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.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Game 65 Cubs @ Phils June 11th FOX National game
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.
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.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Game 64 Cubs @ Phillies June 10th
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
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
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Game 63 Cubs @ Phils
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
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
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Game 62 Dodgers @ Phils June 8th
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.
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
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
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
Monday, June 6, 2011
Game 60 Dodgers @ Phils
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.
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.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Game 59 Phils @ Pirates
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
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
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Game 58 Phils @ Pirates
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.
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.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Game 57 Phils @ Pirates
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
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
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Game 56 Phils @ Nats
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
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
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Game 55 Phils @ Nationals
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
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
Monday, May 30, 2011
Game 54 Memorial Day Phils @ Nationals
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
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
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
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
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Game 52 Phils @ Mets
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
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
Friday, May 27, 2011
Game 51 Phils @ Mets
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
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
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
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
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Game 49 Reds @ Phillies
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
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
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Game 48 Reds @ Phils
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
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
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Game 47 Reds @ Phils
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
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
Monday, May 23, 2011
Game 45 Texas @ Phils
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
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
Friday, May 20, 2011
Game 44 Rangers @ Phils May 20th
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
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
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Game 43 Rockies @ Phils May 19th
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.
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
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Game 41 Phils @ Cards
Another lousy game for the Phils offense.
If not for a dropped pop up by the Cards second baseman they might have been shut out again.
Rollins popped one up the Tyler Green dropped. Rollins didn't run it out so he stayed on first.
Martinez singled him to third and Polanco hit a sac fly that tied itnat 1-1.
Didn't last long as Danys Baez load the bases with no outs in the ninth. Got a force at home andthat was it for him.
In comes J.C. Romero who throws one pitch right down Broadway to lance Berkman who drove it right over Martinez head for the game winning hit.
Mood is good and bad. The good was Roy Oswalt comes back and throws five really good innings of gives up only one run.
The bad is the same old same old.
Btw this past weekend it has now been one year since they were caught stealing signs and told to stop, they have been slumping at the plate ever since, coincidence?
Loss 2-1
Streak 4 losses
Record 25-16 somehow still the best in the NL but now 1.5 behind the Indians.
If not for a dropped pop up by the Cards second baseman they might have been shut out again.
Rollins popped one up the Tyler Green dropped. Rollins didn't run it out so he stayed on first.
Martinez singled him to third and Polanco hit a sac fly that tied itnat 1-1.
Didn't last long as Danys Baez load the bases with no outs in the ninth. Got a force at home andthat was it for him.
In comes J.C. Romero who throws one pitch right down Broadway to lance Berkman who drove it right over Martinez head for the game winning hit.
Mood is good and bad. The good was Roy Oswalt comes back and throws five really good innings of gives up only one run.
The bad is the same old same old.
Btw this past weekend it has now been one year since they were caught stealing signs and told to stop, they have been slumping at the plate ever since, coincidence?
Loss 2-1
Streak 4 losses
Record 25-16 somehow still the best in the NL but now 1.5 behind the Indians.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Game 40 Phils @ Cards May 16th
I'm really not sure how to keep talking about how these guys don't score runs. It is every game.
At St. Louis tonight they have a guy pitching with an era near 7 so one would think they would be able to get some hits and score a few runs.
Not so much. Into the fourth they only have one run.
But that isn't the story. Cliff Lee has walked 5 with two outs in the fourth.
He hasn't walked that many in one game since 2006.
The Cards pick up two runs in the fourth and it could have been more.
With one out the Phils actually had a chance to get a force at the plate on a ball that one hopped to Francisco in left but his throw was weak and bounced twice before it got to Ruiz.
With two outs base still loaded another ball goes out to Francisco. He throws another bad throw in to the plate. This time it bounces to the back stop but Lee was there and he quickly threw to Ruiz and tagged out Molina who was banged up on the play and limped off but stayed in the game.
Phils only have two hits but with two outs in the fifth Lee gets a hit and so does Rollins but Valdez grounds out.
This is what makes me so angry, that they can't hit a guy wot a era around seven, just ridiculous.
They are really in danger of having their first three game kissing streak this season.
I haven't mentioned that Lee is undoubtedly getting squeezed. Some of the same pitches Westbrook is getting for strikes Lee is not.
I've always wondered how that happens, it's pretty clear that this bum on the Cards is getting better calls then Lee. How does an ump change the strike zone from one half inning and one pitcher to the next?
Mood is that I'm getting tired of this offense. They have only five hits and score only one run.
After forty games they have scored 3 runs or less on 20 of them.
Cliff lee walked 6. That is a carreer high. He battled in this one but can't be faulted for this loss.
Loss 3-1
Streak season high 3 losses
Record 25-15 still NL best and one full game behind Cleveland.
At St. Louis tonight they have a guy pitching with an era near 7 so one would think they would be able to get some hits and score a few runs.
Not so much. Into the fourth they only have one run.
But that isn't the story. Cliff Lee has walked 5 with two outs in the fourth.
He hasn't walked that many in one game since 2006.
The Cards pick up two runs in the fourth and it could have been more.
With one out the Phils actually had a chance to get a force at the plate on a ball that one hopped to Francisco in left but his throw was weak and bounced twice before it got to Ruiz.
With two outs base still loaded another ball goes out to Francisco. He throws another bad throw in to the plate. This time it bounces to the back stop but Lee was there and he quickly threw to Ruiz and tagged out Molina who was banged up on the play and limped off but stayed in the game.
Phils only have two hits but with two outs in the fifth Lee gets a hit and so does Rollins but Valdez grounds out.
This is what makes me so angry, that they can't hit a guy wot a era around seven, just ridiculous.
They are really in danger of having their first three game kissing streak this season.
I haven't mentioned that Lee is undoubtedly getting squeezed. Some of the same pitches Westbrook is getting for strikes Lee is not.
I've always wondered how that happens, it's pretty clear that this bum on the Cards is getting better calls then Lee. How does an ump change the strike zone from one half inning and one pitcher to the next?
Mood is that I'm getting tired of this offense. They have only five hits and score only one run.
After forty games they have scored 3 runs or less on 20 of them.
Cliff lee walked 6. That is a carreer high. He battled in this one but can't be faulted for this loss.
Loss 3-1
Streak season high 3 losses
Record 25-15 still NL best and one full game behind Cleveland.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Game 39 Phils @ Braves Civil Rights Tribute and throwback uniform game 1974
I am very excited about today's game. Both the Braves and the Phils are wearing their 1974 original uniforms, oh also Halladay is pitching against Tim Hudson. Can't wait to see those uni's.
The reason for the old uni's is that today is the Civil Rights Tribute game so they went back to 1974 I suppose because that was the year Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruths home run record.
I love this old powder blue uni with the fat P.
Roy Halladay has given up five hits into the fourth. Three hits including, two to start the fourth, have shattered bats.
No score yet but they have first and third with no outs on those two broken bat hits.
After a k for one out a ball bounces right up the middle and Halladay tries back hand it and it just bounces off his glove.
That would have been an easy double play that's just a shame, they get out of the inning, but it ends up a hit, another cheap hit and a 1-0 lead for the Braves.
At least the pitcher hasn't gotten on base yet.
Got out of it with only one run. But they get that cheap run and the Phils just keep grounding little rollers to the infielders.
Zzzzzzzzz.
No early in the inning base runners, every one is always with two outs and the pitcher coming up, seems that way anyhow.
Gary Matthews called that one.
Top of the sixth two outs, John Mayberry comes up.
Mayberry walked first two times up and has seen a lot of pitches, Gary said it's good for him to see these pitches especially against a good pitcher like Hudson.
The Matthews said even though he only has one home run he still can hit the ball out at any time.
The next pitch, line drive home run just over the left field fence.
Good call Gary and a 2-1 Phils lead.
Morgan Freeman in the booth for the bottom of the sixth.
Leadoff walk given up by Halladay, and another cheap bloop hit for second and third again. This isn't what the ace, especially Halladay should be doing ring after the Phils get the lead.
And there is a strike out and a sac fly to tie it up.
Come Halladay that's weak.
Three outs but again, he gives up a run to let the braves tie it right after the Phils get the lead.
Rollins starts the seventh with a measly dribbler to second on the first pitch.
Another dribbler to second ends the Phils half of the seventh.
Hudson is out after the seventh.
Halladay looks annoyed, he slammed the rosin bag down because they have to wait for national tv to come out of the break.
Hudson walked 5 and he's only walked ten all season before today and Halladay just walked his second.
Seems like every time Halladay walks a guy he scores.
He didn't score.
Uggla leads off the eighth with a homer to give the Braves the 3-2 lead. And if the Phils don't score in the ninth, Halladay will get his second straight complete game loss.
Pathetic Halladay didn't pitch great game but he kept the Phils in it and Roy certainly gave them a chance to win, but four hits surrounded by five walks and they still don't muster more the 2 runs.
Just awful.
Mood is irritated because I'm getting tired of looking at this pathetic offense leave these good pitching performances be left hanging.
Loss 3-2
Streak 2 losses
Record 25-14
The reason for the old uni's is that today is the Civil Rights Tribute game so they went back to 1974 I suppose because that was the year Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruths home run record.
I love this old powder blue uni with the fat P.
Roy Halladay has given up five hits into the fourth. Three hits including, two to start the fourth, have shattered bats.
No score yet but they have first and third with no outs on those two broken bat hits.
After a k for one out a ball bounces right up the middle and Halladay tries back hand it and it just bounces off his glove.
That would have been an easy double play that's just a shame, they get out of the inning, but it ends up a hit, another cheap hit and a 1-0 lead for the Braves.
At least the pitcher hasn't gotten on base yet.
Got out of it with only one run. But they get that cheap run and the Phils just keep grounding little rollers to the infielders.
Zzzzzzzzz.
No early in the inning base runners, every one is always with two outs and the pitcher coming up, seems that way anyhow.
Gary Matthews called that one.
Top of the sixth two outs, John Mayberry comes up.
Mayberry walked first two times up and has seen a lot of pitches, Gary said it's good for him to see these pitches especially against a good pitcher like Hudson.
The Matthews said even though he only has one home run he still can hit the ball out at any time.
The next pitch, line drive home run just over the left field fence.
Good call Gary and a 2-1 Phils lead.
Morgan Freeman in the booth for the bottom of the sixth.
Leadoff walk given up by Halladay, and another cheap bloop hit for second and third again. This isn't what the ace, especially Halladay should be doing ring after the Phils get the lead.
And there is a strike out and a sac fly to tie it up.
Come Halladay that's weak.
Three outs but again, he gives up a run to let the braves tie it right after the Phils get the lead.
Rollins starts the seventh with a measly dribbler to second on the first pitch.
Another dribbler to second ends the Phils half of the seventh.
Hudson is out after the seventh.
Halladay looks annoyed, he slammed the rosin bag down because they have to wait for national tv to come out of the break.
Hudson walked 5 and he's only walked ten all season before today and Halladay just walked his second.
Seems like every time Halladay walks a guy he scores.
He didn't score.
Uggla leads off the eighth with a homer to give the Braves the 3-2 lead. And if the Phils don't score in the ninth, Halladay will get his second straight complete game loss.
Pathetic Halladay didn't pitch great game but he kept the Phils in it and Roy certainly gave them a chance to win, but four hits surrounded by five walks and they still don't muster more the 2 runs.
Just awful.
Mood is irritated because I'm getting tired of looking at this pathetic offense leave these good pitching performances be left hanging.
Loss 3-2
Streak 2 losses
Record 25-14
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Game 38 Phils @ Braves May 14th Negro league Tribute
Todays game was part of the annual tribute to the Negro League. The Phils and Braves wore old uniforms of teams from that league.
The Braves wore the old Atlanta Black Crackers jerseys and the Phils wore the jerseys of the Phila Stars from 1944.
I love the red pockets on the back side. Very nice job with the replica uni's
As for the actual game ugh.
I only watched the first three innings then went to a family graduation, listened to the rest on the radio.
Big Joe Blanton started today. He is just not ready yet and
It was clearbn the first few innings as he was getting knocked around. Without a few outstanding defensive plays he would have given up more then just the two runs in the first. Btw those two runs where two long home runs by the first two batters of the game for the Braves.
the bigger story is, surprise the Phils couldn't hit again.
Jurjenns, took a perfect game 2 outs into then sixth inning. The Phils rule five guy Martinez singles and Rollins doubles him home but was out trying to get to third.
This got it to 2-1 but then Kendrick came in and gave up three.
The Phils somehow managed two more runs to get to 5-3 and almost tied it but Rollins hit a screamer to left that was caught. That would have knocked in two and tied it but that was it for the Phils and the game was over.
Once again they gave up a hit to the opposing pitcher and for good measure they also walked him.
A controversial safe call at second that should have been the second out, gave the Braves a chance to score a few runs and they did.
So I guess yesterday's missed strike out on Victorino just got evened up.
Victorino also left the game in the seventh with a tight hamstring so he might end up on the DL too, plus he lost his hit streak at 15.
Mood is bored and a little concerned. I'm bored, team is boring, they don't score runs which is boring. Concerned because they keep getting hurt and because they need to score more runs.
Loss 5-3
Streak 1 loss
Record 25-13
The Braves wore the old Atlanta Black Crackers jerseys and the Phils wore the jerseys of the Phila Stars from 1944.
I love the red pockets on the back side. Very nice job with the replica uni's
As for the actual game ugh.
I only watched the first three innings then went to a family graduation, listened to the rest on the radio.
Big Joe Blanton started today. He is just not ready yet and
It was clearbn the first few innings as he was getting knocked around. Without a few outstanding defensive plays he would have given up more then just the two runs in the first. Btw those two runs where two long home runs by the first two batters of the game for the Braves.
the bigger story is, surprise the Phils couldn't hit again.
Jurjenns, took a perfect game 2 outs into then sixth inning. The Phils rule five guy Martinez singles and Rollins doubles him home but was out trying to get to third.
This got it to 2-1 but then Kendrick came in and gave up three.
The Phils somehow managed two more runs to get to 5-3 and almost tied it but Rollins hit a screamer to left that was caught. That would have knocked in two and tied it but that was it for the Phils and the game was over.
Once again they gave up a hit to the opposing pitcher and for good measure they also walked him.
A controversial safe call at second that should have been the second out, gave the Braves a chance to score a few runs and they did.
So I guess yesterday's missed strike out on Victorino just got evened up.
Victorino also left the game in the seventh with a tight hamstring so he might end up on the DL too, plus he lost his hit streak at 15.
Mood is bored and a little concerned. I'm bored, team is boring, they don't score runs which is boring. Concerned because they keep getting hurt and because they need to score more runs.
Loss 5-3
Streak 1 loss
Record 25-13
Friday, May 13, 2011
Game 37 Phils @ Braves May 13th Friday
You knew tonight's game would have a strangeness to it since today is Friday the 13th.
Started off great, after Rollins flies out to center Victorino extended his hit streak to 15 games then Polanco singled.
Howard then killed a ball that nearly hit the wall at the back of the center field fence. Must have been close to 420 ft.
They had the bases loaded after a walk to Ruiz but they did that to get to Hamels and he struck out.
So 3-0 into the bottom of the first.
Cole gave up a few hits and the Braves had second and third with one out but Cole struck out the next two and closed out the threat.
Hamels has had the ball up on the zone and has been giving up a few long hits that let the Braves get it tied up at three.
Two outs in the sixth another hit then a ground rule double puts them on second and rid, again for the Braves.
Hamels has not been sharp as he just threw a wild pitch to gives the Braves the lead.
The Phils finally get Hamels a few early runs and he decides to not be any good and give it back.
The two they have earlier in the game haven't help any either.
Braves starter Beachy came out after two with an injury, Christhian Martinez came in and retired all 12 he faced.
Not only did he do that but he also doubled off Hamels to tie the game. Another hit by the opposing pitcher.
Rollins doubles with two out in the seventh stopping the Braves streak of 14 outs in a row and no hits since the second inning.
So after the first inning they went Ruhr back to being unable to hit again.
That top of the seventh for the Phils was a definite Friday the 13th situation.
With two outs Rollins doubled.
Victorino, with a 1-2 count saw one curve rit in there, right down the middle.
Brian MCCann jumped up and ran right off screen towards the dugout. So it must have been strike three.
Hold on a minute, no one else has moved yet and McCann comes running back as apparently the Ump called it a ball.
McCann apologizes to the ump. Two pitches later Shane takes advantage and singles home Rollins to tie the game, and moves
to second on the throw.
I swear I have never seen a player run so far to the dugout on a third strike that was missed for a ball by the umpire.
Hamels is out and J.C. Romero loads the bases with Braves with one out, sending Romero to the showers for Stutes.
This team looks like it will be walking on the edge all season.
Stutes struck out Uggla right after Uggla hit a bomb just foul that would have made the score 8-4. Stutes comes out for Bastardo who then goes 3-0 to the next hitter, the Braves rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Bastardo came back nod K'd Freeman for the third out.
Freeman was steaming, and throw his bat and his helmet right into the turf.
He was mad.
Bastardo pitches to one batter Charlie takes him out and brings in Worley to start the bottom of the eighth after the Phils take the lead with a run in the top ofthe inning.
They are going to mess Worley up. He is not a relief pitcher and they throw him in a game in a big spot like this and he gives up a lead off single.
Braves bunt him over to second.
I don't see the point of using this guy like this. It doesn't make sense to me.
Vance Worely gets out of the inning but I still don't like it.
I'm not so sure that Oswalt will be ready next week for his scheduled start.
He didn't look good yesterday in his rehab stint in Clearwater. He had no juice on his fastball.
So I think they will need Worley to take Oswalt's spot in the rotation.
This has been a weird game.
A one out walk to chipper then a force out at second brings up Uggla.
Madson throws a pitch over everyone that tics off Ruiz glove to the backstop sends a runner to second.
Madson manages to strike out Uggla on a change up low and away and they win.
Mood is I'm not sure what my mood is. They won the game but it almost feels like they lost because it was a pretty ugly game with the two errors, the throw to the backstop and Hamels being off his game tonight.
Win 5-4
Streak 2 wins
Record 25-12 season high 13 over .500 on Friday the 13th
Started off great, after Rollins flies out to center Victorino extended his hit streak to 15 games then Polanco singled.
Howard then killed a ball that nearly hit the wall at the back of the center field fence. Must have been close to 420 ft.
They had the bases loaded after a walk to Ruiz but they did that to get to Hamels and he struck out.
So 3-0 into the bottom of the first.
Cole gave up a few hits and the Braves had second and third with one out but Cole struck out the next two and closed out the threat.
Hamels has had the ball up on the zone and has been giving up a few long hits that let the Braves get it tied up at three.
Two outs in the sixth another hit then a ground rule double puts them on second and rid, again for the Braves.
Hamels has not been sharp as he just threw a wild pitch to gives the Braves the lead.
The Phils finally get Hamels a few early runs and he decides to not be any good and give it back.
The two they have earlier in the game haven't help any either.
Braves starter Beachy came out after two with an injury, Christhian Martinez came in and retired all 12 he faced.
Not only did he do that but he also doubled off Hamels to tie the game. Another hit by the opposing pitcher.
Rollins doubles with two out in the seventh stopping the Braves streak of 14 outs in a row and no hits since the second inning.
So after the first inning they went Ruhr back to being unable to hit again.
That top of the seventh for the Phils was a definite Friday the 13th situation.
With two outs Rollins doubled.
Victorino, with a 1-2 count saw one curve rit in there, right down the middle.
Brian MCCann jumped up and ran right off screen towards the dugout. So it must have been strike three.
Hold on a minute, no one else has moved yet and McCann comes running back as apparently the Ump called it a ball.
McCann apologizes to the ump. Two pitches later Shane takes advantage and singles home Rollins to tie the game, and moves
to second on the throw.
I swear I have never seen a player run so far to the dugout on a third strike that was missed for a ball by the umpire.
Hamels is out and J.C. Romero loads the bases with Braves with one out, sending Romero to the showers for Stutes.
This team looks like it will be walking on the edge all season.
Stutes struck out Uggla right after Uggla hit a bomb just foul that would have made the score 8-4. Stutes comes out for Bastardo who then goes 3-0 to the next hitter, the Braves rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Bastardo came back nod K'd Freeman for the third out.
Freeman was steaming, and throw his bat and his helmet right into the turf.
He was mad.
Bastardo pitches to one batter Charlie takes him out and brings in Worley to start the bottom of the eighth after the Phils take the lead with a run in the top ofthe inning.
They are going to mess Worley up. He is not a relief pitcher and they throw him in a game in a big spot like this and he gives up a lead off single.
Braves bunt him over to second.
I don't see the point of using this guy like this. It doesn't make sense to me.
Vance Worely gets out of the inning but I still don't like it.
I'm not so sure that Oswalt will be ready next week for his scheduled start.
He didn't look good yesterday in his rehab stint in Clearwater. He had no juice on his fastball.
So I think they will need Worley to take Oswalt's spot in the rotation.
This has been a weird game.
A one out walk to chipper then a force out at second brings up Uggla.
Madson throws a pitch over everyone that tics off Ruiz glove to the backstop sends a runner to second.
Madson manages to strike out Uggla on a change up low and away and they win.
Mood is I'm not sure what my mood is. They won the game but it almost feels like they lost because it was a pretty ugly game with the two errors, the throw to the backstop and Hamels being off his game tonight.
Win 5-4
Streak 2 wins
Record 25-12 season high 13 over .500 on Friday the 13th
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Game 36 Phils @ Marlins May 11th
The Phils haven't scored in cliff Lee's last three games. He fanned 16 in seven innings his last start and 14 of his final 15 outs were strike outs Wow.
He ties Steve Carlton for most K's in a game by a Phils lefty.
Dominating, too bad they don't score an runs or this team might win 120 games.
Tonight it will be Lee vs. Some guy named Ricky.
Not to say that Ricky Nolasco isn't a good pitcher but he is no Cliff Lee.
Lee in his last start struck out 16 making him the second pitcher in about 100 years to strike out 16 or more and lose because his team had been shut out and had 2 hits or less. The other was Randy Johnson about 15 years ago when he struck out 19.
Lee becomes the Phils first base runner when he walks in the third inning
But it's with two outs and Rollins pops out to center after being ahead in the count 3-0.
First hit comes with one out in the fourth. Polanco blooped one into shallow right, Stanton ran in for it but instead of running through the ball he did this new trend of the last few years of sliding into the ball. He misplayed it into a double as he completely missed it and it went right passed him.
Cliff Lee smokes a ball off the second baseman and here comes Schneider around third to score, and he blows a tire. Looks like he pulled a hammy coming in and, well it costs them a run and Schneider is out of the game.
Into the sixth inning of four starts by Lee and still no runs. They have 3 hits one by the pitcher.
Th bottom of the lineup, the last 5 hitters are all under .230. In fact three are below the Mendoza line including the pitcher.
Mendoza line, named for Mario Mendoza.
Origin of the term from Wikipedia:
The term is named for former shortstop Mario Mendoza, a flashy defensive player who struggled at the plate. Although Mendoza's batting average was .215 lifetime, he was known as a sub-.200 hitter whose average frequently fell into the .170 to .180 range during any particular year. That proved to be true in 1979 when Mendoza managed to finish the year with a meager .198 average.
The "Mendoza Line" was created as a harmless clubhouse joke amongst friends. "My teammates Tom Paciorek and Bruce Bochte used it to make fun of me," Mendoza said in 2010. "Then they were giving George Brett a hard time because he had a slow start that year, so they told him, 'Hey, man, you're going to sink down below the Mendoza Line if you're not careful.' And then Brett mentioned it to Chris Berman from ESPN, and eventually it spread and became a part of the game."
Berman deflects credit back to Brett in popularizing the term. "Mario Mendoza — it's all George Brett," Berman said. "We used it all the time in those 1980s 'SportsCenters.' It was just a humorous way to describe how someone was hitting."
One explanation for the expression relates to the historical presentation of numerous batting averages in the Sunday newspapers. Since not all players appeared in those papers, the theory holds that Mario Mendoza was placed at the bottom and those players with lower batting averages did not appear. Thus, the players that did not appear were said to be "below the Mendoza line".
Bottom six for the Marlins and after one out three straight hits to load them up for .226 hitter Buck, he singles four hits and 2-0 Marlins.
Tom McCarthy just said it's only a 2-0 game but for this team it each opposing run is like 2 runs, this may as well be 4-0.
Next batter, mike Stanton gets the count to 3-0 and McCarthy ponders that no way will he get the green light to swing away.
I said, why not let him go for it if he gets a good pitch. He did and lined it to Victorino for a sac fly and a three zip lead.
Finally three outs, that was a long inning and the marlins tacked on two for a three nothing lead after six.
I'll keep saying it until it doesn't matter anymore but this offense is terrible and it will catch up to them.
Pete Orr comes in to hit for Valdez and gets a hit and an RBI, first run for Lee in almost four games.
Lee is out after six innings for a pinch hitter Ross Gload.
No choice on this because they have runners on the corners and need to try and score another run right now.
Victorino just extended his hit streak to 14 by tying the game with a ball over that tall left field fence.
Cliff Lee off the hook for this one.
Kyle Kendrick comes in in the eighth and I think he might be in there for awhile or at least until or if the Phils can score a run. Or until he gives up runs.
...and he walks the first hitter, awful.
A ground into DP by their catcher and onto the ninth, wonder how long this can go since they have so much trouble scoring.
It didn't take long, Phils got second and third with one out but Mayberry went down swinging, but, but..... Jimmy Rollins doubles them in and it gives them a 5-3 lead. Can Ryan Madson get the save?
YES he can.
Mood still concerned about the scoring on offense, it's just not good but this was a good win. The need to do this more at least earlier in games.
This is one of those two game swing games. Lose and only a one game division lead, win and its a three game lead. They won.
Cliff Lee as very close to being 3-4 on the season, instead it's a no decision.
Looked like they were going to be 2-4 on the trip this puts them at 3-3, much better.
Win 5-3
Streak 1 win
Record 24-12
He ties Steve Carlton for most K's in a game by a Phils lefty.
Dominating, too bad they don't score an runs or this team might win 120 games.
Tonight it will be Lee vs. Some guy named Ricky.
Not to say that Ricky Nolasco isn't a good pitcher but he is no Cliff Lee.
Lee in his last start struck out 16 making him the second pitcher in about 100 years to strike out 16 or more and lose because his team had been shut out and had 2 hits or less. The other was Randy Johnson about 15 years ago when he struck out 19.
Lee becomes the Phils first base runner when he walks in the third inning
But it's with two outs and Rollins pops out to center after being ahead in the count 3-0.
First hit comes with one out in the fourth. Polanco blooped one into shallow right, Stanton ran in for it but instead of running through the ball he did this new trend of the last few years of sliding into the ball. He misplayed it into a double as he completely missed it and it went right passed him.
Cliff Lee smokes a ball off the second baseman and here comes Schneider around third to score, and he blows a tire. Looks like he pulled a hammy coming in and, well it costs them a run and Schneider is out of the game.
Into the sixth inning of four starts by Lee and still no runs. They have 3 hits one by the pitcher.
Th bottom of the lineup, the last 5 hitters are all under .230. In fact three are below the Mendoza line including the pitcher.
Mendoza line, named for Mario Mendoza.
Origin of the term from Wikipedia:
The term is named for former shortstop Mario Mendoza, a flashy defensive player who struggled at the plate. Although Mendoza's batting average was .215 lifetime, he was known as a sub-.200 hitter whose average frequently fell into the .170 to .180 range during any particular year. That proved to be true in 1979 when Mendoza managed to finish the year with a meager .198 average.
The "Mendoza Line" was created as a harmless clubhouse joke amongst friends. "My teammates Tom Paciorek and Bruce Bochte used it to make fun of me," Mendoza said in 2010. "Then they were giving George Brett a hard time because he had a slow start that year, so they told him, 'Hey, man, you're going to sink down below the Mendoza Line if you're not careful.' And then Brett mentioned it to Chris Berman from ESPN, and eventually it spread and became a part of the game."
Berman deflects credit back to Brett in popularizing the term. "Mario Mendoza — it's all George Brett," Berman said. "We used it all the time in those 1980s 'SportsCenters.' It was just a humorous way to describe how someone was hitting."
One explanation for the expression relates to the historical presentation of numerous batting averages in the Sunday newspapers. Since not all players appeared in those papers, the theory holds that Mario Mendoza was placed at the bottom and those players with lower batting averages did not appear. Thus, the players that did not appear were said to be "below the Mendoza line".
Bottom six for the Marlins and after one out three straight hits to load them up for .226 hitter Buck, he singles four hits and 2-0 Marlins.
Tom McCarthy just said it's only a 2-0 game but for this team it each opposing run is like 2 runs, this may as well be 4-0.
Next batter, mike Stanton gets the count to 3-0 and McCarthy ponders that no way will he get the green light to swing away.
I said, why not let him go for it if he gets a good pitch. He did and lined it to Victorino for a sac fly and a three zip lead.
Finally three outs, that was a long inning and the marlins tacked on two for a three nothing lead after six.
I'll keep saying it until it doesn't matter anymore but this offense is terrible and it will catch up to them.
Pete Orr comes in to hit for Valdez and gets a hit and an RBI, first run for Lee in almost four games.
Lee is out after six innings for a pinch hitter Ross Gload.
No choice on this because they have runners on the corners and need to try and score another run right now.
Victorino just extended his hit streak to 14 by tying the game with a ball over that tall left field fence.
Cliff Lee off the hook for this one.
Kyle Kendrick comes in in the eighth and I think he might be in there for awhile or at least until or if the Phils can score a run. Or until he gives up runs.
...and he walks the first hitter, awful.
A ground into DP by their catcher and onto the ninth, wonder how long this can go since they have so much trouble scoring.
It didn't take long, Phils got second and third with one out but Mayberry went down swinging, but, but..... Jimmy Rollins doubles them in and it gives them a 5-3 lead. Can Ryan Madson get the save?
YES he can.
Mood still concerned about the scoring on offense, it's just not good but this was a good win. The need to do this more at least earlier in games.
This is one of those two game swing games. Lose and only a one game division lead, win and its a three game lead. They won.
Cliff Lee as very close to being 3-4 on the season, instead it's a no decision.
Looked like they were going to be 2-4 on the trip this puts them at 3-3, much better.
Win 5-3
Streak 1 win
Record 24-12
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Game 35 Phils @ Marlins - Tuesday May 10th
Roy Halladay vs. Josh Johnson
This game has potential to be epic. Yeah I said it, epic.
The last two times these two faced each other Halladay pitched a perfect game and later in the season Johnson pitched a 2-0 shutout and this is the only loss
Halladay has against the East, (17-1).
This is gonna be fun.
Great first inning for both pitchers. Johnson mowed 'em down in under ten pitches and the Marlins half ended in a spectacular strike out throw'em out double play.
Sardinha, the phis catcher, pulled the pitch out of the dirt on a swinging strike out and the throw to second was a one hopper that Orr snagged while tagging out the runner, excellent.
Ryan Howard leads off the second with a long opposite field home run over the high part of the wall in left.
On the very next pitch Ibanez doubles off the same wall. Francisco gets smoked by Johnson right in the elbow, ouch, you could really hear the smack and it sounded like it hit a wooden bat.
That inning didn't turn out as good as it started. After Howard's homer they loaded them up with no outs but couldn't score a run. That was all Josh Johnson.
In the third after Victorino extended his hitting streak to 13, the Marlins manager called for a throw over to first but Shane was actually standing right on the bag and they got a good camera shot of everyone laughing.
They're getting their hits offJohnson, another two in the third and the Phils are making him throw pitches.
The trouble the Phils seem to have every year is not scoring runs with runners on scoring position.
They load the bases in the third and fourth and don't score. Typical.
The Marlins get second and third with one out and get a sacrifice fly and do score to tie the game.
The problem in the bottom of the third was, with one out Halladay walked the pitcher. That's cardinal sin in baseball because they always seem to score and he did score.
After a shaky first few innings for both pitchers including getting out of major jams, this has been as expected, a terrific pitching duel.
Top of the eighth still tied at 1, Johnson is finally out of the game and Halladay has retired the last 13 he's faced. Halladay comes up fifth in the eighth so I f the Phils need, they might pinch hit for him.
That just stinks, come on Rollins.
One walk to the pitcher and he scores. One lead off base runner in an inning and he scores.
This one wasn't Halladay's fault.
An easy bouncer to Rollins and he boots it, then a wild pitch gets the runner to second with no outs.
A grounder to the right side gets him to third then a single scores him.
Halladay doesn't deserve that. He has pitched great today, completely out pitched Johnson and then might lose the game on a easy ball that turns into an error.
Too bad loses can't be given to a fielder in stead of the pitcher.
Now Halladay has to pitch out of big jam because the defense stinks right in this inning.
Hanley Ramierez beats out another easy ground ball, this time to Polanco who took an extra little hop before throwing the ball and let's Ramierez get in base.
Finally Halladay takes it into his own hands and strikes out Sanchez.
Jeez, Phillies can score runs when someone besides Blanton is on the mound for a change.
Jimmy Rollins needs to make up for the error, nope he dribbles a grounder to second.
So they have two outs and a runner on second as Mayberry walked.
Will Victorino get a big hit and knock in the tying run?
NOPE another weak bouncer to first and the game is over.
Something odd happened after that last play. Victorino must have been talking to one of the Marlins, Tom McCarthy mentioned it but the camera stayed away from the play and continued to show the Marlins celebrating the win.
Then the camera showed the Phils dugout and the players who were still there looking onto the field.
All we got to see was Ryan Madson pulling Victorino off the field but both him and Victorino were both laughing and the Marlins manager Had pulled aside their catcher and appeared to be lecturing him. But since the camera never went to the incident we will never know what was going on.
Mood is ticked off because of the inability to take advantage of opportunities when they have them continues to plague this team. Two innings with the bases loaded and no outs and they get zip.
Florida has two chances to score runs and they capitalize on both of them.
Roy Halladay should be ticked at the team.
Score some runs already. He pitched close to his best game this season and nothing but a lose to show for it.
Halladay throws a complete game loss, walks two batters in one inning including the pitcher.
This was also the first time Halladay has ever walked the opposing pitcher according to Ricky Bottalico on the post game show.
So they are 2-3 in this stretch against the two teams right under them in the division. Halladay is now 17-2 vs. The East division and both loses to Josh Johnson.
Loss 2-1
Streak 1 lose
Record 23-12
2 games up on the Marlins
On a side note Chase Utley has started a 20 game rehab stint on the Clearwater minor league team.
This game has potential to be epic. Yeah I said it, epic.
The last two times these two faced each other Halladay pitched a perfect game and later in the season Johnson pitched a 2-0 shutout and this is the only loss
Halladay has against the East, (17-1).
This is gonna be fun.
Great first inning for both pitchers. Johnson mowed 'em down in under ten pitches and the Marlins half ended in a spectacular strike out throw'em out double play.
Sardinha, the phis catcher, pulled the pitch out of the dirt on a swinging strike out and the throw to second was a one hopper that Orr snagged while tagging out the runner, excellent.
Ryan Howard leads off the second with a long opposite field home run over the high part of the wall in left.
On the very next pitch Ibanez doubles off the same wall. Francisco gets smoked by Johnson right in the elbow, ouch, you could really hear the smack and it sounded like it hit a wooden bat.
That inning didn't turn out as good as it started. After Howard's homer they loaded them up with no outs but couldn't score a run. That was all Josh Johnson.
In the third after Victorino extended his hitting streak to 13, the Marlins manager called for a throw over to first but Shane was actually standing right on the bag and they got a good camera shot of everyone laughing.
They're getting their hits offJohnson, another two in the third and the Phils are making him throw pitches.
The trouble the Phils seem to have every year is not scoring runs with runners on scoring position.
They load the bases in the third and fourth and don't score. Typical.
The Marlins get second and third with one out and get a sacrifice fly and do score to tie the game.
The problem in the bottom of the third was, with one out Halladay walked the pitcher. That's cardinal sin in baseball because they always seem to score and he did score.
After a shaky first few innings for both pitchers including getting out of major jams, this has been as expected, a terrific pitching duel.
Top of the eighth still tied at 1, Johnson is finally out of the game and Halladay has retired the last 13 he's faced. Halladay comes up fifth in the eighth so I f the Phils need, they might pinch hit for him.
That just stinks, come on Rollins.
One walk to the pitcher and he scores. One lead off base runner in an inning and he scores.
This one wasn't Halladay's fault.
An easy bouncer to Rollins and he boots it, then a wild pitch gets the runner to second with no outs.
A grounder to the right side gets him to third then a single scores him.
Halladay doesn't deserve that. He has pitched great today, completely out pitched Johnson and then might lose the game on a easy ball that turns into an error.
Too bad loses can't be given to a fielder in stead of the pitcher.
Now Halladay has to pitch out of big jam because the defense stinks right in this inning.
Hanley Ramierez beats out another easy ground ball, this time to Polanco who took an extra little hop before throwing the ball and let's Ramierez get in base.
Finally Halladay takes it into his own hands and strikes out Sanchez.
Jeez, Phillies can score runs when someone besides Blanton is on the mound for a change.
Jimmy Rollins needs to make up for the error, nope he dribbles a grounder to second.
So they have two outs and a runner on second as Mayberry walked.
Will Victorino get a big hit and knock in the tying run?
NOPE another weak bouncer to first and the game is over.
Something odd happened after that last play. Victorino must have been talking to one of the Marlins, Tom McCarthy mentioned it but the camera stayed away from the play and continued to show the Marlins celebrating the win.
Then the camera showed the Phils dugout and the players who were still there looking onto the field.
All we got to see was Ryan Madson pulling Victorino off the field but both him and Victorino were both laughing and the Marlins manager Had pulled aside their catcher and appeared to be lecturing him. But since the camera never went to the incident we will never know what was going on.
Mood is ticked off because of the inability to take advantage of opportunities when they have them continues to plague this team. Two innings with the bases loaded and no outs and they get zip.
Florida has two chances to score runs and they capitalize on both of them.
Roy Halladay should be ticked at the team.
Score some runs already. He pitched close to his best game this season and nothing but a lose to show for it.
Halladay throws a complete game loss, walks two batters in one inning including the pitcher.
This was also the first time Halladay has ever walked the opposing pitcher according to Ricky Bottalico on the post game show.
So they are 2-3 in this stretch against the two teams right under them in the division. Halladay is now 17-2 vs. The East division and both loses to Josh Johnson.
Loss 2-1
Streak 1 lose
Record 23-12
2 games up on the Marlins
On a side note Chase Utley has started a 20 game rehab stint on the Clearwater minor league team.
Game 34 Phils @ Marlins May 9th
A few notes.
The Phils have won 6 in a row in there and are 17-3 last 20 and have 22 home runs last six games.
Ok good start, Rollins hits one out in left that just barely gets over the fence and actually ticks off the edge of Stanton's glove, the 36th career leadoff homer for Rollins. This also puts him 5th all time in lead off hr's one ahead of Bobby Bonds.
Howard doubles with two outs and Ibanez gets a hit but Howard was out by 30 feet at home so I'm not sure if he ran a stop sign or if Samuel sent him, but if he sent him why do that it wasn't even close, very odd.
Ryan great throw to second for double play in the first. He usually wings that ball ten feet off line or right into the outfield.
Four hits in the third to get one run, then Raul pops up for the second out.
Ross Gload comes through big with a hit that gets one home as Polanco stopped coming around third. But the throw was airmailed to the backstop and the pitcher wasn't backing up so Polanco heads home and he's going to be out as the catcher throws it back to the pitcher covering home, but he drops it and Polanco is safe.
Blanton just back from the DL is serving up BP. Ramierez is hitting under .200 but now he's 2 for 2.
Pete Orr hasn't shown that he can hit yet but he has shown that he can turn a double play as well as anyone I have seen on this team in a long time.
He just knows how to move off the bag and get out of the way when he Gets the throw. He protects himself with the bag and gets to the right side of the bag on his throws so he doesn't get blown up by the runner, he also makes very good throws to first as he's getting out of the way of the runner.
Four double plays through five for the Phils defense.
Only division with more then one team of 20 or more wins (3).
I think at this point we can call this the league's toughest division.
The question I have is what is the plan for Vance Worley. He is a starter and pitched two great games in place of Blanton.
Tonight he comes in out of the bullpen and throws three innings. Gave up a HR but was very good again. I just don't want them to mess around with this guy. Don't put him in the pen and have him lose his starting ability for the season.
Send him down and let him pitch or put him in the rotation up here. Don't screw around with him.
Mood is up again after yesterday's panic due the them not getting clutch hits. Tonight Gload had two RBI's and two clutch hits.
It took four singles in a row just to get one run but they did get a few more in the inning after that.
Oh, can't Forget about the throw to start a DP by Howard.
Win 6-4 Blantons first W
STREAK 1 win
Record 23-11 best in league
The Phils have won 6 in a row in there and are 17-3 last 20 and have 22 home runs last six games.
Ok good start, Rollins hits one out in left that just barely gets over the fence and actually ticks off the edge of Stanton's glove, the 36th career leadoff homer for Rollins. This also puts him 5th all time in lead off hr's one ahead of Bobby Bonds.
Howard doubles with two outs and Ibanez gets a hit but Howard was out by 30 feet at home so I'm not sure if he ran a stop sign or if Samuel sent him, but if he sent him why do that it wasn't even close, very odd.
Ryan great throw to second for double play in the first. He usually wings that ball ten feet off line or right into the outfield.
Four hits in the third to get one run, then Raul pops up for the second out.
Ross Gload comes through big with a hit that gets one home as Polanco stopped coming around third. But the throw was airmailed to the backstop and the pitcher wasn't backing up so Polanco heads home and he's going to be out as the catcher throws it back to the pitcher covering home, but he drops it and Polanco is safe.
Blanton just back from the DL is serving up BP. Ramierez is hitting under .200 but now he's 2 for 2.
Pete Orr hasn't shown that he can hit yet but he has shown that he can turn a double play as well as anyone I have seen on this team in a long time.
He just knows how to move off the bag and get out of the way when he Gets the throw. He protects himself with the bag and gets to the right side of the bag on his throws so he doesn't get blown up by the runner, he also makes very good throws to first as he's getting out of the way of the runner.
Four double plays through five for the Phils defense.
Only division with more then one team of 20 or more wins (3).
I think at this point we can call this the league's toughest division.
The question I have is what is the plan for Vance Worley. He is a starter and pitched two great games in place of Blanton.
Tonight he comes in out of the bullpen and throws three innings. Gave up a HR but was very good again. I just don't want them to mess around with this guy. Don't put him in the pen and have him lose his starting ability for the season.
Send him down and let him pitch or put him in the rotation up here. Don't screw around with him.
Mood is up again after yesterday's panic due the them not getting clutch hits. Tonight Gload had two RBI's and two clutch hits.
It took four singles in a row just to get one run but they did get a few more in the inning after that.
Oh, can't Forget about the throw to start a DP by Howard.
Win 6-4 Blantons first W
STREAK 1 win
Record 23-11 best in league
Monday, May 9, 2011
Phillies 2011 game by game: Braves @ Phils Game 33 May 8th ESPN Sunday night game
Game 33 Braves @ Phils ESPN Sunday night game
I decided to start posting the current game and since I have the previous games done already I'll go back and put them in a couple games at a time too.
I like that anyone but the Red Sox or Yankees are on National tv but I rather have a day game on Sunday so I can sit outside and listen to the game.
A national ESPN game means I have to listen to former Mets manager Bobby Valentine and his nasally, whiney voice.
So it's another game that the Phils can't score.
Into the seventh they've out hit the Braves 8-5 but trail 3-1.
Braves have two homers to account for their runs.
They keep hitting into double plays.
Hamels is out so he can't win but can still lose if they can't score any runs.
Stutes in for the eighth and walks the leadoff guy and then gives one up to Eric Hinske 5-1 braves and three homers.
Walks the next guy and Stutes is out and in comes Scott Mathieson.
It's seems to be getting to where if they don't score 3 or more runs they just won't win.
This inability to hit is ridiculous and it's surprising that they still are tied for best record.
Victorino just hit one off the top of the wall just to the left of the "corner" for a lead off triple.
I'm sure they will get this run in but it'll probably take three batters to do it.
And right as I type that Polanco gets on, on an error by the new SS into the game.
That extra two runs in the top inning hurts.
Howard forces Polanco at second and now this is when Francisco needs to start picking up these opportunities, but he just flies out to center, Polanco just was credited with a hit not an error.
Raul singles and there is second and third but two outs for ph Mayberry.
This is a big spot here, they need to start capitalizing with some clutch hits late in games.
Wow Mayberry sure looked like he went around but he got the call, ball 2.
Ugh long at bat but just sends an easy fly ball to right center.
They need to get a hitter into the lineup, they're really pathetic looking right now.
Lovely start to the top of the 9th, walk, sac bunt, walk, another walk.
and that's it for Mathieson, but wait now we get Danys Baéz yay!!
BTW it's one out.
Well how about that, a DP to end the threat. Nice job Baéz.
This guy the Braves put in, Kimbrel is throwing 97 and up and K's over 15 per 9 innings.
Seems like a lot of guys are throwing near 100 this season.
The guy on the reds has been clocked over 100, Verlander on Detroit just pitched a no hitter and hit 100 in the ninth inning.
Something is fishy about it if you ask me.
Schneider strikes out then Gload and Rollins walks, Victorino swings and misses the first two pitches and gets called out on a pitch a foot and half outside.
Now Polanco. Pop up it's over.
Mood is irritated because this is a series loss to a division team and could have been an early statement but they couldn't get the big hit and lost two of three, only winning one on a shut out.
Loss 5-2
Streak 1 loss
Record 22-11 still tied for best record.
I decided to start posting the current game and since I have the previous games done already I'll go back and put them in a couple games at a time too.
I like that anyone but the Red Sox or Yankees are on National tv but I rather have a day game on Sunday so I can sit outside and listen to the game.
A national ESPN game means I have to listen to former Mets manager Bobby Valentine and his nasally, whiney voice.
So it's another game that the Phils can't score.
Into the seventh they've out hit the Braves 8-5 but trail 3-1.
Braves have two homers to account for their runs.
They keep hitting into double plays.
Hamels is out so he can't win but can still lose if they can't score any runs.
Stutes in for the eighth and walks the leadoff guy and then gives one up to Eric Hinske 5-1 braves and three homers.
Walks the next guy and Stutes is out and in comes Scott Mathieson.
It's seems to be getting to where if they don't score 3 or more runs they just won't win.
This inability to hit is ridiculous and it's surprising that they still are tied for best record.
Victorino just hit one off the top of the wall just to the left of the "corner" for a lead off triple.
I'm sure they will get this run in but it'll probably take three batters to do it.
And right as I type that Polanco gets on, on an error by the new SS into the game.
That extra two runs in the top inning hurts.
Howard forces Polanco at second and now this is when Francisco needs to start picking up these opportunities, but he just flies out to center, Polanco just was credited with a hit not an error.
Raul singles and there is second and third but two outs for ph Mayberry.
This is a big spot here, they need to start capitalizing with some clutch hits late in games.
Wow Mayberry sure looked like he went around but he got the call, ball 2.
Ugh long at bat but just sends an easy fly ball to right center.
They need to get a hitter into the lineup, they're really pathetic looking right now.
Lovely start to the top of the 9th, walk, sac bunt, walk, another walk.
and that's it for Mathieson, but wait now we get Danys Baéz yay!!
BTW it's one out.
Well how about that, a DP to end the threat. Nice job Baéz.
This guy the Braves put in, Kimbrel is throwing 97 and up and K's over 15 per 9 innings.
Seems like a lot of guys are throwing near 100 this season.
The guy on the reds has been clocked over 100, Verlander on Detroit just pitched a no hitter and hit 100 in the ninth inning.
Something is fishy about it if you ask me.
Schneider strikes out then Gload and Rollins walks, Victorino swings and misses the first two pitches and gets called out on a pitch a foot and half outside.
Now Polanco. Pop up it's over.
Mood is irritated because this is a series loss to a division team and could have been an early statement but they couldn't get the big hit and lost two of three, only winning one on a shut out.
Loss 5-2
Streak 1 loss
Record 22-11 still tied for best record.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Phillies 2011 A Game By Game Review
Phillies 2011 A Game By Game Review
I thought that it might be an interesting experiment to try and keep a diary of sorts for the 2011 baseball season for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Sometimes I'll comment while I'm watching the game but usually it will be after the game is over.
This will evolve as the season goes along, 162 games is a lot of games to write on.
Reason being the extremely high expectations put on the team due to the signing of Cliff Lee on December 25 2010 and of course already having Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and of course the best pitcher currently in the league Roy Halladay.
One other reason is that I thought it would be interesting to go back and read what I was thinking throughout the season.
I planned on starting this from the first day of the season but out of simple laziness, didn't.
Today is April 16th and as it stands, they're record is 9-4.
So let me start from game one.
GAME ONE - Phillies vs Houston Astros home game.
Great pre game ceremony having fans on the field to shake the players hands as they come in from the bullpen.
Brett Myers actually out pitched Halladay through 6 innings and Halladay leaves the game trailing 1-0.
J. C. Romero and Herndon come in and promptly give up 3 runs leaving the Phils down 4-1.
The Phils had ten hits, most coming late in the game.
My mood while watching was blah another typical Bad game on an opener by the Phils.
They managed 2 runs in the 7th making it a 4-2 game so there was some hope.
The Phils made it a memorable opening day after scoring 3 in the 9th after a pinch single by Mayberry to win the game.
Mood is now great after it being very low during the first few innings.
Record 1-0
I thought that it might be an interesting experiment to try and keep a diary of sorts for the 2011 baseball season for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Sometimes I'll comment while I'm watching the game but usually it will be after the game is over.
This will evolve as the season goes along, 162 games is a lot of games to write on.
Reason being the extremely high expectations put on the team due to the signing of Cliff Lee on December 25 2010 and of course already having Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and of course the best pitcher currently in the league Roy Halladay.
One other reason is that I thought it would be interesting to go back and read what I was thinking throughout the season.
I planned on starting this from the first day of the season but out of simple laziness, didn't.
Today is April 16th and as it stands, they're record is 9-4.
So let me start from game one.
GAME ONE - Phillies vs Houston Astros home game.
Great pre game ceremony having fans on the field to shake the players hands as they come in from the bullpen.
Brett Myers actually out pitched Halladay through 6 innings and Halladay leaves the game trailing 1-0.
J. C. Romero and Herndon come in and promptly give up 3 runs leaving the Phils down 4-1.
The Phils had ten hits, most coming late in the game.
My mood while watching was blah another typical Bad game on an opener by the Phils.
They managed 2 runs in the 7th making it a 4-2 game so there was some hope.
The Phils made it a memorable opening day after scoring 3 in the 9th after a pinch single by Mayberry to win the game.
Mood is now great after it being very low during the first few innings.
Record 1-0
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Puppies are awsome
.
.
.
.
It's been a few months since I've posted anything as I haven't
had anything to say.
Over the last few months I've been
promoted at my job at Blockbuster.
I was made a 4 star csr, which is
basically a glorified csr who does
some of the things a regular manager
would do but less pay.
My wife's son went into the airforce so we
were finally able to get his car from him.
The car that we were paying for.
So now we have 3 cars, anyone want to buy a car?
I've found some old friends that I
haven't seen or spoken to
in over 20 years and I am overjoyed to
know them again.
I have lost touch with a few that
I hope to speak to again soon.
Still watching movies all the time,
you can see what I've watched in the link
on the right side.
I have almost finished my hometheater room.
We just need to do the trim
around the door and install rugs.
We also haven't decided on a name for the room.
I've been spending a lot of time on facebook
were I was able to find some
old friends and a couple found me.
During our visit to Atlanta last year
we ended up coming
home with my wife's son's 2 dachshunds.
Now we have 6 puppies that are 3 weeks old.
They were born on Friday March 13th.
Our Pom, Parker is the father and
Jenny one of the dachshunds is the mom.
These dogs are seriously cute and cuddly.
Super adorable.
Both of us really loves these pups.
Unfortunately we can't keep
all these dogs so we are
in the process of selling most of them.
Very bittersweet because we know we can't
keep all these dogs it also don't want to give them up.
I'll try to post some pictures of them if I can figure out how.
If anyone is reading my blog I'd appreciate
if you could go to the links on the right and
sign up as a follower, I'd also
appreciate and comments you might have.
That's it for now.
TD.
.
.
.
It's been a few months since I've posted anything as I haven't
had anything to say.
Over the last few months I've been
promoted at my job at Blockbuster.
I was made a 4 star csr, which is
basically a glorified csr who does
some of the things a regular manager
would do but less pay.
My wife's son went into the airforce so we
were finally able to get his car from him.
The car that we were paying for.
So now we have 3 cars, anyone want to buy a car?
I've found some old friends that I
haven't seen or spoken to
in over 20 years and I am overjoyed to
know them again.
I have lost touch with a few that
I hope to speak to again soon.
Still watching movies all the time,
you can see what I've watched in the link
on the right side.
I have almost finished my hometheater room.
We just need to do the trim
around the door and install rugs.
We also haven't decided on a name for the room.
I've been spending a lot of time on facebook
were I was able to find some
old friends and a couple found me.
During our visit to Atlanta last year
we ended up coming
home with my wife's son's 2 dachshunds.
Now we have 6 puppies that are 3 weeks old.
They were born on Friday March 13th.
Our Pom, Parker is the father and
Jenny one of the dachshunds is the mom.
These dogs are seriously cute and cuddly.
Super adorable.
Both of us really loves these pups.
Unfortunately we can't keep
all these dogs so we are
in the process of selling most of them.
Very bittersweet because we know we can't
keep all these dogs it also don't want to give them up.
I'll try to post some pictures of them if I can figure out how.
If anyone is reading my blog I'd appreciate
if you could go to the links on the right and
sign up as a follower, I'd also
appreciate and comments you might have.
That's it for now.
TD.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, December 21, 2008
This weeks quickie movie reviews
Traitor
House Bunny
Death Race
_____________________
DEATH RACE
This is based on a movie from 1975 called
Death Race 2000.
The '08 version is similar in name only
The original is a cross-country race that gives you points for running down pedestrians.
The 1975 version starring Stallone is satire
2008 version is starring Jason Stathom is just loud,
obnoxious and takes place entirely in a future prison
run by the the stereo type evil prison warden, yawn.
skip it
1 star out of 5
___________________-
HOUSE BUNNY
Anna Faris who is mostly known for the Scary Movie series
stars in House bunny.
House Bunny is surprisingly funny.
Faris is very good at "dumb blonde"
as she is exactly that in this movie.
Faris is a Playboy bunny celebrating her 27 birthday at the Mansion.
The day after she gets a note from Hef telling her it's time
to move out.
Apparently 27 is like 50 something in Bunny years.
Not knowing how to function in the real world
she ends up as house mother at a sorority.
Of course all the girls
are ugly ducklings and become transformed into
beauties.
This won't remind anyone of Animal House but I laughed out loud
a bunch of times.
Worth a rental.
3 1/2 stars out of 5
__________________
Traitor
Don Cheadle is Samir Horn.
As a boy he witnesses the death of his Muslim father by a car bomb.
years Later as an adult Samir is a bomb expert himself,
working with a terrorist group.
Samir is a traitor but you need to watch the entire film to know were his loyalties lie.
The clues are few but they are there.
The movie is worth watching for Don cheadle's performance.
Is Samir a double agent?
Supposedly these undercover people sometimes get confused about their
very own loyalties and that is what makes Traitor work so well.
As we also are confused about Samir's true intentions.
Traitor is a terrific spy thriller.
4 stars out of 5
House Bunny
Death Race
_____________________
DEATH RACE
This is based on a movie from 1975 called
Death Race 2000.
The '08 version is similar in name only
The original is a cross-country race that gives you points for running down pedestrians.
The 1975 version starring Stallone is satire
2008 version is starring Jason Stathom is just loud,
obnoxious and takes place entirely in a future prison
run by the the stereo type evil prison warden, yawn.
skip it
1 star out of 5
___________________-
HOUSE BUNNY
Anna Faris who is mostly known for the Scary Movie series
stars in House bunny.
House Bunny is surprisingly funny.
Faris is very good at "dumb blonde"
as she is exactly that in this movie.
Faris is a Playboy bunny celebrating her 27 birthday at the Mansion.
The day after she gets a note from Hef telling her it's time
to move out.
Apparently 27 is like 50 something in Bunny years.
Not knowing how to function in the real world
she ends up as house mother at a sorority.
Of course all the girls
are ugly ducklings and become transformed into
beauties.
This won't remind anyone of Animal House but I laughed out loud
a bunch of times.
Worth a rental.
3 1/2 stars out of 5
__________________
Traitor
Don Cheadle is Samir Horn.
As a boy he witnesses the death of his Muslim father by a car bomb.
years Later as an adult Samir is a bomb expert himself,
working with a terrorist group.
Samir is a traitor but you need to watch the entire film to know were his loyalties lie.
The clues are few but they are there.
The movie is worth watching for Don cheadle's performance.
Is Samir a double agent?
Supposedly these undercover people sometimes get confused about their
very own loyalties and that is what makes Traitor work so well.
As we also are confused about Samir's true intentions.
Traitor is a terrific spy thriller.
4 stars out of 5
Friday, December 12, 2008
A FEW EARLY REVIEWS
-----------------------------------------
THE MUMMY 3: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR
Hundreds of years ago an evil Emperor and his army were cursed by a sorceress and turned into stone.
Rick O'Connell and his wife Evelyn are brought in to take a relic,
The Eye of Shangri-La, to China.
The relic is a stone and has the power resurrect the Evil Emperor Han and reveals the secret way to legendary Shangri-la and allow Han to become immortal.
Han is inadvertently resurrected and must be kept from taking the stone to Shangri-la
Of course the O'connoll's son Alex and Evelyn's brother are along for the ride too.
However, they are betrayed by their friend Prof Roger Wilson,
who forces them to give the stone to Emperor Han.
They all make their way to the Himalayas and with the help of a few abominable snowmen (one of the yeti even does a fist pump after dispatching one of the bad guys.)
Fight off the Mummy emperor Han.
Despite the many action sequences this movie is a bit of a bore.
Evelyn was recast with Maria Bello and she is miscast and does a poor imitiation
of Rachel Weisz.
This review is of the Blu-Ray disc so
the special effects are stunning and the sound is thunderous
especially during the marching stone army sequence and the many explosions.
This really doesn't have the charm or the sense of humor the first Mummy or even
to some extant the second Mummy has.
2 1/2 out of 5 stars.
---------------------------------------
BURN AFTER READING
Brad Pitt, John Malkovich and Frances McDormand
star in a confusing mess of a story.
A CIA agent gets demoted so he quits to write his memoir,
his wife is having an affair
with a man who meets woman on the internet.
CIA guy loses the cd of his memoir and it's found by a guy and a woman who work at
a local gym.
they decide to blackmail CIA guy because they think the cd is top secret documents.
He doesn't go for it.
Everything that happens next is pretty convoluted.
All of it depends on chance and coincidence and for the most part doesn't work.
Sure there are some funny moments
but most of it just falls flat.
The subplot of the CIA is pretty good and the punch line ending is funny.
Too bad the rest of the movie doesn't match it.
If this wasn't written and directed by
Joel and Ethan Cohen (No Country For Old Men, Fargo)
I wouldn't likely have given it much of a thought at all.
2 out of 5 stars
THE MUMMY 3: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR
Hundreds of years ago an evil Emperor and his army were cursed by a sorceress and turned into stone.
Rick O'Connell and his wife Evelyn are brought in to take a relic,
The Eye of Shangri-La, to China.
The relic is a stone and has the power resurrect the Evil Emperor Han and reveals the secret way to legendary Shangri-la and allow Han to become immortal.
Han is inadvertently resurrected and must be kept from taking the stone to Shangri-la
Of course the O'connoll's son Alex and Evelyn's brother are along for the ride too.
However, they are betrayed by their friend Prof Roger Wilson,
who forces them to give the stone to Emperor Han.
They all make their way to the Himalayas and with the help of a few abominable snowmen (one of the yeti even does a fist pump after dispatching one of the bad guys.)
Fight off the Mummy emperor Han.
Despite the many action sequences this movie is a bit of a bore.
Evelyn was recast with Maria Bello and she is miscast and does a poor imitiation
of Rachel Weisz.
This review is of the Blu-Ray disc so
the special effects are stunning and the sound is thunderous
especially during the marching stone army sequence and the many explosions.
This really doesn't have the charm or the sense of humor the first Mummy or even
to some extant the second Mummy has.
2 1/2 out of 5 stars.
---------------------------------------
BURN AFTER READING
Brad Pitt, John Malkovich and Frances McDormand
star in a confusing mess of a story.
A CIA agent gets demoted so he quits to write his memoir,
his wife is having an affair
with a man who meets woman on the internet.
CIA guy loses the cd of his memoir and it's found by a guy and a woman who work at
a local gym.
they decide to blackmail CIA guy because they think the cd is top secret documents.
He doesn't go for it.
Everything that happens next is pretty convoluted.
All of it depends on chance and coincidence and for the most part doesn't work.
Sure there are some funny moments
but most of it just falls flat.
The subplot of the CIA is pretty good and the punch line ending is funny.
Too bad the rest of the movie doesn't match it.
If this wasn't written and directed by
Joel and Ethan Cohen (No Country For Old Men, Fargo)
I wouldn't likely have given it much of a thought at all.
2 out of 5 stars
Some Quickie Movie Reviews
-------------------------------------------------------------
.
.
STEP BROTHERSThis is a very funny movie.
Think the Brady Bunch, except each parent
has only one kid and each kid is 40 years old and still lives at home.
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are the step brothers after
both their parents marry.
Yes they are both about 40 years old but you
wouldn't know it by the way the act.
They are more like 12 year old kids.
Both these guys are enabled by their parents
allowing them to stay home that long without jobs or
just actually becoming adults.
All that changes after the wedding as they now have to
share a room and go out and get jobs.
Their antics during the job interviews and
both brothers sleepwalking shenanigans are a laugh out loud riot.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MAN ON WIRE (documentary)
This is the story of how a man and his friends
strung a wire form one tower to the other
of the World Trade Center about 35 years ago.
Even though you know that he has survived
this feat(he narrates the movie and is interviewed throughout)
You are still mesmerized and on the edge of your seat hoping he doesn't fall.
This movie will probably win for best Doc at the Oscars for this year.
Must See.
4 out of 5 stars.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
What is wrong with people?
When can I just stay in my house and not have to go outside anymore?
Today on the way home I got stuck behind a car that seemed to not want to turn
at an intersection until there was no car coming from the other direction for
about a mile.
So I gave a little "are you going to turn or what" wave.
Ok so she finally went.
Then after the next turn she started driving about 10 mph in a 30 zone.
So I did the little are you going to go or what motion.
This prompted her to slam on the brakes and try to get me to plow into her car.
I was driving somewhat close to her because she was going so slow but not close enough that would cause me to hit her.
She continued on even slower, then slammed her brakes again.
This time she stopped so I tried to go around her and this is when her craziness
came through after she now speeds up and tries to ram me from the side and forced me into the other lane of traffic.
After all that we are both stopped at a stop sign next to each other and she opens her window yelling at me and flicks a cigarette at my car.
Then she gets out of her car, so I yelled at her asking her were she learned how to drive.
After she got out of her car I decided to just go.
She punched my car while i was going away from her.
At this point I look back and see her on her phone so I just figured I better not push it and get out of there.
She looked like she was in her early 20's.
I just don't get what causes people to be this way.
Today on the way home I got stuck behind a car that seemed to not want to turn
at an intersection until there was no car coming from the other direction for
about a mile.
So I gave a little "are you going to turn or what" wave.
Ok so she finally went.
Then after the next turn she started driving about 10 mph in a 30 zone.
So I did the little are you going to go or what motion.
This prompted her to slam on the brakes and try to get me to plow into her car.
I was driving somewhat close to her because she was going so slow but not close enough that would cause me to hit her.
She continued on even slower, then slammed her brakes again.
This time she stopped so I tried to go around her and this is when her craziness
came through after she now speeds up and tries to ram me from the side and forced me into the other lane of traffic.
After all that we are both stopped at a stop sign next to each other and she opens her window yelling at me and flicks a cigarette at my car.
Then she gets out of her car, so I yelled at her asking her were she learned how to drive.
After she got out of her car I decided to just go.
She punched my car while i was going away from her.
At this point I look back and see her on her phone so I just figured I better not push it and get out of there.
She looked like she was in her early 20's.
I just don't get what causes people to be this way.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Few quick movie reviews
Wall-E 5 stars
Hancock 4 stars
Meet Dave 2 star
Eastern Promises 4 stars
Tropic Thunder 3.5 stars
Sweeney Todd 3.5 stars
.
.
SWEENEY TODD
Another movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp.
Basically a horror, revenge, musical.
Who could have known that Depp and Helena Bohnam Carter could sing so well.
I was really surprised how much I liked this.
Usually I could do without a musical, this one was really good.
Almost All the songs worked, and there was plenty of blood.
The ending really came out of the blue for me, I really
never expected that to happen.
3.5 stars out of 5
Recommended
TROPIC THUNDER
Ben Stiller stars in and directs a movie that's a movie within a movie.
Robert Downey Jr. plays, a dude playin', the dude, disguised as another dude!
Downey steats the show as a method actor who
surgically alters his look to look like a black man.
This is a comedy/satire but it also pretty gory being a film about making a war film.
great stuff and a few surprise cameos too.
Any movie that makes fun of Hollywood and does it well is worth a look for me.
3.5 stars out of 5
Recommended
EASTERN PROMISES
Viggo is a driver for the Russian mob.
He is there mostly to clean up the mess the the bosses son keeps getting himself into
but this time he has to clean up the boss's mess.
Seems a diary was found on a young pregnant girl who died during childbirth.
The boss is implicated in a horrific crime in the diary.
Mortenson was nominated for an Oscar as a leading actor and he deserved it.
He was one scary son of a gun in this movie.
He has a fight with two thugs that is not like any other fight scene I've seen before.
This movie is a Must See.
4 out 0f 5 stars
Meet Dave
Eddie Murphy's latest is almost a have to see it to believe it.
Murphy is a spaceship from another world coming here to find a probe that landed months before as they are looking for water to save their home world.
Dave is piloted by an army of tiny aliens and the captain looks just like Eddie Murphy.
While I actually laughed out loud a few times this is just typical slapstick and really just for younger kids or preteens.
2 out of 5 stars
Hancock
Will Smith's most recent summer blockbuster finally comes to dvd.
Smith is John Hancock and has superman like powers but has no idea how he got them or were he's from.
Hancock reluctantly saves the day but usually has to be prompted into action.
At least once by a child on the street who has to wake Hancock from a drunken sleep on a city bench.
Hancock is not the typical hero and always causes much financial damage
everytime he stops the bad guys.
Finally the city has had enough and he has to turn himself in as consequence
for his destructive behavior.
It won't be long before the city needs him again to stop all the rising crime while he's in jail.
So with a new attitude and help from a Public Relation specialist, Jason Bateman,
Hancock learns how to become a real hero.
That's not the end of the story.
He learns someting that he never thought possible.
Any more and it gives away too much.
Hancock is an action movie but it is more then just that.
It's also a character study and an unusual love story.
4 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended
Wall-E
Saving the best for last this week.
Based partly on Chaplin's CITY LIGHTS, this movie is practically a silent film
as there is very little dialog until the second half of the movie.
700 years in the future there are no people left on Earth and only one
little robot, who for 700 years has been trying to clean the planet of all the trash
and junk that has piled up.
A ship soon comes from the sky and another little robot comes out.
It's love at first site for Wall-E and his adventure begins.
EVE, goes back into the ship and Wall-E grabs on and goes for a ride and
an exciting surprise.
Sure it's animated but Wall-E is the best movie I have seen this year.
Wall-E, I think, is the best movie so from from Pixar,
Including both Toy Story movies and The Incredibles.
This is story telling at it's best, with very few spoken words to mess it up.
5 out of 5 stars
Highest Recommendation
Hancock 4 stars
Meet Dave 2 star
Eastern Promises 4 stars
Tropic Thunder 3.5 stars
Sweeney Todd 3.5 stars
.
.
SWEENEY TODD
Another movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp.
Basically a horror, revenge, musical.
Who could have known that Depp and Helena Bohnam Carter could sing so well.
I was really surprised how much I liked this.
Usually I could do without a musical, this one was really good.
Almost All the songs worked, and there was plenty of blood.
The ending really came out of the blue for me, I really
never expected that to happen.
3.5 stars out of 5
Recommended
TROPIC THUNDER
Ben Stiller stars in and directs a movie that's a movie within a movie.
Robert Downey Jr. plays, a dude playin', the dude, disguised as another dude!
Downey steats the show as a method actor who
surgically alters his look to look like a black man.
This is a comedy/satire but it also pretty gory being a film about making a war film.
great stuff and a few surprise cameos too.
Any movie that makes fun of Hollywood and does it well is worth a look for me.
3.5 stars out of 5
Recommended
EASTERN PROMISES
Viggo is a driver for the Russian mob.
He is there mostly to clean up the mess the the bosses son keeps getting himself into
but this time he has to clean up the boss's mess.
Seems a diary was found on a young pregnant girl who died during childbirth.
The boss is implicated in a horrific crime in the diary.
Mortenson was nominated for an Oscar as a leading actor and he deserved it.
He was one scary son of a gun in this movie.
He has a fight with two thugs that is not like any other fight scene I've seen before.
This movie is a Must See.
4 out 0f 5 stars
Meet Dave
Eddie Murphy's latest is almost a have to see it to believe it.
Murphy is a spaceship from another world coming here to find a probe that landed months before as they are looking for water to save their home world.
Dave is piloted by an army of tiny aliens and the captain looks just like Eddie Murphy.
While I actually laughed out loud a few times this is just typical slapstick and really just for younger kids or preteens.
2 out of 5 stars
Hancock
Will Smith's most recent summer blockbuster finally comes to dvd.
Smith is John Hancock and has superman like powers but has no idea how he got them or were he's from.
Hancock reluctantly saves the day but usually has to be prompted into action.
At least once by a child on the street who has to wake Hancock from a drunken sleep on a city bench.
Hancock is not the typical hero and always causes much financial damage
everytime he stops the bad guys.
Finally the city has had enough and he has to turn himself in as consequence
for his destructive behavior.
It won't be long before the city needs him again to stop all the rising crime while he's in jail.
So with a new attitude and help from a Public Relation specialist, Jason Bateman,
Hancock learns how to become a real hero.
That's not the end of the story.
He learns someting that he never thought possible.
Any more and it gives away too much.
Hancock is an action movie but it is more then just that.
It's also a character study and an unusual love story.
4 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended
Wall-E
Saving the best for last this week.
Based partly on Chaplin's CITY LIGHTS, this movie is practically a silent film
as there is very little dialog until the second half of the movie.
700 years in the future there are no people left on Earth and only one
little robot, who for 700 years has been trying to clean the planet of all the trash
and junk that has piled up.
A ship soon comes from the sky and another little robot comes out.
It's love at first site for Wall-E and his adventure begins.
EVE, goes back into the ship and Wall-E grabs on and goes for a ride and
an exciting surprise.
Sure it's animated but Wall-E is the best movie I have seen this year.
Wall-E, I think, is the best movie so from from Pixar,
Including both Toy Story movies and The Incredibles.
This is story telling at it's best, with very few spoken words to mess it up.
5 out of 5 stars
Highest Recommendation
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Opus and Bloom County are no more
Opus has come to an end.
A year or so ago Berkeley Breathed mentioned
the end of the Opus strip and something about
killing him off, then he took it back,
said he was just kidding.
Apparently he wasn't kidding at all.
I suppose the last 2 strips
can be left to open interpretation.
For me it's clear what happened.
In the weeks leading up to this,
Opus ended up in a animal shelter with a dog.
Starting with the Aug 31st strip
BB essentially tells Opus his fate.
In that strip BB discusses the circle of life
and Opus notices that other comic
strips went away due to the creators croaking,
BB... "we'll be trying a different circle."
Next he meets Elvis who appears because,
"I hear you'll soon be checking out for good, hound dog"
and advises him on choosing his final place wisely
Through the 3-4 strips after that,
Opus is trying to understand
what he was put on earth to do.
Here realizes his destiny is to take
the place of the dog in the shelter so dog can go free.
Taking Elvis' advice about choosing one's
final resting place wisely,
Opus imagines that after he "goes"
he would like to
be in a happy place,
a warm place, a friendly place.
A beloved children's book.
As Steve Dallas is looking down at the book,
we see a reflection in Steve's glasses
coming from above.
We see a refection of Opus smiling.
So my interpretation is that Opus' life
was ended on the physical sense.
His spiritual being was caste into BB's
children's books to be seen there
and remembered by children for all time.
So don't mourn Opus because
he is in his happiest of all places
A place of his own choosing.
Go back to April and read Opus final adventures.
www.comics.com/opus
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Phillies and Destiny
There is no other sport that has the same feeling
and can create emotion
the way baseball can.
To quote James Earl Jones from Field of Dreams.....
Baseball is truly more then simply a "sport" it is a past time, it is a way of life.
I will never enjoy watching any event more then watching baseball.
There is nothing better then seeing my favorite team play my favorite sport
and winning the championship, the World Series.
In the past there have been so called
"teams of destiny" and
I believed in the destiny
of teams in the past.
In 1964 the Phils seemed to be a destiny team.
They had everything going for them that year.
A perfect game on father's day.
The game winning hit and MVP for the all-star game.
Rookie of the year.
Johnny Callison would have been MVP if not for the collapse.
It was all there for their destiny until it all fell apart in 1 week at the end of the season.
The 1983 Phils had a touch of destiny
because this was their 100th season.
they made it to the series that year but couldn't quite get it done.
Again, in 1993 destiny seemed to be with them.
The Phils controlled the East for the entire season after they took first place after their second game, and started 3-0.
They beat the powerful Braves in 6 games but couldn't get past the Blue Jays.
Phillies 2008 edition didn't have the team of destiny feel.
They had a team of purpose feel.
After winning each level of this season, the Eastern Division, the first round
and the NLCS, there was celebration but there was still a sense of purpose.
They always knew they had more to do.
And they did it.
and can create emotion
the way baseball can.
To quote James Earl Jones from Field of Dreams.....
“The one constant through all the years, ..., has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is part of our past, ... It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.”
Baseball is truly more then simply a "sport" it is a past time, it is a way of life.
I will never enjoy watching any event more then watching baseball.
There is nothing better then seeing my favorite team play my favorite sport
and winning the championship, the World Series.
In the past there have been so called
"teams of destiny" and
I believed in the destiny
of teams in the past.
In 1964 the Phils seemed to be a destiny team.
They had everything going for them that year.
A perfect game on father's day.
The game winning hit and MVP for the all-star game.
Rookie of the year.
Johnny Callison would have been MVP if not for the collapse.
It was all there for their destiny until it all fell apart in 1 week at the end of the season.
The 1983 Phils had a touch of destiny
because this was their 100th season.
they made it to the series that year but couldn't quite get it done.
Again, in 1993 destiny seemed to be with them.
The Phils controlled the East for the entire season after they took first place after their second game, and started 3-0.
They beat the powerful Braves in 6 games but couldn't get past the Blue Jays.
Phillies 2008 edition didn't have the team of destiny feel.
They had a team of purpose feel.
After winning each level of this season, the Eastern Division, the first round
and the NLCS, there was celebration but there was still a sense of purpose.
They always knew they had more to do.
And they did it.
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