Once again most of the Phils regulars played sparingly, and once again it didn't matter. This time Vance Worley got the start and was strong, tossing 5 shutout innings on just 1 hit. Despite getting runners in scoring position multiple times the Phils couldn't quite seem to score either and after a scoreles innings from Antonio Bastardo the Phils and Braves both went into the 7th inning scoreless. For the Phils the 7th was glorious as RBI singles from Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Shane Victorino and a wild pitch gave the Phils a quick 4-0 lead.
After a scoreless inning from Danys Baez in the home half of the 7th, Ibanez slapped antother RBI single in the 8th to extend the lead to 5-0. Ryan Madson followed with a scoreless bottom of the 8th and in the 9th Wilson Valdez doubled in one run and John Mayberry Jr worked a bases loaded walk to push the lead to 7-0. Finally, Jose Contreras retired the side in order in the bottom of the 9th, to finish off the Phils 21st shutout and 97th win of the season. It is the most wins the Phils have had since 1993 and thanks to a late loss by the Yankees it officially gives the Phils best record in the majors for the 2010 season. How sweet it is.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Friday, October 01, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils regular lineup was present tonight, except for Shane Victorino who was in Hawaii with his new baby boy Placido Polanco who continued to rest his sore elbow. Most of the regulars didn't stay in the game for long and they didn't have to. Kyle Kendrick provided a strong finale to his season, allowing just 2 runs on 5 hits over 5 strong innings. Meanwhile, for the little while they were in the game the regulars blitzed Atlanta for 7 runs on 8 hits. 4 singles, by Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, and Carlos Ruiz, plated 2 runs in the 4th innings. Then in the 6th after Atlanta botched a double play, Dominic Brown walked to force in a run, and Jimmy Rollins slugged a grand slam for 5 more runs and a 7-2.
That was about it for the regulars after that. Both Werth and JRoll were replaced in the 7th inning. Then Phils exploded for 4 more runs in 8th after another botched play by Atlanta with the bases loaded. At that point with the Phils up 11-2, all but Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz were sent to the showers. Finally in the 9th, with Mike Zagurski trying to close it out, the Braves kicked up a bit of a fuss, but it was too little too late. After scoring 3 runs off Zagurski, David Herndon came in and bailed out Zagurski with Matt Diaz grounding out to seal the 11-5 Phils win. It was their 96th win of the season as they continue to maintain the best record in baseball. In fact if they win one more they'll at least finish the season tied for the best record in the majors. Not bad for a team many though would miss the playoffs not long ago.
That was about it for the regulars after that. Both Werth and JRoll were replaced in the 7th inning. Then Phils exploded for 4 more runs in 8th after another botched play by Atlanta with the bases loaded. At that point with the Phils up 11-2, all but Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz were sent to the showers. Finally in the 9th, with Mike Zagurski trying to close it out, the Braves kicked up a bit of a fuss, but it was too little too late. After scoring 3 runs off Zagurski, David Herndon came in and bailed out Zagurski with Matt Diaz grounding out to seal the 11-5 Phils win. It was their 96th win of the season as they continue to maintain the best record in baseball. In fact if they win one more they'll at least finish the season tied for the best record in the majors. Not bad for a team many though would miss the playoffs not long ago.
FLYERS NEWS
The Flyers continued their preseason tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. James Van Remsdyk and Nikolay Zherdev scored the Flyers' first power play goals of the preseason in the first period for a quick 2-0 lead. Later Blair Betts added an empty netter in the game final seconds to cement a 3-1 win. Brian Boucher got start in the goal and was also a key factor in the win with 32 saves. So it looks like Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky should be able to fill in admirably for Micheal Leighton while he's out with his strained back. Zherdev also looks like a keeper, since no one seems to be able to stop him. Yes, I think it's going to be a good season for the Orange and Black this year.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
Probably in his last start of the regular season, Joe Blanton made it count, allowing just 1 run on 2 hits in 7 strong innings. Meanwhile, only Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino were in the lineup for the Phils, but it didn't matter as they racked 7 runs on 8 hits anyway. In the absence of the most of the regulars, Ben Francisco burned the brightest, going 2 for 3 with 2 homers and 3 RBIs. Mike Sweeney and John Mayberry Jr homered as well and in the end the suddenly prodigious prower of the Phils benchwarmers proved too much for the Nationals to handle.
Thanks to the homers the Phils had a 7-1 lead by end of the 5th inning. Blanton provided 2 more scoreless innings after that. Then J.C Romero and Ryan Madson combined for a scoreless 8th. Finally in the 9th, although it wasn't a save situation, Brad Lidge came in and retired the side in order to close out the Phils 95th win of the season. With the win the Phils now have the best record in the majors by a half a game over the Yankees. It should be interesting to see if they stay on top.
FLYERS NEWS
In their latest preseason game the Flyers beat the Islanders 3-1. Rookie goaltender Sergei Bobrosvsky had 32 saves to lead the way, while Jeff Carter scored 2 of the 3 Flyer's goals in the first period. James Van Reimsdyk scored the Flyer's other goal. This contest marked the return to the ice of Blair Betts, and Vilie Leino. Leino assisted on both of Carter goals and Betts was 6 of 9 on facefoffs. So it was a positive welcome back for both guys.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
PHILLIES NEWS
With the all the important stuff out of the way last night, the Phils intensity took a noticable drop tonight, as did the talent of the players on the field for them. Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, Jayson Werth, and Carlos Ruiz all had the night off. Only Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Raul Ibanez remained in the lineup, while Jimmy Rollins finally returned to the lineup. Brian Schneider, Dominic Brown, Ben Francisco, and Greg Dobbs came off the bench to fill in the rest of the lineup. Needless to say the Phils couldn't muster much offense on this night. Raul Ibanez solo homer in the 4th inning was all that averted a shutout.
Meanwhile, Roy Oswalt got perhaps his last start of the regular season and remained effective. He allowed just 1 run on 2 hits over 5 innings. Danys Baez, David Herndon, J.C Romero, and Antonio Bastardo combined for 3 scoreless innings after that. So it was still knotted when Jose Contreras came in to pitch the 9th inning with Adam Dunn leading off the inning. Just 2 pitches later Dunn sent one deep to the seats in right field and that was it, 2-1 Nats. Despite the loss the Phils are still tied for the most wins in the majors, but they probably won't stay tied much longer unless the bench guys start playing better.
Meanwhile, Roy Oswalt got perhaps his last start of the regular season and remained effective. He allowed just 1 run on 2 hits over 5 innings. Danys Baez, David Herndon, J.C Romero, and Antonio Bastardo combined for 3 scoreless innings after that. So it was still knotted when Jose Contreras came in to pitch the 9th inning with Adam Dunn leading off the inning. Just 2 pitches later Dunn sent one deep to the seats in right field and that was it, 2-1 Nats. Despite the loss the Phils are still tied for the most wins in the majors, but they probably won't stay tied much longer unless the bench guys start playing better.
FLYERS NEWS
The new was not good for the Orange and Black today. Micheal Leighton is going to be out for at least a month with his strained back and apparently Ian Laperriere is not yet over the concussion he suffered in the postseason last year after blocking a puck with his face. He currently out indefinitely. In our news the Flyers latest preseason game ended in regulation for the first time. Unfortunately they fell to the New Jersey Devils 3-2. Jeff Carter and Nickolai Zherdev scored for the Flyers and Brian Boucher was in goal for the entire night, saving 25 of the 28 shots he faced.
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