Perfection, that's what the Phils were nearly witness to twice this season. Back in May the Phils were the recipient of a perfect game as Roy Halladay overwhelmed the Florida Marlins. Tonight Travis Wood, a rookie mind you, nearly made the Phils a victim of a perfect game, retiring the first 24 Phils to step to the plate. He just kept changing speeds and locations so well and threw all 4 of his pitches for strikes and when a guy you've never seen before pitches like that it's hard to do anything against him. Unfortunately for Wood, the Reds were equally inept against Halladay or rather Halladay was equally as effective as Wood. No he wasn't perfect, allowing 5 hits, but he was in total control all night, Blanking Cincinnati for 9 brilliant innings while striking out 9.
That left Wood perhaps needing to go 10 innings to finish off his perfecto and he couldn't handle thought of that, as Carlos Ruiz ripped a double to leadoff the home half of the 9th and break up the perfect game. Unfortunately Wilson Valdez failed to execute a bunt, instead popping out, and so when Raul Ibanez followed with a long flyout Ruiz only moved to 3rd and instead of scoring and then was ultimately stranded to send the Phils and Reds into extra innings for the 3rd night in a row. If Valdez had executed the bunt and Ruiz had scored then the Phils would actually won while collecting just 1 hit, instead they had to wait a little longer. After Brad Lidge suvived a bases loaded jam in the 10th, the Phils threatened again in the bottom of the inning but again stranded a runner.
Next Jose Contreras retired the Reds in order in the 11th, setting the stage for another 11th inning finish. First Carlos ripped another double, this time with 1 out. Then Ben Francisco was walked intentionally, Ross Gload was retired on a weak fly out, and finally Jimmy Rollins, who popped to end the 9th, got another chance to end the game. A couple pitches later JRoll pulled a single just inside the line in right to score Ruiz with winning run and complete perhaps the most improbable 1-0 win in franchise history. I mean how often do you win when a guy takes a perfect game into the 9th against you? All credit goes to Halladay for this one, the Phils 3rd straight walk off win in extra innings. Not surprisingly it's first time in franchise history they have ever put together such a streak and it couldn't have come at a better time.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 09, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
Over the last 3 years the Phillies have proven that to be the best in your division and/or league and stay there you often need a miracle or two to help you along the way. It could be a rally from 7 games back in September, or a 2 run homer on the road in the most pivotal game of the NLCS by the oldest hitter on the team, or as was the case tonight a rally from 6 runs down in the 9th, but whatever it may be if it is going to be your year that miracle will come to you eventually. Thanks to their most recent miracle, tonight might be soon be remembered forever as the day that saved the Phils 2010 season.
Early on though it looked like it would be anything but a memorable night. Joe Blanton was touched up for 6 runs on 12 hits while striking out 7 in just 5 and 1/3rd innings. Meanwhile, the Phils could not solve the Reds stalwart rookie, Mike Leake, who allowed just 1 run on a sac fly in the 4th and 6 hits, while pitching into the 9th inning. Now normally it isn't a good idea to let a rookie try to close a game, even with, as it happened, a 7-1 lead. You would think after blowing out Mark Prior's arm in Chicago, Dusty Baker would know better than to risk a 9th inning with the kid out there, but fortunately for the Phils he did not.
Right from the start of the inning Leake was in trouble. Shane Victorino lead off with a double and scored on a 1 out single by Ryan Howard to cut the lead to 7-2. Jayson Werth followed with another single to put 2 runners on with 1 out for Greg Dobbs. If ever a guy was due to pop one it was Dobbs here. After a long at bat, a weary Leake laid one over the plate that Dobbs crushed off the foul pole in right field and suddenly it was a ball game again at 7-5. Finally at that point, Baker came to his senses and pulled Leake in favor of closer Francisco Cordero. Cordero got Brian Schneider to fly out for the 2nd out of the inning and it seemed that Cincinnati would find their way out of this game after all,but it was not be for visitors. Ben Francisco followed with a walk to bring pinch hitter, Cody Ransom, to the plate as the tying run. A few pitches later Ransom stunned the Reds and sent the crowd into a frenzy, crushing a high fastball for a game tying 2 run homer.
Next Jimmy Rollins worked a walk and suddenly Shane Victorino, who started this whole thing with the double, was in position to end it but Cordero got him to pop up and it was on to extra innings for the 2nd night in a row. This time the Phils wouldn't have to wait until the 12th. Ryan Madson, in his 2nd appearance since returning from the DL, was brilliant in the top of the 10th, retiring the heart of the Reds lineup in order. That set the stage for the Phils to end it in the home half of the 10th as the Reds sent the ex-Phil, Arthur Rhodes to the mound. First Raul Ibanez leadoff the inning by ripping a double down the line. Next up Ryan Howard. Rhodes did a good job staying away from Howard , but he didn't stay away enough. Howard crushed the 3rd pitch he saw, a slider away, just over the wall in the left field to cap off an incredible 9-7 victory. Do you believe in miracles? Yes!
Early on though it looked like it would be anything but a memorable night. Joe Blanton was touched up for 6 runs on 12 hits while striking out 7 in just 5 and 1/3rd innings. Meanwhile, the Phils could not solve the Reds stalwart rookie, Mike Leake, who allowed just 1 run on a sac fly in the 4th and 6 hits, while pitching into the 9th inning. Now normally it isn't a good idea to let a rookie try to close a game, even with, as it happened, a 7-1 lead. You would think after blowing out Mark Prior's arm in Chicago, Dusty Baker would know better than to risk a 9th inning with the kid out there, but fortunately for the Phils he did not.
Right from the start of the inning Leake was in trouble. Shane Victorino lead off with a double and scored on a 1 out single by Ryan Howard to cut the lead to 7-2. Jayson Werth followed with another single to put 2 runners on with 1 out for Greg Dobbs. If ever a guy was due to pop one it was Dobbs here. After a long at bat, a weary Leake laid one over the plate that Dobbs crushed off the foul pole in right field and suddenly it was a ball game again at 7-5. Finally at that point, Baker came to his senses and pulled Leake in favor of closer Francisco Cordero. Cordero got Brian Schneider to fly out for the 2nd out of the inning and it seemed that Cincinnati would find their way out of this game after all,but it was not be for visitors. Ben Francisco followed with a walk to bring pinch hitter, Cody Ransom, to the plate as the tying run. A few pitches later Ransom stunned the Reds and sent the crowd into a frenzy, crushing a high fastball for a game tying 2 run homer.
Next Jimmy Rollins worked a walk and suddenly Shane Victorino, who started this whole thing with the double, was in position to end it but Cordero got him to pop up and it was on to extra innings for the 2nd night in a row. This time the Phils wouldn't have to wait until the 12th. Ryan Madson, in his 2nd appearance since returning from the DL, was brilliant in the top of the 10th, retiring the heart of the Reds lineup in order. That set the stage for the Phils to end it in the home half of the 10th as the Reds sent the ex-Phil, Arthur Rhodes to the mound. First Raul Ibanez leadoff the inning by ripping a double down the line. Next up Ryan Howard. Rhodes did a good job staying away from Howard , but he didn't stay away enough. Howard crushed the 3rd pitch he saw, a slider away, just over the wall in the left field to cap off an incredible 9-7 victory. Do you believe in miracles? Yes!
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers continued their busy offseason today by signing right wing Nikolai Zherdev to a 1 year $2 million deal. Formerly the #4 pick in the NHL draft the Ukrainian born Zherdev last played in the NHL in 2008-2009, compiling 58 pts, including 23 goals, in 82 games for the New York Rangers. Last year he played in Russia after opting out of his contract with the Rangers. Zherdev is highly skilled offensive player but also very volatile personality which is why New York was willing to let him go back to Russia in the first place. So bringing him in is a risk for the Flyers, but for only a 2 mil, it's a small one and rewards his presence can bestow on the Flyers probably out weigh the risks. Anyway his 2 mil does put the Flyers over the cap which someone will have to leave to get them back under the cap and that most likely will be the longest tenured Flyer, Simon Gagne since he is apparently expendable and removing his 5 mil cap hit alone would put the Flyers back under the cap. We'll just have to wait and see what happens though.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers concluded play in the Orlando summer league today with a 85-56 loss to the Utah Jazz. Evan Turner had probably his best game as a Sixer thus far with 13 and 6 rebounds, while Ryan Brooks hit 5 of 9 from the floor for 12 points. However, Jrue Holiday and Mo Speights both sat out which really gave the Sixers no chance of winning. So the Sixers wound up with a 2-3 record in league play and Holiday was named to the all-league team for averaging close to 25 points a game.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils haven't had too many dramatic wins this season but tonight was one they had to have and they got it. Once again the offense wasn't great managing just 4 runs on 8 hits, but for one night at least, that was enough. Kyle Kendrick was great allowing just 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 4 in 6 and 2/3rds innings. For most pitchers on most teams that would have been enough for a win, but not for Kendrick. Instead he was left with a no decision as the Phils twice blew late leads. First, the Phils took the early 2-1 lead on a solo homer by Shane Victorino in the 1st inning, and an unearned run on an infield single and an error in the 3rd.
Just back from the DL, Ryan Madson was quickly thrown into the 8th and had a bit of a shaky outing ,but was this close to getting out of it unscathed. In fact, he struck out Brandon Phillips to end the inning but Brian Schneider couldn't keep the ball in front of him and Phillip reached base safely. Ryan Madson then tossed a wild pitch, allowing a run to score to tie it at 2. The Phils came right back in the bottom of the inning with Wilson Valdez tripling and scoring to put them back on top at 3-2. It looked like that lead would finally be enough for the Phils but with 2 out in the 9th, Miguel Cairo of all people, slapped an RBI double to tie it up at 3.
After that the Phils had golden opportunities in the 9th, 10th, and 11th, to push across the winning run but they came up short each time. Thanks to 3 brilliant scoreless innings out of Nelson Figueroa at that time the Reds didn't have much more luck ending the game either. Finally in the bottom of the 12th with 1 out Brian Schneider crushed a pitch hanging in the middle of the plate, deep to the right field and it was up, up, and gone for the huge 4-3 win. This is not to say the Phils have momentum now will get back on track but rather that they simply couldn't have afforded to lose this one and risk falling anymore then 6 games back. Anyway with the win they move to 44-40 overall and back to within 5,5 games of 1st in the NL East. Here's hoping the Phils are able to build on this most dramatic victory. God knows they have nothing else from which to find motivation
Just back from the DL, Ryan Madson was quickly thrown into the 8th and had a bit of a shaky outing ,but was this close to getting out of it unscathed. In fact, he struck out Brandon Phillips to end the inning but Brian Schneider couldn't keep the ball in front of him and Phillip reached base safely. Ryan Madson then tossed a wild pitch, allowing a run to score to tie it at 2. The Phils came right back in the bottom of the inning with Wilson Valdez tripling and scoring to put them back on top at 3-2. It looked like that lead would finally be enough for the Phils but with 2 out in the 9th, Miguel Cairo of all people, slapped an RBI double to tie it up at 3.
After that the Phils had golden opportunities in the 9th, 10th, and 11th, to push across the winning run but they came up short each time. Thanks to 3 brilliant scoreless innings out of Nelson Figueroa at that time the Reds didn't have much more luck ending the game either. Finally in the bottom of the 12th with 1 out Brian Schneider crushed a pitch hanging in the middle of the plate, deep to the right field and it was up, up, and gone for the huge 4-3 win. This is not to say the Phils have momentum now will get back on track but rather that they simply couldn't have afforded to lose this one and risk falling anymore then 6 games back. Anyway with the win they move to 44-40 overall and back to within 5,5 games of 1st in the NL East. Here's hoping the Phils are able to build on this most dramatic victory. God knows they have nothing else from which to find motivation
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers fell to 2-2 in summer league play with 77-76 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on a buzzer beater by Gerald Henderson. Jrue Holiday sat out with a hamstring strain while Jodie Meeks led all Sixer's scorers with 17. Once again Evan Turner struggled with just 4 points and 3 rebounds. He'll straighten out eventually.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
It was another close call for the Phils tonight and once again they were on the wrong side of it. Jamie Moyer pitched well through 5 innings, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits. However, the Phils could only muster 3 runs of their own in that time, on an RBI double by Jimmy Rollins and a 2 run homer by Ryan Howard. So when Jamie succumbed to hot, muggy night in the 6th and quickly allowed 6 runs the Phils found themselves in a deep 7-3 hole. Perhaps Moyer could have been pulled earlier in the inning before the Phils fell that far behind, but he wasn't and the Phils were left to deal with that. They almost did.
Danys Baez finished the 6th, and Nelson Figueroa and Jose Contreras combined to keep Atlanta scoreless the rest of the night. So the Phils had an opening to mount a rally and steal this one and series from the Braves. First Shane Victorino slammed a solo homer to cut it to 7-4 in the 7th. Then with 2 out in the 8th 3 straight singles from Greg Dobbs, Ross Gload, and Ben Francisco plated another to cut it to 7-5. Unfortunately Gload and Francisco were stranded when Juan Castro popped up to end the inning. Later JRoll just missed a solo shot to leadoff the 9th, instead producing a long loud out number one. Victorino and Ibanez followed with strikeout to leave the Phils rally 2 run short and conclude a tough 7-5 loss.
With that the Phils drop to 6 games out in the NL East for the 1st time since Sept 2007 when they were in 2nd place behind the Mets. Then they put together a miracle September rally to win their 1st of 3 straight division titles. They''ll still have ample opportunity to put together that kind of magic again before the season is over but time is a wasting.
Danys Baez finished the 6th, and Nelson Figueroa and Jose Contreras combined to keep Atlanta scoreless the rest of the night. So the Phils had an opening to mount a rally and steal this one and series from the Braves. First Shane Victorino slammed a solo homer to cut it to 7-4 in the 7th. Then with 2 out in the 8th 3 straight singles from Greg Dobbs, Ross Gload, and Ben Francisco plated another to cut it to 7-5. Unfortunately Gload and Francisco were stranded when Juan Castro popped up to end the inning. Later JRoll just missed a solo shot to leadoff the 9th, instead producing a long loud out number one. Victorino and Ibanez followed with strikeout to leave the Phils rally 2 run short and conclude a tough 7-5 loss.
With that the Phils drop to 6 games out in the NL East for the 1st time since Sept 2007 when they were in 2nd place behind the Mets. Then they put together a miracle September rally to win their 1st of 3 straight division titles. They''ll still have ample opportunity to put together that kind of magic again before the season is over but time is a wasting.
SIXERS NEWS
Despite Jrue Holiday's best effort thus far the Sixers suffered their first loss in summer league play today, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 89-80. Holiday was outstanding with 25 and 5 assists. Unfortunately Evan Turner continued to struggle, compiling just 4 points and 8 rebounds before fouling out again. He'll come around eventually but again it is better that he's having these struggles now rather than during the regular season when it really matters.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils should probably be back within 3 games of the top spot in the NL East right now, but instead thanks to their continued lack of timely hitting they're back to 5 games out in the NL East. It's okay to let opportunities like that slip away when it's still this early in this season but they can't afford to keep doing so for too much longer otherwise they won't have too many more opportunities to make up ground. It didn't feel so much like Atlanta won tonight but rather like the Phils let them win. It really was their game to lose in the late innings and they just couldn't take advantage. That's somewhat understandable given all the players their missing, but it's still not good enough for a team fighting to win its division.
Cole Hamels got off to a rough start allowing a run on 2 hits in the first inning but he straighened out, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 8 through the next 6 innings. Meanwhile Raul Ibanez slugged a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 1st to lift the Phils ahead 2-1. Later after Atlanta had rallied ahead 3-2 Ryan Howard crushed a game tying RBI triple with nobody out in the 7th. Unfortunately he was stranded at 3rd. Just one hit, one ground out to the other side of the diamond or one sac fly would have scored him, but neither Jayson, nor Ben Francisco, nor Wilson Valdez could come up with anything. Jose Contreras, J.C Romero, and Brad Lidge combined from there to keep Atlanta scoreless through the 8th and 9th innings, so scoring Howard in the 7th would likely have given the Phils a 4-3 win.
Alas, they didn't score Howard and after stranding Juan Castro at 2nd in the 10th inning, Atlanta finally made the Phils pay for allowing them to hang around with a 3 run 11th inning. Billy Wagner closed his old team in the bottom of the inning and the Phils had themselves a disappointing 6-3 loss and once again a 5 game deficit in the NL East. There are better ways to spend a tuesday night.
Cole Hamels got off to a rough start allowing a run on 2 hits in the first inning but he straighened out, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 8 through the next 6 innings. Meanwhile Raul Ibanez slugged a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 1st to lift the Phils ahead 2-1. Later after Atlanta had rallied ahead 3-2 Ryan Howard crushed a game tying RBI triple with nobody out in the 7th. Unfortunately he was stranded at 3rd. Just one hit, one ground out to the other side of the diamond or one sac fly would have scored him, but neither Jayson, nor Ben Francisco, nor Wilson Valdez could come up with anything. Jose Contreras, J.C Romero, and Brad Lidge combined from there to keep Atlanta scoreless through the 8th and 9th innings, so scoring Howard in the 7th would likely have given the Phils a 4-3 win.
Alas, they didn't score Howard and after stranding Juan Castro at 2nd in the 10th inning, Atlanta finally made the Phils pay for allowing them to hang around with a 3 run 11th inning. Billy Wagner closed his old team in the bottom of the inning and the Phils had themselves a disappointing 6-3 loss and once again a 5 game deficit in the NL East. There are better ways to spend a tuesday night.
SIXERS NEWS
The Sixers improved to 2-0 in summer league play tonight with an 86-69 win over the Boston Celtics. Jodie Meeks led all Sixer scorers with 18, while Evan Turner added 13, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. He also continued to have his troubles with turnovers and fouls. Obviously he still has a lot to learn but at least he's learning it in summer league play instead of during the regular season.
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