With Cole Hamels sidelined by an elbow strain(don't worry it's not serious and he'll only miss 2 starts) the Phils looked to, guess who? J.D Durbin to take the mound tonight. Unfortunately without their ace, neither Durbin nor the Phils were any match for the Dodgers.
Durbin just didn't have it tonight, as in 6 innings of work he allowed 5 runs on 7 hits, including a 2-run homer by Andre Ethier. Still, when Durbin left the game the Phils only trailed 5-1 and thus still had at least a chance to win, but the Phils bullpen could not provide any relief on this night. Jose Mesa was tagged for 5 runs on 2 hits to start the 7th inning and after recording just one out, Clay Condrey had to come in and bail him out. However, Condrey too could not stop the Dodgers, as he allowed 5 runs on 9 hits in the final two innings. By the time the dust finally cleared the Phils had fallen hard 15-3, to drop to 66-59 overall, still 5 games behind the Mets in the NL East, but now 1 game behind the Padres(who beat the Mets) in the wildcard race. So once again life sucks. Anyway, in other injury news the 'Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino returned to the Phils starting lineup today, and went 0 for 4 at the plate, but played well in the field. So even with the loss the Phils at least have something positive to dwell on.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils began a key 10 game homestand, by opening a 3 game series with the L.A Dodgers. Kyle Kendrick took the mound for the Phils to oppose the Dodger's Brett Tomko. As usual Kendrick offered another solid performance. He started a little a rough, spotting the Dodgers a 3-0 lead on a double by Andre Ethier, and a single by Luis Gonalez in the 1st inning, and a solo homer Russel Martin in the 2nd inning. Still, Kendrick beared down after the 2nd inning and allowed just one more run(a solo homer by James Loney) in 6 and 2/3rds innings of work. Fortunately, for the Phils they were facing in the ,2-11 Tomko, the one guy who could blow a 3-0 lead all on his own. Carlos Ruiz doubled in a run, then scored on a sac fly to cut the lead to 3-2 in the 3rd inning. Then in the 4th, Aaron Rowand crushed a two run homer to put the Phils ahead 4-3. Finally, in the 5th, Kendrick singled and scored after Pat Burrell worked a bases loaded walked to push the Phils lead to 5-3. Of course, Loney's homer cut the lead to 5-4 in the 7th and chased Kendrick from the game, but together, J.C Romero, Tom "Flash" Gordon, and Brett Myers were too strong for the struggling Dodger's offense to handle and the Phils hung on to win 5-4. With the Padres losing today, the Phils move back into a tie for first in the wildcard race, but the Mets won today, so the Phils remain 5 games back in the NL East. Still, life is beautiful once again.
EAGLES NEWS
In a fairly stunning move the Eagles announced today that they have released veteran middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. At 30 years old and admittedly heading towards the twilight of his career, after having a bit of an off-season last year, Trotter claims that he is okay with the move and understands why it has to happen. Sure, losing Trotter makes the Eagles linebacking core less experienced, and a little lacking in locker room leadership, but it doesn't necessarily make it less talented. After all, they just added Takeo Spikes in the off-season and Trotter's replacement Omar Gaither looked pretty good late last season while starting at weak side linebacker(Spikes will be there this-season). Strong-side linebacker Chris Gocong, is a bit of question mark, considering he spent all of his rookie season last year on the injured list, but his size, 6-2, 263 pounds is a perfect fit, so he could be pretty good. Still, you'd think the Eagles would have given the Trotter-Spikes combo a chance, at least for one season, but this is just what they do. The Eagles are notorious for releasing their stars(well, except for that Dawkins guy, apparently he's pretty good) once reach their thirties, like Jermaine Mayberry, Hugh Douglas, Troy Vincent, and Bobby Tayloy to name of few. Each time, the released players proved to be past their prime, while the Eagles continued to thrive and win with young replacements. There's no reason to think that this Gaither-Trotter, switcheroo won't workout just as well.
Monday, August 20, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils got the day off today, but tomorrow they return home to begin a key 10 game homestand, featuring 3 games against the wildcard leading padres, and 4 games against the NL East leading Mets. In other news Chase Utley, has been cleared to take part in batting practice, and to throw balls in fielding practice, without a cast on his injured right hand, meaning he could be back in the lineup within a week. Also Shane Victorino is one rehab start away from returning to the Phils, while young reliever Mike Zagurski was recently placed on the DL after straining his hamstring in saturday's night game. Yoel Hernandez (remember him) was recalled from Triple A to fill Zagurski's roster spot. So the Phils could be getting healthier very soon, and at the right time, as they begin to play their most important games of the season. All I can say is good luck fellas.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
For the second game in a row the Phils took an early 4-0 lead. This time it was a leadoff homerun by Jimmy Rollins and a 3 run homer by Russell Branyan in the 6th inning that put the Phils ahead. Unlike yesterday, it was not the starter that gave the lead away. In fact, Kyle Lohse cruised through the first 6 innings in shutout fashion striking out 7 along the way. Unfortunately, he ran out of gas with two out in the 7th inning, allowing a bases loaded double to former Phils farmhand, Matt Kata. The double cut the lead to 4-3 and ended Lohse's night. Lohse was then replaced by the normally reliable, J.C Romero. Romero was anything but as he allowed another run to tie it at 4. Finally, Antonio Alfonseca came in to replace a flustered Romero, but he too could not stop the Pirates, at least not until they had scored 3 more runs for a 7-4 lead. Pittsburgh tacked on another run in the 8th, for an 8-4 lead, and that was about all she wrote, as the Phils went down in order in the 9th. So the Phils drop to 65-58, now 5 games behind the Mets in the NL East, and 1 game behind the Padres in the wild card race. Life thus, still sucks.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils were looking to continue their 2nd half playoff push today, as they jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, with 4 runs in the 1st inning on an RBI single by Ryan Howard, and a 3 run homer by Jayson Werth. Unfortunately, Jamie Moyer just didn't have it today, as he allowed Pittsburgh to come right back with 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the 1st. Pat Burrell slugged a 2 run homer in the 2nd inning to put the Phils back ahead 6-4, but again Moyer couldn't hold the lead. In all Moyer allowed 8 runs on 9 hits while striking out 4. Those 8 runs would be all the Pirates would need as the Phils never scored again after the 2nd inning. The Pirates eventually tacked on 3 late runs to win easily 11-6. So the Phils lost to drop to 65-57 and 4 games back in the NL East as the Mets won today. However, the Padres lost today as well, so the Phils remain tied for the lead in the wildcard. Still, life sucks again anyway.
Friday, August 17, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their road trip by beginning a 3 game series in Pittsburgh with the Pirates tonight. From the beginning it was a slugfest, with the Phils blitzing the Pirates pitchers for 11 runs on 16 hits, punctuated by an Aaron Rowand 3 run homer in the 5th, followed by a Pat Burrell two run homer in the 6th inning. Jimmy Rollins also had a big night with 3 hits, 3 runs scored, and an RBI. Likewise for Tad Iguchi with 2 hits, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBIs, and Chris Coste with 1 run scored, 3 hits, and 2 RBIs. Meanwhile J.D Durbin, pitching in place of injured Adam Eaton(that's right another injured pitcher), gave the Phils 6 solid innings while allowing just 3 runs on 4 hits and striking out 3. Unfortunately, at that point with the Phils comfortably ahead 9 -3, little used relievers Clay Condrey, Jose Mesa, and Mike Zagurski(yes he's back to fill Eaton's roster spot), came in to close it out, and well, they didn't. In all Pittsburgh racked up 5 runs on 6 hits off the Phils bullpen, but a further 2 runs for the Phils in the top of 9th, were just enough to allow them to hang on for an 11-8 victory. So the Phils improved to 65-56, but with the Mets winning tonight as well, the Phils remain 3 games back in the NL East. However, the Padres lost tonight, so the Phils move into a tie with San Diego for the wild card. Thus life remains beautiful.
EAGLES NEWS
Preseason game number 2 took the place for the Birds tonight, and with Donovan Mcnabb back under center, if for only one quarter, the Eagles romped to a 27-10 victory. As usual though, that doesn't really matter, so let's talk about what does. For the offense, Mcnabb looked great, completing 6 of 9 passes for 138 yards. Backups A.J Feeley and Kevin Kolb looked good too, as each completed over 50% of their passes for a combined 151 yards. Finally rookie running back Tony Hunt had big night with 2 touchdowns on bruising short yardage goal line runs, just want the Eagles are looking to get out of him. The Eagles defense looked just as good, particularly the secondary where Sheldon Brown returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, and rookie Rashad Barksdale halled in an interception of his own. The line was also far better tonight than they had been against Baltimore, with Trent Cole recording a couple sacks, Victor Abiamiri recording a sack and 2 tackles, and another solid night of rushing the quartterback for Broderick Bunkley. So all in all it was a pretty good night for the Eagles.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils came into tonight needing a win to take their series from the Nats. As usual it was a close game that came down to the very end. This time with their ace, Cole Hamels on the mound, the Phils prevailed. Carlos Ruiz slammed a 2 run homer in the 2nd inning, for an early 2-0 Phils lead. Meanwhile, Hamels shutout the Nats for the first 6 and 2/3rd innings, allowing just 4 hits while striking out 6. After allowing a leadoff double to Austin Kearns, and a 2 out bunt single to Nook Logan, in the 7th inning, Hamels needed Antonio Alfonseca to come in and strike out Felipe Lopez to end the inning and keep Washington off the board through 7. By the time the Nats finally scored a couple runs off Tom "Flash" Gordon in the bottom of the 8th, it was too late, as the Phils had already scored two more to go ahead 4-0, as Jimmy Rollins walked and scored on a fielder's choice in the 7th, and Jayson Werth doubled and scored on a double by Greg Dobbs in the 8th. Thus, the Nats still trailed by 2, and Brett Myers made sure they didn't get those 2 runs in 9th, retiring Nook Logan, Robert Fick, and Felipe Lopez in order. So the Phils won 4-2, and improved to 64-56, just 3 games behind the Mets in the NL East, and still 1 behind the Padres in the wildcard. Life is thus beautiful again.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
After tasting the thrill of victory last night, the Phils tasted the agony of defeat tonight. Rookie sensation Kyle Kendrick provided the Phils with another stellar performance, going 5 and 2/3rd innings while allowing just 4 runs on 7 hits. Unfortunately, the Nationals Wade Redding was just a little bit better going 6 innings ,while allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits including a solo homer by Jayson Werth. The Phils only other run came in the 7th inning on a single by Chris Coste. The Phils actually could have had much more than one run though, as they had loaded the bases with nobody out. Coste's single just moved every runner up a base, so the bases remained loaded with no one out. Last night's hero ,Russell Branyan, then came into pinch hit and struck out. Next up was Jimmy Rollins and he too struck out. Finally Tad Iguchi came up as the Phils last chance to keep the inning going. Unfortunately, all he could do was slap a weak ground ball back up the middle, which was gobbled up SS Felipe Lopez for the final out of the inning. The Bullpens then dominated the rest of the way, and the Phils wound up losing 4-2. The Mets won today dropping the Phils to 4 games back in the NL East, but the Padres lost, so the Phils remain only 1 game back in the wildcard. Still, life sucks again.
EAGLES NEWS
This is just a little injury update. First of all, Jerome Mcdougle's strained biceps turned out to be torn biceps upon further review, meaning that Mcdougle is likely out for the season now. Also Shawn Andrews ankle injury(if you noticed, he didn't play in monday's preseason game either) was evaluated and he remains day to day at this point, but he and the Eagles refuse to say whether he'll be ready to start the season, and that doesn't bode so well for him. We'll just have to wait and see what happens with him.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
As mentioned, the Phils began a 3 game series with the Nationals tonight. Shawn Hill took the mound for the Nats, while the Phils countered with Kyle Lohse. Together Lohse, and Hill combined for 6 shutout innings to open the game. While Hill left the game after the 6th, Lohse stayed in to pitch the 7th and wound up giving up 2 runs on a 2 out pinch double by Tony Batista. Antonio Alfonseca then came in and bailed him out, by inducing a Felipe Lopez ground out to end the inning. The Phils finally got on the board in the 8th inning. A one out single by Carlos Ruiz scored Jayson Werth to cut the lead to 2-1. Then in his first at bat as a Phil, after being recently acquired off waivers, Russel Branyan slugged a 2 run homer to put the Phils up 3-2. With Tom Gordon, and Brett Myers pitching lights out the rest of the way, that was just enough for a 3-2 Phils victory. Unfortunately, the Mets and Padres both won today as well, so the Phils remain 3 games behind the Mets in the NL East, and 1 game behind the Padres in the wildcard. Still, life remains beautiful.
Monday, August 13, 2007
EAGLES NEWS
Well, training camp is finally over for the Eagles now, as tonight they began their preseason schedule, with the proverbial trip to Baltimore to face the Ravens. The Game wound up pretty one-sided, well for a preseason game anyway, as the Ravens won 29-3. Of course since it's the preseason that score means nothing. As far as how the Eagles looked on the night, there's not much to talk about. Donovan Mcnabb sat the night out, and not surprisingly the Eagles first string offense failed to score, but there were some bright spots among the backups. Rookie tight end Brent Celek led all Eagle recievers on the night, with 5 catches for 59 yards, including a 30 yard reception that set up the Eagles only score of the game(obviously a field goal by David Akers). Also rookie Quarterback Kevin Kolb looked pretty good, completing 11 of 20 passes for 70 yards and 0 scores. Perhaps if he had been playing with the 2nd string offense, and not the 3rd and 4th string offenses, those numbers would have been better, as he was victimized by several dropped passes and a fumble. As for the defense the only bright spot was Broderick Bunkley, the Eagles 2006 1st round draft pick. Bunkley demonstrated the massive impact he can have on a game, by blowing up a couple running plays in the backfield, batting down a 3rd down pass, and putting constant pressure on the Quarterback. He just might be that premiere the pass-rusher and run stuffer, the Eagles thought they were getting when they drafted him last year, after all. Finally, the Eagles also suffered a few injuries during the game. Ryan Moats fractured his ankle, Jerome Mcdougle strained his biceps, and Lajuan Ramsey sprained his ankle. Moats is probably out for the season, but with Tony Hunt, Correll Buckhalter, and Brian Westbrook, the Eagles should be fine without him. Mcdougle and Ramsey on the other hand are day to day, and will probably still be ready to start the season.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils had the day off today. Apparently the train to Washington takes a day now. Anyway, needless to say the Phils begin a 3 game series with the Nationals tomorrow. You'd think it would be an easy series for the Phils, but over the last few years the freakishly large confines of RFK stadium have been a real house of horrors for the Phils. So, if they can just take 2 of 3 from the Nationals it will be a major accomplishment for them.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils concluded their 3 games series with the Braves today, with a nationally televised prime time affair. It was a great game, with a playoff-like atmosphere that showed up right from the beginning. In the top of the first inning Chipper Jones slapped a 2 run single for a 2-0 Braves lead. The Phils came back with a run in the bottom of inning on a single by Jayson Werth. Unfortunately ,Pat Burrell was gunned down by Jeff Francoeur, while trying to score a 2nd run. After that both starters, Jamie Moyer for the Phils and Buddy Carlyle for the Braves, beared down and stopped the scoring until the 5th inning. The Phils actually could have scored in the 4th inning as well, but Werth was gunned down by Francoeur while trying to score from 2nd on another single, this time by Abraham Nunez. That set the stage for the 5th inning, where with 2 on and 1 out, Ryan Howard crushed a 3 run homer to put the Phils up 4-2. Atlanta cut the lead to 4-3 in the 7th on a double by Martin Prado, but the Phils came right back again in the bottom of inning, with a run of their own, as Jimmy Rollins tripled and scored on a sac fly by Pat Burrell, to put the Phils up 5-3. With Moyer pitching into 7th, and the bullpen piecing together outs that lead stood up the rest of the way for a 5-3 Philss victory. So, the Phils improve to 62-55, but remain 3 games behind the Mets in the NL East, and 1 game behind the Padres in the wildcard race. Still, life is beautiful once again.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Adam Eaton reverted to his old inconsistent self on this Saturday night. On the night he lasted just 3 innings, allowing 6 runs on 8 hits, including homers by Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson, for an early 6-1 Atlanta lead. The Phils mounted a comeback with 3 runs in the 5th inning, on a bases loaded double by Tad Iguchi and a single by Pat Burrell. The Phils then could have had more, since Burrell's single put runners on 1st and 3rd with nobody out, but Aaron Rowand and Ryan Howard struck out, and Greg Dobbs grounded out weakly to end the inning. Rowand redeemed himself with a solo homer in the 8th inning, but unfortunately the Braves had already pushed across another run as well in the top of the inning to up the lead to 7-4. Chris Coste doubled to leadoff the 9th, but Wes Helms, Jimmy Rollins, and Tad Iguchi all went down in order to end the game in a 7-5 Braves victory. So the Phils drop to 61-55, 3 games behind the Mets who also lost today, and 1 game behind San Diego ,which lost today as well, for the wildcard. Still, life sucks again.
Friday, August 10, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Today the Phils began an important 3 game weekend series with the Atlanta Braves. Cole Hamels took the mound for the Phils and disaster nearly struck in the 1st inning. Matt Diaz cranked a one out solo homer, and doubles by Chipper Jones, and Brian Mcann to 3 more runs for an early 4-0 Braves lead. Fortunately, Hamels got the pitcher, Chuck James, to fly out to end the inning. The Phils then came right back to score 4 of their own in the bottom of the inning on a double by Pat Burrell, sac fly by Ryan Howard, and a 2 run homer by Wes Helms. Granted a reprieve, Hamels responded by blanking the Braves for the next 6 innings. Just long enough for the Phils to punch across the go ahead run in the bottom of the 7th, as Jayson Werth singled and scored to put the Phils up 5-4. Thanks to the flawless performance of Eduardo Romero, Antonio Alfonseca, and Tom "Flash" Gordon that lead stood up the rest of the way for a key Phils victory. With the Mets having lost today, the Phils move to within 3 games of first in the NL East. Thus, life is beautiful once again.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Another start, another stellar performance by rookie sensation Kyle Kendrick. As usual, Kendrick went 7 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits. Unfortunately, this time it didn't translate into a win for the Phils. While Kendrick allowed just 2 runs, the Phils could only muster 2 of their own on a double by Greg Dobbs in the 6th inning. It stayed that way until the 9th inning, as Brett Myers came in to make a rare appearance in a tie game. This apparently, threw off Myers ,as he allowed 2 runs to score on consecutive force outs, to put Florida ahead 4-2. Jayson Werth led off the bottom of the 9th with walk, but perhaps attempting to tie the game with one swing, Carlos Ruiz, Chris Coste, and Jimmy Rollins all lined out weakly to end the game. So the Phils failed to finish the sweep of the Marlins, but the Mets and Padres both lost today, and the Phils thus, remain 4 games back in the NL East, and 1 game out of the wildcard. Still, life sucks again because the Phils could be 3 games back in the NL East and leading the wildcard.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
After lasting just 2 innings before being hit in the arm with a line drive, in his first start for the Phils, Kyle Lohse fared much better this time around in his first home start. Lohse went 6 and 1/3rd innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits, and even driving in a run himself with an RBI single in the 3rd inning. The Phils meanwhile, spread 6 runs throughout the 1st 6 innings, with the big blow being a 2 run homer by Aaron Rowand in the 6th. At the time of Rowand's blast the Phils lead only by a score of 4-3. afterwards they went up for good 6-4. Antonio Alfonseca bailed Lohse out in the 7th, Tom Gordon tossed a scoreless 8th, and Brett Myers struck out the side in the 9th for a solid 6-4 Phils win. So the Phils have now improved to 60-53 and moved to within 1 game of the wildcard, but remain 4 games behind the Mets for first in the NL East. Thus, life remains beautiful.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
As previously noted the Phils began a 3 game series with the Marlins today. Hanley Ramirez lead off the game with a solo homer to put Florida ahead 1-0. It would be their only lead of the game as Jamie Moyer went 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits, while striking out 5. J.D Durbin then tossed the final 3 innings in shutout fashion, allowing just 3 hits and striking out 2. The Phils offense meanwhile, went on a rampage with 11 runs on 9 hits. Florida starter, Rick Vandenhurk got the worst of it, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits, mostly in the 3rd inning where he issued a walk, 2 balks and hit a batter with a pitched ball. The Marlins pitching didn't get much better after Vandenkurk left the game, as Ryan Howard and Aaron Rowand hit back to back homers in the 4th inning, and Howard hit another solo homer in the 6th inning. By the time the onslaught was over the Phils had won easily 11-1 to improve to 59-53. The Met lost today, so the Phils move within 4 games of them, but remain in 3rd place, .5 games behind the Braves for second. Still, life remains beautiful.
Monday, August 06, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils got the day off today, but tomorrow they begin a homestand with a 3 game series against the struggling divisional rival Florida Marlins, losers of 10 of their last 14 games. You'd think that would bode well for the Phils, but you never know, so just keep your fingers crossed that it does.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils were 1 strike away from losing to the Brewers today and completing a humiliating 3 game sweep. Adam Eaton had been touched up for 6 runs on 9 hits in only 4 and 2/3rd innings of work and the Phils had been held to just 1 run on 6 hits through 8 innings. Heading into the 9th, the Phils trailed 6-1 and appeared to be dead in the water, but then Wes Helms reached on an error and Jayson Werth crushed a homer, and suddenly the lead was down to 6-3. Still, when the next 2 batters, Chris Coste and Carlos Ruiz, hit weak flyouts all hope seemed lost yet again, but the Phils didn't give up. Jimmy Rollins worked a walk, then after falling behind two strikes to none Tad Iguchi slapped a single. Pat Burrell worked another walk to load the bases, and Ryan Howard got plunked to force in another run, cutting the lead to 6-4. Next Mr.clutch, Aaron Rowand punched a ground ball to 3rd baseman Ryan Braun who booted it, allowing Iguchi and pinch runner, Chris Roberson to score and tie the game at 6. Just Like that, the Phils had stunned Milwaukee with 5 runs in the 9th inning and they weren't done yet. In the 11th inning a 2 out double by Wes Helms put the Phils ahead 8-6 and an adventurous save by Jose Mesa in bottom of the inning closed it out. So the Phils won dramatically, 8-6, to improve to 58-53. However ,the Mets, behind Tom Glavine's 300th, won today as well, so the Phils remain 5 games behind them. Still, life is beautiful again.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
This one makes two tough losses for the Phils in a row. Initially, through the 1st 5 and 1/2 innings it was all Phils as Cole Hamels was dealing a 1 run, 2 hit gem. The Phils offense meanwhile, was racking up the long balls. With Ryan Howard, and Greg Dobbs hitting solo homers, and Pat Burrell hitting a 2 run homer the Phils raced out to a 5-1 lead. Then in the bottom of the 6th Milwaukee began their comeback with 3 runs to cut the Phils lead to 5-4. Hamels then got through the 7th, but Tom Gordon, inserted in the 8th inning to set up Brett Myers for the save, wasn't so lucky. He allowed a 2 out, 2 run homer to Prince Fielder and just like that the Brew Crew was ahead 6-5. Unfortunately, for the Phils that was just about all she wrote, as they went down in order in the 9th. Thus, the Phils drop to 57-53 overall, but remain 5 games behind the Mets who lost today as well. So life still sucks, any questions?
Friday, August 03, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Rookie sensation Kyle Kendrick took the mound today for the Phils to start their 3 game weekend series with the Brewers. Kendrick was good as always, going 7 innings while allowing just 2 runs on 8 hits. Unfortunately, the Brewers Giovanni Gallardo was spectacular going 6 and 2/rds innings while allowing just 1 run on 4 hits, including a solo homer by Pat Burrell and striking out 7. The two bullpens proved to be lights out as well, as both teams went scoreless the rest of the way and Milwaukee won by a final score of 2-1, a rarity for them in such a close game in which they failed to homer. The Phils thus drop to 57-51 and with Mets winning today, they are now 5 games behind in 2nd place in the NL East. They are however, just 1.5 games out 1st place in the wild card race, but regardless life still sucks again. Better luck next time fellas.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
If you thought the Phillies injury parade was finally over, you were wrong. Exactly 1 inning into his Phillies career, pitcher Kyle Lohse was hit in the right forearm with a line drive and suffered a contusion. He left after the inning was over, having allowed 1 run on 2 hits, and was replaced by J.D Durbin, who before the acquisition of Lohse, was scheduled to start today's game anyway and wouldn't you know it, after all was said and done he walked away the winning pitcher on the day. Using a little luck, and some timely hitting the Phils built an early 7-1 lead, on a 2 out double by Ryan Howard in the 1st, a solo homer by Pat Burrell, bases loaded single by Jayson Werth, and a sac fly by Tad Iguchi in the 2nd, and finally a single by Chris Coste and a 2 out double by Jayson Werth in the 3rd inning. After J.D Durbin got through the 4th inning with the Phils still ahead 7-4, the rest of the Phils bullpen nearly gave it away, as Chicago cut the lead to 7-6 heading into the 9th. Fortunately, doubles from Carlos Ruiz and Jayson Werth in the top of the inning helped the Phils push the lead back to 3 and Brett Myers tossed a 1-2-3 9th inning for a 10- 6 Phils win to split the series with Cubs. So the Phils improve to 57-51, but remain tied for second place in the NL East with the Braves, 4 games behind the Mets who won again today. Still, life is beautiful again.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
In an effort to rectify what went wrong in last night's game, Chris Roberson was moved into the lead off spot for tonight's game. Unfortunately, instead of going 4 for 4 again, he went 0 for 5 and the Phils lost again. Despite the 0 for 5 tag, Roberson did manage to reach base in the first inning via an error, as the Phils loaded the bases with nobody out. However, just as in the 9th inning last night, Ryan Howard and Aaron Rowand both went down swinging. Then after a long at bat that allowed Roberson to score on a wild pitch, and Pat Burrell to reach on a walk, Carlos Ruiz popped out to end the inning. The Cubs meanwhile, roughed up Jamie Moyer in the early going, using a 2 out single by Matt Murton in the first inning, a 1 out single by the pitcher, Rich Hill in the second, and consecutive two out hits by Ronny Cedeno and Jacque Jones in the 3rd inning, to build a 4-1 lead. Still, Moyer settled down, pitching 5 solid innings of 4 run, 9 hit ball, and the Phils rallied back to tie it in that same 5th inning, on a single by Jimmy Rollins, a double by Ryan Howard, and a solo homer by Aaron Rowand. After that the bullpens of the two teams dueled, racking up strikeout after strikeout until the 9th inning where it all fell apart. First, in the top of the inning, the Phils loaded the bases with two outs and appeared primed to push ahead and set up Brett Myers to get the save in the bottom of the inning. However, Carlos Ruiz grounded out weakly to end the inning and instead Myers was forced to pitch in a tie game, which apparently threw him off completely as he loaded the bases with nobody out and threw 2 wild pitches, allowing Matt Murton to scamper home with the winning run. Thus, the Cubs won 5-4 and the Phils dropped to 56-51, which puts them back in 3rd place, 5 games behind the Mets and 1 behind the Braves, who both won tonight. So, accordingly life still sucks.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
Before the game even started the Phils had to make a number of personnel moves just to prepare for it. With Shane Victorino and Micheal Bourn both placed on the 15 day DL, Jayson Werth was activated from the DL and Chris Roberson was recalled from triple A Ottawa. Since Werth couldn't rejoin the Phils until tomorrow, Roberson got the start in right field in place of Victorino. Also with the acquisition of Kyle Lohse from the Reds in a trade for minor league pitcher Matt Maloney, Clay Condrey was sent back down to triple A to make room for him. Finally, Ryan Madson also went on the DL a couple days ago, so the Phils sent a minor league position player to Seattle in exchange for young reliever Julio Mateo. For some reason, instead of adding Mateo to the roster in place of Madson, the Phils optioned him to triple A, apparently to be called up later. Anyway, getting to the game the Phils were forced to piece together their lineup tonight in a way they normally would not have. Greg Dobbs, who got the start at 3rd, was forced to lead off in place of either Victorino or Bourn, while Roberson was fit into the bottom of the lineup. While, Roberson went 4 for 4, he was hitting in front of the pitcher, so he failed to score any runs, and the Phils could manage only 3 runs all night, including a solo homer by Pat Burrell. The homer briefly put the Phils ahead 3-2, but Adam Eaton ran out of gas in the 6th inning, allowing 3 runs to put Chicago ahead for good 5-3. The Cubs eventually tacked on two more runs to put the Phils behind 7-3 heading into the 9th. There, they put runners on 2nd and 3rd with only one out, but Ryan Howard and Aaron Rowand both went down swinging, denying Pat Burrell the chance to tie it with another homer, as the Phils lost 7-3. The Phils thus, drop to 56-50, and as of now the Mets game has not been decided, but whether NY wins or not the Phils will remain in second place, either 3 or 4 games back. Life accordingly, sucks again.
Monday, July 30, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils didn't so much win tonight's game as much as they survived it. Thanks to a 3 run homer by Aaron Rowand in the 3rd inning, and a solo homer by Tadahito Iguchi in the 5th inning the Phil built up an early 4-0 lead through the 5th inning. That Lead then stood up for the rest of the game, as Cole Hamels tossed 8 brilliant innings, allowing just one run on 3 hits, while striking out 8. A 1-2-3 9th inning from Brett Myers then ended it in a 4-1 Phils victory. Unfortunately, the win came at the expense of Shane Victorino and Micheal Bourn who both left the game early with leg injuries, forcing Gregg Dobbs into emergency duty in right field. Now Dobbs could wind up starting tomorrow, but it would be better if one of the two could find a way to be available for tomorrow's game. Anyway, with the win the Phils improve to 56-49, a season best 7 games over .500. Also they gained a 1/2 game on the idle Mets and Diamondbacks, to move to within 3 games of first place in the NL East and within 1 game of first in the wild card race. Thus, life remains beautiful, and yet a bit painful as well.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued on their roll today as rookie sensation Kyle Kendrick provided yet another sterling performance. Kendrick went 7 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits, while striking out 4. Meanwhile, Jimmy Rollins sparked the Phils offense to 5 runs on 8 hits. His single in the 1st inning, moved Tadahito Iguchi over to 3rd, allowing him to score on a wild pitch moments later. Then in the 3rd inning Rollins singled and scored on a double by Aaron Rowand. Finally, in the 5th Rollins tripled and scored on a sac fly by Ryan Howard. Although those 3 runs alone, would be all the Phils would need, they managed to load the bases in the 8th inning and tacked on two more runs on a two out pinch single by Chris Coste. From there, the Phils bullpen took over, as Ryan Madson, Antonio Alfonseca, and Jose Mesa combined for 2 more shutout innings on just 1 hit. So the Phils won 5-1 to complete a 3 game sweep of the Pirates and a 5-1 homestand. Unfortunately, the Mets and Braves both won today as well, so the Phils remain in 2nd place, 3.5 games behind the Mets. Life still remains beautiful though.
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