Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Solo Home Runs help Pedro, Phils win 5-3
For the first time in Phillies franchise history the team has 4 players that have at least 30 home runs in the same season. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth are all members of the 30 homer club this year. Last night Ibanez went deep twice and hit 3 for 4 last night. Hopefully the left fielder who has been struggling at the plate since the All Star break is getting hot at the right time. With the Phillies down 2-1 to the Nationals in the 7th inning and pitcher John Lannan throwing well so far, Jayson Werth went deep to tie the game at 2 a piece. Next batter Raul Ibanez went deep for back to back home runs and the Phils took the lead. But in the same inning Carlos Ruiz didn't want to miss out on the home run parade and went deep to make it 4-2. Charlie Manuel kept Pedro Martinez in the game who ended up throwing 119 pitches in 6 2/3 innings. Pedro let up 3 runs on 7 hits and struck out 4 last night to improve to 4-0 on the season since joining the Phillies. In the 8th inning Chase Utley decided it was time to reach the 30 homer club and made it 5-3 heading into the bottom of the 8th. Brett Myers came in to relieve Pedro for the last out of the 7th with a strike out and then shut down the Nats in the 8th to preserve the lead. Then the night took on a uneasy feel as most games this season has heading into the 9th. Manuel called on closer Brad Lidge to close out the game with a 2 run lead. What happened next was Lidge only recorded 1 out and loaded the bases. Lidge was about to blow yet another save and this would make the Phils lose 5 in a row in a time when they need to just play .500 ball to close out the division in a few weeks. Charlie took the walk out to the mound and called in Ryan Madson. Lidge got no love from anyone in the dugout and could only watch. Madson did his job striking out Ryan Zimmerman the Nats best hitter and getting home run hitter Adam Dunn to ground out to record his 5th save of the season. The question which thousands of Phillies fans are asking this morning, Is Brad Lidge still our closer? Charlie had some tough questions to answer about Lidge and the closer situation after the game. "Let me tell you something," Manuel said. "When I tell you he's my closer, I don't tell lies. I don't like to go back on nothing. But the team and the game is bigger than my heart, and it's bigger than anything else, if you want to know the truth. Winning a game is what it's all about. It's baseball and why I manage and it's what comes first."
He could definitely be [the guy]," Manuel said about Lidge. "I'm definitely not going to get away from him. Let me tell you something: We're going to work with him and we're going to get him back to where he can get consistent and save games. That's how I look at it. I'm not saying that he'll closer tomorrow or the next day or whatever, but I look at him as a closer."
Well it looks like September is going to be very interesting for the Fightins. Tonight Cliff Lee(5-2) takes on Garrett Mock(3-7) down in Washington.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Phillies Legend of The Day
Friday, September 4, 2009
Vintage Pedro beats Lincecum, Phils take series from Giants
When the Phillies game started last night I was waiting to pick up a huge order of wings for my fantasy football draft. The Phils game was on and Pedro throws his first pitch and Eugenio Velez agreed with it and sent it over the wall. 1-0 Giants after 1 pitch. People at the bar were started to bad mouth Pedro and it wasn't looking good for the former Cy Young winner. Pedro answered and he answered in a big way. That would be the only run he let up all night in a 7 inning gem. Martinez struck out 9, didn't walk any batters and only allowed 5 hits for the game and got his 3rd win to improve to 3-0. Pedro's fastball was hitting the low 90's on the radar gun and was mixing up his pitches nicely with the changeup. Tim Lincecum the ace and possibly the best pitcher in the National League had his ace game last night as well. Lincecum struck out 11 batters in 7 innings and only allowed 4 hits, 2 earned. One of those runs was a solo home run by Jayson Werth in the 2nd inning who now has 30 homers on the year. Later on Ryan Howard doubled to knock in the go ahead run during the 6th inning to put the Fightins up 2-1. Chase Utley was the one that scored after he was hit in the back by Lincecum's fastball. Ryan Madson closed out the 8th inning and Brad Lidge did his job and got the save for the Phils. It was a pitching duel last night in South Philly and had that playoff atmosphere feel just like it did the past 2 nights as the Phillies could possibly be lined up to face either San Fran or Colorado in the 1st round of the playoffs. The Phillies still hold a 7.5 game lead in the NL East as the season keeps winding down with a record of 76-54 and 32 games left to play. Our World Series Champs head to Houston for a 4 game series with the Astros and Cliff Lee(5-1) will take the mound against Wandy Rodriguez(12-9) tonight.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Phils lose to Penny, Giants 4-0
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Hamels returns to World Series MVP form, dominates Giants
Last night down at the ballpark had the feel of a playoff game as the Giants came into town for the first of a 3 game series. If the playoffs would start today we would potentially play San Francisco in the Divisional Series. The Giants have great starting pitching with Tim Linecum and Matt Cain, and even last night lefty Jonathan Sanchez pitched a quietly good game. But it was nothing compared to what ace Cole Hamels threw. Cole pitched a complete game shut out only allowing 2 hits while striking out 9 and only walking 1. The weather was a little cooler in South Philly for September 1st and maybe that helped King Cole return to the form he had in last years playoffs where he was so dominate. The Phils offense was a little quiet but in the 4th inning Ryan Howard drove in the lone run of the game to take the lead at 1-0. That was all that Hamels needed as he blanked the Giants offense all night. Hamels retired 24 in a row after the first hit he gave up to Ryan Garko and now has a streak of 19 scoreless innings tied for his career best. Hamels also showed off his speed on the bases as he took off and stole 2nd in the 5th inning, the first pitcher to steal a base for the Phillies since Curt Schilling in 1997. The Phillies have now won 15 of 20 and still hold a 7.5 game lead in the NL East over the Braves who beat the Marlins last night and they are now 9.5 games out. Tonight at CBP J.A. Happ(10-3) faces newly acquired starter Brad Penny(7-8) for the Giants. Game 2 tonight....
Monday, August 31, 2009
Blanton, Ruiz shine as Phils take series from Braves
Friday, August 28, 2009
Vick doesn't really excite but doesn't make mistakes in debut
Michael Vick got a standing ovation when he came into the game. Why? I'm not really sure. I know as Philadelphians we like to welcome any new player to town but lets what until this guy actually does something before we start giving him the standing O. Vick only got in on 6 plays, which was not as many as the 12-15 plays that the Eagles staff had originally planned but he did go 4-4 on passing attempts, threw a shovel pass, and lined up at wide receiver. I would have liked to see more of Vick even if it was in the 4th quarter with the 2nd & 3rd team out on the field to see what he can do now. On a separate note, Kevin Kolb sucks. I don't like anything about this guy, and I hope the Eagles don't think this guy is the quarterback of the team after McNabb's career here is over. One major problem with getting Vick into the game for some plays was that it interupted the flow of the offense. McNabb in his own words basically said the same thing but it is preseason and now is the time to tinker with Vick in the offense and try the Wildcat formation. The Eagles still have one more preseason game against the New Yawk Jets next Thursday, maybe Vick will get a little more playing time then because the NFL commisioner looks to suspend Vick for the first 6 games of the season but rumor has it that the suspension will be reduced to 3 games. Till next time.....
Phils offense quiet and lose 3-2, head home to face the Bravos
J.A. Happ pitched 8 solid innings last night but gave up a 2 run homer to Garrett Jones in the bottom of the 8th, which would cost the Phils the win and taking the series against the other Pennsylvania baseball team. Happ let up a lead off home run against a impressive rookie Andrew McCutchen which tied the game at 1 after the first. He then settled down and pitched great until the 8th, he struck out 4 and let up 7 hits. But it wasn't enough as the bats were quiet for the Fightins and could only muster up 2 runs, Rollins scoring in the 1st and a solo shot by catcher Paul Bako in the 2nd. The Pirates end up winning the series 2-1 and now the Phillies head back to Philly for a big series with the Braves. The Phils still hold a 7 game lead in the NL East over the Braves and Marlins but would still like to distance themselves from the pack early on and get rested for the postseason. Tonight Pedro Martinez(2-0) makes his 4th start in a Phillies uniform and goes up against talented youngster Tommy Hanson(9-2). Saturday Cliff "the General" Lee will face off against Derek Lowe and Sunday night on ESPN Country Joe Blanton takes on JarJar Binx, I mean Jair Jurrjens. Go Phils.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Madson pulls a Lidge, Howard to the Rescue
Brad Lidge had the night off. He pitched in 4 consecutive games so he was not available to close the game in the ninth. The Phillies then turned to their 8th inning guy with the 97 mph fastball Ryan Madson. In true closer form this year for the Phils Madson let up a home run to tie the game at 1 and take it to extra innings. Cole Hamels who has not won a game since July 28th pitched a gem last night, going 8 strong innings without letting up a run, only walking 2 and striking out 7 in 123 pitches. The only run support Hamels got was a solo homer by Chase Utley in the 1st inning. The Phils had runners in scoring position a few times but failed to score any more runs. Madson came in and threw some heat reaching 99 on the radar gun but he put a fastball right in the wheelhouse of Brandon Moss who turned on the pitch and tied it 1-1. In the 10th inning Pittsburgh reliever Steven "I'm Sorry Miss" Jackson came in and walked J-Roll and let up a single to Victorino and the Phils had runners on the corner. Up stepped Ryan Howard to crush one over the right field wall and put the Phils on top 4-1. It was Howards 35th of the year and he now has 107 rbis for the year. If Albert Pujols wasn't having a monster year, then Howard would be right up there in talks for the NL MVP. And this is the time of the year when historically the big man starts getting hot.
With the lead now at 4-1 Madson came back out in the 10th to try and salvage his 1 run hiccup that cost Hamels the win and shut down the young Pirates team. Luckily he got the job done and collected the win for the Phils. The Phillies are now 73-51, 22 games over .500 and have won 13 out of their last 15. They still hold a 7 game lead over the Marlins in the NL East. Tonight J.A. Happ(10-2) can help the Phillies win another series when he goes against Charlie Morton(3-6). The Phillies need to continue to win series in the final weeks of the season and they should easily cruise to another NL East title.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Phils come back late, only to have Lidge blow it AGAIN
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Phillies Legend of the Day
It is kind of funny.In researching good ole Rico I did not know he admitted to using steroids specifically andro for the 1997 season. Yep Rico was a cheater and a liar and all of those 64 home runs he hit over 3 years (um...) and the career high .278 batting average he hit in 1998 (seriously?? Are you sure they weren't nerds you were taking) should be wiped from the record books. ...
You know really Rico should go from school to school talking about steriods and their lack of success not some shrivield up no nad dude with dried up bacne. Cause when you think about it steroids did not help him at all. He didn't get the big contract...he did not break any records...nor was he indicated in any Jose Canseco authored book.
So Rico Bronga tried to play his way into our hearts....then tried to cheat...then gave up duetoan inability to be a successful cheater. Well Rico all is forgiven here Legends Hall on the Rooftop not because we like you or due to your honesty. No weforgive you because weareall suckers waiting for the next false baseball god to come along and take us allon another hollow ride.
BTW. Here is an interesting link that lists a ton of players who admitted to using some sort of drug to help them play better and in turn take more of our money.
http://www.baseballssteroidera.com/bse-list-steroid-hgh-users-baseball.html#rico-brogna
Phils win 3 of 4 against Mets behind Howard's power and Lee's arm
In his 5th start since being traded to the Phillies Cliff Lee is 5-0 with a mind boggling era of 0.67. Yesterday he took the mound and let up 2 UNearned runs while pitching 7 innings, striking out 5 and not walking anyone. It was a sunny day at Citi Field which made for some unusual errors by both Mets & Phillies players but the Phils all star first baseman wasn't bothered at the plate going deep twice. The first homer by Howard was a 3 run shot to the opposite field, while his 2nd home run of the day was a upper deck bomb to right to knock in 2 more. Howard finished the day going 2 for 5 with 2 homers, and 5 rbi's to lift the first place Phils over the Mets 6-2. The Phillies now hold a 7 game lead in the NL East over the Braves. Now they cross over the western side of Pennsylvania to face the Pirates in a 3 game series. Joe Blanton(8-6) takes the mound for the Phils against Ross Ohlendorf(11-8) tonight at 7:05.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Phillies Legend of the Day
Phils win strange one in NY 9-7, Bruntlett ends 9th inning himself
Driving home from the shore on Sunday I was fortunate enough to listen to the first few innings of the game on the radio. It's always nice to hear the Phils hit two 3 run homers in the 1st and have Oliver Perez not even finish the inning. Pedro came out and did a decent job although he allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings of work. Citi Field you heard some cheers and some boos as Pedro returned to face his former team but most of the cheers were from the thousands of Phillies fans that showed up in New York to support the defending champs. Pedro was a little shaky the first 3 innings but the final 3 innings he pitched he shut down the Mets to hold the Phils lead at 8-4. Jayson Werth continues to swing the bat as he belted his 29th homer of the season. The Mets tried to slowly creep back into the game in the 9th with the score 9-6 and Brad Lidge entering the game. Lidge didn't pitch bad but an error by Howard, then an error by Bruntlett(possibly 2 errors by Easy E) they had men on base and scored a run making it 9-7. With runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out, up stepped Jeff Francoeur and on a 2-2 count the runners took off for a double steal. Francoeur hit a line drive up the middle that looked like a single and possible game tying hit. Bruntlett was in the perfect spot to snare the line drive, step on 2nd base and tag a back peddling Daniel Murphy for the unassisted triple play to end the game. It was only the 2nd one in MLB history to end the game and only the 15th in MLB history. The crowd, players, and announcers were all stunned at what just occurred and it happened so quickly. Bruntlett got a Sunday start to give All-Star 2nd baseman Chase Utley some rest and also got 3 hits on the day to raise his average to a stunning .154. Triple Play or not, please cut him. He stinks. With the win the Phils moved to 21 games over .500 with a 71-50 record. They now hold a 6.5 game lead over the Braves and 7.5 over the Marlins in the NL East. Tonight the General Cliff Lee(4-0) looks to end the series against Bobby Parnell(3-5) at Citi Field.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Heading to the Shore for the Weekend, F*ck the Mets
To all of those Philly faithful that are taking the trip up to New York this weekend, have fun, drink up and support the defending World Champs. Usually there would be fights breaking out in the nose bleed seats and lots of trash talking going on, but the Mets suck this year and they have no hope left. The franchise, team, fan base, everything is a mess. So when you go to the game, enjoy watching the World F*cking Champions play excellent baseball and if a Mets fan gives you any shit, just show em the ring. I will be watching the games down at numerous watering holes at the Jersey Shore....vacation baby.
Go Phils.
Phils Sweep Arizona, Werth & Howard continue Home Run Derby Contest
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Lee dominates D-Backs, takes no hitter into 6th. Phils win 8-1
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
"Two Old Goats" get it done. Phils rattle D-Backs 5-1
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Phillies Legend of The Day
Monday, August 17, 2009
PhillIes Legend Of the Day
Ryan Howard...King of the Long Ball
The Phillies have a off day Monday but they return home for a 3 game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Making his CBP debut is none other then Pedro Martinez(1-0) against Jon Garland(6-10) Tuesday night. Wednesday night should be a doozie with 2 aces on the mound Dan Haren & Cliff Lee battling it out. The series ends on Thursday evening with Country Joe Blanton(7-6) facing off against Doug Davis(7-10). Then its off to shiti field for a 4 game series with the Mets that should have meant something but the Metroplitans just aren't that good this year.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Phils come into the tepee take game 1
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The General Lee Storms through Chi Town...Phils Sweep
Cliff Lee and the boys just finished a three game sweep of the Cubbies with an impressive 6-1 Beatdown. Ryno and Pedro hit four baggers in the top ofthe 4th off of Ryan Dempster and the Phils cruised.
The most impressive thing with Lee so far is not that he has been able to go 8 strong in all of his apperances but the fact that they have been against three of the best teams in the NL (Giants, Rockies,Cubs).
Nobody ever said that repeating would be easy.
Eagles - Pats Rooftop View
But if you want the obvious "keep a look out for Joe Mays" line then take your eyes elsewhere cause this is for readers who truly have no lives. So onto the list:
D-Jax speed within his speed.
All Summer long we have heard about Desean Jackson's second year being explosive. Andy Reid says last year Jackson was playing on pure ability and was trying to fully grasp the system and thus did not know how to fully utilze his speed within the game (parapharsing).
The big story this year is that Jackson is well versed in the ways of the west coast offense and ready to be unleashed. Andy Reid says he is going to be huge, Brian Baldinger picked him to be the NFC's breakout receiver this year and Ray Didinger thinks he is ready to take it to th next level. Will we start to see flashes of that tonight??
Winston Justice at right tackle
Don't groan like some dumbass fan when you read this name. Of course you will think of the Giants game and of course you will say "this guy is a bum" but somthing is different in Justice. I was watching him on Sunday at camp and he was more then holding his own.Some people need time to mature mentally (Cough* Vince Young * Cough) before they can be the person others expect them to be.
Sean Jones play in the secondary
This guy can hit plain and simple. I watched half of Clevelands season last year and he was always around the ball and involved in turnovers. That was for a defense that was beyond dreadful and quit on its coach 20 minutes into the season. This is the perfect system for him and he is going to be making plays.
Special Teams returners
Pay no attention to the coverage units because most of them are just bodies. But who will be returning punts and kicks tonight?? Would you want to sacrifice Jackson to the special teams if he is going to be as good as people say or would you want Maclin back there to see what he has to offer in terms of being a weapon and performing in this league. Also will Demps be returning kickoffs tonight if he is going to start?? If he is viewed as a starter would they risk an injury for a position that right now is in a little bit of transition??
So these are questions you really should be looking at on top of the fairly obvious for tonight.
ENJOY!
Phillis Legend of the day Returns!!!
Pedro Gets The Job Done, Bats Wake Up in 12-5 beating of the Cubs
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Ray Emery gets the idea.....
When the Flyers signed goalie Ray Emery this offseason, everyone knew about his past troubles. Maybe what they didn't know is that Emery knows what Philadelphia fans love, and that is our own hometown hero's. Emery revealed his new goalie mask for the 2009-2010 season and painted on there is 3 of Philly's boxing legends including Bernard "the Executioner" Hopkins, Smokin Joe Frazier and the most famous fictional character in Philadelphia history Rocky holding the American flag after defeating Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. In the upcoming season there will be some ups and downs for the new goalie but Razor Ray Emery could bring back the style of play as one of the most beloved Flyers in franchise history....Ron Hextall. I am posting the over/under for fights that Razor gets in this year at 4. And yes I am praying for the over, along with him getting a ton of wins and leading this team deep into the playoffs and hoisting the Stanley Cup in the air at the very end. Welcome to Philadelphia Ray Emery, you definitely just gained some points with the Flyers faithful and you haven't even played 1 game yet.
Francisco hits GW Homer in 12th, Phils win 4-3
The Phils went to Wrigley this week needing to get back on track and keep ahead of the now surging Florida Marlins. It wouldn't be an easy task with Cubs ace Rich Harden on the mound last night and especially with the sudden offense-less Phillies struggling with runners in scoring position. Harden had a no hitter going into the 6th inning and was holding a 2-0 lead over J.A Happ, who didn't pitch great but didn't pitch bad either. Chooch got on base with a walk and up stepped the captain of the defending world champs Jimmy Rollins. Rollins ripped one through the wind and into the seats in right field to tie the game at 2. With the no-no, no more and the game tied at 2, things were looking better for the WFC. Carlos Marmol helped the Phils out in the 8th by walking Ruiz, hitting Victorino with a pitch, then walking Utley and Howard to give the Phils a 3-2 lead. Why did Piniella keep Marmol in? I don't know, and I don't care. With the lead now, the Phils went to the bullpen to help close things out. Chan Ho Park has been excellent since being in the pen and struck out 2(should have been 3, the umps strike zone was non existent last night) to close the 7th. Madson came in and struck out 2 in the 8th to shut the Cubs down again. Now into the bottom of the 9th and in comes Brad Lidge. I almost wanted to change the channel and not watch hoping that when I flipped back to the game it would be the post game show talking about the Phils win, but no... I like the rest of Phillies nation watched in fear as our closer came into the game. Lidge decides that in order to snap a losing streak you must blow the save in an opposing teams ballpark and go extra innings. Lidge now has an era of 7.29 and whenever I see him on the mound now he just doesn't look right. Where is that look, the look that says I am gonna stike you out and make you look stupid stare? He doesn't have it right now. He hasn't had it since last October. This is worrying me more then the 5th starter mix up, the quiet bats the past week, or the Florida Marlins. Is this guy gonna blow it in the playoffs for us this year? Time will tell and Uncle Charlie will have to decide what to do. The rest of the bullpen after Lidge did a good job with Tyler Walker, Scott Eyre, and Chad Durbin closing it out for the save. But the hero of the night was newly aquired OF Ben Francisco. Francisco was the "extra piece" in the Cliff Lee trade and has helped out more then anyone has expected wearing the red pinstripes. In the 12th Francisco hit a 1-1 pitch into the basket that hangs over the left field wall to pull the Phils ahead 4-3. "Playing winning baseball this late in the season, that's what we all play for," said Francisco, who had been toiling for AL also-ran Cleveland before coming to Philadelphia on July 29. The Phillies are glad to have him as we head to the last few weeks of the season.
Up next for the Phillies is the much anticipated start for Pedro Martinez against Jeff Samardzija(1-1). I wonder why the game is on ESPN tonight??? I know I am not missing this start.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Lets forget about being swept by the Marlins and move ahead to the Cubs.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Lee Wins Home Debut as Phils Win Rubber Match Against Rockies 3-1
Pedro strikes out 11 in 6 innings of work at Double A- reading in Rehab start
Happ-y Days are Here. Phils shut out Rockies 7-0 on Happs gem
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Philadelphia Flyers Legend of the Day
Jeremy Roenick is about to retire this Thursday in San Jose, and we here at Rooftop Bleachers wanted to remember JR and his years as a Flyer. On July 2nd 2001 Jeremy Roenick signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent and played with the orange & black until 2005. Simply known as JR, he was one of the most exciting and vocal players to ever put on the Flyers crest and he was loved by all the Flyers faithful during and after his time here. He played in the NHL for 20 seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and the San Jose Sharks. During his career he finished up with 1216 points, 3rd most among American born NHL players, 513 goals, 703 assists, 9 All Star appearances, and was also a 2 time Olympian for the US. His press conference when he signed with the Flyers was memorable, bear hugging Ed Snider and telling all Flyers fans "Come on! I want to Win!" He was immediately a fan favorite and he backed it up on the ice. Roenick won the Bobby Clarke Award(Team MVP) and Yanick Dupre Memorial(Class Guy) in his first year. We remember the goal he scored in overtime against Toronto in the 2nd round of the playoffs to clinch the series. We remember on Halloween night he dressed up as Bobby Clarke with a wig & jersey during the pre game skate. We remember the interviews, the comments to reporters, the puck to the face and he still played in the playoffs in 2004. During a game in Air Canada Centre he gave Mark Recchi a big kiss when they were both on the kiss cam, also in a interview he sang Reunited to Tony Amonte and Amonte had to leave because he was laughing so hard. Even when he returned to Philly for the first time since being traded he was cheered by the Flyers fans(Something that rarely happens). JR you were one in a million, there is so many great moments you had in your career elsewhere and as a Flyer. I cannot begin to write enough about all of those accomplishments and memories, so enjoy some of the video clips below and think back as Jeremy Roenick, a great Philadelphia Flyer. Today we here at Rooftop Bleachers salute you Jeremy Roenick.
Phils lose 3rd straight, Moyer Struggles
The Phils lost to the wild card chasing Colorado Rockies Tuesday night 8-3, on a night the Phils bats continued to stay quiet with runners in scoring position. Jamie Moyer(10-8) struggled on the mound and gave up 6 earned runs in 5 innings of work. After getting out the Rockies in the first with ease, Moyer then let up a 2 run dinger to Garrett Atkins. The Phils had a chance to do some damage in the 3rd with the bases loaded but Ryan Howard struck out to end the inning. I believe I speak for many Phillies fans when I say it is really hard to watch Jamie Moyer pitch. Everytime he is on the mound he seems to let up a lot of hits which results in some big innings for the opposing batters. If he is not getting certain pitches on the corners called then he is pretty much going to have a bad game. Moyer leads the team in wins this season so far and I have no idea how that is. He is obviously the weak link in this starting rotation but is the type of pitcher who can't throw out of the bullpen because he is labeled as a "starter". Does this mean that we have to pull J.A. Happ out of the rotation and put him in the bullpen? Dumb idea. Happ has been a solid pitcher in this rotation and deserves to be starting games because he has been getting the job done. Now that there is a certain former 3 time Cy Young winner almost ready to make his Phillies debut, I say you skip Moyer's next start and put Martinez in there to see how he does. Can't be as bad as Moyer right? If Martinez stinks the place up, then put Lopez in the rotation for a start. Make these 3 guys fight for that 5th spot in the rotation for the remainder of the season. Get on it Charlie.
In South Philadelphia tonight lefty J.A. Happ(7-2) is on the mound against Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa(9-7) as the Phillies look to snap out of this little losing streak they are on now. Good news is the Marlins blew a lead last night and the Phils still hold a 5 game lead in the NL East.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Will the Real Cole Hamels Please Stand Up??
Colbert Richard Hamels, is this really you? Is the regular season just an extended spring training stint for our young lefty until he dominates once again in the fall? I sure hope so. We know he is gonna be a multiple 20 game winner. We know he is gonna win a few Cy Young awards. Right? Almost 4 years in the bigs for Hamels and he has compiled a 45-29 record as a starter. This season he has had some great performances and then their are games like Sunday where he gets knocked around and makes an early exit. Are we expecting too much from our "Ace"? Is there an injury we are not aware of from our fragile Hollywood Hamels? Or is he saving the best for last? So I ask the question to you fellow fans of the Fightin Phils, Is this what Cole Hamels career is going to be like here in Philadelphia? Average to above average regular season, and a then a MVP caliber postseason. Is that even a bad thing? No. Maybe Little Lefty justs needs the spotlights shining down on him while he is on the big stage to show us that magical change up and that dissapearing curveball. So maybe this is the real Cole Hamels. As long as we get to see more moments like the picture above here in Philadelphia....thats fine with me.
Eagles sign 1st Rounder Maclin, Time to Show up to Camp Kid
So now it's time for the kid to get to work and hopefully this will be the start of a great career in Eagles green.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Stewart Bradley suffers torn ACL....could be out for season
According to reports on 610 and ESPN 950 middle linebacker Stewart Bradley has suffered a torn ACL and could miss all of the 2009 season. Bradley started every game last year including the playoffs and was one of the young players on this Eagles team that contributed in big ways. Bradley was the lone defensive player that had a headset in his helmet for calling the plays. Omar Gaither could be the player to step in a fill the spot at middle linebacker.
Tiger wins 3rd Buick Open gets 69th career PGA Tour Win
Tiger Woods shot a 3 under 69 to win his 3rd Buick Open which was his 4th win of the year in only 11 starts. Oh yeah, that is twice as many as any other player on tour. Overall he was 20 under par at Warwick Hills, with the next best at 17 under for the week. This will be the last time General Motors will be hosting a tournament because they are ending their partnership with the PGA due to financial reasons. Tiger showed a little more emotion then usual towards the crowd tossing his ball into the gallery at 17 and then after 18 launching his ball back down the fairway towards the fans.(Something he rarely does) With this win Tiger moves into first place in the FedEx Cup standings and since the 2006 British Open Tiger has won 21 of 39 starts(54%). Stay tuned for more.
Phils come home after 3-4 West Coast Trip
It wasn't the Phillies pitching that was a problem this past week on the West Coast trip in Arizona & San Fran, it was knocking runners across home plate. The Phillies have a day off before they start a 6 game home stand with 2 teams that are fighting for a spot in the playoffs. First up they face the Colorado Rockies who are battling for that last wild card spot with the Giants. Then we face our division foes the Florida Marlins who we currently hold a 5 game lead on. Over the weekend newly aquired pitcher Cliff "General" Lee looked untouchable throwing a no-no through 5 1/3 innings and only allowing 1 run during his complete game. Cole Hamels didn't look so good yesterday getting roughed up and pulled in the 5th. This was Hamels first bad outing in over a month so hopefully this was just a little bump in the road to October. Joe Blanton has been pitching like an ace as of late and went head to head with pitching phenom Tim Linecum. Blanton pitched well but the Phils couldn't knock in any runs against the Cy Young pitcher even after succesfully hitting the ball against him. Well the Phils fly back to the east coast and head home to CBP with Jamie Moyer(10-7) on the mound against Jason Hammel(5-6) Tuesday night in South Philadelphia.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Phils get Cy Young winner Cliff Lee in trade
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Hamels beats Haren in NL showdown, Phils win 4-3. Get brooms ready...
Jim Johnson, Defensive Genius Passes Away. 1941-2009
On July 28th 2009 Jim Johnson, lost his battle with cancer and passed away. Just a few days ago the Eagles announced that Sean McDermott would be Johnson's replacement as Defensive Coordinator while Johnson was getting treatment for his cancer. Training camp just opened up a few days ago and it was the first without JJ in over a decade. Johnson served as one of the best coordinators in the league since his arrival in Philly back in 1999 and turned down some head coaching positions in the NFL to stay in Philadelphia. Many outsiders may look at the success of the Philadelphia Eagles over the past 10 years and say it was Andy Reid who brought the winning pedigree to Philadelphia but most know that it was Jim Johnson and his blitz happy defensive schemes. Johnson was quoted as saying "It was around 1994 or '95, when I was with the Colts, and we were playing against San Francisco with Steve Young running the West Coast offense, releasing receivers all the time, guys getting by you. The idea was don't let these people dictate to you. You have to put more pressure [on the quarterback], and every year we tried to figure out how to do that." From then on Johnson's plan was to attack the quarterback from everywhere on the field. He blitzed more then any other coach in the league. Players who played for him loved him and loved playing for him. In his tenure as an Eagles coach players have been selected to 26 Pro Bowls, Brian Dawkins led the way with 7. Others to go to the Pro Bowl while under Johnson in an Eagles uniform are, Troy Vincent(5), Jeremiah Trotter(4), Hugh Douglas(3), Lito Sheppard(2) and Trent Cole, Michael Lewis, Asante Samuel, Corey Simon, and Bobby Taylor each with one. Quarterbacks in the NFC East and around the league feared everytime they stepped onto the field against a Jim Johnson Eagles defense. Jim Johnson will be missed and in the word's of Jake Taylor in Major League, "I guess there is only one thing left to do......win the whole fucking thing" Eagles, lets win a Super Bowl for the man who created one of the best defenses in the league with the players he coached himself.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Phils beat Triple A Diamondbacks 6-2 behind Old Man Moyer
The Phillies started out there west coast trip this week on the right foot and beat the defense-less Diamondbacks 6-2. Jamie Moyer pitched 6 2/3 innings not allowing a run and striking out 5. Watching the game last night it seemed like every inning Moyer had runners on base or even the bases loaded but the crafty lefty did what he always does and got the job done. Ryan Howard got things going in the 4th inning with a 2 run blast(26th of the year) and the Phillies piled on a few more runs in the 6th inning with a little help from the D-backs infield who are still working on the fundamentals of fielding a baseball. The Phils now hold a 7 game lead on the Braves and Marlins in the NL East and are 57-40 on the year. Tonight lefty Cole Hamels(6-5) battles the D-backs ace Dan Haren(10-5). Another late night summer game for all of us Phillies fans....doesn't get much better.