After 4 straight shutouts at Citi Field it was up to Roy Halladay to exact revenge on the Mets. He did and then some, tossing 8 scoreless innings on just 4 hits while striking out 7. He did allow a leadoff triple to Jose Reyes in the 4th but managed to pitch around it with back to back strikeouts to Carlos Beltran and David Wright to finish the inning. Later Angel Pagan singled and reached 2nd on an error with 2 out in the 6th. Again Halladay gout out of it, forcing Wright into a ground out.
As for the Phils, 3 straight 2 out singles in the 3rd produced their only earned run. However, Met's errors by Ruben Tejada in the 5th and Wright in the 6th handed the Phils 3 unearned runs for a 4-0 lead through 8. If those runs hadn't been handed to the Phils Halladay might have needed to go the distance. Instead with a cushy 4-0 lead Charlie Manuel opted to send in Ryan Madson in the 9th and it almost cost him. 2 singles, 2 strikeouts, and a hit batsmen later, and the bases were loaded for Josh Tole. Fortunately, after a long at bat Madson struck out Thole close out the 4-0 win. With the win the Phils move to 2 back in the NL East and remain 1 back in the wild card.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles opened their preseason tonight at the Linc with a 28-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, thanks David Akers 36 yard field goal with 9 minutes to play. Overall it was positive night for the young Eagles roster. The starters were sharp on both sides of the ball. Kevin Kolb completed 6 of 11 passes for 95 yards, including 3 of over 20 yards, 2 to Desean Jackson and one to Jeremy Maclin. Unfortunately he couldn't get the Birds into the end zone as they settled for 2 Aker's field goals. Jackson was pretty much unstoppable with those 2 catches and 64 yards recievingi overall, as well as 17 rushing yards on an end around Defensively, the starters produced 2 3 and outs while yielding just 10 yards, but no one really stood out. It was just a good team effort.
There were good moments out of the backups as well, mostly on offense. Martell Mallet, the reigning Canadian league rookie of the year, and pretty much the last running back on the Eagles' depth chart had a good night, with 15 rushes for 60 yards and a TD. Chad Hall, on the bottom of the depth chart at WR, excelled over the field, with a 22 run, a 55 yard reception from 3rd string QB Mike Kafka, 3 kickoff returns for 33 yards, and 2 punt returns for 14 yards. Mike Vick, was Mike Vick completing 11 of 17 passes, for 119 yards, including a 44 yard completion to Riley Cooper and 6 rushes for 50 yards and a TD. He also turned the ball over twice and will have to work on that. Riley Cooper was Vick's favorite target with 61 receiving yards.
Defensively, Trevar Lindley nearly had an interception and looked pretty good in coverage. Daneil Teo Neisheim seemed to be in there helping on every tackle. Kurt Coleman looked good on special teams and during one of his few moments in coverage, put a big hit on WR Mike Sims-Walker. Other than that it wasn't great for the backup defense. Joselio Hanson, Dmitri Patterson and Eddie Pope were all beaten badly for long touchdown passes, so its a good thing they aren't starting I guess.
There were good moments out of the backups as well, mostly on offense. Martell Mallet, the reigning Canadian league rookie of the year, and pretty much the last running back on the Eagles' depth chart had a good night, with 15 rushes for 60 yards and a TD. Chad Hall, on the bottom of the depth chart at WR, excelled over the field, with a 22 run, a 55 yard reception from 3rd string QB Mike Kafka, 3 kickoff returns for 33 yards, and 2 punt returns for 14 yards. Mike Vick, was Mike Vick completing 11 of 17 passes, for 119 yards, including a 44 yard completion to Riley Cooper and 6 rushes for 50 yards and a TD. He also turned the ball over twice and will have to work on that. Riley Cooper was Vick's favorite target with 61 receiving yards.
Defensively, Trevar Lindley nearly had an interception and looked pretty good in coverage. Daneil Teo Neisheim seemed to be in there helping on every tackle. Kurt Coleman looked good on special teams and during one of his few moments in coverage, put a big hit on WR Mike Sims-Walker. Other than that it wasn't great for the backup defense. Joselio Hanson, Dmitri Patterson and Eddie Pope were all beaten badly for long touchdown passes, so its a good thing they aren't starting I guess.
PHILLIES NEWS
Nothing, absolutely nothing. That's what the Phils lineup gave Cole Hamels tonight. For the 2nd successive start against the Mets Hamels was brilliant, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 8. Unfortunately for the 2nd successive time he also got zero run support. In fact, Hamels himself had the Phils only hit of the night, as R.A Dickey shut them down. If not for Hamels' hit Dickey would have had the Mets first ever no hitter. Instead Hamels got the hit in the 6th inning and Dickey settled for a complete game 1 hit shutout with 7 strikeouts.
The sad thing is the Phils never really even threatened Dickey. Wilson Valdez did work a walk in the 3rd inning, but Hamels flied out trying bunt him over and Jimmy Rollins popped up to the end the inning. Late in the 6th, after Hamels singled, JRoll hit into a fielder's choice and then watched Placido Polanco fly out to end the inning. That was it really. The Phils just couldn't figure Dickey out in this one and with that they suffered their 4th straight shutout at Citi Field, that's 36 straight innings without a run. That's pretty tough to do anywhere and makes you wonder what's going on at Citi Field. Still, it's only 1 game and the Phils are perfectly capable of winning the series.
The sad thing is the Phils never really even threatened Dickey. Wilson Valdez did work a walk in the 3rd inning, but Hamels flied out trying bunt him over and Jimmy Rollins popped up to the end the inning. Late in the 6th, after Hamels singled, JRoll hit into a fielder's choice and then watched Placido Polanco fly out to end the inning. That was it really. The Phils just couldn't figure Dickey out in this one and with that they suffered their 4th straight shutout at Citi Field, that's 36 straight innings without a run. That's pretty tough to do anywhere and makes you wonder what's going on at Citi Field. Still, it's only 1 game and the Phils are perfectly capable of winning the series.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
It was an important night for the Phils in more ways than one. Shane Victorino returned from the DL and worked a walk in a pinch hit appearance. It was confirmed that Ross Gload won't go on the DL and instead is day to day with his groin strain. He could be ready to at least pinch hit again by next Wednesday. Finally the Braves had the night off as they tried to stomach the news that Chipper Jones is out of the season with a torn ACL. At any rate with Atlanta idle a Phils win in this one would cut Atlanta's division lead to just 2.
early on it didn't look like the Phils would be improving their standing any time soon as Joe Blanton was roughed up right off the bat for 3 runs in the 1st. Fortunately, he recovered enough to go another 4 and 2/3rds innings while allowing just 4 runs on 8 hits. Basically he did just enough to allow the Phils to hang in there through 6. Hang in there they did and then some. First, a fielder's choice in the 2nd and an RBI single by Carlos Ruiz in the 4th helped the Phils cut the lead to 3-2. It didn't stay that close for long though as the Dodgers eventually added another run off Blanton. Then the Phils bullpen struggled through the 7th and 8th innings allowing a combined 5 runs for a stunning 9-2 Dodger lead.
The Phils had every right to give up at that point, down 9-2 heading into the 9th, but they just would not as the Dodger bullpen had some struggles of its own. First in the 8th, Jayson Werth slapped a 2 run single, Ben Francisco doubled to score him and later with one out Wilson Valdez singled to score Francisco and just like that it was a ballgame again with the score 9-6 Dodgers. A couple batters later Raul Ibanez actually came to the plate as the tying run but he grounded into an inning ending double play to give the Dodgers a brief reprieve. That is, until Jonathan Broxton, twice killed by the Phils in the postseason, was forced to come in for the save in 9th. He struggled just as much as the rest of the Dodger bullpen.
First he Placido Polanco with a pitched ball to leadoff the inning. Then after a long at bat he issued a walk to Mike Sweeney to bring Jayson Werth to plate again as the tying run. Werth too walked to load the bases for Francisco the potential winning run. Francisco ripped a groundball right at 3B Casey Blake for a potential rally killing double play but Blake missed it, instead watching it going straight through his legs as 2 runs scored to cut it to 9-8. That left runners on 1st and 2nd and still nobody out for Carlos Ruiz. 3 pitches later Ruiz laced a double off the top of the wall in left center, scoring Werth from 2nd easily to tie it at 9 and shockingly Francisco, who was right on Werth's heels, scored from 1st as well to win it 10-9. Heck even I was shocked that they won. So you can imagine what the Dodgers were feeling as they walked off the field. Anyway, with the win the Phils pull to within 2 games in the NL East and remain 1 game out in the wildcard.
early on it didn't look like the Phils would be improving their standing any time soon as Joe Blanton was roughed up right off the bat for 3 runs in the 1st. Fortunately, he recovered enough to go another 4 and 2/3rds innings while allowing just 4 runs on 8 hits. Basically he did just enough to allow the Phils to hang in there through 6. Hang in there they did and then some. First, a fielder's choice in the 2nd and an RBI single by Carlos Ruiz in the 4th helped the Phils cut the lead to 3-2. It didn't stay that close for long though as the Dodgers eventually added another run off Blanton. Then the Phils bullpen struggled through the 7th and 8th innings allowing a combined 5 runs for a stunning 9-2 Dodger lead.
The Phils had every right to give up at that point, down 9-2 heading into the 9th, but they just would not as the Dodger bullpen had some struggles of its own. First in the 8th, Jayson Werth slapped a 2 run single, Ben Francisco doubled to score him and later with one out Wilson Valdez singled to score Francisco and just like that it was a ballgame again with the score 9-6 Dodgers. A couple batters later Raul Ibanez actually came to the plate as the tying run but he grounded into an inning ending double play to give the Dodgers a brief reprieve. That is, until Jonathan Broxton, twice killed by the Phils in the postseason, was forced to come in for the save in 9th. He struggled just as much as the rest of the Dodger bullpen.
First he Placido Polanco with a pitched ball to leadoff the inning. Then after a long at bat he issued a walk to Mike Sweeney to bring Jayson Werth to plate again as the tying run. Werth too walked to load the bases for Francisco the potential winning run. Francisco ripped a groundball right at 3B Casey Blake for a potential rally killing double play but Blake missed it, instead watching it going straight through his legs as 2 runs scored to cut it to 9-8. That left runners on 1st and 2nd and still nobody out for Carlos Ruiz. 3 pitches later Ruiz laced a double off the top of the wall in left center, scoring Werth from 2nd easily to tie it at 9 and shockingly Francisco, who was right on Werth's heels, scored from 1st as well to win it 10-9. Heck even I was shocked that they won. So you can imagine what the Dodgers were feeling as they walked off the field. Anyway, with the win the Phils pull to within 2 games in the NL East and remain 1 game out in the wildcard.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles begin their preseason tomorrow night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. As usual in the preseason opener the starters will play only the 1st quarter. That's doesn't leave much time to get a look at Kevin Kolb in his first game as the Birds starting QB.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
Watching players in red stripes get helped off the field has been an all too common occurrence at Phils games this year. Unfortunately it reoccured tonight as Ross Gload pulled up lame coming into 2nd, after ripping a double to leadoff the 6th inning. Gload was later diagnosed with a strained groin which means he'll probably go on the DL. That also means Mike Sweeney is effectively the Phils 1st baseman until Ryan Howard likely comes off the DL as scheduled. The Phils could also bring Cody Ransom back up from AAA if they so choose to at least be Sweeney's backup. In any case it's just frustrating to be talking about another injured player. I mean if even your bench players can't avoid the injury bug you know you've got problems.
Anyway back to the game tonight, it was pretty much the Roy Oswalt. He was on right from beginning and when Oswalt he is extremely difficult to beat. He went 7 scoreless innings while allowing just 5 hits and striking out 5 to all but thwart any Dodger hopes of victory. However, the Phils struggled with leaving runners on base again, managing just 2 runs on a fielders choice in the 4th and a double by Raul Ibanez in the 6th, just after Gload limped off the field. So the Dodgers were able to hang around and Oswalt's potential first win as a Phil was again taken out of his hands. Fortunately Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge for 2 solid scoreless innings to finish an important 2-0 win. With the win they remain 2.5 games back in the NL East and move to only 1 game back in the wild card. That's not a bad place to be in considering all the injuries they've suffered.
Anyway back to the game tonight, it was pretty much the Roy Oswalt. He was on right from beginning and when Oswalt he is extremely difficult to beat. He went 7 scoreless innings while allowing just 5 hits and striking out 5 to all but thwart any Dodger hopes of victory. However, the Phils struggled with leaving runners on base again, managing just 2 runs on a fielders choice in the 4th and a double by Raul Ibanez in the 6th, just after Gload limped off the field. So the Dodgers were able to hang around and Oswalt's potential first win as a Phil was again taken out of his hands. Fortunately Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge for 2 solid scoreless innings to finish an important 2-0 win. With the win they remain 2.5 games back in the NL East and move to only 1 game back in the wild card. That's not a bad place to be in considering all the injuries they've suffered.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers have hired Rod Thorn as team president. Previously Thorn was team president of the New Jersey Nets alongside Ed Stefanski as GM for 6 seasons before big Ed came here. Thorn on the other hand had retained his post through last season but with new Russian owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, taking over the Nets Thorn decided to step down and now here he is with the Sixers. Oddly enough earlier this year the Nets actually hired ex Sixers GM Billy King to replace Thorn. So what goes around comes around I guess. Anyway I'm not sure how much bringing in Thorn will help the Sixers, but I guess we'll see.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
It was long nite tonight for the Phils as they hooked up with Dodgers in an NLCS rematch. Kyle Kendrick got the start but was touched up for 6 runs on 8 hits in just 3 and 1/3rd innings. He had been pitching so well but tonight just wasn't his night. Likewise, with all those runs for the opposition in the early going the Phils were put in a hole they would never be able to climb out of so it wasn't their night either. To their credit the Phils did try to battle back with runs in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. It was all to no avail though.
They got 1 run in the 4th on a sac fly by Dominic Brown, 3 in the 5th on a fielders' choice and a 2 run homer by Ross Gload, 1 in the 6th on a solo homer by Brown(his 1st major league homer) and 2 in the 7th on a 2 run single by Matt Kemp. Unfortunately each time the Phils scored the Dodgers seemed to add to their tally as well. Thus, despite scoring 8 runs from the 4th to the 7th innings the Phils still found themselves down 15 - 7 heading into the 9th. Let's just say it really wasn't a good night for the Phils pitching staff. Thanks to a 2 out single by Brown in the 9th the Phils were able to score a couple more runs to cut the lead to 15-9 but that was as close as they would get on this dreadful night as they took the loss, 15-9.
Sometimes it just isn't you're night and you've got to forget about it and move on. This was one of those times. When you're hanging in their 2.5 games back in the NL East and 1.5 games back in the wildcard one really can't afford to dwell too much on such one-sided affairs as tonight's game. So just pretend tonight never happened and you'll feel a whole lot better. I know I do.
They got 1 run in the 4th on a sac fly by Dominic Brown, 3 in the 5th on a fielders' choice and a 2 run homer by Ross Gload, 1 in the 6th on a solo homer by Brown(his 1st major league homer) and 2 in the 7th on a 2 run single by Matt Kemp. Unfortunately each time the Phils scored the Dodgers seemed to add to their tally as well. Thus, despite scoring 8 runs from the 4th to the 7th innings the Phils still found themselves down 15 - 7 heading into the 9th. Let's just say it really wasn't a good night for the Phils pitching staff. Thanks to a 2 out single by Brown in the 9th the Phils were able to score a couple more runs to cut the lead to 15-9 but that was as close as they would get on this dreadful night as they took the loss, 15-9.
Sometimes it just isn't you're night and you've got to forget about it and move on. This was one of those times. When you're hanging in their 2.5 games back in the NL East and 1.5 games back in the wildcard one really can't afford to dwell too much on such one-sided affairs as tonight's game. So just pretend tonight never happened and you'll feel a whole lot better. I know I do.
Monday, August 09, 2010
FLYERS NEWS
Riley Cote has announced his retirement and will be an assistant coach for the Phantoms next season. Cote wasn't going to play for the Flyers next season and there didn't seem to be much interest in him from other teams so this is probably a smart move. He is a class act and it is nice to see that he'll be sticking around the organization.
Sunday, August 08, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their rise in the standings this afternoon but it wasn't easy. After falling behind 2-0 after 1, the Phils rallied back for 6 runs over the next 2 innings, all of Mets starter, R.A Dickey. In the 2nd Jayson Werth golfed out a solo homer to center as Carlos Beltran drifted into the wall trying to track it down. In the 3rd, Jimmy Rollins doubled and scored on a single by Ross Gload, Raul Ibanez crushed a 3 run homer to almost the same spot as Werth's homer, and Werth doubled and scored on a single by Brian Schneider. So just like that the Phils led 6-2, Dickey's afternoon was over, and Roy Halladay seemed all but assured of his 14th win.
Not so fast. Halladay didn't quite have his best stuff on the day and seemed to tire early, from about the 6th inning on in the sunday heat. To their credit the Mets kept after him and were able to hang around, while the Phils basically shut it down following their 5 run 3rd. They got 1 run in the 6th to cut it to 6-3 and 2 in the 7th to cut it to 6-5. In fact Beltran came to the plate in that inning with 2 on and 2 out and a chance to put the Mets ahead. With what little he had left, Halladay managed to strike him out, his 10th of the day and preserve the 6-5 lead through 7. He deserves some serious credit for going 7 without his best stuff. Anyway from there Ryan Madson pitched a perfect 8th. Then after allowing a leadoff hit Brad Lidge retired the side in the 9th for his 5th straight save. With the win the Phils remain 2 games back in the NL East, but move to within .5 games of the top of the wild card standings.
Not so fast. Halladay didn't quite have his best stuff on the day and seemed to tire early, from about the 6th inning on in the sunday heat. To their credit the Mets kept after him and were able to hang around, while the Phils basically shut it down following their 5 run 3rd. They got 1 run in the 6th to cut it to 6-3 and 2 in the 7th to cut it to 6-5. In fact Beltran came to the plate in that inning with 2 on and 2 out and a chance to put the Mets ahead. With what little he had left, Halladay managed to strike him out, his 10th of the day and preserve the 6-5 lead through 7. He deserves some serious credit for going 7 without his best stuff. Anyway from there Ryan Madson pitched a perfect 8th. Then after allowing a leadoff hit Brad Lidge retired the side in the 9th for his 5th straight save. With the win the Phils remain 2 games back in the NL East, but move to within .5 games of the top of the wild card standings.
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