The Phils continued their series with the Mets tonight. Brett Myers, back from a stint with the AAA Iron Pigs, got the start and well he didn't look too different, as he walked 5 while allowing 3 runs on 3 hits in just 5 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils managed to scatter 3 runs on 6 hits off the Met's John Maine, so it would come down to a battle of the bullpens. Now onto the game. In the top of the first, Myers walked in one run and allowed another to score on a fielder's choice for a 2-0 Met's lead. In the top of the 2nd, "the Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino and Geoff Jenkins slammed back to back homers to knot it up at 2. In the bottom of the 3rd, Damian Easley singled in a run for a 3-2 Met's lead. In the top of the 5th, Jimmy Rollins doubled in a run to knot it up again at 3. In the bottom of the 6th, Jose Reyes slugged a 3 run homer for a 6-3 Met's lead. From there, the Phils scattered a few hits over the final innings but couldn't come up with another late rally. So they drop to 54-47 and back into a first place tie with the hated Mets.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
After a tough series in Florida, followed by a day off the Phils traveled to New York to begin a 3 game set with the team they came in tied for first with, the hated Mets. The new guy Joe Blanton got the start and pitched okay allowing 5 runs on 8 hits, but while eating up 6 innings. So he kept the Phils in it while they struggled to score against Johan Santana. Now onto the game. In the top of the first Jayson Werth slapped an RBI single for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, David Wright doubled in one run, and Carlos Delgado slammed a 2 run homer for a 3-1 Met's lead. In the bottom of the 6th, Ramon Castro slugged a 2 run homer for a 5-1 lead. In the top of the 7th, the "Flyin Hawaiian" socked a solo homer to cut the lead to 5-2. Finally in the top of the 9th, Billy Wagner did not come in to close it out, as he was out with an injury. Instead Duaner Sanchez got the ball to close it, and well, thankfully it didn't work for the Mets. One run scored on an error, two more scored on a pinch double by So Taguchi, 2 more scored on a double by Jimmy Rollins, and finally Rollins scored on a fielder's choice for total of 6 runs, as the Mets went through 4 pitchers in a humiliating 9th inning. So finally in the bottom of the 9th, Brad Lidge came in and after allowing a run on a fielder's choice, converted his 22nd consecutive save for a huge 8-6 Phils win. So the Phils leap back into first place, all alone by 1 game over the Mets and the Marlins with their record at 54-46 overall.
Monday, July 21, 2008
EAGLES NEWS
It's that time of year again. That putrid sweaty smell, and the sound of clashing pads is in the air again. Yes the Eagles have opened training camp, which means the preseason and the regular season are just around the corner. At this point the Eagles have all but one of their draft picks, including WR/PR Desean Jackson signed to a 4 year deal yesterday, under contract. The lone exception is DT Trevor Laws, picked just before Jackson in the 2nd round. So the Eagles enter camp with just about a full roster, and the hope of a season much better than last year's 8-8 debacle. So here's to a great season of Eagle's football, say it with me now, E,A,G,L,E,S, Eagles!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their weekend set with the Marlins this afternoon. Cole Hamels got the start and produced a masterful performance allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits in 8 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils bats again provided him with little support for the duration with Ryan Howard knocking in the Phils only runs. Now onto the game. In the top of the first Howard singled in a run for a 1-0 Phil's lead. In the top of the 3rd, Howard slapped an RBI double for a 2-0 Phil's lead. In the bottom of the 4th, Jeremy Hermida slugged a solo homer to cut the lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the 8th, Corey Ross broke the Phils' hearts with a solo shot to knot it up at 2. With that the game went into extra innings. The Phils had their shot in the top of the 11th, but Chris Coste struck out with men on 2nd and 3rd and 2 out to end the threat. So in the bottom of the 11th with the bases loaded and nobody out, Jorge Cantu laced a doubled off the wall in right field for a 3-2 Florida win. So the Phils drop to 53-46 overall and into a first place tie with the hated Mets, with Florida just .5 games back.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their weekend set with the Marlins this afternoon. Kyle Kendrick got the start and was roughed up a bit, allowing 7 runs on 10 hits in just 4 and 1/3rd innings of work. Meanwhile, Pat "the bat" Burrell led the way for the Phils with a double and 2 homers, but would his efforts be enough? Now onto the game. In the top of the 2nd Burrell doubled and scored on an error by Jorge Cantu for a 1-0 Phil's lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, John Baker slammed a 3 run homer for a 3-1 Marlin's lead. In the top of the 4th, Pedro Feliz, tripled and scored on a double by Chris Coste, who later scored on a single by Jimmy Rollins to knot it up at 3. In the bottom of the 4th, Baker singled in another run for a 4-3 Marlin's lead. In the top of the 5th, Burrell slugged a solo homer to knot it up again at 4. In the bottom of the 5th, Jeremy Hermida socked a solo homer and Dan Uggla slammed a 2 run homer for a 7-4 Marlin's lead. In the bottom of the 7th, Jorge Cantu slapped a 2 run single for a 9-4 lead. In the top of the 8th, Burrell slammed another solo homer to cut the lead to 9-5, but alas it would not be enough, as in the top of the 9th, with each representing the tying run, Ryan Howard struck out and Burrell finally ran out of magic grounding into a fielder's choice to finish off the 9-5 Marlin's win. So the Phils drop to 53-45 overall, but remain 1 game up in the NL East.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers continued their busy offseason today signing Joffrey Lupul to a 4 year extension. With 20 goals and 26 assists last season, despite spending ample time on the disabled list, Lupul should be a pleasure to have in Orange and Black for those 4 years and perhaps beyond.
Friday, July 18, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned from all-star break as they traveled to Florida to begin a key 3 game weekend set with the Marlins. The veteran Jamie Moyer got the start and pitched well, allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils' bats seemed to discover their lost mojo early on, but they ran out of steam just 4 innings in and as always it came down to the bullpen to bail them out. Now onto the game. In the top of the 2nd, Ryan Howard slugged a solo homer, and Geoff Jenkins, yes Jenkins he of the sub .200 batting average, actually singled in a run for a 2-0 Phils' lead. In the top of the 3rd, Chase Utley singled in a run for a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 4th, Jenkins struck again with a solo homer for a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, the Marlins finally got on the board on an RBI single by Jorge Cantu, and a fielder's choice, that allowed Jeremy Hermida to score to cut the lead to 4-2. Finally, in the bottom of the 9th, Brad Lidge, showing no ill effects of his All-Star experience, came in and put the Marlins down in order to close out the 4-2 Phils win. So the Phils improve to 53-44 overall, now 1 game ahead of the hated Mets in the NL East.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixer's signed first round pick Maurice Speights to a 2 year 2.6 Million deal with an option for 2 additional years today, which is nice since it is always a good idea to lock up your first round pick as early on as possible.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
Well it happened, the Phils finally made a move for some pitching, sending prospects, Josh Outman, a left-handed pitcher, Adrian Cardenas, a 2nd baseman, and Matt Spencer an outfielder, to the Oakland A's for pitcher Joe Blanton. Blanton was the A's opening day starter but like Brett Myers he has been less than ace material this season with a 5-12 record and 4.96 ERA in 20 starts. Most of that can be contributed to a total lack of run support from his A's teammates, and 3 very bad starts earlier this season. Throw out those starts and his ERA is only 3.87 and he is innings eater, just kind of the guy the Phils like to have in their rotation. So Blanton likely won't be an ace for the Phils, but he could easily replace Adam Eaton in the rotation. At any rate the Phils rotation is better off now with Blanton than they were without him.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The MLB All Star game took place tonight in Yankee Stadium and a couple Phils were involved. First Chase Utley got the start at 2nd for the 3rd year in a row and went 1 for 3 with a key single in the 6th inning that eventually led to a run. The other Phil's all star was closer Brad Lidge. Lidge was all set to come in and close it in the 9th, but leave it to Billy Wagner to blow a 3-2 lead in the 8th inning. So instead in arguably one of the greatest All-Star games ever played, he was forced to ride the pine for a while, until the bottom of the 15th, with the score still tied at 3, and like closers in a tie game he didn't handle it well. With two on and one out Micheal Young slapped a sac fly to right field and although Corey Hart made the catch, and his throw home beat Justin Morneau to the plate, it was a little off line and Brian Mcann could not get the tag down in time, so the AL wins again 4-3. Thanks a bunch Billy.
Monday, July 14, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The annual All Star Game Home Run Derby took place tonight and while most of his teammates sat at home relaxing on the couch, Chase Utley had some work to do as the Phil's lone representative in the derby. Utley lined 5 homers during his 1st round, which would normally be enough to move on to the next round, but not this year, so the Home Run Derby title will not return to Philly for third time in 4 years. Instead the Twins Justin Morneau outlasted inspirational Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton 5-3 in the final round to claim the title. Still it was Hamilton who largely stole the show, blasting 28 homeruns in the first round, including 3 over 500 feet, which sadly breaks Bobby Abreu's old one round mark of 24 as a Phillie a few years back, sorry Bobby. Anyhow, if you like homers this was your night. Hopefully the all-star game tomorrow night will be just as exciting.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their weekend set with the Diamondbacks this afternoon as they got ready to head into the much needed all-star break. In a battle of staff aces Cole Hamels took the mound against Brandon Webb, and equaled him, allowing just 2 runs on 11 hits in 7 innings of work, while Webb spotted the Phils just 2 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings of work. So as usual it would come down to the final 2 innings to decide a victor. Now onto the game. In the top of the 2nd, Chad Tracy slammed a solo homer for a 1-0 DBack's lead. In the top of the 4th, Chris Young bunted for a hit and later scored for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the 5th, Hamels himself doubled in a run to cut the lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the 7th, Jimmy Rollins slapped a 2 out double to knot it up at 2. In the bottom of the 8th, "the Bat" Pat Burrell slugged a 3 run homer and Pedro Feliz followed a couple batters later with a solo shot for a 6-2 Phil's lead. Finally in the top of the 9th, although not a save situation Brad Lidge came in and closed out the DBacks after allowing a run for a 6-3 Phils win. So the Phils improve to 52-44 overall remain 1st in the NL East by .5 games over the Hated Mets and 1.5 games over the Marlins.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their weekend set with the DiamondBacks this afternoon. Adam Eaton got the start and pitched well, until a funky 4th inning did him in, as he allowed 8 runs on 7 hits in just 3 and 2/3rd's innings of work, not exactly what the Phils wanted out of him today. Now onto the game. In the top of the 1st, Chad Tracy singled in one run and Conor Jackson scored a second run on a fielder's choice for a 2-0 DBack's lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Flying Hawaiian, Shane Victorino slugged a 2 run homer to knot it all up. In the top of the 4th, the bottom fell out from under Eaton, as after 2 quick outs, a 2 run double by the pitcher , the Unit Randy Johnson, an RBI double by Jackson, a 2 run single by Tracy and a 3 run homer by Mark Reynolds, combined to put the DBacks ahead 10-2. In the bottom of the 5th, the Phils attempted to begin clawing their way back as Eric Bruntlett doubled and scored on a fielder's choice, and Victorino slammed another solo homer to cut the lead to 10-4. Sadly from there the Phils would not score again as the DBacks won going away 10-4. So the Phils drop to 51-44 overall now just .5 games ahead of both the Mets and Marlins.
PHILLIES NEWS
After taking 2 of 3 from the Cardinals, the Phils welcomed the Arizona DiamondBacks to the Bank tonight to begin a 3 game weekend set. Kyle Kendrick got the start tonight and pitched well, allowing just 4 runs on 9 hits in 6 and 1/3rd innings of work, just enough to keep the Phils in it. Now onto the game. In the bottom of the 2nd, Ryan Howard Slammed a solo homer for a 1-0 Phil's lead. In the top of the 6th, Orlando Hudson singled, stole second, and scored on a single by Chad Tracy to knot it up at 1. In the bottom of the 6th, Pedro Feliz scored one run on a wild pitch, and The "Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino scored a second run on a fielder's choice for a 3-1 lead. In the top of the 7th, Edwin Bonifacio slapped a 2 run double and scored on a singly by Stephen Drew for a 4-3 DBack's lead. In the top of the 8th, Alex Romero doubled in a run for a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the 8th, Victorino Tripled in 2 runs to knot it up again 5. From there neither team could score until the game had gone into extra innings. Finally in the bottom of the 12th, Jayson Werth slapped a game winning RBI single to cap off a 6-5 Phils' win as they improve to 51-43 overall and remain atop the NL East by 1.5 games.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their 3 game set with the Cardinals this afternoon. The veteran Jamie Moyer got the start and produced another solid effort allowing just 1 run on 7 hits in 7 innings of work. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard stayed hot knocking in 3 of the Phils 4 runs, but would his singluar efforts be enough on this night? Now onto the game. In the bottom of the first Ryan Howard slugged a 2 run homer for a 2-0 Phil's lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, Chase Utley doubled in a run for a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 4th Troy Glaus doubled and scored on a single by Yadier Molina to cut the lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the 6th, Howard did it again with a solo shot for a 4-1 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th J.C Romero, yes Romero not Lidge who got the night off, closed it out for the 4-1 Phil's win as they improve to 50-43 overall, still 1.5 games ahead of the hated Mets.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Cardinals tonight as they looked to bounce back from last night's shutout. The rookie J.A Happ made his 2nd start of the season tonight and it was a dandy as he allowed just 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 and 1/3rd's innings of work. The Phil's bats nearly left Happ out to dry, but they woke up just in time. Now onto the game. In the bottom of the 5th, Jimmy Rollins tripled in a run, and the "Flying Hawaiian" Shane Victorino reached base on a fielder's choice and scored on a single by Ryan Howard for a 2-0 Phil's lead. In the top of the 7th, Albert Pujols hit a sac fly to knock in one run and Troy Glaus singled in a 2nd run to knot it up at 2. In the bottom of the 8th, Ryan Howard slammed a solo homer, for his Phils' record tying 80th RBI before the All-Star break, and Pedro Feliz slugged another solo homer for a 4-2 Phil's lead. Finally in the top of the 9th, Brad Lidge put the Cardinals away, as the Phils improve to 49-43 overall and remain 1.5 games up in the NL East.
SIXERS NEWS
On the first day of the NBA free agent signing period the Sixers pulled the trigger on one of the biggest moves in team history signing all star forward Elton Brand to a 5 year deal worth 82 million, while simultaneously sending Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth to the Minnesota Timberwolves to clear the cap room needed to sign Brand. With Brand in tow the Sixers are now contenders in the Eastern conference, but for how long. Assuming he's finally healthy now, at 29 years old, those 5 years are probably all Brand has left and probably all the time Sixers have to win a title. Still that should at least age them past the aging Pistons and Celtics, so who knows maybe a year so down the road the Eastern conference could be all about the Sixers and Dwight "Superman" Howard and the Magic battling for supremacy. What a site that would be. As for this season, Brand's presence in the post alone should push the Sixers into the top 4 or 5 in the conference and to at least the 2nd round of the playoffs. So it should be an exciting season.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
After dropping 3 of 4 to the hated Mets, the Phils welcomed the St.Louis Cardinals to the Bank for a 3 game set. Cole Hamels took the mound for tonight, so you'd think there was a good chance for the Phils to get back on the winning track. Allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits in 7 innings of work, Hamels delivered his end of the bargain. Sadly the Phils failed to give him any run support through 8 innings and again were left to pin their hopes on a 9th inning rally. Now onto the game. In the top of the 5th, Rick Ankiel slammed a solo homer for a 1-0 Cardinal's lead. In the top of the 6th, Ryan Ludwick slugged a solo homer for a 2-0 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, Ryan Howard slapped a 1 out single to give the Phils a chance, but Pat Burrell and Jayson Werth each flyed out weakly to end the night on yet another sour note for the Phils as they drop to 48-43 overall, now just 1 game ahead of the Marlins, who are currently trailing the Padres in the bottom of the 6th in San Diego, which would keep them 1.5 games behind the Phils, tied with the hated Mets who are now within 1.5 games as well.
Monday, July 07, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
Tonight the Phils finished off their 4 game set with the Mets. Adam Eaton got the start and was touched up for 8 runs on 10 hits in just 2 and 2/3rd's innings of work, shocking since Eaton at 5-0 all time had never before lost to the Mets. Meanwhile, Pedro Martinez had the Phils number early on allowing just 2 runs into the 6th inning, but as always the Phils would rally late. Now onto the game. In the top of the first, Jose Reyes singled, stole second, and scored on a fielder's choice, and Endy Chavez bunted for a hit and scored on a single by Damian Easley for a 2-0 Met's lead. In the top of the 2nd, Endy Chavez singled in one run, and David Wright doubled in 2 more runs for a 5-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd, Carlos Delgado doubled and scored on a fielder's choice, Fernando Tatis singled and scored on a fielding error by Greg Dobbs, and Chavez singled in a 3rd run for an 8-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, Chase Utley finally put the Phils on the board with a solo homer to cut the lead to 8-1. In the top of the 6th, David Wright slugged a solo homer and Martinez, yes Pedro the pitcher, singled in a run for a 10-1 lead. In the bottom of the 6th, Pat "the Bat" Burrell slammed a solo homer to cut the lead to 10-2. In the bottom of the 7th, the "Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino doubled in a run and Ryan Howard crushed a 2 run homer to cut the lead to 10-5. In the bottom of the 8th, Geoff Jenkins hit a pinch 2 run homer to cut the lead to 10-7. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, with two out, Pedro Feliz singled in one run and a throwing error by Carlos Beltran allowed another run to score as Feliz moved up to 2nd, to cut the lead to 10-9. That gave Jayson Werth another chance to tie it up with two out, but sadly Werth flyed out to end another heartbreaking Phil's loss. So the Phils drop to 48-42 overall, and now lead the NL East by just 1.5 games over Florida, with the Mets now lurking just 2.5 games out.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their 4 game set with the Mets this afternoon with the 3rd of the 4. However, due to rain to delays and late Phils' heroics this finale went deep into the early evening. Kyle Kendrick got the start and pitched well, allowing just 1 run on 8 hits in 6 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils' bats were silenced by Oliver Perez for most of the night, but some 9th inning heroics saved the Phils. Now onto the game. In the top of the 3rd, Carlos Beltran slammed a solo homer for a 1-0 Met's lead. In the top of the 9th, Jose Reyes singled, stole second, and scored on a single by Beltran for a 2-0 Met's lead. In the bottom of the 9th, with two outs, and Jayson Werth down to his last strike he slugged a 2 run homer to knot it up at 2 dramatically. Sadly try as they might, the Phils couldn't push across the winning run and finally in the top of the 12th Fernando Tatis lined a 2 run homer for a 4-2 Met's lead. Jimmy Rollins gave the Phils a chance in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single, but Ryan Howard, Geoff Jenkins, and Pedro Feliz went down in order from there to finish off a heartbreaking 4-2 loss to the Mets. So the Phils drop to 48-41 overall, and now lead the NL East by just 2.5 games.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Mets tonight, as they looked for their 5th win in a row. The veteran Jamie Moyer got the start and pitched well allowing just 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 and 2/3rd's innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils eked out enough runs to take a lead into the 8th inning, but would it hold up? Now onto the game. In the top of the first, Jose Reyes singled and scored on a fielder's choice for a 1-0 Met's lead. In the top of the 4th, David Wright doubled, stole third, and scored on an error by Ryan Howard, and Damian Easley singled in a run for a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, Howard redeemed himself, slamming a 3 run homer to knot it all up. In the bottom of the 7th, Jayson Werth slapped a 2 out RBI single for a 4-3 Phils' lead. Sadly the Phils' bullpen would not hold the lead. In the top of the 8th, one run scored on a wild pitch by Tom "Flash" Gordon and two more crossed the plate on a double by Brian Schneider for a 6-4 Met's lead. Then in the top of the 9th, a fielding error by Rudy Seanez scored one run, Carlos Beltran who reached base on that error scored a second run on a fielder's choice, and Endy Chavez singled in a third run, for a 9-4 Met's lead. Finally, in the bottom of the inning the stunned Phils went down in order to finish off a 9-4 Met's win. So the Phils drop to 48-40 overall, but remain 3.5 games up in the NL East.
Friday, July 04, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
After another resounding sweep of the Braves in Atlanta the Phils returned home to the Bank for the 4th of July, as they welcomed the hated arch rival Mets to town. With Brett Myers down in AAA for now anyway, newly recalled J.A Happ got the start for the Phils, and actually pitched well, allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits in 4 and 2/3rd's innings of work. Unfortunately, for Happ Johan Santana got the start for the Mets, so those 2 runs actually kept the Mets ahead most of the night. Still, as always the Phils would come up with a late rally, but would it be enough? Now onto the game. In the top of the 5th, Damion Easley scored on a fielder's choice and David Wright forced in another run with a bases loaded walk for a 2-0 Mets' lead. In the bottom of the 6th, Ryan Howard and Pat "the Bat" Burrell slapped back to back RBI singles to knot it up at 2. Finally in the top of the 9th, Pedro Feliz lined a two out double and scored on a single by Shane Victorino, as the Phils walked off with a 3-2 win on Independence day. So the Phils improve to 48-39 overall and move back to 3.5 games up in the NL East.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their 3 game set with the Braves tonight. Cole Hamels got the start and produced another masterful performance allowing just 1 run on 5 hits in 8 and 2/3rds innings of work, to the delight of the tired Phils' bullpen. Now onto the game. In the top of the first Chase Utley slammed a solo homer for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 2nd, Pat "the Bat" Burrell slapped a double and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 6th, Ryan Howard slugged a solo homer for a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 7th, Pedro Feliz crushed a solo homer for a 4-0 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, Hamels ran out of gas, allowing the Braves only run of the night, before Tom "Flash" Gordon came in and forced Jeff Franceur to fly out to end the game in a 4-1 Phils win, clinching their 2nd successive 3 game sweep of the Braves in Atlanta. So the Phils improve to 47-39 overall and move to 2.5 games up in the NL East.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their 3 game set with the Braves tonight, in the 2nd of the set. Adam Eaton got the start tonight, and produced another solid performance, allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils' bats continued on the mend racking up 7 runs on 13 hits. Now onto the game. In the top of the 2nd, Chris Coste slapped an RBI double for a 1-0 Phils' lead. In the top of the 3rd, Ryan Howard slammed a 3 run homer for a 4-0 lead. In the top of the 5th, Pat "the Bat" Burrell slugged a solo homer for 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the 5th, Ruben Gotay lined a solo homer to cut the lead to 5-1. In the bottom of the 6th, Mark Texeira doubled and scored on a fielder's choice to cut the lead to 5-2. In the bottom of the 8th, Chipper Jones crushed a solo homer to cut the lead to 5-3. However, the Phils again closed the door in the top of the 9th, as Jimmy Rollins tripled in a run and scored on single by Chase Utley for a 7-3 lead. Still Texeira had chance to be a hero with the bases loaded in the 9th, and two out, but Brad Lidge struck him out to end it in a 7-3 Phils win. So the Phils improve to 46-39 overall and remain 1.5 games up in the NL East.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyer's apparently enjoy being busy as they remained so today resigning defensemen Randy Jones to a 2 year deal, and Riley Cote to a 3 year deal. Jones is arguably the best young defenseman on the team with a plus minus of +2 and Cote ,well he's the proverbial Flyer's enforcer with 200 + penalty minutes last season. Hey there's always one isn't there.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
After another tough series with the Rangers the Phils traveled down to Atlanta to begin an important 3 game set. In the wake of Brett Myers, the opening day starter, being sent down to the minors, apparently for seasoning, Kyle Kendrick took the mound tonight, and produced another solid performance, allowing just 3 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils' bats started to awake at last, with 14 hits and 8 runs on the night, but they also left the bases loaded twice, so they are not all the way back yet. Now onto the game. In the top of the 2nd, Pat "the Bat" Burrell slammed a solo homer for a 1-0 Phils' lead. In the top of the 4th, the "Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino slugged a 2 run homer, and Burrell and Geoff Jenkins each singled in a run for a 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the 7th, the Braves began to mount a comeback as Greg Norton doubled in 2 runs and scored on a fielder's choice to cut the lead to 5-3. In the top of the 9th, the Phils finally put the nail in the Braves' coffin, as Jayson Werth singled, stole second, moved to third on an error and scored on a Pedro Feliz sac fly for one run, and Victorino slapped a bases loaded single for two more runs to push the lead back to 8-3. Finally in the bottom of the inning Brad Lidge came in and struck out the side in a non save situation to finish off the 8-3 Phils win. So the Phils improve to 45-39 overall and move back to 1.5 games up in the NL East.
Monday, June 30, 2008
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyer's stayed busy today. They sent Kyle Greentree to the Calgary Flames for defenseman Tim Ramholt, who spent all but one game last season in the AHL. So obviously the Flyer's are just hoping he'll give them some depth. He had better since the Flyer's also traded defenseman Janne Niskala, whom they had just acquired for that reason, to the Tampa Bay Lightning, for a 6th round pick in the next year's draft, and they released defenseman Denis Gauthier, who didn't do much in 43 games last season, recording 0 goals and 4 assists, for an underwhelming plus-minus of -11. Thus, thrust into duty due to injury in the Eastern conference finals, Gauthier didn't respond well, and is probably one reason why the Flyer's lost the series. So it's probably a good idea to let him go.
Anyhow, that concludes this episode of as the Flyer's turn.
Anyhow, that concludes this episode of as the Flyer's turn.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished off their 3 game set with the Ranger's this evening. the veteran Jamie Moyer got the start and pitched well, allowing just 3 runs on 7 hits in 5 and 2/3rd's innings of work, just good enough to keep the Phils in it to the end. Unfortunately, the Phil's bats betrayed them yet again. Now onto the game. In the bottom of the first Ian Kinsler tripled and scored on a fielder's choice for a 1-0 Ranger's lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, Chris Davis slammed a solo homer for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, Micheal Young doubled and scored on a single by Josh Hamilton for a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 6th, Chase Utley doubled and scored on a single by Ryan Howard to cut the lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the 8th, Marlon Byrd doubled and scored on a Ramon Vazquez single, and Max Ramirez was hit by a pitch and later scored on a fielder's choice for a 5-1 Ranger's lead. Finally, in the top of the 9th, the Phils went down in order to finish off the 5-1 Ranger's win, and drop to 44-39 overall, now, but remain 1 game up in the NL East.
FLYERS NEWS
A lot has happened to the Flyer's this offseason since the night of the NHL draft back on June 20. On that night the Flyers were supposed to have the 27th pick in the first round, instead they traded it to Washington for young defenseman Steve Eminger and the 84th pick of the draft. They sent R.J Umberger and their 4th round selection to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 19th overall pick, which they used to select Swiss defenseman Luca Sbisa. Already a canadian junior league(WHL) star, Sbisa, a smart offensive minded defenseman, with 33 points and 63 penalty minutes last season, Sbisa could be ready to contribute to the Orange and Black within a year, which is good since he is exactly what the Flyer's needed. Also Umberger, a restricted free agent would have been hard for the Flyer's to re sign, and his absence gives the Flyer's the cap room to go after a free agent defenseman if they so choose. Next with their 3rd round pick from Columbus the Flyer's selected yet another defenseman, Marc-Andre Burton, who is big, strong, and unfortunately a slow skater, but still a solid selection. Later in the 3rd round they selected goalie Jacob Deserres, who should be a solid backup someday. Later in the 6th round, they selected fighting forward, Zac Rinaldo, who recorded 191 penalty minutes in Canadian junior league play last season. Finally in the 7th round they grabbed swedish goaltender, Joacim Eriksson who could be pretty good someday, or not who knows. The Flyer's weren't done yet, following the draft. On Tuesday the 24th, they added more defense, trading Triston Grant and their seventh round pick in the 2009 draft to Nashville for defenseman Janne Niskala who led all Nashville AHL defenseman with 44 points(19 goals, 25 assists) last season. On Friday the 27th they re-upped Jeff Carter, who had been a restricted free agent to the tune of 3 years and $15 million, well deserved for a player who had a big part in the Flyer's magical run to the conference finals this past season. Finally today they signed Eminger whom they acquired in the draft night trade to a one year deal, as GM Paul Holmgren really seems to think Emminger is a perfect fit for the Flyers. Hopefully, he is right
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)