The Phils played a much better game tonight in Washington and yet frustratingly they still found themselves with the short end of the stick. Joe Blanton was good enough, allowing just 4 runs on 9 hits, while striking out 8 in 6 innings. 3 of the 4 runs came in the 1st inning but he settled down after that throwing 4 scoreless innings before allowing that 1 run in the 6th. Thanks to that performance, the Phils were stay within striking distance of the Nats despite getting off to a slow start. It was until 4th innings, when Wilson Valdez slapped a 2 out RBI single, that the Phils finally got on the board. Later, Carlos Ruiz slugged a solo homer to cut the lead to 3-2.
By the 7th, it was 4-2 Nats but the Phils still wouldn't go away. With 1 on and 1 out Raul Ibanez crushed a 2 run homer to tie it at 4. Then Jayson Werth and Ross Gload each singled to put runners on the corners, but neither Dominic Brown nor Carlos Ruiz could bring them home. So it stayed 4-2 heading into the 9th. In the top of the 9th, with Werth at 3rd and 2 out Ruiz ripped an RBI single to seemingly complete the comeback and lift the Phils to a 5-4 win. Unfortunately in reality it wasn't to be for the Phils on this night. Brad Lidge managed to get one out in the 9th. before walking 2 batters and serving up a game winning 3 run homer to Ryan Zimmeran for a stunning 7-5 win. So the Phils have dropped 2 in a row to the Nats, but with the Braves losing tonight as well the Phils remain 3.5 games back in the NL East so they're okay for now.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles signed free agent WR Kelley Washington to a one year deal. The Eagles are already stocked at WR so bringing in Washington is more of an insurance thing than anything else. If the guys the Eagles already have don't pan out, Washington will be there to pick up the slack.
Friday, July 30, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils winning streak finally came to an end tonight as Roy Oswalt made his Phillies' debut. Oswalt was not quite what the Phils expected tonight, as he allowed 5 runs on 7 hits over 6 innings of work. It wasn't all bad for Oswalt, he did have some good moments including a great reflex catch on a ball hit right back to him. It also wasn't all Oswalt's falt as the Phillies played poorly behind him. If they had played even solid defense he probably would have given up only 3 runs instead of 5. Unfortunately, they didn't play very good defense in committing 2 errors, Oswalt did allow 5 runs , and that's just the way it goes sometimes.
Meanwhile, Craig Stammen had electric stuff for the Nationals in holding the Phils to just 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 5 in 6 and 1/3rd innings. He simply had good velocity on his pitches and kept them away from the middle of the plate, and seemed to throw everything right into umpire, Dana Demuth's curious strike zone. The Phils simply couldn't figure him out enough to do anything. They did have a few scoring opportunities early on with runners on base in the 1st and 4th innings but came up empty. Jayson Werth's solo shot finally got the Phils on the board in the 7th but it was too little too late. They never scored again and the bullpen surrendered another 3 runs as the Phils fell hard 8-1. While it is hard to fathom why they played so poorly and now at 56-47, trail by 3.5 games in the NL East. It is not hard to still see them taking care of Washington the next 2 days and at least winning this series. Anything less would be a waste against a poor team like the Nats.
Meanwhile, Craig Stammen had electric stuff for the Nationals in holding the Phils to just 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 5 in 6 and 1/3rd innings. He simply had good velocity on his pitches and kept them away from the middle of the plate, and seemed to throw everything right into umpire, Dana Demuth's curious strike zone. The Phils simply couldn't figure him out enough to do anything. They did have a few scoring opportunities early on with runners on base in the 1st and 4th innings but came up empty. Jayson Werth's solo shot finally got the Phils on the board in the 7th but it was too little too late. They never scored again and the bullpen surrendered another 3 runs as the Phils fell hard 8-1. While it is hard to fathom why they played so poorly and now at 56-47, trail by 3.5 games in the NL East. It is not hard to still see them taking care of Washington the next 2 days and at least winning this series. Anything less would be a waste against a poor team like the Nats.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles traded Joe Mays today to the Broncos for RB J.J Arrington. Mays was probably not going to make the team this year with new draft picks. Arrington on other hand has an outside shot at making the team but is more than likely just insurance in case either Mike Bell, Charles Scott, or Eldra Buckley don't pan out as backups. Lesean McCoy isn't going anywhere.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils made big waves today as it was announced not long before tonight's game that they had acquired Roy Oswalt in exchange for J.A Happ, minor league outfielder Anthony Gose, and minor league SS Jonathan Villar. Meanwhile the Phils tonight came into the game looking to finish a sweep of the Dbacks and pickup their 8th straight win. Kyle Kendrick did his best to ensure that would happen, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 5. It was just good enough of an outing to allow the Phils to take an early 2-0 lead on an RBI double by Carlos Ruiz in the 5th, and a 2 run homer by Raul Ibanez in the 6th. Kendrick was finally chased from the game with just 1 out in the 7th, after allowing a homer and a single. Fortunately, Chad Durbin successfully finished the 7th on a miracle double play ball and Ryan Madson rolled through the 8th, to keep the Phils ahead 2-1 going into the 9th.
There Madson allowed a leadoff double to Justin Upton and Upton later scored to tie it up at 2 before J.C Romero managed to get out of the inning with another miracle double play ball. From there Brad Lidge retired the Dbacks in order in the 10th before Ryan Howard struck out to strand the bases loaded in the home half of the inning. Next Jose Contreras pitched a scoreless 11th, setting the stage for another Phils rally. With one out in the home half of the inning Cody Ransom worked a walk. Ruiz followed with a single to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out for Wilson Valdez. A couple pitches later Valdez delivered a single up the middle to score Ransom with the winning run after the throw home hit the pitcher's mound. So it wasn't pretty but the Phils do get there 8th straight win and with another Braves loss tonight,they pull to within 2.5 games in the NL East. As for Oswalt he makes his Phils debut tomorrow in Washington so the winning streak could be extended for another night and that deficit could be cut in half before long.
There Madson allowed a leadoff double to Justin Upton and Upton later scored to tie it up at 2 before J.C Romero managed to get out of the inning with another miracle double play ball. From there Brad Lidge retired the Dbacks in order in the 10th before Ryan Howard struck out to strand the bases loaded in the home half of the inning. Next Jose Contreras pitched a scoreless 11th, setting the stage for another Phils rally. With one out in the home half of the inning Cody Ransom worked a walk. Ruiz followed with a single to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out for Wilson Valdez. A couple pitches later Valdez delivered a single up the middle to score Ransom with the winning run after the throw home hit the pitcher's mound. So it wasn't pretty but the Phils do get there 8th straight win and with another Braves loss tonight,they pull to within 2.5 games in the NL East. As for Oswalt he makes his Phils debut tomorrow in Washington so the winning streak could be extended for another night and that deficit could be cut in half before long.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles and 1st round pick Brandon Graham have agreed to a 5 year deal. He'll join the Birds training camp tomorrow. So with that the Birds have now signed all of their draft picks. Now we'll just have to wait and see how things pan out on the field.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
Not long before the game tonight Shane Victorino was placed on the DL. In his place Dominic Brown was called up from AAA Lehigh. Wasting no time the Phils inserted him into the starting lineup tonight for the 1st game of his major league and boy was it a memorable one. In his first at bat Brown ripped an RBI double off the wall in right. He later scored on a fielder's choice to give the Phils an early 2-0 lead. In his 3rd at bat Brown singled to left field and then scored from 1st on a 2 run double by Carlos Ruiz for a 4-0 lead. Then a couple batters later Placido Polanco singled to score Ruiz for a 5-0 lead. Finally in the 7th Brown slapped a sac fly to score one run. Then Ruiz doubled again for a 2nd run and a 7-0 lead.
All told on the night Brown went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored during one of best opening acts for a Phils prospect in some. As immpressive as Brown was, Roy Halladay might have been even more impressive. He pitched his 8th complete game of the season while allowing just 1 run on 6 hits and striking out 9. He was just too much for Arizona to handle with the speed and location of his pitches so precise. Moreover, he also had a chance to pitch with a lead for once and it helped. So with the combined efforts of Halladay and Brown the Phils rolled to a 7-1 win, their 7th in a row and enough to keep them with 3.5 games of 1st in the NL East. If they wish to pull even closer they'll have to keep up what they've been doing for a long while. Go Phils!
All told on the night Brown went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored during one of best opening acts for a Phils prospect in some. As immpressive as Brown was, Roy Halladay might have been even more impressive. He pitched his 8th complete game of the season while allowing just 1 run on 6 hits and striking out 9. He was just too much for Arizona to handle with the speed and location of his pitches so precise. Moreover, he also had a chance to pitch with a lead for once and it helped. So with the combined efforts of Halladay and Brown the Phils rolled to a 7-1 win, their 7th in a row and enough to keep them with 3.5 games of 1st in the NL East. If they wish to pull even closer they'll have to keep up what they've been doing for a long while. Go Phils!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils extended their winning streak to 6 tonight with a win over the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks. Cole Hamels provided a solid start allowing just 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 8 over 5 innings. That was enough for the Phils to take an early 4-3 lead through 5 on an RBI single by Ryan Howard, a bases loaded walk, and a 2 run homer by Jayson Werth. Arizona rallied ahead briefly 5-4 in the top of the 6th, before the Phils came back with 3 runs in the home half of the 6th, on an RBI single by Raul Ibanez and a 2 run blast by Howard.
Later in the 7th, Cody Ransom launched another 2 run shot to push the Phils to 9-5 and that was about all she wrote. Jose Contreras pitched a scoreless 8th inning and Ryan Madson tossed a perfect 9th to close out the 9-5 win. So the Phils have now won 6 in a row and coupled with another Braves loss tonight, they move back to within 3.5 games of 1st in the NL East. In more sombering Jimmy Rollins did play tonight as he is day to day with a foot bruise. Also Shane Victorino tweaked his oblique tonight while catching a fly ball and could end up on the DL. Hopefully, JRoll and Victorino will both be ok because I would hate to see the Phils lose another winning streak to injuries.
Later in the 7th, Cody Ransom launched another 2 run shot to push the Phils to 9-5 and that was about all she wrote. Jose Contreras pitched a scoreless 8th inning and Ryan Madson tossed a perfect 9th to close out the 9-5 win. So the Phils have now won 6 in a row and coupled with another Braves loss tonight, they move back to within 3.5 games of 1st in the NL East. In more sombering Jimmy Rollins did play tonight as he is day to day with a foot bruise. Also Shane Victorino tweaked his oblique tonight while catching a fly ball and could end up on the DL. Hopefully, JRoll and Victorino will both be ok because I would hate to see the Phils lose another winning streak to injuries.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles and 2nd round pick, S Nate Allenn, agreed to a 4 year deal today. That leaves Brandon Graham as the only draft pick the Eagles have not signed yet. While Allen now will not miss training camp at all, Graham is not expected to sign in time for camp.
Monday, July 26, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
Joe Blanton squared off against Jason Hammell this afternoon as the Phils looked to complete a 4 game sweep of the Rockies. Blanton did his part. He was touched up for a couple of runs in the first inning but tossed 5 scoreless innings from there. All told on the day he allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits which is a solid effort out of a pitcher who has been having an up and down year. After Blanton surrendered the 2-0 advantage at the onset, the Phils came right back, with some help from the Rockies, to take a 3-2 lead. Brian Schneider ripped a 1 out 2 run triple and Jason Giambi, somewhat uncharacteristically, committed back to back errors for the 3 runs.
Later, right after Blanton finished his night, the Phils extended their lead to 5-2 with back to back RBI singles by Placido Polanco and Raul Ibanez. That at least seemed like a safe enough lead for the Phils bullpen to hang on to. J.C Romero and Chad Durbin did infact kept it to 5-2 heading into the 9th with scoreless frames in the 7th and 8th innings. Finally in the 9th it was once again time for Brad Lige to finish off the night. Once again he almost didn't. Seth Smith slammed a 2 run, 2 out homer to cut it to 5-4. Then a walk and a single later and Jason Giambi was at the plate with a chance to put C0lorado back ahead with one swing. Lidge wisely walked Giambo and then finally ended the proceedings by getting Ryan Spillborghs to ground out. So the Phils have their 5th win in a r0w and now pull within 4,5 games of 1st in the NL East. Not bad, considering all they have gone through this season thus far.
Later, right after Blanton finished his night, the Phils extended their lead to 5-2 with back to back RBI singles by Placido Polanco and Raul Ibanez. That at least seemed like a safe enough lead for the Phils bullpen to hang on to. J.C Romero and Chad Durbin did infact kept it to 5-2 heading into the 9th with scoreless frames in the 7th and 8th innings. Finally in the 9th it was once again time for Brad Lige to finish off the night. Once again he almost didn't. Seth Smith slammed a 2 run, 2 out homer to cut it to 5-4. Then a walk and a single later and Jason Giambi was at the plate with a chance to put C0lorado back ahead with one swing. Lidge wisely walked Giambo and then finally ended the proceedings by getting Ryan Spillborghs to ground out. So the Phils have their 5th win in a r0w and now pull within 4,5 games of 1st in the NL East. Not bad, considering all they have gone through this season thus far.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
After going down with an elbow strain back in April J.A Happ finally returned to the Phils this afternoon. He wasn't quite the same old J.A, but he fought through the rust to go 5 innings, while allowing just 3 runs on 4 hits and striking out 4. Following the 5th inning a rain delay ended Happ's night with the Phils trailing 3-2. Back in 2nd inning Ben Francisco crushed a 2 run homer to put the Phils up 2-1, but Ryan Spillborghs came back with a 2 run homer in the 4th to put Colorado up 3-2. Thanks to scoreless innings from Chad Durbin in the 6th, and Ryan Madson in the 7th, it stayed 3-2 into the home half of the 7th.
In that inning, Wilson Valdez led off with a pinch double and Jimmy Rollins followed with a pinch single to knot it up at 3. On the play Carlos Gonzalez committed an error allowing JRoll to move up to 2nd. He then stole 3rd and scored on a wild pitch by Rafeal Betancourt for a 4-3. Neither team scored in the 8th so it was up to Brad Lidge to preserve the 1 run lead in the 9th. After a strikeout, a walk and another strikeout to start the inning, Melvin Mora single and Jason Giambi walked to load the bases with 2 out. Fortunately, Lidge stayed cool and managed to strike out Ian Stewart to end it at last. So the Phils have 4 straight wins now and with a loss today by the Braves they're now back within 5 games of the top of the NL East. Considering everything they've been through this season that's not a bad place to be.
In that inning, Wilson Valdez led off with a pinch double and Jimmy Rollins followed with a pinch single to knot it up at 3. On the play Carlos Gonzalez committed an error allowing JRoll to move up to 2nd. He then stole 3rd and scored on a wild pitch by Rafeal Betancourt for a 4-3. Neither team scored in the 8th so it was up to Brad Lidge to preserve the 1 run lead in the 9th. After a strikeout, a walk and another strikeout to start the inning, Melvin Mora single and Jason Giambi walked to load the bases with 2 out. Fortunately, Lidge stayed cool and managed to strike out Ian Stewart to end it at last. So the Phils have 4 straight wins now and with a loss today by the Braves they're now back within 5 games of the top of the NL East. Considering everything they've been through this season that's not a bad place to be.
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