6, that's how many runs the Phils put up tonight along with 10 hits, but it fell like a lot more. After a long streak of games in which they couldn't score any more than 3 runs, to put up 6 in this one was special and a hopefully a signal that the team is headed out of there slump at last. Just like last though they didn't have to score that many runs. The 4 they scored in the 3rd inning alone would have been enough as ,the ageless one, Jamie Moyer tossed his 2nd complete game of the season on just 98 pitches. All told he allowed just 2 runs on 7 hits to lower his ERA to 3.98. It's first time his ERA has been that low in couple years, and yet thanks to the Phils struggles at the plate he's only 6-5 overall.
Fortunately the Fightins seemed to come out of their perpetual haze tonight. It started in the 4th with 4 consecutive hits to the begin the inning, singles by Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, and Chase Utley and a double by Ryan Howard, producing 3 runs. Raul Ibanez later added a sac fly for a 4th run before Carlos Ruiz lined out to end the inning. In the 5th Jayson Werth kept it going with a 2 run homer, on a ball he didn't hit very hard but that just kept carrying until it was in first row in right. Basically it was your classic cheap Citizens Bank homerun, but the Phils will take it. Moyer quickly mowed the Padres from there to close out the important 6-2 win, the Phils 30th of the season. With the Atlanta idle tonight it was enough to move the Phils back to within 2 games of 1st in the NL East. Here's hoping is only the beginning of something big.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
FLYERS NEWS
Despite all the heroics in game 3 the Flyers still needed a win tonight to firmly establish themselves as back in the series . Just like in game 3 they got off to a quick start in this one but this time there was no surge back from Chicago, it was all Orange and Black. Just about a minute and half into the contest the Flyers found themselves on the power play and took advantage with Mike Richards scoring a brilliant backhand for a quick 1-0 lead. It was 10 minutes before the Orange and Black got another shot on goal and again as Matt Carle slipped in front of the net undetected and slapped one by Anti Niemi for a 2-0 lead. 4 minutes later Patrick Sharp briefly shifted the momentum to Chicago slapping one by Micheal Leighton off a deflection to cut the lead to 2-1.
Just a minute the Hawks completely lost sight of Claude Giroux as he moved next to the net and behind a clueless Niemi. Kimmo Timonen did keep Giroux and fired a beautiful pass to him which he deposited into the back of the net for a 3-1 and crushing finish to the period for Chicago. Both defenses tightened up in the 2nd period and neither team was able to score. the Defense remained tight early in the 3rd period before Ville Leino made a couple beautiful moves past the Chicago defense and fired a shot off Niemi and into the net for a 4-1 lead. After that the defense of the Orange and Black clamped appeared to take control and the Flyers cruised towards an inevitable victory.
Then the Flyers were quickly penalized twice within a minute of each other with Scott Hartnell called for unsportsmanlike conduct for yelling from the bench and Braydon Coburn called for a weak holding penalty give Chicago a 5 on 3. Dave Bolland scored for Chicago on the first power play and as quick as you can bat an eyelash the momentum shifted in the Hawk's favor. The Flyers killed of the 2nd penalty but only a couple minutes after that Brian Campbell pushed one by Leighton in a scrum and suddenly it was 4-3. Chicago desperately continued to surge after that in search of the tying goal but Leighton made a couple spectacular saves and Coburn, after losing his stick, batted away another scoring chance with his skate. Finally the Hawks were forced to pull Niemi in favor of the extra attacker in the final minute but before they could really get anything else going in the Flyer's zone Sharp lost the puck at the blueline, allowing Jeff Carter to glide back to the empty net and score, at last securing a 5-3 victory. So the series is now tied at 2 and best of 3. May the best team win.
Just a minute the Hawks completely lost sight of Claude Giroux as he moved next to the net and behind a clueless Niemi. Kimmo Timonen did keep Giroux and fired a beautiful pass to him which he deposited into the back of the net for a 3-1 and crushing finish to the period for Chicago. Both defenses tightened up in the 2nd period and neither team was able to score. the Defense remained tight early in the 3rd period before Ville Leino made a couple beautiful moves past the Chicago defense and fired a shot off Niemi and into the net for a 4-1 lead. After that the defense of the Orange and Black clamped appeared to take control and the Flyers cruised towards an inevitable victory.
Then the Flyers were quickly penalized twice within a minute of each other with Scott Hartnell called for unsportsmanlike conduct for yelling from the bench and Braydon Coburn called for a weak holding penalty give Chicago a 5 on 3. Dave Bolland scored for Chicago on the first power play and as quick as you can bat an eyelash the momentum shifted in the Hawk's favor. The Flyers killed of the 2nd penalty but only a couple minutes after that Brian Campbell pushed one by Leighton in a scrum and suddenly it was 4-3. Chicago desperately continued to surge after that in search of the tying goal but Leighton made a couple spectacular saves and Coburn, after losing his stick, batted away another scoring chance with his skate. Finally the Hawks were forced to pull Niemi in favor of the extra attacker in the final minute but before they could really get anything else going in the Flyer's zone Sharp lost the puck at the blueline, allowing Jeff Carter to glide back to the empty net and score, at last securing a 5-3 victory. So the series is now tied at 2 and best of 3. May the best team win.
PHILLIES NEWS
Having lost 4 in a row coming in the Phils needed something, anything to be positive about night. Fortunately it was Roy Halladay's turn to take the mound and he did not disappoint. No he wasn't perfect again but pretty close to it. In 7 strong innings he allowed just 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 7. Just like Florida the Padres could never really figure Roy out. Despite Halladay's mastery he nearly took a no decision before a bases loaded walk by Jayson Werth in the 5th gave the Phils a 3-2 lead. Before that Halladay himself started the Phils only rally singling in front of a homer by Shane Victorino.
After that Halladay was almost reduced to a no decision again before J.C Romero got out of a bases loaded jam in the 8th by forcing Chris Denorfia into a double play. From there it was up to Brad Lidge to close things out in the 9th and boy did he. He got David Eckstein to ground out. Then he struck out the great Adrian Gonzalez with a well placed fastball on the outside the corner. Finally he got Chase Headley to chase a couple nasty sliders for strikeout number 2 and out number 3. Just like that the losing streak was over and perhaps now the Phils will begin to come out of the slump. If nothing else it seems like after quite a bit of rehab and a lot false starts Brad Lidge is out of his funk. He really looked like the Lidge of 2008 out there and if that's case the Phils are going to be okay. No matter how many runs they score, if they can just get leads late in games from here on out they should be able to close them out.
After that Halladay was almost reduced to a no decision again before J.C Romero got out of a bases loaded jam in the 8th by forcing Chris Denorfia into a double play. From there it was up to Brad Lidge to close things out in the 9th and boy did he. He got David Eckstein to ground out. Then he struck out the great Adrian Gonzalez with a well placed fastball on the outside the corner. Finally he got Chase Headley to chase a couple nasty sliders for strikeout number 2 and out number 3. Just like that the losing streak was over and perhaps now the Phils will begin to come out of the slump. If nothing else it seems like after quite a bit of rehab and a lot false starts Brad Lidge is out of his funk. He really looked like the Lidge of 2008 out there and if that's case the Phils are going to be okay. No matter how many runs they score, if they can just get leads late in games from here on out they should be able to close them out.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
FLYERS NEWS
With their backs against the wall again the Flyers took the ice at the Wachovia center for game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. It turned out to be yet another classic game but again it probably didn't have to be. The Flyers seem to prefer things to be gut wrenching and dramatic though so I guess it was pretty fitting night. Anyway they came out with a lot of energy right out of the gate but Chicago withstood it. That is until Marian Hossa slashed Aaron Asham. About a minute later the Flyers capitalized on the power play with Scott Hartnell making a tremendous back pass to Danny Briere for the score. Chicago got a power play before the end of the 1st period as well but the Flyers killed it off and went into the 2nd period leading 1-0.
Thanks to a stupid roughing penalty by Dustin Byfuglien the Flyers were on the power play again to start the 2nd period but they couldn't take advantage and then Chicago surged right off the penalty kill and into the Flyer's zone where Duncan Keith took a shot that deflected off Jeff Carter and in for the 1-1 tie. 7 minutes later the Orange and Black got their 3rd power play and made the most of it with Scott Hartnell slapping one in, that required video review to be counted. The two teams played on for almost 2 minutes before a stoppage finally allowed officials to review the goal, kind of an odd circumstance but the Flyers will take it. The Flyers had a few golden opportunities after that to go up 3-1 but they couldn't take advantage. Somehow or other there ended up being a faceoff in the Flyers' zone which Chicago won for about the first time all period long and Brent Sopel slapped in right off the faceoff past a surprised Leighton. So the game went into the 3rd tied at 2.
Just 2 and a half minutes into the 3rd the Flyers turned it over in the Chicago zone leading to a breakaway for Patrick Zane who ripped a wrister past a helpless Leighton for a 3-2 Chicago lead, causing the Wachovia center to fall silent for about a minute. I'll admit I even thought it was over, but Ville Leino who helped cause the breakaway had other ideas. Less than a minute later he rumbled into the Chicago zone, fed Claude Giroux a beautiful pass and slapped in the rebound off Giroux's shot past a sprawling Anti Niemi for a 3-3 tie. Despite the best efforts of both teams it stayed that way for the remainder of regulation and into OT. There it was Chicago who got off to the quick start but the Flyer's withstood the charge and then appeared to win it as Simon Gagne scored his first goal of the series with a wicked slap shot. Instead replays showed the puck never crossed the goal line. So played but only for another few moments before Briere and Matt Carle setup Giroux for the easy game winner. So Chicago's series lead is cut to 2-1 and the Flyer's fans can breath a sigh of relief until Friday anyway.
Thanks to a stupid roughing penalty by Dustin Byfuglien the Flyers were on the power play again to start the 2nd period but they couldn't take advantage and then Chicago surged right off the penalty kill and into the Flyer's zone where Duncan Keith took a shot that deflected off Jeff Carter and in for the 1-1 tie. 7 minutes later the Orange and Black got their 3rd power play and made the most of it with Scott Hartnell slapping one in, that required video review to be counted. The two teams played on for almost 2 minutes before a stoppage finally allowed officials to review the goal, kind of an odd circumstance but the Flyers will take it. The Flyers had a few golden opportunities after that to go up 3-1 but they couldn't take advantage. Somehow or other there ended up being a faceoff in the Flyers' zone which Chicago won for about the first time all period long and Brent Sopel slapped in right off the faceoff past a surprised Leighton. So the game went into the 3rd tied at 2.
Just 2 and a half minutes into the 3rd the Flyers turned it over in the Chicago zone leading to a breakaway for Patrick Zane who ripped a wrister past a helpless Leighton for a 3-2 Chicago lead, causing the Wachovia center to fall silent for about a minute. I'll admit I even thought it was over, but Ville Leino who helped cause the breakaway had other ideas. Less than a minute later he rumbled into the Chicago zone, fed Claude Giroux a beautiful pass and slapped in the rebound off Giroux's shot past a sprawling Anti Niemi for a 3-3 tie. Despite the best efforts of both teams it stayed that way for the remainder of regulation and into OT. There it was Chicago who got off to the quick start but the Flyer's withstood the charge and then appeared to win it as Simon Gagne scored his first goal of the series with a wicked slap shot. Instead replays showed the puck never crossed the goal line. So played but only for another few moments before Briere and Matt Carle setup Giroux for the easy game winner. So Chicago's series lead is cut to 2-1 and the Flyer's fans can breath a sigh of relief until Friday anyway.
PHILLIES NEWS
When they desperately needed him to Kyle Kendrick had a superb afternoon, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 4 in 7 good innings. Unfortunately the Phils wasted his tremendous effort with another below average day at the plate. In 8 innings Derek Lowe struck them out 7 times while allowing just 1 run on 6 hits, an RBI single by Jayson Werth, pretty important considering how much he's been struggling. So Kendrick was struck with the no decision and the game went into the 8th tied at 1.
There Jose Contreras was brought in perhaps for a rare 2 innings outing but it didn't work out. With 2 out he allowed an RBI single by Omar Infante and then was removed in favor of J.C Romero. Romero finished off the 8th and kept Atlanta scoreless the rest of the way but it didn't matter. The Phils were not able to score in the 9th as the ex-Phil Billy Wagner put them away. So Brave complete a sweep of the Phils and move to 2.5 games up in the NL East. The Phils will now head home to host the NL West leading San Diego Padres for the weekend. Hopefully the home crowd will help them get out of there funk.
There Jose Contreras was brought in perhaps for a rare 2 innings outing but it didn't work out. With 2 out he allowed an RBI single by Omar Infante and then was removed in favor of J.C Romero. Romero finished off the 8th and kept Atlanta scoreless the rest of the way but it didn't matter. The Phils were not able to score in the 9th as the ex-Phil Billy Wagner put them away. So Brave complete a sweep of the Phils and move to 2.5 games up in the NL East. The Phils will now head home to host the NL West leading San Diego Padres for the weekend. Hopefully the home crowd will help them get out of there funk.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
Another night another less than desirable outcome for the Phils as they fell to Atlanta 7-3. Yes the lineup the struggled again but it was more than just that. First Cole Hamels allowed 3 runs on 2 hits in just 2/3rds of an inning before a torrential down pour halted the game for an hour and 40 minutes. Hamels could maybe have continued but Charlie Manuel decided not to chance it leaving the bullpen to pitch 7 and 1/3rd innings while allowing a further 4 runs and using up everyone except Brad Lidge who obviously wasn't available after pitching on Monday. That means other than Lidge no one else is really available to come out of the pen tomorrow unless absolutely necessary. So the good Kyle Kendrick, you know the one that only allows a couple of runs and goes deep into the game, better show up tomorrow.
Second, the defense struggled again with another 2 errors, by Juan Castro, and shockingly Jayson Werth, that led to runs. Otherwise the Phils might have been within striking distance when they loaded the bases with 2 out in the 9th for Ryan Howard and he could have just slapped a game tying single or a bases clearing go ahead double. Instead the Phils were down 7-3 at the time and Ryan was forced to swing for the fences so as to forge a tie, causing him to get off balance and rollover into a game ending ground out.
Finally, the lineup did struggle again but there were some positives. They manage to score 3 runs for the 2nd night in a row which is a big step in then right direction. Ryan Howard slammed a 2 run homer in the 6th, the Phils first homer in 68 innings. Hopefully that will awaken the Phils power bats. The Phils did rack up 10 hits, their highest total in quite some time, and everyone in the lineup hit safely except Shane Victorino and Juan Castro. Werth, Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and all had a hit each which could be a huge sign that they're beginning to come out of the slump. Wilson Valdez and Carlos Ruiz each collected 2 hits tonight and continue to be the catalysts for this offense as they work to right themselves. They are clearly headed back in the right direction finally and it can't be too much longer until they are totally out of it. It is however, going to take continued hard work and perseverance for that to happen. So let's keep at it boys. I still believe. Go Phils!
Second, the defense struggled again with another 2 errors, by Juan Castro, and shockingly Jayson Werth, that led to runs. Otherwise the Phils might have been within striking distance when they loaded the bases with 2 out in the 9th for Ryan Howard and he could have just slapped a game tying single or a bases clearing go ahead double. Instead the Phils were down 7-3 at the time and Ryan was forced to swing for the fences so as to forge a tie, causing him to get off balance and rollover into a game ending ground out.
Finally, the lineup did struggle again but there were some positives. They manage to score 3 runs for the 2nd night in a row which is a big step in then right direction. Ryan Howard slammed a 2 run homer in the 6th, the Phils first homer in 68 innings. Hopefully that will awaken the Phils power bats. The Phils did rack up 10 hits, their highest total in quite some time, and everyone in the lineup hit safely except Shane Victorino and Juan Castro. Werth, Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and all had a hit each which could be a huge sign that they're beginning to come out of the slump. Wilson Valdez and Carlos Ruiz each collected 2 hits tonight and continue to be the catalysts for this offense as they work to right themselves. They are clearly headed back in the right direction finally and it can't be too much longer until they are totally out of it. It is however, going to take continued hard work and perseverance for that to happen. So let's keep at it boys. I still believe. Go Phils!
EAGLES NEWS
After missing most of the last 3 seasons with injuries Marlon Jackson seemed healthy this off season as the Birds signed him to a contract. Going into mini camp earlier this month he was inserted as the starter at free safety with the rookie and heir apparent Nate Allen backing him up. Unfortunately another injury has taken a season from him. He ruptured his right Achilles tendon during practice today and is likely out for the season. When the Eagles picked him up most thought he would probably end up getting hurt again and they were right. There's no way to know how much better the Birds would have been at safety this season with Jackson so losing him is not big blow. It might turn out to be pretty important though as it means that Allen, the Birds future at free safety, is now likely to be their present. Hopefully he's up for the task. If not former draft pick Quintin Demps will have another opportunity to prove himself to be something more than the injury prone bust he's been so far.
Monday, May 31, 2010
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers took the ice for game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals tonight as they looked to even the playing field and steal away the home advantage from Chicago. Unlike game 1 this was more of a defensive tilt with both teams holding their own and remiaining scoreless through much of the 1st period. One bad half hour just before the 2nd permission was all it took for another Stanley Cup final game to slip away from the Orange and Black. With about 3 minutes left in the period Chicago threw a puck on net that Leighton stopped easily and then Lukas Krajicek should have been able to clear it away but it slapped it in the wrong direction right at Marian Hossa who deposited it past Leighton for a 1-0 lead.
Less than 30 minutes later the Flyers turned the puck over just outside their zone and ex- Flyer Ben Eager rumbled back into the zone with it and fired a wicked wrister high to Leighton's glove side. Leighton was just a hare late reacting to it as it wizzed by and into the net for a 2-0 lead. All hope seemed lost for the Flyers at that point but as usual they did not give up. They came out firing in the 3rd period and pretty much took over the game the remainder of the night. Unfortunately it turned out to be a little bit too late. Simon Gagne did score a power play goal 5 minutes into the period to cut it to 2-1 but that was it. Despite all their momentum and a plethora of great chances the rest of the way the Orange and Black couldn't push across the equalizer and eventually succumbed 2-1.
So the Flyers are 2-0 down in the series and you would love to say that's it's over and they can't come back. However, after rallying from 3-0 down in the conference semis it is clear nothing is impossible for this team. So don't give up them just yet. They simply have to protect the home ice and they'll be right back in the series. As hot as a Chicago has been it would be interesting to see how they would react if they were to suddenly drop 2 in a row and find themselves in a 2-2 series. Let's do it boys!
Less than 30 minutes later the Flyers turned the puck over just outside their zone and ex- Flyer Ben Eager rumbled back into the zone with it and fired a wicked wrister high to Leighton's glove side. Leighton was just a hare late reacting to it as it wizzed by and into the net for a 2-0 lead. All hope seemed lost for the Flyers at that point but as usual they did not give up. They came out firing in the 3rd period and pretty much took over the game the remainder of the night. Unfortunately it turned out to be a little bit too late. Simon Gagne did score a power play goal 5 minutes into the period to cut it to 2-1 but that was it. Despite all their momentum and a plethora of great chances the rest of the way the Orange and Black couldn't push across the equalizer and eventually succumbed 2-1.
So the Flyers are 2-0 down in the series and you would love to say that's it's over and they can't come back. However, after rallying from 3-0 down in the conference semis it is clear nothing is impossible for this team. So don't give up them just yet. They simply have to protect the home ice and they'll be right back in the series. As hot as a Chicago has been it would be interesting to see how they would react if they were to suddenly drop 2 in a row and find themselves in a 2-2 series. Let's do it boys!
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Atlanta this afternoon to begin a 3 game set with Braves. Coming into the afternoon the Braves trailed the Phils in the NL East by only .5 games. So with an Atlanta win the Phils would fall out of first for just the 2nd time all season. This usually the time when this team responds by playing their best and fending off the challenge, but with their recent struggles you couldn't really expect that today. Indeed, rather than playing their best the Phils actually played arguably their worst game of the season in more ways than 1.
Defensively Ross Gload and Ryan Howard each committed errors that led to runs. Pitching wise Joe Blanton was hurt by the errors and rocked for 6 runs on 8 hits in just 6 innings. Later Chad Durbin ruined the Phils last chance to comeback in this one, by serving up a 3 run homer. Brad Lidge was the lone bright spot with a scoreless 8th inning, which hopefully means he's healthy and ready to rock again. Finally the lineup struggled yet again but not as much as they had. 4 straight 2 out doubles by Raul Ibanez, Carlos Ruiz, Wilson Valdez, Ben Francisco , at least allowed them to put up 3 runs. So if nothing the bottom of the Phils order can hit again now and maybe that will inspire the top of half the lineup to get it in gear.
Ant any rate while the Phils were struggling Atlanta racked up 9 runs and Tommy Hanson tossed 6 scoreless innings en route to an easy 9 -3 Braves win. So the Phils drop to 28-22 overall and out of the 1st place in NL East. Hopefully they won't be out of first for long.
Defensively Ross Gload and Ryan Howard each committed errors that led to runs. Pitching wise Joe Blanton was hurt by the errors and rocked for 6 runs on 8 hits in just 6 innings. Later Chad Durbin ruined the Phils last chance to comeback in this one, by serving up a 3 run homer. Brad Lidge was the lone bright spot with a scoreless 8th inning, which hopefully means he's healthy and ready to rock again. Finally the lineup struggled yet again but not as much as they had. 4 straight 2 out doubles by Raul Ibanez, Carlos Ruiz, Wilson Valdez, Ben Francisco , at least allowed them to put up 3 runs. So if nothing the bottom of the Phils order can hit again now and maybe that will inspire the top of half the lineup to get it in gear.
Ant any rate while the Phils were struggling Atlanta racked up 9 runs and Tommy Hanson tossed 6 scoreless innings en route to an easy 9 -3 Braves win. So the Phils drop to 28-22 overall and out of the 1st place in NL East. Hopefully they won't be out of first for long.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
Fresh off a perfect Saturday night the Phils looked to finish off a sweep of the Marlins this afternoon. The ageless one, Jamie Moyer did everything he could to make that happen allowing just 1 run on 4 hits in 6 strong innings. Unfortunately the Phils could give him no support. They had runners in scoring position in the 1st and 3rd innings but came up empty both times. In the 1st Jayson Werth struck out with runners on first and second, to end the threat. In the 3rd Wilson Valdez struck out, Chase Utley grounded out and Werth struck out again to strand Shane Victorino after a leadoff double. So despite his valiant effort Moyer left after the 6th with the Phils behind 1-0.
David Herndon took it from there tossing a couple scoreless innings to finish the day for the Phils pitching staff. Meanwhile the Phils had a runners at the corners in the 8th inning with 2 out for Werth and he struck out again, this time looking, to end threat. They didn't threaten in the 9th and Florida walked off having salvaged a 1-0 win. It is the 5th time in the last 8 games that the Phils have been shutout and I don't know what to say about it. At least in their last few games they were racking up hits, with about 7 per game. Today they had just 4, 3 off of starter Anibal Sanchez who on any other day might have been tagged for a few runs. I still believe the Phils will get out of this eventually. They are just too good not to. I just hope it isn't too late when they do.
David Herndon took it from there tossing a couple scoreless innings to finish the day for the Phils pitching staff. Meanwhile the Phils had a runners at the corners in the 8th inning with 2 out for Werth and he struck out again, this time looking, to end threat. They didn't threaten in the 9th and Florida walked off having salvaged a 1-0 win. It is the 5th time in the last 8 games that the Phils have been shutout and I don't know what to say about it. At least in their last few games they were racking up hits, with about 7 per game. Today they had just 4, 3 off of starter Anibal Sanchez who on any other day might have been tagged for a few runs. I still believe the Phils will get out of this eventually. They are just too good not to. I just hope it isn't too late when they do.
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