Wednesday, June 20, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their 3 game set with Cleveland tonight and for a moment it looked they might just win it. They got off to a quick start as Rod Barajas hit a 2 run homer in the 3rd inning for an early 2-0 lead. By the 4th inning the Indians had rallied to tie it at 2, so Phils put up 2 more runs in the top of the 6th for a 4-2 lead. Unfortunately it was at this point that reality finally hit them. That is, the reality that the Indians are far better than they are. In the bottom of the 6th they scored 8, yes 8 runs, 5 alone off Jon Lieber, who had been pitching pretty well until then. Things then went from bad to worse as Lieber limped to the dugout, following an one out RBI single by Casey Blake, in which he tried to get behind and backup the catcher, only strain his ankle, after taking just 2 steps off the mound. He is now listed as day to day. Mike Zagurski came in to replace Lieber and could do no better allowing yet another run to score. Yoel Hernandez then replaced him and allowed 4 more runs, before finally getting out of the inning. By then though, it was all but over, as Cleveland now led 10-4. The Phils tried to mount a comeback with 2 runs in the 7th inning, on a two out Shane Victorino double. Chase Utley then walked to put two on and two out for Ryan Howard. Thus, giving him a chance to cut the lead to 1 with one swing, but alas he struck out, and with that so went the Phils hopes on the night. Cleveland easily closed out the last 2 innings to win going away 10-6. Fortunately though, the Mets and the Braves also lost big tonight, so Phils did not lose any ground in the NL East, life however, still sucks again.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
A day after ace Cole Hamels was rocked by Cleveland, the Phils got even tonight with the new kid on the block Kyle Kendrick. In just his second Major league start Kendrick went 6 innings, and allowed just 3 runs on 5 hits to record his first win. Of course, with all the run support he got it would have been hard for him to lose. Ryan Howard alone, homered and knocked in 4 runs, in just his 3rd 3 hit game of the season so far. Chase Utley and Pat Burrell, also knocked in 2 runs each, with all four being 2 out RBIs. With all that support the Phils took a 7-3 lead into 8th, but the Indians wouldn't go away easily. They scored 2 quick runs off Ryan Madson in the 8th to cut the lead to 6-5 and suddenly it looked like the game on sunday all over again, you know the one where the Phils blew a 3-1 lead in the 7th, waisting a stellar start by Adam Eaton. Fortunately, in the top of 9th, Ryan Howard delivered a double to knock in his 4th and final run of the night, and Greg Dobbs smacked a pinch double to score Howard to put the Phils up for good 9-5. Despite allowing a run and 3 hits, Antonio Alfonseca managed to close it out in the 9th for a huge 9-6 win for the Phils. So, with the win coupled by yet another Mets loss the Phils moved to within 2 games of 1st in the NL East, and with yet another Braves loss they moved back to within .5 games of 2nd in the NL East. Thus, life is beautiful again.
Monday, June 18, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
After a devastating loss yesterday the Phils came into tonight's game in Cleveland against the Indians, looking to pick up the pieces and move on with ace Cole Hamels on the mound. Unfortunately Hamels simply didn't have the stuff tonight. In only 5 innings of work he allowed 6 runs on 8 hits, including a 3 run homer by Kelly Shoppach, who ironically, is the Indians backup catcher, with the dangerous Victor Martinez, known for his clutch hits, being their starter. So even avoiding the bat of Martinez isn't much of a break against the ultra-talented Indians. At any rate 5 of those 6 runs allowed by Hamels, came in the first 2 innings, putting the Phils in a 5-0 hole from which they would never escape. When Ryan Howard finally did get the Phils on the board with a solo homer in the top of the 6th, Cleveland came right back and scored 3 more off Geoff Geary in the bottom of the inning for a 9-1 lead. Then to add insult to injury, former Phillies bench warmer-turned Indians outfielder, Jason Micheals homered in the 7th to put the Cleveland up 10-1 and complete their pounding of the Phils, as that's how it ended. So the Phils lost big 10-1, while the Mets and Braves both won big, dropping the Phils to 3 games behind the Mets for 1st in the NL East, and 1.5 games behind the Braves for 2nd. Life thus, still sucks.
FLYERS NEWS
The Orange and Black have pulled off their first big trade under GM Paul Holmgren(he replaced Bobby Clarke halfway into last season). The traded the 23rd pick in the first round of this weekend's NHL draft to the Nashville Predators (the same team from which they recieved it in exchange for Peter Forsberg) in exchange for all world defenseman Kimmo Timmonen, who captained Nashville last season with 13 goals and 42 assists, and center/forward Scott Hartnell who put up 22 goals and 17 assists. The Flyers have said that this off-season they are looking to get bigger, faster, and more skilled, and with this trade they appear to have done just that and the NHL free agent signing period hasn't even started yet. So I would say that they have done a good job thus far in this off-season.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
In his last start Justin Verlander tossed a no-hitter, today the Phils quickly made sure he wouldn't throw another. Abrham Nunez singled in a run in the second inning to forge a 1-1 tie and the Phils were off and running. Chase Utley doubled and scored in the 3rd for a 2-1 lead, and Greg Dobbs tripled and scored in the 6th on a single by pitcher Adam Eaton ,of all people, for a 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, Adam Eaton cruised through 6 and 1/3rd innings allowing just 1 run on 3 hits. Then Brandon Inge doubled, and Carlos Guillen singled putting runners on 1st and 3rd with one out and chasing Eaton from the game. Geoff Geary replaced Eaton and promptly tossed an RBI single to Gary Sheffield to cut the lead to 3-2. Mike Zagurski then replaced Geary and retired Omar Infante for the second out of the inning. Yoel Hernandez then replaced Zagurski and intentionally walked ex-Phil Placido Polanco to load the bases for Craig Monroe. Bad move. Monroe promptly hit a ground ball which deflected off Abraham Nunez, and went just out of the reach of Jimmy Rollins, allowing Guillen and Sheffield to score for a 4-3 Tigers lead. If the inning had ended then the Phils would have still been okay, unfortunately the next batter was the red hot Magglio Ordonez who doubled to score Polanco and Monroe for a 6-3 Tigers lead. After that Hernandez finally forced Sean Casey to pop out for the final out of the inning, but by then the Phils once safe 3-1 lead had evaporated into a 6-3 deficit. Things only got worse in the 8th as Yoel Hernandez remained in game for some reason, and allowed 3 straight Tigers singles, which resulted in a another run and a 7-3 lead. After that all heck broke lose. Aaron Rowand limped off the field with a leg injury, then a few Jose Mesa pitches later(he replaced Hernandez), Catcher Carlos Ruiz, Charlie Manuel, and 3rd base coach Steve Smith were all ejected for arguing a checked swing, that certainly appeared to be a full swing. Somehow from there Mesa got out of the inning, and the Phils cut lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the inning as Abraham Nunez singled and scored on a Jimmy Rollins single. Unfortunately, that would be all the Phils would get the rest of the way, as Todd Jones closed it out for Detroit in the 9th. Still, by the grace of God the Phils did not lose any ground in the NL East as both Atlanta and the Mets lost as well. So the Phils are still only 2 games out in the NL East but life still sucks again.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
"Old reliable" Jamie Moyer came through yet again today for the Phils. He went 7 innings allowing just 2 runs, on 4 hits, while striking out 4. More importantly, he kept Detroit in the ballpark forcing the Tigers into nearly 20 groundouts, while allowing just 2 homers, both solo, and early in the game. Carlos Guillen hit a solo shot in the 2nd inning, and Curtis Granderson hit a solo shot in the 3rd. After that it was all Moyer who retired the next 11 batters he faced. Meanwhile, for the Phils Shane Victorino hit a solo homer in the 1st inning, and Aaron Rowand hit a solo homer in the 3rd. Rowand then singled in Victorino in the 5th for a 3-2 lead. Chase Utley upped the lead to 4-2 with an RBI Double in the 6th. Carlos Ruiz hit another in 7th for a 5-2 lead, and Ryan Howard finished the double parade with an RBI double in the 8th for a 6-2 lead. The Phils bullpen then closed it out. Ryan Madson pitched a perfect 8th inning, and Antonio Alfonseca survived the 9th after allowing 1 run on 3 hits, to clinch a 6-3 Phils win. So the Phils are now 36-32, .5 games behind Atlanta for 2nd in the NL East, and 2 games behind the Mets for first. Thus, life is beautiful again.
Friday, June 15, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
After sweeping the White Sox the Phils came out firing against the Tigers tonight. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard both homered in the 1st inning and the Phils led early 2-0. Unfortunately just when it seemed as if their hot streak would continue, Detroit came back with a vengeance. The Tigers scored 2 in the second inning to tie it, and then in the 5th Jon Lieber ran into the dreaded ,big inning, as he was touched up for 5 runs, including a 3 run homer by Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Still, it was only 7-2, so the Phils were at least still in it. They wouldn't stay in it for long. The Tigers scored 4 more runs in the 6th off Francisco Rosario, including an RBI double by Sean Casey, to race out to an 11-3 lead(Jimmy Rollins hit his second homer of the night back in the 5th). Still, as has been their MO all season the Phils weren't ready to give up yet. Greg Dobbs homered in the 6th, to cut the lead to 11-4. After the Tigers had tacked on another run, Shane Victorino hit a 2 run homer in the 7th to cut the lead to 12-6. Carlos Ruiz doubled in a run, and Jimmy Rollins tripled in Ruiz in the 8th to cut the lead to 12-8. Then with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th, the Phils put two on for Greg Dobbs, with Jayson Werth in the on deck circle representing the tying run. Unfortunately, Dobbs struck out and the Phils fell 12-8. In all the Phils hammered 5 homers, for 8 runs on 13 hits. and yet they still lost. Which tells you just how good the Tigers are. So the Phils dropped to 35-32, but they are still in 3rd place just 3 games behind the Mets for first, and .5 games behind Atlanta for 2nd. In other words, life sucks again.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
After their sweep of the White Sox the Phils got a well deserved day off today. Tomorrow the Detroit Tigers come to the Bank for a weekend series, and hopefully they won't beat up on the Phils as much as they beat up on Mets earlier this week, when they swept them. In other news Freddy Garcia will not be having season ending shoulder injury. At least not yet anyway, as the Phils and the two doctors he has visited so far, want to take it slow with him. At any rate Garcia is still out indefinitely, but at least now there's a chance that he'll be back before the season is over.
FLYERS NEWS
Antero Niitymaki will be back with the orange and black next season, although this time he probably won't be the starter, as Martin Biron all but earned that spot with his play at the end of the season. At any rate Niitymaki signed a new 2 year contract with the Flyers. While, it's true that he struggled last season, recording exactly 9 wins in 47 starts, you could say the same for just about everyone else with Flyers last season as well, and so the Flyers hope that last season was just a blip on the radar screen, and that Niitymaki will return to form next season. Let's hope their right.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their 3 game set with the White Sox early today with a business person special. As mentioned rookie Kyle Kendrick got the start for the Phils and the youngster did a stellar job going 6 innings while allowing only 3 runs on 6 hits, and striking out 4. If that sounds familiar its because that's exactly what "the Rocket" Roger Clemens did for the Yankees yesterday. Now obviously Kendrick isn't the next Rocket yet, but today was a pretty good start, and if nothing else he's earned himself at least another start and consideration as the long term replacement for Freddy Garcia, if Freddy is in fact out for the rest of the season. Perhaps, the most remarkable aspect of Kendrick's performance though, is that the entire time he was in the game the Phils were trailing, yet he never got discouraged and kept his composure, until the Phils could rally in the 6th and 7th inning, after he left the game. Earlier on the White Sox led, scoring a run each in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings for a 3-0 lead. The Phils kept it close with an RBI single by Chase Utley in the first and solo homer by Wes Helms in the 2nd, yes he actually hit one for the first time in over 100 at bats. After Kendrick blanked the Sox for the next three innings, the Phils entered the bottom of the 6th only trailing 3-2. There Jayson Werth beat out an infield single, Wes Helms blooped a single to move Werth to 3rd, and Aaron Rowand lined a pinch hit ground out just hard enough to score Werth and tie the game at 3. Chase Utley then led off the 7th with a double, one out later and after a Pat Burrell walk , Abraham Nunez delivered a pinch single to score Utley and give the Phils a 4-3 lead. From there, things got wide open. After another out, Rod Barajas walked to load the bases with two out for ex-White Sox Aaron Rowand, who had stayed in the game to play centerfield after his pinch ground out. Two Strikes later Rowand greeted his old team with a grand slam, to put the Phils up for good 8-3. The Sox managed to add a run in the 8th to cut the lead to 8-4, but that would be all they'd get the rest of the day as the Phils won 8-4 to complete a sweep of Chicago. Unfortunately now that that's done the big boys are coming to town, as the defending AL Champion Detroit Tigers visit the Bank for the weekend and the Phils are then going to head to Cleveland to face the Indians to start next week. Both of those teams are loaded with talent and are likely headed to the playoffs this season, so if the Phils can get by them without losing too much ground, they might just prove that they're worthy of a division title or at least of a playoff berth. At any rate the Phils are now tied with Atlanta for 2nd in the NL East, and 2 games behind the Mets for first. Thus, life remains beautiful.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The hits just keep on coming, for the White Sox that is, as the Phils pounded out 7 runs on 9 hits, while Cole Hamels went 8 innings allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits, while striking out 8, to record his NL leading 9th win of the season. Initially, things didn't look so good as Paul Konerko and Jermain Dye both homered in the first inning to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. The Phils came right back in the bottom of the inning though, loading the bases with two outs. Pat Burrell walked to force in a run, Greg Dobbs singled to score two more, and the Phils took a 3-2 lead and never looked back. Chase Utley added a two run homer in the 2nd, and a 2 RBI single in the 4th, to power the Phils to a 7-2 lead , for which Chicago had no answer. Luis Terrero added a solo homer for the Sox in the 9th, but by then it was too late, as Geoff Geary retired the next two batters in order to clinch a 7-3 win for the Phils. So the Phils are now 34-31, 1 game behind Atlanta for 2nd in the NL East and 3 behind the Mets for first. Basically, they're in pretty good position now. Rookie Kyle Kendrick, recently called up from AA, gets the call for the Phils tomorrow in place of Freddy Garcia. Hopefully he can keep it going for the Phils, because once again life remains beautiful.
Monday, June 11, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Big win for the Phils tonight, and there really wasn't much to it. Adam Eaton, Mike Zagurski, and Antonio Alfonseca combined to blank the Jim Thome and the White Sox for all 9 innings of tonight's game allowing just 5 hits and striking out 7. Meanwhile, Pat Burrell hit a solo homer in the 2nd inning, Ryan Howard hit another in the 4th inning, and Jimmy Rollins finished off the homer parade with a 3rd solo shot in the 6th inning. So the Phils won 3-0 in front of the home crowd to rebound from their embarrassing loss at KC and have now improved to 33-31 just 4 games behind the first place Mets. Thus just like that life is beautiful again.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Royals are the worst team in the majors right now, and the only one with 40 losses, yet, today it was the Phils who looked like the 40 loss team, and the Royals who looked like the 3rd place team trying to get over the hump. The usually reliable Jamie Moyer wasn't today, allowing 6 runs on 7 hits in just 3 and 2/3rds innings of work. With homers by Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard, the Phils somehow managed to hang in it for 5 innings, only trailing 6-5. Not coincidentally, the 5th, was also the only inning in which the Royals failed to score a run. In other words after the 5th it was all KC, as the Phils bullpen was just beat up, allowing 11 runs on 7 hits. Ryan Madson walked two batters, Jose Mesa fired two wild pitches, and Geoff Geary was treated to a couple boneheaded plays by Phils fielders. Basically, everything the Phils could have done wrong they did and in the end they lost by the whopping final score of 17-5. It just doesn't get any more embarrassing than that, and life just can't suck any more than that.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Thanks to Jon Lieber the Phils are back on track again. Lieber, pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just 2 hits the entire night while striking out a career best 11. Not surprisingly, this game lasted only about 2 hours, and featured only 2 innings in which runs were scored, all of course going to Phils. In other words, there is not a whole lot talk about, but just in case you were wondering how the Phils scored their runs on the night here goes. Greg Dobbs singled in Aaron Rowand for 1-0 Phils lead in the 2nd inning, and in the 4th inning Dobbs, Pat Burrell, and Rod Barajas all produced RBI doubles off Royals starter and losing pitcher Gil Meche, who didn't pitch too badly himself, allowing just those 4 runs on 8 hits while striking out 8 in 7 innings of work. So there you have it the Phils won 4-0 and are now back to within 5 games of the first place Mets. Thus, life is beautiful again. Oh and one more quick note, before I forget. Remember ex Phils closer Jose Mesa, their all-time and single season saves leader, well he's back with the Phils as he signed with them yesterday as a free agent, obviously in the hope that he can somehow bolster their beat up bullpen, with Brett Myers and Flash Gordon both on the DL.
Friday, June 08, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Coming into tonight's game the Kansas City Royal's owned the major league's worst record, but they played more like they owned the best. In the first inning Ryan Howard hit a two run shot. Greg Dobbs then hit a solo shot in the 2nd and the Phils appeared to be off an running with a 3-0 lead. Unfortunately at that point Freddy Garcia's arm left him, as he allowed 6 runs on 7 hits in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Two of those 7 hits were two run homers by Mark Grudzielanek and Mike Sweeney, and so not surprisingly Garcia never even made it out of the inning. The Phils could then do little to mount a comeback, as their only other run came on yet another solo homer by Rod Barajas. In the end, the Royals bullpen blanked the Phils for the final 4 innings of the game, while the Phils bullpen allowed a further two runs. So KC won 8-4, which means they no longer have the worst record in the ML, just the next to worst record instead and the Phils are still inconsistent at 31-30, back to 6 games behind the Mets for 1st in the NL East. Thus, life sucks again.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils went for the sweep of the Mets tonight and not surprisingly with Cole Hamels on the mound, despite a wild 6th inning, they did just that. JROLL quieted the fans again with a two out RBI single in the 3rd inning, and Ryan Howard added an RBI single in the 6th as the Phils lead early 2-0. Meanwhile, Cole Hamels rolled along through 5 innings, blanking the Mets on 7 hits, then in the bottom of the 6th it almost slipped away. Carlos Delgado, David Wright, and Paul Lo Duca combined to hit back-back-back homers in the inning as New York went ahead 3-2. Hamels managed to hang on for one more inning, finishing the night having allowed 3 runs on 10 hits while striking out 5. After that it looked for a while as if the Phils would not get their sweep, but the old Met killer, Pat Burrell led off the 9th inning for the Phils, and he took hated former Phil Billy Wagner deep, and suddenly it was all tied up at 3. Then In the 10th, Chase Utley doubled in a run to put the Phils up 4-3. Later, Aaron Rowand added an RBI single, and Burrell all but sealed the deal with an RBI double, to give the Phils a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 9th. There, Antonio Alfonseca recorded his 4th save of the year giving Mike Zagurksi ,who pitched a scoreless frame in the 9th, his first major league win. So the Phils improved to 31-29, just 5 games behind the Mets for 1st in the NL East, and 1.5 games behind Atlanta for 2nd. Thus, life is still beautiful.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
How sweet it is. That's all I can say about tonight's game. Once again it began as a pitcher's duel, but this time only for 6 innings. Adam Eaton tossed 6 stellar innings for the Phils allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 4. Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez was just a touch better though blanking the Phils in 6 innings of work, allowing just 3 hits, while striking out 3. So through 6 innings it was 2-0, as Carlos Beltran hit a solo homer in the 4th and Endy Chavez who later left the game with a bad hamstring, manufactured a run in the 6th. The Mets could have actually had more but later in the 4th inning, after the homer, Carlos Delgado was gunned down by Shane Victorino trying to tag up and score on flyout. Thus, When the Phils put runners on 2nd and third with only one out in the 7th all they needed was a single to forge a tie. First up, was the once designated Met killer Pat Burrell, but all he could do was strikeout weakly. Then up stepped the designated most hated man in New York, Jimmy Rollins, for whom the fans began cheering as he quickly fell behind in the count, against reliever Aaron Heilman. JROLL got his revenge a couple pitches later though, as he slapped what wound up being a game winning 3 run homer down the line in right, putting the Phils ahead 3-2, and sending the crowd and the Mets into a stupor from which they would never recover. Aaron Rowand later singled in a run in the 8th to put the Phils up 4-2 and just like last night, that's how it ended. The much maligned Phils bullpen pitched 3 scoreless frames, as Geoff Geary, Ryan Madson, and Antonio Alfonseca combined to close it out. So the Phils are now back above .500(30-29), and within 6 games of the Mets for first in the NL East, and 2.5 of the Braves for second. Life is beautiful again and like I said how sweet it is.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Tonight was another pitcher's duel between ageless wonders. This time it was Jamie Moyer going for the Phils and Tom Glavine for the Mets. Through 7 innings both Moyer and Glavine allowed 2 runs on 8 hits, but Glavine was just a touch better with 4 strikeouts to Moyer's 1. Still, with both teams getting blanked in the final two innings, it would be the Phils who would get the last laugh in the 11th inning. Chase Utley, who already had a pair of hits and had knocked in the Phils 2 runs, led off the top of the inning with a solo homer off Pedro Feliciano to put the Phils up 3-2. Later in the inning Abraham Nunez singled in another run to put the Phils up 4-2 and that would be all they would need. Antonio Alfonseca closed it out in the bottom of the inning, for his second save of the season and the Phils walked away with a big win. So the Phils are back at .500(29-29) and even more importantly are back to within 7 games of the Mets for first in the NL East. Accordingly, life is beautiful again.
Monday, June 04, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their series with the Giants with a business person special, unfortunately it wasn't so special for them. Jon Lieber rolled through the first 4 innings of the game, then in 5th it all fell apart. There Lieber was touched up for 5 runs on 10 hits, including a three run homer by Ryan Klesko and neither he nor the Phils ever recovered. Lieber was pulled from the game after the inning was over, but the Phils could manage only one run all day, leaving 12 men on base, including 8 left in scoring position and although Lieber's replacement Mike Zagurski pitched a scoreless 6th inning, Zagurski's replacement Yoel Hernandez didn't fare so well, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, including a 2 run homer by Ray Durham. Thus going into 9th the Phils trailed 8-1 and that was about all she wrote as San Fran won easily by the same score. Oh and just to point out the futility of the Phils offense on the day, as if I haven't already, their lone run came on a slow rolling ground out by Jayson Werth in the 5th inning with runners on second and 3rd and nobody out. So, yeah life sucks again.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Today's game was rainy, wild and in the end arguably the best of the season. Early on San Fran led 2-0 as Randy Wynn homered in the 1st inning and Bengie Molina homered in the second off Freddy Garcia. The Phils came back in the 4th inning with a solo homer from Chase Utley and two run blast from Aaron Rowand off young fireballer Tim Lincecum, to forge a 3-2 Phils lead. San Fran came right back to score 3 runs in the 5th inning, and 2 in the 6th inning, chasing Garcia from the game after allowing 7 runs on 9 hits while striking out 5. So entering the 7th the Giants and Lincecum had what appeared to be a safe 7-3 lead, but it wasn't so. After allowing a leadoff single to Aaron Rowand and a double to Carlos Ruiz, a tired Lincecum served up a pinch RBI double to Wes Helms to cut the lead to 7-5. Lincecum then struckout Jimmy Rollins and retired Shane Victorino before leaving the game after having thrown 101 pitches, while allowing 6(we'll get to that last one in a moment, just remember that when he left he was still responsible for the runner on base, Wes Helms) runs on 7 hits, and striking out 6. Jack Tarschner then replaced him and promptly made a huge mistake walking Chase Utley in front of Ryan Howard. Howard came up with 2 out, 2 on, and the Phils down 2, and delivered a dramatic 3 run homer, to put the Phils ahead at least momentarily 8-7. Geoff Geary and Ryan Madson somehow combined to get through the 8th inning lead with the 8-7 lead intact. Madson then stayed in to pitch the 9th and well, he didn't quite close it out. He recorded one out, then walked the next two batters and was subsequently pulled from the game in favor of veteran Antonio Alfonseca. Alfonseca didn't fare much better allowing an RBI single to Scott Frandsen, the first batter he faced. Somehow though, he got out of the inning without further damage, as he forced Bengie Molina to ground into a double play. With the score now tied at 8 going into the bottom of the 9th, the stage was set for a storybook finish. Jimmy Rollins struck out again to lead off the inning, then up stepped Shane Victorino, on Victorino hula figurine day, and he delivered a deep blast to left field which kept going until it was outta here! and the Phils had won dramatically 9-8, sending home happy the 100 or so fans stupid enough to still be sitting in their seats in the middle of a rain storm. So Victorino proved to be the hero on his figurine day, and the Phils are back at .500(28-28) and of course, life remains beautiful.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
It didn't take long for the Phils to forget about that 13-0 loss. All they needed was for Cole Hamels to cook up a good one, and cook up a good one he did today. Initially, it looked just like last night as Giants SS Kevin Frandsen homered in the first inning. After that though, it was all Hamels who went all 9 innings, that's right a complete game, allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits while striking 5 and issuing 0, yes 0 walks on the night. Remarkably, as if those numbers weren't enough, he needed only 98 pitches to get through those 9 innings. For the Phils meanwhile, Ryan Howard had a big night with a double and 2 RBIs. Jimmy Rollins added a triple and an RBI and Jayson Werth added an RBI single, as the Phils scratched out just enough runs for a 5-2 win. So the Phils are back to within a game of .500 at 27-28 and life is beautiful again.
Friday, June 01, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Well, tonight wasn't exactly what the Phils needed after getting swept by the Diamondbacks. To say the game started roughly for the Phils would be an understatement. Starter Adam Eaton lasted just 2 innings, allowing a grand slam to rookie Fred Lewis in the second inning. Of course that was after what appeared to be strike three to pitcher Matt Morris to end the inning, was called a ball, to which Charlie Manuel argued vehemently to no avail. He was subsequently tossed from the game, which failed to fire up his team at all, as the next pitch yielded a single, yes a single by the pitcher, which of course led to the Lewis grand slam later in the inning and just like that San Fran raced out a 5-0 lead, and then Francisco Rosario came in and left with an injury after pitching only one inning. Rookie Mike Zagurski then came in and allowed a 3 run homer by Ray Durham and just like that it was 8-0 San Fran. Then Clay Condrey came in and he gave up 5 more runs including another 3 run homer, this time to Pedro Feliz and just like that it was 13-0, in 5th inning mind you, yes the 5th inning. Thankfully, the Giants didn't do anymore damage, unfortunately neither did the Phils, who racked up a whopping 2, yes 2 hits and o runs on the night. So at 13-0 the Phils were left with there worst shutout loss since 1981 and are now two games under .500(26-28). Life Really sucks now.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils had the day off today and after three straight losses they needed it. Tomorrow they begin a 3 game weekend series with Barry and and San Francisco Giants. It should be an interesting series and hopefully a good one for the Phils.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Until the 8th tonight's game was nothing more than old-fashioned pitcher's duel between veterans Jamie Moyer and Randy Johnson. In 6 innings of work Johnson allowed just 1 hit, that's all 1 hit, a single by Pat Burrell, which went for naught as the Phils failed to score off Johnson. Moyer meanwhile, allowed just run and a few hits through 7, with the one run coming on an Eric Byrnes solo homer. In the 8th however, all heck broke lose. Byrnes hit another solo homer to make it 2-0, and rookie Mark Reynolds hit a two run shot later in the inning to up the diamondback lead to 4-0. Eventually, Ryan Madson came in and bailed him out, but it was just a tad too late. Still, the Phils weren't willing to be swept quietly and in the bottom of the 9th they mounted a final rally. Aaron Rowand was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and Shane Victorino singled off, yes off, the chest of SS orlando hudson, who subsequently crumbled to the ground in pain as the ball rolled into the outfield, obviously feigning injury to cover up his blunder. As a result Rowand wound up on third and Victorino wound up on second. Jimmy Rollins then hit a line smash to the gap in left-center just out of the reach of diving centerfielder Chris Young, who got to watch the ball roll past him as Jimmy rolled into 3rd with a triple. After Chase Utley flew out to right field, Pat Burrell singled to score Rollins, which if not for that reynolds homer would have won the game for the Phils. Instead, Ryan Howard, who had the day off, obviously to avoid the left-handed Johnson, came in to pinch hit. Micheal Bourn of course also came in to run for Burrell. Howard battled valiantly with Diamondback closer Jose Valverde, working the count to 3-2, then he crushed a line drive which for anyone other batter would have been a single to score Bourn, who had just stolen second, but for Howard with the infield shifted to the right, it went right into the glove of you guessed it, Orlando Hudson, who was conveniently covering the gap between first and second. Hudson then doubled Bourn, who had been running on the play and who was already rounding 3rd base (yes he is that fast), off of a second to the end the game in a 4-3 win for Arizona. Thus the diamondbacks got their sweep, and the Phils are back under .500(26-27) again. so life really sucks now.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Well, this was one for the ages, the dark ages that is. Jon Lieber was touched up for 5 runs in the 2nd inning, but that would be all the Diamondbacks would get off him as he settled down and wound up pitching 6 and 2/3rds innings, striking out 5 and allowing 13 hits to go along with those 5 runs. The Phils mounted a comeback behind Chase Utley's 4 hits and 2 RBIs, cutting the lead to 5-3, by the time Lieber left the game with 2 outs and 2 on in the 7th. Fortunately for the Phils Yoel hernandez managed to get out of that jam and keep it at 5-3 game going into the 8th. However, In the 8th inning, with Geoff Geary now on the mound all hopes of Phils comeback quickly evaporated as Geary was touched up for 5 more runs on 2 hits. Clay Condrey eventually came in and bailed him out, but by then it was too late, as the Arizona now led 10-3. Greg Dobbs hit a solo homer in the bottom of the inning, but it was of little consequence, as the Diamondbacks tacked on another run for the laughable final score of 11-3. So the Phils are back at .500 (26-26) and searching for answers. Due to this turn of events, life of course still sucks. Anyway, the Phils will try to salvage a game in this series tomorrow as Jamie Moyer faces off against Randy Johnson for the second time this season in what should be an interesting contest, as Moyer and the Phils prevailed the first time around, and Johnson will thus be seeking redemption.
Monday, May 28, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils went for their 4th win in a row tonight in their first of three games against the Diamondbacks. Unfortunately their red hot lineup was shutdown by Diamondback slow-balller Doug Davis. Davis went 8 innings allowing just 1 run on 7 hits while striking out 5, one of which was a Ryan Howard solo homer. Freddy Garcia himself went 8 innings for the Phils but he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits. Then in the top of the 9th Arizona tacked on 2 more runs off Ryan Madson. The Phils, were not ready to quit though. With 2 on and 2 out Greg Dobbs came in to pinch hit and cracked a 3 run homer to cut the lead to 5-4. Then Pat Burrell came in to hit for Abraham Nunez and he singled. Micheal Bourn then came in to run for Burrell and Carlos Ruiz hit another single right through the legs of first basemen Conor Jackson, and suddenly bourn was on 3rd with the tying run and ruiz was aboard first with the winning run. Next up, Rod Barajas to bat for Madson. Barajas then came oh so close to winning it for the Phils as he hit a deep fly ball to right field but he didn't quite get all of it and Carlos Quentin squeezed it in his glove on the warning track. So the Phils have now fallen back to 26-25, and they need to win tomorrow to stay above .500 and life sucks again.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished a 3 game sweep of the Braves today in convincing fashion. Greg Dobbs and Ryan Howard both hit 2 run homers in the 1st inning for an early 4-0 Phils lead and Cole Hamels mowed down the Braves for 6 innings allowing just 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 8. The Phils banged out 7 more runs in the 5th inning, and even Hamels got into the act with an RBI. Howard then added two more runs in the 8th inning with another 2 run blast. In all the Phils pounded out 13 runs and 15 hits. Howard himself had 3 hits and 4 RBIs, Greg Dobbs chipped in for 2 hits and 3 RBIs and Jimmy Rollins also had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. All of which amounted to a 13-6 laugher in the Phils favor. So the Phils have now improved to 26-24 with their 3rd win in a row. They currently trail Atlanta by just 2 games for second in the NL East, and the Mets by 6.5 for 1st in the NL East. Also they trail the LA Dodgers by 3 games in the early goings of wild card race. So the Phils obviously still have a bit of work to do, but they are at last on the right track again, so life remains beautiful. Happy Memorial Day everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)