finally in the top of the 11th with one on and one out Montreal manager Dick Williams makes the stupid decision to pitch to Mike Schmidt, when he can easily walk him. Micheal Jack makes him pay, crushing a 2 run homer to put the Phils up for good 6-4. Mcgraw quickly ends Montreal's playoff hopes with a 1-2-3 11th to complete an impressive 3 inning effort and for the Phils its on to the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years.
11. April 24, 2009 Miami Miracle II Phillies 7 - Marlins 3.
Coming into this matchup the Phils are just in 3rd place in the NL East after a rough start to their season. The Fish however, have been on a tear and are in first place coming into this the first of a 3 game series. The two teams trade places after this night. For most of the night it looks the roll will continue for the Marlins. Dan Uggla crushes a 3 run homer off Brett Myers in the first inning and Josh Johnson throws 7 scoreless innings, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 8 as the Phils lineup shows no signs of life. The Phils stay in it though, just down 3-0 as Myers settles down and goes through 6 scoreless innings of his own. After Clay Condrey pitches a scoreless 8th inning the Phils are still only down 3-0 heading into 9th. There the Phils finally come to life. After Ryan Howard grounds out to start the inning, Jayson Werth doubles, Raul Ibanez works a walk, Matt Stairs singles to score Werth and cut the lead to 3-1 and finally Lou Marson walks to load the bases with one out for Eric Bruntlett. After all that Marlins' closer Matt Lidstrom seems to settle down and strikes out Bruntlett. So it looks like he' s going to get out of the jam and the Phils will come up short. Instead Jimmy Rollins works a walk to force in a run and cut it to 3-2. Next up the "Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino. A few pitches later, Victorino does the unthinkable sending his first career grand slam into the seats in right and stunningly the Phils are ahead 6-3. Chase Utley then follows with a solo homer to cap off an incredible 7 run 9th inning and send a reeling Lindstrom to the showers. Final tallies, 7 runs, 5 hits, and yes yet another shellshocked Marlins' team. In fact the win propels the Phils to a series sweep and knocks Florida into a tailspin which sees them drop out of first and eventually down to 3rd. Meanwhile, the Phils finally string together some wins and climb up to first just a week and a half later.
10-6
Sunday, June 28, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Bluejays this afternoon looking to win two in a row for the first time in a while. Jamie Moyer got the start and was good enough scattering 4 runs on 5 hits over 5 solid innings to earn his 252nd career victory, which moves him ahead of the great Bob Gibson on the all-time wins list. Moyer can thank the bullpen and timely hitting for this one. The bullpen went 4 scoreless in relief of Moyer and the Phils surged ahead for good in the top of the 4th, just in time to qualify Moyer for the win. Early on however, things didn't look quite as good. Aaron Hill homered in the bottom of the 1st, Jose Bautista homered in the bottom of the 2nd, and Hill homered again in the bottom of the 3rd, to put Toronto ahead 4-1 heading into the 4th inning. There with a little luck and one big hit the Phils pushed ahead. First a perfect drag bunt by Eric Bruntlett loaded the bases with no one out for Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz hit a sharp ground ball a few pitches later, which Scott Rolen stupidly threw to second instead of home,allowing Pedro Feliz to score, and after a perfect takeout slide by Bruntlett, ruining any chance for a double play. Next the "Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino hit a sac fly to cut it to 4-3. Finally, Chase Utley cleared the bases with a triple to put the Phils up 5-4. From there, after Moyer got out of a jam in the 5th, the Phils bullpen took over. Chan Ho Park rolled through 6th and 7th innings, Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless 8th, and Brad Lidge got the save in the 9th, but only after allowing the first to batters to reach base. Still, it was good to see him looking like last year's Lidge for a change. It also was nice to see the Phils take not just the game today, but the series from the Jays. Now if only they could do that at home. Anyway, so it looks the like the Phils bullpen will be just fine after all if it can just get healthy. Hopefully, now that interleague play is over, the Phils lineup will go back to normal, although it won't really be the same again until Raul Ibanez comes back from the DL. Finally, as for the rotation, I would say the Phils appear to have 4 solid starters right now, in Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, J.A Happ, and Jamie Moyer. However, Antonio Bastardo hasn't looked at all major league ready his last few times out. He looked good before, but really all he was doing was throwing fastball after fastball and batters just weren't hitting them. That's pretty much still all he is doing, except they're hitting them now. It might be time to bring someone else up from AAA in his place and I would say at most he'll get maybe one more start. Anyway so with the win the Phils move to 39-34 overall and now back up to 2.5 games up in the NL East.
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