The Phils continued their series with the Rockies tonight and the results were much better. J.A Happ got the start and tossed a gem, allowing just 4 hits while striking out 10 in a complete game win. Meanwhile, Jimmy Rollins hit a 2 run homer, Pedro Feliz hit a solo shot, Ryan Howard slapped an RBI single, and Jayson Werth slammed a 3 run homer to power the Phils to a 7-0 win. All 7 runs came off Rockie's starter Jorge De La Rosa on 10 hits, as the Phils clobbered Colorado with a true team effort. In fact each member of the starting lineup had at least one hit on the night, including Happ himself who doubled in the top of the 9th, to the delight of the crowd. Considering the entire team struggled last night and all last weekend, although it was likely just fatigue then, it was good to see everyone get a hit tonight. It is always a good indicator when a team can break right out of slump like this. The Phils literally went from laughingstocks to Titans all in the space of one night, proof that no matter how grim things get, the belief they have in themselves always remains. The truth is that in baseball the greatness of a team cannot truly be measured by what it does during a winning streak, but rather must be measured by what it does when times are most grim. For the Phillies it seems for every lull they fall into and ever loss they suffer, there is always greatness waiting just around corner. With the win the Phils move to 60-45 overall and are now back to 6 games up in the NL East.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned to the Bank tonight to begin a 3 game series with the Colorado Rockies. Coming in the Rockies were red hot, while the Phils were struggling to find energy so it should come as no surprise that the Rockies handed the Phils their 3rd straight loss tonight. Jamie Moyer got the start and was decent but he got no run support and allowed a few too many walks, in giving up 6 runs on 6 hits while pitching into the 6th inning. In reality he only gave up the 1st 4 runs, while the other 2 were charged to him becuase he let the guys who scored them get on base. Ultimately, when Moyer left the game it was only 4-2 Rockies, after a 2 run homers by Jimmy Rollins and Garret Atkins and a single by Ryan SpillBorghs and a bases loaded walk to Chris Iannetta. Rodrigo Lopez is really to blame for the loss I think, as he came out of the bullpen in place of Moyer in the 6th inning and allowed Colorado to score 4 more runs on a plethora of doubles and single by the pitcher Jason Hammell, pretty much putting the game out of reach at 8-2. The Phils tried to mount a comeback scoring a run in the bottom of the 6th on a sac fly, but that would be the only run they would get the rest of the way in an 8-3 loss. I am not sure what happened to Phils bats tonight. They didn't look as tired tonight, they just really had bad at bats. Even Chase Utley went 0 for 3. All I can think is that the pitcher Hammell really has their number and in fact the only other time he faced the Phils he went 6 scoreless, which is actually better than tonight. Oh well better luck next time I guess. So anyway the Phils drop to 59-45 overall and now 5 games up in the NL East.
EAGLES NEWS
There is bad news from Eagles training camp. Although Andy Reid wouldn't confirm it, Stewart Bradley, the Eagles starting middle linebacker tore the ACL in one of his knees a couple days ago and could be done for this season. This is a huge blow for the Birds in that he was really the brains of the defense and perhaps it's heart and soul. Admittedly though he did struggle a bit in pass coverage at times, but he did just about everything else right. On other hand the Eagles do have 2 capable backups in 2nd year man Joe Mays whom the coaches love and the veteran, well veteran for this young defense, Omar Gaither who was the starting middle linebacker two seasons ago before Bradley supplanted him. For right now the job is Mays' to lose, as he is currently the one practicing with the first team defense, but in reality it's anyone's guess as to who will ultimately emerge as the starter. There is even a possibility the Eagles might just use both of them, with Mays playing in the run defense and Gaither subbing in for Nickel defenses. Hopefully one way or another they'll be able to compensate for the loss of Bradley.
Monday, August 03, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils are off today finally, so it is time at last to reveal our top 5 most dramatic Phils win. We have already traversed 20 pulse pounding, nail-biting, victories, but if you think they were dramatic you ain't seen nothing yet.
5. Shot heard round Philadelphia October 1, 1950 Phillies 4 - Brooklyn Dodgers 1
Ahead by 5 games with 6 to play the Whiz Kids seem to have wrapped up their 2nd NL Pennant and first in 35 years, but their pitching has worn thin with #2 starter Curt Simmons forced to enter military service and #s 3 and 4 nursing injuries. So thin is the pitching that closer Jim Konstanty begins starting games down the stretch. Still with the big lead they believe they can coast to the pennant. Then Leo Durocher's New York Giants defeat the Phils in back to back double headers at the Polo grounds and just like that the lead is down to 2 with a season ending trip to Ebbets Field and a 2 game encounter with the 2nd place Dodgers looming. Brooklyn takes the first game 7-3 and now it's down to the final game of the season to decide the pennant. If Brookly can win on this day they'll force a one game playoff, but if the Phils can win the Pennant is theirs at last. Although he has started 4 of the last 9 games to keep his team afloat ace Robin Roberts, wills himself to take the mound one more time. For 5 innings he holds Brooklyn scoreless. Then in the top of the 6th two out singles by Dick Sisler, Del Ennis, and Willie Jones put the Phils ahead 1-0. The lead doesn't last as Pee Wee Reese get's a cheap homer in the bottom of the inning, hitting a ball off the screen above the fence in right field which gets stuck on the frame covering the fence, instead coming back into play. From there Roberts and Dodger ace Don Newcombe duel to a 1-1 tie heading into the 9th. Roberts walks Cal Abrams to start the inning. Then Reese singles to put 2 on and nobody out for the ever dangerous Duke Snider. Surely this will be it for Roberts, as manager Eddie Sawyer comes out to talk to him, but no he leaves Roberts in and almost pays for it. Snider slams a line drive to center which should score Abrams for the win, but Richie Ashburn charges, and with his "throw of the century"(that's the 20th century not this one) guns down Abrams at the plate to preserve the tie. Now Brooklyn has runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out for Jackie Robinson. Roberts intentionally walks Jackie, then gets Carl Furillo to foul out, leaving the bases loaded and 2 out for Gil Hodges. Hodges lifts a deep fly to right but Ennis is there to make the catch and incredibly its on to a 10th inning. Roberts himself leads off the top of the 10th with an infield single, and Eddie Waitkus follows with another single to put 2 on and nobody for Ashburn. Ashburn tries to bunt the runners over, but bunts too hard and Roberts is thrown out at 3rd. So its up to Dick Sisler to get the go ahead run home with 2 on and 1 out. He does even better. With the count 1 and 2 Sisler sends a fly ball deep to left field and gone for a 4-1 lead. Roberts then finishes a gutty complete game victory, retiring the side in the 10th, and its on to a date with Yankees in the world series.
4. The Comeback June 8, 1989 Phillies 15 - Pirates 11
We have already established that the 1989 season was a stinker and depressing as Michael Jack walked away from the game not even halfway through the season. It was also good for some memorable games like this one. On this night Pittsburgh waltz's into the Vet and storms to 10-0 lead before the first inning is even over. All told in the first inning Larry Mcwilliams and Steve Ontiveros combine to allow 10 runs and 9 hits, as the even the pitcher Bob Walk hits a 2 run single and some kid named Bonds hits a 3 run homer and scores 2 runs. So the game is just about over before it has even started. There is no way the Phils can comeback in this one is there? Somehow or another they convince themselves it isn't over yet and begin the long road back in the bottom of the inning where Von Hayes slugs a 2 run homer to cut the lead to 10-2. Hayes hits another bomb in the 3rd inning and its down to 10-4. Next weak switch hitting shortstop Steve Jeltz, batting lefthanded here, surprises everyone with another 2 run homer to cut it to 10-6. After Andy Van Slyke slaps an RBI double to push the lead back up to 11-6, Jeltz switches to the right side of the plate in the 6th and shocks everyone with a 3 run homer, making him the first Phillie to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game at the Vet, and cutting the lead to 11-9. A couple batters later Ricky Jordan singles in another run and the lead is just 1, 11-10. It stays that way until Jeff Robinson throws a wild pitch in the bottom of the 8th inning, allowing John Kruk to score the tying run. Next after Robinson intentionally walks Dickie Thon to load the bases, Darren Daulton lines a 2 run single to center field and now the Phils lead the stunned Pirates 13-11. The next batter , Curt Ford ,Triples for 2 more runs, but stupidly gets himself thrown out at home trying to stretch it into an inside the park homer. No matter, the 4 run lead proves more than enough for Steve Bedrosian to close out the win in the 9th inning, thus completing what remains the greatest comeback in Phils history.
3. The Thome game June 21, 2003 Phillies 6 - Red Sox 5
Over the course of baseball history there have been numerous times where one player has risen above and beyond the call of duty for his team with superhuman heroics to lead them to victory. There was the 4 homer game by Micheal Jack we mentioned earlier, the called shot by Babe Ruth, and the Sandberg game. This was one such performance by Jim Thome at the height of his popularity in his first season with the Phils. Thanks to two solo homers by Todd Walker in the 3rd and 6th innings and brilliant start by Pedro Martinez, Boston has the lead 2-1 through 7 and 1/2 innings. With 2 out in the bottom of the 8th, Thome stands in against Mike Timlin with one thing on his mind, hit one out and get this game tied. He does sending Timlin's 1-1 offering into the seats to tie the game at 2. Thanks to solid bullpen work the game stays tied all the way into the 12th inning. With one out in the top of the 12th Kevin Millar slaps a single right at Jason Micheals so it shouldn't amount to anything. Except Micheals totally misplays the ball as it rolls right under his glove and the all the way back to the fence, allowing Nomar Garciaparra to score from 1st for a 3-2 lead. Jose Mesa bares down from there and strikes out Jeremy Giambi and Jason Varitek to keep the score 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 12th. It doesn't look good though as Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco produce 2 quick outs to start the bottom of the 12th. Next up Jim Thome. Although with 2 out and nobody on they can simply walk him, Boston stupidly decides to try to pitch to Thome. It doesn't work. Thome works the count full, fouls off a pitch, crushes the next deep to the seats in left centerfield and fist pumps as he rounds the bases. So we're tied again at 3. Mesa can't keep it tied in the bottom of the inning as Walker doubles in one run and then Nomar scores Walker with his 6th hit of the day for a 5-3 Boston lead that seems safe at last. However, it is not to be for the Red Sox though on this day. In the bottom of the 13th with 1 on and 1 out David Bell doubles in one run to cut it to 5-4. Next the last man left on the bench for the Phils, Todd Pratt, steps up to the plate with a chance tie it up again with a single. He does better. He sends the 2nd pitch he sees from Rudy Seanez deep to center field and as Scott Graham exclaims over the radio, " Its gone! Its gone! He did it! Todd Pratt did it! Put this one in the win column for the Phightin Phils! They are going crazy here at the vet! I couldn't have said it better myself.
2. The Stairs to a title October 13, 2008 NLCS Game 4 Phillies 7 - Dodgers 5
It was 9 months ago but it still feels like it happened yesterday. In the NLCS for the first time in 15 years the Phils have the 2-1 series lead, but the Dodgers have the momentum with the win in game 3 and are looking to draw even. The game gets off to a running start with back to back singles by Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth and a double by Chase Utley to score 1 run. Ryan Howard follows with a hard groundout that allows Werth to score for a quick 2-0 lead. James Loney answers in the bottom of the inning, lining a 2 out RBI double to cut it to 2-1. Joe Blanton keeps it that way until the bottom of the 5th. There Manny Ramirez singles to score one run and Russell Martin hits a sharp ground ball to allow another run to score for a 3-2 lead. The Phils come right back to tie it at 3 in the top of the 6th on a wild pitch by Clayton Kershaw. In the bottom of the 6th Casey Blake leads off with a solo homer and a couple batters later Scott Eyre throws the ball away trying throw out Rafeal Furcal at first,allowing another run to score. With a 5-3 lead and runners on 2nd and 3rd and nobody out L.A has a golden opportunity to put the Phils away but they can not. Eyre gets Andre Ethier to line out to Ryan Howard. Then he intentionally walks Manny Ramirez to load the bases and set up for an inning ending double play. It works as Ryan Madson replaces Eyre and gets Russell Martin to line right to Chase Utley who makes an incredible dive to beat Furcal to the 2nd base bag and end the inning. Still, the situation seems hopeless as Utley strikes out to end the top of the 7th inning, leaving the Phils behind 5-3 heading into the 8th inning. This is exactly the kind of situation in which the Phils would not have succeeded in the past and would have watched their title hopes slip away. Not this time. Although Hong Chih Kuo has been dominating thus far Joe Torre stupidly takes him out after a cheap leadoff single by Ryan Howard. His replacement Cory Wade proceeds to serve a game tying 2 run homer to Shane Victorino, just over the fence in left field. A couple batters later with 2 out Carlos Ruiz singles and that's it for Wade. Now it's up to closer Jonathan Broxton to get out of the inning. Next up Matt Stairs. This is only Stairs' 2nd at bat of the postseason and he makes it count. As Joe Buck says "Stairs hits one deep into the night". "254 homeruns for Stairs in his career and that was biggest". J.C Romero and Brad Lidge combine to make the homer stand up and suddenly the Phils are a just win over the stunned Dodgers away from the world series.
1B. The Clincher October 12, 1980 NLCS game 5 Phillies 8 - Astros 7
Before last year most Phils fans would tell you this was most dramatic win in Phils history. After all the Phils and Astros had already gone through 3 straight extra inning games before this one and the Phils needed 10 innings in game 4 just to keep the series alive. Now it all comes down to this one night to decide who will represent the national league in the world series. The Phils are trying to avoid their 4th NLCS dissapointment in 5 years, but the odds are stacked against them. They're on road at the Astrodome and "the Express", Nolan Ryan will start for Houston. When Jose Cruz gives the Astros the lead right away with a double in the first inning, things look even more grim for the Phils. Then a 2 run single by Bob Boone gives the Phils the lead 2-1 in the top of the 2nd. From there Marty Bystrom hangs with Ryan and the keeps the Phils ahead into the 6th inning. There after an error by Greg Luzinski to start the inning Bystrom finally runs out of steam as a 1 out single by Alan Ashby ties the game at 2. Then in the 7th Larry Christenson falls apart, allowing an RBI single to Denny Walling, and throwing a wild pitch for another run. Finally Ron Reed replaces Christenson but he does no better allowing a triple to Art Howe and suddenly it is 5-2 Houston. With Ryan still going strong, hope for victory seems to be lost for the Phils. Luckily the pressure gets to Ryan on this night. In fact after 3 straight singles by Larry Bowa, Boone, and Greg Gross, to load the bases, and a walk to Pete Rose to force in a run, Ryan is done for the night. The Astro bullpen can't hold off the charging the Phils. Keith Moreland hits a sharp groundball off Joe Sambito to push another run across and then Ken Forsch replaces Sambito. Forsch is no better allowing a 2 out single to Del Unser and then a bases clearing triple to Manny Trillo to give the Phils a 7-5 lead. Houston doesn't go away though touching up Tug Mcgraw in the bottom of the inning for a couple of 2 out runs for a 7-7 tie. Neither team can score in the 9th and so again a 10th inning will be needed to decide an outcome. Finally in the top of the 10th a 2 out double by Garry Maddox scores Del Unser for an 8-7 lead. In the bottom of the inning Dick Ruthven who got the Phils through the 9th, comes out to finish a 2 inning save and after 2 quick outs, Enos Cabell slaps Ruthven's 3-2 offering deep to center. Maddox is there though and makes the catch for the final out. So the wait is over and at last after 30 years the Phils are back in the world series.
1A. Chooch Off October 25, 2008 World Series game 3 Phillies 5 - Rays 4
Okay so we're cheating here with 2 number 1's but really how do you decide between the two most important games in the Phils 2 championship seasons? Perhaps you can decide. Anyway getting back on track the Phils here are in the world series for the first time in 15 years and are looking to take the title for the first time in 28 years. They have split the first 2 games in the series but this is really the big one. If they lose this game they lose control of the series and now that the series is in Philly they don't want it to go back to Tampa. Thanks to rain storms the game doesn't even start until after midnight and although he's been sitting around through the rain and been beaten badly in his last 2 postseason starts Jamie Moyer gets the start. This time when it matters the most he comes through, allowing just 1 run through the 1st 6 innings. Meanwhile, Carlos Ruiz slams a solo homer in the bottom of the 2nd and Chase Utely and Ryan Howard combine for back to back homers to lead off the 6th inning. So the Phils ride a 4-1 lead into 7th inning and all signs point to victory. Then the umpire misses the call on a spectacular diving play by Moyer to get Carl Crawford at first and Tampa takes advantage. After a double by Dioner Navarro, Crawford goes on to score on a fielder's choice to cut it to 4-2. Then Navarro scores on another fielder's choice to cut it to 4-3 before Scott Eyre finally gets the Phils out of the inning. Things get worse in the top of the 8th as B.J Upton leads off with a single off Ryan Madson and then steals 2nd, steals 3rd, and scores as Carlos Ruiz throws the ball away trying to get Upton at 3rd. So just like that the game is tied up and the once assured win seems to have slipped away. Fortunately Madson gets through the rest of the 8th and J.C Romero keeps Tampa off the board in the 9th inning. Now the Phils get their chance to take the win in the bottom of the 9th. Eric Bruntlett leads off by getting hit by a pitch. Then Grant Balfour throws a wild pitch which bounces back to Navarro who throws the ball into center field, while attempting to get Bruntlett at 2nd. So Bruntlett moves to 3rd, putting the winning run 90 feet away. manager Joe Maddon now makes the decision to load the bases and deploy a 5 man infield to get some groundouts and get out of the inning. It doesn't work. The next batter is Ruiz. Nicknamed Chooch by his teammates reportedly due to his resemblance to Cheech Marin, the Cheech of the famous 70s and 80s comic duo, Cheech and Chong, he is looking to redeem himself from the error that put the Phils in this position in the first place. He hits a slow roller up the 3rd base line, just slow enough that Eva, er Evan Longoria can only throw it over Navarro's head as Bruntlett scores the winning run. Just like that the Phils have their first world series walkoff win and the now they and city believe the series will be theirs again at last.
5. Shot heard round Philadelphia October 1, 1950 Phillies 4 - Brooklyn Dodgers 1
Ahead by 5 games with 6 to play the Whiz Kids seem to have wrapped up their 2nd NL Pennant and first in 35 years, but their pitching has worn thin with #2 starter Curt Simmons forced to enter military service and #s 3 and 4 nursing injuries. So thin is the pitching that closer Jim Konstanty begins starting games down the stretch. Still with the big lead they believe they can coast to the pennant. Then Leo Durocher's New York Giants defeat the Phils in back to back double headers at the Polo grounds and just like that the lead is down to 2 with a season ending trip to Ebbets Field and a 2 game encounter with the 2nd place Dodgers looming. Brooklyn takes the first game 7-3 and now it's down to the final game of the season to decide the pennant. If Brookly can win on this day they'll force a one game playoff, but if the Phils can win the Pennant is theirs at last. Although he has started 4 of the last 9 games to keep his team afloat ace Robin Roberts, wills himself to take the mound one more time. For 5 innings he holds Brooklyn scoreless. Then in the top of the 6th two out singles by Dick Sisler, Del Ennis, and Willie Jones put the Phils ahead 1-0. The lead doesn't last as Pee Wee Reese get's a cheap homer in the bottom of the inning, hitting a ball off the screen above the fence in right field which gets stuck on the frame covering the fence, instead coming back into play. From there Roberts and Dodger ace Don Newcombe duel to a 1-1 tie heading into the 9th. Roberts walks Cal Abrams to start the inning. Then Reese singles to put 2 on and nobody out for the ever dangerous Duke Snider. Surely this will be it for Roberts, as manager Eddie Sawyer comes out to talk to him, but no he leaves Roberts in and almost pays for it. Snider slams a line drive to center which should score Abrams for the win, but Richie Ashburn charges, and with his "throw of the century"(that's the 20th century not this one) guns down Abrams at the plate to preserve the tie. Now Brooklyn has runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out for Jackie Robinson. Roberts intentionally walks Jackie, then gets Carl Furillo to foul out, leaving the bases loaded and 2 out for Gil Hodges. Hodges lifts a deep fly to right but Ennis is there to make the catch and incredibly its on to a 10th inning. Roberts himself leads off the top of the 10th with an infield single, and Eddie Waitkus follows with another single to put 2 on and nobody for Ashburn. Ashburn tries to bunt the runners over, but bunts too hard and Roberts is thrown out at 3rd. So its up to Dick Sisler to get the go ahead run home with 2 on and 1 out. He does even better. With the count 1 and 2 Sisler sends a fly ball deep to left field and gone for a 4-1 lead. Roberts then finishes a gutty complete game victory, retiring the side in the 10th, and its on to a date with Yankees in the world series.
4. The Comeback June 8, 1989 Phillies 15 - Pirates 11
We have already established that the 1989 season was a stinker and depressing as Michael Jack walked away from the game not even halfway through the season. It was also good for some memorable games like this one. On this night Pittsburgh waltz's into the Vet and storms to 10-0 lead before the first inning is even over. All told in the first inning Larry Mcwilliams and Steve Ontiveros combine to allow 10 runs and 9 hits, as the even the pitcher Bob Walk hits a 2 run single and some kid named Bonds hits a 3 run homer and scores 2 runs. So the game is just about over before it has even started. There is no way the Phils can comeback in this one is there? Somehow or another they convince themselves it isn't over yet and begin the long road back in the bottom of the inning where Von Hayes slugs a 2 run homer to cut the lead to 10-2. Hayes hits another bomb in the 3rd inning and its down to 10-4. Next weak switch hitting shortstop Steve Jeltz, batting lefthanded here, surprises everyone with another 2 run homer to cut it to 10-6. After Andy Van Slyke slaps an RBI double to push the lead back up to 11-6, Jeltz switches to the right side of the plate in the 6th and shocks everyone with a 3 run homer, making him the first Phillie to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game at the Vet, and cutting the lead to 11-9. A couple batters later Ricky Jordan singles in another run and the lead is just 1, 11-10. It stays that way until Jeff Robinson throws a wild pitch in the bottom of the 8th inning, allowing John Kruk to score the tying run. Next after Robinson intentionally walks Dickie Thon to load the bases, Darren Daulton lines a 2 run single to center field and now the Phils lead the stunned Pirates 13-11. The next batter , Curt Ford ,Triples for 2 more runs, but stupidly gets himself thrown out at home trying to stretch it into an inside the park homer. No matter, the 4 run lead proves more than enough for Steve Bedrosian to close out the win in the 9th inning, thus completing what remains the greatest comeback in Phils history.
3. The Thome game June 21, 2003 Phillies 6 - Red Sox 5
Over the course of baseball history there have been numerous times where one player has risen above and beyond the call of duty for his team with superhuman heroics to lead them to victory. There was the 4 homer game by Micheal Jack we mentioned earlier, the called shot by Babe Ruth, and the Sandberg game. This was one such performance by Jim Thome at the height of his popularity in his first season with the Phils. Thanks to two solo homers by Todd Walker in the 3rd and 6th innings and brilliant start by Pedro Martinez, Boston has the lead 2-1 through 7 and 1/2 innings. With 2 out in the bottom of the 8th, Thome stands in against Mike Timlin with one thing on his mind, hit one out and get this game tied. He does sending Timlin's 1-1 offering into the seats to tie the game at 2. Thanks to solid bullpen work the game stays tied all the way into the 12th inning. With one out in the top of the 12th Kevin Millar slaps a single right at Jason Micheals so it shouldn't amount to anything. Except Micheals totally misplays the ball as it rolls right under his glove and the all the way back to the fence, allowing Nomar Garciaparra to score from 1st for a 3-2 lead. Jose Mesa bares down from there and strikes out Jeremy Giambi and Jason Varitek to keep the score 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 12th. It doesn't look good though as Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco produce 2 quick outs to start the bottom of the 12th. Next up Jim Thome. Although with 2 out and nobody on they can simply walk him, Boston stupidly decides to try to pitch to Thome. It doesn't work. Thome works the count full, fouls off a pitch, crushes the next deep to the seats in left centerfield and fist pumps as he rounds the bases. So we're tied again at 3. Mesa can't keep it tied in the bottom of the inning as Walker doubles in one run and then Nomar scores Walker with his 6th hit of the day for a 5-3 Boston lead that seems safe at last. However, it is not to be for the Red Sox though on this day. In the bottom of the 13th with 1 on and 1 out David Bell doubles in one run to cut it to 5-4. Next the last man left on the bench for the Phils, Todd Pratt, steps up to the plate with a chance tie it up again with a single. He does better. He sends the 2nd pitch he sees from Rudy Seanez deep to center field and as Scott Graham exclaims over the radio, " Its gone! Its gone! He did it! Todd Pratt did it! Put this one in the win column for the Phightin Phils! They are going crazy here at the vet! I couldn't have said it better myself.
2. The Stairs to a title October 13, 2008 NLCS Game 4 Phillies 7 - Dodgers 5
It was 9 months ago but it still feels like it happened yesterday. In the NLCS for the first time in 15 years the Phils have the 2-1 series lead, but the Dodgers have the momentum with the win in game 3 and are looking to draw even. The game gets off to a running start with back to back singles by Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth and a double by Chase Utley to score 1 run. Ryan Howard follows with a hard groundout that allows Werth to score for a quick 2-0 lead. James Loney answers in the bottom of the inning, lining a 2 out RBI double to cut it to 2-1. Joe Blanton keeps it that way until the bottom of the 5th. There Manny Ramirez singles to score one run and Russell Martin hits a sharp ground ball to allow another run to score for a 3-2 lead. The Phils come right back to tie it at 3 in the top of the 6th on a wild pitch by Clayton Kershaw. In the bottom of the 6th Casey Blake leads off with a solo homer and a couple batters later Scott Eyre throws the ball away trying throw out Rafeal Furcal at first,allowing another run to score. With a 5-3 lead and runners on 2nd and 3rd and nobody out L.A has a golden opportunity to put the Phils away but they can not. Eyre gets Andre Ethier to line out to Ryan Howard. Then he intentionally walks Manny Ramirez to load the bases and set up for an inning ending double play. It works as Ryan Madson replaces Eyre and gets Russell Martin to line right to Chase Utley who makes an incredible dive to beat Furcal to the 2nd base bag and end the inning. Still, the situation seems hopeless as Utley strikes out to end the top of the 7th inning, leaving the Phils behind 5-3 heading into the 8th inning. This is exactly the kind of situation in which the Phils would not have succeeded in the past and would have watched their title hopes slip away. Not this time. Although Hong Chih Kuo has been dominating thus far Joe Torre stupidly takes him out after a cheap leadoff single by Ryan Howard. His replacement Cory Wade proceeds to serve a game tying 2 run homer to Shane Victorino, just over the fence in left field. A couple batters later with 2 out Carlos Ruiz singles and that's it for Wade. Now it's up to closer Jonathan Broxton to get out of the inning. Next up Matt Stairs. This is only Stairs' 2nd at bat of the postseason and he makes it count. As Joe Buck says "Stairs hits one deep into the night". "254 homeruns for Stairs in his career and that was biggest". J.C Romero and Brad Lidge combine to make the homer stand up and suddenly the Phils are a just win over the stunned Dodgers away from the world series.
1B. The Clincher October 12, 1980 NLCS game 5 Phillies 8 - Astros 7
Before last year most Phils fans would tell you this was most dramatic win in Phils history. After all the Phils and Astros had already gone through 3 straight extra inning games before this one and the Phils needed 10 innings in game 4 just to keep the series alive. Now it all comes down to this one night to decide who will represent the national league in the world series. The Phils are trying to avoid their 4th NLCS dissapointment in 5 years, but the odds are stacked against them. They're on road at the Astrodome and "the Express", Nolan Ryan will start for Houston. When Jose Cruz gives the Astros the lead right away with a double in the first inning, things look even more grim for the Phils. Then a 2 run single by Bob Boone gives the Phils the lead 2-1 in the top of the 2nd. From there Marty Bystrom hangs with Ryan and the keeps the Phils ahead into the 6th inning. There after an error by Greg Luzinski to start the inning Bystrom finally runs out of steam as a 1 out single by Alan Ashby ties the game at 2. Then in the 7th Larry Christenson falls apart, allowing an RBI single to Denny Walling, and throwing a wild pitch for another run. Finally Ron Reed replaces Christenson but he does no better allowing a triple to Art Howe and suddenly it is 5-2 Houston. With Ryan still going strong, hope for victory seems to be lost for the Phils. Luckily the pressure gets to Ryan on this night. In fact after 3 straight singles by Larry Bowa, Boone, and Greg Gross, to load the bases, and a walk to Pete Rose to force in a run, Ryan is done for the night. The Astro bullpen can't hold off the charging the Phils. Keith Moreland hits a sharp groundball off Joe Sambito to push another run across and then Ken Forsch replaces Sambito. Forsch is no better allowing a 2 out single to Del Unser and then a bases clearing triple to Manny Trillo to give the Phils a 7-5 lead. Houston doesn't go away though touching up Tug Mcgraw in the bottom of the inning for a couple of 2 out runs for a 7-7 tie. Neither team can score in the 9th and so again a 10th inning will be needed to decide an outcome. Finally in the top of the 10th a 2 out double by Garry Maddox scores Del Unser for an 8-7 lead. In the bottom of the inning Dick Ruthven who got the Phils through the 9th, comes out to finish a 2 inning save and after 2 quick outs, Enos Cabell slaps Ruthven's 3-2 offering deep to center. Maddox is there though and makes the catch for the final out. So the wait is over and at last after 30 years the Phils are back in the world series.
1A. Chooch Off October 25, 2008 World Series game 3 Phillies 5 - Rays 4
Okay so we're cheating here with 2 number 1's but really how do you decide between the two most important games in the Phils 2 championship seasons? Perhaps you can decide. Anyway getting back on track the Phils here are in the world series for the first time in 15 years and are looking to take the title for the first time in 28 years. They have split the first 2 games in the series but this is really the big one. If they lose this game they lose control of the series and now that the series is in Philly they don't want it to go back to Tampa. Thanks to rain storms the game doesn't even start until after midnight and although he's been sitting around through the rain and been beaten badly in his last 2 postseason starts Jamie Moyer gets the start. This time when it matters the most he comes through, allowing just 1 run through the 1st 6 innings. Meanwhile, Carlos Ruiz slams a solo homer in the bottom of the 2nd and Chase Utely and Ryan Howard combine for back to back homers to lead off the 6th inning. So the Phils ride a 4-1 lead into 7th inning and all signs point to victory. Then the umpire misses the call on a spectacular diving play by Moyer to get Carl Crawford at first and Tampa takes advantage. After a double by Dioner Navarro, Crawford goes on to score on a fielder's choice to cut it to 4-2. Then Navarro scores on another fielder's choice to cut it to 4-3 before Scott Eyre finally gets the Phils out of the inning. Things get worse in the top of the 8th as B.J Upton leads off with a single off Ryan Madson and then steals 2nd, steals 3rd, and scores as Carlos Ruiz throws the ball away trying to get Upton at 3rd. So just like that the game is tied up and the once assured win seems to have slipped away. Fortunately Madson gets through the rest of the 8th and J.C Romero keeps Tampa off the board in the 9th inning. Now the Phils get their chance to take the win in the bottom of the 9th. Eric Bruntlett leads off by getting hit by a pitch. Then Grant Balfour throws a wild pitch which bounces back to Navarro who throws the ball into center field, while attempting to get Bruntlett at 2nd. So Bruntlett moves to 3rd, putting the winning run 90 feet away. manager Joe Maddon now makes the decision to load the bases and deploy a 5 man infield to get some groundouts and get out of the inning. It doesn't work. The next batter is Ruiz. Nicknamed Chooch by his teammates reportedly due to his resemblance to Cheech Marin, the Cheech of the famous 70s and 80s comic duo, Cheech and Chong, he is looking to redeem himself from the error that put the Phils in this position in the first place. He hits a slow roller up the 3rd base line, just slow enough that Eva, er Evan Longoria can only throw it over Navarro's head as Bruntlett scores the winning run. Just like that the Phils have their first world series walkoff win and the now they and city believe the series will be theirs again at last.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles and 1st round pick Jeremy Maclin have come to terms on a 5 year $14.6 million deal. Hopefully the 13 training camp practices that Maclin has missed won't affect his development too much. If nothing else he should still be able to a dangerous kick and punt returner, but the time he as missed could limit his ability to get on the field at all as a receiver, considering the Birds are already pretty deep at WR, with guys like Jason Avant, Desean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Hank Baskett, and others who didn't miss any camp.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Giants this afternoon looking to at least earn a split in the series. Despite resting a few players they almost did, but Cole Hamels just couldn't close it out. After a triple by ex-Phil Aaron Rowand gave the Giants a 1 -0 lead in 2nd inning, Hamels seemed to bare down and the Phils rallied for 2 runs in 4th inning on a solo homer by Jimmy Rollins and an single and an error by Jayson Werth, and 1 run in the 5th inning on a single by Carlos Ruiz to take a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 5th inning. It was there that everything fell apart for Hamels. He seemed to be cruising after 2 quick outs and the pitcher Barry Zito due up but then a funny thing happened. Instead of producing an out, Zito blooped a single to keep the inning alive and perhaps Cole started to think too much or maybe he started pressing, whatever the reason, he wasn't right after that. Eugenio Velez followed with a single and then Freddy Sanchez broke the Phils hearts with a game tying double. Hamels was even worse in the 6th inning, first allowing Randy Wynn to single in a run and then loading the bases before Chan Ho Park came in to try to bail him out. Park almost did but with 1 out his payoff pitch to Velez was just a bit too high, and Velez slapped it for a game-breaking 2 run single to put the exhausted the Phils away for good 7-3. There's not much to say about this game. It was just yet another almost game for Cole this season. When the experts said he might not quite as strong this season, because last year he threw over 200 innings for the first time, I didn't believe them. I think I am starting to now, but you never know maybe Cliff Lee, who has thrown 200+ innings a few times, will know something that will get Cole back on track. Anyway so the Phils drop to 59-44 overall and now 5 games up in the NL East.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with Giants tonight and got another brilliant pitching performance from Joe Blanton who went 7 innings allowing just 2 runs(both on sac flys) on 7 hits. Unfortunately, the Phils lineup looked tired and sluggish again and never got anything going against Tim Lincecum, producing 0 runs on 7 hits. Admittedly though, I don't know if the Phils would have fared well against Lincecum even if they had been fresh. He was just too tough, exactly what you would expect from the reigning NL CY Young award winner. The Phils best opportunity to score came in the 5th inning when Blanton himself led off with a single, and the Phils loaded the bases with 2 out for Raul Ibanez. Unfortunately, Ibanez could only ground out to end the inning. Things won't get any easier for the Phils tomorrow either as the Giants other ace Matt Cain, is scheduled to pitch and he could easily give the Phils another 2-0 loss. Cole Hamels who get's the start for the Phils, is going to have to be lights out if the Phils still hope to get a split out of this series. Anyway so the Phils drop to 59-43 overall and still 6 games up in the NL East.
Friday, July 31, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Giants tonight as Cliff Lee made his first start for the Phillies. Shane Victorino was absent from the lineup again, but it didn't matter as Lee brought an unmistakable energy and aura to the park that was all his own. He really was electrifying from start to finish and took a no hitter into the 6th inning before Juan Uribe broke it up and ultimately caused Lee to finish the night with only a memorable complete game victory, while allowing just 1 run on 4 hits. Surprisingly Lee's bat was almost as impressive tonight as his arm as he collected 2 hits and actually scored a run. In short he could not have had a better Phils debut. The fact is that no one in the NL has really seen him so it's not unreasonable to expect him to be this dominant the rest of the season and let's face it just the thought of that is reason to celebrate already. I mean who needs a bullpen when you've got this guy. Anyway getting back to the game as good as Lee was the Phils lineup was sluggish again and Lee had to wait until the 7th inning before they finally gave him a nice 4-0 cushion following a bases loaded walk to Raul Ibanez and a bases loaded single by Jayson Werth. Then Lee himself doubled and scored in the 8th inning for a 5-0 lead and then closed it out from there but only after allowing his only run of the night in the bottom of the inning. In the end I think perhaps most impressive thing about Lee tonight was that he only needed 109 pitches to get through the whole game. Even Cole and Happ needed like 120-130 pitches for their complete games against the Dodgers and the Blue Jays respectively. I mean Lee didn't even look tired while talking to the media after the game. Anyway so the Phils move to 59-42 overall now and still 6 games up in the NL East.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyer's continued their busy offseason a a couple days ,coming to terms on a one year $600,000 contract with 6-2 211 defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefson. Tollefson has size, defends well, fights occasionally, and is young at just 25 years old. Still considering he's coming off 2 knee surgeries, he is a bit of a gamble and obvious move by the Flyers to free up cap space. That means that defenseman Randy Jones and his 2.75 million contract could be headed out of town, literally just because Tollefson is cheaper than him. Still Tollefson apparently is at the same skill level as Jones so perhaps he'll be a nice addition and the Flyer's use the extra space to get another scorer to round out their roster.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to San Francisco tonight to begin a 4 weekend set with the Giants. With Cliff Lee not available to start until tomorrow Rodrigo Lopez got probably his last start for the Phils this season, barring any injuries or Pedro Martinez flopping badly. Unfortunately Lopez went out on a bad note allowing 7 runs on 8 hits in just 4 innings of work. The Giants not only jumped on him early but the Phils also killed themselves with an uncharacteristic 3 errors. So it wasn't all Lopez's fault, and in fact only 3 of the 7 runs he gave up were actually earned runs. You just can't win baseball games making mistakes like that, especially not against a talented team like the Giants. The Phils lineup wasn't much better than Lopez, again appearing sluggish while scoring just 2 runs on 5 hits, 1 run on a solo homer by Chase Utley and the other run on a double by Ryan Howard. That also won't win many games for you. It's not as if the Phils didn't have opportunities either. They could easily have scored more after Howard's double and should have scored Jimmy Rollins after he leadoff the top of the 3rd with a double, but they did not. It was just an overall poor performance and a deserved 7-2 loss to the Giants. I think part of the problem is that Shane Victorino, nursing a knee contusion was not in the lineup, and he's really the guy that brings the energy to park for them. At the same time they're clearly running out of gas right now after about 2 weeks without an off day and they desperately need the one that is coming Monday. Ultimately I think they're going to have to figure out some way to at least get a split out of this series and then they can relax knowing at least that they haven't lost any ground in the NL East. Hopefully Cliff Lee's first start tomorrow will be a very good one, because I don't think he's going to get the increased run support he was hoping for just yet. Anyway so the Phils drop to 58-42 now, but still 6 games up in the NL East.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
There is good news and bad news for the Phils tonight. The good news is that the Phils pulled off a huge deal for a top starting pitcher early this afternoon. No not Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee the reigning AL cy young award winner and outfielder Ben Francisco from the Indians in exchange for 2B Jason Donald, Catcher Lou Marson, pitcher Carlos Carrasco, all from AAA, and pitcher Jason Knapp from A. So in other words the Phils got the starting pitcher they wanted, plus the righthanded bat they needed off the bench in Francisco(the rookie John Mayberry Jr just isn't ready yet), without losing any of their top prospects(Dom Brown, Kyle Drabek, and Micheal Taylor). Plus they of course were able to hold onto J.A Happ as well. In short the Phils couldn't have a made better deal than this one and are now in position to win now and in the future. Now Happ is where the bad news comes in. He started the Phils last game of their series with the Diamondbacks tonight and despite allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits over 6 innings he took the loss. The emotional strain of all the trade rumors swirling around all week and the fatigue of having played non stop for nearly 2 weeks finally caught up to the Phils tonight, as they could muster just 7 hits and no runs. The Dbacks meanwhile hit a couple homers and just barely held off a couple late charges by the Phils for a 4-0 win. You can't win every game and they had already won the series, so it winning tonight wasn't all that important for the Phils. The trade for Lee really overshadowed the whole game anyway. I can't wait to see Lee in a Phils uniform. Although he is only 7-9 this season, that is more the fault of his team, close to last in the AL central and not very good at giving him run support. He also has a sparkling 3.14 ERA, leads the AL in innings, has been lights out so far in the 2nd half the season. Although only time will tell, he should ultimately fit well in the Phils rotation and they should be infinitely better with him than they were without him. Anyway so the Phils are now 58-41 overall and down to 6 games up in the NL East.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Diamondbacks in what was billed to be a pitcher's duel between Dan Haren and "Hollywood" Cole Hamels. Ultimately it lived up to the hype score wise, but Cole Hamels really got the better of Haren allowing just 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 9 in 8 innings while Haren allowed just 3 runs on 4 hits but had to leave after 5 innings because the Phils had already ratcheted up his pitch count to 117. Like last night though it was Diamondback errors that really did in Haren and opened the door to victory for the Phils. Arizona actually had the lead after the 1st inning thanks a solo shot by Ryan Roberts. In the top of the 3rd the "Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino brought the Phils back with a solo shot of his own. In the top of the 5th Hamels himself doubled with one out and a 2 errors and Victorino double later the Phils were up 3-1. Later in the top of the 7th when the Stephen Drew couldn't get the ball out of his glove to start a sure inning ending double play, Victorino scampered safely home again for a 4-1 lead. It stayed that way until Brad Lidge allowed Mark Reynolds to slug a 2 run homer in the 9th, but he cooly retired the side from there for the 4-3 win. Even against the lowly Diamondbacks it was encouraging to see Hamels go deep into a game for the 1st time in a while. If Brad Lidge keeps giving up runs like he did tonight the Phils are going to need Hamels to do that more often down the stretch to save the pen and allow Lidge some time to find himself. The Phils are now 31-15 on the road this season as they wrapped up another series win tonight, and that is just remarkable. Anyway So the Phils are now 58-40 overall and still 7 games up in the NL East.
EAGLES NEWS
It is a sad day today for the Eagles fans, players, and coaches for, we have lost one of our own. He was the Eagles defensive coordinator from 1999-2008 and one of the game's all-time masterminds, but sadly he was not invincible. In 2001 he was first diagnosed with skin cancer but he beat it then and stood firmly on the sidelines as a calming influence over a defense that routinely skirted routine and convention in favor of invention and imagination to stay at the top of the NFC defensive ratings season after season. That is until late last season when there was suddenly an empty space on the sidelines that hadn't been there before. Where was he? relegated to talking through a microphone in a small booth not visible to the naked eye of most, where he suffered in a silence from back pain that wouldn't go away. A trip to the doctor after the season finally revealed the worst news of all. The painful back was in reality the cancer announcing its return. He fought bravely from then on, even pushed himself through one more rookie mini camp despite not being able stand, but this time the fight ended in defeat, for the cancer had spread to his spine where no treatment could alleviate it. And so earlier today we lost him but perhaps the one consolation through all the grief is that we ever had him at all. We had him through five trips to the NFC championship game, mostly painful but rewarding nonetheless. We had him on that one glorious trip to the pinnacle of the sport, that so tantalizingly almost was. We had him through a decade of greatness at a level neither seen nor even dreamed of before in this town. And it is only now that he is gone that we finally realize we had him at all. So long old friend. You'll be missed but never forgotten.
RIP Jim Johnson 1941-2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled out to Arizona to begin a series with the Diamondbacks tonight. Jamie Moyer got the start and had a roller coaster of night, walking 4 batters and allowing 6 hits. He just got himself into 1 jam after another, 2 on and 2 out in the 1st, bases loaded and nobody out in the 2nd, 2 on and noboody out in the bottom of the 3rd and a man on 2nd and 2 out in the 5th. Somehow though ,he got out of each jam unscathed and wound up tossing 6 and 2/3d's scoreless innings for the win. Arizona didn't even score until they a couple of runs in the 8th inning and by then the Phils were already ahead 6-0, thanks a 2 run jack by Ryan Howard in the 4th inning, an RBI double by Jimmy Rollins in the 5th, and an RBI single by Raul Ibanez and 2 fielder's choices resulting from poor Diamondback's defense. Brad Lidge then came in the 9th and put the Dbacks away in order. This game just goes to show you the difference between a division leader and a team at the bottom of its division. Simply put, the Phils took advantage of their opportunities and didn't make mistakes, while Arizona did the opposite. Anyway so the Phils move to 57-40 overall and now 7 games up in the NL East.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles began training camp today and big news out of camp at this point is that 1st round pick WR Jeremy Maclin remains unsigned and apparently he and Eagles are struggling to come to terms at this point. Fortunately, the rest of the Eagles including 2nd round pick Lesean MCcoy, who only signed about a month ago. All I can say is that Maclin better hurry up and sign, because he's not going to be able the Eagles too much this season even if he misses only half of the training camp.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Cardinals this afternoon. Joe Blanton got the start and was brilliant allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 6 in 8 innings. Meanwhile, Chase Utley in the 3rd inning, Ryan Howard in the 5th inning, Raul Ibanez in the 7th inning, and Jimmy Rollins in the 6th inning, each slammed 2 run homers and Howard slapped a sac fly back in the first inning to help power the Phils to a 9-2 win. St. Louis really never woke up from the coma that 14-5 loss put them in yesterday. It was a thoroughly dominant performance for the Phils and fun to watch. So ultimately the Phils bats won out over the Cardinals supposedly top notch pitching in this series. I mean really who needs pitching when you can hit like this. Still the Phils would probably do well to add another starter before the trading deadline on July 31. At this point two Phils offers for Roy Halladay have been rejected so it looks the asking price may just be too for him at this point. On the other hand reigning AL cy young award winner Cliff Lee could be available for the Phils and he would probably cost them less. So I would say he's the better bet at this point. However, the Phils clearly have shown they want Halladay at this point and there's still time for them to work out a deal, but I just don't see it happening. Brad Lidge came in to pitch the 9th for the Phils today and actually got out of the inning without allowing a run. That's good news for the Phils who will undoubtedly need him to close games down the stretch. Anyway so the Phils are 56-40 overall and still 6.5 games up in the NL East.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Cardinals this afternoon and what a difference a day makes. After scoring just 1 run last night the Phils racked up 14 runs today on 14 hits, and if not for a couple of spectacular catches by Rick Ankiel they might have had even more. The Cardinals on the other hand racked up 15 hits, but Rodrigo Lopez withstood the barage to hold St. Louis to only 4 runs through 6 innings and pick up yet another win. Still, although the Phils scored 14 runs, in this game it was actually close for a few innings. The Phils got going right off the bat with 3 runs in the first inning on singles by Raul Ibanez and Pedro Feliz. By the bottom of the 6th inning though, the Cardinals were ahead 4-3, but it was at that point that the Phils broke it open with a grand slam by Jimmy Rollins and a solo homer by "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino, for an 8-4 lead. Obviously they weren't finished yet and they put it away for good in the bottom of the 7th with another 6 runs on a single by Carlos Ruiz, a double by JRoll, a 2 run single by Victorino and a 2 run double by Ryan Howard for a 14-5 lead. That of course was all she wrote as the rookie Stephen Register(Apparently the Phils weren't happy Andrew Carpenter's performance the last 2 nights, as he was sent back down AAA) closed out the final 2 innings. So score one for the bats on this day and that leaves tomorrow to decide if it is better to have good hitting or good pitching. As for today it was good to see Lopez fight through all those innings and perhaps that maybe the Phils rotation is okay after all, with or without any marquis additions. Perhaps more encouraging is that the Phils have kept Albert Pujols pretty much in check in this series, except for one bloop hit back on Friday, and anytime you can keep him in the ballpark for a couple days it's quite an accomplishment. So anyway the Phils are now 55-40 overall and back to 6.5 games up in the NL East.
Friday, July 24, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
Well all good things come to an end eventually. Tuesday it was the Phils' win streak that came to an end, tonight against the Cardinals and newly acquired outfielder Matt Holliday, it was J.A Happ's win streak that came to an abrupt halt. Happ pitched well as usual ,allowing just 1 run through the first 5 innings, but got unlucky in the 6th inning as St.Louis used 4 bloop hits to bleed out 4 runs and a 5-0 advantage. Most of the damage was done by Holliday with 4 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored. The Phils, meanwhile did very little damage. In fact they didn't even score a run until the bottom of the 7th inning when Jayson Werth singled and scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead at the time to 7-1, after Tyler Walker allowed a couple runs in the top of the inning. Later Andrew Carpenter allowed another run in the 8th inning for an 8-1 lead. The Phils on the other hand never managed to score another run. Thus, it's hard to put this loss on Happ, becuase it's not his fault he got no run support. The Phils had plenty of opportunities to score runs with 8 hits and 10 baserunners, but for first time in a long time they weren't able to take advantage of those opportunities at all. So thus far it's 1 game for the pitching, 0 for the hitting. I woudn't expect the Phils bats to be dormant like this for the rest of the series though so no worries. Anyway so the Phils are now 54-40 overall and down to 5.5 games up in the NL East.
SIXERS NEWS
Well it's official, Andre Miller won't be back with the Sixers next season as he signed a 3 year $21 million deal with Trail Blazers. That leaves the Sixers with 3 options at point guard next season, Lou Williams, the rookie Jrue Holiday, or a free agent signee. Unless Holiday dramatically increases his stock between now and november, he probably won't be the guy. Most likely Lou Williams will start the season at point guard unless the Sixers can sign a free agent.
EAGLES NEWS
Well it's official, Sean Mcdermott has been named the Eagles new defensive coordinator in place of Jim Johnson whom remains on indefinite leave while he battles cancer. An assistant under Johnson since 2001, Mcdermott should be well equiped to take over for Johnson and there is every reason to believe he can the same success as other Johnson disciples, such as revered Giants Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuola. It is just question of whether or not the players will trust him as much as they trusted Johnson.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils played a makeup game with the San Diego Padres tonight, which was originally the 4th game of the team's series back in April. While, that series went mostly the way of San Diego it was a different story tonight. Cole Hamels was solid allowing just 3 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings. Meanwhile, the Phils roughed up Padre's starter Kevin Correia for 8 runs on 9 hits in just 3 and 1/3rd innings. So it really wasn't much of a contest. Jayson Werth got it all started in the bottom of the 2nd with a leadoff double and run scored on a single by Pedro Feliz. Later a double by Jimmy Rollins and a single by Chase Utley produced 2 more runs and a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd Werth doubled again and scored on an error for a 4-0 lead. The wheels came loose ever so slightly for Hamels in the top of the 4th as Chase Headley doubled in one run and Kyle Banks slammed a 2 run homer to suddenly cut the lead to 4-3. The Phils came right back in the bottom of the inning though, with an RBI single by Ryan Howard, a 2 run double by Raul Ibanez, and RBI single by Werth for a quick 8-3 lead. Safely ahead again, Hamels really bared down from there and cruised through the 7th inning where Carlos Ruiz added a solo shot in the bottom half for a 9-3 lead. Later in the 8th inning the Padres added a run off the rookie Andrew Carpenter(J.C Romero and Chad Durbin are now on the DL for a couple weeks and hopefully no longer, so Carpenter and Tyler Walker were called up to replace them) to cut it to 9-4 but from there Chan Ho Park came in and put the Padres away. Considering this game wasn't even supposed to be tonight, it was nice to see the Phils take care of business against an inferior team. Albert Pujols and the St.Louis Cardinals are coming to town for a weekend series starting tomorrrow and it should be pretty entertaining to watch as it pits arguably the best lineup in the NL against the one of the top 5 pitching staffs in the NL. So it will be interesting to see what wins the day, good pitching or good hitting. Anyway so the Phils move to 54-39 overall now and back to 6.5 games up in the NL East.
FLYERS NEWS
Apparently the Flyers have signed 5 free agents to technically minor league contracts, with wingers/centerman Lukas Kaspar, Krys Kolanos, Mika Pyorala and Jason Ward, and defenseman Joey Mormina. Apparently Pyrala is a Elite European league vet capable playing at every forward position so he could be pickup. Also the defenseman Mormina is supposed to be very skilled as well and capable of contributing to the Flyers this upcoming season. As for the rest apparently they have all spent some time in the NHL at one point or another but never long enough for anyway significant success. Hopefully they'll just provide some good organizational depth.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Cubs this afternoon looking to win their 11th in a row. Unfortunately all good things must eventually come to an end and so the Phils finally lost a game today and boy did they lose. I mean everything went wrong today. Jamie Moyer was touched for 5 runs, the bullpen which had tossed 12 consecutive scoreless innings was touched up for 5 runs, the Phils defense, arguably the best in the NL up to this point, committed 2 errors, and out of 16 base runners only 5 managed to cross the plate. Even against the currently gutless Cubs that's good enough to win. Still on the bright side the Phils did at least win the series and with Cole Hamels on the mound tomorrow they can quickly begin a new winning streak. Getting back to today for a bit, Things looked fin for the Phils early on as Moyer matched Zambrano with 3 scoreless innings to open the game. Then like lightning in the top of the 4th, Chicago raced out to a 4-0 lead on a single by Alphonso Soriano, a double by Baker, and an error by Chase Utley. In the top of the 5th Chicago made it 5-0 on a single by Milton Bradley. The Phils made a decent comeback attempt, with 1 run in the bottom of the inning on a fielder's choice, 2 runs in the 6th on a 2 run single by Pedro Feliz to cut it to 5-3. Then Chad Durbin allowed 3 runs in the 7th on a double by Aramis Ramirez and a sac fly by Fox. Still the Phils fought back again with 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th on a 2 run single by Greg Dobbs to cut it to 8-5. All hopes of a Phils rally went out the window though a couple innings later as Brad Lidge allowed 2 runs in the top of the 9th on a single by Reed Johnson and bases loaded walk to Derek Lee to increase the lead to an insurmountable 10-5. I guess when you lose so a little, every loss has to be a bit of a doozy. Anyway so the Phils drop to 53-39 overall and now 5.5 games up in the NL East.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phillies continued their series with Cubs tonight. This time there was no blowout as ex A's teammates Joe Blanton and Rich Harden squared off in a rare pitcher's duel at the Bank. Jimmy Rollins slammed a solo homer in the bottom of the 3rd and Kosuke Fukudome slapped an RBI double in the bottom of the 4th but that was it for 9 innings, as Blanton went 7 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits and Harden matched him with 7 innings while allowing 1 run on 4 hits. So it came down to a battle of the bullpens and the Phils bullpen was thankfully just a little bit better, thanks to some luck and a sterling performance by Chan Ho Park. In the top of the 9th Brad Lidge got the luck perfectly blocking a ball off the bottom of his foot and right to Jimmy Rollins just as he tagged the bag at second and gunned to first for an inning an ending double play. Park on the other hand simply pitched lights out with scoreless frames in the 10th, 11th, and 12th innings. Of course Park also got a little luck in the 10th inning as Raul Ibanez made an incredible diving catch to end the inning. Anyway in the bottom of the 13th inning Jayson Werth finally ended the marathon, crushing a walkoff 3 run homer for a 4-1 win. All told the Phils bullpen tossed 6 scoreless innings, and I don't think I have ever seen them look better, particularly Park. It was huge for him to go 3 innings like that, because other than him the Phils didn't really have to use up their bullpen and everyone except Park can probably still pitch tomorrow. The Cubs on the other hand literally used up everyone in their bullpen except the closer Kevin Gregg. So if tomorrow's game is close like this one which it could be with Carlos Zambrano and Jamie Moyer on the mound the Cubbies will be screwed. With the win tonight the Phils have now won 10 in a row, which makes them the first defending world champion to post a 10 game winning streak in over 30 years. That doesn't mean they're a lock to repeat, but it does say something about their talent level and commitment. Anyway so the Phils are now 53-38 overall and still 6.5 games up in the NL East.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers signed 1st round pick Jrue Holiday to a contract today. In 5 games in the Sixers Orlando summer league a little over a week ago Holiday averaged 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and a team high 3 assists. So maybe he will contribute this year after all.
Monday, July 20, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned home tonight to begin a series with the Chicago Cubs. The Phils had won 8 in a row coming in and Cubs had 4 in a row, allbeit against the Nationals, so something had to give. That something turned out to be the left arm of Ted Lilly whom the Phils knocked around for 9 runs on 8 hits in just 4 innings. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Lopez turned in another solid outing for the Phils, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits in 6 innings for his 2nd win in 3 starts. As for the how the Phils scored all of those runs, lets run them down shall we? With 2 out in the bottom of the 1st Raul Ibanez slammed a 3 run homer to dead center for a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the 2nd Carlos Ruiz crushed a 2 run homer for a 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Ruiz slapped an RBI double, Jimmy Rollins hit a sac fly, Alphonso Soriano blew an easy catch to allow Ruiz to score and finally Chase Utley slapped an RBI single for a 9-0 lead. Last but not least in the bottom of the 8th Ryan Howard destroyed a solo homer to left field for a 10-1 lead. Oh and lest we forget Chad Durbin pitched the last 3 innings in relief, keeping Chicago scoreless in all 3. So it was total team effort for the Phils tonight, but really Chicago beat themselves in this one and here's hoping they continue to do so for the rest of the series. I am impressed with the way Lopez has performed for the Phils so far. Years ago he was twice a 15 game winner for the Orioles and it sure seems like he has rediscovered that form. All of which begs the question, what will the Phils do with him once Pedro is ready. I would think they have to at least keep him in the bullpen for the time being, which just means the Phils would have send Tyler Walker back down to AAA where he probably belongs for now anyway. Pedro will definitely have to come out with his best stuff right off the bat or he'll be quickly replaced by Lopez. So anyway the Phils are now 52-38 overall and still 6.5 games up in the NL East.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Marlins this afternoon. J.A Happ got the start and was unfathomably good yet again, tossing 7 scoreless innings, while allowing just 5 hits. From there Ryan Madson, J.C Romero, Scott Eyre, and Brad Lidge ultimately combined to complete the Phils 2nd shutout of the Marlins in 3 games, pretty impressive if I may say so myself. Meanwhile, the Phils continued their theme in this series of scoring run in the first 3 innings or so and hoping they would stand up the rest of the night. This time of course, thanks to Happ they did stand up. It all got started in the top of the 2nd. With 2 out and nobody on in the inning, Happ himself beat out an infield single. Then Jimmy Rollins singled, the Flyin Hawaiian, Shane Victorino beat out another infield single, Chase Utley was hit by a pitch to force in a run and finally Raul Ibanez doubled for 2 more runs and a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd JRoll collected his 2nd hit of the day, doubling in Carlos Ruiz for a 4-0 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th, Chase Utley scored on a wild pitch to cap off the 5-0 Phils win. It's interesting the way the Phils are using their bullpen right now. Essentially they're going by committee, and bringing in relievers to face a batter or two based on the matchup. That's very similar to what the Tampa Rays did with their pen last year and it worked for them. So far it's working for the Phils too, and with all the games they have to play for the rest of the season, it's a good way to limit the workload for their key relievers. There have been round rumors going around for weeks now that Phils are considering trading Happ and some prospects to the Toronto Blue Jays for all-star pitcher Roy "Doc" Halladay. At this point I don't see anyway they can possibly let Happ go. Anyway so the Phils are now 51-38 overall and 6.5 games up in the NL East.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils attempted to continue their series with the Marlins tonight but mother nature intervened. Joe Blanton allowed the Marlins to jump out to a 2 -0 lead on an RBI double by Jeremy Hermida in the bottom of the 1st. From there the teams played only another inning and half before play was halted by rain in the bottom of the 2nd. A little over an hour later the game was cancelled thanks to an impending massive line of storms. So the Phils have yet another game to make up down the stretch of the season. That means they're going to be playing an inordinate number of games between now and the end of season with very little rest. In fact their next off day is not until August 3rd, over 2 weeks away. Hopefully they're far enough ahead in the division now that they won't have to run out of gas trying to clinch a playoff spot between now and the end of the season.
Friday, July 17, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Marlins tonight. Cole Hamels got the start and was effective allowing just 1 run in 5 innings, before mother nature ended his night with a 1 hour rain delay. Meanwhile the Phils were able to jump out to a quick 4 - 1 lead before the rain delay. However, after the delay the Phils bullpen couldn't hold the lead and the game ended up going into extra innings. Fortunately, the Phils have been exceptional in extra inning games on the road this season and tonight was no exception. Chase Utley got things going in the top of the 1st with a 2 run homer. Adam Coghlan answered in the bottom of the 1st for the fish with a solo shot to leadoff. In the top of the 4th a single by Jayson Werth and a double by Pedro Feliz made it 4-1 Phils. Then the rains came and washed away an almost assured 7 or 8 inning outing for Hamels. Instead Chan Ho Park came in for the 6th inning. He got out of that inning easily, but he allowed a run in the 7th to pull Florida to within 2. Then Ryan Madson and J.C Romero both faltered in the 8th inning, before giving way to Chad Durbin who allowed the tying run on a single by ex-Phil Wes Helms. The bullpen recovered from there on out though as Durbin, Scott Eyre, and a fresh off the DL Clay Condrey combined to blank the fish in the 9th, 10th, and 11th innings. Then in the top of the 12th the Phils finally broke the tie with RBI singles by Utley and Werth for a 6-4 lead. Finally in the bottom of the 12th, despite allowing a run, Brad Lidge came in and got the save for the 6-5 win. The Phils propensity to win games on the road like this is just remarkable. It shows that they clearly believe they can win every night they go out there. You could just see during the game tonight, even after it was tied at 4 that still believed they were going to win, while the Marlins were just hoping they would. They say that if you truly believe in yourself you can do anything, and right now that old adage applies to the Phils better than ever. Anyway so the Phils are now 50-38 overall and 6 games up in the NL East.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned to action today as they traveled to Florida to begin a 4 game series with the 2nd place Marlins. With the Mets and Braves also playing each other in a series right now, the Phils have a golden opportunity to put some real distance between themselves and the rest of NL East if they can take care of the Marlins in this series. To make that happen though, they first needed to start the series with a win tonight. Thanks to Jamie Moyer who tossed 7 scoreless innings in a combined 1 hitter, they were able to do just that. While Moyer tamed the fish, Raul Ibanez crushed 2 homers in the 1st 4 innings to stake the Phils to a 3-0 lead. Then Ryan Howard slammed a solo shot in the top of the 6th inning, his 200th career homerun(making him in just 658 games, the fastet in history to 200 homers, well ahead of the old record holder Ralph Kiner the Pittsburgh Pirates' Hall of famer who did it in 706 games), for a 4-0 lead. From there thanks to Ryan Madson in the 8th inning and J.C Romero in the 9th, that's how it ended. Moyer is now 7-0 in Miami and 16-2 all-time against the Marlins. He's just always in full command of his pitches against these guys and he gets them to swing at bad pitches and get way out ahead of hittable pitches. In a nutshell that's Moyer when he is at his best and I'd like to see him pitch like that against everyone, not just Marlins. Ibanez is beyond amazing at this point, I mean this is the stuff of legends we're seeing from him right now. It's incredible that he can play at this level right now considering that he's not apparently all the way back from his injury yet. So anyway the Phils move to 49-38 overall and now 5 games up in the NL East.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The rumors have been swirling for weeks now that the Phils were going to acquire pitcher Pedro Martinez, who's been a free agent since the Mets dumped him following a rough season last year. Today they made it official signing him to a one year deal worth 1 million. So far he's looked mutch better in workouts with the Phillies than he did last season, with his fastball back up into the 90s, allbeit the low 90s, and his physical health relatively good for the first time in a while. Since he hasn't started a game since last season the Phils have placed him on the DL and at least for now he'll throw some rehab starts with AAA Lehigh and should be ready to pitch for the Phils by early August or late July. Either way he is a low risk investment. If he doesn't pan out the Phils can simply release him with no harm to the cap. On the other hand if he does pan out he could become their number 3 starter and a capable leader down the stretch. Plus just think how great it would be if Pedro comes back an Ace and throws it in the Mets faces that they gave up on him too soon. So the Phils have nothing to lose by signing him. Okay all that said, since the Phils are off tonight it's time for the next 5 of our top 25 most dramatic Phils wins, No.s 10-6.
10. September 23, 2005 Red Alert Phillies 11 - Reds 10.
This is the last of those 2005 miracle games, just 1 of 16 wins during a 16-7 stretch run by the Phils that comes up just short. On the this night the Phils are looking for their 3rd win in a row to pull within a game of the wildcard leading Houston Astros. Early on it appears all will go as planned. Doubles by Chase Utley, Kenny Lofton, and "the Bat" Pat Burrell in the top of the 1st, gives the Phils an early 3-0 cushion. Later in the 5th Utley adds a solo homer followed by a 2 run blast by Ryan Howard for a 6-1 advantage. Then the always volatile Vicente Padilla loses the strike zone and nearly the lead in the bottom of the 5th, as Cincinnati cuts the lead to 6-5. Over the next 2 innings the Reds bash 4 homers, 3 solo shots and a 2 run homer by Jason Larue to run out to a 10-6 lead and the suddenly its gone from the night the Phils got back in the race to perhaps the night they fell out of it. Still the Phils aren't ready to quit yet as Rheal Cormier gets out of a jam in the 8th inning to keep it to 10-6 heading into 9th. So there's a fleeting chance the Phils can still pull this thing out and sometimes that's all you need. With 2 on and nobody out Utley jacks a 3 run homer, his 3rd hit and 3rd, 4th and 5th RBIs on the night, to cut it to 10-9. After Bobby Abreu and Burrell both strike out its up to Ryan Howard to keep the game alive and he does with a walk. Next up David Bell. Not exactly the quintessential power hitter, and so far a disappointment in 3 years as the Phils 3rd baseman, Bell is the last guy you'd expect to deliver here. Thus logically, he slugs a 2 run homer to put the Phils up 11-10 and Billy Wagner finishes off the stunned Reds in the bottom of the inning.
9. June 16, 1998 Comeback Kids Phillies 8- Pirates 7.
The 1998 Phillies were an exciting young bunch to watch which probably should have gone further than they did. Unfortunately, then idiot GM Ed Wade simply refused to give his team the pieces they needed to make a playoff push. Nevertheless the team was not without some shining moments, particularly this night. For the most part this game looked like it would be a forgettable blowout win for Pittsburgh. Thanks to 3 run homers by Al Martin in the 2nd inning and Aramis Ramirez in the 5th inning Pittsburgh takes a 7-1 lead into the 9th inning. There is no reason to believe the young Phils can mount a comeback. Young players aren't supposed to have the resolve to still believe they can win from 6 runs down in the 9th inning. The young guys however, show surprising fight and poise on this night. First Bobby Abreu triples to cut it to 7-2. Then an error allows 2 more runs to score and cuts it to 7-4. Next Doug Glanville slaps a sac fly to cut it to 7-5. Then Kevin Sefcik nearly hits into a game ending double play, but Tony Womack can't get off a throw to first for the final out. Kevin Jordan follows with a walk to bring Mike Lieberthal, pinch hitting on what is supposed to be his night off, to the plate representing the winning run. Minutes later Lieberthal sends Rich Loiselle's 2-2 offering just over the fence in left-field for a shocking 8-7 victory. To this day 11 years later it remains the greatest 9th inning comeback in Phils history.
8. May 15, 1989 I Can't Believe It Phillies 3 - Giants 2.
This was a truly unique game in a season that was unique for the Phils for all the wrong reasons. Mike Schmidt retired early in the season, and the Phils never recovered posting just 67 wins against 95 losses. Schmidt actually started in this game but went 0 for 5 and then played just 7 more games before announcing his retirement. If nothing else he'll always have this night to take away from his final days in the majors. How crazy was this game? Both starting pitchers, Don Carman for the Phils, and Scott Garrelts for San Francisco, tossed 9 scoreless innings and neither got the win. There was still no score as the game dragged into the 10th, 11th and finally the 12th inning. There in the top of the 12th, "the Thrill" Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell slugged back to back homers and at last the Giants seemed to have secured a 2-0 win. Not so fast. Accordingly Von Hayes led off the bottom of the 12th with a strikeout, but Dickie Thon and Steve Lake collected back to back singles to bring the tying run to the plate with only one out. Steve Jeltz got the first crack at perhaps extending the Phils night but he popped up weakly for out number 2. So it was up to Bob Dernier to hopefully keep the game alive. After all with 0 homeruns on the season there was no way he could possibly win it was there? After Dernier worked the count to 1-1 the impossible happened. Take it away Harry. "Here's the 1-1 pitch to Dernier, line drive base hit left field, going all the way back to the corner, it bounces through Mitchell! Thon scores! Lake scores! And here comes Dernier! The throw to the plate is not in time! I can't believe it!
7. October 11, 1980 NLCS Game 4 Charlie Hustlin' Phillies 5 - Astros 3
In the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years the Phils are still looking to win their first playoff series in their pathetic 98 year history. Coming in they've lost 3 straight NLCS but this time its going to be different. No this time it has to be different because Phils fans just can't withstand more heartbreak. Steve Carlton rolls to victory in game 1 but the Phils drop the next 2 in extra innings. So on this night they have to win to keep their season alive . Fortunately, Carlton is back on the mound again and surely if anyone cany deny Houston the pennant at least for one night it's Lefty. However, Carlton is touched up for 2 runs on 4 hits in just 5 innings. Meanwhile Vern Ruhle throws 7 scoreless innings and comes out for the 8th with a 2-0 lead. So the dream looks dead again for the Phils but they're not ready to give up. Greg Gross leads off the top of the 8th with a pinch single. Then Lonnie Smith singles and "Charlie Hustle", Pete Rose singles to score Gross. Next Mike Schmidt singles to score Smith, tying the game at 2. Bake Mcbride then strikes out so its up to Manny Trillo to get the Phils the lead. He cracks a flyball to right field but it's caught for out number 2 and Schmidt is caught well off first for an easy double play. Somehow Rose is still able to streak home with the go ahead run just ahead of the final out and the Phils have their 3-2 lead. As usual Houston does not go away in the 9th as Terry Puhl slaps an RBI single off Warren Brusstar to force extra innings again. The Phils come right back in the top of the 10th. Pete Rose slaps another single and "the Bull" Greg Luzinski hits a 2 out double, but Rose, trying to score from 1st looks like he'll be out by a mile. Of course he's not going to slide. Instead he runs headlong into catcher Bruce Bochy and Bochy drops the ball as Rose crosses the plate safely. Trillo follows with another double to score Luzinski and the Phils have a 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 10th. There Tug Mcgraw has a rare 1-2-3 inning to put away Houston and the dream lives on for another day.
6. August 30, 2007 Met Misery Phillies 11 - Mets 10.
They haven't been to the playoffs in 15 years and just 3 days ago there were no signs this 2007 team would be able to end the drought. Now however, after winning the first 3 games of this 4 game series with the Mets they've pulled within 2 games of first in the NL East. If they can win tonight and finish the 4 game sweep they'll pull within 1 game. Early on it looks like they'll do so easily with 3 homers in the first 3 innings(2 run shots by Ryan Howard, and "the Bat", Pat Burrell, and a solo shot by Aaron Rowand) giving them a 5-0 cushion. Kyle Lohse can't get through the 4 inning though, as NY cuts the lead to 5-3 and then ties it with 2 out in the 5th on a sac fly by Shawn Green. The Phils come right back in the bottom of the inning with 3 straight RBI singles by Carlos Ruiz, "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino, and Jimmy Rollins to push ahead 8-5. The lead stands up until the Phils bullpen implodes in the 8th inning ,allowing 5 runs for a 10-8 Met lead. Billy Wagner who was the Phils closer just 2 years ago, before leaving for NY and saying the Phils didn't have it what takes to be a playoff team, oops. His words come back to haunt him on this night. First "the Met killer", Burrell slams a solo homer with one out in the 8th to cut the lead to 10-9. Then in the 9th Jayson Werth leads off with a single, steals 2nd and 3rd and scores on a single by Tad Iguchi. Now Iguchi steals 2nd prompting Wagner to intentionally walk JRoll. So it's up to Chase Utley to get the winning hit. After a long at bat Utley sends Wagner's 3-2 offering up the line in right field and Iguchi scampers home with the winning run just ahead of Green's throw from right, setting off a wild celebration. Initially the stunned Mets seem unfazed as they run back up to a 7 game lead by Sep 12, but then the Phils go into New York and sweep them again and it's all down hill from there. By Sept 28 the Phils are in 1st and 2 days later in the final game of the season Jamie Moyer completes "the miracle on broad street" allowing just 1 run in 5 strong innings to lead the Phils to a 6-1 division clinching win over the Nationals.
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10. September 23, 2005 Red Alert Phillies 11 - Reds 10.
This is the last of those 2005 miracle games, just 1 of 16 wins during a 16-7 stretch run by the Phils that comes up just short. On the this night the Phils are looking for their 3rd win in a row to pull within a game of the wildcard leading Houston Astros. Early on it appears all will go as planned. Doubles by Chase Utley, Kenny Lofton, and "the Bat" Pat Burrell in the top of the 1st, gives the Phils an early 3-0 cushion. Later in the 5th Utley adds a solo homer followed by a 2 run blast by Ryan Howard for a 6-1 advantage. Then the always volatile Vicente Padilla loses the strike zone and nearly the lead in the bottom of the 5th, as Cincinnati cuts the lead to 6-5. Over the next 2 innings the Reds bash 4 homers, 3 solo shots and a 2 run homer by Jason Larue to run out to a 10-6 lead and the suddenly its gone from the night the Phils got back in the race to perhaps the night they fell out of it. Still the Phils aren't ready to quit yet as Rheal Cormier gets out of a jam in the 8th inning to keep it to 10-6 heading into 9th. So there's a fleeting chance the Phils can still pull this thing out and sometimes that's all you need. With 2 on and nobody out Utley jacks a 3 run homer, his 3rd hit and 3rd, 4th and 5th RBIs on the night, to cut it to 10-9. After Bobby Abreu and Burrell both strike out its up to Ryan Howard to keep the game alive and he does with a walk. Next up David Bell. Not exactly the quintessential power hitter, and so far a disappointment in 3 years as the Phils 3rd baseman, Bell is the last guy you'd expect to deliver here. Thus logically, he slugs a 2 run homer to put the Phils up 11-10 and Billy Wagner finishes off the stunned Reds in the bottom of the inning.
9. June 16, 1998 Comeback Kids Phillies 8- Pirates 7.
The 1998 Phillies were an exciting young bunch to watch which probably should have gone further than they did. Unfortunately, then idiot GM Ed Wade simply refused to give his team the pieces they needed to make a playoff push. Nevertheless the team was not without some shining moments, particularly this night. For the most part this game looked like it would be a forgettable blowout win for Pittsburgh. Thanks to 3 run homers by Al Martin in the 2nd inning and Aramis Ramirez in the 5th inning Pittsburgh takes a 7-1 lead into the 9th inning. There is no reason to believe the young Phils can mount a comeback. Young players aren't supposed to have the resolve to still believe they can win from 6 runs down in the 9th inning. The young guys however, show surprising fight and poise on this night. First Bobby Abreu triples to cut it to 7-2. Then an error allows 2 more runs to score and cuts it to 7-4. Next Doug Glanville slaps a sac fly to cut it to 7-5. Then Kevin Sefcik nearly hits into a game ending double play, but Tony Womack can't get off a throw to first for the final out. Kevin Jordan follows with a walk to bring Mike Lieberthal, pinch hitting on what is supposed to be his night off, to the plate representing the winning run. Minutes later Lieberthal sends Rich Loiselle's 2-2 offering just over the fence in left-field for a shocking 8-7 victory. To this day 11 years later it remains the greatest 9th inning comeback in Phils history.
8. May 15, 1989 I Can't Believe It Phillies 3 - Giants 2.
This was a truly unique game in a season that was unique for the Phils for all the wrong reasons. Mike Schmidt retired early in the season, and the Phils never recovered posting just 67 wins against 95 losses. Schmidt actually started in this game but went 0 for 5 and then played just 7 more games before announcing his retirement. If nothing else he'll always have this night to take away from his final days in the majors. How crazy was this game? Both starting pitchers, Don Carman for the Phils, and Scott Garrelts for San Francisco, tossed 9 scoreless innings and neither got the win. There was still no score as the game dragged into the 10th, 11th and finally the 12th inning. There in the top of the 12th, "the Thrill" Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell slugged back to back homers and at last the Giants seemed to have secured a 2-0 win. Not so fast. Accordingly Von Hayes led off the bottom of the 12th with a strikeout, but Dickie Thon and Steve Lake collected back to back singles to bring the tying run to the plate with only one out. Steve Jeltz got the first crack at perhaps extending the Phils night but he popped up weakly for out number 2. So it was up to Bob Dernier to hopefully keep the game alive. After all with 0 homeruns on the season there was no way he could possibly win it was there? After Dernier worked the count to 1-1 the impossible happened. Take it away Harry. "Here's the 1-1 pitch to Dernier, line drive base hit left field, going all the way back to the corner, it bounces through Mitchell! Thon scores! Lake scores! And here comes Dernier! The throw to the plate is not in time! I can't believe it!
7. October 11, 1980 NLCS Game 4 Charlie Hustlin' Phillies 5 - Astros 3
In the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years the Phils are still looking to win their first playoff series in their pathetic 98 year history. Coming in they've lost 3 straight NLCS but this time its going to be different. No this time it has to be different because Phils fans just can't withstand more heartbreak. Steve Carlton rolls to victory in game 1 but the Phils drop the next 2 in extra innings. So on this night they have to win to keep their season alive . Fortunately, Carlton is back on the mound again and surely if anyone cany deny Houston the pennant at least for one night it's Lefty. However, Carlton is touched up for 2 runs on 4 hits in just 5 innings. Meanwhile Vern Ruhle throws 7 scoreless innings and comes out for the 8th with a 2-0 lead. So the dream looks dead again for the Phils but they're not ready to give up. Greg Gross leads off the top of the 8th with a pinch single. Then Lonnie Smith singles and "Charlie Hustle", Pete Rose singles to score Gross. Next Mike Schmidt singles to score Smith, tying the game at 2. Bake Mcbride then strikes out so its up to Manny Trillo to get the Phils the lead. He cracks a flyball to right field but it's caught for out number 2 and Schmidt is caught well off first for an easy double play. Somehow Rose is still able to streak home with the go ahead run just ahead of the final out and the Phils have their 3-2 lead. As usual Houston does not go away in the 9th as Terry Puhl slaps an RBI single off Warren Brusstar to force extra innings again. The Phils come right back in the top of the 10th. Pete Rose slaps another single and "the Bull" Greg Luzinski hits a 2 out double, but Rose, trying to score from 1st looks like he'll be out by a mile. Of course he's not going to slide. Instead he runs headlong into catcher Bruce Bochy and Bochy drops the ball as Rose crosses the plate safely. Trillo follows with another double to score Luzinski and the Phils have a 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 10th. There Tug Mcgraw has a rare 1-2-3 inning to put away Houston and the dream lives on for another day.
6. August 30, 2007 Met Misery Phillies 11 - Mets 10.
They haven't been to the playoffs in 15 years and just 3 days ago there were no signs this 2007 team would be able to end the drought. Now however, after winning the first 3 games of this 4 game series with the Mets they've pulled within 2 games of first in the NL East. If they can win tonight and finish the 4 game sweep they'll pull within 1 game. Early on it looks like they'll do so easily with 3 homers in the first 3 innings(2 run shots by Ryan Howard, and "the Bat", Pat Burrell, and a solo shot by Aaron Rowand) giving them a 5-0 cushion. Kyle Lohse can't get through the 4 inning though, as NY cuts the lead to 5-3 and then ties it with 2 out in the 5th on a sac fly by Shawn Green. The Phils come right back in the bottom of the inning with 3 straight RBI singles by Carlos Ruiz, "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino, and Jimmy Rollins to push ahead 8-5. The lead stands up until the Phils bullpen implodes in the 8th inning ,allowing 5 runs for a 10-8 Met lead. Billy Wagner who was the Phils closer just 2 years ago, before leaving for NY and saying the Phils didn't have it what takes to be a playoff team, oops. His words come back to haunt him on this night. First "the Met killer", Burrell slams a solo homer with one out in the 8th to cut the lead to 10-9. Then in the 9th Jayson Werth leads off with a single, steals 2nd and 3rd and scores on a single by Tad Iguchi. Now Iguchi steals 2nd prompting Wagner to intentionally walk JRoll. So it's up to Chase Utley to get the winning hit. After a long at bat Utley sends Wagner's 3-2 offering up the line in right field and Iguchi scampers home with the winning run just ahead of Green's throw from right, setting off a wild celebration. Initially the stunned Mets seem unfazed as they run back up to a 7 game lead by Sep 12, but then the Phils go into New York and sweep them again and it's all down hill from there. By Sept 28 the Phils are in 1st and 2 days later in the final game of the season Jamie Moyer completes "the miracle on broad street" allowing just 1 run in 5 strong innings to lead the Phils to a 6-1 division clinching win over the Nationals.
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FLYERS NEWS
It's official the Flyers will play in this upcoming season's New Year's classic, the NHL's annual outdoor game since 2006. This time the Flyers will go take on the Boston Bruins at Fenway Park. It should be a fun game to watch.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The MLB All-Star game was tonight and the American league won yet again for the 12th year in a row to claim home field advantage in the world series for the 6th straight time. Early things looked good for the NL. The "Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino singled and scored 1 of 3 runs for the NL in the bottom of the 3rd for a 3-2 lead. Later the Minnesota Twin's Joe Mauer tied it up at 3 with a double in the 5th inning. The game was still tied at 3 heading into the 8th inning and appeared destined for another extra inning affair, before Curtis Granderson tripled and scored in the 8th inning for a 4-3 lead. Ryan Howard had a chance in the bottom of the inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 out to be a hero in front of his hometown but he struck out to end the NL's last threat. Other Phils participating in the game were Raul Ibanez, who started in the left field and went 0 for 2, Chase Utley who started at 2nd, and played solid defense, but also went 0 for 2, and finally Jayson Werth who replaced Victorino in center and went 0 for 1, but great running catch late in the game to keep the AL from extending their lead.
Monday, July 13, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The all-star game home run derby was tonight in St.Louis and the Phils own Ryan Howard, a former derby champ and St Louis native participated. He represented the Phils well reaching the 2nd round, but there he came up a couple dingers short of reaching the final, eventually won by Brewer's 1st baseman Prince Fielder with an impressive display. Tomorrow night the all-star game will take place and yes this time it counts again. So the NL will be looking to end a long winless draught and reclaim the home field advantage in the world series for the for the first time in a while.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Pirates this afternoon. J.A Happ got the start and tossed a gem allowing just 1 run on 4 hits through 7 innings. Meanwhile, the Phils ripped off 5 runs right off the bat in the 1st inning and thanks to Happ they stood up for the rest of the day. The Phils got things started off with a bang in the bottom of the 1st as Ryan Howard sac flyed in a run and Pedro Feliz slammed a 2 out grand slam for a quick 5-0 lead. Pittsburgh didn't get on the board until the 6th inning on a double by Freddy Sanchez. Later in the top of the 9th Garret Jones tomahawked yet another homer to cut the lead to 5-2 but that would be as close as the Pirates would get as J.C Romero retired the side from there for the win and the sweep of the Pirates. So at the end of the first half of the season the Phils are 48-38 overall, 2nd best record in the NL, and 4 games up on the Marlins in the NL East, not too shabby if I may say so myself. I just can't get over how well J.A Happ has pitched so far this season after assuming Chan Ho Park's spot in the rotation. He's now 6-0 with a 2.90 ERA and 61 strikeouts. You just have to wonder though how much longer he can keep this up, but he shown no signs of distress on the mound at all, and as long as he stays healthy there is no reason he can't keep this up the rest of the season and beyond. Well that's it for now, see you in the 2nd half folks.
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