No hitting no problem tonight. Not with Cole Hamels on the mound. It's been a banner year thus far for the new lefty and tonight was no exception. He tossed 8 scoreless innings, while striking out 9 and allowing just 6 hits. The closest the Dodgers came to scoring off him was in the 7th inning when Matt Kemp singled with Andre Ethier on second and nobody out, but a strong throw from Dom Brown thwarted the sure RBI, freezing Ethier at 3rd. Hamels then pitched his way out of the inning. L.A again put runners on the corners in the 8th inning, but Cole got out of it again, this time forcing Ethier into an inning ending groundout. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard lined a homer to right in the 6th, and Shane Victorino tripled and scored on a fielder's choice in 7th to give the Phils a 2-0 lead heading into the 9th. There Ryan Madson locked down his 14th save and the Phils 37th win.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils came in looking for their 3rd straight win but it wasn't to be as uncharacteristically bad defense, including errors by Roy Oswalt, and Chase Utley, doomed them to failure. Aside from his error Roy Oswalt had an okay night but was still a little off in allowing 4 runs on 8 hits. As bases loaded walk in the 2nd, and Chase Utley's 7th inning triple gave the Phils their only runs of the night but it wasn't enough to offset all the things that went wrong throughout the night and in the end the Phils settled for a 6-2 loss to the Dodgers.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers have traded left wing Matt Clackson, their 2012 3rd round pick, and a conditional draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes for the negotiating rights to goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. This simply means they have exclusive rights to negotiate a contract with him from now until he becomes a free agent. If they don't sign him by then he'll likely go else where. Right now the Flyers don't have the cap room to sign Bryzgalov to the contract he'll likely ask for. So they'll have their work cut out for them to first create salary cap space and get Bryzgalov signed.
Monday, June 06, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
It's been an up and down season thus far for Cliff Lee, but tonight was definitely a high mark. He tossed 7 scoreless innings while striking out 10 and allowing just 7 hits. Meanwhile, Placido Polanco and Ryan Howard each collected RBI singles in the 3rd inning and Carlos Ruiz added a big RBI double in the 8th inning as the Phils started a long homestand with a 3-1 win over the Dodgers. After Lee and Antonio Bastardo had combined for 8 scoreless innings, Ryan Madson allotted the Dodgers their only run in the top of the 9th, before nailing down his 13th save.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Roy Halladay got the Phils out of their rut this afternoon with 7 strong innings. He allowed a 2 run homer right off the bat in the 1st inning, but then tossed 6 scoreless frames as the Phils battled back. A Raul Ibanez sac fly in the 4th inning cut it to 2-1 and then it looked like Dom Brown had line an RBI single to tie things at 2, but his line drive hit off the umpire making it a dead ball and nullifying the run. Wilson Valdez then grounded into a double play to end the inning and it looked like the Phils bad luck at PNC Park would continue. Instead the Phils got right back at it in the 5th, Ryan Howard sac flied in a run after a 11+ pitch at bat, and Carlos Ruiz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give the Phils a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish. Later Placido Polanco added an RBI single in the 6th, Howard singled in a run in the 8th, and Shane Victorino and Howard each collected RBI singles in the 9th for a 7-3 lead. That was more than enough for Ryan Madson to nail down the win in the 9th. With the win the Phils move to 36-24 overall and 3 games up in the NL East.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Kyle Kendrick was decent allowing 4 runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings. It didn't really matter though as Phils bad luck continued at PNC Park. Jimmy Rollins was lost in the 3rd inning after hitting a ball off his knee and later Raul Ibanez misplayed a line drive into a triple. After JRoll doubled and scored in the 1st, and Shane Victorino manufactured a run in the 4th, the Phils did manage a late rally in the 9th, with Placido Polanco singling home a run, but Chase Utley followed with a fly out to left field to end the 6-3 loss, the Phils 4th in a row.
Friday, June 03, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Cole Hamels continued his outstanding play of late, allowing just 1 run on 1 hit, while striking out 4 in 8 brilliant innings. Unfortunately he didn't get much help from his teammates. Jimmy Rollins produced the Phils only run, singling, stealing second, and scoring on a single by Chase Utley in the 6th. The Phils were punchless after that, just as they always are at Heinz Field. Eventually in the 12th, a bad bounce single over Utley's glove gave the Pirates a 2-1 win. Maybe someday the Phils will figure out how hot hit at PNC Park but until then there will be more days like this one.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers have released top goalie prospect Joachim Eriksson. Apparently he didn't play much in Sweden last season and didn't develop at all. So Flyer's seemed to think he would need 2 more years to develop and they just weren't willing to wait that long.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Roy Oswalt was pretty good, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 3, but the desperate Phils pulled him after just 5 innings, in hopes of sparking their suddenly stagnant offense. It almost worked but with 2 out in the 6th and the Phils down 2-1, Dom Brown was robbed of a pinch go ahead double on a diving catch by Laynce Nix. The Phils never seemed to recover from the shock of that missed opportunity and eventually fell to the Nats 2-1. Ryan Howard was responsible for the Phils lone run, doubling and scoring on an error in the 2nd inning. Micheal Stutes and Antonio Bastardo backed up Oswalt with a combined 3 scoreless innings. Despite the loss the Phils remain 2 games up in the NL East as the Marlins lost tonight as well.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Cliff Lee just didn't have it tonight. His normal pinpoint just wasn't there as he walked batters and missed his spots. As a result the Nationals touched him up for 6 runs on 7 hits in just 5 and 1/3rd innings. Meanwhile, Jason Marquis held the Phils to just 2 runs on 8 hits in 6 and 1/3rd innings. The 2 runs came on back to back solo homers by John Mayberry Jr. and Dom Brown in the 5th inning and that was pretty much the only bright spot for the Phils on this night. Even the bullpen struggled a bit with Danys Baez and Mike Zagurski(called up to replace Vance Worley, at least for now) combining to allow 4 runs on 5 hits. In all it was really the Phils worst night of the season thus far, but with John Lannan, 0-10 against the Phils, going for the Nationals tomorrow, they should be able to shrug this off and get back on track with a win tomorrow.
Monday, May 30, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their road trip this afternoon in Washington. In a tightly contested game Roy Halladay ultimately held the winning hand, surviving 7 innings, while allowing just 4 runs on 10 hits and striking out 5. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez carried the Phils offense with 2 RBIs a piece to give Halladay the help he needed to grab the win. First in the 4th inning, Ibanez and Howard both bashed solo homers, while Dom Brown slapped an RBI single for a 3-2 lead. Later with the Phils down 4-3 in the 7th, Howard lined an RBI single and Ibanez added a sac fly to give Halladay a 5-4 lead he would not relinquish. After Halladay survived a jam in the bottom of the 7th by striking out Jayson Werth, Antonio Bastardo, Jose Contreras, and Ryan Madson combined 2 scoreless innings to finish the 5-4 win. With the win the Phils move to 3 games up in the NL East and 34-20 overall.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils and Vance Worley went for the sweep this afternoon in New York but it wasn't to be as Worley was rocked for 8 runs on 12 hits in just 3 innings. Sometimes is just isn't your day and it wasn't for Worley in this one. This was first time he had faced a team that had already seen him and he pretty much through the same pitches he did the last time around. So it's not hard to understand why he struggled. Moving forward he'll have to learn how to mix up his pitches a little better. As for his teammates they didn't give up when behind, managing yet another 8th inning rally but this time the mountain was just too high to climb. Placido Polanco slapped an RBI single to put the Phils on the board in the 3rd. Then in the 8th, Raul Ibanez crushed a solo homer, and Dane Sardinha lined an RBI double and scored on a single by Dom Brown to cut the Met lead to 9-4. Later in the 9th, Ben Francisco crunched an RBI double to cut it to 9-5, but John Mayberry Jr. struck out after that to end it. Regardless of the final result, the Phils still won the series and will remain in 1st place.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Once again the Phils fell behind early and once again they stunned the Mets with an 8th inning rally. Early on Cole Hamels was outstanding allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out 10 in 7 innings, but the Phils could manage just 1 run in that time on Raul Ibanez' RBI double in the 4th. Down 2-1 to start the 8th, the Phils again put together a rally. Jimmy Rollins slapped a 2 out single, stole second, and scored on a single by Chase Utley to tie things at 2. Then Placido Polanco walked and Ryan Howard bashed a 2 run double for a 4-2 lead. Later in the 9th, Dom Brown doubled and scored on a double by Ben Francisco for a 5-2 lead. That would be more than enough for Ryan Madson to nail down his 11th save in the bottom of the inning for the 5-2 win. With the win the Phils now lead the NL East by 2.5 games.
Friday, May 27, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils began a road trip tonight against the Mets in New York. Roy Oswalt got the start and a looked a little better than his last start, allowing just 2 runs on 9 hits in 6 strong innings. Despite that, RBI singles from Oswalt himself and Jimmy Rollins, and bunch of Met miscues, the Phils still found themselves down 3-2 in the 8th inning mostly thanks to their own shortcomings in the field. Everything turned around from the 8th inning on though. JRoll slapped a game tying double down line in the 8th. Then in the 9th the Met defense totally fell apart. Carlos Ruiz singled with one out, Ross Gload followed with a pinch single, Dominic Brown singled through Daniel Murphy's glove to score Ruiz, Jimmy Rollins added a sac fly as Carlos Beltran butchered the throw home, Chase Utley singled to put runners on the corners, and finally Placido Polanco beat out an infield single and knocked in another run as Jose Reyes slowly loped to the second base bag and was beaten by Utley. After all that Ryan Madson nearly blew it in the bottom of the 9th before Utley and JRoll combined to turn a vintage game ending double play and net Madson his 10th save.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Last night a position player, Wilson Valdez, got the win in a 19 inning marathon. This afternoon a pitcher, Cliff Lee, knocked in 3 runs with a ground rule double and a single. I'm not sure there's ever been 2 weirder games back to back than that, definitely not in Phils history at least. Anyway Lee's arm was pretty good too as he allowed just 4 runs on 10 hits while striking out 8 in 8 innings. Furthermore, it wasn't just Lee doing the hitting as the Phils racked up 10 runs on 13 hits. Ryan Howard got things going with an RBI double in the 1st. Later Raul Ibanez bashed a 3 run homer in the 3rd inning. Then Lee hit his ground rule double and Micheal Martinez added a sac fly in the 6th. And in the 7th Lee and Martinez collected RBI singles. Finally in the 8th Chase Utley cracked his first homerun of the season to cap the 10-4 win.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
In their longest game in 18 years, the Phils outlasted the Reds in 19 innings thanks 5 shutout innings in relief by Dannys Baez and 1 by Wilson Valdez, yes the utility infielder, in which he retired Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. All the told the Phils bullpen allowed just 1 run on 3 hits in 12 outstanding innings and were the real heroes on the night when all was said and done. It didn't start out that way though. Through the first 6 innings, the Story was Roy Halladay who allowed just 1 run, Ben Francisco who clubbed a 2 run homer in the 1st, and John Mayberry Jr who slapped an RBI single in the 2nd. Then Jay Bruce roped a 2 run single off Halladay in the 7th to tie things at 3 and that all went by the way side. After failed to score with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 9th and Bruce homered to start the 10th, it looked like the story might be him and his 3 RBIs. Then Ryan Howard started the bottom of the 10th by crushing a solo homer to center field and tying things up at 4. So Bruce's big night became a footnote and the real story became a war of attrition between the two team's bullpens that just kept going and going. Finally in the bottom of the 19th, Carlos Fisher, who was in his 6th inning in relief, just a run out of gas and loaded the bases for Raul Ibanez. Ibanez responded by scalding a deep sac fly to at last score Jimmy Rollins with the winning run over 6 hours and 19 innings after the night began. The 5-4 win is the Phils 30th of the year and the first in the career of Wilson Valdez, which makes him the first position player to win a game since 2000.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Chase Utley's 2nd game back was a little bit better, well for him anyway as he finally collected his first hit of the season. Unfortunately, the Phil's offense otherwise tapered off again, leaving runners on base again, and compiling just 3 runs despite collecting another 8 hits. A Raul Ibanez double and A Dom Brown sac fly in the 2nd inning, and a Carlos Ruiz double in the 4th inning accounted for all of the runs. For a while it looked like those 3 runs might be enough, Even as the Phils threw away opportunities score more. Finally in the 5th inning Vance Worley was touched up for a couple runs to tie things up at 3, but he managed to get out of the inning and a bases loaded jam with the score still tied. It stayed that way until late in the afternoon when Ryan Madson was touched up for 3 2 out runs, a hard luck outing for sure, and too much for the Phils to overcome in the bottom of the 9th as they fell 6-3.
Monday, May 23, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
What a difference an Utley makes. No Chase Utley did not tear the cover off the ball in his long awaited return to Phils lineup, in fact he went o for 5, but his presence alone was enough to propel his teammates to 10 runs on 14 hits, including 3 homers. Meanwhile, Cole Hamels allowed just 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 4 en route to his 6th win of the season. Placido Polanco got things started with a 2 run blast in the 1st inning. Later, Raul Ibanez, John Mayberry Jr., and Cole Hamels each slapped 3 RBI singles, and Jimmy Rollins slugged a 3 run homer in a 7 run 3rd inning. Finally in the 4th inning Ibanez crushed a solo homer. From there Hamels cruised through the next 2 innings, and Micheal Stutes, Antonio Bastardo, and Danys Baez combined for 3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to wrap up the 10-3 win.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Roy Oswalt was great this afternoon, allowing just 1 run on 8 hits while striking out 3 in 7 innings. Unfortunately, he was highlight of the day for the Phils, as they managed just 5 hits and no runs. They had opportunities to score with runners in scoring position in 1st, 3rd, and 5th innings, but couldn't get the hit they needed to cash in. So the Rangers took the 2-0 win and avoided a sweep. Despite the loss the Phils remain 1.5 games up in the NL East, with the Marlins losing today as well.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Cliff Lee was brilliant against his former team, tossing 8 scoreless innings while striking out 10 Rangers and allowing just 5 hits. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard crushed a solo homer in the 2nd inning and John Mayberry Jr. slapped an RBI single in the 6th inning for a 2-0 lead. Thanks to Lee that would be all the Phils would need. After Lee's 8 great innings Ryan Madson came on for his 9th save and the Phils had the 2-0 win, their MLB leading 28th of the season thus far.
Friday, May 20, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils began interleague play tonight with a visit from the Texas Rangers. With Roy Halladay going for the Phils and C.J Wilson going for the Rangers it's no surprise the game turned into a pitcher's duel. Halladay ultimately out-dueled Wilson, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 7 in 8 innings. Meanwhile, Ben Francisco took care of Wilson, with a 2 run blast in the 2nd inning. Later in 4th inning, Raul Ibanez crushed a solo homer to right center for a 3-1 lead. In the end those two blasts proved to be just enough. Ryan Madson bravely stared down the heart of the Texas order(minus Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz who are rehabbing injuries) and retired Micheal Young and Adrian Beltre in succession. Then David Murphy tapped an infield single off Madson's hand only to be gunned down by Carlos Ruiz as he attempted to steal second and just like that Madson had his 8th save and the Phils their 27th win.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Joe Blanton was a late scratch tonight with elbow, leaving Kyle Kendrick to make the emergency start. Kendrick did an admirable job given the circumstances, but two mistakes to Jason Giambi which wound up in the seats proved to be his and the Phils' undoing. Colorado took an early 3-0 lead on a 3 run Giambi blast in the 1st, and then a 5-0 lead on a 2 run Giambi bomb in the 3rd. Later in the 5th, after the Phils finally got on the board with a 2 out RBI double by Ibanez in the 4th, Giambi blasted a 3rd homer, this time off Danys Baez, for a 7-1 Rockies' lead. Those happened to be the only runs the Phils bullpen allowed, as Scott Matheison, Micheal Stutes, and J.C Romero combined for 4 scoreless frames the rest of the way. Unfortunately the Phils couldn't muster anything in those 4 innings and either and eventually fell to Colorado 7-1 for their 5th loss in their last 6.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Cole Hamels provided a masterful performance, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 8 in 8 innings, and the Phils scratched out 2 runs, on Wilson Valdez's RBI single in the 5th and Jimmy Rollins sac fly in the 8th to pick up a big 2-1 win and snap a 4 game losing streak. Ryan Madson picked up his 7th save with 3 strikeouts in the 9th.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Once again the Phils got good pitching and once again they couldn't take advantage. Roy Oswalt returned from the DL and provided 5 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 7 hits while striking out 3. Meanwhile, the Phils again mustered just 1 run themselves, this time on 5 hits. Jimmy Rollins scored their lone in the 8th inning, thanks to a Cardinals error followed by a a Micheal Martinez single, and a Placido Polanco sac fly. Antonio Bastardo then toughed out a scoreless 8th inning and it looked like the Phils might just get into extra innings but it wasn't to be. With 1 out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, Lance Berkman broke the Phils' hearts with a single just over the head of Martinez to seal a 2-1 Cardinal's victory.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers have signed finnish goalie Niko Hovinen to an entry level contract. Playing for the worst team in the Finnish league last year, Hovinen put up decent numbers with a 2.59 GAA and .921 save percentage. He's worth a spot in the Flyer's minor leagues to improve their goalie depth. Who knows maybe he'll turn out to be something.
Monday, May 16, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
Coming into tonight the Phils had not lost more than 2 games in a row all season. This was thanks mostly due to their great pitching. Unfortunately it's begun look right now as though the pitching can't overcome the current lack of hitting. Tonight simply reinforced that belief. Cliff Lee pitched well, allowing just 3 runs on 6 hits, while striking out 4 in 6 and 1/3rd innings. Micheal Stutes and J.C Romero then followed with a scoreless inning and 2/3rds to complete an effort that should have been enough for a win. Instead the Phils managed to just 1 run on 5 hits, Ben Francisco's RBI single in the 2nd inning, before bowing to the Cardinals 3-1.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils looked to make it back to back road series wins this afternoon as Roy Halladay opposed Tim Hudson. Just as in his last start Halladay went the distance, allowing just 3 runs on 8 hits while striking out 7. Unfortunately he was once again saddled with the complete game loss. The Phils trailed most of the afternoon before a 2 run blast by John Mayberry Jr in the top of the 6th gave them a 2-1 lead. Atlanta tied things up in the bottom of the inning and then with a lucky swing to open the 8th, Dan Uggla homered for a 3-2 Brave's lead. Although Halladay avoided further after that, the damage was already done. The Phils could not answer in the 9th, as Ben Francisco was stranded on 1st. Still despite the loss the Phils remain atop the NL East by 2 games and still own baseball's best record.
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