The Phils continued their series with the Reds tonight as Jamie Moyer again went for his 250th win. This time he pitched well at least, allowing just 3 runs on 9 hits in 6 strong innings. Unfortunately Aaron Harang was just a bit better allowing just 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 9 through7 innings. The Phils simply couldn't figure him out and then ex-Phillie Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero were lights out in the 8th and 9th innings, so you probably know how this one went. In the bottom of the 1st, Brandon Philips singled in a run for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd Bret Hanigan lined a solo homer into the bleachers for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd Jay Bruce blooped a single to right to knock in another run for a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 4th Raul Ibanez slugged a solo homer to cut it to 3-1. In the bottom of the 7th Phillips tripled in 2 more runs for a 5-1 lead. From there as mentioned the Reds bullpen took over and the Phils fell 5-1, snapping their 5 game winning streak. Fortunately the Mets blew it again out in L.A, so the Phils at 21-17 now, remain in first in the NL East by a full game. Much has been said about the struggles of Moyer in his last few games, but I think after tonight he's going to be okay. Now if Joe Blanton, who starts tomorrow night, could only get himself back in gear, the Phils might have something because honestly I think the only thing that has held them back so far is the rotation.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Cincinnati to begin a series with the Reds tonight. With Cole Hamels and Johny Cueto scheduled to be on the mound, the stage was set for a classic pitcher's duel. In the end it was not a classic duel, but a good pitching matchup nonetheless. Thankfully for the Phils, Hamels out dueled Cueto, allowing just 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 7 in 6 strong innings. Meanwhile, Cueto lasted a inning longer than Hamels, but allowed 4 runs on 7 hits. So Hamels did just enough to get the game to the bullpen with the Phils ahead. As you might expect, although still not quite an automatic check in the win column, getting the game to the bullpen with a lead was adequate on this night to secure a 5th straight win for the Phils. It wasn't all about the pitching though. Ryan Howard got the Phils off to a resounding start crushing a solo homer in the top of the 2nd for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Jay Bruce matched Howard with a solo shot of his own to knot it at 1. In the top of the 5th a double by Jimmy Rollins, a single by Chase Utley, and a sac fly by Raul Ibanez plated 3 runs for a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the 6th Jerry Hairston lined a solo shot into the seats and Brandon Philips tripled and scored to cut the lead to 4-3. From there Clay Condrey and the "the Bridge to Lidge" Ryan Madson kept the Phils ahead into the 9th. Brad Lidge then had another 9th inning adventure, allowing 2 on with one out before regrouping to retire the side and close out the 4-3 Phils win. Since the Mets blew another lead tonight against the Dodgers, the Phils at 21-16 overall, now lead the NL East by a full game. In other news the Phils finally pulled the plug, at least for now, on Chan Ho Park as the 5th starter in the rotation. Instead at this time Park will go back to the bullpen as the Phils long reliever, while J.A Happ assumes the 5th spot in the rotation for now. Park had been a picture of inconsistency thus far this season, terrible in his first few starts, than solid for a couple starts, only to come back and pitch terrible on Sunday. Happ on the other hand has consistently pitched well every time he has come out of the bullpen. Hopefully he will bring that consistency with him as the Phils 5th starter, because the Phils really need another reliable arm in the rotation, especially with Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton each struggling thus far this season.
Monday, May 18, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
No game today, as the Phils are headed out to Cincinnati to begin a series with the Reds tomorrow.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their weekend series with the Nats this afternoon looking for the sweep. Chan Ho Park got the start but was roughed up allowing 5 runs on 5 hits in just an inning and a 3rd. Fortunately from there, the bullpen held the Nats in check and Phils were able to rally from behind late to steal another one from Washington. In the top of the 1st Jayson Werth singled in one run and the "Flyin Hawaiian" Shanve Victorino doubled in 2 more for a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the 1st, Elijah Dukes and Adam Dunn each doubled in one run and a wild pitch by Park led to a 3rd run and a 3-3 tie. In the bottom of the 2nd, Dunn worked a bases load walk and Willie Harris was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, for 2 more runs and a 5-3 lead. In the top of the 4th Jimmy Rollins singled in one run and Chase Utley doubled in a 2nd run to knot it up at 5. In the bottom of the 6th Ryan Zimmerman sac flied in another run to put the Nats up 6-5. In the top of the 8th an error by Jese Colome caused two runs to score and Eric Bruntlett slapped a pinch double for a 3rd run and an 8-6 lead.Finally in the bottom of the 9th Brad Lidge came in and racked up yet another save to close out the 8-6 win. So the Phils move to 20-16 overall and now just .5 games behind the Mets in the NL East.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
Thanks to the aforementioned rainout the last time they were in Washington the Phils had to play two today in Washington. In the first game this afternoon Brett Myers got the start and had a good day allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 8 in 7 strong innings. Meanwhile the Phils racked up 14 hits and again just enough runs to hold off the Nats. In the top of the 1st, Raul Ibanez slammed a solo homer for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 1st Ryan Zimmerman slugged a solo homer to knot it up at 1. In the top of the 2nd Jayson Werth lined a solo homer into the seats for a 2-1 lead. In the top of the 3rd Ibanez crushed a 3 run homer for a 5-1 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Josh Willingham slapped a solo homer to cut it to 5-2. In the top of the 5th Werth singled in a run for a 6-2 lead. In the top of the 8th Jimmy Rollins and "the Flyin Hawaiian" , Shane Victorino each singled in a run for an 8-2 lead. In the bottom of the 8th Ryan Madson allowed 3 runs on a double by Cristian Guzman, a sac fly by Nick Johnson, and a single by Zimmerman to cut the lead to 8-5. Fortunately, Brad Lidge bared down in the 9th and retired the side without allowing a run for the first time in a while, to close out the 8-5 win. In the 2nd game AAA call up Andrew Carpenter got the start(because he threw 2 innings last night, J.A Happ could not make the start freshly and anyone else would have been out of their usual schedule) and did just enough to help the Phils win, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits in 4 and 1/3rd innings. Meanwhile the Phils racked up another 9 hits and just enough runs to hold off the Nats in a rain shortened affair. In the bottom of the 1st, the nerves got to Carpenter as he allowed Johnson to single in a run for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd, after Carpenter had settled down for a bit, Chase Utley doubled in one run and Ryan Howard crushed a 2 run homer to dead center for a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Will Nieves singled in a run to cut it to 3-2. In the top of the 5th Ibanez slammed another 3 run homer and Carlos Ruiz later worked a bases loaded walk for a 7-2 lead. Carpenter finally ran into trouble again in the 5th, as Willie Harris singled in a couple runs and Ronnie Belliard tripled to score Harris and cut the lead to 7-5. Fortunately Clay Condrey came in for Carpenter and managed to get out of the inning. Then in the top of the 6th after the Phils had loaded the bases, and were probably about to blow the game open anyway, the rains came, halting play. Ninety minutes later the game was called sealing a rain-shortened 7-5 Phils win. So the Phils move to 19-16 overall and pull to within 1.5 games of the Mets.
Friday, May 15, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
After dropping 2 of 3 to the Dodgers the Phils hopped on the train and traveled down to Washington to begin a weekend series with the lowly Nationals. The last time the Phils were in Washington they lost Harry Kalas and had a game get rained out, so they were hoping for sunnier skys this time around. Other then a blown save by Brad Lidge it was a nice night for the Phils. Joe Blanton provided a decent outing allowing 4 runs on 5 hits while striking out 5 in 5 innings. Meanwhile the Phils racked up 12 hits and enough runs to take a lead into the 9th, which as mentioned Lidge couldn't hold but he managed to keep it tied and J.A Happ, tomorrow night's starter, took care of the rest. In the top of the 2nd Carlos Ruiz singled in a run for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, Ryan Zimmerman singled in one run, Anderson Hernandez worked a bases loaded walk for another run, and Will Nieves slapped a bases loaded single for 2 more runs and 4-1 lead. In the top of the 6th Pedro Feliz singled in one run and Carlos Ruiz singled in another run to cut it to 4-3. In the top of the 7th Ryan Howard crushed a 3 run homer for a 6-4 lead. In the bottom of the 9th with 2 on and 2 out Lidge surrendered a double to Willie Harris to tie it at 6, then struck out Austin Kearns to send the game into extra innings. In the top of the 12th the Phils finally retook the lead, after Happ struck out the side in the 11th. First Kip Wells walked the bases loaded. Then Raul Ibanez singled for 2 runs, Jayson Werth stole 3rd and scored on an error, and Pedro Feliz doubled to score Ibanez, for his 4th hit of the night and a 10-6 lead. Happ then had an adventure in the bottom of the 12th. hitting one batter, and walking another, before getting Josh Bard to fly out for the 10-6 win. So the Phils move back over .500 at 17-16 overall but remain 2 games behind the Mets.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Dodgers this afternoon. Cole Hamels got the start and pitched well as usual, allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 9 in 7 strong innings. However, Chad Billingsley actually outdid Hamels, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 9 in 7 strong innings. Thus, the Phils would need some more late game heroics to pull this one out. In the bottom of the 1st, Jimmy Rollins doubled and scored on a sac fly by Ryan Howard for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd Casey Blake doubled and scored on an error by JRoll to knot it up at1. In the top of the 7th James Loney slugged a solo homer for a 2-1 lead. In the top of the 9th Matt Kemp tripled and scored on a sac fly by Blake for a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the 9th, Carlos Ruiz slapped a 2 out 2 run double to tie it up at 3. In the top of the 10th after retiring the first 2 batters easily, Chad Durbin issued walk, a Russell Martin double, a walk, and a Kemp double, for 2 more 2 out runs and a 5-3 Dodger lead. Finally in the bottom of the 10th, with two out and Chase Utley on 2nd Howard had a chance to tie it up again with one swing, but he struck out chasing a breaking ball down and inside. So the Phils drop 2 of 3 to the Dodgers and fall back to .500 at 16-16 overall, now 2 games behind the 1st place Mets.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Dodgers tonight. Jamie Moyer got the start , once again attempting to win No. 250. For 3 and 1/3rd innings it looked like Moyer might have just enough to pull it out as Jimmy Rollins slugged a solo shot in the bottom of the 2nd to give him a 1-0 lead. However, from there on the wheels came loose. When the dust finally settled, Moyer had allowed 7 runs on 8 hits in just 4 and 1/3rd innings of work. Although the bullpen pitched well ,allowing just 2 runs the rest of the way, the Phils could not dig out of the hole Moyer had put them in. In the fateful top of the 4th inning, Orlando Hudson doubled in one run, James Loney blooped a 3 run homer, and Matt Kemp somehow scored from 2nd on a bunt, apparently he's fast, for a 5-1 Dodger lead. In the top of the 5th, Loney singled in one run, and Casey Blake sac flyed in another for a 7-1 lead. In the top of the 9th, Casey Blake lined a 2 out 2 run homer into the seats for a 9-1 lead. In the bottom of the 9th, the Phils finally got on the board again as Raul Ibanez crushed a leadoff homer to cut the lead to 9-2, but it was too little too late, and eventually the Phils fell by that score. So the Phils drop to 16-15 overall but remain 2nd in the NL East just 1 game behind the Mets.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils welcomed the mannyless Dodgers to the Bank tonight to begin what should be an interesting series. Chan Ho Park, a former Dodger, got the start and produced his 2nd successive solid outing, allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 strong innings. The Phils meanwhile collected just 6 hits, but they made them count, scoring 5 runs. All together it was enough to hold off the Dodgers on this night. In the top of the 1st, Juan Pierre doubled and scored on a single by Orlando Hudson. In the bottom of the 3rd, Pedro Feliz walked and scored on a fielder's choice to knot it up at 1. In the top of the 4th Matt Kemp slapped a 2 out single for a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Jimmy Rollins singled in one run and Raul Ibanez doubled in 2 more for a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the 7th, Jayson Werth singled, stole second, stole 3rd, and then surpised everyone by stealing home for a 5-2 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th after allowing a pinch RBI single to Mark Loretta Brad Lidge got Pierre to fly out for his 5th save of the season and the 5-3 Phils win. So the Phils move to 16-14 overall and into 2nd in the NL East, just a game behind the Mets.
Monday, May 11, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
Tony Dileo announced today that he will not return next season as the Sixer's head coach, and instead will return to the front office, as the Sixer's assistant GM. This does not come as a huge surprise. Dileo did do a decent job after taking over for Maurice Cheeks a quarter of the way through the season, but that game 6 debacle against the Magic, just about undid all the good he had done. So now the Sixers will once again look for a new head coach. Some viable candidates include ex Sixers' star and TV commentator Doug Collins, and ex Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan. Whoever they pick, you can only hope it will finally be the guy they've been looking for ever since Larry Brown skipped town. In fact, the Sixers still have not been past the 1st round of the playoffs since Brown left. It's about time they finally found someone else as capable Brown.
PHILLIES NEWS
No game tonight because the now Mannyless Dodgers needed a day to fly in from L.A so the Phils and Dodgers can start a series at the Bank tomorrow night.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Braves this afternoon. Brett Myers got the start and provided his best effort of the season thus far, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits in 6 strong innings. Unfortunately, the Phils did not provide Myers with much run support, managing just 2 runs on 6 hits. Still through 6 innings it looked like that might be enough as the Phils led 2-1, on the strength of a single by Pedro Feliz and a double by Matt Stairs. Unfortunately, there was no J.C Romero to hold the lead in the 7th, as he continues to serve a 50 game suspension. Instead it was up to Jack Taschner to hold the lead and he could not, surrendering a 2 out single to Casey Kotchman to put Atlanta ahead 3-2. Kotchman struck again in the top of the 9th with a double. Off a relay from the the Flyin Hawaiian, Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins then had Greg Norton gunned down at the plate, but Carlos Ruiz couldn't hold onto the ball and the Braves went ahead 4-2. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, after Miguel Cairo blooped a leadoff single to put the tying run at the plate, the Phils went down in order to closeout the 4-2 loss. So the Phils drop to 15-14 overall back to 3rd in the NL East, 1.5 games out of 1st.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Braves this afternoon. Joe Blanton got the start and was solid, going 8 innings while allowing 6 runs on 8 hits. Unfortunately, a pair of homers ruined his outing and the Phillies' day. In the top of the 2nd Jeff Francoeur singled in a run for a 1-0 Atlanta lead. In the bottom of the 4th Chase Utley crushed a solo homer to knot it up at 1. In the top of the 5th JKelly ohnson doubled in one run, and Yunel Escobar lined a 2 run homer into the seats, for a 4-1 lead. It was still 4-1 in the top of the 8th, when Joe Blanton served up homer #2, to Brian Mcann with one on and 2 out, for a 6-1 lead. In the bottom of the 8th Raul Ibanez slugged a solo homer to cut it to 6-2. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, after Utley ripped a double, Ryan Howard grounded out to close out the 6-2 Braves win. So the Phils drop to 15-13 overall and now .5 games out of 1st in the NL East.
Friday, May 08, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned to the bank tonight for a weekend series with the Atlanta Braves. Cole Hamels once again returned to the rotation after missing a start due to injury, and this time he finally managed to get through a game unscathed. After two tough losses to the Mets, "Hollywood" was just what the doctor ordered, holding the Braves to just 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out 7 in 6 strong innings. Meanwhile the Phils touched up Braves' starter Jo-Jo Reyes for 8 runs on 5 hits. So it was a good night all round for the Phils, and exactly what they needed. The Phils jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in bottom of the 2nd, on 2 errors and a 2 run double by Jimmy Rollins. In the bottom of the 3rd Jayson Werth slugged a 2 run homer for a 6-0 lead. In the top of the 4th, Brian Mcann put Atlanta on the board with a 2 run single, cutting the lead to 6-2. In the bottom of the 4th Christ Coste lined a solo homer for a 7-2 lead. In the bottom of the 5th Chase Utley crushed a solo homer for an 8-2 lead. In the top of the 8th Omar Infante slapped a solo homer to cut it to 8-3. In the bottom of the 8th Pedro Feliz doubled in one run and Greg Dobbs singled in another run for a 10-3 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th, after allowing Casey Kotchman to hit a 3 run homer, Brad Lidge retired the side to close out the 10-6 win. So the Phils improve to 15-12 overall and remain 1st in the NL East by a half a game over the Mets and the Marlins.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Mets tonight. The veteran Jamie Moyer got the start, once again going for his 250th career win. Unfortunately, No. 250 would have to wait as New York touched up Moyer for 7 runs on 7 hits in just 2 and 1/3rd innings of work. So the Phils were in a hole right away, from which they would not quite be able to dig out of, despite 5 and 2/3rd's scoreless innings from the bullpen. In the top of the 1st Ryan Howard doubled in a run for an early 1-0 lesd, but it would be the only lead of the night for the Phils. In the bottom of the 1st, Carlos Beltran slugged a 2 run homer and David Wright followed a couple batters later with a solo shot, for a 4-1 Met's lead. In the bottom of the 2nd Jose Reyes lined a solo shot for a 5-1 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, Castro doubled in a couple runs for a 7-1 lead. In the top of the 4th Raul Ibanez singled in a run to cut it to 7-2. In the top of the 6th Howard slugged a solo homer to cut it to 7-3. In the top of the 8th Jayson Werth crushed a 2 run homer to cut it to 7-5. Finally in the top of the 9th the Phils had an opportunity to tie it up against K-Rod, with a one on, 2 out, and Jimmy Rollins at bat, but JRoll simply popped up to end the 7-5 Mets win. So the Phils drop to 14-12 overall, but remain 1st in the NL East by a half a game, as Florida lost again tonight as well.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to New York and brand new citi field, to begin yet another series with the hated Mets. Chan Ho Park got the start and was close to brilliant allowing just one hit in 6 shutout innings. Unfortunately Johan Santana was slightly better for the Mets allowing just 2 hits in 7 shutout innings. In the end though it was not pitching that decided the game tonight, but rather fielding, as in Pedro Feliz in the bottom of the 7th inning. With 2 out, the score tied at 0, and only a runner on first, Fernando Tatis slapped slow roller towards third base, which Feliz should have just grabbed and held onto, since there was no play on Tatis at first or on Carlos Delgado at 2nd. Instead he threw wildly to first in an attempt to make a spectacular play, and the ball got by Ryan Howard and into right field. At that point Delgado stupidly rounded third and tried to score, but for some reason Jayson Werth, backing up the play, didn't see him right away, and by the time he did, despite a strong throw, it was too late as Delgado managed to sneak in under the tag of Carlos Ruiz. Ultimately it was the only run of the night as the Mets went on to win 1-0. You never know what would have happened had Feliz not made the error and the game had stayed tied at 0 probably into extra innings, but the Phils would have at least had a chance to win. So you can bet if the difference between winning and losing the division or the wild card, comes down to 1 game at the end of this season, this is one they'll look back on. Anyway, despite the loss the Phils remain 1st in the NL East, as the Marlins lost tonight as well.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Cardinals tonight and continued to knock the ball around racking up 10 runs on 15 hits. Meanwhile, Brett Myers put forth a decent outing, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits in just 5 and 1/3rd innings of work, just enough for a win. The Phils simply had too much firepower for the Cardinals to handle. In the top of the 1st, the "Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino slapped a solo homer for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd Victorino doubled in a couple of runs and scored on a sac fly by Jayson Werth for a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd Tyler Greene doubled and scored on fielder's choice to cut it to 4-1. In the bottom of the 4th Ryan Ludwick and Yadier Molina each slugged solo homers to cut it to 4-3. In the top of the 5th Werth crushed a 3 run homer for a 7-3 lead. In the bottom of the 5th Ludwick singled in a run to cut it to 7-4. In the bottom of the 6th Greene sac flyed in a run to cut it to 7-5. In the top of the 7th Victorino singled and scored on a single by Ryan Howard, and Pedro Feliz beat out an infield single to allow another run to score for a 9-5 lead. In the bottom of the 7th Colby Rasmus doubled in a run to cut it to 9-6. In the top of the 9th Feliz doubled in a run for a 10-6 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th Albert Pujols crushed a solo homer leading off, before Brad Lidge retired the side for the 10-7 win. So the Phils move to 14-10 overall and into 1st in the NL East by a half a game over the Marlins. That's right the magic number is only 138 for the Phils to clinch the division.
Monday, May 04, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to St.Louis tonight to begin a series with the Cardinals. Joe Blanton who had been struggling on the season thus far,got the start and finally put together a decent outing allowing just 1 run on 4 hits in 6 solid innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils tagged ex-teammate Kyle Lohse for 6 runs on 7 hits in just 4 and 1/3rd innings of work. So it was fun night all around, although it took a little while for both teams to get it going. In the bottom of the 3rd, Joe Thurston finally knocked in the first run of the game on an RBI double for a 1-0 Card's lead. In the top of the 4th Jayson Werth finally got the Phils on the board lining a 2 run homer into the seats for a 2-1 lead. In the top of the 5th, Ryan Howard, always a safe bet in his hometown, crushed a grand slam for a 6-1 lead. Thanks to a great escape by Blanton from a one out bases loaded jam in the bottom of the inning, and three subsequent innings of 1 hit ball from the Phils bullpen, it stayed 6-1 the rest of the night as the Phils took their 2nd win in a row. So the Phils move to 13-10 overall and remain a half a game behind the Marlins for first in the NL East.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils and Mets weekend finale/rubber match was rained out today, the 3rd rainout of the season for the Phils. So they have got a lot of making up to do and so far no one knows when any of their makeup games will be. Anyway if nothing else the extra day off gave Cole Hamels some extra time to recover from his ankle injury so perhaps he may be able to make his next start after all or at least not miss any more than one more start.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the hated Mets this afternoon. As was hoped Jamie Moyer did pitch well, but he flamed out after just 5 and 2/3rd's innings and when all was said and done, he'd been charged with 5 runs on 7 hits during those innings. Fortunately, those 5 and 2/3rd's innings were 3 and 1/3rd more innings than Mets starter Oliver Perez managed to go. So Moyer's performance was enough to keep the Phils in it and it would be up to them to take care of the rest. In the bottom of the 1st, "the Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino tripled and scored on a sac fly and Jayson Werth walked and scored on a single by Jimmy Rollins for the early 2-0 lead. In the top of the 2nd the Mets came back with, yes you guessed it, a sac fly to cut the lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the 2nd Victorino doubled and scored again on a double by Werth for a 3-1 lead. In the top of the 3rd the Mets cut it to 3-2 with ,yes, a sac fly. In the bottom of the 3rd Moyer worked a bases loaded walk for a 4-2 lead, and the end of Perez's day. In the top of the 6th Moyer finally ran out of gas, surrendering back to back Homers to Daniel Murphy and Ramon Castro to tie it at 4. Alex Cora then slapped a triple and that was it for Moyer. Scott Eyre replaced Moyer and could only give up the go ahead run on a single by Luis Castillo. Fortunately Clay Condrey got out of the inning after that to keep it at 5-4 Mets. In the bottom of the 6th, Raul Ibanez crushed the first pitch he saw off Pedro Feliciano for a game tying homer, setting the stage for some late game heroics. Both Bullpens carried the game from there into the 10th inning. In the top of the 10th the Mets failed to capitalize on an opportunity to take back the lead with runners on first and third and 1 out. The Phils were not so merciful in the bottom of the 10th, as Sean Green walked the bases loaded with 2 outs, and then walked Victorino after a long at bat, as the Phils literally walked off with the 6-5 win. So the phils move to 12-10 overall and now just a game out of 1st in the NL East.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils welcomed the hated New York Mets to the Bank tonight to open a weekend series. Chan Ho Park took the mound for the Phils and struggled, allowing 7 runs on 8 hits in just 4 and 2/3rd's innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils had a bit of an off day at the plate, stranding base runners on more than one occassion, while putting together really only one good inning. So it was a struggle all around for the Phils tonight and they'll need to be sharper the rest of the weekend. Anyway in the top of the 1st, Daniel Murphy lined a 2 run homer just over the fence for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 2nd the Mets sac flyed in a couple of runs for a 4-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd, the Mets sac flyed in another run for a 5-0 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 3rd, the Phils answered with a 2 RBI single by Raul Ibanez and an RBI single by Pedro Feliz to cut the lead to 5-3. In the top of the 5th David Wright and Mike Pelfrey, the pitcher, each singled in a run for a 7-3 lead. In the bottom of the 7th Chase Utley crushed a solo homer to cut it to 7-4. Finally in the bottom of the 9th with one on and two out K-Rod got Ryan Howard to strike out swinging to preserve the 7-4 win. So the Phils drop to 11-10 overall and will look to rebound tomorrow with the veteran Jamie Moyer on the mound in place of Cole Hamels who remains day to day with the ankle sprain he suffered in his last start.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
SIXERS NEWS
No Dwight Howard and no Courtney Lee was no problem for the Orlando Magic tonight in game 6 of the Sixers' opening playoff series. J.J Redick drilled 5 threes, and Marjun Gortat had 11 and 15 rebounds to offset the absences of Howard and Lee. The Meanwhile the Sixers stumbled and sleepwalked through the entire night. Perhaps they just couldn't get up for it without the prospect of facing Howard, or maybe they just had nothing left to give. Whatever the reason, the defense wasn't there for the Sixers as Orlando hit 12 threes and shot 53% from the field. Meanwhile, offensively it was a nightmare game for the Sixers. Somehow with no Howard patrolling the paint Orlando managed to goad the Sixers into chucking 20 three pointers, which isn't their game at all. It was thought that they would use Howard's absence to drive to the basket and either get to the foul line or get easy layups. Inexplicably, they never really did and the result was one of the most painful season ending games you could ever see. The Sixers simply appeared dazed and confused all night long, and never found any energy. Despite that, their most energetic player off the bench, Reggie Evans, somehow never got in the game. It was as if Dileo forgot he was there. Perhaps if Evans had gotten some minutes, the Sixers energy level might have gone up before too late in the game and the defense might have locked down the magic in enough time to mount a comeback. Instead the Sixers sleapwalked through the game before eventually losing by the embarrassing final score 114-89. So the Sixers get a whole off season now to think about how badly they played tonight and what might have been. No matter, they'll be back in business next season with a healthy Elton Brand and Jason Smith in the lineup. Hopefully then they won't have to face this indignity for a 3 season in a row.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Nationals tonight, looking to complete their second series sweep in a row. Brett Myers got the start and was decent allowing just 3 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings of work. As well as the Phils lineup has performed lately, you would think that would have been enough for the win, especially against the Nationals, but it was not. You just can't win everyday, even against the Nationals. "The Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino actually slugged a solo homer in the bottom of the 1st for the early 1-0 lead. From there though, it was all Nats. In the top of the 3rd Ryan Zimmerman worked a bases loaded walk to knot it up at 1. In the top of the 6th Elijah Dukes singled in a run and scored on a single by Anderson Hernandez for a 3-1 lead. In the top of the 8th Hernandez doubled in another run for a 4-1 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 9th, the Phils for once did not have an answer and succumbed 4-1. So the Phils drop to 11-9 overall but remain 2nd in the NL East now 1.5 games behind Florida.
SIXERS NEWS
In some not so surprising news, the NBA announced that Dwight Howard will be suspended for game 6 of the Sixers opening playoff series tomorrow night. With Courtney Lee apparently out in with an injury for game 6 as well, the Sixers now have a golden opportunity to force a decisive game 7 in the series and perhaps to win the series. They just have to be sure to secure the rebounds that should now fall to them and to continue to play tough d against Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Nationals tonight. Cole Hamels got the start and was rolling along into the bottom of the 5th, where with one out, he attempted to field a ground ball to set up a double play and wound up turning his ankle while fielding the ball. He is currently listed again as day to day. So his day was done but the Phils bullpen did a great job the rest of the way, limiting the Nats to just one run on 2 hits the rest of the way. Meanwhile the Phils bats were building up a nice lead they would not soon relinquish. In the bottom of the 3rd Chase Utley crushed a 2 run homer and Pedro Feliz slugged a 3 run homer for a 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the 5th Utley struck again with a solo shot for a 6-0 lead. In the top of the 6th Adam Dunn clobbered a solo homer to cut it to 6-1. In the bottom of the 8th Raul Ibanez lined another homer into the seats, this one a solo shot, for a 7-1 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th Clay Condrey closed out the Nats for the 7-1 win. So the Phils improve to 11-8 overall with their 5th win in a row, but remain 2nd in the NL East.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers now find themselves on the brink of elimination after playing game 5 of their opening playoff series with the Magic tonight. Just as in game 2 in Orlando, the Sixers struggled to secure rebounds in this one and so could not put together a final push for victory when they needed it. Also Rashard Lewis had his first good game of the series, hitting 3 threes while scoring 24, and the Sixer's won't win much with Lewis picking them apart. For the Sixers the two Andres led the way as Iggy scored 26 and Miller added 17. Together along with Willie Green and his 16 points, the Sixers were able to stick with the Magc through the first half, trailing by just 6 at halftime with the score 45-39. In the 3rd quarter Orlando pushed ahead by 9 with the score 69-60. From there in the 4th quarter the Sixers just couldn't gather in enough rebounds to make any significant inroads and eventually Orlando ran out to a 13 point win with the final score 91-78. So the Sixers now trail for the first time in the series, 3-2, and will be looking to even it up at 3 games a piece as the series shifts back to the Wachovia center for game 6.
Monday, April 27, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned to the Bank tonight to begin a series with the lowly Washington Nationals. Joe Blanton got the start, and well he just hasn't found himself yet this season, and even against the Nationals he just didn't have it. In all he was touched up for 6 runs on 8 hits in just 4 and 1/3rd innings of work. Normally that might have been a recipe for disaster, but fortunately they were playing the Nationals and so instead this one turned into a slugfest for the ages. It began in the top of the 2nd as Alberto Gonzalez sac flyed in one run and the pitcher Shairon Martis singled in a 2nd run for a 2-0 Nat's lead. In the bottom of the 2nd, Greg Dobbs singled in one run and Raul Ibanez doubled and scored on a fielder's choice to knot it up at 2. In the top of the 3rd Ryan Zimmerman crushed a 2 run homer and Elijah Dukes smashed a solo shot for a 5-2 lead. Zimmerman struck again with a solo shot in the top of the 5th for a 6-2 Nat's lead. Ryan Howard answered the bell in the bottom of the inning as he crushed a grand slam to knot it up again at 6. In the top of the 6th Dukes worked a bases loaded walk for a 7-6 Nat's lead. In the bottom of the 6th Jimmy Rollins blooped a double to left field for another run to tie it up again at 7. In the top of the 8th Nick Johnson and Adam Dunn each slammed 2 run homers for an 11-7 lead. It should have been game over for the Phils at that point, except it's never really over when you're playing Nationals. So in the bottom of the 8th, "the Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino sac flyed in one run, Chase Utley singled in a 2nd run, and stunningly Ibanez clobbered the Phils 2nd grand slam of the night for a 13-11 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th Ryan Madson took care of business and closed out the Phils 4th win in a row. So the Phils move to 10-8 overall and now just a half of a game out of 1st in the NL East.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Marlins this afternoon, looking to complete the sweep. Thanks to 6 strong innings out of Jamie Moyer in which he allowed just 1 run 7 hits while striking out 6 and a monster 13 run, 12 hit day for the Phils lineup they got the sweep easily. In the top of the 1st Ryan Howard singled in one run and Raul Ibanez sac flyed in another run for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 4th Moyer got his first hit of the season, a single, and Chase Utley slapped a 2 run single for a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the 5th Hanley Ramirez singled in a run to put Florida on the board and cut the lead to 4-1. In the top of the 7th, Pedro Feliz singled in one run, Greg Dobbs worked a bases loaded walk for a 2nd run, and the "Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino socked another 2 run single for an 8-1 lead. In the top of the 8th, Feliz singled in another run, Matt Stairs worked a bases loaded walk, Victorino lined a 2 run double to right and Eric Bruntlett hit a sac fly to score Stairs for a 13-1 lead. Finally the embarrassed Marlins somehow managed a run on a sac fly in the bottom of the 9th to cut it to 13-2, before J.A Happ closed them out. So the Phils get back over .500 at 9-8 overall and now sit just 1.5 games behind Florida for first in the NL East.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers played game 4 of their opening playoff series with the Magic tonight, looking to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. It was an ugly night for both teams, and the Sixers were extra scrappy in the final minutes of the 4th quarter erasing a 10 point Orlando lead. For a moment then it did look as if they would get their 3-1 lead, but it was not to be as fate dealt them a cruel hand. Both teams struggled offensively, as the Magic again shot just 30% from the beyond the arc and the Sixers shot just 38% from the field. It was by far the best defensive effort of the Magic thus far this series, and yet they were still outrebounded 43-37 overall and 10-3 on the offensive glass, and allowed the Sixers to take it down to the wire. That says something about the play of the Magic so far in this series. They have simply appeared lazy and disinterested, perhaps because they have no respect for the Sixers, or maybe they just don't care at all I don't know. They may turn it up now that they have the advantage in the series again, but if they don't the Sixers will still have a chance in this series. Anyway back to the game both teams were terrible in the first half and the score heading into the 3rd quarter was an ugly 36-36 tie. In the 3rd quarter Orlando tried to turn it on a bit, and they were able to build a 10 point lead. They were still leading by 10 with about 5 minutes to play. Then the Sixers turned it up on D and made one final push, amazingly tying it up at 81-81 on a dunk by Sammy Dalembert with 15 seconds to play. From there on the ensuing Orlando possession the Magic gave the ball to Hedo Turkoglu who had been struggling all series long. This time he came through drilling a three pointer over Thad Young, who had stepped back just hair to much to stop him. Iggy missed a 3 at the buzzer on the other end and the Magic had their win in Philly 84-81, and the 2-2 series tie. The Sixers will now have to win at least one more game in Orlando to win the series, and that may be asking to much.
EAGLES NEWS
The Birds finished their draft today with some picks that were interesting and useful. First of all they traded away their 3rd and 4th round picks for a chock full of 5th through 7th round picks and 2 time pro bowl CB Ellis Hobbs from the Patriots, which could mean that suddenly disgruntled CB Sheldon Brown is headed out of town. In the 5th round with the 153rd pick they got Florida tight end Cornelius Ingram. With L.J Smith finally out of town the Eagles needed someone to back up Brent Celek and Ingram the fastest TE in the draft will be the guy to do so. Ingram did miss last season with a knee injury, but he has about as much potential as any tight end in the draft so it was good for the Eagles to get him this late. Later in the 5th round with the 157th pick they took Virginia Tech CB Victor Harris, further evidence that Sheldon Brown might be headed out of town. There is nothing particularly special about Harris, but he is versatile and assuming Sheldon's gone, he provides them with some solid secondary depth. Finally they finished the 5th round using the 159th pick to take Oregon tackle Fenuki Tupou another versatile guy who provides some depth. In the 6th round they used the 194th pick to select Washington state WR Brandon Gibson, evidence that perhaps Reggie Brown is gone to. Gibson is a decent receiver, with okay size at 6-1 206 pounds and good hands, so he'll provide some nice depth too if he makes the team. Finally in the 7th round they took Arizona State guard Paul Fanaika with the 213th pick and Maryland LB Moise Fokou with the 230th pick. They're both just a couple of guys who might make the team and provide some depth or not.
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