The Phils continued their series with the Astros tonight. Joe Blanton got the start and was decent allowing 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 5 in 6 innings. Roy Oswalt was just that much better for Houston allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 8 in 6 and 1/3rd innings. Thus despite back to back RBI singles in the 7th by Ben Francisco and Carlos Ruiz, the Phils trailed 3-2 through 7 innings. Then in the top of the 8th Ryan Howard tripled in one run and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz to put the Phils ahead 4-3. Thanks to Brett Myers impressively getting through the bottom of the 8th in his long awaited return, the Phils took that lead into the 9th. There Brad Lidge came in for the save and after a one quick out he suddenly lost control of his slider, loading the bases. Next he got ex Phillie Micheal Bourn to ground into a fielder's choice for the 2nd out, but there was no way they were going to double up Bourn, leaving the bases loaded for Kaz Matsui. After a long at bat and the with the count full, Matsui lined a Lidge fastball just past Jimmy Rollins for a game winning RBI single, giving Lidge his 10th blown save of the season and the Stros a 4-3 win. This may be it now for Brad Lidge. There is still time for him to get his act together but I am not sure the Phils can afford to wait any longer. I am not sure Myers is quite ready to replace him yet but he may have to be soon. It was a great night for Miguel Cairo who filled in for Chase Utley at the 2nd base, and racked up 2 hits and an RBI and made a great tag of Lance Berkman as he attempted to steal 2nd in the 8th inning. So anyway the Phils drop to 77-56 overall and now lead the NL East by just 6.5 games.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles made their final roster cuts today and there were a few interesting final cuts. RB Eldra Buckley made the team, beating out Lorenzo Booker for the 3rd and final slot at running back. WR Brandon Gibson did make the team as did perhaps a bit surprisingly Reggie Brown. It is possible though that he is just trade bait. A.J Feeley remains on the roster as the 3rd string QB for now, as Micheal Vick is not permitted to play until week 3 and didn't yet look like he was ready to play QB again during the preseason. Feeley too could be trade bait. Since he won't play until week 3 Vick was put on exempt status meaning he is not allowed to practice with the team until he is added to the active roster. In the meantime a roster spot will left open for him. Tony Curtis did make the team and will be Brent Celek's backup and apparently only backup, as Matt Schobel was cut from the team, and rookie tight end Rob Myers will probably be added to the practice squad. The last defensive lineman to make the team was not surprisingly Jason Babin, leaving Dan Klecko and Bryan Smith out in the cold. The draft pick Moise Fokou did make the team as well as one the final linebackers to make the squad, along with Tracy white. Lastly in perhaps the biggest surprise Dmitri Patterson took the last CB spot ahead last year's draft pick Jack Ikegwuono. Patterson got the spot thanks to his superb special teams skills. Ikegwuono will also probably be on the practice squad and perhaps next year with his knee one year healthier he'll make the team.
Friday, September 04, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Houston tonight to begin a weekend series. Cliff Lee got the start and was roughed up again allowing 6 runs on 9 hits in just 3 innings of work. Meanwhile, for the 2nd time in 3 games the Phils were shutout. This time it was Houston's Wandy Rodriguez who shut down the Phils allowing just 7 hits while striking out 7 in 7 scoreless innings. Still, as he tough as he was, the Phils had their chances against Rodriguez tonight, with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 out in the 3rd, and the bases loaded with only 1 out in the 7th inning. They simply didn't take advantage of them. Oh yeah and once again the bullpen performed pretty well, as Jamie Moyer, Tyler Walker, and Jack Taschner combined to allow just 1 run on 3 hits in the final 5 innings. As for Lee I don't know what to say. He did get a bit unlucky early on with some weak hits dribbling through the holes in the infield or flying just over the infield, but he just really didn't pitch well again. He just didn't hit his spots. Perhaps most embarrassingly for Lee was that in the 2nd inning, it was Rodriguez himself who provided the big blow for Houston with a bases loaded double. Going back to the lineup the Phils actually didn't hit that poorly on the night with 8 hits alltogether and with everyone in lineup except Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz, accumulating at least 1 hit. They just couldn't get the hits when they needed them. Anyway so the Phils drop to 77-55 overall and now back down to 7.5 games up in the NL East.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Giants tonight. Pedro Martinez got the start against reigning NL Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum and surprisingly Pedro outdueled him, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 9 in 7 innings. Meanwhile, Jayson Werth crushed a monster 425 ft home run in the bottom of the 2nd, and Ryan Howard slapped an RBI double in the bottom of the 6th, to lift the Phils to a 2-1 lead through 7. Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless 8th inning and Brad Lidge came in and the got the save in the 9th, forcing a groundout with 2 on and 2 out. So it seems Pedro may be in the rotation to stay but I think still he'll need to make 1 more start like that to lock up his rotation spot for good. I hesitate to say it for fear of jinxing him, but it seems Brad Lidge has finally turned the corner and gotten back at least somewhat to the guy he was last season. Hopefully he'll keep it up the rest of the season. Werth's homer today was his 30th of the season, giving him 30 homers and 80 RBIs so far this season. What an effort from a guy whose best season before now was the 24 homers he jacked last season. How good do the Phils look now for giving him another chance to play regularly in the big leagues after the Dodgers had given up on him? Over the last 3 games the Phils have scored a total of 3 runs, and yet they managed to take 2 of 3 from the Giants. That is just incredible and is something that has not happened for the Phils since 1963. Still, you would rather see them score more runs, because 3 runs in 3 games won't work all the time. Anyway so the Phils move to 77-54 overall and now 8.5 games up in the NL East.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles played their final preseason game tonight in New York against the Jets. They nearly put together another late rally for the win, before a 73 yd TD pass from Erik Ainge to David Clowney sealed a 38-27 win for the Jets. This week especially, with nothing but backups in the game, that outcome obviously doesn't matter. So let's talk about what does. Kevin Kolb got the start at QB and looked pretty good completing 8 0f 16 passes for 110 yards and a TD. Micheal Vick was the 2nd string QB for the night and came in a few times to run the ball while Kolb was in the game. As a QB Vick completed 7 of 11 passes for 26 yards, and as a rusher, he carried the ball 7 times for 35 yards and a TD. Lesean McCoy looked pretty good again with another rushing TD. running back Eldra Buckley had another solid night with 33 rushing yards, a 1st down reception and a tackle special teams. You have to believe he's going to make the team. Newly signed tight end Tony Curtis had 4 catches for 40 yards and I suppose there is a chance he could be Brent Celek's backup, especially since he is considered to be a very good blocker. Finally Brandon Gibson had another solid performance with 4 catches for a team leading 45 yards. I would be shocked if he doesn't make the team. As for the defense there's not much talk about there either. Jason Babin registered the Eagles only sack of the night. Moise Fokou led the way again with 7 tackles and Victor "Macho" Harris was a close 2nd with 3 tackles. Also Jack Ikegwuono got an interception and returned it 22 yards to set up an Eagles score.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Giants tonight. J.A Happ got the start and pitched well, allowing just 4 runs on 6 hits while striking out 7 in 6 innings of work. Unfortunately, the Phils could give him no run support at all, as Brad Penny, in his 1st start with the Giants, tossed 8 scoreless innings, and for the night the Phils were shutout on just 5 hits. They had their opportunities to score with Jimmy Rollins leading off the 4th inning with a single, Ryan Howard singling and Jayson Werth walking to lead off the 5th, JRoll singling with one out in the 6th, and finally Carlos Ruiz singling with 1 out in the 8th inning. Each time though the Phils just couldn't take advantage. Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, and Pedro Feliz were all hitless on the night and you just aren't going to win much when that happens. The bullpen looked good for the Phils tonight at least, as Chad Durbin, Jack Taschner(recently called back up to the big club while Kyle Kendrick was sent back down), and Tyler Walker combined for 3 scoreless innings. Sure they went for naught, but they were nice to see nonetheless. Anyway so the Phils drop to 76-54 overall now, but remain 7.5 games up in the NL East.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils welcomed the San Francisco Giants to the bank tonight for a 3 game series. Cole Hamels got the start tonight and out dueled San Fran's Jonathan Sanchez, tossing a complete game shutout, while allowing just 2 hits and striking out 9. Meanwhile Ryan Howard slapped an RBI double in the bottom of the 4th to put the Phils ahead 1-0 and that's how it ended. I thought Cole's last start was one of his best of the season but this was even better. He just kept the Giant's hitters ,who aren't that great to begin with, completely off balance all night. This was the Cole that showed up in the playoffs last season and you can only hope he sticks around for another couple of months. I don't know what it is about the month of September but it always seems to bring the best out of Cole and Ryan Howard, aka "Mr.September" for that matter. A lot was made of this game possibly being a playoff preview with the Phils leading the NL East and the Giants tied for the wildcard lead. If that is case and the Phils and Giants do meet in the playoffs I like our chances a lot more now. Anyway so the Phils move to 76-53 overall now and 7.5 games up in the NL East.
Monday, August 31, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils are off today so it is time to continue our list of the top 25 most memorable player nicknames, No.s 15-11.
15. "Mr.T" aka P Al Holland.
Yet another scary Phils closer who left town too soon. Let's just say you pitied the fool who had to face Holland at the end of a game. He was as sure a thing at the end of games for the wheez kids in 1983 as Brad Lidge was last season. That year as the Phils closer he went 8-4, with 25 saves, a 2.26 ERA and 100 strikeouts. Hitters that year hit just .188 against him. He was so good that he received both Cy Young and MVP votes. Then he carried it into the playoffs, getting the save in game 1 and closing out the decisive game 4 of the NLCS. He then got the save in game 1 of the world series, and tossed 2 scoreless innings to finish game 3 but it wasn't enough to lift the Phils to a title. Incredibly in the playoffs Holland appeared in 4 games without allowing a single run for a combined postseason ERA of 0.00. After that he had one more glorious season in red pinstripes in 1984, reaching his first all star games, and saving 29 games, but his ERA went up to 3.39, his strikeouts dropped to 61, and he was gone after just 3 appearances with the Phils in 1985. Ironically like Steve Bedrosian after him, he was never as good after the leaving the Phils as he had been with them. Ultimately, he goes down as perhaps the nastiest closer in Phils history.
14. "Chooch" aka C Carlos Ruiz.
Ruiz was given this nickname by teammates reportedly due to his apparent striking resemblance to Cheech marin, the Cheech of the famed 70s and 80s comic duo, Cheech and Chong. While no one can vouch for whether or not Ruiz is regularly in possession of any suspicious and perhaps illegal substances, or that he is under the influence of any while on the field, if he is he's sure fooled a lot of people. While, not greatest hitter in the world, he always seems to be that guy who gets the hits when it matters most. Take your pick. There's the solo homer and the game winning dribbler in game 3 of the 2008 World Series, there's the 5 hits and 2 RBIs in the 2008 NLCS and 6 hits and 3 RBIs in the world series, and heck even the 2 run double last night. In addition no one handles a pitching staff like Ruiz. He also excels in most if not all defensive facets of the game, blocking balls in the dirt, blocking the plate, throwing out basestealers and baserunners, and catching the rare pop fly behind the plate. He earns the respect of fans and teammates the old fashioned way, by the playing the game the way it is supposed to be. You can't argue with the results so far.
13. "JRoll" aka SS Jimmy Rollins
Why is JRoll a fitting nickname? Simple. When he's on a roll so are the Phils. When things are going well for the Phils they aren't said to be rolling, they are said to be Jrolling. At no time was this more evident during the 2007 season when he won the NL MVP While leading the Phils into the playoffs for the first time in 14 years and and rolling, er Jrolling through a season for the ages. All told that he year, using a rare combination of speed, power, and athleticism, he put up 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homeruns, and 41 stolen bases, making him just the 2nd man in Major league history and the 1st in NL history to have 20 or more in all 4 categories. He'd already had 10 or more in all 4 categories 4 times but this was a different animal. He also put up a 139 runs scored and 94 RBIs that season just for good measure. Moreover, along with the MVP award he also won the silver slugger and gold glove awards for his position. Somehow despite all that, like Lenny Dykstra in 1993, he was left off the all-star team, a membership he had already enjoyed 4 times in his career. Much was expected of him 2008, but thanks to injuries his numbers dropped. Still he won another gold glove award and was a key cog on the world champions, as his leadoff homer in game 6 of the NLCS sparked the Phils to a pennant clinching victory. As good a hitter as he can be at times he might be even better with the glove. In fact he is arguably the best defensive shortstop in the NL right now. Few make plays look routine as often he does and he rarely misses a game. In fact he played all 162 of them in 2007. For a while it was a struggle for him this season and late in the first half of the season the Phils began to struggle right along with him. Then he caught fire to start the 2nd half, as did the Phils, and together they remain on a Jroll.
12."Hollywood" aka P Cole Hamels
This was one was given to Hamels by teammate Ryan Howard when they were both still in the minors. Howard saw Hamels at the beach with sunglasses on looking all Hollywood, not a surprise considering Hamels is from California. While not the most flattering happenstance from which to create a nickname, the name has stuck with Hamels for a different reason. He simply is Hollywood cool under pressure, particularly when the stakes are the highest. In the 2008 postseason he was a perfect 5-0 with a 1.56 ERA, and 30 strikeouts. He won game 1 in all 3 of the Phils playoff series and copped the NLCS and World Series MVP trophies. He would actually have been 6-0, the first pitcher ever to win 6 times in a single postseason, if game 5 of the world series had not been rain-delayed for 2 days. Still, his performance in the 2008 postseason stands as perhaps the greatest in ML history. However, Hamels has long way to go to surpass the Phils original star Lefty . You know who I am talking about. So far he has to very good seasons to his name, with 15 wins and 177 strikeouts in 2007 and 14 wins and 196 strikeouts in 2008. This season has been tough to watch at times, as he recuperates from going over the 200 inning mark for the 1st time in 2008. At this point he has kept his composure just enough to tough out 7 wins and another 126 strikeouts and he could be well on his way to another masterful postseason.
11."The Bat" aka Pat Burrell
Okay so this one is pretty stupid. This was literally given to Burrell bynhis U of Miami teammates because he was one of the all-time great collegiate hitters and well Bat rhymes with Pat. Still, the Philly fans took to it after a while, and began chanting "Pat the Bat" fairly regularly, sometimes to mock a slumping Burrell and sometimes to cheer on a red hot Burrell with a chance to knock in some runs. With usually about 20 homers and 80 RBIs a season, those runs would often get across the plate. For a while he was looked at as a dissapointment though for the Phils. When they drafted him numer 1 overall in 1998 he was supposed to be the team's next all-time great. He never quite met expectations, with only a .256 career batting average and routinely suspect defense , mostly in left field, a position he was never supposed to play. In fact 3rd base was his natural position but it never materialized, because the Phils already had Scott Rolen at the hot corner, when Burrell was rushed to the bigs in 2000. So he wound up in left field and for a while it worked before leg injuries slowed him down, to the proverbial big bat in lineup, who gets replaced late in games for defense. Still despite his many ups and downs his Bat connected enough times in enough in key spots over the years to turn Burrell into a beloved figure as his tenure here came to close in 2008, but not before his bat connected one more time for a leadoff double in the 7th inning of game 5 of world series, to set up pinch runner Eric Bruntlett to score what would be the winning run in the world series. If not for wind gusting in from left field, it would have been a solo homer and even more unforgettable memory. As is stood, it was Burrell's only hit of the series and biggest of his career. Long live the Bat.
10-6
15. "Mr.T" aka P Al Holland.
Yet another scary Phils closer who left town too soon. Let's just say you pitied the fool who had to face Holland at the end of a game. He was as sure a thing at the end of games for the wheez kids in 1983 as Brad Lidge was last season. That year as the Phils closer he went 8-4, with 25 saves, a 2.26 ERA and 100 strikeouts. Hitters that year hit just .188 against him. He was so good that he received both Cy Young and MVP votes. Then he carried it into the playoffs, getting the save in game 1 and closing out the decisive game 4 of the NLCS. He then got the save in game 1 of the world series, and tossed 2 scoreless innings to finish game 3 but it wasn't enough to lift the Phils to a title. Incredibly in the playoffs Holland appeared in 4 games without allowing a single run for a combined postseason ERA of 0.00. After that he had one more glorious season in red pinstripes in 1984, reaching his first all star games, and saving 29 games, but his ERA went up to 3.39, his strikeouts dropped to 61, and he was gone after just 3 appearances with the Phils in 1985. Ironically like Steve Bedrosian after him, he was never as good after the leaving the Phils as he had been with them. Ultimately, he goes down as perhaps the nastiest closer in Phils history.
14. "Chooch" aka C Carlos Ruiz.
Ruiz was given this nickname by teammates reportedly due to his apparent striking resemblance to Cheech marin, the Cheech of the famed 70s and 80s comic duo, Cheech and Chong. While no one can vouch for whether or not Ruiz is regularly in possession of any suspicious and perhaps illegal substances, or that he is under the influence of any while on the field, if he is he's sure fooled a lot of people. While, not greatest hitter in the world, he always seems to be that guy who gets the hits when it matters most. Take your pick. There's the solo homer and the game winning dribbler in game 3 of the 2008 World Series, there's the 5 hits and 2 RBIs in the 2008 NLCS and 6 hits and 3 RBIs in the world series, and heck even the 2 run double last night. In addition no one handles a pitching staff like Ruiz. He also excels in most if not all defensive facets of the game, blocking balls in the dirt, blocking the plate, throwing out basestealers and baserunners, and catching the rare pop fly behind the plate. He earns the respect of fans and teammates the old fashioned way, by the playing the game the way it is supposed to be. You can't argue with the results so far.
13. "JRoll" aka SS Jimmy Rollins
Why is JRoll a fitting nickname? Simple. When he's on a roll so are the Phils. When things are going well for the Phils they aren't said to be rolling, they are said to be Jrolling. At no time was this more evident during the 2007 season when he won the NL MVP While leading the Phils into the playoffs for the first time in 14 years and and rolling, er Jrolling through a season for the ages. All told that he year, using a rare combination of speed, power, and athleticism, he put up 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homeruns, and 41 stolen bases, making him just the 2nd man in Major league history and the 1st in NL history to have 20 or more in all 4 categories. He'd already had 10 or more in all 4 categories 4 times but this was a different animal. He also put up a 139 runs scored and 94 RBIs that season just for good measure. Moreover, along with the MVP award he also won the silver slugger and gold glove awards for his position. Somehow despite all that, like Lenny Dykstra in 1993, he was left off the all-star team, a membership he had already enjoyed 4 times in his career. Much was expected of him 2008, but thanks to injuries his numbers dropped. Still he won another gold glove award and was a key cog on the world champions, as his leadoff homer in game 6 of the NLCS sparked the Phils to a pennant clinching victory. As good a hitter as he can be at times he might be even better with the glove. In fact he is arguably the best defensive shortstop in the NL right now. Few make plays look routine as often he does and he rarely misses a game. In fact he played all 162 of them in 2007. For a while it was a struggle for him this season and late in the first half of the season the Phils began to struggle right along with him. Then he caught fire to start the 2nd half, as did the Phils, and together they remain on a Jroll.
12."Hollywood" aka P Cole Hamels
This was one was given to Hamels by teammate Ryan Howard when they were both still in the minors. Howard saw Hamels at the beach with sunglasses on looking all Hollywood, not a surprise considering Hamels is from California. While not the most flattering happenstance from which to create a nickname, the name has stuck with Hamels for a different reason. He simply is Hollywood cool under pressure, particularly when the stakes are the highest. In the 2008 postseason he was a perfect 5-0 with a 1.56 ERA, and 30 strikeouts. He won game 1 in all 3 of the Phils playoff series and copped the NLCS and World Series MVP trophies. He would actually have been 6-0, the first pitcher ever to win 6 times in a single postseason, if game 5 of the world series had not been rain-delayed for 2 days. Still, his performance in the 2008 postseason stands as perhaps the greatest in ML history. However, Hamels has long way to go to surpass the Phils original star Lefty . You know who I am talking about. So far he has to very good seasons to his name, with 15 wins and 177 strikeouts in 2007 and 14 wins and 196 strikeouts in 2008. This season has been tough to watch at times, as he recuperates from going over the 200 inning mark for the 1st time in 2008. At this point he has kept his composure just enough to tough out 7 wins and another 126 strikeouts and he could be well on his way to another masterful postseason.
11."The Bat" aka Pat Burrell
Okay so this one is pretty stupid. This was literally given to Burrell bynhis U of Miami teammates because he was one of the all-time great collegiate hitters and well Bat rhymes with Pat. Still, the Philly fans took to it after a while, and began chanting "Pat the Bat" fairly regularly, sometimes to mock a slumping Burrell and sometimes to cheer on a red hot Burrell with a chance to knock in some runs. With usually about 20 homers and 80 RBIs a season, those runs would often get across the plate. For a while he was looked at as a dissapointment though for the Phils. When they drafted him numer 1 overall in 1998 he was supposed to be the team's next all-time great. He never quite met expectations, with only a .256 career batting average and routinely suspect defense , mostly in left field, a position he was never supposed to play. In fact 3rd base was his natural position but it never materialized, because the Phils already had Scott Rolen at the hot corner, when Burrell was rushed to the bigs in 2000. So he wound up in left field and for a while it worked before leg injuries slowed him down, to the proverbial big bat in lineup, who gets replaced late in games for defense. Still despite his many ups and downs his Bat connected enough times in enough in key spots over the years to turn Burrell into a beloved figure as his tenure here came to close in 2008, but not before his bat connected one more time for a leadoff double in the 7th inning of game 5 of world series, to set up pinch runner Eric Bruntlett to score what would be the winning run in the world series. If not for wind gusting in from left field, it would have been a solo homer and even more unforgettable memory. As is stood, it was Burrell's only hit of the series and biggest of his career. Long live the Bat.
10-6
Sunday, August 30, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Braves tonight. Joe Blanton got the start and was brilliant allowing just 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 7 in 7 innings. Meanwhile, Chase Utely slugged a solo homer in the bottom of the 4th, and Carlos Ruiz slapped a 2 run double in the bottom of the 7th to give the Phils a 3-1 lead heading into the 8th inning. There Ryan Madson and Scott Eyre almost combined to give it away. With the score 3-2 and runners on 1st and 2nd, the Braves seemed primed to pull the comeback. Instead off a groundball by Brian Mcann, Jimmy Rollins helped turn a huge double play, with the rare 2nd to short, to 3rd base play and the lead stayed 3-2 heading into the 9th. There, in came Brad Lidge to get the save and he did again, with a perfect 1-2-3 inning. Hopefully this means Lidge is finally headed in the right direction because the Phils are going to need him down the stretch, especially if they keep leaving runners on base like they did tonight. In fact they left the bases loaded just an inning before Ruiz's double. Sure they're not really contact hitting team so that is prone to happen at times, but you just wish it would happen less often. Speaking of Ruiz, he was incredible tonight going 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and sparkling defense as always. Anyway so the Phils move to 75-53 overall now and back to 8 games up in the NL East.
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