The Phils continued their series with the Brewers tonight. Kyle Kendrick got the start and was pretty good allowing just 3 runs on 6 hits in 4 innings. Jamie Moyer took over for Kendrick in the 5th and he too pitched 4 adequately good innings, allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits. Meanwhile, the Phils were able to match those 5 runs, with a 2 run homer by Paul Bako in the 2nd inning, a sac fly by Jason Werth and an RBI single by Pedro Feliz in the 3rd inning, and a solo homer by Ryan Howard in the 5th inning. Thus, it was all tied up at 5 heading into the 9th inning. The Phils got the first crack at breaking the tie in the top of inning, but they couldn't come up with anything against always tough Trevor Hoffman, the major league' s all-time saves leader. In the bottom of the 9th it was Milwaukee's turn and they did not dissapoint as Ryan Braun lifted a 2 run homer into the seats to send the Brewers away with a 5-2 win. So another day, another problem with the Phils bullpen. This time it was Tyler Walker who got pasted in 9th inning, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits while failing to register an out. Still, even with the loss and all the bullpen troubles the Phils remain 5 games up in the NL East with only 8 games to play, so they are basically a lock to make the playoffs. It doesn't seem like they'll get very far once they get there though, if they can't figure out a way to get the bullpen healthy again. Anyway with the loss the Phils drop to 89-65 overall, but their magic number remains 4.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series in Milwaukee tonight. Cliff Lee got the start and was roughed up again for about the 3rd time in his last 4 starts. This one may have been the worst of the 3 as Lee allowed 7 runs on 9 hits, including 3 run homers by Prince Fielder and Mike Cameron, in only 6 innings. The Phils meanwhile, against a guy in Manny Parra whom they had owned thus far in his career, could only come up with 2 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings, both on a 2 run single by Ryan Howard in the 4th inning. So after 7 innings the Phils found themselves in a 7-2 hole from which they could not climb out although they tried to gamely. Brad Lidge came on in relief in the 7th and allowed the Brewers to push the lead to 8-2. Then the Phils finally woke up in the 8th , as an RBI single by Howard and a fielder's choice cut the lead to 8-4. Then in the 9th inning they put 2 on with nobody out, but it was to no avail. From there Matt Staris popped up, Jimmy Rollins fouled out, and Shane Victorino grounded out to end the 8-4 Brewer win. Thus, the Phils magic number stays at 4. I cannot believe this keeps happening to Lee, but hopefully it is just a fluke and he'll pitch well when it really matters. It was interesting to Lidge pitch the 7th inning tonight and apparently that may be his role from now on. He looked half way decent tonight so maybe that is for the best. I am surprised the Phils performed so poorly against Parra tonight. They were batting .521 as a team against him coming in. I am not sure what Parra really did to turn that round. Perhaps they just got a little fatigued out there. The Phils got some more bad news on the injury front today as they were forced to scratch Pedro Martinez from his next start as he recuperates from that neck injury he suffered in his last start. While the injury does appear to be serious the Phils and Pedro decided to be cautious and sit him out for a start. So hopefully this will be the only start he misses. Kyle Kendrick will get the start in place of Pedro and hopefully he'll continue to pitch as well as he has been. Anyway so the Phils drop to 89-64 overall and down to 6 games up in the NL East.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Milwaukee tonight to begin a series with the Brewers. J.A Happ got the start and he actually looked healthy for a change allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 7 in 5 and 2/3rd's innings. Meanwhile, the Phils pounded the Brew Crew into submission with 8 runs on 12 hits off Jeff Suppan in just 4 innings. Ryan Howard slapped an RBI single in the 1st inning, Pedro Feliz lined an RBI double in the 4th inning and the Phils racked up 4 straight singles and a 2 run homer by Jimmy Rollins in the 5th inning, to forge ahead 8-0. Milwaukee made some middling attempts to rally back, but realistically after 6 innings the game was already pretty much over. Just for good measure JRoll added another run to the Phils total in the 7th inning, by scoring on an error. From there thanks to some shaky bullpen play Milwaukee almost came back or just got themselves back in the game a few times, but each time a Phils reliever managed to hold them off just enough. First it was Chad Durbin in the 7th inning then Tyler Walker getting out of a bases loaded jam in the 8th inning and finally Clay Condrey closing the door in the 9th inning after allowing a couple of runs to close out the 9-3 win. It was really an impressive night for the Phils to be able to go into Milwaukee and get a win like this. They scored 9 runs and only hit 1 homer. That bodes well for them going forward, because the long ball can only get you so far come playoff time. The Phils really are thin in the back of the bullpen right now. Even Condrey couldn't get outs tonight. The day that J.C Romero and Brett Myers return action again can't come soon enough. So anyway with the win the Phils move to 89-63 overall and still 7 games up in the NL East. Also their magic number drops down to 4 now.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Marlins tonight, as they looked to get a firm hold on the division. For a while it looked like they would do just that as Cole Hamels went 7 innings allowing just 4 runs on 8 hits. Meanwhile, Ryan Howard racked up 4 RBIs all on his own with a 2 run double in the 4th inning, and a 2 run blast in the 7th inning. Raul Ibanez added a solo shot in the 6th inning and Hamels himself slapped an RBI single later in that same inning. After 7 and 1/2 innings the Phils were still ahead 6-3 and appeared to be headed for the win. Then the rains came and the wheels came loose. After an hour or so rain delay Ryan Madson took the mound and gave up a run in the 8th to cut it to 6-5. Then in came Brad Lidge to get the save in the 9th. He almost did, getting 2 outs with only a man on 2nd. Next Hanley Ramirez drew a walk and Jorge Cantu followed him with a game tying single. Finally Bret Carroll lined a pinch single that just got through the infield to give the Fish the 7-6 win. There's really not much else to say. Lidge is still not 100% and it is beginning to become doubtful now that he ever will be, at least this season anyway. Tonight there really wasn't anyone else available to pitch so you can't blame Charlie for giving Lidge another shot. I just hope Chan Ho Park and Brett Myers get well soon. Anyway so the Phils drop to 88-63 overall now and down 6.5 games up in the NL East. The magic number is still 5 though, so there is nothing to worried about.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled down to Florida tonight to begin a series with the Marlins, which if they win, could help them effectively put their NL East lead out of reach. Today, to make up for yet another game that got rained out earlier this season, the Phils and Fish engaged in a doubleheader, and not just any doubleheader, but the rare back to back doubleheader. That's right the 2 teams played the 2 games literally about 20 minutes apart from each other. In the first game Joe Blanton was dominating, striking out 9 and allowing just 2 hits in 7 shutout innings. Meanwhile, a 2 run single by Jayson Werth in the 5th inning pushed the Phils ahead 4-0. Then in the 8th inning the Phils put it out of reach with a solo homer by Raul Ibanez, a sac fly by Jimmy Rollins, a wild pitch, and a 2 run single by Ryan Howard pushing the lead to 9-0. Florida gamely cut the lead to 9-3 in the bottom of the inning before Clay Condrey closed it out in the 9th inning. In the 2nd game Anibal Sanchez turned the tables on the Phils striking out 7 and allowing just 2 hits in 8 scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Jamie Moyer posted 7 strong innings for the Phils allowing just 3 runs on 9 hits, while striking out 5. Unfortunately, the Phils could not put together a rally in the 9th, as Leo Nunez retired them in order to clinch a split of the doubleheader and Moyer's first loss ever in Miami. It's too bad they didn't win the 2nd game of the doubleheader because then they would really be in the driver seat right now, but ultimately it was a good night for the Phils. They did what they had to do. Sanchez was just too dominant and they were a little tired I think in that 2nd game. I am impressed with how well Moyer has pitched since the Phils moved him to the bullpen. Is there anything this 46 year old can't do. On a more negative note it was revealed today in an MRI that Brett Myers has a strained shoulder and is going to end up back on the DL for a week or so. He should be ready to pitch by the time the playoffs roll around, but losing another reliever to injury was the last thing the Phils needed right now. Hopefully his absence won't hurt them too much down the stretch. At any rate the Phils move to 88-62 overall now, still 7.5 games up in the NL East, and their magic number drops to 5 with that win in the first game.
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