Wednesday, June 27, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Unfortunately for the Phils things are not always what they seem. Through the first 6 innings of tonight's game everything was going the Phillies way. They Led 3-0 on 2 out 3 run 500 ft homer by Ryan Howard in the 5th inning. As it happened it was his 100th career homer, making him with with only 135 games under his belt the fastest player to reach 100 career homers in major league history, beating by a whopping 50 games, the previous record ,held by Pirates hall of famer Ralph Kiner, of 185 games. Meanwhile, Jamie Moyer seemed set to make his own history, taking a no-hitter all the way to 2 outs in the 6th inning, and although he allowed 2 hits at that point he still managed to get out of the inning without allowing a run. So the Phils were just rolling towards another easy win right? wrong. In the 7th inning an obviously tired Moyer wound up allowing 3 runs before Charlie finally pulled him from the game with only 3 runs allowed on 3 hits while striking out 8. The Phils bullpen, specifically Geoff Geary, could give neither the Phils nor Moyer any relief, as they allowed 3 more runs before finally getting out of the inning, and just like that Moyer had gone from 5 and 2/3rds innings of no-hit ball to a no-decision and the Phils had gone from a sure win, to oh shit! what happened. Fortunately, the Reds being the worst team in the league, gave all of their 3 run lead right back to the Phils as Greg Dobbs singled in a run and scored on a passed ball, and Aaron Rowand singled in another run to tie it at 6. The Reds came right back in the 8th to take a 7-6 lead on a pinch double by Javier Valentin. The Phils nearly tied it again in the bottom of the 8th as Greg Dobbs hit a 2 out triple, but alas ,following a Chase Utley walk, Ryan Howard struck out to end the inning. Then in the 9th the rains came, but since it was the 9th they played on, as they say when it rains it pours. With 2 out and Ken Griffey on first due to a Ryan Howard error, Adam Dunn crushed his 22nd homer of the year to put the Reds up for good 9-6. The Phils went down in order in the 9th to take the loss and our now just 40-37, 3.5 games behind the first place Mets, but still in second place, although now tied with Atlanta. Thus, life sucks again.
SIXERS NEWS
The NBA Draft is tomorrow so get ready for a wild night as the Sixers own 3 picks in the first round, but none higher than the 12th pick, so you never what might they do with those picks.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils opened their series with the Reds tonight, just the way they should have, by winning easily. So Easily, that when the 4th inning ended, the game was already over as they already led 10-2 by that point. The Phils scored 2 in the first on a 2 run homer by Ryan Howard, 4 in the second on single by Carlos Ruiz, a fielders choice, a double steal with Carlos Ruiz stealing home, while Micheal Bourn stole second, and yet another RBI single by Chase Utley, 1 in the 3rd inning on a solo homer by Shane Victorino, and 3 in the 4th on a bases clearing double by Carlos Ruiz with the bases loaded and 2 outs, and 1 more in the 7th on a solo homer by Chase Utley. In all the Phils pounded the Cincinnati pitching staff for 11 runs and 16 hits. Meanwhile, young gun Kyle Kendrick once again sparkled, going 6 innings while allowing just 4 runs on 6 hits. In the end those 4 runs would be all the Reds would get as the Phils bullpen mowed them down in the final 3 innings, with Geoff Geary and Mike Zagurski combining to allow just 1 hit in the final 3 innings. So the Phils won 11-4, for their 40th win of the season, improving to 40-36, while Kendrick improves to 2-0 in his young career. Cincinnati young gun Homer Bailey, mentioned in yesterday's post was not so lucky, as he lasted just 1 and 2/3rds innings, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits, and fell to 2-1 on the season. Anyway, the Phils remain 2nd in the NL East, but are now a half game closer to the idle first place Mets, at 2.5 games in the rear. Thus, life remains beautiful.
SIXERS NEWS
There is nothing new to report, the draft is apparently not until Thursday. I don't know why I though it was tonight, I guess because last year it was on a Tuesday.
Monday, June 25, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils got the day off today after winning their weekend series against the Cardinals. Tomorrow they start a 7 game(but only 6 day, with a doubleheader Friday) home stand with a 3 game set against the lowly Cincinnati Reds who come into the series sporting the major league's worst record, at only 29-47. Of course, the Royals had that same distinction a couple weeks ago when they took 2 of 3 from the Phils and ended Freddy Garcia's season, so it is not give in that the Phils will dominate this series, but the fact is, they should dominate it, and if they don't they'll be in big trouble. At any rate in the first game of the series tomorrow night, young guns Kyle Kendrick of the Phils, and Homer Bailey of Reds will face of against each other. At this point both are undefeated with ERAs of 4.50 and 4.00 respectively, so it should be a interesting night.
SIXERS NEWS
There is nothing new for today, but tomorrow is the night of NBA draft and with 3 picks in the first round it should be a big night for the Sixers.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Coming into today's game Cardinals starter Kip Wells was undefeated against the Phils in his career with 5 wins. He's now still undefeated against the Phils, but only because he got a no-decision. Early on the game was mired by rain delays, with one at the on-set and one following the 3rd inning. At the time of the 2nd delay, the Cards led 1-0 and Wells was dealing. After the delay it was all Phillies. Wells, was inexplicably left in the game following the delay and Phils made him pay evening the score at 1 in the 5th inning on a Micheal Bourn RBI single. In 8th, Shane Victorino and delivered a pinch 3 RBI double to put the Phils up for good 4-1. Micheal Bourn tacked on another run in the 9th with yet another single for a 5-1 lead. Meanwhile, the Phils bullpen was lights out as Ryan Madson, Brian Sanches, Clay Condrey, and Antonio Alfonseca combined for 6 innings of shutout 4 hit ball to closeout a 5-1 Phils win. So the Phils improve to 39-36, still in 3 games back in second but now 1.5 games up on the 3rd place Braves who lost again. Thus, life is beautiful again
Saturday, June 23, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
After an easy win last night, the Phils looked to continue their winning ways against the struggling Cards. With the red hot Adam Eaton on the mound, who'd won 4 of his last 5 starts, and gone 6 innings or more in 7 of his last 8, you had to feel like the Phils could take another from the Cards. Unfortunately Eaton picked the wrong time to have an off day. The Phils got off to another quick start as Ryan Howard singled in a run in 1st for a 1-0 lead. Eaton gave lead the right back as Scott Spiezio scored on a fielders choice, following to singles, for a 1-1 tie. However, Eaton still appeared to be on the cruise control that had been carrying him through his few starts, as he retired the Cards in order in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but in the 4th he came undone. He quickly registered two outs in the inning, but in between he the made the fatal mistake of walking Albert Pujols, thus allowing Scott Rolen hit a ground rule double with 2 out in the inning, and Juan Encarnacion to follow up Rolen with a 3 run homer that put St. Louis up 4-1. Still, were well within striking distance, cutting the lead to 4-2, on an RBI single by Jimmy Rollins in the 5th. Sadly Eaton made another mistake in 6th inning as he again put Pujols on base, this time with an HBP(hit by pitch). This of course led to another homer, this time a 2 run shot by Chris Duncan that put the Cards up for good 6-2, and ended Eaton's night. The Phils came back again in the 7th with an RBI single by Chase Utley to cut the lead to 6-3, but alas it was nothing more than a futile response, as Cards put up 2 more runs of reliever Jose Mesa, on a RBI single by Aaron Miles, and yet another Mesa wild pitch, which allowed Miles to score. Jason Isringhausen then nailed it down in 9th for an 8-3 Cards win, leaving the Phils to ponder what went wrong. Fortunately, the Braves lost today as well, so the Phils remain in second place, but are now 3 games behind the Mets who won today. As if the Phils didn't feel bad enough after losing today, they got more bad news after the game. After taking an MRI, it was discovered, has in fact ruptured a tendon in the bottom of his foot, rather than straining his ankle as originally believed. He is now on the DL indefinitely, with a very slim chance of returning to the Phils in late September. While that could help them come October, you know they actually made the playoffs, it does nothing for them now. So, the Phils are now left with just 3 of their original 5 starters(Eaton, Hamels, and Moyer) and two spots to fill in their rotation. For now of course, Kyle Kendrick will fill one of those spots, but it's any one's guess who will the other, although it is definite that whoever it is will come from the Phils farm system. Thus, life sucks once again.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers completed their 2007 draft today, selecting defenseman Kevin Marshall in the 2nd round, wingers Garret Klotz, Mario Kempe, Jonathan Kalinski, and Patrick Maroon, in the 3rd, 5th, and 6th rounds respectively, and goalie Brad Phillips in the 7th round. As usual none of these are in the Flyers immediate plans but they could contribute someday. In other words only time will tell how good this draft was for the Flyers.
Friday, June 22, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils got off to a quick start tonight against the struggling, defending world champion Cardinals, and never looked back. Jamie Moyer toughed out 6 innings of shutout, 7 hit ball, thanks in part to his own sterling defense and work with the bat. He got the first hit of what turned out to be a 5 run Phils 3rd inning. Jimmy Rollins singled to move Moyer to 2nd. Shane Victorino blooped a single to score Moyer from 2nd. Chase Utley singled to scored Victorino and Rollins. Ryan Howard doubled to score Utley, and after an Aaron Rowand single moved him to 3rd base, Howard scored on a sac fly by Greg Dobbs. Just like that the Phils led and with Moyer on the mound that would be all they would need. In bottom of the 3rd, Moyer gave the Phils the shutdown inning they needed, but not without some fielding heroics. With two out Albert Pujols came up and hit a sharp ground ball right back at a stunned Moyer. Somehow the ball deflected off his glove and into the air. Moyer found it and grabbed it before it hit the ground and in one motion whirled towards first base, and while diving forward, flipped the ball to first baseman Ryan Howard, beating Pujols by a stride to end the inning. You just don't know what might have happened if Moyer hadn't made that play, but any rate he wasn't done yet. In 6th, Carlos Ruiz led off with a double, and then in came Moyer who coolly bunted him over to 3rd, thus allowing him to score one batter later on a fly ball by Jimmy Rollins. Moyer then left after 6th with a 6-0 lead after getting out of yet another 2 out jam. Ryan Madson blanked the Cards in the 7th and 8th, Jose Mesa, yes, Jose Mesa did likewise in the 9th and before you knew it the Phils had a combined 9 hit shutout of the Cards and a 6-0 win. So the Phils improve to 38-35, and since the Braves lost again tonight, they move into 2nd place, still 2 games behind the Mets for first. Life is thus beautiful again.
FLYERS NEWS
With the second pick in tonight's NHL draft the Flyers selected local product James vanRiemsdyk, from Middletown, New Jersey. van Riemsdyk was a member of the U.S 18 and under national team scoring 33 goals and 30 assists, and helpomg to lead the U.S to a bronze medal at the world junior championships. He is expected to go to the university of New Hampshire next year and will finish college forst before joining the Flyers. So he is not in their immediate plans, and most draft picks aren't, but with his freekish size and speed, he should fit in nicely with the Orange and Black when he does finally join.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils had the day off today, to contemplate why they've lost 4 of their last 6, you know besides the fact that the last two teams they faced were really good, while the Phils are just well, good. On a more postive note Jon Lieber, who strained his ankle last night, is expected to be back by Friday of next week. Do the math and you realize he's only going to miss one start, so the Phils can just simply skip his spot in the rotation, without having to worry about bringing somebody up for a spot start. At any rate, the Phils start a 3 game set with the St. Louis Cardinals tomorrow, which has the potential to be a good one, considering how much the Cards have struggled thus far this season.
FLYERS NEWS
There is nothing new to report, except for one quick note. The NHL draft is tomorrow, and considering the Flyers have the second pick of the draft, it should be an interesting night.
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.
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