The Phils continued their series with Pirates tonight. Cole Hamels got the start and delivered his 1st quality performance in some time, going 8 shutout innings, while allowing 7 hits and striking out 7. Meanwhile, Chase Utley slammed a solo homer in the top of the 1st for a quick1-0 lead. Thanks to a perfect 8th inning by Ryan Madson and the Phils blowing a golden opportunity to tack on runs in the top of the inning, it was still 1-0 heading into the bottom of the 9th. Unfortunately Madson couldn't hold the lead, as Brandon Moss slugged a 1 out game tying homer, for the Phils 2nd blown save in a row. This time however, Madson got out of the inning without further damage. Then in the top of the 10th Ryan Howard provided the saving blow with a 1 out 3 run homer to put the Phils up 4-1. Madson then closed it out in the 10th inning for the 4-1 win. So as I said there just isn't anything the Phils can do about their closer situation right now. Not even Ryan Madson can close games for them right now. Ryan Howard continues to impress with yet another clutch hit. Hopefully this start will be the beginning of Hamel's resurgence because the Phils are going to need him to continue to pitch like this down stretch. Anyway so the Phils move to 73-51 overall now and still 7 games up in the NL East.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Pittsburgh tonight to begin a series with the Pirates. Joe Blanton got the start and was decent allowing 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings of work. Thanks to solo homers by Jimmy Rollins in his 1st 2 at bats on the first pitches he saw, that performance by Blanton was good enough to leave the Phils trailing 3-2 heading into the top of the 9th. There Ben Francisco doubled in 1 run and the "Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino tripled to score Francisco and clinch an apparent 4-3 Phils win. Except Brad Lidge couldn't close it out in the bottom of the 9th. First Luis Cruz singled to leadoff. Then Lidge threw a wild pitch to move the tying run into scoring position. Next Brandon Moss singled to right field, right to a charging Jayson Werth, looking to throw the runner out at home, but he bobbled the ball and threw wide of the plate, pulling Carlos Ruiz just far enough away from the plate to allow the run to score. Finally Andrew McCutchen lined a 2 run homer into the seats and just like that it was game over, 6-4 Pirates. I just don't know what has happened to Lidge this season. He still has the same stuff, he's just not using it as efficiently as he did last season. If the Phils bullpen were a little more healthy right now he would probably be done for a while, but at this point, with Clay Condrey, J.C Romero, and Brett Myers still on the DL, there just isn't anyone who can fill in for Lidge, so we'll just have to hope he gets it back together after this. Anyway so the Phils drop to 72-52 overall, but remain 7 games up in the NL East.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Mets this afternoon. Cliff Lee got the start and rolled to another easy win, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard blasted a 3 run homer in the top of the 1st, and a 2 run homer in the top of the 3rd, and Raul Ibanez slapped an RBI double in the top of the 9th, to push the Phils to a 6-2 win. It was just another dominating performance by Lee and another game filled with mistakes by the Mets, as they committed 3 errors. Although it was a non save situation with the Phils ahead by 4 heading into the 9th inning, Brad Lidge came in to pitch the 9th and was pretty impressive working a 1-2-3 inning. Perhaps the triple play was just the sort of lucky turn he needed to get himself back on track. Ryan Howard continues to impress with his bat, but he always does this time of the year. Still, at present with 34 HRs and 104 RBIs he's 3rd in the NL in both categories. Not bad huh. It was also nice to see Ibanez hit that double. He really had been scuffling lately, but that double was about the best swing he's had this month. Hopefully it is a sign of the things to come for Ibanez. So anyway the Phils move to 72-50 overall now and back to 7 games up in the NL East.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Mets on a wacky sunday afternoon, in which Met's starter Oliver Perez was lifted from the game in the 1st inning, with 2 outs and a 3-0 count against the pitcher, Pedro Martinez, The Met's Angel Pagan, led off the bottom of the 1st with an inside the park homer, after Shane Victorino lobbied unsuccessfully for the umps to call a ground-rule double with the ball lodged underneath the padding on the outfield wall, The 3rd base umpire correctly over-ruled the 2nd base umpire on a fly-ball in the top of the 9th inning, on which Jeff Franceour made a diving catch so spectactular that the 2nd base umpire thought he had trapped it under his glove, and finally the game itself ended on an unassisted triple play by Eric Bruntlett, the first time that's ever happened in a NL game, and after he had committed an error, and failed to properly field another ball, to start the inning and put runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out for Franceour. The weirdness pretty much overshadowed Pedro Martinez' return to New York, which was only okay as he allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings. Thanks to hot hitting for the Phils, and despite the wacky stuff, Pedro's 6 innings were enough for the win, but realistically proved nothing, other than that he'll get 1 more start and we'll see after that. As for the Phils bats they were smoking right off the bat. In the top of the 1st, Jayson Werth and Carlos each slammed 3 run homers for a 6-0 lead, which is why Perez was on such a short leash. In the top of the 3rd, Martinez helped himself with an RBI single, and Jroll lined a sac fly to push the Phils ahead 8-2. New York just wouldn't go away though as Angel Pagan's 2nd homer of the day, this time a real one, helped the Mets cut it to 8-4. It was down to 8-5, when Matt Stairs walked, moved to 2nd on a wild-pitch, move to 3rd on fielder's choice, and then scored on another wild pitch in the top of the 8th inning, for a 9-5 lead. By the time the bottom of the 9th rolled around it was 9-6 and Brad Lidge was in for the save. First, Pagan tripled right through Ryan Howard's glove. Then Bruntlett booted a groundball off the bat Luis Castillo, allowing Pagan to score and Castillo to reach 1st. There should have been 2 out and nobody on, but just like that there was 1 on and nobody out with the tying run at the plate. Next Daniel Murphy grounded a ball right back up the middle but Bruntlett couldn''t field it cleanly and it was safe all around, allowing Francoeur to come to the plate as the winning run. He smashed a line drive up the middle, a sure RBI single at least to cut the lead to 9-8 and put runners on 1st and 3rd with nobody out. Instead as luck would have it, Bruntlett was covering 2nd and the ball when right into his glove for 1 out just at the exact moment he was streaking across the bag for the 2nd out, and Mets perhaps foolishly, had the runners going on the play so Murphy was right at 2nd for Bruntlett to tag out for the the 3rd and final out. Believe it! So anyway the Phils move to 71-50 overall and still 6.5 games up in the NL East.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Mets tonight. J.A Happ got the start and produced yet another stellar performance, working out of jams to keep New York to 1 run on 8 hits through 7 innings. Meanwhile, Chase Utley slammed a 2 run homer and Pedro Feliz smashed an RBI double in the top of the 6th, and Carlo Ruiz lined a sac fly in the top of the 7th to help the Phils build a 4-1 lead through 7 and 1/2 innings. From there Ryan Madson pitched a perfect 8th inning and Brad Lidge was perfect in the 9th inning, sealing the 4-1 win while registering the 700th strikeout of his career. It was encouraging to see Lidge pitch so well and you can only hope he'll be able to pitch like that in every situation from now on. I remain impressed with Happ and his uncanny ability to get out of jams. It just seems as if nothing fazes him. Tomorrow afternoon's game will be particularly intriguiging as Pedro Martinez returns to New York for the first time since the Mets released him. I think this will be the day we find out what we really have in Pedro. Anyway so with the win the Phils move to 70-50 overall and back up to 6.5 games up in the NL East.
Friday, August 21, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to New York tonight to begin a 4 game series with the Mets. Cole Hamels got the start and struggled a bit allowing 4 runs on 10 hits in just 5 innings of work. Meanwhile, while they collected 10 hits, the Phils could only come up with 2 runs, an RBI single by Ryan Howard in the top of the 1st and an RBI single by Pedro Feliz in the top of the 6th. Thanks to the bullpen the game stayed 4-2 right up until the end, but despite getting a runner on base in every inning, from the 6th on, the Phils just couldn't put together enough of a rally to steal this one from New York. They came close in the top of the 9th, as Jimmy Rollins doubled and Shane Victorino singled to put runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out for Chase Utley, but he struck out. Ryan Howard followed with another strikeout and that was it ,4-2 Mets. As well as the Phils had been playing, that they could only tally 2 runs on 10 hits, is a little disheartening. More disheartening is the play of Cole Hamels right now. He just has never really gotten it together completely this season. There's still time for him to turn it around, and considering there have been times this season when he has looked like the old Cole, I would say it is still conceivable that he could turn things around in time to contribute this season. I am just not sure if he still has enough left in the tank to do so. Anyway so the Phils drop to 69-50 overall and now just 5.5 games up in the NL East.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Diamondbacks tonight, looking to complete the sweep and boy did they. Joe Blanton got the start and went 8 innings, allowing just 3 runs on 10 hits. Meanwhile, the Phils exploded for 12 runs on 12 hits for an easy 12-3 win. In the bottom of the 1st, Ryan Howard slapped an RBI double, and Ben Francisco(Raul Ibanez got the night off) lined a 2 run single for a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, a fielder's choice allowed the Phils to push across a 4th run for a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the 5th Jayson Werth slammed a 2 run homer to dead center for a 6-3 lead. In the bottom of the 6th, Carlos Ruiz slugged a solo homer, Chase Utley lined an RBI single, and Howard just obliterated a 3 run homer to right center into the visitors bullpen to push the lead to 11-3. Finally in the bottom of the 7th another fielder's choice allowed the Phils to score another run to push the lead to 12-3. It was just yet another dominating performance by the Phils in every way possible. Not only did Blanton pitch 8 good innings, he also collected 2 hits, just like Lee last night and Moyer the night before. So it's been 3 nights in a row now that a Phils pitcher has at least 2 hits and I don't know if that has ever happened before. Who needs a bullpen when your starters never leave the game? Maybe that will be the key for the Phils to repeat this season, long outings from the starters and lots of runs. Yeah that's the ticket! Anyway so the Phils move to 69-49 overall, that's 20 games over .500, and now back to 6.5 games up in the NL East.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles played their 2nd preseason game tonight in Indianapolis against Peyton Manning and the Colts. The Eagles ultimately dropped to 0-2 in the preseason, falling 23-15 after failing to recover an onsides kick with about 30 seconds to play, but that really doesn't mean much. As he always has, Manning picked apart the Eagles starting secondary completing 10 of 14 passes for 167 yards and 2 TDs. Donovan Mcnabb played well too completing 5 of 7 passes for 77 yards and a 39 yd td pass to Desean Jackson, but that was about the only positive for the Birds tonight in a mistake filled game. All told the Birds committed 12 penalties, or at least 12 that were accepted, there were probably 12 more that weren't, for a total of 87 yards. The Eagles also fumbled 4 times, and lost 2 of them, leading to 6 Colts' points. Honestly it seemed like every time it looked like the Eagles were about to do something positive, a penalty or a turnover got in the way. The fact that they were even able to pull within a score at the end show how well coached the Eagles are. The Eagles o-line, now without 4 of 5 starters really struggled all night and committed most of the penalties, but you just have to hope they'll be healthy by the time the season starts. While the first string defense struggled for the Birds, the backups actually looked just fine and there is still plenty of time for Sean Mcdermott to get things figured out on D. Ultimately the team has plenty of time to fix the mistakes they made tonight, and it's probably good they happened now and not in the regular season. One other interesting thing to see in this game was the play of QB Adam Dimichele, former starting QB at Temple. With Kevin Kolb still out with an injury and Vick not eligible to play tonight, Dimichele stepped in as the Birds 3rd string QB and actually looked pretty good completing 14 of 22 passes for 130 Yds and a TD plus a 2 point conversion. This will probably be the only time he'll get to play for the Eagles at all, with Vick debuting on Thursday, but hopefully what he did on the field tonight will be enough for another team to take a chance on him. If not then I feel fortunate to have seen his only NFL TD pass. Go Owls!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Diamondbacks tonight. Cliff Lee got the start and was incredible again, taking a no-hitter into the 6th inning, while going the distance and allowing just 1 run on 2 hits. Meanwhile, the Phils pounded out 8 runs on 13 hits, with a 2 run homer by Chase Utley in the bottom of the 3rd inning, a 3 run homer by Ryan Howard and a solo homer by Jayson Werth in the bottom of the 5th inning, an RBI double by "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino, in the bottom of the 6th inning, and finally a solo homer by Werth in the bottom of the 7th inning. In short it was a dominating performance by the Phils and their 3rd straight win. I still cannot get over how well Cliff Lee has performed since coming to the Phils. He is now 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 2 Complete games in a phillies uniform. He has even batted .385 since coming to the Phils and he collected 2 more hits tonight and scored a run. Is there anything this guy can't do. It is just amazing. I am running out of superlatives to associate with him. The only issue I can see with the Phils right now is that Raul Ibanez really seems to have slowed down. He's just not hitting with the same power he was before and he's not drving in runs like he was before. Eventuallly the Phils will need him to return to form if they hope to do anything in October this year. Anyway so the Phils move to 68-49 overall now and back to 5.5 games up in the NL East.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils returned to the Bank tonight to begin a 3 game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pedro Martinez took the mound for his 1st start in front of the home crowd, but it was spoiled by a rain delay after 3 innings, with Martinez having allowed just 1 run on 2 hits. After the rain delay ended, Jamie Moyer stole the show with 6 scoreless innings in relief, while allowing just 2 hits, and striking out 5. Meanwhile, the Phils scratched out 5 runs, thanks to Diamondback errors, and timely hitting, with an RBI double and a solo homer by Jayson Werth, an RBI single by Pedro Feliz, and an RBI single and a solo homer by Carlos Ruiz. All together it came to be an easy 5-1 win for the Phils, as it should have been against the lowly Diamondbacks. Moyer's performance was truly special, and while not totally unexpected against the young free swinging DBacks, it was probably his best game of the year thus far and it was his 11th win. Moyer also collected 2 hits in the effort and ran the bases effectively, although unfortunately no one could score him either time. It was also good to see Werth come through after struggling again for a bit. The same goes for Ruiz because it just seems like good things happen whenever he is hitting. So anyway the Phils move to 67-49 overall and still 4.5 games up in the NL East.
Monday, August 17, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils are off today so it is time to continue our countdown of the Phils top 25 most memorable player nicknames, No.s 20-16.
20. "The Dude" aka CF Lenny Dykstra.
When the stakes were at their highest was there ever a more cool calm and collected character than Dykstra. 3 times in his career he received MVP votes, despite never hitting more than 19 hrs in a season. No, instead he set the table for others as well as anyone ever has. For the Phils he had 2 great seasons and and then back injuries limited his career from there. In 1990 he nearly won the NL batting title with a .325 average. It was 1993 though that stands out as his best. He batted .305 with 194 hits, 143 runs scored, 129 walks, a .420 on base percentage, 37 stolen bases, 307 total bases, a.902 OPS, 19 HRs and 66 RBIs. It was arguably the greatest season any leadoff hitter has ever had, and yet he was left off the all-star team and finished 2nd in the mvp voting to some guy named Bonds. Still perhaps the most indelible mark of his cool under pressure was left that season, in game 4 of the world series, in which he delivered a performance that may never be forgotten, with 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, and 4 runs scored for unfortunately the losing team. Yes he simply was a cool "Dude" under pressure.
19. "Mr. Stats" aka RF Bobby Abreu.
What else do you call a guy who is his teams active leader in virtually every statistical offensive category and he was just a couple years ago. Even now He is still near the top in several categories. Unfortunately, for the all stats he put up he could never lift the team into the playoffs. He also seemed to always be simply trying to get on base, even in situations in which he could drive in runs. Also his defense, which should have been great, considering his strong arm and ability to cover a lot of ground, always it seemed a bit too lackadaisical. Thus the fans gave him an unfair rap as choker and labeled him as Mr.Stats as if to say he cared more about bolstering his stats then helping the team win. The truth is the game just came so easily to him that he didn't need to exert much effort at times and in fact he did come through in several clutch situations. If you look at his numbers they rank him as one of the Phils all-time greats, with a .304 average, 195 hrs, 814 RBIs, and 1474 hits. Sadly today though, most Philly fans don't see him that way.
18. "Dutch" aka C Darren Daulton.
The unquestioned leader of the 1993 Phils, Daulton was a triple threat. He could handle pitchers better than any Phils Catcher ever has, he could hit with a league best 109 RBIs in 1992, and he could the make the ladies swoon even though they knew he was married. As a 25th round pick of the Phillies in 1980, that he made it to the big leagues at all is a testiment to his work ethic. He instilled that in his 1993 teammates and would except no less than their best. Sure Jim Fregosi was the manager of the 1993 Phils, but it was Daulton who really managed his teammate's egos. If anyone stepped out of line, they were sure to hear from an angry Daulton. Dutch, which is slang for anger or temper, thus fits him perfectly because that's what he used to lead his teammates to the brink of a world title. Unfortunately, chronic sore knees ruined his career after 1994, and prevented him from building a longer, greater career. Still he is regarded by many as one of all-time great catchers and perhaps the best leader the Phils ever had.
17. "Sarge" aka OF Gary Matthews.
There is one reason and one reason only that Matthews earns this nickname, his big mouth. You can still hear it now every night during Phillies game telecasts and like the energizer bunny it just keeps going and going and just when you think it is going to stop it starts again. Like a sargeant addressing his men, you can always hear his voice above everyone else's. On other hand, Matthews liked to hit almost as much as he liked to talk, and his overall numbers are pretty good, with 234 HRs, 978 RBIs, and 2011 hits. So good and so clutch was his hitting at times that 4 times in his career he recieved MVP votes, finishing as high as 5th in 1984. He was also the Phils 1983 NLCS MVP, batting .429 and bashing 3 HRs in the series including the homers that sealed victory in games 3 and 4. Yet, he is mostly forgotten among Phils fans and baseball fans. So many players are mentioned as guys who should be in the hall of fame, but never Matthews although his numbers should receive some consideration. Of course as much as he talks someone will surely hear him someday.
16. "Bedrock" aka P Steve Bedrosian.
Solid as a rock in the back of the bullpen, Bedrosian goes down as one of the most beloved closers in Phils history, despite never having played for a winning team. He put together 3 of the best seasons from 1986-1988 that any Phils closer ever has, with at least 28 saves, an ERA under 4 and 5 wins every year, impressive numbers for teams that weren't very good. The best of those 3 seasons was 1987 in which he compiled 40 saves, a 2.83 ERA, 5 wins, and 74 strikeouts, and became one of only a handful of relievers to win a CY Young award. That same year he made his 1st and only all-star game appearance. Unfortunately, the last place Phils were forced to ship him away in 1989 to the Giants and he was never quite as good again. In fact he was only an okay pitcher before he came to the Phils and just so after leaving the Phils, which makes him one of the few players to have actually played better while with the Phillies than after leaving them. Maybe that's why the fans loved him so much, because he loved them too.
15-11
20. "The Dude" aka CF Lenny Dykstra.
When the stakes were at their highest was there ever a more cool calm and collected character than Dykstra. 3 times in his career he received MVP votes, despite never hitting more than 19 hrs in a season. No, instead he set the table for others as well as anyone ever has. For the Phils he had 2 great seasons and and then back injuries limited his career from there. In 1990 he nearly won the NL batting title with a .325 average. It was 1993 though that stands out as his best. He batted .305 with 194 hits, 143 runs scored, 129 walks, a .420 on base percentage, 37 stolen bases, 307 total bases, a.902 OPS, 19 HRs and 66 RBIs. It was arguably the greatest season any leadoff hitter has ever had, and yet he was left off the all-star team and finished 2nd in the mvp voting to some guy named Bonds. Still perhaps the most indelible mark of his cool under pressure was left that season, in game 4 of the world series, in which he delivered a performance that may never be forgotten, with 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, and 4 runs scored for unfortunately the losing team. Yes he simply was a cool "Dude" under pressure.
19. "Mr. Stats" aka RF Bobby Abreu.
What else do you call a guy who is his teams active leader in virtually every statistical offensive category and he was just a couple years ago. Even now He is still near the top in several categories. Unfortunately, for the all stats he put up he could never lift the team into the playoffs. He also seemed to always be simply trying to get on base, even in situations in which he could drive in runs. Also his defense, which should have been great, considering his strong arm and ability to cover a lot of ground, always it seemed a bit too lackadaisical. Thus the fans gave him an unfair rap as choker and labeled him as Mr.Stats as if to say he cared more about bolstering his stats then helping the team win. The truth is the game just came so easily to him that he didn't need to exert much effort at times and in fact he did come through in several clutch situations. If you look at his numbers they rank him as one of the Phils all-time greats, with a .304 average, 195 hrs, 814 RBIs, and 1474 hits. Sadly today though, most Philly fans don't see him that way.
18. "Dutch" aka C Darren Daulton.
The unquestioned leader of the 1993 Phils, Daulton was a triple threat. He could handle pitchers better than any Phils Catcher ever has, he could hit with a league best 109 RBIs in 1992, and he could the make the ladies swoon even though they knew he was married. As a 25th round pick of the Phillies in 1980, that he made it to the big leagues at all is a testiment to his work ethic. He instilled that in his 1993 teammates and would except no less than their best. Sure Jim Fregosi was the manager of the 1993 Phils, but it was Daulton who really managed his teammate's egos. If anyone stepped out of line, they were sure to hear from an angry Daulton. Dutch, which is slang for anger or temper, thus fits him perfectly because that's what he used to lead his teammates to the brink of a world title. Unfortunately, chronic sore knees ruined his career after 1994, and prevented him from building a longer, greater career. Still he is regarded by many as one of all-time great catchers and perhaps the best leader the Phils ever had.
17. "Sarge" aka OF Gary Matthews.
There is one reason and one reason only that Matthews earns this nickname, his big mouth. You can still hear it now every night during Phillies game telecasts and like the energizer bunny it just keeps going and going and just when you think it is going to stop it starts again. Like a sargeant addressing his men, you can always hear his voice above everyone else's. On other hand, Matthews liked to hit almost as much as he liked to talk, and his overall numbers are pretty good, with 234 HRs, 978 RBIs, and 2011 hits. So good and so clutch was his hitting at times that 4 times in his career he recieved MVP votes, finishing as high as 5th in 1984. He was also the Phils 1983 NLCS MVP, batting .429 and bashing 3 HRs in the series including the homers that sealed victory in games 3 and 4. Yet, he is mostly forgotten among Phils fans and baseball fans. So many players are mentioned as guys who should be in the hall of fame, but never Matthews although his numbers should receive some consideration. Of course as much as he talks someone will surely hear him someday.
16. "Bedrock" aka P Steve Bedrosian.
Solid as a rock in the back of the bullpen, Bedrosian goes down as one of the most beloved closers in Phils history, despite never having played for a winning team. He put together 3 of the best seasons from 1986-1988 that any Phils closer ever has, with at least 28 saves, an ERA under 4 and 5 wins every year, impressive numbers for teams that weren't very good. The best of those 3 seasons was 1987 in which he compiled 40 saves, a 2.83 ERA, 5 wins, and 74 strikeouts, and became one of only a handful of relievers to win a CY Young award. That same year he made his 1st and only all-star game appearance. Unfortunately, the last place Phils were forced to ship him away in 1989 to the Giants and he was never quite as good again. In fact he was only an okay pitcher before he came to the Phils and just so after leaving the Phils, which makes him one of the few players to have actually played better while with the Phillies than after leaving them. Maybe that's why the fans loved him so much, because he loved them too.
15-11
Sunday, August 16, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Braves tonight, looking to rebound from yesterday's heartbreaking loss. J.A Happ got the start and he like Cole Hamels was not at his sharpest, but he kept his poise and toughed out 7 and 2/3rd innings, while allowing just 1 run on 3 hits. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard singlehandedly powered the Phils to the win, with a solo homer in the 2nd inning and a 3 run homer in the 6th inning to give the Phils a 4-1 lead. Ryan Madson then took the baton from Happ and finished off the 8th inning by striking out Matt Diaz. From there Scott Eyre retired the 1st 2 batters in the bottom of the 9th inning and walked the 3rd, Greg Norton, prompting Charlie Manuel to call for Brad Lidge to get the final out. Thankfully this time it was no problem as he got Omar Infante to pop up to shallow right-center field, right into the glove of Chase Utley. So tonight at least Lidge was okay, as he always is when the Phils are leading by more than 1. August is turning out to be Ryan Howard's month as he has now homered 4 times in the last 3 games. Known for his 2nd half hot streaks, it seems Howard is picking it up at just the right time. It would have been nice though to see some of his teammates help him out, but hopefully they will join him again before long. So anyway the Phils move to 66-49 overall and now back to 4.5 games up in the NL East.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Braves this afternoon. Cole Hamels got the start and again he wasn't very sharp, but he managed to get through 6 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits. The Phils meanwhile touched up Kenshin Kawakami for 3 runs on 7 hits, notably a triple by "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino in the top of the 4th inning, a double by Raul Ibanez and a triple by Pedro Feliz, in the top of the 5th inning, and finally a solo homer by Jayson Werth in the top of the 7th inning to give the Phils a 3-2 lead. Thanks to good bullpen work by Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson the Phils took that lead into the bottom of the 9th and in came Brad Lidge to get the save again. This time he wasn't so lucky, but it wasn't totally his fault either. Chase Utley misplayed a groundball to leadoff the inning and put one on with nobody out. Next Matt Diaz bunted to move the runner over and Lidge failed to field it cleanly and then threw it away trying to get Diaz at 1st. Thus, allowing the runner on first, Garrett Anderson, to score the game tying run. Accordingly he went on to load the bases from there and the infield came in to try to get a couple forceouts. He did get strikeout but the next batter Omar Infante grounded the first pitch he saw just past a diving Jimmy Rollins to score the winning run. I am not to sure what to say about Lidge at this point. Although this wasn't totally his fault it wasn't pretty either. Unfortunately, there just isn't anyone in the Phils bullpen who can do any better right now so I think for now we're stuck with Lidge until, as Pedro Martinez would say "the cavalry arrives", and J.C Romero, Clay Condrey, and Brett Myers return from DL. Therefore I truly hope he figures it out again at least for a while, because we're going to need him for a little bit longer. The Phils lineup can also be blamed somewhat for this loss as they left 11 runners on base and 3 times failed to score with a runner in scoring position and 1 out or less. Considering how well the lineup had been performing you have to hope this was just the result of another superb pitching performance and not the beginning of another slump. Anyway so the Phils drop to 65-49 overall, and now 4 games up in the NL East.
Friday, August 14, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
Fresh off a sweep of the Cubs the Phils traveled down to Atlanta to begin an important weekend series with Braves, who came into tonight 3rd in the NL East, 5 games behind the Phils. With Jair Jurrjens ,who nearly no-hit the Phils in his last outing against them, on the mound against Joe Blanton, the game was billed as a pitcher's duel and it did not dissapoint. Jurrjens held the Phils to 2 runs on 5 hits, both on a 2 run homer by Chase Utley, while Blanton held Atlanta to just 2 runs on 7 hits, thanks to a spectacular play by "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino, robbing Brian Mcann of a sure RBI double with a leaping catch against the wall in the bottom of the 5th inning. In the 8th inning Ryan Madson quickly retired Atlanta in order to push the game to the 9th with the score still tied. There Ryan Howard slammed a solo homer to center field to put the Phils up 3-2. Then in the bottom of the 9th, in came Brad Lidge to close it out as usual, with the dreaded 1 run lead. First he allowed a 1 out single to Adam Laroche. Then he struck out Ryan Church for out number 2, walked Greg Norton to put 2 on with 2 out for Nate Mclouth. Mclouth took a pitches and then crushed a ball to deep right field, but it died just in front of the warning track, landing safely in Raul Ibanez glove for the final out. Thus, dropping the Braves to 6 games behind the Phils. While it was far from pretty it was nice to Brad Lidge to get through a save like this for once. Perhaps the karma that allowed him to stay perfect all last season, has finally returned just in the nick of time, or maybe he's still a liability. At any rate it's probably still a good idea to put Brett Myers in the back of the bullpen when he comes back just in case. It also seems that Ryan Howard has rediscovered stroke and that can only mean good things for the Phils going forward. I just hope tomorrow's game is so nerve racking because I am not sure my heart can take it. Anyway so the Phils move to 65-48 overall now and still 4.5 games up in the NL East.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Cubs this afternoon. Cliff Lee got the start and was electric once again, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 8 in 8 innings. NL hitters just don't know what to do against him and he just makes it look so effortless it's ridiculous. He doesn't even ice his arm down after games. He got another hit in the game as well. He's really a freak of nature I think. Anyway while Lee was mowing them down, the Phils bats continued to be hot. Ryan Howard slammed a 3 run homer, his 1st of August, and Pedro Feliz followed a couple batters later with a solo homer for a 4-0 lead in the top of the 4th. Ryan Howard walked, stole second and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz for a 5-1 lead in the top of the 6th. Finally in the top of the 7th "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino doubled and scored on a single by Chase Utley for a 6-1 lead and that's the way it ended with Ryan Madson closing it out in the 9th. Just as I thought the positives from yesterday did carry over. Ryan Howard got another hit, this time a homer, and walk, Pedro Feliz racked up a couple more hits and Utley had a couple hits as well. It also good to see Madson pitching well again, even if it is with a 5 run lead. The truth is he looked just as good on Tuesday when he came in with the Phils leading by 1. Hopefully he has returned to form and can makeup for Brad Lidge's struggles. So anyway the Phils are now 64-48 overall and still 4.5 games up in the NL East.
EAGLES NEWS
After a long injury filled training camp the Eagles opened their preseason schedule tonight with a 27-25 loss to Tom Brady and the Patriots, after David Akers missed a 43 yd field goal with a minute to play .Admittedly it wasn't really his fault though, as the backup players blocking for him didn't do a very good job, and forced him to rush the kick. Of course the outcome doesn't really matter when it comes to the preseason, still for a preseason game it was pretty enertaining and there were several positives to take away from it. 2nd round pick Lesean "Shady" Mccoy was impressive with 10 carries for 55 yds and 2 catches for 12 yds. 1st round pick Jeremy Maclin looked primed to be an explosive weapon both in the return game and as a receiver. He had 2 catches for 44 yards, and returned 4 kicks for 100 yards and 2 punts for 21 yards. New starting fullback Leonard Weaver looks likes he'll be a keeper with 2 carries for 8 yards , 1 catch for 10 yards and some very good run blocking. Perhaps the most impressive offensive performer on the night was 4th string running back Eldra Buckley who had 6 catches for 56 yards and 8 rushes for 23 yards. In fact Buckley might even find himself a little higher on the depth chart after that performance, as 3rd string running back Lorenzo Booker did little that was impressive aside from one 25 yard reception. Ultimately the offense appears to be loaded with weapons, and that's without even having a healthy Brian Westbrook, who should be ready for the regular season if nothing else. The only real question for the Eagles offense on the night was the offensive line, but that's no surprise considering, starters Todd Heremans, Stacy Andrews, and Shawn Andrews all sat out with injuries. The only real concern with the line is that Shawn Andrews may not be ready to begin the season, but with Jon Runyan now apparently on the mend and available as a free agent the Eagles could always sign him back if need be. Ultimately, the line was fine run blocking, they just struggled a bit in pass protection, but Stacy and Heremans usually excel in that area so that shouldn't be a problem for long. Okay as for the defense there's not much to talk about. Trent Cole sat out with an injury so they couldn't really get pressure on Brady at all, but Cole is another guy who will be back before the season starts so there's nothing to worry about. Backup Jason Babin was pretty impressive with 3 tackles and a sack, Sheldon Brown had an acrobatic interception early in the game, and rookie CB Victor "Macho" Harris had a tackle and a sack and looks he could be kind of a Brian Dawkins type player in the future. Okay now for the big news. The Eagles have decided to give Micheal Vick. recently cleared to join a team, a 2nd chance at an NFL career, signing him to a 1 year 1.6 million contract with an option for a 2nd year. Obviously the Eagles already have 3 good quarterbacks and they are still Donovan Mcnabb's team, so Vick isn't going to replace anybody. Instead he'll mostly lineup in Wildcat formations and run the ball on trick plays 4 or 5 times a game. He won't be able to do so until November as he isn't permitted to participate in any games until then. Ultimately he is just another weapon for an offense that was already loaded with them. I will say I am excited to see what he will be able do for us and I believe he has served his time and everyone deserves a second chance. I don't pretend to know or understand what happened with those dogs or how much Vick knew about it and I won't say what he did was right. I tend look at it as just another example of young man with a lot of money getting involved with the wrong kind of people who were really more interested in his money than in him and that much at least was not totally his fault. Also a lot of very respectful people, particularly Tony Dungy have said that Vick has cleaned up and is ready to start to over again so I hope for the Eagles' sake Dungy knows what he is talking about.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers have signed veteran forward/center Primoz Brezec who last played for the Raptors in 2008. This past season Brezec played in Italy so this is sort of a 2nd chance at an NBA career for him. He's has been a 20 and 10 guy at times in the past but for his career he is only averaging 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds a game. I suppose he could be a valuable backup, but I am not really sure where he fits in with this team. For one thing the Sixers let Theo Ratliff sign with Spurs as a free agent so I guess Brezec fills his spot. Also Brezec is a 50% shooter for his career and considering Eddie Jordan's offensive requires good shooters I suppose he helps in that respect as well.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Cubs tonight as Pedro Martinez made his long awaited Phils debut. Ultimately for Pedro the night was only a partial success. He did get the win, but mostly because his teammates gave him a lot of run support. In fact his numbers on the night weren't all that great, but they were good enough, as he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits in just 5 innings. So in essence the jury is still out on whether or not he'll stay in the rotation, and we'll probably know more after his next start. As for the lineup it returned to its explosive form tonight in a big way. Right off the bat in the top of the 1st inning, "the Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino slammed a 1 out triple, Chase Utley followed with an RBI double and then Ryan Howard surprisingly legged out an RBI triple for a quick 2-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd Victorino crushed a 2 run homer for a 4-1 lead. In the top of the 4th Jayson Werth, Pedro Feliz, and Carlos Ruiz collected 3 straight singles to start the inning and push the lead to 5-1. Jimmy Rollins followed a couple batters with a 3 run jack to up the lead to 8-1. Utley followed with a single, Howard worked a walk, and Raul Ibanez stepped up and golfed out his 1st homer of August for an 11-1 lead. Werth followed with a double and Pedro Feliz slapped a single back up the middle for yet another run and a 12-1 lead. Finally Martinez struck out to end the inning and the massacre. From there the Phils pretty much cruised and eventually put away an easy 12-5 win. I am impressed with how quickly the Phils lineup was able to turn things around. I guess sometimes all it takes is an extra inning win that never should have been, to get a team going again. Only time will tell whether or not the Phils are really totally out of their slump now, but there were just so many positives tonight, that it is hard to not believe that at least some of tonight's positives will carry over into tomorrow and the next few games. Sure part of it was getting a chance to face Jeff Samardzija in his first major league start on a night when he couldn't get anything across the plate except a fastball, but the Phils racked up 14 hits on the night, 11 more than last night, so some of it had to be their own doing. Anyway so the Phils are 63-48 overall now and back to 4.5 games up in the NL East.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Chicago tonight to begin a series with the Cubs. J.A Happ got the start and wasn't quite as sharp as he had been, but he did enough holding Chicago to just 2 runs on 7 hits through 6 innings, while stranding a myriad of runners a long the way. Despite Happ's performance the Phils were still down 2-0 heading into the 6th inning. That is, until Jimmy Rollins slugged a 2 run homer to knot it up. Then in the top of the 8th Ryan Howard worked a bases loaded walk for a 3-2 Phils lead. Thanks to Ryan Madson that lead held up into the bottom of the 9th inning. Unfortunately Brad Lidge blew another save as Milton Bradley slapped a 1 out game tying single. So it came down to an extra inning battle of the bullpens and as has happened so many times on the road this season the Phils bullpen came through. Tyler Walker and Scott Eyre got through the 10th and 11th innings. Then in the top of the 12th Ben Francisco slugged a solo homer to put the Phils ahead 4-3. From there Chad Durbin closed it out in the bottom of the inning for the win, snapping the mini 3 game losing streak the Phils had been on. I can't figure out what is wrong with Brad Lidge this season. He was money in these situations last year and I don't understand what has changed since then. He looked fine in his last few save opportunities, but those came with the Phils leading by a few runs. He just seems to have this mental block now every time he comes into a game with the Phils only ahead by 1. It is incredible the Phils even won this game, considering they had just 3 hits all night, as Raul Ibanez, Chase Utley, and Pedro Feliz all went hitless. The only bright spot in the middle of the order was Ryan Howard who worked that walk and collected one of the 3 hits. I am not sure why the Phils lineup did so poorly tonight, but I would say for the most part it was good pitching by the Cubs, particularly Rich Harden who allowed just 2 runs on 2 hits in 7 innings, that did in the Phils lineup. Tomorrow should be an interesting night as Pedro Martinez makes his first start for the Phils. We'll what he has left in the tank soon enough. To make room for Pedro, Jamie Moyer was moved to the bullpen at least for now. You can bet though that if Pedro doesn't perform Moyer will be back in the rotation. Anyway so the Phils move to 62-48 overall and remain 3.5 games up in the NL East.
Monday, August 10, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils are off today so it is time to start a new top 25 list. This time we'll do the top 25 most memorable individual player nicknames. No other sport boasts as many guys with nicknames as Baseball. Some are funny, some invoke the greatest degree of respect for a player, and some are just plain stupid. There are also those monikers that fit a player so perfectly, or become so indelibly attached to a player that you never forget them. Here now are those phillies nicknames that best fit that mold, No's 25-21.
25. "The Phillie" aka 1B Willie Montanez.
Hey it's easy to give a guy a nickname when his name rhymes with the team's name. Mostly overshadowed in Phils history by the guy he replaced at 1B, Dick Allen, Montanez slugged 30 homers and 99 RBIs in his first full season as the Phils 1B in 1971 and was an instant fan favorite. Unfortunately the comparisons to Allen stopped there, as he never duplicated that 71 season. Like any good Phillie though, after leaving the team in 1975, he came back in 1982 and fittingly "the Phillie"retired as well a Phillie.
24. "Mitchy Poo" aka P Mitch Williams
Just one of many Harry Kalas creations over the years, forever immortalized on that late summer night, er early morning as Williams slapped the game winning single againt the Padres. Make no mistake though, Williams was no cuddly poo bear, with a 90+ mph fastball that Williams admittedly threw as hard as he could without knowing where it was going. It worked for one glorious year in 1993 as Williams saved 43 games, 2nd best in Phils history, and the pennant in game 6 of the NLCS.
23. "Shake and Bake" aka OF Bake Mcbride.
Okay so Bake isn't even his real name. In fact he was born Arnold Ray Mcbride, but Bake sounds better, because that's what opposing teams were when he got on base, Baked. In 246 career attempts he was thrown out stealing just 63 times, for a career stolen base percentage just a shade under 75 . All told for the Phils in the late 70s and early 80s he stole 25 or more bases three times and legged out 10 triples or more twice. Simply put, when he got on base he was going to score it was just a question of how. By the way no one ever called him Shake and Bake, that was just my father's idea of a clever nickname. It's too bad it never caught on though, because that would have been one heck of a TV ad.
22."The Krucker" aka 1B John Kruk.
Yet another Harry Kalas creation. Okay so really it is just his last name with an er at the end, but it's so simple it's perfect. There were no ifs, ands or buts about Kruk, he just played the game the way he thought it should be played. There was nothing flashy about it. Even his career stats are the picture of simplicity, exactly 100 career homers, and a career batting average at exactly .300. Pretty cut and dry just like the Krucker. Of course Philly fans also remember this nickname because it rhymes with a much more vulgar word, but that's another story.
21."Head" aka 3B/1B Dave Hollins
So named because well, it, his talent, heart, desire, was all in his head. He was a great player for the Phils only because the desire in his head urged him onto to be. Plus he also had the biggest head on the team. Seriously you have never seen a guy with a bigger forehead. Anyway the nickname really stemmed from the fact that he was always not quite right up there. In fact "Head" was just one of his alter egos, along with "Mikey" and well Dave of course. Also he had an extraordinary propensity for getting into the head of other players, even his own teammates. It's been said that if he thought you weren't playing the game right he would intimidate you into doing so. In fact you can thank him for game 6 of the 1993 NLCS, for throwing off Greg Maddox's rythm late in the game. Apparently Maddox had thrown at him during a game in 1992 and the two met up at some point before the series, with Hollins threatening to literally charge the mound and kill Maddox if he ever threw at him again. Maddox didn't and Hollins wound up slamming a solo homer off him in the game 6 victory.
20-16
25. "The Phillie" aka 1B Willie Montanez.
Hey it's easy to give a guy a nickname when his name rhymes with the team's name. Mostly overshadowed in Phils history by the guy he replaced at 1B, Dick Allen, Montanez slugged 30 homers and 99 RBIs in his first full season as the Phils 1B in 1971 and was an instant fan favorite. Unfortunately the comparisons to Allen stopped there, as he never duplicated that 71 season. Like any good Phillie though, after leaving the team in 1975, he came back in 1982 and fittingly "the Phillie"retired as well a Phillie.
24. "Mitchy Poo" aka P Mitch Williams
Just one of many Harry Kalas creations over the years, forever immortalized on that late summer night, er early morning as Williams slapped the game winning single againt the Padres. Make no mistake though, Williams was no cuddly poo bear, with a 90+ mph fastball that Williams admittedly threw as hard as he could without knowing where it was going. It worked for one glorious year in 1993 as Williams saved 43 games, 2nd best in Phils history, and the pennant in game 6 of the NLCS.
23. "Shake and Bake" aka OF Bake Mcbride.
Okay so Bake isn't even his real name. In fact he was born Arnold Ray Mcbride, but Bake sounds better, because that's what opposing teams were when he got on base, Baked. In 246 career attempts he was thrown out stealing just 63 times, for a career stolen base percentage just a shade under 75 . All told for the Phils in the late 70s and early 80s he stole 25 or more bases three times and legged out 10 triples or more twice. Simply put, when he got on base he was going to score it was just a question of how. By the way no one ever called him Shake and Bake, that was just my father's idea of a clever nickname. It's too bad it never caught on though, because that would have been one heck of a TV ad.
22."The Krucker" aka 1B John Kruk.
Yet another Harry Kalas creation. Okay so really it is just his last name with an er at the end, but it's so simple it's perfect. There were no ifs, ands or buts about Kruk, he just played the game the way he thought it should be played. There was nothing flashy about it. Even his career stats are the picture of simplicity, exactly 100 career homers, and a career batting average at exactly .300. Pretty cut and dry just like the Krucker. Of course Philly fans also remember this nickname because it rhymes with a much more vulgar word, but that's another story.
21."Head" aka 3B/1B Dave Hollins
So named because well, it, his talent, heart, desire, was all in his head. He was a great player for the Phils only because the desire in his head urged him onto to be. Plus he also had the biggest head on the team. Seriously you have never seen a guy with a bigger forehead. Anyway the nickname really stemmed from the fact that he was always not quite right up there. In fact "Head" was just one of his alter egos, along with "Mikey" and well Dave of course. Also he had an extraordinary propensity for getting into the head of other players, even his own teammates. It's been said that if he thought you weren't playing the game right he would intimidate you into doing so. In fact you can thank him for game 6 of the 1993 NLCS, for throwing off Greg Maddox's rythm late in the game. Apparently Maddox had thrown at him during a game in 1992 and the two met up at some point before the series, with Hollins threatening to literally charge the mound and kill Maddox if he ever threw at him again. Maddox didn't and Hollins wound up slamming a solo homer off him in the game 6 victory.
20-16
Sunday, August 09, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils finished their series with the Marlins with still more frustration. Jamie Moyer got the start and was actually fairly good pitching 4 scoreless innings before allowing a rash of bloop singles in the 5th inning that Florida used to take a 3-1 lead. Moyer did get out of the 5th inning, but opened the 6th inning with a couple of walks on close pitches and his day was over. Still Moyer ultimately did his job pitching into the 6th inning, and keeping the Phils in it up to then. The Phils just couldn't score runs once again and played poorly defensively, for about the first time all season. In fact it was an error by Paul Bako that opened the door to the Marlins 3 run 5th. With 1 out and nobody on Emil Bonifacio bunted just in front of the of plate, but Bako rushed too much and failed to field the ball, allowing Bonifacio to reach base safely. So instead of their being 2 out with nobody on , there was 1 on with 1 out, effectively ruining Moyer's chances to go 5 scoreless. Instead the Marlins followed with 4 straight blooped and looping singles and 3 runs. Things only got worse from there. Still down 3-1 in the bottom of the 6th the Phils put 2 on with 2 out for Ryan Howard. Howard worked the count to 3-2 but got rung up on a slider that appeared to be clearly out of the strike zone to end the scoring threat. Next in the top of the 7th, Shane Victorino was ejected by the homeplate umpire for reacting 300 feet a way in centerfield to a pitch thrown by Rodrigo Lopez which was called a ball, that he thought was a strike, to which Chris Wheeler scoffed "I don't think I have ever seen anything like that happen before". Apparently neither had the fans who loudly booed the ump, Ed Rapuano, for the remainder of the game, each time he made call that didn't favor the home team. Amidst the chorus of boos Lopez and Phils lost focus and 4 hits , 6 runs ,and a lazy error by Jayson Werth( who didn't start the game,but replaced Victorino in center) later, and the Marlins were laughing all the way to the bank with a 9-1 lead. Pedro Feliz finally gave the fans something to cheer about with a 2 run homer in the bottom of the inning, but it made little difference. Florida later added another 3 runs in the top of the 9th and walked away with a laughable 12-3 win to complete a sweep and pull within 4 games of the Phils who are now 61-47 overall. It's hard to know what to say after a loss like this. It was just so eerily similar to what happened between the Phils and the Mets at about this time of the season in 2007, when the Mets came into the Bank leading the Phils by 7 games, and were swept by the Phils in a 4 game series. It turned out to be a peek into the future as the Phils eventually chased down the Mets to win the NL East. I just hope this isn't a carbon copy of that, but just the thought of that happening to Phils leaves me speechless. All I can say is that the middle of the Phils lineup, Howard, Utley, Ibanez, and Werth, has got to get going again and fast or we're going to be in trouble.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Marlins tonight. Cole Hamels got the start and delivered yet another subpar performance, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits in just 5 and 1/3rd innings. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard's bat finally woke up again with 4 hits and a run scored on the night, but unfortunately his teammates didn't give him much help. Chase Utley and Jayson Werth both went hitless and Howard had 3 of Phils only 5 hits after the 3rd inning. Still early on after allowing a leadoff homerun to Chris Coghlan it looked like Cole was going to cruise the rest of the way. At the same time the Phils came up with a couple of runs in the 2nd inning on an infield single and a fielder's choice for a 2-1 lead. Even after Cole got into a jam in the top of 3rd inning and allowed Florida to tie it at 2, it stilled seemed that he would be okay, as an error by Nick Johnson allowed the Phils to go back ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the inning. Then Cody Ross slammed a 2 run homer in the 6th to put the fish ahead 4-3 and that was it for Hamels and the Phils who couldn't take advantage of their opportunities the rest of the way. Both in the 7th and 8th innings the Phils had a runner on 2nd with less than 2 outs, and both times they failed to get him in. Finally in the 9th inning after Florida had pushed it to 6-3, Shane Victorino tripled and scored on a fielder's choice. It was too little too late though for the Phils. Ryan Howard did get aboard with an infield single to bring the tying run to the plate, but both Werth and Raul Ibanez flied out to end it. Utley is now just 6 for his last 32, Jayson Werth is now hitless in his last 3 games and the whole team is struggling right now to hit with runners in scoring position. I just can't understand it. There just seems to be some sort of mental block for the guys right now when they step up to the plate with a chance to knock in runs, kind of like last year in the world series. Hopefully they're just getting that out of the way now so they'll be hot if they make it into the world series this time around. Seriously though this can't go on too much longer and or they're going to make it very difficult for themselves to clinch the division. Anyway so the Phils drop to 61-47 now and just 5 games up in the NL East.
EAGLES NEWS
There's more bad news from Eagles training camp today. 5th round pick Cornelius Ingram, who had missed most of his senior season at Florida last year with a torn ACL, has apparently torn the ACL again and could be done for the season. So the Eagles are now pretty thin at tight end behind starter Brent Celek. The veteran Matt Schobel, although not used much last season, should be an able backup, but after Schobel there's nothing but questions with undrafted rookies Eugene Bright and Rob Myers battling it out for 3rd string tight end. On the other hand the Eagles still have a wealth of depth at WR, with Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Kevin Curtis, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett, Brandon Gibson, and yes even Reggie Brown is still on the Birds roster. So perhaps that depth will compensate for the lack there of at tight end.
Friday, August 07, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils welcomed the Florida Marlins to the bank tonight to begin a weekend series on an especially emotionally night as Harry Kalas was inducted into the Phillies wall of fame. It was really a fitting ceremony for the now silenced voice of the Phillies, complete with speeches by Micheal Jack himself, Todd Kalas, and a video tribute with some of Harry's most memorable calls. You can still see it I think on Phillies.com(Just click on the link to left that says Phillies and you'll go right to Phillies.com). Anyway it seems the emotion got to the Phils or rather took it out of them. They just came out flat in the beginning of the game and weren't quite able to pick it up in time for the win. Joe Blanton got the start and pitched well, but a made a few mistakes early in the game and as a result wound up allowing 3 runs on 8 hits in 6 and 2/3rd's innings, with 2 of the runs coming on solo homers by Nick Johnson and Cody Ross. It looked like Florida would make it 4-0 in the top of the 7th but Ben Francisco(playing because Shane Victorino sat out with a sore hip), gunned down Chris Coghlan at the plate off a single by Hanley Ramirez to keep it at 3-0. Then in the bottom of the 7th Francisco lined a 2 run homer just over the fence in left to cut it to 3-2. Next the Phils put 2 on with one out in the bottom of the 8th but both Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez failed to get the runs in. Finally in the bottom of the 9th the Phils went down in order with Matt Stairs grounding out to end it. If the Phils hadn't started out their last series just like this I might be concerned right now, but there is just no reason to be. I am still confident the Phils can fry some fish the rest of the weekend and bury Florida in the standings. The lineup just has to refocus again like it did against Colorado.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils completed their series with the Rockies this afternoon. Cliff Lee got the start, his first in front of the home crowd, and once again he was electric. He wasn't quite as sharp allowing a run in the 1st inning and allowing the lead off man to get on base 4 times, but ultimately he got the job done allowing just 1 run on 6 hits through 7 innings. Meanwhile, Jimmy Rollins stayed hot with a single, double, and triple and 2 runs scored to spark the Phils lineup. Chase Utley got him in the 1st time around with a sac fly in the bottom of the 1st. "The Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino knocked in him the 2nd time around in the bottom of the 5th on a failed fielder's choice, as Troy Tulowitzki couldn't throw Victorino out on a slow rolling groundball. Last but certainly not least, Paul Bako, yes Bako, hit a solo homer earlier in that 5th inning. Put it all together with a shaky 8th inning by Ryan Madson, and a solid save by Brad Lidge in the 9th and you've got a 3-1 win for the Phils. Considering that it's usually pretty rare that a team loses the 1st game of a series as badly as the Phils did and then goes on to win that series against a pretty good team, I have to say I am pretty impressed with their resiliency at this point. I am also very impressed with Lee so far. He's just rock solid and very motivated at this point to help the Phils win, considering he doesn't have a ring like most of his teammates. Honestly I would be surprised at this point he loses at all between now and the end of the season. Anyway so the Phils move to 61-45 overall now and 7 games up in the NL East over the floundering Marlins, who will come to town tomorrow for the weekend.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
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.
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.
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