Philadelphia Phillies 2011 Game by Game: My daily thoughts on each game

Playoffs, the NL Division Series - Game 5- Cards @ Phils

2011-10-07T20:40:00.029-04:00

The Phils have to win tonight.
It will be a terrible end to the season if they lose. The 102 wins will mean NOTHING.
Not winning and having Cliff Lee pitch in only one game will be a gigantic disappointment.
Anyone can complain all you want about Ryan Howard for the terrible series he has had after game one, but you can look right at Lee for the awful game two in which he coughed up a four run lead.
Roy Halladay is a world class future hall of fame pitcher. I expect him to pitch that way tonight.

Here we go again. hallway gets behind Furcal and he smacks a triple.
He should have been out but Victorino missed the first cutoff.

Not the ideal start, and He's not getting the call on the outside corner.
Shoemaker doubles and it's already 1-0.
Pujols plops a ball that drops in front of Utly but Shoemaker holds up at second then on a delaynruns to third but Utley threw him out at third.
A wild pitch sends Pujols to second.
Already three runners get in scoring position.
Over 20 pitches already too.

Now on a foul ball Berkman is sent to first because his follow through catches Ruiz glove.

This is going to be a tough uphill game for them to win.

He is struggling in The first inning.

The Brewers just won their game in The tenth inning so they move on to the winner of this game.

Halladay struggling in the first inning all the time just doesn't make sense to me.
The strike zone is very tight for him especially the low corners.
Phils go in order in their half.

Howard leads off the second by swing at the first pitch. It was what they call a back footer. A curve or slider that goes right toward the batters back foot. He missed it by a mile then grounds out.

It's a shame the way he is playing in this series.

This team was at their best after getting Pence and putting him behind Howard. I know Polanco can't hit right now but I still want to see Pence moved back there from the three spot.
Victorino doubled after Howard grounded out but Ibanez popped up for the second out.
Polanco who is killing the bottom of the lineup weakly grounded out.

Ruiz just flied out and now he is 1-15 in this series.
Rollins needs to pop one out.
Nope he didn't run it out because he thought it was foul and now the team is getting booed.

Halladay is pitching great now, why doesn't he do this in the first inning.

Utley leads off the fourth with a hit by pitch but then Pence grounds into a force out.
Howard tries to get ahead and swings at the first pitch. It wasn't a bad pitch to it but Howard jammed himself and hump back liner to second that Pence was way off the back and almost got doubled up?

Ok Shane singles and sends Pence to third for Ibanez.
They just need to get more then one or two hits in a single inning, now is the chance to do it.

Not this inning. Raul got toma full count but he flied a ball that was a coup,e feet short of the wall in right, three outs.

Another odd play in the Cards half of the fifth. Lead off hit for stinking Nick Punto. Carpenter tries to bunt with two strikes but it bounces right in front of the box. Ruiz grabs it before it can go foul and throws to second for one out, carpenter never moved so Rollins walked a bit towards first and tossed over for the dp.

It's hard for me to see it because they're losing and because I'm watching this game with a rooting interest but I imagine this is a great game to watch from an outsiders perspective.

Despite the rotten first inning Halladay has only given up one run and has kept the Phils in it.

Carpenter has had a really good curve tonight and we all know how tough it is for the Phils to hit curve balls.

They look defeated in the dugout. No one is looking like they are excited or anything.

Ok Utley gets on after Rollins grounds out in the sixth inning. It's getting late they better do something real soon.

Oh my goodness, Utley is called out on a super close play trying to steal second. Would it kill TBS to show a replay on that to give us a closer look.

Pence grounds out. They don't look like The champion team they are supposed to be.

Nine outs for the Phils to score some runs or it's all over.

I changed the channel and will go with only the radio broadcast until the Phils get runs or the game is over.

Howard swings 3-0 to lead off the seventh and lines out. Why, WHY is he swinging 3-0? That is shocking.
They go in order, six outs left.

Carpenter leads of the eighth with a hit.

Furcal bunts and Ruiz tried to throw to second but it was a bad throw and now first and second no outs.

This is going to be about it if they score.

They bunt again and apparently there was a play at third but Polanco throws to first for the first out. They walk Pujols to have a force at any base to get to Berkman.

This is just sad.
The fans are trying to get loud but with the rally towel thing it's got to be hard to be really loud.

He strikes out Berkman and now Matt Holliday.

He gets Holliday to fly out. There is still a chance. Two inning left.
Polanco grounds a weak ball to short for then third time tonight.

Furcal robs Ruiz, he dove and knocked down a hit up the middle and threw out Ruiz.

Gload swings and misses a a third strike but it was in the dirt and the throw to first pulls Pujols off the bag.

In what is probably Jimmy Rollins last ab as a Phillie he hits a ball back through the middle. It hit Carpenter in the leg and ounces to the second baseman and he throws Rollins out by a step. Three out left.

Gload batted for Halladay so I guess Madson will come in for the ninth.

THis it it the bottom of the ninth, Utley, Pence and Ryan Howard.

Utley killed a ball that went all the way to the fence just in front of the bullpen but John Jay ran it down. Two left.

Pence grounds out. One left.
Larry Andrson is trying to keep it positive but. It just doesn't help.

Howard grounds out to Nick Punto as he fell down running to first and seems to have really hurt himself.

Chris Carpenter out pitched Roy Halladay.
Ruiz and Polanco were 3-35 for the series. Cliff Lee choked up a four run lead in game two. Oswalt stunk in game four.

I didn't expect the season to end this way. I don't want to feel this way but I can't help to feel like it's the same old Phils, still.

See you next year, again.

Playoffs, the NL Division Series - Game 4 - Phils @ Cards

2011-10-05T18:21:00.017-04:00

Today's game starts out Greta for the Phils.
Rollins leads off with a double that the center fielder couldn't see.
Utley hits triple to core Rollins. Pence singles in Utley.
The bad is that Howard strikes out looking on a hit and run that Pence was called out on even though he was safe. So after three hits and two runs is two really quick outs.
Victorino popped out to left for the third out.

In the bottom of the first Roy Oswalt finally gets the leadoff hitter out on a strike out. A single was next but after a long ab Pujools popped up.

The Cards put Matt Holliday in the game today even though he has a bad finger. They said the finger will be completely numb.

Berkman just smoked a ball that hit the wall in right center, it bounced right to Victorino but when he tried to catch it and throw it his right foot slipped and Shane dropped the ball allowing Berkman to get to third. Holliday grounds out.

That was a crazy first inning, especially with that fall down thing Victorino did. He was charged with an error on that but he slipped on the ground, should that be an error?

I just hope the Phils don't go to sleep now after the first three batters all get a hit.
It's about to be a quick second inning for the Phils hitters. I think they saw less then 10 pitches, so here it goes.

Oswalt walks Berkman to lead off the fourth then hits Holliday on the elbo.
This can't happen with the Phils hitters in hibernation.
Just went 2-0 to Molina, he looks like he lost it.
Molina just drove a liner out to Pence that he came in on then had to run straight towards the wall to catch.
Freeze lines a ball down the third base line into the corner that scores Holliday from first. How is that possible, he can't run. What is going on here, how does he lose it like this after cruising the first three innings?

You really have to have expected more from Oswalt especially against the bottom of the Cards lineup.

Oswalt won't last six innings tonight. They'll have to pinch hit for him anyway because they're losing.
This pitching is supposed to be the Phils strength but it really hasn't been in this series. They have had 2 out of four games that are good with Hamels and the last seven innings from Halladay after he gave up three in the first.

If they can keep it to only one run the Phils surely have a chance to win this game.

Polanco and Ruiz still only have one hit each.

Polanco singles but Ruiz swings at the first pitch and now one out for Oswalt who can't hit so he be bunting.
Bunts him to second but Rollins grounds out. Jimmy has two hits today but what happens after the first? They should be making adjustments but they get worse as the game goes on.

Winning this game would have allowed them to set up the rotation for the next round, now it looks like they will lose the rotation matchup in the next round if they get there.
They said on the radio that Cliff Lee would probably come in today in relief.

I've switched to trying to synch up the radio broadcast with the tv so I don't have to listen to Bob Brenly .

This game is messed up. A squirrel just ran literally right accross the plate as Oswalt through a pitch. The pitch was a curve right down the middle but called a ball. This crew is terrible I wish I knew how they picked the crews for these games.
A good recovery inning, Cards down in order in spite of the squirrel.

Finally in the sixth they are taking pitches. Utley walked and Pence is looking at pitches, although he did foul back a hanging curve and hit a bouncer just missing going over third base.

They need to bunch a few hits in a row.
The Phils are playing very strange in this game.
Pence grounds to short but Utley keeps going to third on the throw to first. Pujols comes off the bag and throws Utely out at third. He went really hard into the bag and the glove and is lucky if he didn't get hurt.
Howard gets to 3-0 then swing and fouls it off. Swings and misses on the next pitch. Flies out after that.

Victorino up and dribbles to second base. I'm shutting this down until the game is over. Getting too aggravated. This is looking like last playoffs all over again.

Phils managed to get another run but not because of any hitting they did. Utley hit the first base bag so a funny hop gets him on then a wild pitch scores Martinez. The end.

Howard has been just ridiculously awful this series. Four RBI's in game one and two to start game two and he hasn't gotten a hit since and he struck out again late in the game as the tying run. Awful.

This really is last year all over again.

Hallway better pitch a shut out tomorrow or that's all folks.

Playoffs, the NL Division Series - Game 3- Phils @ Cards

2011-10-04T17:32:00.028-04:00

I don't like the way the game started.
Phils go in order in the first. In the Cards first Pujols gets a two out double then Berkman hit by pitch.
Hamels strikes out Freese to end it.

Howard leadsoff he second by striking out and swinging at two pitches that were up around his neck.
They go in order again.

Cards get another hit in their second with one out.

Not liking this.

Game has gone mostly as expected. No score after four and the Phils only have two hits. Ryan Howard has looked silly on his two strike outs.
The Cards have three hits, two walks and a hit batter.

If the game contiues in this way I think it benefits the Cards more than the Phils.
Garcia is right around the plate so I guess that's why the Phils are swinging at most pitches.

Top of the sixth, still no score. The Phils got a two out hit from Utley, then they walked Pence to get to Howard. Hmm.
Makes sense I guess since Howard has looked pretty nad so far against Garcia.

He's still swinging at bad pitches in this ab, and he grounds out to first.
Garcia threw a first pitch fastball but it was on the outside part of the that he took for a ball, then he swings at a curve off the plate.
The third pitch was another curve way off the plate that he dribbled to Pujols.
This is going to be a shut out for one team.

The sixth might be it for Hamels because he is over 100 pitches now and he just gave a two out hit then a walk.
Worley is just now getting up up the bullpen.
He might have pitched around a little because the Cards pither is up.

The Phils have given up hits to pitchers in these spots this year, so I'm a little nervous.
Cole is up near 120 pitches now so this will be his last batter.
Got him swinging.
That will be it for Cole.

Eight strike outs but three walks and a hit batter got his pitch count way up in only six innings.

Garcia has thrown only 74 pitches after six innings

Victorino almost pulled a boner there. Mayberry popped out to short right and Victorino faked going to third but was almost out on the throw back in. Jeez.
He led off with a single and moved over on a passed ball but Polanco is uo and he just cannot hit at all.
He grounds to third, shane had to stay on second. Ruiz up.

Walking Ruiz to the pinch hitter, Ben Francisco? I guess that's who they have as a right hander off the bench, depressing.

He usually pops up.
This is it right here if they don't score this is going to be bad with only two innings left and the Phils into the bullpen already.

OMG he hit a three run home run. OMG wow. Holy Crap.
I sooo did not see that happening.

Well they had Worley up I wonder if they bring in Lidge now.

Rollins doubled next. They were playing him very shallow. Utley grounds out so that ends the inning but man what a surprise from Francisco.

Worley is in, gets the first out but then walks the next guy and Pujols is up.
Worley isnt missing by much. Pujols breaks his bat and bloops a cheap hit over Utley's head, crap.
That's fine but walks seem to always come back to bite you and the Cards ar right in the meat Of their order. Berkman up now with two on one out.

Force at second so on the corners now with two out.
He really jammed him on that pitch, really good job on Berkman.
Freese is up, Hamels struck him out three times.

First pitch right down the middle, breaking ball for an RBI. Still two on for Molina.
He hasn't gotten a hit yet and has an 11 game streak in the playoffs.
The strike zone is a little tight for Worley.

Got him, Worley gets Molina to jam himself on an inside pitch pops up to right.

I was just saying to myself why is Worley still in there. He gave up a hit to Theriot who now has four hits. But why leave Worley in there, just bring in the eighth inning guy. I'm not exactly sure who that would be these days, but looks like Bastardo is in first. Lately it's been Lidge.

This game was pretty slow going for the first six innings but the last two have been racking my nerves to pieces.

One out on a pop up. That's is for Bastardo, Lidge in to face Matt Holliday.

I shouldn't be this nervous about the Cards.

Holliday dribbles a ball right through the hole at short. All season I don't think I've seen so many cheap hits from the other team.
Still a chance for a double play though.

I don't know why they would throw anything that far off the plate, make him swing at balls inside because of that bad hand he has.

Furacl drops another bloop hit in right in front of Mayberry in right, now they're bringing in Madson with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth.
This is looking ugly.

They hit into so many double plays, they broke a record this year.
He did it. A liner right at Utley, I couldn't tell if he let it bounce on purpose but it bounced and he got two outs on one play, double play.

Phew, I thought that was a liner into right field for sure. They had Utely in exactly the right place.

Polanco finally got a hit with one out. Then Ruiz hit one to center that was caught just before it hit the ground. I thought it was an out right away but Jerry Meals thought otherwise and called it a trapped ball. The umps huddled and got the call right. Ruiz was out. So back to first for Polanco. Madson strikes out so here we go to the ninth.
Pujols is leading off so a homer the Phiks still lead.

Madson trying for a five out save but Pujols leads off with a double. Now wer're in trouble because Berkman can tie the game.
So Masdson, two pitches and two rockets.

It's tough playing with the lead in this series.

One out, Berkman pops up to Victorino. He got that one off the end of his bat.
I'm pulling my hair out.
He gets to 0-2 on Freese then a pitch that according to the pitch tracker on tv was a high strike, called a ball.

Ok a week ground ball to Utley for the second out. Pujols moves to third.
Molina is trying to continue an 11 game playoff hit streak, he is 0-4.

First hit base hit for Molina right over the middle in front of Victorino. They had him playing very deep to prevent extra base hits. Oh well.
3-2 now, still two outs.

Two first pitch hits this inning and they swung at the first pitch Madsen through in the eighth inning.
They give up so many first pitch hits.
Theriot is up and he is 4-4 but no runs scored or RBI's.

The count is 1-2.

Ground ball to Utley and he throws out Theriot,
Phils win 3-2.

Cole Hamels gets the win and is now has more wins then any other Phillie in post season history with 7.

Wow I can finally breath.

They stole this one. They were out hit and outplayed really This game.
The Phils make the Cards strand 14 runners today. That was an amazing game. I was going crazy watching this game and it's only the third one of the playoffs.

Alright only nine more to go.

Playoffs, the NL Division Series - Cards @ Phils

2011-10-02T20:44:00.019-04:00

Jeez can the Phils get the first guy out pleas the next game. Furcal leads off nearly homering opposite field to right but it's a triple as Pence went the wrong way after the ball bounced off the fence.
Then Lee went to work.

He struck out Craig, Popped up Pujols, then Berkman smashed a ball at Polanco who grabbed it and toss out Berkman.

Brilliant, I really though it was going to be a 1-0 start for the Cards.
Great recovery for Lee.
Bottom of the first the Phils get their own ball off the wall in nearly the same spot as Furcal, so Rollins a leadoff double.
Then Carpenter walked Utley and Pence to load them for Howard. He battled for a full count and finally bounced one right up the middle that if Carpenter didn't kick it would have been a double play but it ends up as a two RBI single.
Victorino pops up on the first pitch he sees, sometimes he does some things that don't make sense. No reason to swing at the first pitch there.

Ayway Ibanez follows with a single to drive in Pence.
Polanco hits into a DP but otherwise a great first inning for the Phils. Now it's up to Cliff Lee.

Another first pitch, first batter in the inning hit. Freeze lines one into right for a double. I just don't understand it.

It was this point in last nights game that Halladay shut the Cards down for seven straight innings.

Jerry Meels is behind the plate, so this is going to be a frustrating strike zone.
He just called Molina out on a third strike on a pitch that was in the same spot as the previous pitch that was a ball.

I hope that Lee won't have to work with runners on the entire time he's out there.

Lee gets out of it again.

Phils second starts with Ruiz grounding out and Lee striking out, followed by Rollins smacking another one off the top of the wall For a double.
He steals third as Utley walks again. Pence lines a single into right to knock in Rollins. 4-0 Phils.

After Pence's hit Larussa came to the mound but didn't really say anything to Carpenter, he did give Meels a few choice words.
Don't see that very often without the manager getting tossed.

Cards third has the pitcher leading off so he might get the first batter out.

In the fourth Berkman leads off with a walk so anyone not a pitcher tonight as a leadoff is 3-3.

Bad inning for Lee. After the walk he did get a strike out but then three straight hits that gets two runs for the Cards and now it's 4-2 with second and third and one out.
Also Pence missed a cutoff on a throw in that let's the runner get to second on the throw.

So it'll probably be at least 4-3 at this point.

When Lee goes south it happens fast and all in one inning usually.
They do get three, after Punto struck out Furcal singled. One run scored but Ibanez threw the second runner out at the plate with a perfect one hopper that Ruiz held onto.
I don't know what was going on in that inning with Cliff Lee.

Ok after the Phils go down in order, the cards come back and go down in order. Lee is doing a number on Pujols. Last ab he was throwing all curves, this time he mixed in a couple of fast balls and struck him out looking with one right on the inside corner.

The Cards just tie it up in the sixth. After two outs he gives up a double and a single, but this time Ibanez doesn't make a good throw so he's safe at home then an infield single.
Lee is struggling. Must of the hits a bleeders but they still count.

This will be Lee's last inning.

Lee comes back out for the seventh, I'm surprised. I guess it's either him or the bullpen.
Not surprised that he gives up a triple that should have been caught by Victorino then a single and an RBI then another single to Berkman.

I guess it's not over yet but it sure feels like it is. I do not understand why Lee was allowed to come back out. He was clearly done.

That was all the scoring for the game. I'm good with scoring four runs in this game, not good with Lee giving up five especially after he was spotted four runs.

Bad loss, the misplayed by Victorino was a killer.

So they go to St. Louis tied at 1-1.

Playoffs - game 1 - Cardinals @ Phillies

2011-10-01T22:51:00.005-04:00

Earlier this summer Holly and I were given tickets to go to a NASCAR race today so we weren't going to cancel that so we went.
It was a lot of fun and probably the loudest sound ever heard was after the race started.

We finally got home about three hours after game time.

As usual Halladay gives up a leadoff hit to Furcal, Then a one out walk to Pujols.
Halladay's first pitch to Berkman hit the front of the upper deck and it's three to zip after one half.

I have to admit that since I recorded the game I couldn't resist skipping forward until I saw something good happen.
Finally they scored a run in the fourth after Lohse was perfect through three the got a couple base runners for Victorino.
He popped a foul ball behind third base that was dropped for an error so Victorino got another chance and he came through, a single and an RBI. Phils are on the board.

Phils go in order the next inning but really broke it open in the sixth.
Rollins cued one up the middle for a single, after Utley struck out Pence singled. First and second for Howard.
He had a great ab. He foiled a bunch of change ups before Lohse missed a spot and gave Howard one up in the zone that Ryan put into the first row of the upper deck. Ryan dropped his bat and admired his work for a split second before making his way around the bases.

That was gonna be about all they would need but they still weren't done.
After another runner gets on Ibanez hit the sign in front of the upper deck in right, now it's 6-3 Phils.

In the seventh they loaded them up with no outs but after Pence dribbled one for a force at home it look like they might not get much more but Howard hit a sac fly and a couple more hits knocked in two more runs for a 9-3 lead.
Two more in the eighth and it's 11-3, game over.
While all that is going on Halladay gave up another leadoff hit in the second but that's when he put the hammer down and retired the next 21 batters he faced.
I'm not sure why but Manual took him out and used Stutes to start the ninth. That didn't work so well.
Stutes gave up three hits only got one out before Manual pulled him for Madson.
Stutes was charged with three runs but two of them came after Madson came in and gave up a double that let the second two runs in. Ryan Madson gave up that hit but struck out the next two including Matt Holliday to finish it up.

The Phils scored five in the fifth to tie a team record and had 14 hits also a playoff team record.

Ryan Howard had a home run and four RBI's. He had zero of each through two rounds last season.

Everyone had a hit except Ruiz and Polanco.

Teams that win game one are 47-17 but on the other hand, teams losing game one who win game two are 13-11.

Great win tonight and the Phils make a statement and tell everyone they aren't just a team of pitchers.

Ten more.

Game 162 - the end of a great season Phils @ Braves

2011-09-28T17:30:00.011-04:00

This was a magical regular season for the Phillies, it was so much fun following these guys on the way to over 100 wins and a fifth division title in five years.

After losing 8 in a row they have now won three straight including the last two against the Braves.
Atlanta is in a playoff push against the Cards but the Braves are doing whatever they can to lose it.
Lee and last might Oswalt have pitched brilliantly to put the Braves on the brink of being knocked out.
With last nights loss and the Cards win they are tied going into tonight.

So either the Braves or Cards will get in or they will tie and play a one game play-in game on Thursday.
If the Cards win, they play the Phils, if the Braves win the Phils play either the Brewers or the Diamondbacks.

I'm voting for the Cards. Even with tonight they have had to use the starters to get in the playoffs and if they have to play another game tomorrow their rotation will be completely out of order for a series with the Phils.

Same thing going on in the AL. the Red Sox are on the verge of a historic collapse. They had a 9 game lead for the wild card. Right now they are tied with the Rays with one game left.
So there could be two play-in games tomorrow.

As for the Phils. They have history in their sight tonight.
Charlie is tied with Gene Mauch for most wins in a career for a Phils Manager, so he becomes number one with a win tonight.
Also if they win that would be 102 wins this season and the most ever.

Phils picked up a run in the seventh, so going into the ninth they are down 3-2 and Polanco leads off with a hit and Pete Orr in to run.
Pretty exciting even in this game that really doesn't mean to much for the Phils. The Cards game and the Rays game is already decided and the Red Sox are up 3-2 but in a rain delay.

Struck out Ruiz on a face high pitch and a full count.

After the Phils loaded the bases with one out Utley hit a long fly that became a sac fly to tie the game up at three a piece.
Kimbrel really imploded. And as all over the place and reloaded up the bases before being pulled.

The Phils go into extra innings, the Cards whooped the Astros so the Braves have to win to get in.

In the AL the Red Sox had a 3-2 lead into the ninth but Poplebon couldn't hold it ad gave up two runs to the Orioles, Red Sox Lose.
The Rays were losing to the Yankees 7-0 but they came back and tied it.
It stayed tied until the bottom of the 12th when Longoria homered for the second time in the game. This came about three minutes after the Sox game ended.
So the red sox ended with a historic collapse and the Braves had one of their own as the Phils beat them in 4-3 in 13.

The Phils get the Cards in the first round starting on Saturday night.

Game one will be Hallady vs. lohse, game two is Lee vs Carpenter who will be on three days rest.

Game 159 Phils @ Mets - Sunday September 25th 2011

2011-09-25T16:48:00.003-04:00

Phils are trying to stop the record breaking losing streak today and have Halladay on the mound so it looks like a good bet.

Started great just like yesterday when they got three in the first but couldn't hold it because of Pence's error.

Today the get 3 in the first and one in the 2nd and 3rd and 4 more in the fourth.
Halladay was able make it stand.

Roy pitched 6 inning and only gave up four hits and no runs.
Bastardo pitched to 6 batters in the seventh and after the first strike out couldn't get another out and gave up a ling homer and three runs.

Worley, who is now in the pen got the last two outs and even though he gave up a couple of hits and a run in the eighth I liked what he did out of the pen.
Madson had a shakey 9th to close it out but He needed a great play from Victorino to track down a shot in center to do it.

Halladay finishes 19-6 on the season but because he lost his last start won'y be in the running for the Cy Young.

Phils now head into a three game series with the Braves who need to win two minimum to at least tie for the wild card spot and the Cards need to win all three against the Astros.
The Braves have a 1 game lead for the wild card.

Phils get 19 hits today. Pence had three, Rollins with three. Carlos Ruiz had four hits and raised his average to .290.

There is still a lot of concern about Bastardo, he struck out the first guy and that was it.
Wheels said there may have been some pitch tipping to the other team but I think he is just not locating.

99 wins, three more for the team record.

Games 152-159

2011-09-25T16:38:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted anything since the day after they Clinched the division and since then the Phils have played at a record breaking pace. The record they broke isn't one I expected though.

Over the last 8 games they have lost all 8.
This produced at least two records that I became aware of.
Most Losses in a row after clinching the division or the league. Previous record was 5 losses in a row, now the record is eight.
Most consecutive losses after winning 98 games, now at eight.

Most of these were lost because they stopped scoring runs.
They Lost 3 of 4 to the Cards and all four to the Nationals. So after not losing a four game series all season they lose two in a row.
Also included in this are two day/night double header sweeps curtesy of the Mets and Nats.

Yesterday they lost because Pence Dropped a fly all that led to 5 un-earned runs in the inning.
They found all types of ways to lose.

They are stuck on 98 wins and now need to win the last 4 to set the team record for most wins in a season.

Game 151 Cards @ Phils

2011-09-18T20:23:00.008-04:00

Ok I know the clinched playoffs and everything else so what I'm looking at is the starting pitching.
Hamels started tonight and I already don't like it.
Gave up a hit then a tremendous bomb to Pujols.
That ball went past the could pole in left and right into the corner of the upper deck. It would have gone past the Gulf sign if it didn't hit the upper deck.

These next two weeks watching the Phils are going to be brutal.
They have hit into three double plays in four innings.

Hamels has been pretty awful the last two starts including tonight.
He just gave another two run homer this one with an 0-2 count.
So It's four to nothing.

It ended up being 5-0.
They obviously still were nursing hangovers although the only two Phils not in the game were Howard and Ruiz.

The disappointing aspect is that Hamels had another bad game so that's two in a row.

If they lose tomorrow that will be the only four game series loss this season.

Game 150 Cards @ Phils --- Division Clinched 5 Straight Years

2011-09-17T22:23:00.014-04:00

The Braves have already one today so the Phils have to win tonight to Clinch the division on their own.

Good start for Oswalt. NO runs in the first.
Phils lead off with a hit from Rollins and he gets to second on a ground out y Victorino. He was running or the grounder would have been a double play.
They walk Howard intentionally to get to Pence and it seems like every time they do that he gets a hit. He did again.
Nothing amazing just a liner over the third baseman that brings in Rollins. So walk Howard and and Pence gets a hit again.

Phils load them up in the third but don't score. Load them up again in the fourth but Jake Westbrook walked Victorino to force
in a run. Still Loaded one out.

Unusual thing happened in the fourth. Before Victorino walked Larrussa came out and talked to the umps and then the umps talked to Manual.
Apparently the Cards phone doesn't work so they had to tell the Phils they can't use their phone either.
Larussa's signal was a "wide" sign, holding his arms out to his side. He want Arthur Rhoades, a big guy but not exactly wide.

Oh well they don't get any more as Utley popped out and Howard grounded out.

Phils are just chuggin' along tonight. Victorino homered earlier gave them a 3-0 lead and hear in the seventh Oswalt got out of a first and third two out jam with a big strike out with a sweeping curve.
He is on point tonight, very sharp, hitting the corners a great game. looks like seven might be all for him though.

Stutes in to pitch the eighth.
Cards are kicking up a two out fuss. Pujols singled and now two on for berkman. Pujols was on five times yesterday and another couple times tonight.
Berkman singles in a run.
I'm not thrilled with the pen the last few weeks. Bastardo has been leaking oil and Stutes hasn't been very hot lately, and now another hit. Finally Manual comes out to get Stutes.
I think these guys can only pitch to 2 or 3 hitters now and that Manual needs to have someone ready in the pen basically at all times.
Stutes blew a gasket and gave up four hits real fast and two runs. They should have had Lidge up much earlier so he could come in at least one batter earlier.

Charlie just seems to fall asleep sometimes and forgets there is a game going on. Lidge throws one pitch and gets an easy grounder out. One batter too late, still they have the lead 3-2. He leaves pitchers in for one or two hitters too long, a lot.

They Get one back on Victorino's rbi single in their part of the eighth. He has three rbi's tonight.

Utley is hit right in the back of his calf and this loads the bases. Howard is up for the second time with them loaded. He hasn't done much of anything with the bases loaded in awhile. Very quickly down 0-2 after he swings at another ball two feet outside.
Sounds like a repeat of many at bats this year. He can't stay away from that pitch. Also why does anyone throw him anything but a curveball. There it is again, a foot outside sweeping curve, swing and a miss.
He is so far off the plate in the box now that his back foot is on the back line and his front foot is on the farthest left line.
Started the season much closer to the plate and he was seeing that pitch and not swinging at it.

In spite of that I feel pretty good about tonight. It's a much different air around the game from yesterday. Oner difference is the 4-5-6 hitters yesterday were 0-20 I think or very close to that.

The Cards are making some costly mistakes this inning. Furcal just took a grounder and was going to throw to second for the force but as usual Utley ran very hard to second. Furcal had to double pump and throw to first and it cost them. Pence also running hard beat the throw, scoring Rollins.

Bases still loaded for Raul Ibanez.
On a 1-1 pitch Ibanez gets a pitch from Octavio Dotel right down broadway and he deposited that ball 10 rows deep in right field. Grand Slam his 9th.

Six runs in the bottom of the eighth and that champagne is out of the fridge.

Madson is in to finish it up, not a save chance but I guess he should be in there anyway.

Wheels is already in the clubhouse ready for the celebration.

How many times have they clinched these at home? Seems like every time.

Well of course Madson doesn't do it easy. He gives up a two out hit, that's happened a bunch lately.

This game hurts the Cards too because they're chasing the Braves for the wild card spot.
There it is. Furcal bounces a high two hopper to Utley that he BARE-HANDS and throws out Furcal.

Five straight division titles. I remember in 1980 after they won the division for the 4th time in five years and thinking it was such a great run. then two years later they went to the World Series and 5 divisions in 8 years. What a great run that was. Now 5 divisions in a row.
Hunter Pence had a smile on face like you might not believe while he was running in after the last out.

I've heard some talk on if they should celebrate a division win with the champagne or not, of course yes. there are a bunch of new and young players who haven't been through this so they deserve their chance to celebrate.

In the clubhouse the players are all picking put their own bottle but it is a subdued celebration to start. almost looks like they're waiting for someone to go first.

There it goes they crazy begins. they were waiting for Pence to get in there to start it off.

Dom Brown is drinking his bottle, i'm not sure that's what this champagne is for.

The new t-shirt might be "Let's pop bottles" Wheels ask Pence what time it was to see if he would say "Good game let's go eat" he said Let's pop Bottles.

Now there will be much rest for some of these guys. Howard has a ad foot so he'll be out some and probaly Ruiz.

Looks like most of the celebrating is the new guys.
I think they have giant cans of beer now, those cans are huge.

Wow clinched the division with 12 games left. I love it. I can't wait 'till the playoffs start. If anyone I know is reading this, after the playoffs start don't call me, don't ask me to come out of my Home Theater Room I'm not available.

________________

Win 9-2
last ten 6-4
After Pence 32-13
Division up 12
Magic number Zero
Best record magic number 1
Record 98-52

Game 149 Cards @ Phils

2011-09-16T19:59:00.024-04:00

The Phils are in the verge of clinching the division.
The magic number is 2 at the start of the game.
Braves are home against the Mets and the Mets have already scored four in the first.

Ance Worley going tonight. I'm not real thrilled with the way he's pitching. He was fine in the first but threw nearly 30 pitches in the second and already has a bunch in the third. Pujols singled again and is 2-2 already.
Worley is pitching from behind to a lot of hitters.

I guess that's better then out of the park.

He's missing with his cutter that he uses with two strikes. It moves from off the plate to the corner but he's not getting is spot.

Third inning, Pujols tried to get to third from first on a single right in front of him to left that Francisco didn't charge but he made an accurate throw and Pujols was out.

Worley gets through six with about 100 pitches so won't pitch more then one more inning. He's done well holding the cards to 1 run. Pujols has three singles.

They took him out anyway then Furcal leads off by bunting a ball over Jimmy Rollins head then gets to second on a wild pitch.
I don't remember seeing anyone bunt a ball that far in the air for a hit.

Holy Toledo, the Cards just grounded into their 160th double play, ends the inning. Good job Herndon getting out of bases loaded one out spot.

Phils only have four hits.

Mets lead the Braves 10-2 so looks like the Phils will clinch a tie for the division tonight.

Oh boy, Mayberry led off the seventh with a single and Francisco smacked one that just died right at the wall left. It looked like he killed It too, and now Mayberry is out at second on a ball that bounced at the plate but not far enough away.

Bastardo continues to stink as of late and gives up a long home run to Molina that hit pretty far up on the foul pole in left.

They way the Phils have been hitting this looks bad.

Bottom of the eighth and Rollins struck out again on a ball bouncing two feet off the plate. The Phils do that a lot.
Anyway Victorino gets on and moves to second on a wild pitch, one out.
Utley dribbles a weak ball to the pitcher, two outs.
Would be nice to hit a ball to the right side so the runner in second could have gone to third. Sheesh.

Cards bring in Octavio Dotel for Pence, Pence is 0-3 with three K's against him. Oh man Pence just cracked a ball that was almost higher then the pole but it was about ten feet foul. I thought it might hit the Gulf sign.

Struck him out on a ball that was in. They really are not hitting anything right now.

Manual has been saying form the last two weeks that they will continue to play the same as normal he last two weeks but don't think so. I'm seeing Howard getting rested every other game and same with Polanco and Ruiz and Francisco has been getting a lot of time.

Lidge is in for the ninth and got then first out after getting behind 3-1.
I guess Ryan Howard will pinch hit in the ninth, but even if they get a runner on I'm not sure they can get two or three hits in one inning tonight to score a run.
A smash at Mayberry that he drops and Lidge doesn't cover so no they have two on two outs.
No reason for that. A guy who has been around as long as Lidge should be over there. Anyway he gets out of the inning.

Ugh Polanco line a ball k to right but their right fielder was very shallow and caught it easily.
Mayberry whiffs at two right down the middle, two outs.
Howard is up as a pinch hitter.

Ryan gets a double but he was safe by an inch, almost thrown out.
Can they do it?

Holy crap. Ruiz lines a ball to right field right on the line, deep and Corey Patterson gets to the ball but takes it a little awkwardly and dropped it.
I think he took his eye off it for a split second and he might have looked at the wall.
Oh well Gload goes down in three pitches and swings at one two feet outside.

Disaster in the eleventh Schwimer comes in and coughs it up. He gives up a two runs including a ball that bounced off Martinez' glove after hitting the chain fence above the left field wall, it then stayed on top of the wall and rolled about six feet before falling to the track.
Martinez took a few seconds to find it which let another run score.
So 4-2 going to the bottom of the eleventh.
Two outs runner on first for the imposing John Bowker. Snort.

That's it. Bowker and Schwimer really?

Schwimer gave up a homer to the first batter he faced but looked good in that game and yesterday but he just isn't ready to be up here and it's obvious. I am confused as to why he is on the roster and keeps pitching in important spots.

---------------

Loss 4-2
last ten 6-4
After Pence 31-13
Division up 12
Magic number 1
Best record magic number 3
Record 97-52

Game 148 Marlins @ Phils Second game of day nighter

2011-09-15T20:24:00.011-04:00

After three innings both teams have two hits.
The Phils have hammered a few balls that probably would have been well out, but tonight the wind is Gail force blowing straight in.
One ball actually was blown back towards the infield in left.

Lee is having a really good game but the Phils keep hitting balls in the air and they're getting knocked down and caught.
Except for the fourth when the Marlins pitcher struck out the side.

Finally in the sixth the Phils break through literally.
Mayberry smacked a ball right down towards the left field foul pole that just got inside the pole.
One zip Phils.
Pence follows with a smash that the first baseman mishandled and then he didn't go after it so Pence runs to second base.
ThAt was it for the inning.

Cliff Lee is phenomenal. He never looks like he is working hard, he's just smooth.
Today he is pitching a shut out after eight, has 11 strike outs for the 18th time in his career, tenth with the Phils and ninth this year.
Has retired ten in a row going into the ninth.

Ninth inning, Lee gets ahead of the first batter 0-2. Seems like every batter has been down 0-2. Strike out number 12.
He throws one up and in on the 0-2 pitch then paints the outside corner for called strike three.

Stanton hit a clothesline out to Ibanez that was a seed. Raul dove to his left after taking about four steps and caught the ball just beforeit hit the turf.

Oh my goodness.
Lee just let them tie the game on another 0-2 pitch on a home run by Lopez.
Jeez.
This was like a playoff game with the anticipation of another Cliff Lee shut out.
For the second time this season he misses a complete game shut out with two outs in the ninth. Oh My.
That is like a punch in the face.
It was a bad pitch. Was supposed to be low and outside but it was up and right over the plate and Lopez nailed it.

The only way I could imagine Lee comig back out is if they get a run here, but it is really unlikely that would happen.
Now this could be a long game.

Schimer is in for the Phils so, well who knows.

What a sucker punch, this should be over and the 22nd shut out for the Phils.

It took one extra inning for the Phils to win tonight. Martinez leads off with a walk and Ryan Howard smokes one into the gap that brings I Martinez for the win. That ball was a bolt.
A bunch of balls were hit a ton tonight I wonder what this game would have look like with the wind blowing normally.

Anyway they match the win total from last season at 97 with 14 games left and they have won more only twice 101 in both 1976 and 1977. This is the third time for 97 wins.

It's a shame Lee didn't win the game but at least they did win after all. Michael Schwimer gets his first big league win.

------------------

Win 2-1
last ten 7-3
After Pence 31-12
Division up 12
Magic number 2
Best record magic number 3
Record 97-51

Game 147 Marlins @ Phils

2011-09-15T19:26:00.004-04:00

Kyle Kendrick gets the start in game one of the day nighter.
The Phils are still mostly going through the motions. Get three hits and two runs in the first and nothing else until the sixth inning.

Kendrick pitched a very good five innings. He didn't give up his first hit until the fifth inning a long hone run by Logan Morrison.
Kept the Fish off the board and allowed Phils two runs to hold up. The added a run in the seventh on a RBI from Utley in his return from the concussion.

Howard is still struggling terribly.
He was 0-4 with two K's but he wasn't close to much of anything today and won't be in the line up tonight.

Polanco and Ibanez had two hits each and the Phils outhit the opponent for the first time in five games.
A huge play by Ibanez in the top of the eighth.
Marlins have two on and one out. A base hit into left field to Ibanez, he runs in on the ball and picks it up, Infante is coming around third trying to score but Raul throws a strike to Schneider and they get the out. It really was a perfect throw. Raul has had a few of those this season.

Stutes pitched a decent two innings but Bastardo was in trouble again. A hit and a walk in .1 of an inning and Charlie pulled him quick.

Madson got the save but until after he let the first two on in the ninth.

--------------------

Win 3-1
last ten 7-3
After Pence 30-12
Division up 11.5
Magic number 3
Playoff Magic Number 0
Record 96-51

Game 146 Phils @ Astros - Clinched a playoff berth

2011-09-15T15:00:00.003-04:00

I was out all day and actually didn't watch the game or listen to it.
Turns into another record breaking game for the Phils.
They win a playoff berth faster then any other Phils team. The 1915 team did it in 147 games.
Halladay won his 18th game making him only the third Philly to win St least 18 two seasons in row.
Robin Roberts did it many times in a row and Carlton did in '79 and '80.

I did watch the first inning and each inning Halladay pitched after I got home.

Halladay was a master yesterday. He had one shaky inning. In thesecond they got two bleeders to start the inning and a bunt hit to load the bases with no outs.
He got a force at home and a double play to get out of it. That was it. The Astros weren't even close to scoring.

The Phils got two hits from the first two batters in the game and only two more hits the rest of the game.

It ended on Roy Halladay's seventh strike out to very little or mo fanfare.
There was some hand shaking on the bench and field but if there was any celebrating in the club house it wasn't shown on tv.

This is the fifth straight season in the playoffs, continuing the record that was four last year.
Magic number is 4 to clinch the fifth straight division win and 6 to clinch best record.

They still have not been swept in a series of two games or more, the Marlins did win a one game rain shortened series.
They are also 12-5 in the current stretch of 33 in 31 games.

-------------------

Win 1-0
last ten 7-3
After Pence 29-12
Division up 11
Magic number 4
Playoff Magic Number 0
Record 95-51

Game 145 Phils @ Astros

2011-09-13T20:24:00.010-04:00

I guess this is going to be another irritating game.
J. Happ sets the Phils down in order in the first then Cole gets one out and gives up two straight doubles and a single to start his game off.
Now he loads the bases on a hit batter.
I don't think they care at this point. Don't want to be in Houston, don't want to play at all.
Obvious cruise control right now.

Jim Reynolds behind the plate is really squeezing the plate, not giving any corners to Hamels.

Still playing sloppy again tonight.
Hamels gets two outs then a shot up the middle for a single goes to Mayberry and he boots it. Let it go right through his legs for a single then a two base error.

Finally some good news as Pence hit a ball off the yellow wall in left to tie it up at 1-1.

The slop continues in the fourth. A hit and a stolen base. it would be nice if Ruiz could throw a guy out for a change, then Howard stone hands a ball on Happ and Hamels doesn't cover first runner safe.

A single through the hole for a run then a three run home run makes it 5-1.
I would ove to turn off the Phils and have some one wake me up when the playoffs start, because It looks like the Phils have fallen asleep too.

I don't get this at all. The home plate ump is only calling strikes right down the middle and nothing on the corners. The Astros are swinging at good pitches not stuff off the plate but the Phils are swinging and not Forcing Happ to throw strikes.

Finally in the fifth the Phils get Rollins on with one out then Happ walks two after Polanco made an out.
Howard is up and swings through a fastball.

He hasn't hit a slam in awhile he's due for one.

Howard got to 2-1 but then a ball very low gets called for a strike. Happ throws the exact same pitch and it's called a ball.
Howard flies out to the waring track in left. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

That wall out in left is aout 20 feet high and the left fielder caught it on the track in front of the wall. Tom McCarthy said Howard missed a grand slam by a few feet.

Not really a surprise but Hamels was taken out after the fifth inning.

J. Happ ends up out-pitching Cole Hamels. Happ only gives up 4 hits while Hamels gives up 9 including 5 runs.

They really just were going through the motions the last few games.

-------------------

Loss 5-2
last ten 6-4
After Pence 28-12
Division up 11
Magic number 5
Playoff Magic Number 1
Record 94-51

Game 144 Phils @ Astros

2011-09-12T21:11:00.012-04:00

Pretty sloppy fourth inning for the Phils defense.
Ibanez drops a ball in right, then Rollins and Orr collide trying to catch a bouncer and get a double play and get no one.
Then a ball hit to Howard should have been a double play but the throw back to first was dropped by Oswalt.

They end up getting two runs out of it and a 2-1 lead.
Odd play mixed in there.
On a hit by an Astronomer he was running into second, Rollins had his hands up to say don't throw it in, the Astro saw Rollins hand up and High Fived him.

None of that was Oswalt's fault. He's pitching pretty good.

Tonight was Pence's first game back in Houston since coming to the Phils. He got a standing O in his first ab.
If the Phils win tonight they tie for a playoff spot and if the Cards lose the Phils clinch a spot.

So much for Oswalt having a good game. He gives up a two out hit then a two run homer to Carlos Lee. Now it's 4-1 Astros.
The other problem is Brett Myers is pitching for the Astros and as with any pitcher who throws a 65 mph curve, the Phils aren't hitting him.

Howard just whiffed at three of those in a row.

I'm tempted to not watch the rest of this game, because I always get angry when I watch them play this way.
Ibanez is now whiffing at these crappy curves.
Oh, Raul walked.

I really do get upset watching these kind of game. Myers is 4-13 and has an era nearly at 5. Hit this guy already.

I'm going upstairs to wash the dishes and turn the game on the radio.

That was awful. Apparently they are in "already clinched" mode. While they sure did bring their too game against the Braves and
Brewers, they sure didn't tonight and walker last week against the Marlins. Oh well the Cards lost so they have a guarantee spot in the playoffs.
Brett Meyers gets the win and Oswalt the Loss.
Oswalt has been a disappointment since he has come back and to some extent before he went on the DL.
He hasn't stepped up to be a stopper, he isn't even the fourth best pitcher right now.

--------------------

Loss 5-1
last ten 6-4
After Pence 28-11
Division up 12
Magic number 5
Playoff Magic Number 1
Record 94-50

Game 143 Phils @ Brewers September 11 2011

2011-09-11T18:54:00.003-04:00

Even with Vance Worley and Ryan Howard couldn't win one more to sweep the four game series, oh well.

Sometimes the other team gets to receive credit, their pitcher was really good today.
The Phils only had one hit after five and three after six. Victorino and Howard had solo homers in the sixth fora 2-1 lead but that wa it today for the Phils.

Worley pitched a decent game but not good enough. He gave up three hits with two outs and The Brewers took back the lead for good.

Ibanez and Orr had 7 strike-outs between them.
The Phils and Worley's streaks were stopped. Vance won 9 in a row and the Phils won 14 of his starts in a row.
Howard had another RBI and Prince Fielder had zero during the series.

Brewers's Gallardo struck out 12 Phils and he has 16 wins.

-------------------

Loss 3-2
last ten 8-2
After Pence 28-10
Division up 12
Magic number 6
Playoff Magic Number 2
Record 94-49

Game 142 Phils @ Brewers game 3 of four games

2011-09-10T19:39:00.019-04:00

Ryan Howard is out to start the game, which doesn't bother me because Randy Wolf is pitching. He throws slop up there and I don't like him hitting against that crap.

Pence gets them on the board with a second level home run.

Not a great second inning for the defense in the bottom of the second.
Fielder lead off walk and was forced on what was an easy double play ball but Martinez tossed the ball low to Mayberry and it bounced
Into the dugout.
Next batter singled sending McGehee home and into a collision with Ruiz. He caught the ball but it was knocked loose one the crash.

The run is unearned butnit breaks Lee's 30 inning scoreless streak.

Then in the top of the third Lee while trying to bunt had the ball graze off his pitching hand so we'll see if anything comes from that.

Now they get the bases loaded on a walk to Pence for Mayberry.

Wolf just threw an 85 mph fastball.

Have I mentioned yet how much a cannot stand watching Wolf pitch? It's because of all the slop he throws up there. I hate it.

I have a feeling the lack of the A team being out there might hurt them tonight.

It shows in the fourth, they get a single to start then Fielder bloops a hit out in short left that drops in. Valdez gets to the ball and throws to third instead of second which would have kept fielder on first. So they get second third no outs and Braun grounds out but the run scores.

Polanco homers for the first time since April? Ties it up in the fifth at 2-2.

Still tied in the bottom of the seventh. Kind of an ugly game for the Phils with the bad defense and almost all hitting coming with two outs. They just left two more on with two outs, mayberry again.
Victorino is in a bad slump.

He is 0-4 and down to .296 from around .314 a coup,e weeks ago.

Mayberry is also 0-4 and has 6 LOB.
Martinez is killing them tonight. He just dropped a ball at second on a steal attempt. He catches the ball he's out.
They have runner on second with one out now a walk so first and second one out in the seventh.
Nothing they can do I guess. Rollins is still out and Utley has the concussion. Maybe they can get Howard in now as a pinch hitter since Wolf is out of the game.
Lee might be pitching around Hart. Nope he gave him a pitch to hit and he lined it to Victorino.

Headed to the eighth tied at two.

Phils can't get anything going in this game and their pen is really good.
I think they need to get into extra innings and try to get something going after their closer comes in a gets out of the game.

Well nobody on base and two outs so Valdez can't hit a DP now.
He walked and stole second but hurt his hammy on the steal. He stayed in but is banging his fist on his leg to try and loosen it up.
They don't have any more infielders to come in except for Rollins who they keep saying isn't ready yet even though he came of the DL the other day.
Orr walked and now Gload is up. Again this is all with two outs. Strike out.

Uh oh Lidge is in for the eighth, he already does have one out though.
Yep, Braun doubles and they walk Fielder and he's behind to McGehee.
I guess they brought him in because Bastardo is struggling and to see what he could do in an important situation.
He gets the job done. Strikes out McGehee and Betencourt grounds out, good job Lidge.

Howard in to hit for Mayberry, he's batting around .340 as a pinch hitter, but Howard isn't seeing this ball or something as he just took two right down the middle.
He strikes out a surprisingly high amount of times against righties. Hmm, six pitches and he only swung at one, that was a check swing foul ball.

Bottom of the ninth, Stutes is in now.
Got one easy out but The next guy hit a ball right down the line at first. Lucky that Howard was playing on the line and he made a great catch for the out. Then strikes out Lecrouy(sp?)

Extra innings here we come.

Raul leads it off with a double on the first pitch.
On the second pitch Ruiz bunts it, Hawkins the pitcher picks it up then fires it right into the seats.
Raul scores and Ruiz to second. Hawkins thought the third basemen was going to get it so he delayed for a tick before picking it up.

Madson is in tom try for the save and has a full count on Corey Hart. Not making it easy.
Walked him.

Craig Council, who seems like he's been around forever bunts him over.

Ryan Braun is up. Struck him out.
I would walk Fielder.
He would be the winning run but even at the plate, batting he's the winning run.

Looked like he was pitching around McGehee but now he has him at full.
He hits a chopper to Polanco that he bobbled and throws low to first but Howard digs it out.

Ryan Madson is the 9th pitcher to have 30 saves or more.
That was a huge win. Now they have six in a row against the Braves and Brewers, take that.

They are 11-2 to start this 33 in 31 days.

I just am amazed at this team. They rest a good portion of the regulars and still win three straight from Milwaukee.

Hunter Pence was 3-3 and 2 walks.

46 games over .500
YIKES!
------------------------

Win 3-2
last ten 8-2
After Pence 28-9
Division up 12
Magic number 8
Playoff Magic Number 2
Record 94-48

Game 141 Phils @ Brewers game 2 of four games September 9th

2011-09-10T19:18:00.004-04:00

Ryan Howard set it up right from the first inning with a three run bomb int te upper deck in right.
Halladay was great tonight. Eight innings only four hits but he walked three. Only one earned run that may not have been a run if the Phils were paying attention.
Mcgehee came in on a sac fly but he hit Ruiz foot and hopped right over the plate and never touched it.
The ump never made a call.

Still no Utley. Looks like he is out until next Wednesday at the earliest.

It was another odd line up tonight with Pence hitting third and Ibanez fifth.

Pete Orr played second and he got three hits.
Take a look at this line for Valdez.
Valdez, W, SS 4 0 0 0 0 1 10 .248

That's 0-4 and the ten stands for men left on base. He hit into one DP but it seems like much more then one to me..
With that three run homer Howard leads all of baseball in RBI's and is third in the NL in homers.

It was 5-1 headed to the ninth but then Bastardo came in.

In his last three appearances, he has faced eight batters. He has retired only two of them in one-plus inning, allowing two hits, four runs and four walks.

Tonight he gave up a walked and a hit to the first two batters. So he was taken out for Madseon whom came in and got the save but not before giving up a hit that scored two runs, charged to Bastardo.

Anyway they win get to 45 games over .500, the Braves lose so the division lead is 11 and the playoff magic number is 3 with 21 games left.

---------------

Win 5-3
last ten 8-2
After Pence 27-9
Division up 11
Magic number 9
Playoff Magic Number 3
Record 93-48

Game 140 Phils @ Brewers

2011-09-08T20:58:00.009-04:00

Starting a four game set with the Brewers.
Let's see that Phil's starting line up

Victorino
Valdez
Polanco
Pence
Mayberry
Ruiz
Francisco
Martinez
Hamels

With chase out from a concussion and Rollins off the DL but still out, that is not a very imposing group.
Looks like Cole will need to pitch another great game.

I didn't expect much so after five the Phils have one walk, Hamels and one bloop hit, Mayberry. He was erased on a DP.

Hamels is matching that on one hit.
well until the home run he just gave up with one out in the fifth.

He made one bad pitch and it gets hit out of the park. Why does that seem to happen, how about a double in the gap instead?

Phils might get shut out in this game, Narveson is a slow ball pitcher, Phils don't hit that junk.

Alright no shut out. Victorino hit one that hit the top of the wall in left, it hit just below the bottom of the foul poul.
Valdez followed with a ball in the gap in left center and it sure looked like the center fielder almost caught up to.
Then they walked Polanco to get to Pence.

He's been slumping a little but he has hit pretty good when someone is walked to get to him.

There it is, he drilled one into the alley in right center but Gomez, the center fielder who almost caught shane's ball took a bad route and if he cut it off from getting tho the wall might have held the Phils to one run there instead of two. So a triple for Pence.

Wow, Mayberry hits one to deep short that Betencourt made a nice play on with a great throw that beat him by a half step, the ump called him safe so Pence scores and it's 4-1.

Ruiz smokes a ball that bounces over the left field wall and almost hit one of the Sausages. Mayberry scores 5-1.
Dd someone say they might get shut out?

Holy mackerel, Ben Francisco even gets a hit that knocks in Ruiz.

So after the first two batters strike out they get three doubles a triple and two singles for 6 runs.

It won't stop, Martinez singles that sends Francisco to second then to third as Right fielder Hart drops the ball.
Cole strikes out to finally end the inning, Brewers strike out the side but gave up six runs.

Cole gave one back on a long opposite field homer for Corey Hart.
It's only the third time he's given up two in a game but it's two starts in a row now.

Pence added a double and an RBI in the ninth and that was all the scoring. Pence had a good game and three RBI's.

Good win for the Phils tonight with half the team not playing the bench picked up the slack.

Brewers have 4 straight losses at home now.
Hamels pitched a complete game four hitter.
I'm ready for the playoffs.

Also an amazing 44 games over .500.

Was nice to see some runs for Cole for a change.

--------------

Win 7-2
last ten 8-2
After Pence 26-9
Division up 10
Magic number 11
Playoff Magic Number 4
Record 92-48

Game 139 Braves @ Phils

2011-09-07T18:50:00.010-04:00

Hopefully no rain delay tonight. Looks like rain but the game is expected to go on time.

Starte on time. Not much action after five innings. Phils have
One hit the Braves no hits after five.
The one Phil hit was an Ibanez homer.

Top of the sixth Bourne leads off and immediately, in fact as the graphic is on the screen of the longest Oswalt has gone without up a hit, Bourne gets a double, then scores on a dribbler up through the middle.

Nice job Broadcast team.

In the Phils sixth Victorino gets with two outs Polanco hits one out to right, Heyward traps it but C.B. Bucknor calls it a catch.
Polanco sees it right away and I saw it on tv. I'll never understand how an umps who is right there cannot see the play correctly.
Makes no sense, anyway the umps got together and one of them over ruled it and called it a hit. Freddie Gonzalez came out to argue and got tossed from the game.

Then Utley got hit right on top of the helmet so the bases are loaded but Howard can't hit lefties and he struck out, wasn't even close to any pitches.

Braves in the seventh get a coup,l of hits and take the lead and now the home plate ump has moved the strike zone and Oswalt isn't getting the same calls as earlier in the game.

Phils still have only two hits.
Bad effort by the Phils today so far and Oswalt is having a really good game.

Bastardo is imploding in the eighth, a hit then a four pitch walk. If not for a double play on the smash Uggla just hit he would be in big trouble.

Only two hits headed to the bottom of the eighth. I wonder if theyre getting bored. They are the fastest Phils team to 90 wins, only 138 games so maybe they are losing focus. They did lose two games to Florida before this series. Seems that they aren't into the game sometimes.

MAyberry a leadoff hit off Venters.
These two guys the Braves use in the eighth and to close are really good. Kimbral is a rookie but he has 42 saves and that's a rookie record.

Valdez bunts over Mayberry.

I think this is the first time they have shown this guy on tv.
A guy dresses in full catchers gear in Carlos Ruiz uniform.

Maybe I have seen that before but I don't remember it.

Victorino swings at a ball a foot in front of the plate in the dirt, two outs.

Oh nice, Polanco shoots one into right field, short to Heyward, and he has a great arm but his throw was way offline and Mayberry ties the score.
Jeez, Francisco walks then Howard swings at three balls nowhere near the strike zone and strikes out.

It wouldn't be so annoying if he at least would swing at balls that were near the strike zone.

Ok tie score onto the ninth.

Heyward leads off with an infield hit, instead of Wheels saying that Valdez was back too far on the hit and didn't make a quick enough charge to the ball he tells us how fast Heyward is. Stop it Wheels, he isn't that fast, Valdez didn't make a good charge on the ball.

I'd like to see the numbers on lead off hitters against the Phils. Seems to me as if they always have the first batter on base a lot of innings.

Phils tie it in the eighth and then in the ninth after Pence grounded out Ibanez walked and Ruiz singled.
Ruiz has been clutch the last half of the season, seems to always get a big hit.

Up comes Ross Gload who stinks lately.

He smacked a ball down the right field line that hit the bag and went into the corner, Ibanez scores Phils win.

The weird play was in the eighth when Utley got hit. It was a fast ball and it clanked right off the top of his helmut but Chase turned to the ump and asked "where did it hit, on my head?" so he must not have known what happened and he was removed from the game after the inning with headache and as a precautionary measure.
I can't see him flying to Milwaukee tonight after that.

So 43 games over .500. They just keep adding to records every week.

I don't know what the playoff magic number is but I'm guessing it's four.
for the seconds straight year the Braves get swept by the Phils in September.

------------------

Win 3-2
last ten 7-3
After Pence 25-9
Division up 10.5
Magic number 12
Playoff Magic Number 4
Record 91-48

Game 138 Braves @ Phils

2011-09-07T18:32:00.003-04:00

After another long rain delay, this time 1:52 minutes, they got started and Chase Utley get them on the board with a home run well over the wall in center right into the bullpen.

It was a pretty late game so I'll just make a few comments.
Worley has nine straight wins and the team is 14-0 in his last 14 starts and the fourth year in a row with 90 wins or kore another team record.

Worley had one tough inning, the sixth when with the Phils up 2-1 he loaded the bases with no outs. The Braves scored on a force out and that was all they got.
Worley is now 11-1. I don't remember ever seeing a record like that for the Phils.

They got back up to 42 games over .500, their playoff magic number is 6.

--------------

Win 6-3
last ten 7-3
After Pence 24-9
Division up 9.5
Magic number 14
Playoff Magic Number 6
Record 90-48

Game 137 Braves @ Phils

2011-09-05T19:59:00.010-04:00

Cliff Lee on the mound against Derek Lowe.
So far Lee has been better.
The Phils got two in the first. The braves didn't.

The strike zone has been a tad small in the first few innings.

Hopefully tonight they will be back to normal. Those last two games in Florida were bad, they seemed completely disinterested in being there.
Also apparently the Phils have been denied their protest according to Howard Eskin today on WIP.
They said during the broadcast one mayor the other.

Bottom of the fourth the Phils get two more runs both unearned. Mayberry walked and Ruiz got on by an error, Martinez bunted them over but Lee grounded out.
Victorino has been 9-12 with two outs runners in scoring position, now he is 10-13.
Then he almost scored from second on a wild pitch. He was stealing third and slid at third or he probably would have been safe, well he probably was safe anyway but was called out.
Lowe took the throw from MCCann but Shane bounced around him and got his hand on the plate a split second before the tag.

Lowe looks bad tonight, chase just smacked a ball of the top of the right field fence. I was surprised the ball was able to bounce so far back towards the infield and that the center fielder was no where in sight.

They walk Howard for a double play but Pence lines a ball that went right over first base for a double and his third RBI of the game.
Mayberry walked again so loaded with one out for Ruiz.

Carlos has been hitting great the second half this season and has his average up to .281.
He singled and knocked on two more 7-0.
Howard homered so it's 8-0 and Cliff Lee is headed to the ninth trying for another shut out, but before that happens the Phils have tacked on another run in the eighth and the fans are doing a mock-chop.

Utley and Howard just crushed balls that just died out to center field.
On to the ninth.

An easy 1-2-3 ninth and Cliff Lee gets his 6th shut out of the season.
He might be moving in to a top contender for Cy young. These are the kind of games that I expect Halladay to be pitching but he isn't.

After those two miserable games against the Marlins they come home and murder the Braves today and knock two more off the magic number.

Howard homered, Pence three RBI's Utley a few hits.
And one last thing, Cliff Lee now has another long scoreless streak at 29.2 innings.
--------

Win 9-0
last ten 6-4
After Pence 23-9
Division up 8.5
Magic number 16
Record 89-48

Game 136 Phils @ Marlins

2011-09-04T14:22:00.024-04:00

This game has started off as usual for Roy Halladay.
He starts the game by allowing a hit to the first batter of the game again a triple. Next guy singles and they get. 1-0 lead to start it off for Florida.

Phils get it back in the top of the second. After one out Ruiz singled then Valdez singled. Halladay tries to bunt them over.
Then we a re treated to a Greg Dobbs specialty. His patented pickup the grounder at third then throw it into the runner, wild allowing the batter to get on, a run to score and a runner goes to third, tie score.
After Victorino strikes out Martinez gets a single to give them a 2-1 lead.

Ryan Howard struck out on a ball two feet outside and in the dirt to lead off the third and threw his bat near the Marlins dugout on the swing.
Also during the inning two people got hit in the stands. One a little boy hit on the shoulder with a line drive foul and the other a woman was hit in the head with a piece of a bat that broke off but the EMT were still holding an ice pack on the boy's shoulder and it took 10-15 minutes to get over to the woman.

In the bottom of the third Roy Halladay seems to have lost concentration again for a pitch. After he gave up a two out double a ball was bounced to Howard. He tossed it to Halladay for the out at first but the throw was a tad low but catchable. Roy dropped it for an error and a run scores. He agrees with Joe West the first base ump but I'm not sure about what.
So a tie score 2-2 after three.

Top of the sixth, Howard gets a walk then Pence hits a ball to the wall and a fan interferes with the right fielder and stops him from catching the ball. They end up with second and third.
Trader Jack asked the umps to review the play but I thought only home run plays could be reviewed. Scott Franske on the radio just said he thinks a fan interfering can be reviewed too. The ball either would be caught or hit the top if the fence but clearly not over the fence if the fan doesn't hit it.

Charlie is going to get toss I think, they called Pence out and Howard has to go back to first and Charlie is thrown out for continuing to argue with Joe West.

I think the Phils are going to protest the game. Charlie went back to argue more and Pete Mackanin just went out to continue the argument.

Charlie is still standing on the bench and the rule was just on tv and the replay can only be used for a home run call and not for fan interference.
It's been about ten minutes and the umps ar still talking amongst themselves and the Phils have made an official protest.

The game just resumed and the Phils fans are very loudly booing.

Ibanez doubled and Howard gets to third. He doesn't score because he just can't run right now.
That ball rattled around in the right field corner and Howard still couldn't score. Wow.
So now that have second and third one out in stead of no outs. And no runs yet.
Ruiz was walked to load the bases, one out.

So if the Phils win the game they probably pull back the protest but if they lose and win the protest thegame will be resumes from the point of that play putting Pence on second and Howard on third.

Anyway Valdez hits a grounder to second and a very easy inning ending double play, so they get nothing out of that.

The Phils filed a protest claiming the umps incorrectly used the replay rule as it clearly states it can only be used for home runs and not for fan interference.

I doubt they will win the protest, but the call on the field was a double and not a home run so I don't know how the umps can say they were reviewing the play for anything but interference. Jack McKeown surely didn't want the ball to be called a home run

Halladay is not pitching as good as he should be again today. He gets two outs in the sixth then gives up three straight hits to let the Marlins get the 3-2 lead. He won't be winning the Cy Young this season.

He got the out to end the inning but not good enough, poor effort by Halladay today. He ran to first on a ball he caught to touch the ase for the first out and he looked like he was winded. They said it was hot there today. Since that game in Chicago he has not been great and looks winded when the temp is up higher then a normal temp.

It's raining and Joe West is finally calling for the lights to be turned on.

So now they have to delay the game and wait for the lights to come on because you can't turn them on in the middle of an inning.
The new guy Bowker is hitting for Halladay, so he's done after six inning.

He strikes out on a ball a foot outside.

Top of the seventh the Phils have second and third again this time with two outs, Ryan Howard is up.
He comes through, that was a huge hit to knock in both runners and get a 4-3 lead.
Halladay is off the hook but is in line for the win.

The Phils just put Schwimer in the game. I know they sent him down last week but I didn't know they brought him back.
I don't understand what he is doing in the game, what's wrong with Stutes?
Now Dobbs doubles and have second and third. Why is Schwimer in the game?
I'm pretty sure he has given up a home run every time he has pitched.

A fielder's choice gets Dobbs running to third but the run scores and no chance again for a win for Halladay.
I'm very confused, I know Manual was tossed but you can't tell me he isn't running the team from the club house. Wo makes the decision to put a specific player/pitcher in the game?

Now he walked the bases loaded, isn't there another pitcher?
Struck out Buck.

Raul leads off the eighth with a line drive single.
Ruiz pops up a bunt that lands fair halfway up the line and rolls foul but Ruiz didn't run so he's out at first. Then Ross Gload who can't hit but still keeps his job flys out, then Polanco dribbles out.

Extra innings tied at four.
Howard leads off the tenth with a walk but Pence who has been terrible lately hit a double play.
Ryan was walking very slow and has a slight limp. His feet must be killing him.

Oh man Ibanez smacked a ball that looked gone but it just died at the edge of the track.

I'm not liking the way this game is going.
I think the Phils only have one pitcher left after Stutes. It's Herndon. They showed him walking in and he doesn't loom like he wants to be in then game, head down walking slow.
First pitch, base hit.

Tom McCarthy just said Herndon last night, "got hit around a little bit" really a little bit?

Alright lead off double for Martinez in the 12th.
Oh man, Utley pops out and Howard walked then Pence pops out to right, Ibanez grounds out to the pitcher, weak.

Hmm, Marlins get a leadoff hit and then bunt him over to second.....with the pitcher up next.

Pitcher bounced one over to Polanco and he booted it, runners on the corners one out.
An intentional walk to load the bases. I blame this all on Herndon for the leadoff hit even though it was a shot that bounced off his arm he still allowed the ball to be hit so hard.

Oh a pop up at home plate, there's still a chance......
Greg Dobbs better not win this game.

Whoa Dobbs flies out to left.

Herndon still causing his own messes. He hits the leadoff guy to start the 13th.
This is going to be it another hit and runners on the corners put a fork in it.

Short line drive out to Ibanez and a intentional walk to load the bases again.
Another short line drive out this time to Pence.
Their pitcher is up and he bounces a ball to Martinez at short who throws to second barely forcing out the runner and somehow
Herndon gets out of another impossible jam.

This can't keep going on like this, they better score a run soon, Herndon can't continue his Houdini bit much longer.
Nothing in the 14th so Herndon comes out for the bottom of the inning.

Leadoff walk, bunt to second, intentional walk.
Scorching line drive to Ibanez that he catches on his knees almost doubled off Bonifacio.
After three pitches out of the zone they intentionally walk another batter, that's five IW for Herndon.
Walked Mike Cameron to force in the winning run. Walked four in the inning.

So there it is another bad loss, a two game losing streak another series loss.

I don't have anything else to add, that game was terrible.

------------------

Loss 5-4
last ten 6-4
After Pence 22-9
Division up 7.5
Magic number 18
Record 88-48

Game 135 Phils @ Marlins

2011-09-04T14:04:00.006-04:00

Oh brother, I don't even know what happened in this game it was so quick at the end there.
Well start at the early part of the game first.
They took a three zip lead in the second but gave up 2 then 1 run each of the next two innings on two home runs allowed by Hamels.
Cole was sharp after that and pitched a good seven innings only giving up three hits but those two homers hurt.

Hamels also had two hits and two RBI's and left the game with the lead 4-3.

Bastardo walked the first two in the eighth and Chalie pulled him for Herndon.

Herndon had just about the worst half inning I've seen in a long time he gave up a bomb for a three run homer to the first guy then two solo blasts after that.
I guess Manual thought that Bastardo had pitched the last two games so he didn't want to leave him in any longer.
Herndon had been pitching well lately but tonight he just was amazingly bad.

Also Victorino, Polanco and Pence were 0-12 and Pence struck out 3 times.

So again Hamels pitches well enough to win but the team either doesnt score or the bullpen blows it.

----------------------
Loss 8-4
last ten 6-4
After Pence 22-8
Division up 8.5
Magic number 18
Record 88-47

Game 134 September 2nd Phils @ Marlins

2011-09-02T19:50:00.017-04:00

The Phils pick up a run in the first after Victorino led off with a triple then Polanco sac flies him in.
Marlins tie it up in the second after a lead off double then he scores on a double play.

Oswalt looks a little off again tonight, like he's going to be working out of trouble a lot again.

odd play in the second, leadoff walk. For Florida, tries to steal second but Ruiz makes a bad throw, guy heads to third but Valdez throws him out.
Then the home plate ump sends him back to first as apparently the batter hit Ruiz with his backswing. Batter is out by rule and the runner goes back to the last base he legally touched.

Oswalt gave up another leadoff double and he went to third on a ground out, then scored on another ground out.
Tat was right after Stanton mashed a ball just foul that would have been a looking home run.
Then Morrison tripled, Oswalt isn't agreeing with the home plate ump.
End of three 2-1 Fish and they have 6 hits already. Oswalt has given up career high 12 hits twice this year including his last start.

In the first they hit this guy, Hand around pretty good but nothing since then.

Oswalt is only getting it up to just about 90-91 so far with a couple of 93's and 76 pitches already after four.

Top five, the Phils have finally figured this guy out and after Pence leads off and gets of from an error, Mayberry socked a ball over the big wall in left center. Ruiz then smacked a ball past third for a hit. Valdez scorched one to the wall in left for a double, second and third not outs for Oswalt.
Oops that didn't go well. They walked Victorino to load the bases but Polanco hit a short pop to center, they sent Ruiz and he was out, not by much but he was out. Inning ending fly out double play.

Utley leads off the sixth with a ball hitting him on the back right between the 2 and the 6.
THen two walks to load 'em up for Mayberry, he gets a sac fly RBI.

Oswalt ends up throwing an affective 6.1 only gave up three runs and the bullpen only gave up one hit.
Mayberry has three RBI's and they only had seven hits to the Marlins nine.

The big news is that they are 42 games over .500 for the first time EVER.
they just keep chuggin' along even wi all the players that keep going on the DL. Including the latest with Rollins still there.
And now they have five wins in a row to start the 33 in 31.

I am in awe right now, I thought they would be good this year but I never expected the season to go like this.
They havent lost more then two in a row since early June I think.

Win 5-3
last ten 7-3
After Pence 22-7
Division up 8.5
Magic number 19
Record 88-46

Game 133 Phils @ Reds

2011-09-02T19:33:00.004-04:00

I didn't watch the game this time, it was a day game and we were out all day somit was radio for this one.

The Phils haven't swept a four game series in Cincinnati since 1916. There's another mark they have demolished this season. They also have not lost a four game series yet this season.

They got to a 6-1 lead on a homer from Ryan and Martinez and a RBI hit form Worley.

Vance Worley is 10-1 and the Phils have won 13 consecutive times he has pitched.

Bastardo is 6-0 with a 1.38 ERA in 55 appearances this season. He has struck out 65 batters in 52 1/3 innings.
He came in the game in the seventh and got a DP to end the inning, he then struck out the side in the eighth.

Opponents are hitting just .112 against him. That's the lowest opponent batting average of any pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched in any season in baseball history.
Madson got the save.

The best part is that for only for the third time in their history they are 41 games over .500, I can't believe it.

Win 6-4
last ten 7-3
After Pence 21-7
Division up 7.5
Magic number 21
Record 87-46

Game 132 Phillies @ Reds

2011-08-31T23:25:00.003-04:00

I love seeing the Reds stadium. The smokestacks in the outfield area look great.
Well they are actually steam stacks meant to simulate a steam boat.
The top of each stack has seven bats each a total of fourteen to honor Pete Rose, his number was 14.

I really like the red seats, they look great on tv and I can't wait till I get to see them in person some day.

I wish the Phils did red seats and not those dull looking blue seats.

Hunter Pence just hit his seventh home run as a Phil. He "Tommy hawked" a ball over the opposite field wall.
Dontrelle Willis is pitching for the Reds and he's looking pretty good tonight.
Has a bunch of K's including two for Howard.
The Phils loaded the bases with only one out in the first but only got one run on a ground out from Howard.
After six innings both teams only have four hits each but Cliff Lee has spread out the Red's hits better.

Willis is out with two outs in the seventh. Got a nice hand from the tiny crowd there.
He pitched a decent game but the Phils just impose their will on teams sometimes and they are doing it tonight
and the first three games of this series.

Whoa, that ninth inning was wacky. Lee looks headed for his sixth shut out is year, he gets the first two outs but Votto doubles, Bruce walked then on an 0-2 pitch he hits Cairo.
So bases loaded two outs.
Lee is out of the game. Madson comes in and gets the save.

Yikes they had the winning run at the plate. That was just an unlucky ninth for Lee.

18th shut out this season.
Cliff Lee threw 8.2 scoreless innings. 30.2 straight scoreless innings on the road.
Lee went 5-0 with a 0.21 ERA in June and 5-0 with a 0.45 ERA in August to join Bob Gibson and Walter Johnson as the only three pitchers in baseball history to be 5-0 with an ERA under 1.00 in two separate months in the same season.
Gibson in 1968: June (6-0, 0.50 ERA) and July (6-0, 0.50 ERA).
Johnson in 1913: April (5-0, 0.24 ERA) and July (6-0, 0.81 ERA).

Odd play in the fourth. Lee hit a grounder to second but in stead of running it out he waved it off and turned and walked to the dugout.

The Phils are 40 games over .500 for the first time since 1977.
The 19th shut out the season.

Home/Road
Split W L RS RA WP
Home 46 22 321 211 .676
Road 40 24 275 218 .625

Month by Month
Split W L RS RA WP
April 18 8 120 88 .692
May 16 13 107 104 .552
June 17 10 102 71 .630
July 17 8 138 94 .680
August 18 7 129 72 .720

Win 3-0
last ten 6-4
After Pence 20-7
Division up 7.5
Magic number 22
Record 86-46

Game 131 Phillies @ Reds

2011-08-30T19:28:00.009-04:00

Phils go down meekly in the first, well Utley did get a cheap bloop hit.

Then as usual Halladay gave up a hit to the first batter again. Then Renteria flys out and Halladay walks Votto.

Doesn't look like the eight day rest has helped Roy. I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't win this game and pitch like a Cy Young candidate.
Now he walked Votto it's only the 24th walk he has given up and now two straight.
Ron Culpa has a small zone so far.

2-0 to Jay Bruce, I don't like the way this is going.
Wow he just murdered a ball that went well out but was about ten feet foul.

I've been wondering if he has a dead arm thing but he did just have those 8 days since his last start.

Struck out Bruce on a back foot curve ball that was a ball.

Roy got Miguel Cairo to bounce one right to him so he gets out of the inning but it was a struggle.

Fourth inning the phillies finally break through. Utley slaked then Howard broke a Phillies record with a home run.
Most consecutive seasons of 100 RBI's at six.

That homer was only two rows deap but it was a very high home run.
They really opened it up in the sixth. A Pence homer then they get the bases loaded for Halladay.
He still doesn't have an RBI. Well now he has three after the bases clearing double.

Bronson Arroyo looks to be headed to 1-7 against the Phils.

Roy gave up a hit to start the game and here in the seventh still no more hits.

Ibanez just got his third hit, a home run to give them an 8-0 lead. A quick line drive over near the foul pole in right.

The eighth for the Reds is interesting. A leadoff double, then a walk and a hit batter, bases loaded no outs.
Halladay got out of it. Two strikeouts then a ground out.

Great outing by Halladay after that very shaky first inning.

Lidge pitched the eighth and didn't screw anything up so that was good.

The icing on the cake was a one out bolt by Howard for his 29th home run.
The Braves lost tonight some pick up two on the magic number.
Team shut out number 18.
14-3 last 17 road games.

Win 9-0
Last ten 7-4
After Pence 19-7
Division 7.5 up
Magic number 23
Record 85-46

Game 130 Phila @ Cincinatti

2011-08-30T01:39:00.005-04:00

Thanks to hurricane Irene they haven't played since Friday night. They lost that game so a one game writes loss becomes a series loss.

Anyway tonight started a stretch to the end of the season of 33 games in 31 days.

Another standard game with no flash this team is all business even when they lose.

Hamels came off the DL tonight to start first time in over two weeks.
He pitched six innings and was sharp. Would have had a shut out for six innings except for the fly ball that Pence played into a triple with no outs. He over ran a ball then slipped when he tried to catch it. Only gave up two hits and struck out seven.

The Phils tied it in the fifth and took the lead for good when Victorino hit a two run homer.

Bastardo pitched In the seventh which I thought was odd and Stutes in the eighth, also odd.
Madson got the save.

I'm glad Hamels is back and I hope he is as good as he looked tonight. They need him to make up for Oswalt who is really an unknown at this point.

Halladay tomorrow on 8 days rest then Lee after that also on a long break because of all the rain lately.

Win 3-2
Last ten 6-4
After Pence 18-7
Division 6.5 up
Magic number 25
Record 84-46

Game 129 Fish @ Phils

2011-08-26T19:47:00.021-04:00

Marlins get a cheap first inning run.
A few bloop hits and Another error by the fill-in shortstop. I think this is the third straight game the fill in has erred. And think each time has led to a run, maybe not, not sure.

On the Phils side the marlins pitcher is throwing a 65 mph curve ball and two outs I tomthe second the Phils are already looking stupid, swinging at balls way off the plate.

Finally, Valdez just hit a 1-1 pitch in his eyeballs out to tie the game.

Oswalt is getting hit hard. If Victorino wasn't able to run down to deep fly balls this game would be much worse then it is right now.
Stanton just hit a ball so hard that it went by Pence on a hop and pence was standing right next to the spot were the ball hit.
Then Dobbs doubles him in for his second hit already.

Can anyone tell me why Ryan Howard still only has 26 home runs?

They just walked the 8- hole hitter to set up a force with the pitcher up but Oswalt crossed up Ruiz and threw a wild pitch moving both runners up. He grounds to Polanco who would have had an easy force at third but because of the wild pitch he throws to first and it's a pretty close play.

The Phils need to snap out of it. They have been really average the last week and a half or two weeks. They almost looked bored.

The Phils aren't doing anything maybe because the Marlins pitcher is throwing a 65 mph curve ball. Oswalt has been letting base runners on the whole game and is maybe a pitch or two from letting the Marlins blow the game open.
Hensler, his 1-5 record and nearly 6 era has only given up one hit through five.

I sure hope they have someone up in the pen because Oswalt just gave up three hits in a row to start the top,of the sixth, bases loaded no outs.
The Phils sure don't look like they plan on getting any more runs tonight so this is trouble.

And there it is, like I said one pitch away from this game getting blown open. John Buck just hit a grand slam and just like that it's 6-1.

Polanco gets a standing ovation for getting the Phils second hit with two outs in the sixth.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Then Utley doubles but for some reason Polanco couldn't score even with him running on two outs.

I guess they're gonna have a losing streak for the first time in a long time.

Ryan Howard is up. Why don't I expect him to do much here?
I guess I reversed jinxed it, just as I typed that he homered now it's 6-4. HR off a left hander.

Pence gets an infield single.
It's about time in this game they showed a heart beat.

Hope it's not too little too late.
Rally still going.
Mayberry smoked a ball off the shortstops glove that went all the way into the left field alley. Pence to third, Mayberry to second still 2 outs.
Ruiz is up.
He popped up.
Oh well they got to 6-4.
Can the pen Hold down the Mighty Marlins?

Hmm, Herndon strikes out Stanton but then Dobbs doubles. He has four hits in the games.
Herndon gets out of the inning and actually has a 12 inning scoreless streak.

At least the Mets are up 4-0 in the seventh and the Braves only have 1 hit and no walks.

Another two out rally going, eighth inning.
First and third after Polanco got on on an error. Howard struck out but that second strike was a ball. The third strike was a good call.
Then Pence gets the two out hit.
Mayberry takes a called third strike right down the middle to kill the rally.

On to the ninth.

Phils get a one out thing going. Raul single then Martinez doubles to knock one in, but Victorino pops out to right and Polanco dribbles out to short.

Dobbs has four hits the Phils can't get anything against the guy who is 1-5 now 2-5 and and era close to 6.
Good thing the Braves lost or the lead would only be 5.
Two game losing streak

------------------
Loss 6-5
Last twelve 6-6
After Pence 17-7
Division 6 up
Magic number 26
Record 83-46

Game 128 Mets @ Phils

2011-08-25T18:44:00.006-04:00

This one started ugly and stayed that way.
Pagan leads off with a hit against Kendrick, ok the next batter hits an easy dp right to Martinez at short, uh oh he dropped it, two runners on instead of two outs.
Another hit loads the bases. A force out scores a run. Bay strikes out then nick Evans a three run homer. Four runs al, unearned on an error at short that should have been a DP.
The Phils never were able to catch up. They got to 4-3 but that was it.
Kendrick gave up 6 runs only 2 earned and Schwimer gave up another homer.

The error led to all the runs in the first but Kendrick still gave up the three run homer.

Terrible game
Five Phil's relievers itched one inning each and except for the Schwimer homer that was it.
The Braves also lost so the lead stays 6.5

Loss 7-4
Last ten 6-4
After Pence 17-6
Division up 6.5
Magic number 27
Record 82-43

Game 127 Mets @ Phils

2011-08-25T18:24:00.007-04:00

This one looked like it was going to be ugly early.
Mets in the first get runners on the corners but Polanco throws out Pagan at the plate and then Worley gets a strike out. He then walked
Bay but struck out the next guy.
Bases loaded one out, no runs. Good job.

The Second inning starts out even worse.
Second and third no outs.
Worley then gets three straight called third strike outs.
He is becoming an animal.

He settled down from there he retired about 14 in a row before a double in the seventh.
Ended up with seven innings pitched only five hits and one earned run.

Stutes pitched the last two innings and Stutes stunk. He gave up three earned runs and handed the Mets some momentum going into tomorrow's afternoon game.

Victorino and Mayberry homered. Mayberry's was a three run shot. He is officially on a roll.

Ben Francisco played and he even had three hits.

Win 9-4
Last ten 6-4
After Pence 17-5
Division up 6.5
Magic number 28
Record 83-44

Game 126 Mets @ Phils

2011-08-23T10:42:00.004-04:00

Cliff Lee tonight. He's trying to add his name to the Cy Young list.
He's already having a great August and he continued that tonight.

Lee Pitched 7 shut-out innings and scored a run after another hit.

Wilson singled playing for Rollins who is on the DL now, singled in Pence for the game's first run.
Lee singled and scored from first on a two-run triple by Victorino.
Lee is hitting .283 (13-for-46) with two doubles, two home runs, seven rbis and four runs scored since May 11th.

Mayberry hit a two-run homer in the third.
Since he was called up on July 5, Mayberry is he's .318 (27-for-85) with eight doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 26 RBIs. Of his last 31 hits, 20 are for extra bases.

Jimmy Rollins is on the DL because he pulled a groin muscle in his first ab yesterday so he's out for two weeks.

I wonder who gets called up.

Win 10-0
Last ten 6-4
After Pence 16-5
Division up 6.5
Magic number 29
Record 82-44

Game 125 Phils @ Nationals

2011-08-23T10:13:00.004-04:00

That was irritating. I was at a party watching the game and In the top of the ninth with the Phils up 4-3, two outs and two strikes someone says, "so who's going to get credit for the win?"
I said, "not to jinx it but the new guy, Schwimer, is up for the win."

Well, the next pitch is knocked out of the park to tie the game. This is why I don't like watchng the game with a bunch of people who I don't know or don't usually watch the game with, some knucklehead always says something that annoys me or jinxes the game.
Usually it's "they stink" or " they're going to lose anyway" or just something stupid meant to tweak me or anyone else who is trying to watch the game.

The game felt off anyway. There was another long rain delay that knocked Halladay out after only five innings. He only gave up two runs but he gave up 7 hts and didn't look his usual self again.
Since that weird game in Chicago when he left the game from being over heated, he just hasn't been his great self. He just looms like he's struggling to keep the score close. Plus he gives up a bunch of hits, especially to the first batter in an inning and almost always the first batter of the game.

So after the rain delay Michael Schwimer makes his baseball debut. He gives up a center field bomb on his second pitch that ties the game and takes Halladay out of the decision.
Schwimmer then pitches three innings and only gives up one more hit and K's 4. Not too bad.

The Phils squeak out a run in the ninth for a 4-3 lead and Bastardo comes in gets two outs and then two strikes on .230 hitter Ian Desmond.
First the comment asking who gets the win followed by the game tying homer.

Phils go down meekly in the tenth and Lidge comes in.

Ryan Zimmerman hits a leadoff double. Lidge intentionally walked Michael Morse and Jayson Werth singles to load the bases with no outs.

Lidge struck out Espinosa for the first out, but hit Jonny Gomes on his heavily padded elbow to force in the winning run. Gomes never moved an inch.
It was the first time a Phillies pitcher hit a batter to knock in the winning run since Aug. 8, 1998 when Mark Leiter hit Richard Hidalgo at the Astrodome.

I guess Stutes was unavailable, I would have had him in there and not Lidge. I'm done with Lidge, he's got nothing left.
The Phils come into the series with only 2 blown saves and leave with a total of five including two in this game. Schwimer came in with the lead so his appearance counts as a blown save.

This also dropped their division lead to 6.5 games.

Loss 5-4
Last ten 6-4
After Pence 15-5
Division 6.5
Magic number 30
Record 81-44

Game 124 Phils @ Nats

2011-08-21T00:28:00.004-04:00

Roy Oswalt is back and the Phils are now the team of Four Aces again.

Oswalt hasnt had a good fastball since he hurt his back in April. Tonight he had it. He was over 90 into the 8th inning and reached 94 at least once.

He struck out a season-high 9 in eight scoreless innings, the most he had struck out since he struck out nine June 10, 2010, when he was still an Astro.

Mayberry started again and he was great.
Him, Ruiz and Rollins each had 2 hits and Rollins also had two RBI's.

The Nationals' best chance to score was in the bottom of the fourth, but Mayberry threw Zimmerman out at the plate with a perfect one hopper.

Wilson Valdez tripled and Pence hit his fourth homer as a Phil.

This was the largest crowd ever at Nationals Park, with 44,685 fans. Cole Hamels said 44,000 were Phillies fans.

Lannen with the loss is now 1-12 against the Phils.
The Phils now have 16 shut-outs as a team.

Win 5-0
Last ten 7-3
After Pence 15-4
division 7.5
Magic number 30
Record 81-43

Game 123 Phils @ Nationals

2011-08-20T00:19:00.004-04:00

For only the second time this season the Phils have a blown save.

Madson came in the ninth with a 4-2 lead and gave up a walk and a few hits and now the bases are loaded with one out.

You could really see this comg. The Phils got 7 hits and four runs in one inning and then only one hit the rest of the game.
While the Nats chipped away for. Couple of runs to get back in it.

The game started at the normal time but with Howard up the rains came and began a 2:22 minute rain delay.

Oswalt was going to start but Kendrick came in after the game restarted. Hernandez came back out for the Nats.

Madson is terrible in the ninth. He doesn't have control of his fastball or his change up.
He's missing spots and is the hitters. Now it's a full count, bases loaded and two outs. This is it.

And that was it. A game winning grand slam home run.
I guess that's going to happen during a season even to the team with the best record.

Whatever it is about the Nationals I don't know, the Phils always have a tough time with them.
For some reason thisgame doenst bug me as much a that loss to the diamondbacks the other day.

Now they're 3-3 last six games. Slump?

Loss 8-4
Last ten 6-4
After Pence 14-4
Record 80-43
Magic number is still 31
Division lead down to 7.5

Game 122 Diamondbacks @Phils August 18th magic number 31

2011-08-18T22:24:00.007-04:00

Just came back from a 2:17 rain delay. Too bad because Worley was pitching great. One hit in three innings and the Phils jumped to a 3-0 lead.
Herndon comes in so that should be interesting.

Mayberry hit a long homer off the foul poul in left to get the lead to 3-0.
Howard is out with a sore hand that he hurt yesterday.

It's the ninth inning now and so far it's been a relatively uneventful game aside from the Mayberry homer.

This a a really good series win for the Phils. The D-Backs came in with a six game win streak then won game one.

Tonight's win is the 80th of the season and put them an incredible 38 games over .500.
If they only go 20-20 in then last 40 games that is still 100 wins.

Too bad for Worley and that stupid rule that a starter has to go 5 full innings to get a win.

Win 4-1
Streak 2 wins
After Pence 14-3
Last ten 8-2
Record 80-42
Magic number 31

Game 121 D-Backs @ Phils

2011-08-17T20:41:00.010-04:00

Started off very good. 1-2-3 first for Cliff Lee then Rollins got his 37th career leadoff homer.
Then Lee gave up a two run homer.
Pence doubled to start the second and later scored but barely. On a single he came into third and slid into third for some reason but still had time to get up and come home.

He has pitched great since then.
Into the sixth inning they only have 2 hits but the Phils only have three.

Howard is really looking silly against lefties lately.
He's 0-2 with a strike out on another ball way off the plate and grounded out into double play on a weakly hit ball to second.

So it looks like Howard hurt his side on one of those stupid swing and misses in the sixth inning. He was walking around in the dugout after with a pained look on his face and now it looks like he went in the club house with the trainer.

The Phils picked up three runs in the seventh on a bunch of hits. Howard was in the in deck circle so maybe he is just tweaked a little.
Two of the runs came on a ball that Wilson Valdez smoked to the center field fence for a double. Then Ben Francisco hit a sac fly pinch hitting for Lee who had a great game tonight.

Howard comes out to hit in the eighth. He rips a leadoff single pas the short fielder in right on the shift.
They get 4 more runs and just blow it open in the eighth.

Madson comes in with the 9-2 lead because he hasn't pitched in a week.
Was a mild struggle but he closed it out for the non save.

Hunter Pence was 2-2 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored.
Trying to figure out the magic number. They have 41 games left and and 8.5 lead so that. Should make the number 32 I think.

Win 9-2
Streak 1 win
After Pence 13-3
Last ten 7-3
Last 16 13-3
Record 79-42

Game 120 Diamondbacks @ Phils magic number 34

2011-08-16T21:09:00.007-04:00

After two days off due to a rain out and an off day they are back.

Halladay going for his 16th tonight.

After twice through the lineup the Phils finally got to the D's pitcher Collmenter.
With one out Rollins got on and then Victorino homered. They loaded the Bases after that but didn't get anything else.

Utley is 3-3 so far and Halladay just doubled for his second hit in the game and first career extra base hit.

The game started out looking ugly as they were swinging at curve balls way off the plate.
Howard and Pence are 5 K's in their first six ab's with an unintentional - intentional walk to Howard.

So Halladay leads off the seventh with a double, Rollins hits the pitcher that moves Halladay over to third now one out.
Victorino pops up.
They bring in a side-armer lefty to pitch to Utley, who strikesout.
Boooooo.

Going to the eighth up 2-1 out hitting the d-backs 8-5.
These guys can hit homers so they better be careful.

Roy just struck out the side in the eighth so he is still dealing.

Well Howard grounded out to start the eighth so at least he didn't strikeout. Then Pence singled after 3 K's in a row and Raul hits into a double play.
Here comes Roy for the complete game. Meat of the order coming up.
Upton looked stuck out but they didn't get the call then he singles, he'll probably steal second. Now another hit.
Might need to get Halladay out of there, this looks like a tie game in a minute.
Even a double play gets a runner to third.

If they bunt them over do the Phils walk to have a force at any base?

OH, he bunts it foul for a strike out.

Didn't matter. Lyle Overbay just smacked one off the wall to drive in two and give them the lead.
Ok two more K's for Halladay but he gives up two runs and they get a 3-2 lead.

I don't know why charlie left Halladay in for those last couple of hitters. Once he got the foul bunt strike out Madson should have been in there.

If they lose this game I give this one to Charlie for leaving Halladay in too long.

At least Ruiz leads off with a walk.

Sac bunt, Ruiz over to second.

Now it looks like the ump has expanded the strike zone.

The Phils are 66-1 when leading going into the ninth looks like number two coming up. The D-backs are undefeated. 62-0

Rollins takes two straight fastballs right down the middle to start. Struck him out.

This game tics me off. They had several chances to take Halladay out as it was obvious by the two hits to start the inning that he was cooked.

Charlie is completely to blame for this loss.

————

Loss 3-2
Streak 1 loss
After Pence 12-3
Last ten 7-3
Record

Game 119 Nats @ Phillies

2011-08-13T21:17:00.004-04:00

Roy Oswalt had his second start since coming back tonight.
Only 6 hits this time and three earned runs but he had a good fastball and was in control.

Ryan Howard had four more rbi's and continues to lead the league.
Pence has struggled a little the last few games. 0-2 but he did have two walks and a run scored.

The Nats had 3 errors tonight and the Phils had 7 un-earned runs. Last time with 7 unearned runs was May 5 1996 in Atlanta. the Reds have also done it this season.

In the eighth They got second and third with one out and 3-0 on Howard so they intentionally walked him to get to Pence and Pence singled in a run. I wonder how many times Pence has singled and gotten rbi's after Howard was walked.
Three extra runs in the eighth for good measure.

Stutes comes in for the last two innings and gave up a walk and a hit but nothing else, so a good bounceback game for him too.

Win 11-3
streak 1 win
After Pence 12-2
Last ten 8-2
Last twenty 15-5
Last Thirty 22-8
Division lead 8.5
Magic Number 32

Record 78-41

Game 118 Nats @ Phils

2011-08-12T20:08:00.016-04:00

After two innings for Hamels he already three walks and three hits and gave up two runs, also has four K's. He is not sharp tonight and has been behind each hitter.

The '76 Phils were also 77-40 and got to 81- 42 before losing nine straight games and Then went 3-14 and the division lead went from 15.5 down to 4.

The '77 team was 77-45 but finished much stronger then the previous season. Both yearsnthey won 101 games.
At one point the '76 team was 41 games over .500 a franchise high.

Ok back to the game, the Phils got one back in the third so it's 2-1. Btw one of the hits was to Livan Hernandez the Nats pitcher, an RBI hit too.

The 1993 Phils hit 77-43 and finished at 97 same as the '10 Phils. The '10 Phils were 77-58 but won 11 straight a few games later.

Well after four innings the Phils have been very weak against Hernandez. Squeaked out the run but other then that nothing. Pence has mixed in two swinging strike outs on balls down and a foot out of the strike zone.

This team is 109-53 over the last 162 games.

Anyway tonight these guys are sleepwalking through this game.
Now the Nationals are first and third with now outs in the fifth. What's going on here?
Hamels isn't going to get past the fifth inning, he just walked Zimmerman to load the bases.

Unless he gets a double play I think this is his last batter, he just went to 3-0 on him, now 3-1.

Got him, popped up to Pence in short right.
Rollins was over for the cutoff on the play right behind first.

Now it's Werth up one out base loaded.

Werth grounded out but a run scores. So he can get out with only one run.

Hamels is pitching on just skill tonight because his stuff is missing. All he really has is his change-up tonight.
Strike out on a low change up. Nice job working out of that inning with only one run.

The Phils keep swinging and missing those 60mph curve balls.

Hamels only got through five today, Kendrick is in now.

It's only 3-1, plenty of time to get back in the game.
THAT is a joke. Kendrick gives up a double then a shot right up the middle by Hernandez for his second hit and second RBI of the game.
HE'S THE PITCHER.

Phillies out in order on more 60 mph curves and 80 miles fast balls.

There was a pop to the right field corner that Pence would have caught if the two fans move out of the way instead of trying to catch it themselves, of course he dropped it.

I just don't get why these fans of their own team interfere while the guy tries to catch a ball.
In the seventh pence swings at another curve almost in the dirt but hits it into a double play. Levon walked Ibanez and Davey Johnson takes him out of the game so maybe they have a chance now.

Nope no chance. That was a weak effort. Actually there was no effort I could see.
I hope this doesn't start a periodof malaise. They just looked bored tonight.

Loss 4-2
Streak 1 loss
After Pence 11-2
Last ten 8-2
Record 77-41

Game 117 Phils @ Dodgers

2011-08-10T23:43:00.001-04:00

What a revoltin' development that was.
Phils get a couple on base in the first but don't score. This also had a 15 pitch ab for Rollins to start the game, then he popped up.

Then the revoltin' part. Worley had burning in the first he was behind batters, he was missing spots. Gave up a triple a homer. It was ugly, 5 runs in all.

Top of the second the Phils get second and third one out but Utley pops one to short center.
Kemp catches the ball but lobs it in, Rollins, on third, deked Kemp and tries to score but the catcher did a great job blocking the plate and Jimmy was tagged out and it's a double play to end the inning.

Ugh, Dodgers tack on another run in the third now it's six nothing.
Fourth inning, Howard walks and then Pence smacks one over the center field wall, well over 400 ft. Now it's 6-2, coming back.
Martinez on after an error by Loney, then Charlie keeps Worley in to hit and he singles Martinez in now it's 6-3.

Top fifth, Phils get one more back on an error by third baseman Casey Blake. Was an easy ground ball could have been a double play but it bounced off his arm or glove. Victorino scrored, Howard, who singled and Pence endup on second and third, one out.

Raul swings at the first pitch and pops it up into foul territory in right but the player dropped it.
He finally grounds out but Howard scores, so two more it's now 6-5.

Worley is out to start the bottom of the fifth, Kendrick is in. Kendrick lets a run in, 7-5 going to the sixth.
Chase Utley gets a two out single, good thing about that is that they had runners on second and third again and this time they both scored, tie game 7-7.
Howard is up now and he deposits a ball over that short fence down the left field line for a two run home run, now the Phillies have the lead 9-7 and come back from down 6-0.

Ok so I don't know how much Lidge has left. He came in, got one out then two hits. Last time out he wasn't very good either.
Anyway he's out and they had to bring Bastardo in early here in the seventh. He gets two outs and holds the Dodgers off the board.

Long game. After a string of games that were under 2.5 hours this one is in the seventh and is over three hours already.

Madson in to close but gives up a leadoff hit. Ether just walloped a ball out to Ibanez that he ran down, was a great catch. The ball was slicing away from him and that ball easily bounces over the low fence and would have put second and third with no outs.
Might be a game saving catch.

Uh oh, Kemp's fourth hit today and runners on the corners.
A force at second on a roller to Chase gets the second out. A run scores but two outs and a runner only on first.
Ok he got it.
That completes a 9-1 road trip first time they ever did that. First sweep in L.A. since '95.
Madson was shaky again giving up a run two straight games but he got another save.
The closers have only one blown save this season.

So 9-1 on the road trip that I hoped would be no les then 6-4. 16-4 last 20 games.
Dodgers wore a powder blue Brooklyn Dodgers uni, looked great.

Now an off day and a series with the Nats.

Win 9-8
Streak 3 wins
After Pence 11-1
Last ten 9-1
Record 77-40 Holy Cow!

Game 116 Phils @ Dodgers

2011-08-10T01:08:00.003-04:00

It's late which normally doesn't bother me, but tonight I'm a little tired so this will be a short one.

Cliff Lee pitched 8 shut-out innings and had 10 strike outs. He was well over 120 pitches so he was out after eight.

Madson got the save but not before giving up a run which means the cliff Lee home run was the game winner.

The Phils are now 36 games over .500 for the first time in 34 years, the end of the '77 season when they ended up 101-61.

Lee is now 12-7 and has a 17 inning scoreless streak.
8-1 on the road trip that ends tomorrow.
16-3 in last 19 games.

Win 2-1
Streak 2 wins
After Pence 10-1
Last twelve 11-1
Record 76-40

Game 115 Phils @ Dodgers August 8th

2011-08-09T00:05:00.012-04:00

Roy Halladay gives up a lot of hits. He doesnt walk many but lots of base runners. Again leadoff hitters getting on too.

He has let 8 hits and a walk with no outs in the sixth.
Almost another one that Loney just raked. Pence made a nice catch, got a great jump on the ball for a diving catch.
Ryan Howard has been Jeckyl and Hyde today. 2 hits two RBI's but also another ugly strikeout.

Pence has two hits and an intentional walk.
Ibanez is as bad right now as he was great last month.

Now Halladay is out after an out, a hit and a walk in the seventh. So 6.2 innings , nine hits, 2 walks and only four strike outs.
Bastardo went to 3-0 on his first hitter but Ethier swung and fouled one off, and then a 6-4-3 double play. Out of the jam.

Now Stutes comes in and gives up a run and a bad pickoff sends a runner down to second and he's behind the next batter.
Looks like Lidge will be in next.
Phils are up 4-2 in the eighth, looks like Stutes has been figured out by the rest of the league. He hasn't been so hot lately
Now one out a runner on third and here comes Brad Lidge.
Barajas takes a 3-1 pitch right down the middle for ball four. Runners on the corners still one out. At least they can get a DP now.
Base hit and now it's 4-3. Who's left in the pen besides the closer?
Lidge doesn't have much of a fastball anymore. He's topping out around 89.
90 might be As fast as he can get it up there now.

There's a play that you don't se much.
First and second, one out. A grounder towards Utley. Rivera runs into Utley before Utley has the ball.
The runner on second comes around to score, but he ha to come back to second because it's interference on Rivera for running into chase.
He needed to wait for Utley to catch the ball before he makes contact with the fielder.
So runner who was on second goes back. Runner on first is out and the batter goes to first.

Next pitch bounced five feet in front of the plate and now it's second and third 2 outs. Lidge has been ugly this inning.
Well Stutes was pretty bad too.

Dee Gordon drag bunts and almost got it past Lidge, almost. If he does it's a hit and a tie game.

4-3 going to the top of the ninth.
Shane popped one out over the right field wall for an insurance run. So 5-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth and Ryan Madson.

Madson gives up a single but that's it. They win it.
That's 10-1 last 11 games. And 7-1 on the road trip thati was going to be happy with a 6-4 trip.

Also it's worth mentioning the results of the fight fallout.
Shane Victorino gets a three game suspension...........
That's it. No one on the Giants gets anything. Completely ridiculous. The pitcher shold get at least 5 games and the catcher, Whiteside should get the same as Victorino.

Win 5-3
Streak 1 win
After Pence 9-1
Last ten 9-1
Record 75-40

Game 114 Phils @ Giants

2011-08-07T18:18:00.005-04:00

This was an odd game.

The Giants tried to squeeze twice and neither one worked.
Chase Utley accidentally threw his bat after swing and miss that hit Linicum in he leg.

Anyway as usual they can't get anything against Linicicum. Howard struck out every ab, and charlie kept Oswalt in for an inning too long.

So their win streak stops but they get three of four from the Giants so that's a good thing.

Three games against the Dodgers starts tomorrow night and Halladay opens it up.

So far 6-1 on the road trip, not bad.

Loss 3-1
Streak 1 loss
After Pence 8-1
Last ten 9-1
Record 74-40 last team to lose forty games

Game 113 Phils @ Giants Agustin 6th

2011-08-07T13:46:00.003-04:00

I wasnt able to watch the game today was a bit busy today.

I recorded the game so went back and zipped through some of it.
Turned out it was a pretty amazing pitchers duel.
Cain for the Giants and Hamels the Phils.
Cole threw maybe 24 consecutive first pitch strikes and was 28-32 on first pitch strikes.

He almost had a sheet out but a two out homer in the ninth for Sandoval ruined that.
Going into the eighth the ginats only had four hits, but they got two in the eighth and the homer in the ninth.
Other then that eighth and two base runners in the second Hamels was never in trouble.

The Phils got their two runs in The first, Pence singled in a run and Utley scored on a wild pitch. That was all the Phils would do the rest of the game as they only had five hits.

Now the Phils have won 9 straight and three in a row on the Giants, going for a four game sweep Sunday.

Win 2-1
streak 9 wins
After Pence 8-0
Last ten 9-1
Record 74-39

Game 112 Phils @ Giants

2011-08-05T22:38:00.008-04:00

Jonathan Sanchez pitches for the Giants. His first game coming off the DL.
Phils get a runner with one out but Victorino hits into a DP.
Howard is sitting this one out. Maybe Rollns shold have since he was 1-16 now 17 against Sanchez.

Giants get a one out walk and then a hit from Beltran. A sac fly gets them a run.
1-2-3 go the Phils in the second. Giants get a lead off hit in the second.

Worley is behind the hitters so far and looks like he isn't on his game.
Vance gets the Phils first hit two outs in the third, then Rollins strikes out, 1-18 against Sanchez.

Mayberry broke itopen with a two run homer to get it to 4-1 and four runs in the fourth, then another run in the fifth.

Then the fireworks start in the sixh inning.
After the Phils tack on three more runs, Victorino gets pegged right on the belt in the middle of his back. He starts to walk towards the mound but stops.
Then Whiteside their catcher is jumping and down and is clearly attempting to escalate the trouble and then tackles Polanco which does make matters worse and a big fight starts as everyone comes onto the field off the benches.

Not much happened but pushing and shoving but Whiteside clearly instigated the mele' with his aggressive attitude when it all started.
The umps noticed itmtoo and threw him out of the game along with Victorino and the Giants pitcher.

This is all from the last two years or at least last year when Utley was hit several times including the deciding playoff game last when the Giants knocked out the Phils from the playoffs.

Sanchez hit Utley in that game and the ball bounced back to Chase who grabbed it and tossed it back at Sanchez. There was some back and forth but nothing came of it. It did give the momentum back to the Giants as the Phils had Sanchez' number but the bullpen shut down the Phils.

After all that the Phils are up 8-2 after their half of the sixth.

Pence added a solo shot in the seventh and the closed out the scoring.

Big win for the Phils. They take the first two games in this four game series and run the win streak to a season high 8 games and 33 games over .500
They probably aren't going to break the record for most wins, 116 by Seattle in 2001. I can't even imagine how they did that. The Phils need to go 43-7 just to tie it.

Win 9-2
Streak 8 wins
After Pence 7-0
Last ten 8-2
Record 73-39

Game 111 Phils @ Giants

2011-08-05T19:23:00.003-04:00

Cliff lee. When he is on he might be the best pitcher in baseball.
He was on tonight.

First the Phils, in their half of the first, Rollins and Polanco both get on. But Rollins is caught stealing. Called out but was clearly safe at third.
Victorino walked and Howard hit a liner to short. For some reason Polanco wondered to far and was doubled off. Not a good start.

Aaron Rowand leads off with a hit for the Giants but he was quickly gone on a double play.
Lee scattered seven hits and was really in trouble only once in the eighth when two runners got on but they didn't score.

Eight strike outs, no walks and seven hits. It was Lee's fifth shut out this season and the Phils 15th.

The other part of the story was Hunter Pence, he chipped in a homer and two RBI's on three hits.
Victorino added two hits and Mayberry homered after Pence to start the second inning for back to back homers.

So Lee had a record breaking June a mediocre July and has started August brilliantly.

Maybe the best was seeing Cody stinkin' Ross striking out four times including the one to end the game with his bat on his shoulder.
I loved it.
Now they're a season high 33 over .500 and 8.5 games ahead of the Braves.

Win 3-0
Streak 7 wins
After Pence 6-0
Last ten 8-2
Record 72-39

Game 110 Phils @ Colorado

2011-08-03T16:12:00.010-04:00

Things looked great to start. The Phils get the first three batters on as Hammel walked all three.
Ok looks good so far. Then Ryan Howard strikes out swinging, Pence hits a sac fly for an RBI. Still ok so far but Ibanez strikes out swinging to end the inning.

Starting a game by loading the bases on walks you really need to get more then one run. I don't know how the first three guys can have the patience to walk then the next three guys go up there hacking away. Doesn't make sense.

So they blow a big chance to break it open.

Bottom of the second. I don't know what's on Ryan Howards mind today but he really looks bad in this first inning at bat and at first.
Their leadoff hitter bunted a ball that popped up. Ryan broke in on the ball and it blooped over his head.
Next guy rolls a ball at Howard and he boots it, then he booted it again when he tried to pick it up. Then he does a stupid backhand throw to Halladay covering first that flies over his head. Runner goes to second and the other guy scores going all the way around from first. 2 errors on the play to Howard.

Phils second inning. Ruiz gets in but Valdez pops out to center then Halladay bunts Ruiz to second.
Rollins singles in Ruiz and goes to second when the right fielder air mails a throw in to the plate, if he throws it low to the cut off man he holds Rollins On first.
Victorino does the same thing but the right fielder kept the ball lower this time and even though it went all the way t the plate again they were able to keep Victorino at first this time.

Pretty sloppy game so far. Also Rollins was limping a little after when he scored the run.

Howard came up again with two more runners on base. This time he didn't strike out. He hit a line drive over Fowler the center fielder that hit the bottom of the wall for two RBI's, makes up a little for that double error that led to two Rocky's runs.

Whatever is going on with Halladay is he gave up a leadoff runner in the first two innings today. He let's first batter in the inning get on base A LOT.

Halladay gives up another run in the second and then walks the leadoff in the third and he scores on a bloop hit from Todd Helton.
Ugly game today. Kendrick shuts them out yesterday and Halladay is struggling today.

Roy gets a bloop hit to start the fourth.
Utley singles but Halladay can't run so first and third. Howard walks now Pence has to do what they got him for.

Wow, on an 0-2 pitch Hammel throws one to the backstop that bounced right back and Halladay comes in to score but the throw was very close, he might have been out.
Pence flys out.

No leadoff hot in the fifth but a one out triple leads to a run for the Rockies.

With two outs in the Phils sixth Howard hits a real long home run into left center for his third and fourth RBI's of the game so he has certainly made up for the double error in the first inning.
He has four homers this series. Can't be coincidence that this has happened right after Pence got here as he follows with a single.
This is Howard's first homer against a lefty this season.

And another lead off hit in the Rockies sixth they are 5-6 leading off the inning today.
Seventh inning single to lead off again for the Rocks.
A double play killed it both the last two innings.

Bastardo in now, No lead off hit in the eighth but Helton just hit a fly ball that kept going and going a went right over the top of the wall in left.

So one out, homer then a single, a ball in the dirt gets away and runner on second.

Hmm, brad Lidge is warming up to close the game. It would be his 100th for the Phils if he gets it.
He did it.
Phils get an ugly win today. Lots of mistakes early. Halladay was not very good. Howard four RBI's. Tough game but great teams need to win ugly games too.

Now tomorrow starts a four game series in San Fran with the Giants. Roy Oswalt is back and will go either Saturday or Sunday.

Win 8-6
Streak 6 wins
After Pence 5-0
Last ten 8-2
Last 30 21-9
Last Fortty 27-13
Last Fifty 35-15
Record 71-39

Game 109 Phils @ Rockies

2011-08-02T23:05:00.004-04:00

What a job Kyle Kendrick has done as a starter. he has kept the Phils in almost every game he has started since going in for Blanton, who likely won't be back this season.
Kendrick's record is 31-6 when he pitches 6 innings or more.

I guess this game and Pence's first game when Howard was 4-4 are what will be shown as the reason they needed to get a guy like Pence to hit behind him,

Howard has two long homers including one into the upper deck in right.
Pence has two doubles and a walk.

Kendrick has skattered 4 hits over 8 innings and has a shut-out.

Kendrick was taken out for a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth and he received a noticeable ovation from the Phillies fans who are at the game.
This has become a trend this year at nearly every road game for the Phils. Very noticeable and vocal Phils fans are a every road game.

Btw yesterday Ryan Howard hit his 274th home run putting him exactly half way to Mike Schmidt's Career total.

This eight innings was what they needed tonight as half the bullpen was unavailable tonight due to over work the last few games.
So Herndon will try to finish out the game. If he can't do it Lidge will be in the game.

With this win it puts them 8 games up on the Braves, a season high. Now that is great we want them to get a big lead but I also don't mind a close race to keep them on their game but I guess it doesn't matter.
Tonight was also their 70th win. first team tis year to 70 and their second fastest to that number ever. in 1976 they did it in 104 games 70-34 this year in 109, 70-39. In 1993, 111 games 70-41.

Other then the little glitch against the Giants last week these guys a rolling along like a machine. tonight was also the league leading 14th shut-out.

31 games over .500 a season high. Last season they finished only 30 over.

Win 5-0
streak 5 wins
After Pence 4-0
Last ten 7-3
Record 70-39

Game 108 Phils @ Rockies

2011-08-01T22:45:00.009-04:00

The start of a ten game road trip.
Into the sixth inning and the Phils are having another one of these games were they don't hit and Hamels is pitching a terrific game.
He got out of a one out bases loaded spot without giving up any runs.

Hamels did let up a two run homer early and so far that's the difference in the game.

Rollins has been getting a lot of balls and threw out a couple of guys with great lays from in the hole.

He doesn't seem all there on the hitting side though.
His first ab was a first pitch dribbler to the pitcher that he jogged over to first on. I hate that. Run it out.

Then he was forced at second on a play that again looked like he didn't go all out on.
Pence doubles in the seventh and Ibanez doubles him in with no outs and thats it, they don't get him in.

Gload pinch hit for Hamels so he wont get a win but could get a loss. It doesn't help that Stutes who has been very average lately gave ul a home run to lead off the bottom of the seventh.
That ball looked like it was headed to the gap in left but it just kept on going and went right over the wall.

I hate these games. Starter pitches great, team can't hit, bullpen gives up runs.

But... The reason I keep watching till the games over is because of yesterday and todays game.
Tonight they just look dead, then with two outs in the ninth Ruiz doubles and Mayberry comes up and Battles that closer and fights off a bunch of sliders then pops one way out in left to tie up the game.

Bastardo gives up a leadoff hit, not going to be an easy road trip.

I'll be happy with 6-4 since four are with the Giants and they'll miss Halladay again.

Bastardo got out of that mess.
There it is, Victorino homers in the tenth to give them the lead. Madson comes in and shuts it down to get he Phils to 30 games over .500 and a 7 game lead because the Braves lost tonight too.

They were thirty over at the end of the season last year end with 54 games left they match that.

They are a machine right now, winning early with lots of runs or late with big comebacks.

Win 4-3
Streak 4 wins
After Pence 3-0
Last ten 7-3
Record 69-39

Game 107 August 31st Pirates @ Phils

2011-08-01T22:33:00.003-04:00

I listened to most of the game on the radio and love those radio guys.

Worley didn't pitch a great game, he gave up four runs but kept the Phils in the game.
This was all Raul Ibanez. He had three hits, two homers and four RBI's including a two run game tier in the eighth.

Rollins had two RBI's also.

Howard was 1-5 with two K's so the second Pence game didnt do anything for him.

Hunter pence was 1-4 but.... He doubled in the tenth inning and scored on Ibanez double to end the game.
Great comeback for the Phils and nice job for Pence in getting the double in the tenth.

There's been a lot of excitement the last two days with Pence now here.

Win 6-5
Streak 3 wins
After Pence 2-0
Last ten 7-3
Record 68-39

Game 106 Pirates @ Hunter Pence

2011-07-30T21:03:00.007-04:00

Did hunter Pence get Ryan Howard better pitches already in Howard's first ab?
On the second pitch Ryan smoked a ball of the ivy over the center field fence and Howard is 4-4 with three RBI's so far.
Pence is 0-4 but he was safe on a close play at first in his initial ab but was called out.

Howard also picked u his 1000th hit tonight.

Cliff Lee has 9 K's after six innings and except for a two run homer he has looked very good. Much better then his last game when he looked like he didn't care.

Lee gets a mini standing O for nearly beating out an infield hit.
They had to take Lee out in the eighth, gave up a few runs and just couldn't get that last out. Bastardo came in and got the strike out.
leadoff triple for Victorino no outs, Utley dribbles a ball to first.
Now they walk Howard to get to Pence.

Hunter makes them pay by getting a single and the RBI.
Madson strikes out the side to nail down the win.

You have to wonder why Charlie let Lee go out for the 8th inning. He was near 100 pitches, they have a big lead. Put the bullpen in and keep Lee under 100 pitches and a really good game instead of an okay game. He ends p over 120 pitches, should have been out earlier.
Pence ends up 1-5 but clearly Howard was seeing better pitches and was 4-4 a triple short of a cycle.

Win 7-4
Streak 2 wins
After Pence 1-0
Last ten 7-3
Record 67-39
Home record 40-18

Game 105 Pirates @ Phils - Hunter Pence Day

2011-07-29T21:59:00.005-04:00

Reports have come in that they have traded for Hunter Pence. They will lose two top prospects a pitcher and a power hitting first baseman.

They apparently get to keep Worley and Dom Brown.
As for the game. They got 3 in the first and 5 in the second and then put it on cruise control. Rollins added a two run homer late and Carpenter came in and coughed up three runs so it's 10-3 and that's the final.

Utley had a single a triple and a homer in his first three ab's but that was it for him
Halladay only gave up one hit through 7 and they pulled him out to get him rest.

Roy is now the first to 13 wins in the NL this season.
Hamels had a chance vs. The Giants but the only scored one run for him.

July 29th three years in a row, cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and now Hunter Pence.
I don't know how Amaro does it every year.

So a big win today against the Pirates and picking up Pence.

Win 10-3
Streak 1 win
Last ten 7-3
Record 66-39

Game 104 Giants @ Phils

2011-07-28T20:38:00.003-04:00

Kendrick has been pretty good so far, 5 innings and only two runs.
Linicicum has been good too but looks hittable to me.
He's been behind in the count, has walked 3 but only two hits so far.
I would say he definitely hasn't been great tonight.

Utley got him to 3-1 with two outs after lincicum already walked two.
But then he swings at a ball that's was high and one in the dirt.
The Phils are simply over matched in these games against good pitching.

In the seventh thanks to sloppy play by Martinez the Giants picked up a couple of runs, and the Phils grabbed one in The bottom.
Could have had more but howard dribbled another out.

First inning was telling after a leadoff double then to third with one out, Utley poppedup and Howard strikes out.

First time in 54 days they lose two in a row and a series. Got them both out of the way in one shot.

Beltran didn't factor in but the Phils being unable to hit did.
They better get player soon.

Loss 4-1
Streak 2 loses
Last ten 6-4
Record 65-39

Game 103 Giants @ Phils

2011-07-28T20:23:00.002-04:00

Cole Hamels 7.2 innings 2 earned runs
Matt Cain 7 innings 1 earned run.
Tonight's game was a prime example of why they need another bat.

Hamels pitched a terrific game but Cain was better.
Phils only had four hits and the Giants 6 but they scored and the Phils didn't. Giants had a couple of errors but they couldn't take advantage for more then one run.

Utley, Howard and Rollins either popped up or weakly rolled out every at bat.
The giants also picked up Carlos Beltran today for a minor league pitcher, he'll be in the line up tomorrow night.

Now with Kendrick against Linicicum tomorrow they are in line to lose two in a row and a series for the first time in nearly 7 weeks.

Loss 2-1
Streak 1 loss
Record 65-38

Game 102 Giants @ Phils

2011-07-26T21:47:00.003-04:00

Big series with the Giants this week not in terms of the standing but as a fan. First time this season they play each other.

Vance Worley goes against Zito, should have been Linicum but he was sick before the game.
He gave up a leadoff double that got the Giants a 1-0 lead but that was it until Aaron Rowan homered in the eighth.
Until that homer Worley had a feat that matched something only one other pitcher has done since 1920.
One of two pitchers to make 6 consecutive starts with 5+ innings while allowing 1 earned run or fewer, Steve Carlton is the other.

Phils came right back in the bottom of the first with a four spot capped by Ibanez's 3 run homer.
Mayberry later homered and Chase Utley hit an inside the parker off the corner in center field.
Ryan Howard finished it up with a long shot that hit the wall over the center field fence.

Worley gave up three hits in his first career complete game.

Rollins didn't get a hit and hasn't gotten one in four games now.

Worley is now 7-1 and has to be in consideration for rookie of the year.

Phils go back to 28 over .500 and are 29-13 in the last 41 games. Pending the Braves game they are now 6.5 games up on them.

Win 7-2
Streak 1 win
Last ten 7-3
Record 65-37

Games 98, 99, 100, 101 four game series Padres @ Phils

2011-07-26T19:48:00.002-04:00

The Phils had a four game series this past weekend with the Pods so I just waited till it wasover.
In game one Cole Hamels was looming to tie for the league lead with 12 wins.
He went 8 innings in the hottest day of the summer so far and struck out ten and only allowed 3 hits.
Hamels was just great again, well at least after that start following the all-star game.
The Phils only had 6 hits but it didn't matter.
It was 80's night so we got to see the Phils 1984 home red and white Pinstripes with the fat P.
Padres wore their '84 jerseys including the "RAK" on the arms. Lots of fun.
Was supposed to go to the game but the tickets were sold-out so we went to Sunday's game instead.

Win 3-1
Streak 3 wins
Record 62-36

Game 99

Kendrick pitched decent and only gave up 3 in 6 innings and left with the score tied at 3
Stutes gave a lead run up but in the seventh Howard led off with a pinch hit home run to tie it up.
Martinez and Utley also homered in the inning off Qualls who hardly ever gives up homers.
They scored five in the inning and held on for a win.

Martinez had 3 RBI's and Utley had 4.

Win 8-6
Streak 4 wins
Record 63-36

Game 100

Went to the game with standing room only tix.
Was another super hot day but for about two innings a strong wind blew straight in and they were ready to put the tarp on too.

Halladay was going for his 12th win today and it looked like he was going to get it when they got him a 5-1 lead.
Roy had 91 pitches after five but only needed 25 more through the next three.

This game had a bad feel to it, really thought they weren't going to holdon.
Howard had two nice hits in his first two ab's by dropping the ball into left field but looked pretty bad in the next two ab's.

Bastardo had a 1-2-3 ninth for his eighth save.
we had fun at the game. It was me, my brother, Karen, Paul, Dennis and his daughter Brandi.
Den and Brandi had seats down in the lower section behind home so we didn't see them during the game.

If my memory is right this marks the ninth series win straight and 42 games since they lost two in a row.
At game 100 their record stands at 64-36, second best at 100 behind the 1976, 68-32.

Win 5-3
Streak 5 wins
Last ten 8-2
Record 64-36

Game 101

I don't know what was going on with cliff Lee today.
He got pulled after four, gave up five runs and fell asleep with a runner on third.
In the four runs second he had runners on the corners. Lee had a pickoff over to first but just lobbed it over. Denorfia on third took off and stole home as it turned out this was the margin of victory.

Lee was 6-0 in his last 7 home starts and a 0.95 era, but not today.

Phils got it to 5-4 but that was it.

Loss 5-4
Streak 1 loss
Record 64-37

Game 97 Phils @ Cubs

2011-07-21T00:05:00.002-04:00

What do Steve Jeltz, Tomas Perez and Jimmy Rollins have in common?

The Phils got off on the right foot at the start today.
The cubs shortstop lost a pop up in the sun that lead to two runs for the Phils and the Cubs Didn't recover.

The temp was nearly 100° today and well over that on the field today but this time it affected the Cubs starter Ryan Dempster instead of the Phils Vance Worley.
Worley only gave up 4 hits and none until the fifth inning as he pitched another great game. He has to be consider for ROY soon if he continues this.

The top three in the order went 7-13, that includes the three hits and three RBI's and two homers, one from each side of the plate for Rollins. I thought in heard Larry Anderson say it was the 153rd time this happened, twice now for Rollins. Mickey Mantle ten times.
Including the last two innings Tuesday they scored runs in six consecutive innings.

Howard had a hit and an RBI but he is looking terrible at the plate.

Worley even doubled and scored a run. He also pitched eight innings for the first time and his era is 2.02

Mood, feeling pretty, pretty pretty good right now. They are on pace for well over 100 wins. The Braves lost so the lead is 4.5 games and their wild card lead is a hypothetical 9 games.
Looking forward to this four games set at home with the Padres this weekend, including 80's night Friday and our game some of us are going to Sunday. Season high 25 games over .500

Win 9-1
Streak 2 wins
Last ten 6-4
Record 61-36

Game 96 Phils @ Cubs

2011-07-20T10:18:00.003-04:00

This looked like another one of those games, three hits, no runs and a great pitched game by a Phils starter that ends up as a loss.

Cliff Lee gave up a double to start the game and then a two run homer that barely cleared the basket in left.
Then another double but got out of out of it no more runs.
In the second inning he gave up a single and a double then struck out the next three as if he turned on a switch. From then until they pinch hit for him in the seventh he was brilliant, was a shame he couldn't get the win.

Matt Garza shut them out on two hits into the seventh inning.
After letting the first two Phils on in the eighth he was pulled.
Marshall came in and gave up a two run tying double to Utley.

Utley and Howard have been about two for thirty so far afterthe break so that was a big hit to get.
Of course Howard struck out looking terrible right after.

Top nine, with two outs Ben Francisco singles, Jimmy Rollins singles. Next Michael Martinez doubles them both in and is out trying to get to third.

Phils up 4-2 after looking like they were dead the whole game andt he previous game too.

Bastardo comes in the bottom of the ninth and strikesout the side. I can't believe there is any consideration to making Madson the closer again.

Mood, surprised out how boring the team is even while they continue to win and win. Since early June they have literally won two out of every three games and haven't lost two in a row since then or a series. Haven't won more then two arow either.

Win 4-2
Streak 1 win
Last ten 6-4
Record 60-36 first team to 60 wins

Game 95 Phils @ Cubs

2011-07-18T21:07:00.010-04:00

It's been 12 games since I posted on a game.
Been a little busy.
We had a trip to Georgia for a week and just before we left one of our dogs got out and was missing for a few days.
Luckily we were able to find him, but it did take a toll on us for a bit.

Now, in the 12 games that passed the Phils were 8-4. Not bad.
Haven't lost a series since Junr 19th to Seattle.
Haven't lost two in a row since the end of a four game losing streak ending on June 5th.

Now to tonights game with the Cubs.

It's the fifth inning and we have Halladay against Lopez.
The Phils have one hit a homer by Rollins.
The Cubs had a big inning in the third, Halladay threw over thirty pitches gave up two runs and after the inning, in the dugout looked like he was going to pass out from the heat.
He had cold towels on his head, changed his jersey, looked like he needed oxygen.

He must be sick, somethings not right.

On the other side Lopez is just freezing through the Phils.
First nine down in order, Rollins leadoff homer, then nothing until a two out double by Mayberry in the fifth, then Halladay struck out on three pitches.
Lopez is having a walk in the park and Halladay needs oxygen, what is going on?

Another leadoff runner in an inning against him, I've never seen a great pitcher give up so many first batter hits.
Well now with no outs and a runner on first Halladay just called out the trainer and on a 1-1 count he's out of the game.
He really looked Ill when they had him in the dug out, so hopefully that's all it is.
This ends a streak. 63 consecutive road starts of 6 innings or more stopped.

Ok stuff like this will happen once in awhile but there is no excuse for them only having two hits against Rodrigo Lopez.
Now Andrew Carpenter is on the mound.

Little rally going, Martinez a one out hit and Utley took a ball on the leg.
Howard swings at an outside pitch and pops it up to left, foul. Soriano dropped it while nearly tripping over the mound in the bullpen.
The cubs have the bullpens in foul territory down the lines.

This game is an embarrassment for the Phils hitters.
Howard popped out and Ibanez struck out on two balls up near his head and way outside.

There's another run for the Cubs, now it's 4-1.
And here comes another.
Some of this could have been avoided. The leadoff hitter gets on again, then steals his first base in over a year. Would have been out but Rollins dropped the throw, next guy, Lopez bunts him to third, then a double and another double. 5-1.

Now we're treated to Herndon who is nice enough to give up a real bomb over the center field wall, 6-1.
Dom Brown just smacked into the wall, this is literally a wall as there is nothing but bricks behind that ivy.
So two balls smoked for two batters for Herndon so far.

Mood is aggravated. And thank goodness that mess is over. A disgrace, only five hits.
First time they lost the first game in About a month. Marmol struck out two then walked two then struck out one to end the game.

Loss 6-1
Streak 1 loss
Last ten 6-4
Record 59-36

Game 82 Red Sox @ Phils

2011-06-30T14:20:00.010-04:00

Started out as another great pitchers duel, that is until Cole Hamels took line drive off the wrist of his catching hand. He finished the inning but left after the fourth.

Herndon is in now for him.

Phils got their first hit in the fourth.
Now that Herndon is in the game it looks like Jim Wolf behind the plate has shrunk his strike zone.

Herndon gives up a one out double that Francisco played into a triple and the next batter singles for a 1-0 Sox lead.

The odd thing on that Hamels injury is that in the second inning he caught a line drive that was exactly the same as the one that hit him in the hand.

I'm not sure what the thinking will be on this game with Herndon. the bullpen has had plenty of rest the last few games so if Herndon starts giving up runs they may pull him quick.
Now after another hit it's first and third 1 out, John Lester at the plate.
Lester strikes out but Elsbury singles for an rbi. One more batter and that has to be it.

Got him, well 2-0 looks tough today, Lester has been really good so far and Ryan Howard doesn't look like he is going to be of any help right now, He's in another funk.

Bleepin' Herndon gives up a homer to Veratek with 2 outs in the sixth. Next pitcher please.

Next pitcher is Andrew Carpenter, another call up from triple a.
Two hits for the Sox to lead off the seventh.
Carpenter gets out of first and third no outs, nice job.

Not so nice in the 8th, gave up 2 straight homers then a third right to the wall.

So those two extra runs might hurt badly as Howard just popped one into the upper deck for runs to make it 5-2.

Mood is slightly disappointed but I realize that it is very hard to take three from a really good team like the Sox are this year. Would have been nice to get more then 2 hits before the ninth inning too.
Francona got his 700th win as a Sox manager today. This is more wins then any manager in the entire History of the Phillies. Boggles the mind.

Loss 5-2
Streak 1 loss
last ten 6-4
Record 51-31

Game 81 Red Sox @ Phils

2011-06-29T21:39:00.004-04:00

Worley is pitching another decent game. Only one bad ab was when he got behind Lackey and then grooved one that Lackey smoked to the wall in left center for an RBI to tie the score at one.

It's getting late and the Phils haven't done anything since they score a run in the second inning.

Howard has struck out twice in three ab's.
Dom Brown looks so awkward on just about every catch he makes.

Ibanez had threehits today and inky needed a triple for the cycle. He did get a home run in the seventh to get a 2-1 lead.
Stutes a perfect eighth and Bastardo for the save.

Mood, Im flying right now a series win against the Sox for the first time in about ten years.
Vance Worley is pitching great now that they finally stopped goofing around with him.
Charlie became the third winningest manager in team history and if they win 52 more this year he will have the most wins all time as a Phils skipper.

Win 2-1
Streak 3 wins
Last ten 7-3
Record 51-30

Game 80 Red Sox @ Phils

2011-06-28T21:48:00.002-04:00

61 years. It was that long ago since the last time a Phils pitcher did what Lee did tonight.

3 shut outs in a row. 61 years ago Robin Roberts did it and three other before him including Grover Cleveland Alexander who did it twice.

Lee also has 32 straight shut out innings in a row now too. His 4th shut out this season and I think the Phils 12th.
Only two hits and only 5 K's but that's why he only threw 112 pitches.

Simply brilliant.
One walk in the first the no hits or runners until the sixth. So much fun to watch what he has done in June.

5-0 and one earned run in his last 42 innings in June.
His era for June is 0.21
Lowered his era to 2.66 he also had a sac fly rbi tonight and only faced 29 batters.

All of a sudden he is 9-5 and will be June's pitcher of the month.

He only needs three more shut outs in a row to match Orel Hersheiser.

Mood, Cliff lee is scary right now. the Phils are 50-30, 20 over .500 for the first time this season.
I'll have to look back and see the last time they were 20 over after 80 games.

Win 5-0
Streak 2 wins
Last ten 6-4
Record 50-30

Game 79 A's @ Phils

2011-06-28T17:59:00.002-04:00

The A's and Phils finish the series today.
Halladay starts against one of the players they traded for Joe Blanton, last name is Outman, good name for a pitcher.
He was good but Halladay was very good.

You could see a few times during the game when Halladay just simply bared down and controlled an inning. Three innings of less then ten pitches.
He is now 30-3 in the 35 starts that the Phils have given him a lead. The third pitcher to get his tenth win after two previous no decisions.
Jimmy Rollins had his first four hit game in over two seasons.

Phils get to 19 over .500 for the fourth time in about a week. Also this was a needed win. The Braves lost but if the Phils lost they could have been down to a 3.5 game lead going into the series with Boston. As it is they are 4.5 up going into the series with the Red Sox.

Mood is good I really enjoy watching the A's come in to town and here the talk of the old A's teams and players.

Win 3-1
Streak 1 win
Last ten 6-4
Record 49-30

Game 78 A's @ Phillies

2011-06-25T20:20:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure what's going on with the Pils tonight but Coco Crisp went to third on a fly ball to Shane Victorino. Crisp got to third after he faked tagging up but Victorino double pumped and then just lobbed the ball in to third. Crisp went over on the lob throw.

Then just now Dom Brown leads off the fifth and hits a ball to the second baseman Weeks. He bobbled it but Brown did not run out of the box and was thrown out. He easily would have beat the throw if he ran hard from the plate but he didn't even run hard to the bag.
He hit another ground ball to Weeks again in his next ab and he didn't run hard on that one either. He should have been benched after the first one but they Phils are running on smoke and mirrors right now.
Half the bullpen is hurt, Gload is hurt and still keeps getting pinch hits but they have to put in a runner for him every time.
After they won seven in a row they are 4-4.

Mood has me a little worried. Oswalt is out for awhile. The pen is short and they have stopped hitting again, only four hits today and another loss for Hamels with him pitching another great game.

Loss 4-1
streak 1 loss
Last ten 6-4
record 48-30

Game 77 Athletic's @ Phillies

2011-06-24T21:22:00.003-04:00

Only series that I really look forward to in inter league is with the A's.

This is only the fourth they've played and second time in Philly.

I waited until the seventh inning to start because this game had been a double no hitter through six.
Both the Phils and A's got the first hit in the sixth inning.
Vance Worley did a great job but he had too many full counts and was over 100 pitches after six and that was it for him today.

THey just showed Pete Rose in us seat sitting with Larry Christinson. Pete is getting pretty old I would love to see Jim get into the Hall soon.

Dom Brown is right at .200 now but the GM today said that they're going to keep himin the lineup and stick with him.
Brown just got the Phils second hit in the seventh with 2 outs and are doing a great job at making another average pitcher look like a hall of famer.

Ninth inning still only two hits for both teams. Victorino gets a lead off walk, Ibanez up next.
Should they bunt Shane over? I would but Raul doesn't and he pops out to right.

Brian Schneider grounds out but now they have second and third with two outs.
Ben Francisco chops a ball at to third over a drawn in third baseman's head for the game winning hit.
Nice.

Mood is good but not happy about only getting four hits again. Vance Worley pitched a one hitter for six innings. I want to see more of him and now that Oswalt is on the DL again I guess we will.

Win 1-0
Streak 1 win
Last ten 7-3
Record 48-29

Game 76 Phils @ Cards

2011-06-23T20:37:00.008-04:00

Oswalt looks prety good in the first. Getting the fastball in the the 90's which is good.
Other then the bomb John Jay just hit anyway.

Looks like Carpenter hasn't been any good this year so naturally expect him to shut out the Phils.
The Phils announcers were saying he hasn't been using his curve much this year. Well he has been today, a lot and the Phils don't hit slow stuff so.....

Francisco just hit one that the center fielder just dove for and missed going to the wall, so he's on third with two outs and Dom Brown rolls to the first baseman for the third out.

I spoke too soon about Oswalt. Three straight hits to lead off the second and a 2-0 hole. Now it's 4-0.
So now they're going to pinch hit for him. I guess his back must be acting up again.
He has been a disappointment this season. Even with the back problems he has not been good enough this season.

Oswalt's out and kendrick is in. Lead off double for Matt Holliday and then a line drive single for first and third to start the third.
Looks like a blow out is in the works.

Ok well unless the Phils get a couple of runs next inning I think this might be a write off. Polanco just got jipped out of a hit by the umpire.
He lined one to right, John Jay dove for it and got it in his glove but it bounce right out and hit the ground. He grabbed it with his free hand and held it up and the ump bought it.
Polanco saw It clearly and ran out to the ump right away to question his call.
How is it that everyone but the the ump can see these kind of plays?

Mood is blah. I dont even feel like this was a real game. It was more like a minor annoyance like a gnat or mosquito, once you swat it it's gone and you don't need to worry about it anymore.
The only problem and it is a bit of a big ones Oswalt. As I have been saying he just doesn't have his heart in it since he came back from his home and now he is hurt again and from what he was saying it sounds like he doesn't want to play anymore.
Plus Baez came in and gave up a four hits, two walks a homer and 6 runs. Is that it for him now?

Loss 12-2
streak 1 loss
Last ten 7-3
Record 47-29

Game 74 Phils @ Cards

2011-06-22T23:12:00.002-04:00

Roy Halladay hasn't lost two straight yet this season.
This is the Card first game after Pujols broke his arm and now will be out 6-8 weeks.

The Cards scored a run In The fifth and this one was looking like another week effort and a shut out but the squeaked out a run in the eighth.
They took Halladay out for Gload to pinch hit in the seventh and they had to do it even though Roy was pitching great.
Gload singled in the tying run but just barely as Ruiz was tagged out running to third.
Looked like he was trying to draw the throw to make sure Ibanez scored but with Holliday in left, he can't throw, Raul would have been safe by a bunch.
It really hate when players do that as it never looks lime they need to do it and it's always the third out.
Anyway Stutes comes in and promptly gives up a run for a 2-1 Cards lead, so now it looms Grimm again.
Then the super crazy Phils eighth inning happens.

Jimmy Rollins lines out to left fielder Matt Holliday.

Shane Victorino singles

Chase Utley walks. Shane Victorino to 2nd.

Ryan Howard hit by pitch. Shane Victorino to 3rd. Chase Utley to 2nd.

Placido Polanco hit by pitch. Shane Victorino scores. Chase Utley to 3rd. Ryan Howard to 2nd.

Raul Ibanez strikes out swinging.

Ben Francisco singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Holliday. Chase Utley scores. Ryan Howard to 3rd. Wilson Valdez to 2nd.

Carlos Ruiz walks. Ryan Howard scores. Wilson Valdez to 3rd. Ben Francisco to 2nd.

Michael Martinez walks. Wilson Valdez scores. Ben Francisco to 3rd. Carlos Ruiz to 2nd.

Jimmy Rollins singles on a ground ball to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Ben Francisco scores. Carlos Ruiz scores. Michael Martinez to 2nd.

Shane Victorino walks. Michael Martinez to 3rd. Jimmy Rollins to 2nd.

Chase Utley singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Holliday. Michael Martinez scores. Jimmy Rollins scores. Shane Victorino to 2nd.

Ryan Howard singles on a ground ball to center fielder Colby Rasmus. Shane Victorino scores. Chase Utley to 3rd.

Wilson Valdez flies out to right fielder Jon Jay.

So three walks, two hit batters and Five hits. Nine runs on no extra base hits. It was almost hard to believe.

Mood, shocked because really don't remember An inning like that in a long time.
I'm pretty sure the Phils had a game against he Reds that had them score 10 or 13 runs after two outs on two batters.

Win 10-2
Streak 1 win
Last ten 8-2
Record 46-28

Game 73 Phils @ Seattle Mariners

2011-06-22T22:59:00.002-04:00

The Phils surprisingly beat King Felix yesterday, today they get Jason Vargas and it wasn't good. In fact it was ugly.
This guy pitched a three hit shut out at the Phils.
Hamels wasn't bad either but he was out pitched. He only gave up two runs but with the Phils in stink mode it wasn't enough.

This was Hamel's first road loss since last August and he picked up his career 1000th K, third youngest active pitcher to do it.

Mood isn't so great, but I'm trying to take into account that they just played in a very short time frame against the Fish and flew across the country to Seattle so maybe that's why they lost two of three here.

Loss 2-0
Streak 1 loss
Last ten 7-3
Record 45-27

Game 75 Phils @ Cardinals

2011-06-22T22:32:00.003-04:00

Cliff Lee pitched a shut out last time out. Can he do it again?
Last pitcher for the Phils who had back to back shut outs was Corey Lidle In 2004.

Started off a little funky, Lee put seven straight balls up there to start the game.
Was a pitcher's duel for the first four innings until Rollins led off the fourth with a homer and later that inning Howard added a 2-run homer.

Would be all Lee needed.
They added a run in the ninth after Victorino tripled but it didn't matter.
It was Lee's second shut out in a row.
His last four games...
4-0
33 innings
19 hits
6 walks
24 K's
ONE EARNED RUN

Amazing.
He now has three shut outs and an additional combined one with Madson.

Mood, they are 10-2 last 12, 10 shut outs in 75 games. Matching the same in 1964. Season high 19 over .500. Best record in baseball. That's my mood.
My grandfather, who I used to watch games with way back when always complained that pitchers look miserable even when they are pitching a great game, they never smile. Now Cliff Lee he clearly looks like he is having funon the mound.

Win 4-0
Streak 2 wins
Last ten 8-2
Record 47-28

Game 72 Phils @ Mariners

2011-06-18T23:22:00.005-04:00

This is one of those games that you mark on a calendar.
"King" Felix Hernaandez is pitching tonight for the Mariners. He won the Cy Young last year even with only 13 wins.

Rollins got on to start the game and they got him in on a Howard sac fly.
But the Phils have had a runner on third stranded twice already after three, including after a leadoff double from Howard.

Vance Worley has been a little shaky but he has held his own against Hernandez as it's only 1-1 after four. He is doing a good job so far.

Dom Brown is flirting with the Mendoza line these days. Looks like they are keeping him in against righties for awhile longer though.

Worley leaves the game after only five innings. It's not like he isn't stretched out so why only five innings?

Big seventh inning now, Gload gets on and a really nice piece of hitting for Dom Brown. He doubled down the line.
Then after Ruiz popped up, Rollins walked and Victorino dropped a ball right on the chalk to drive I two runs.
Tonight became Shane Victorino night. He was a single short of a cycle and four RBI's.

Mood, well I'm in a great mood after this game. Anytime they beat a top quality pitcher like Felix Hernandez makes me very happy.
With Cole going tomorrow we should be in good shape for taking two of three.

Win 5-1
Streak 1 win
Last ten 8-2
Record 45 -27

Game 71 Phils @ Seattle Mariners

2011-06-17T23:18:00.009-04:00

This could be a tough game. They just played 4 games in very short time frame and had a long trip out to Seattle.
Seattle's got a very good pitching staff including the rookie going tonight.

He's pitching a no hitter after four.
No hits after five.

This ump has a goofy strike zone. He is calling them a foot off the plate and just now the Mariner's catcher caught one that was very close the outside corner and him and the pitcher jumped up to run off the field but he called that one a ball.

After five Seattle leads 3-0 and the way this guy is pitching it doesn't look like Phils have another comeback in them.

Oswalt as he has lately looks indifferent to be being on the mound.
Dom Brown doesn't have an error but he had a bad jump on a ball in the gap that Victorino had to play and it ended up as an RBI triple, and another play that was a high pop down the rout field line that Utley had to play that Brown should have called him off. Brown would have had a chance to throw the runner out at the plate, Utley had his back to the plate and couldn't make a good throw.

The Phils aren't even getting good swings at this guy and haven't come close to a hit.
Rolling walked with two outs. So two walks and a hit batter is all so far.

Victorino got to 3-0 and this crazy ump gives the old automatic on the fourth pitch, it was clearly inside.
Now on 3-2 Shane gets a hit to break up the no-no and Chase gets a hit to knock in Rollins. A nice little 2 out rally gets it to at least 3-1.

Howard walked but Polanco just took a ball up around his shoulder the ump called a strike, so now he's swinging at anything close and he fouls one back that again was off th plate then he tries to check on another high pitch but can't hold up, and since these imps don't ask for help on check swings anymore he called Polanco out. Polanco hardly Evers coma ins but he did after that and had an animated discussion with the home plate ump. Eddings the home plate didn't throw him out though.

Olivo just almost had his second homer of the game but Victorino ran it down at the 388' marker in left center, he actually over ran the ball and jumped and he almost dropped the ball from jumping. Is was a ball long gone in most parks but not in this giant park. I thought it was out and that Oswalt just gave back the run the Phils just worked pretty hard to get.

Oh boy, jimmy Rollins just hit into a DP from behind the bag at third base, around the horn. It was a close play but he shouldn't be out on that. Chone Figgens even took an extra beat on that throw. Making it seriously bad is that Victorino just homered. Now the score is 4-2.
Whoa, Figgens just went right into the first row in foul territory trying to catch a pop up. Tumbled heel over head right in there.

Ichiro has three hits and scored three runs, he is the best hitter I've ever seen. I still can't believe he had 262 in one season.
Here comes Herndon in the eighth, and a leadoff hit.

Mood is not too bad. the Loss doesn't bother me as much as what I see from Oswalt.
I expected as much tonight with the 4 games against the Marlins then the long trip to Seattle.

Loss 4-2
streak 1 loss
Last ten 8-2
Record 44-27

Game 70 Marlins @ Phils

2011-06-17T22:13:00.002-04:00

Going for 7 wins in a row today.
The Marlins are in a true free fall. 1-15 in the last 16 games. Just a couple weeks ago they were 2games behind the Phils. Now they are more then ten behind and have fallen into last place.

Cliff Lee pitched today and this was his best game so far.
Complete game shut out. Only four K's but also only gave up 2 hits. He had two hits of his own including a RBI double.
Dominating, he is finally on track.
Plus they had ten hits including Ryan Howards 15th homer. He's now second in RBI's.

Mood, they are 18 games over .500 and have a five game lead over the Braves.

Win 3-0
Streak 7 wins
Last ten 8-2
Record 44-26

Games 68 & 69 day night double header Marlins @ Phils

2011-06-15T19:28:00.014-04:00

Game one, Kendrick filling in as fifth starter and he did well. Pitched seven inning giving up a on the first and that was all.
Rollins homered again and they scored early and often.
We listened to most of the game on the radio and what a treat it is to listen to those guys. They are funny and tell you what you need to know. There is no sugar coating on anything.

Only had eight hits but did get a bunch of walks and timely hitting.
Rollins had four RBI's and Valdez tripled with the bases loaded.
Ryan Howard even made a perfect throw to Rollins to complete a double play.
The first two games this series the Phils have given up a run and have gotten it back right away.

Mood is great because they are now 16 games over .500 a season high and a season high 4 games on top in the division.

Win 8-1
Streak 5 wins
Last ten
Record 42-26

Game two....

Another game giving up first inning runs. I'm not sure what it is maybe the concentration isnt there to start the game.
Halladay gives up a double to the first batter then they move him over and score on a ground out to first. Then an opposite field home run.
Then the second inning he hits the first batter. They said the leadoff batter of the innings hitting over .300 against Halladay.
Phils first, lead of walk for Rollins but Victorino pops up. Utley doubles in Rollins but he might have been out, ump called him safe.
Runner on third one put. Howard grounds out but the Phils don't score that way, then Polanco grounded out.

Fourth inning and Greg Dobbs already has three hits. And now theynhave second andthird with one out after a ball was smoked to the wall off of Ibanez glove and now a seeing eye hit up the middle scores two.
Halladay stinks today really not pitching a good game.
Utley made a great diving pay and throw for one out and Dom Brown made a great diving catch and the glove rolled under his body and it looked like he could really have hurt his wrist but he didn't.

I guess it's only four zip and the bottom of the fourth so still time although they do only have one hit so far.
Again after getting the first two on this time they can't even move the runners over as Ibanez strikes out and Brown grounds out.MHD moved them over but now they will walk Ruiz to get to Halladay.

One thing that should be noted is that Anibal Sanchez told his coach he wanted to pitch against Halladay as a challenge.
Too bad Halladay didn't take up his end of the challenge.

Sanchez has 100 pitches already here in the fifth inning.
Utley tripled in a run but with one out Howard strikes out and Polanco flies out to right.
1-8 with runners in scoring position.
Halladay already up to 100 pitches in the top of the sixth.

Sanchez is now at 125 pitches and just struck out Victorino in the seventh. Maybe they can get something off the Marlins pen.

Down 4-2 headed into the ninth after Bastardo and Stutes kept the Fish off the board.
Phils get some base runners and after two outs Victorino gets a huge two out hit and ties the score, also gets Halladay off the hook.

Madson holds them off the board in the top of the tenth.
Bottom starts with Howard getting plunked in the armpit, Polanco flies out, Raul strikes out for the third time.
Dom Brown only hitting about .240 but he works a walk. So we have first and second with two outs for Ruiz.
He takes a pitch and then lines the next one past the drawn in infield, the ball goes under the glove of the center fielder Carlos Bonofacio and Howard chugs across home plate for the win. Woo hoo!!!

Mood, I'm in a great mood they have six wins in a row for the first time this season. 17 games over .500 for a season high.
They are on a little roll. Still can't ignore that against the really good Sanchez they o,y had 2 runs and five hits, but they made him throw a ton of pitches and got him over 100 in only five innings.
Great game.
Home record 27-12
Attendance 45,880 most EVER.

Win in ten 5-4
Streak 6 wins season high
Last ten 8-2
Record 43-26 the Red Sox with 40 and the Phils with 43 are the only two teams with 40 or more wins.

Game 67 Marlins @ Phils four games in three days

2011-06-14T21:20:00.007-04:00

This could be a tough one. After a 90 minute rain delay Cole gave up a couple of hits and the Marlins scored a run on a little dribbler to Howard. Probably didn't matter that he can't throw I'm sure the run would have scored anyway.

Ryan gets it back plus one with an opposite field homer to left.

It's the top of the seventh and the Marlins just got their first runner since the first inning. 17 retired in a row by Hamels since the first. Howard made a sloppy error and now they get a hit.

Cole has really been brilliant tonight since that first inning and up until the seventh. He's even using his curve ball.

The odd thing in this game is the four homers by the Phils including three two run shots and a solo one by Dom Brown.

The Phils are on a pace to be the first team with at least three pitchers who get over 200 K's in a season since the Astros in '69.

Dom Brown just bombed one into the upper deck in right. Is this his first two homer game?

Oh no, Hamels is coming out of the game on an injury. Looks like a back thing. Hopefully it just is a stiffness or a spasm. Oh my he was pitching so beautifully.

Herndon came in and for the one inning wasn't too bad. He K'd the first two and gave up a hit but that was all.

Mood is, wow did they do that tonight. Five homers in one game, Dom Brown with two solos, Howard got one in the first, Utley homered and Rollins did too.
Hamels left the game with lower back stiffness but he joined Halladay as the only nine game winners in the league.
I see that the Indians lost to the Tigers tonight. They started the season 30-15 and are 5-15 since and now are in second place behind Detroit in their division.
The four Aces have won their last four starts in a row and that's the first time that has happened this season.

Win 9-1
Streak 4 Aces in a row.
Last ten 7-3
Record 41-26 = 15 over .500 a season high

Game 66 Cubs @ Phils Sunday June 12th

2011-06-12T13:55:00.008-04:00

Oswalt today.

Gave up three runs in the. First inning on a homer and four hits.
I think something is off with him since he came back from the family leave and his back injury.
He didn't win a game in May and is 0-4 since late April. He's pitched pretty decent but has that one inning where he seems to lose his concentration or something and it happened again today with that first inning.

Now Howard is up here in the first and the Phils have runners on the corners with one out.
Howard waiting, kept his balance on a slow curve and smacked one right off the bottom of the wall in dead center, nice at bat.
Hopefully he can get his average back over .240 today.

This guy pitching for the Cubs is throwing BP up there. Bases loaded one and all they get is one run after Ibanez strikesout swing at a 83 mph fastball and Ruiz lines out to third.

Nice recovery for Oswalt in the second. He got behind two guys 3-1 and recovered to get a meek grounder and a pop-up.

This Cubs pitcher, Doug Davis has an era over 6 and is 0-5 on the season. They better score some runs on this bum.
They do get one more in the third BUT for the second time in three innings they have the bases loaded with one out and don't get more runs.

They end up with only two runs off this guy but Marshall came in and they got two runs off him again same as yesterday.

Game ends right after Soto smokes one just foul in left for a long loud out, then pops one into right that Utley has to make great running catch on.

Mood, feeling pretty good after taking three of four this weekend. Howard did get his average up over .240 with a 3-3 and three RBI's. Utley had another big hit and is starting to look really good again.
Oswalt really came back after that first inning and held the Cubs of the bases.

Win 4-3
Streak 3 wins
Last ten 6-4
Record 40-26 first to forty wins but only 15-14 last 29 games.

Game 65 Cubs @ Phils June 11th FOX National game

2011-06-11T19:05:00.003-04:00

Cliff Lee coming off one of his best games last week so I hope he can follow up with another good one today.

Today the Red Sox beat Toronto 16-4 so they are tied for best record with the Phils.

After eight the Phils are up 4-1.
Howard is 1-4 with an RBI and is still under .240.
Chase knocked in two runs in the first with a nice double not left center for the two RBI's.
The Cubs have two errors and continue to lead the league in errors.

Lee is having a great game, only four hits for the Cubs after eight. Marshall the lefty in the bullpen for the Cubs just gave up his first runs on the road this season when he gave up two to the Phils in the seventh.

Every time McCarver say Ruiz is sounds like two words "Rew Eeze" Carlos Rew

Anyway they picked up a few insurance runs in the eighth two of which came from a chase Utley 2 run homer.

Mood is great. I love this kind of win. They got two runs on a home run but e game was out of reach by then. Their runs were mostly from a few clutch hits and that's nice. Ten hits four walks and only five strike outs. Good job.

Win 7-1
Streak 2 wins
Last ten 5-5
Record 39-26 first team to 39 wins.

Game 64 Cubs @ Phillies June 10th

2011-06-10T19:31:00.004-04:00

First inning starts out same us usual.
Rollins walks, Victorino gets on but Utley hits a shot right the middle and hits Zambrano's foot. Rollins gets caught off third but is able to get into a rundown for Utley and Victorino to get to second and third.

Looks like a rally or does it? Howard can't hit with runners on either and grounds out to first. Victorino scores on the out.
Polanco grounds out to end the inning. The only, run scores on an pit, not a hit.

Second inning was better. Ibanez leads off with another walk to start an inning, Dom Brown homers to right. 3-0 Phils.

That was it until the bottom of the seventh.
Rollins walks, Victorino bunts him over. Two more walks and the bases are loaded.
Then on a 2-0 pitch to Polanco they score for runs with only one hit. Couple more runners after that but Brown and Francisco strike out.

Halladay has over 100 pitches and it is 7-0 so no reason to keep him in the game so contreras comes in does his best to give it all back.

He pitched one third an inning but managed to walk two give up two hits and four runs. He got help from J.C. Romero. Romero came in with one of Contreras runners still on.
Romero let's that guy score and also gave up two hits, a walk and a run of his own. Stutes had to come in because Romero couldn't get one single out.

Mood, what should it be? They scored seven brut even then it's not a nice easy win because the bull pen tries tomgive it all back.
Polanco hit his 100th career homer but Howard is now hitting .238 ouch.

Win 7-5
Streak 1 win
Last ten 4-6
Record 38-26 Back to the best winning percentage but barely above the Cards. 5-7 since getting to 14 over after taking 3 of 4 from the Reds

Game 63 Cubs @ Phils

2011-06-09T19:12:00.007-04:00

Tonight's game is also on WGN the Chicago superstation and for unknown reasons to me it isn't blacked out so I get a chance to watch a Phils game with decent announcers or at least not Wheels and T. Mac.
That didn't last long after a long rain delay I wasn't able to tune that channel back in.

Here's another game of five hits or less and 3 runs or less and it has come back to get them tonight.
Leading 3-2 going to the ninth. Madson gets an out then gives up a game tying home run.
Next batter Bops one over the fence too, or did he.
It looks very much like a guy reached over and pulled it back over the fence into the stands. The guy grabs the ball quickly and angrily throws it back onto the field. Now they have been showing replays and the guy has gotten a call and was shaking his head as he was told by somebody that he might have screwed up the game for the Phils if this doesn't get overturned.
The replay shows that it didn't go over the fence and the play is overturned put him on second and the dope in right field gets removed from the game.

It all comes down to the Phils not scoring runs again and only getting five hits. Wheels and Tom MacCarthy just got done saying how they are again not scoring more then three runs, then the tie homer and the next batter was of for his last 34 before knitting the ball to the wall for the fan interference.
No more runs and here comes the bottom of the ninth.
The Phils have one pitcher left, David Herndon so let's hope they can score and hold off the Cubs.

I'm going to bed and finish watching there. I'll finish this up tomorrow.

They lost the game in eleven and it could be said that Charlie Manual could be blamed for this one because he ran out of pitchers in only the tenth inning.
The Phils loaded the bases with two outs in the tenth but since they had no one left to pitch he had to leave Herndon in to hit and he can't hit.
He took two down the middle and feebly waved at a third one for the out.

Top of the eleventh has Polanco and a throw over to first in the dirt for an error. Cunbs get a guy on so it seems pretty sure that they will get a run. They do.

Mood, who knows what my moodis, I don't. It's the same thing every game. Two ot three runs and five hits. Even extra innings only allows for five hits.

Loss 4-3
Streak 1 loss
Last ten 4-6
Record 37-26 watch out the Braves are only two back

Game 62 Dodgers @ Phils June 8th

2011-06-08T19:28:00.017-04:00

Over 210 ab's without a home run and only 7 extra base hits in that span.
There's a guy sitting behind home plate with a shirt that looks like it says "ABC Stole Slacks Hoagie's Logo", who knows.
Phils first, three outs to Ethier, two hit very hard.

Howard is now, after his strike out 0-12 against Kuroda with five K's, including this one that was a ball that bounced six feet in front of the plate. He has been doing that a lot lately.

Fourth inning Phils finally get first hit. But then Howard swings and misses another wild pitch that almost him on his back foot and Raul pops out to left.

Holy cow. Martinez triples with 2 outs, Hamels walks. Kuroda fires a wild pitch to the backstop, and they still can't score.
What the H?

Martinez runs halfway down and stops, goes back to third. He could have walked to the plate. It just boggles the mind.
Now they walk Victorino to get to Brown.
Kuroda is up near 90 pitches already here in the fifth inning.
Brown has been swinging at balls in the dirt too lately.
Broken bat bloop out to right field.

Ryan Howard finally ends the homeless streak in the sixth by dropping one just over the fence in right.
They get two more on but don't get any more.

Cole let's the first two Dodgers on in the top of the seventh, first hand third and gets out of it with zero Dodger runs. He is having another great performance.
He is the best pitcher this season.

Bottom seven, the Phils pick up a huge extra run.
Victorino triples with one out and with the infield in Dom Brown hits a ball to second. Shane goes on contact and slides just under the tag.
The key to that was Brown making contact and not popping up as this team seams to do a lot.

Cole works out of another little jam in the eighth so we move on to the Phils half then the ninth with at least a 2-0 lead. I doubt Hamels will be out there. It's still over 90 degrees out and a bit humid so looks like Madson.

More on the Slacks controversy. From http://www.philliedelphia.com/

"Were you squinting at the TV trying to read what the white t-shirt said in the guy behind home plate? It read,

"ABC STOLE SLACK'S HOAGIE'S LOGO"

What is this about, you may ask? Well, as chronicled by the Daily News' Dan Gross, ABC's hit show "Cougar Town" features a business called "Mel's Hoagie Hut", with a very familiar logo:

It would appear that the man wearing the t-shirt behind home plate is Dennis Slack himself."

So there it is. ABC borrowed the Slacks Hoagie Logo.

Mood is reserved. They did win but still only 5 hits. Cole Hamels is on his way to a top pick for a Cy Young award.

Win 2-1
streak 1 win
Last ten 4-6
Record 37-25 Tied with the Cards for best record pending their game tonight.

Game 61 Dodgers @ Phils

2011-06-08T18:39:00.003-04:00

This was bar far the worst game of the sea on for the Phils.
The first inning was really a joke.
Victorino leads off the inning with a walk, great Polanco bounces one at the pitcher. Does Victorino wait for itto get through? No he head over to third and is thrown out by a mile. Polanco on first.
Utley walks, runners at first and second.
Howard week ground ball for a force at second, runners on the corners.
Raul dribbles to the pitcher for the third out.
AWFUL!

Then you see the Dodgers. A leadoff double to start. A line drive right at Utley, he has Kemp out to dry for a double play but throws the ball into left field. No error as he stays on third but should be two outs.
THen a walk for second and third.
Backup catcher Navarro hitting .196 singles and Kemp scores easliy from Second on a grounder through the hole because Ibanez has a noodle for an arm.

Inning ends on a DP. But they are able to get a leadoff double in or a run, something the Phils cannot do.

Then comes the Phils second inning.
I forgot to mention the starter for the Dodgers is a rookie making his first start ever in the bigs.
Rubby De La Rosa, pronounced like the gem.
Anyway Ruiz gets the Phils third walk already to lead it off.
Dom Brown walks. Four walks no outs in the second, two on no outs.
This guys all overthe place and getsto 3-0 on Valdez.
Valdez lines a single up the middle but no ne scores because these guys at the bottom of the lineup are as slow as anyone, so the bases are loaded no outs, Oswalt strikes out.
Victorino bounces a hard one at the pitcher who knocks it down and gets a force at home.
Polanco walks for the fifth walk so far to force in a run.
Right after Wheels says they need to make him pay for all the walks, Utley flies out meekly to right field.

This is the way the rest of the game went. This rookie walked five and gave up only four hits in his five innings.
The Phils only had five hits but left 19 on base with all the walks.
Utley made several messed up throws, Howard and Brown swung at balls that almost hit them in the back foot.

Mood is just miserable, I'm running out of adjectives to describe how I feel and how bad these guys are at the plate. Oswalt was just average he gave up four runs in 6 innings.

Loss 6-2
Streak 1 loss
Last 10 5-5
Record 36-25

Game 60 Dodgers @ Phils

2011-06-06T19:42:00.010-04:00

Bottom of the first it starts again just like every game. They get a guy on with no outs. Victorino leads off by getting hit in the arm. He leaned into it and could have been called on it but he was given first.
Polanco moves him over so now runner at second one out.
As usual they don't score.

Wow the did it in the third. Valdez doubles to lead, then Lee bunts him to third. Victorino walks and Polanco singles in a run.

After four Lee has given u.p a hit an inning but he is dealing tonight. Getting his strikes on the corners and he just looks tuned in.

Eighth inning and the Phils have only five hits and again less then three runs but tonight Cliff Lee pitched a Cliff Lee game. Struck outnten in seven and walked only one. No runs.
Ryan Howard might be going blind. He just swung and missed a pitch that bounced three feet in front of the plate and to add injury to insult it bounced up and hit him in the shin. Then he swings and misses wildly and limps back to the dugout.

Bastardo a good eighth but Madson has been shaky lately and gives up a run in the ninth and loses the shut out.

Mood, hmm any win is a good win I suppose but still another game of 3 runs or less. Lee saved them this time.
Also only six hits.

Win 3-1
Streak 2 wins
Last ten 5-5
Record 36-24 still best record.

Game 59 Phils @ Pirates

2011-06-05T14:03:00.011-04:00

The last time Halladay pitched I thought that it would be about time for him to throw one of his great games and against the Pirates would sem like a good chance. Well I guess not. He gives up a hit to the first batter in the game, again, a bunt an out then a two run home run.
Not the great start I wanted. Making things worse is Halladay probably had that guy out on a called third strike but he didn't get the call.
Next pitch is out.

Other notes is that now Rollins is out, day to day with a bruised knee and the pirates are using the Ryan Howard shift on Ibanez. Yesterday he grounded into it twice and today already in his first

Howard struck out too and is getting close to .230 again.

Ok Utley is at second with no outs after the second wild pitch by McDonald in the top of the fourth.

Phils are on the board and trail now 2-1. McDonald has three wild pitches and has hit Ruiz. Runners on the corners with one out. They need this guy to throw strikes and get a few runs here. He is not good. This is the fourth inning.

What the bleep now Dom Brown smokes a ball up the middle and hits the umpire.
Howard easily would have scored and Ruiz to second, but once the ump touches the ball, the play is dead so everyone goes to the next base and that's it. Bases loaded for Valdez. And he dribbles a ball right to the bag at second for an easy double play. WEAK.
It's almost expected at this point.

This guy McDonald is all over the place he almost hit Valdez just before the DP and now throws to pitches up and in to Halladay.
Walks Roy then Victorino on four pitches to start the fifth. Polanco was showing bunt on the first pitch but was almost hit. He walks on four pitches and McDonald is out of the game.
Utley grounds into a force play at home, Halladay called put. Still loaded now one out.
There is no one near third as the Bucks have the shift on even with the bases loaded. Victorino could try to steal home. Why not. Couldn't get worse then it is now. The third baseman is is just about on top of second base, that's how far away from third he is.

After a 12 or 13 pitch ab Howard hits a sac fly to tie the score.
Then Ruiz gets hit in the arm again to give them a 3-2 lead. Dom Brown smashes one about five feet foul and just misses a slam and then dribbles an out to first.
So without a base hit they score 2 runs. Pretty scary that they have 8 batters to the plate, score 2 and don't get a single base hit. How is that possible?

Mood is no better then the last few games because they still struggled to score today and Halladay gave up another home run in the first.
Left 16 on base.

Win 7-3
Streak 1 win
Last ten 5-5
Record 35-24 Stil best record but barely by % points over St. Louis

Game 58 Phils @ Pirates

2011-06-04T22:04:00.002-04:00

I feel like I can copy the last three entrees right here and it won't matter because this game has gone on just like the rest.

They get the first two on, Rollins after he bangs a foul off his knee doubles but it takes an error on a grounder from Howard to get a run.
Kendrick starts for the Phils so it won't be long before the Pirates score too and it isn't because they score two in the second.

There was another play that required Howard to throw a ball to first on a pick off attempt. The runner gets to first easily because Ryan Howard cannot throw a ball to save his life.
Wheels was good enough to Howard to point out that the runner got in the way of a possible good throw to first.

Phils are able to get it tied in the fourth on two more sigles and a ground out.
but, Kendrick is still pitching and he is very good at giving runs right back just after the Phils score.

It doesn't help when Lyle Overbay gets his first triple in years after Ibanez faceplants himself while trying to catch a routine fly ball.
So two more runs and the Bucks have a 4-2 lead.

First and third with one out in the fifth but Howard grounds into a dp. zzzzzzzz

J.C. Romero has himself a very giving seventh, he gave the Bucks a little run to improve their lead to 5-2. He walked the leadoff hitter and of course he scores.

Eighth inning, this time It's Baez turn to screw up.
He walks the leadoff again. then a nice dp ball to Howard, oh right he can't throw. they do get the force at second but a decent throw gets them the double play at first.
So they have a runner at third now two outs and Baez throws a ball back to the backstop for a wild pitch.
Sardinha hets it quick enough but Baez forgets to catch the ball after Sardinha throws it to him at home, now it's 6-2.

The Phils tease us by loading the bases and getting a run in the ninth but Ben Francisco was pinch hitting and takes a called third strike right down the middle.

Game ends on a little weak fly ball to left from Utley. zzzzzzzz

Mood is getting really tired of this teams act on offense. Truly excruciatingly awful. Really embarrassing.
I thought I heard Wheels say they have scored 3 runs or less 32 times now. they have won 10 of those games. I know it's a long season but this is bad, really bad. I don't even want to watch these games all the way through but I do because I know everyone wants to know what I'm thinking.

Loss 6-3
Streak 4 losses second time this year
Last ten 5-5
Record 34-24
Cleveland is better again and now the Cards have more wins. First time since the first few games another National League team has more wins.

Game 57 Phils @ Pirates

2011-06-03T20:40:00.011-04:00

I think they have lost 4 of the last five series in Pittsburgh and 8 of the ten total they have played at PNC Park.

Phils managed to get an ugly run in the sixth after getting the first two on. Too bad the first guy was Cole Hamels he was doubled
Off second on a line drive so that was bad. Then Rollins stole second and was called safe but he was out.
He scored on a single by Utley.
Bottom of the sixth Hamels walks the 8 hole hitter and that leads to a run after he is bunted to second and gets to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a sac fly, so they have a 1-1 tie and only one hit to the Phils four.

Btw off topic, the Michael Jordan Hitler mustache commercial just aired, can't believe it still pops up.

Ok the Phils offense seems to get worse against bad teams. Hamels is pitching a one hitter but the score is still 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth.
They just had first and third with two outs and Utley dribbles one to first. Also Hamels has two of the six Phils hits.

I'm just stunned. Hamels has to be pulled from a 1 hitter after 8 innings because they can't score.
Still tied bottom inf the ninth.
McCutchen was just caught stealing and he looked more close to being safe then on both of Rollins steals.

Ugh this is excruciating, leadoff walk for Ruiz in the tenth, and Francisco actually bunts him over I can't believe it.
Doesn't matter because they can't get a hit with anyone on second or third were he ended the inning.

Bottom of the tenth was just ridiculously lucky for the Phils.
One out runner on second, simple founder to Utley that he nearly throws over Howards head. He catches it and tags out the runner. Current base runner moves to third. He scores if Howard misses that throw.

Then Polanco makes a bare hand play on a swinging bunt hit and throws over to first and barely gets him out or again, game over.

Mood is angry, very angry. They lose another game after the starter pitches a terrific game.
They lose in twelve on a bad hop over Utley's glove for the winning hit. The ball hit the edgeof the grass just as Chase was goingmto at least knock it down.
But it shouldn't come down to that. They can't hit and it is..... I don't know what it is. I haven't seen anything like this forms long as I can remember.
Hamels would be the first pitcher with eight wins if the Phils just get a hit.

Loss 2-1 in twelve
Streak 3 losses
Record 34-23
Last ten 5-5

Game 56 Phils @ Nats

2011-06-01T13:35:00.006-04:00

This team is the best in the league and the worst at scoring with a runner in scoring position and less then two outs.
Polanco who is in the leadoff today gets on. Then Mayberry doesn't bunt of course but hits into a DP. Great job.
Nats half of the first get a leadoff, guess what they bunt him over and he scores on a two out hit by Werth.

Phils second another leadoff hit then a walk, Ibanez then K's looking. They only scored a run because the ball Ruiz hit to third bounced off his glove and Howard scored from second on it, barely.
Then Valdez flies out and. Oswalt grounds out.

They better win this game, Lannan stinks if he out pitches Oswalt I will be royally annoyed.

And Oswalt gives up a homer in the third.
Lannan has never beaten the Phils and is 0-10. Are the Phils going back to not being able to hit again after one week of doing well?

Continuing to be another pathetic hitting day. They have three hits into the sixth and Ryan Howard has two of them.

Still 2-1 but in the sixth they managed two runners but Domonic Brown smoked one into left field but Lance Nix made a diving catch that was just great. He actually did need to dive it wasn't one of those fake diving catches just to look good for ESPN.

Mood is annoyed because this was a weak effort against a bad team. Lannan out pitched Oswalt, not by much but enough for him to get his first win against the phils and for the Phils to need to pinch hit for him in the sixth inning so Oswalt only pitches five today.

Loss 2-1
Streak 2 losses
Last ten 6-4
Record 34-22

Game 55 Phils @ Nationals

2011-05-31T20:31:00.007-04:00

Not sure what's going on with Cliff Lee this season. He has a great game followed by a couple of just ok games with a really one mixed in.

Today apparently is the really bad one.

He needed a DP in the second to get out of trouble then it blew up in the third. A couple of leadsto a run then with one out and the bases loaded Wirth gets a sac fly then the next batter hits atree run home run in the first pitch.

There is always discussion on how all his pitches are around the plate. Well maybe he needs to move off the plate a little bit once in awhile.
As much as he has been around the plate he is also walking a bunch. He has two in this game already and he had six in a game a couple starts ago.

The other thing is the Phils are making Jason Marquis look brilliant.

Phils go back to back in the fifth(Domonic Brown and John Mayberry) and get it down to 5-2 but Nat's bottom of the sixth Espinosa comes up and smokes his second one over the fence. So he is 3-3 with two homers against Lee tonight.
Lee walks his third batter and that's it for him. Out in the sixth with one out. Boooo.

The Phils are getting hits, they have eight after Dom Brown's leadoff double in the seventh but not enough hits in a row or in one inning.

They have been Doing well late in games lately so maybe they have another one in them.
Mayberry grounds out but Ross Gload pinch hitting gets on with catcher interference because he nicked Rodriguez's glove on a swing.
That goes in as an error on the catcher and no ab. After this Riggleman comes in and takes out Marquis. The Phils do great against bullpens so let's keep this rally going.
Tyler Clippard comes in for the Nat's and Kyle Kendrick comes in to pinch run and will not pitch as he is now in the rotation and will pitch this weekend.
Jimmy Rollins has been dribbling balls to the infield all game so how about a double? Nope a little blooper to Werth in right.

No success against their bullpen but it wouldn't have mattered because the Phils pen gave up 3 more runs and it's 9-2 after 8.

They've brought Mike Zagurski back from the Iron Pigs so here's hopping he can be good and make J.C Romero expendable.
That didn't go well. His line

Zagurski, P 1.0 1 1 1 2 1 0 7.71

That is a hit, 2 walks including the pitcher and an earned run.
Oh well.
At least Oswalt is pitching tomorrow.

Mood is disappointed in Cliff Lee.
Very inconsistent this season. He really needs to put three or four good starts in a row.
When they lose they really do it big. Jason Marquis is now 6-2.
PHI IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
(L, 4-5)Lee, Cl, P 5.1 7 6 6 3 4 2 3.94

Loss 10-2
Streak 1 loss
Last ten 6-4
Record 34-21

Game 54 Memorial Day Phils @ Nationals

2011-05-30T14:14:00.010-04:00

Afternoon game today at Nationals Park for Memorial Day. Since it's about 93 outside it's a good day for 73" viewing in the theater room.
Halladay vs. Levon Hernandez who besides Randy Wolf Probably has the slowest curve ball in the league.
He usually has a good game against the Phils because they just don't hit junk ball throwers.

Very annoying second inning for Halladay. Gave up a home run and that's fine but then he let's them get two more hits for runners on the corners. Levon then puts down what looked likes safety squeeze.
Different then a regular squeeze, the runner on third doesn't break for home until the ball is bunted.

In their half of the fourth the Phils actually managed five hits in a row.
Including back to back homers from Howard and Ibanez, then three more hits for one more run including a hit by Dom Brown who is looking very good since his return.

Halladay is having very mediocre game. He has given up three solo homers today and now they're losing 4-3 in the seventh.
A key inning so far in this game was the Phils third. Mayberry leads off with a double and Halladay bunts him to third but then Rollins wiffs and Polanco lines out to third. Rollins is back into is usual self of flying out and striking out with runner on base.

Seventh inning for the Halladay starts off bad. He gives up a loop hit on a bat that was splintered then a bunt base hit. Cora goes to third.
Then Halladay shows why he's great. Gets the next guy to hit a ball right at him. Halladay knocks it down but Cora heads home and Roy throws home and gets Cora out in a rundown. Next batter flies out to right and then a Werth strikeout on a high pitch, great job by Halladay.
All of that was after the Phils took the lead in the top of the inning. The Phils got a couple of clutch hits, another RBI from Howard and a sac fly from Ibanez.

Mood is concerned about Halladay as he hasn't had a great start in a little while, he hasn't been bad but he hasn't been awesome in enough starts yet. He needs to have a few awesome starts in a row. It is nice to the offense pickup the pitcher. That hasn't happened too much this season.
Exactly one third through the season now so I'll try and add the standings too if I can.

Win 5-4
Streak 1 win
Record 34-20

East. W L PCT GB L10 STRK vs E vs C vs W HOME ROAD
Philadelphia 34 20 .630 7-3 W1 19-11 7-5 6-3 19-10 15-10
Florida. 30 22 .588 3 6-4 L1 11-10 9-6 8-4. 14-12 16-9
Atlanta. 30 25 .545 4.5 5-5 L1 11-10 12-6 6-7 16-12 14-13
NY Mets 25 28 .472 8.5 4-6 W2 11-13 5-5 8-8 12-14 13-14
Washington 22 31 .415 11.5 2-8 L3 11-19 6-7 4-3 12-12 10-19

Game 53 Phils @ Mets

2011-05-30T13:58:00.002-04:00

I didn't watch the game live today, was out eating grilled food so I went through it quick after I got home.

Good thing I didn't have to sit through that mess.
I knew I was in for trouble when I saw a post on Facebook that said something about wondering if Vance Worley got exposed in this game.

The Phils didn't make a couple of plays they should have and a few hits drop in and all of a sudden It is four zip after one.

Same thing in the second. Tis time it was more of Worley throwing BP, balls right down the middle and he got hit around and now it's 8-0.

I skipped ahead with the fast forward button and stopped in the later innings.
The Phils scored a few runs and got to within 9-5. They had a chance to keep an inning going but in the eighth with two outs Rollins singles but trying to get to second was thrown out by five feet.

If he stays at first they have first and third and a chance for more runs.

Mood is indifferent about this game be because it's going to happen to every team a few times a year. I am annoyed by Reyes getting on base four of five ab's. I did like to see Worley finally buzz him up and in in his second at bat.

Loss 9-5
Streak 1 loss
Record 33-20 best record

Game 52 Phils @ Mets

2011-05-28T21:18:00.007-04:00

Here we go again.
In the eighth the Phils only have 3 hits and 11 straight outs without a base runner.
Gload is pinch hitting for Hamels who also retired his last 11 batters, so he's out and unless the Phils score here they could lose.

Pelfrey started for the Mets and he has been very good but now Rollins singles with two outs and out comes Pelfrey.

It didn't help that in the first 3 innings Reyes got on twice stole two bases and scored twice.
Would be nice if the Phils could throw a runner trying to steal out once in awhile. The Mets stole five in the first three innings.

Phils had a chance to tie when Utley led off with a double but Polanco popped up, what else is new, Howard struck put and so did Ibanez.

Mets bring in O'Connor after a two out hit by Rollins and he gives up hit to Utley that scores Rollins from second after he stole second.
Utley steals second and goes to third on a bad throw by Paulino. Isringhausen comes in and Polanco walks. Isringhausen is out of the game.
How about this a little two out rally that actually produces at least one run.
First and second two outs and in come Tim Byrdak for the Mets.
This gets Hamels off the hook and he could still win if they score again and Pelfrey gets a no decision.

Howard does give Hamels a chance to win with a two RBI double and the Phils have the lead 4-2. He smacked a ball right down the right field line and surprisingly, not that it mattered but Beltran was playing way off the line.

So let's see if Contreras can get a hold, yes a hold is a real stat now.

This is starting to resemble the team we have seen the last four years. Either win big or keep it close and pounce in the last couple of innings just when it looks like they are cooked.
Coincidence or not this started right when Chase Utley came back.
He has provided an obvious spark, can't be denied.
Dom Brown has been hitting well too with two hits today including a double in the ninth and scoring on Francisco's hit.

Mood is great, with Utley's return everything seems to be falling into the plan. You have to include Domonic Brown in this too. He was supposed to be the right fielder from the get but a bad spring and a broken hand stopped that. Then Francisco slumped so now Brown came back and hitting so it looks like he's gonna be in there most of the time now.

Win 5-2
Streak 4 wins
Record 33-19 season high 14 over .500

Game 51 Phils @ Mets

2011-05-27T21:01:00.006-04:00

This has been an ugly game for both teams.
The Mets made two errors on one play to allow Mayberry to get to third and later score.
Phils have two errors that both led to runs.
On a pop up with two outs Utley gets in Jimmy Rollin's way and they drop that ball. Two hits later the run scores.

Then in the bottom of the seventh they take out Oswalt for some reason as Stutes starts the inning. In pre game they made specific mention that Oswalt had no pitch count and was expected to go deep into the game.
Reyes gets on and steals second. Then the error that leads to the go ahead run.
Like the previous game there appears to be a pick off at second but Stutes spins and throws to no one covering on the throw and it goes into center field, Reyes to third.

Phils tie it in the eighth after Dom Brown singles and steals second, then Rollins doubles him in.
Rollins goes to third on a fly out by Utley but Polanco pops up and they walk Howard for Ben Francisco who flys out to center.
More pop ups.

Mets bring in their closer Francisco Rodriguez in a tie game at home in the ninth and just as with the Phils who did this last week with Madson, he blows up and allows three runs on a string of hits.
Three runs Phils lead 6-4.

Reyes leads off the ninth with a hit. Madson gets one out on a line drive to third. Reyes steals second.
Betray singles to center fielder Martinez, Reyes holds up at third but Martinez drops the ball allowing Reyes to score and Beltran to second.
Jason Bay singles and Beltran holds on at third.
So another error for the Phils and this ugly game continues.

The games finally is over on a ground ball double play. Utley flips to Rollins over to Howard.

Mood, no choice but good because they came back and won a bad game even with the three errors.
Also because now they are once again thirteen over .500 tying the season high and plus they have baseballs best record because Cleveland has now lost three in a row. Yesterday they were first to 31 and today first to 32.

Win 6-3
Streak 3 wins
Record 32-19 league best

Game 50 Reds@ Phillies

2011-05-27T12:46:00.002-04:00

Here it is fifty games in and the Phils have the most wins in baseball at 31. Cleveland still has 30 wins but only 17 loses to the Phils 19 so after fifty the Phils lead in wins but Cleveland leads in percentage points. Also the Phils have a one game lead over the Marlins for the division.
They're 6-3 last nine during the last 20 game stretch against top teams they only went. 10-10 and needed to won last two to get even.
On the other hand even with their lack of hitting the did manage to keep the best record in the NL and keep a one game lead in the division and have the most wins in the league after fifty games.

Tonight's game started off very well as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead after a Raul Ibanez 3 run dinger.

Then the Reds kept at them though and chipped away with two in the fourth and two more in the top of the sixth. They got two in the sixth
On another home run from Jay Bruce. He had 3 homers and 11 RBIs in this 4 game series.

At what point in a short series does a team change it's approach to a hitter?

Cliff lee made up for his giving up the lead in the bottom of the sixth when he nearly hit a grand slam. It ended up as a ground rule double to drive in two. Martinez knocked in another with a sac fly.

And for good measure Lee knocked in another run with another hit in the seventh inning for a 9-4 lead.
Utley hit his first home run this season in the eighth to finish the scoring.

Mood is getting back to being very good more consistently. In this series they took three of four and scored ten runs in two of the games.

Win 10-4
Streak 2 wins
Record 31-19

Game 49 Reds @ Phillies

2011-05-26T00:15:00.011-04:00

This started out as one of the games that they don't get too many hits again and one of the Aces takes it home.
Halladay was given a 3-0 lead and couldn't hold it.
So here it is in the 16 th tied 4-4.

Danys Baez is in his third inning so it seems like just a matter of time for him to blow it.
Jay Bruce gave the Reds a 4-3 lead with a homer in the tenth, Howard tied it with a bomb that hit the steps in the bullpen in the bottom of the inning.
Bruce has 9 RBI's in this series.

The Phils had their chances. Raul Ibanez tripled with no outs and they couldn't get him in.

I think they have had more pop up outs the last couple of games then I have seen in a long time.

Jimmy Rollins has had a great game in the field throwing out several guys from deep in the hole.

J.C. Romero walked three and gave up a hit in his one inning but didn't give up a run because Phillips fell asleep at second and got picked off. He is done get rid of him.

The Phils have no one left so Baez is leading off the 16th inning by striking out.

Another popup to end the 16th. Valdez did get a hit with one out but Martinez grounded into what should have been a DP but the ball was dropped at first, then Rollins pops up.

First time into the 17th since 2003 in Baltimore.
The 18th ends with Ibanez popping out.
The last time they went 18 or more was in 1993 when they went. 20 with the Dodgers.

I'm not sure if I care if they win or lose this one now. I just want to see how many times they can pop up for an out.

Baez just finished 5 innings, the longest stint and pitches thrown in his career. Sardinha just pinch hit for Baez so the Phils will be using a position player if it goes to 19.
Just need to add that Sardihna stinks, and with two outs Valdez ripped a double off the glove of Scott Rollin.

Ok here it is top 19. Ruiz is at third, Polanco moved to second and. Wilson Valdez is pitching.
Votto leads off with a high fly to the fence in center for an out.
He hits Rollin with a curve ball.
Jay Bruce pops out to shallow center.
Now Carlos Fisher the pitcher pops up to second for the last out of the 19th inning.

Jimmy leads off with a single in the bottom of the 19th.

On 9/15/1950 the Phils and Reds played their longest game between each other also 19.
Now Dom Brown walks.
Fisher is gassed, his pitches are up.
86 pitches for Fisher as a reliever.
Polanco is trying to bunt them over.

He gets it down and now second and third one out. Wilson Valdez acting like a pitcher in the dugout with a towle on his arm.

An intentional walk to Howard loads them up.
Here comes Raul Ibanez.

Raul hits a deep sac fly to win it.
Jimmy Rollins scores.
Wilson Valdez gets the win.

19 innings, just amazing.

Mood, excited how can I not be after a 19 inning game for a win. Also this is the first win for a position player since 2000.

Win 5-4 in 19
Streak 1 win
Record 30-19

Game 48 Reds @ Phils

2011-05-25T20:54:00.003-04:00

After the previous games explosion they went back to normal tonight.
Normal being only seven hits and not moving runners over plus no hits with runners in scoring position.

Vance Worley wasn't awful but he wasn't good enough either.
While he was able to get out of a few jams, he did walk the pitcher as a leadoff batter right after the Phils took a 3-1 lead.
Guess what, he scored and so did one more to tie the game.

Worley complained after the game that he hasn't pitched enough lately and wasn't stretched out, saying that he tired out in that inning.

So game was tied at three into the ninth, but something just didn't feel right on this one and I just expected it all to blow up.

It did in the ninth when Madson himself blew up and after loading the bases giving up a bases clearing double to Jay Bruce.

Might have gotten out of it but on a bunt to the third base side Madson got in front of Polanco and threw a grenade over to first. Polanco easily would have made the play.

Mood is slightly irritated because if they get a few timely hits and Worley doesn't walk the pitcher they have a good chance to win.

Loss 6-3
Streak loss 1
Record 30-19

Game 47 Reds @ Phils

2011-05-24T19:02:00.002-04:00

Chase Utley finally returned to the team for tonights game. He Had 5 at bats buut didn't get on base which is fine because everyone else did, several times each.
They had a break out game with 14 hits and ten runs including 7 in one inning.

Cole Hamels only pitched 6 innings but he threw over 100 pitches so they got him out early with the big lead. He did give up a three run homer to Jay Bruce.

Polanco, Rollins and Ibanez all homered and Ryan Howard had two hits.

Mood is hopeful since they had 14 hits and ten runs but even more so because Utley is back and provided an obvious kick to the whole team.

win 10-3
streak 1 win
record 29-17

Game 45 Texas @ Phils

2011-05-23T13:15:00.002-04:00

Busy weekend so posting a couple days after the game.

Cliff Lee vs his former team, well one of them.
Lee hasn't won a game since early April, six starts ago.

As usual it was another very well pitched game for a Phils pitcher.
He threw 8 scoreless innings only gave up five hits and even stole a base.
First time for a Phils pitcher in three seasons, Cole Hamels was the last in sept '09.

Unfortunately this was the eighth straight game of 3 runs or less, good thing they did score two or it would have been another loss.

They did stop a streak of games with six hits or less at seven, longest streak since 1908.

Mood is a little good because they won the first two games in this series and three of the last four, but they did still only score 2 runs so still greatly worried about that.

Win 2-0
Streak 2 wins
Record 28-17

Game 44 Rangers @ Phils May 20th

2011-05-20T19:31:00.004-04:00

Andy Fletcher is behind the plate tonight and there have been three "discussions" from the Phillies already after the top of the second inning.
He's calling pitches that are below the knees for a strike and right down the middle for balls.
Ruiz already threw a ball down to third on what he thought was a called third strike followed by a lengthy discussion.

Someone might get tossed from this game.

No one was tossed it calmed down after all that.

Roy Halladay pitches another terrific game and only let's two runs in. Somehow the Phils manage three and are able to hold off the Rangers for the 3-2 win.
They only managed four hits but two of them went over the fence to account for the Phils three runs. Francisco hit a two run dinger and later Ibanez hit one out to right center.

Howard is zero for his last 25 or so and is now hitting under .240

Game ended on another screwy call by the home plate ump and the second base ump.
With two outs Dvid Murphy on the Rangers is trying to steal second. The pitch was right down the middle for a ball but the throw to get the runner was right on the mark for the last out.
Usually don't want to make the last out that way, especially last out of the game.

Mood hasn't changed much from yesterday because even though they won they still only had four hits.
A couple of moves today, they brought Dominic Brown up even after Amaro saying yesterdaynthat he wasn't ready to come up and added Herndon back to the team.
Victorino went on the DL and there is some discussion wondering why he was used to bunt yesterday instead of just gong right on the DL and back dating it.

Win 3-2
Streak 1 win
Record 27-17

Game 43 Rockies @ Phils May 19th

2011-05-19T21:27:00.004-04:00

Just before the game started it was announced that Blanton would not be making his scheduled start tonight.
The hope was that he was traded. No such like.
Instead we get Kendrick in his place.

Surprisingly he has pitched decent this year, but not tonight.
First the hi-lite for the fans was when Cliff Lee came in to pinch hit for Kendrick and received a standing ovation just for that.

The Hi-light for the Rockies was Jason Giambi playing for Todd Helton because he had a cranky back.
Giambi comes in 0-17 and hitting .115.
So just to rub it in he hits three consecutive home runs starting in the first inning.
A three run shot and 2 two run shots.
Giambi is now one of Four players over 40 years old to hit three in a game.
Babe Ruth, Stan Musial and Reggie jackson are the others.

His seven rbi's matches the total for the Phils over the last 7 games or so.

I keep watching because I really like to watch a ball game but it's getting tougher every game.

You can't help have the feeling the game was over after Giambi knocked in three in the first inning.

Mood is I'm getting worried as this is getting serious now. In the eighth inning they are out hit 14-4.
They need to do something and I guess they can't trade Blanton now with that bad elbow.

Loss 7-1

Streak 1 loss

1-5 last 6 games

record 26-17