The Phils returned from the All-Star break tonight as they hooked up with the Cubs in Chicago. Chad Durbin was activated from the DL yesterday so coming into tonight the Phils had their full slate of relievers all healthy for the first time all season. Unfortunately, at least for tonight it didn't really matter. Jamie Moyer got the start and looked a bit rusty, even only a couple of extra days off will do that to an old pitcher like the Moyer, and he payed for it. In just 3 innings he was touched up for 6 runs on 5 hits and the route was on. Still, the Phils already had 2 runs thanks to a 2 run blast from Ryan Howard and so only trailed by 4 following Moyer's last stand .
Initially the now healthy bullpen managed to help the Phils to hang in there for a while, down by just 4. Then in the 7th and 8th innings Jose Contreras and Danys Baez each got a bit unlucky and were hit around quite a bit. All told they combined to allow 6 runs on 6 hits and by the 9th Chicago had run up a massive 12-2 lead. To their credit the Phils did not go quietly. Back to back RBI singles by Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino and another 2 run blast from Howard cut the lead to 12-6 with 2 outs and gave the Phils fans scattered around the stadium, brief renewed hope for a win. Alas it wasn't to be as Jayson Werth popped up to end it. However, with the positive way the Phils finished this game, you have to like their chances in the rest of this series. For now though they drop to back 5.5 games out in the NL East and can only scratch their heads again .
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers and Evan Turner have come to terms on a 2 year deal that will pay Turner about $8 million. He also gets an option for a 3rd year if all goes well at $4.4 million. So step in the Sixers rebuilding process is complete. Better late than never.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
At long last the NL defeated the AL 3-1 tonight to end a 13 game losing streak in the All-Star game and give themselves home field for the world series, for the first time since the 'this time it counts' thing started. Before tonight the NL last won in 1996 right here at the since imploded Vet. Funny how now that we finally have a nice new stadium we can't even sniff an All-Star game. Anyway back to the game, in the year of the pitcher, the NL won with what else, pitching. 9 NL pitchers, including Roy Halladay for 2/3rds of inning, combined to hold the AL to just 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 8. Meanwhile, Brian McCann provided the big blow with what turned out to be the game winning bases clearing double in the 7th inning, and he copped the MVP award. For his part as the starting DH, Ryan Howard went 0 for 2 with a strikeout. So the Braves who lead the NL East, now have the all-star game MVP as well. Kinda makes you think maybe it's their year. On other hand back in 1964 the Phils produced the All-Star game MVP as well and they too had the lead, not in division, it didn't exist then, but in the NL itself. Eventually as everyone knows by now they blew it all in September. Perhaps Atlanta will do the same.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers signed Dan Carcillo to a 1 year 1.075 million deal today, avoiding arbitration. This likely means both Daroll Powe and Aaron Asham won't be back next season and obviously someone is going to be traded. I just wonder who it will be. As for Dan Carcillo, he showed last season that he can be handy with his fists and provide a nice scoring touch when on the right line. There's nothing wrong with having a guy like that on your hockey team, at least for another year anyway.
EAGLES NEWS
The Eagles and 5th round pick, Florida WR Riley Cooper agreed to a 4 year deal today. He is the 13th of the Phils 15 draft picks to sign. Only top picks, Nate Allen and Brandon Graham, remain unsigned. Cooper figures to be nothing more than a big red zone target for the Birds this season. He's likely to be too far down the depth chart to be much of anything else but you never know.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
In their last game before the all-star break the Phils looked to complete a remarkable 4 game sweep of the Reds. Cole Hamels was brilliant in blanking Cincinnati for 7 and 2/3rds innings on just 6 hits. He did a great job mixing up his pitches and left the Red's hitters guessing all day long. Even when they did guess right and put runners on base he remained unfazed, pitching out of not 1 but 2 tough jams. First the Reds had a man on 2nd with 2 out in the 3rd for Brandon Philips but Hamels eventually outlasted him after a long at bat. Later in the 4th Cincinnati loaded the bases with nobody out but again Hamels got out of it with a fielder's choice and a double play and the Reds were left to ponder what might have been.
Meanwhile the Phils had their own scoring troubles, as Jimmy Rollins ripped an RBI single the other way with 2 out in the 3rd inning to score Carlos Ruiz with the Phils only run of the afternoon. Ultimately it would be just enough for victory. Jose Contreras replaced Hamels in the 8th and pitched into and out of a jam. Then in the 9th J.C Romero and Brad Lidge combined for a scoreless and flawless inning to finish off the 1-0 win and the sweep. With that the Reds head into the all-star break having suffered 21 consecutive innings without scoring a run, while the Phils head into break on their 1st 4 game win streak in some time and perhaps turning a big corner in an otherwise tough season. At 47-40 overall and now just 4.5 games back in the NL East they're at least in decent shape heading into the break and still very much in the running for their 4th straight division title and more.
Meanwhile the Phils had their own scoring troubles, as Jimmy Rollins ripped an RBI single the other way with 2 out in the 3rd inning to score Carlos Ruiz with the Phils only run of the afternoon. Ultimately it would be just enough for victory. Jose Contreras replaced Hamels in the 8th and pitched into and out of a jam. Then in the 9th J.C Romero and Brad Lidge combined for a scoreless and flawless inning to finish off the 1-0 win and the sweep. With that the Reds head into the all-star break having suffered 21 consecutive innings without scoring a run, while the Phils head into break on their 1st 4 game win streak in some time and perhaps turning a big corner in an otherwise tough season. At 47-40 overall and now just 4.5 games back in the NL East they're at least in decent shape heading into the break and still very much in the running for their 4th straight division title and more.
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