Heard In The Bleachers (Late Night Addition)

* Flyers sign Leighton to 2 year 3 million dollar contract.
http://www.csnphilly.com/06/30/10/Leighton-Inks-Two-Year-Deal-With-Flyers/landing.html?blockID=263695&feedID=704

RTB Take: GOOD MOVE!! Better to dance with the date you brought... Now trade Carter, beef up the defense (**cough** Ottowa's Volchenkov **cough**) and wait for the Parade!

* Happ still not ready. Worried Yet??
http://www.csnphilly.com/06/30/10/Phils-Remain-Concerned-About-Happs-Readi/landing.html?blockID=263671&feedID=704
RTB Take: REAL WORRIED!!

* Nuggets might trade Carmelo Anthony. Solid move if you think about it. After this year I don't think any other franchise wants to be put in the same situation that Cleveland is in right now. To quote a friend " Lebron James is like Cleveland's Wife who all of a sudden likes to bang other guys why Cleveland sits there in the corner crying their eyes out with their hand down their pants watching..."
RTB Take: EXACTLY LIKE THAT!!!

* Um....Roy Halladay is 5-7 since he won four straight to start the season....Should we have checked under the hood before we bought this car??
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20100630_Reds_beat_Phillies__Halladay__4-3.html
RTB Take: Getting real tired of seeing Halladay come up small in big early season games.

* Also Cliff Lee is not coming back to the Phillies. OK out of ideas, going nowhere Daily News Staff!
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/Sports_Video_PHILLIES.html

Are You Really Going To Sue The Phillie Phanatic???

http://www.the700level.com/2010/06/woman-sues-the-phillie-phanatic.html

Dom's first AAA homer

VOTE NOW

Tomorrow night is the deadline to vote for the MLB All-Star game. Chase Utley holds a commanding lead at 2nd base while Placido Polanco is barely hanging on at 3rd by 20,000 votes over Mets 3rd baseman David Wright. Jimmy Rollins is in 2nd behind Hanley Ramirez, and so is Ryan Howard behind Albert Pujols. Jayson Werth is 4th among outfielders and Shane Victorino is 6th. Carlos Ruiz is 4th among all NL catchers. Fans can vote up to 25 times each.(If you have more then 1 email account you can vote more). So follow the link below and vote for all the Phillies on the ballot. You don't want to see a Met starting instead of a Phillie do you?

http://mlb.mlb.com/index.jsp

Randall Cunningham's 2 year old son dies

Awful news that Cunningham's 2 year old son drown at his home in Las Vegas. Randall was and always will be one of my all time favorite Eagles. Condolences go out to him and his family.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/homepage/97481504.html

Phils Beat Reds In the 10th, 9-6

Brad Lidge of 2008 started the 9th inning but then the ghost of 2009 showed up. Lidge let up a tying 3 run blast to Joey Votto that put the game into extra innings. The Phillies were in control of this game until that point with Country Joe Blanton starting to get back to form. Fat Joe pitched 7 2/3 innings only allowing 3 earned runs on 8 hits. Jose Contreras came in and got the final out for the 8th inning and the Phils had a 3 run lead going into the 9th. Lidge got the first 2 outs then walked Brandon Phillips and let up a single to Orlando Cabrera, then Votto did his damage only before Lidge got the 3rd out in 9th.
Earlier in the game 2 bench players filling in for the injury plagued Phils stepped up offensively and each belted 3 run homers. Brian Schneider hit one in the 2nd to take a 3-1 lead with Howard & Werth on base. Wilson Valdez who started at 2nd for the first time this season, although it seems like he has been in the starting line-up most of the season somewhere in the infield, hit a 3 run shot in the 4th for the Phils to increase the lead to 6-1. Then the Reds crawled back with some help from Brad Lidge.
Heading into the 10th inning was Arthur Rhodes who had 33 straight scoreless appearances for the Reds this season which is a major league season record. Ryan Howard started the inning off with a lead off double and Jayson Werth walked next. Then Raul Ibanez doubled off the glove of Drew Stubbs who juggled the ball off the centerfield wall and Howard scored to take the lead. A few more runs were knocked in and the Phils had a 9-6 lead with JC Romero closing out the game for his 3rd save in 4 tries.
Charlie Manuel was ejected in the last inning for arguing balls & strikes with home plate ump C.B. Bucknor. Bucknor looked to be calling very low strikes and Manuel was pissed that he wasn't calling it for both sides. Manuel let him have it and it may have appeared that his hat bumped Bucknor.
Tonight Roy Halladay takes on Aaron Harang in the rubber match.

Phillies called up Greg Dobbs and infielder Brian Bocock from Triple A for the game.

The Phillies are 2.5 games behind the Braves in the NL East.

Flyers News

Just read the chat transcript from Pannchio at CSNphilly. Said that the Kings asked for Jeff Carter to begin trade talks for either one of their goalies and Flyers balked. Also intersteing take on a senators d-lineman....

http://www.csnphilly.com/06/29/10/Tim-Panaccio-Flyers-Chat-Transcript/landing.html?blockID=262892&feedID=704

Utley and Polanco to the DL

ESPN's Jerry Cransick is reporting that sources tell him the Phils are putting Chase Utley and Placido Polanco on the DL later today. DAMN!! Get Iguchi on the phone!

Tee Times for Aronimink, Tiger after Lunch...

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/homepage/20100629_Tigers_tee_times_set.html

Domonic Brown #1 Prospect in Baseball

Now that Stephen Strasburg has entered the majors there is a new player at the top of the prospect list, and that player is none other then the Phillies own Domonic Brown. Here is what ESPN's Keith Law states about #1 prospect Brown....

"Is there anything he can't do? He's destroying everything in his path in Double-A and is probably just some defensive refinements from being big league ready. I don't think he's next off the list for the big leagues, but with Raul Ibanez providing below average offense and defense in left, I'd have to think the Phils are looking at Brown for a second half call-up." Previous rank #7

I am hoping they call him up for the 2nd half. This kid looks like an offense machine with speed and could ignite a spark for this team in the closing weeks of the season even if it is just coming off the bench or for 1 or 2 starts a week replacing Ibanez.

Phils - Orioles taking a peek at each other...

CSN is reporting that the Phils and O's have been scouting each other trade wise....Jeremy Guthrie as a fifth starter....interesting...

http://www.csnphilly.com/06/28/10/Phillies-Orioles-Shaping-up-as-Trade-Par/landing.html?blockID=262407&feedID=704

Heard in the Bleachers

* ESPN reports that Lebron, Wade and Bosh to all play for the Heat after super secret meeting at the Hall of Justice...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5338472

* Flyers deny report that they made offer to Marty Turco....Thank God!!
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20100629_Sources__Flyers_never_made_offer_to_Turco.html

* Jamie Moyer Hall of Famer???
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20100629_Bill_Conlin__Jamie_Moyer_a_Hall_of_Famer_.html

*Chad Millman has a formula that will show where Lebron will show up....One Question....who the Hell is Chad Millman???
http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/blog?name=millman_chad&id=5339548

* Carlos Zambrano's Future with the Cubs looks real bleak....Good.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/features/rumors

* Disney is making a sequel to Roger Rabbitt??
http://movies.ign.com/articles/100/1006704p1.html

The PGA Tour Invades Newtown Square, Aronimink Golf Club

AT&T National Tournament will be hosted by Aronimink Golf Club this week as the Philadelphia area has not had a major tournament like this in years. First thing you need to know. Tiger Woods is the defending champion. He will be here to defend his title. If that isn't enough to get you out to the golf course and check out one of the greatest golfers in the history of the game, then you probably hate golf and think it is a sport for old men in bucket hats and funny pants. Then stop reading and ignore the link below listing times and news on the event. When the tee times are available tomorrow I will post them as well.

http://www.attnational.org/home/default.sps

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/golf/97286494.html

Lenny Dykstra did Steroids?

Lenny Dykstra was one of my favorite players on that 93 Phils team. How could you not like a guy nicknamed "Nails"??? But over the past few years this guy has become a disgrace. Here is the link to him saying he was a pioneer of "juicing". Enjoy...

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-06-28/lenny-dykstra-admits-being-steroids-pioneer-according-to-the-zeroes/

Phils drop 1st game to Reds 7-3, Utley to get MRI on thumb

The Cincinatti Reds have been a hot team lately winning 6 out of there last 7 to stay atop the NL Central. Johnny Cueto redeemed himself from his previous start against the Phillies and only allowed 6 hits and 1 earned run on the evening throwing 8 innings of baseball. Scott Rolen hit his 300th career home run against his former team and was trying to be all cute and everything by saying "I actually wanted to do it yesterday with my parents celebrating there 45th wedding anniversary" You are such a bad son Scott. I hope your parents disown you now because you didn't hit a home run on there wedding anniversary.
Kyle Kendrick started the game solid retiring the first 10 batters before things started to go south after Rolens 2 run blast in the 4th inning. Kendrick ended up giving 5 earned runs before being yanked in the 7th. It wasn't a horrible start but the Reds hitters found him out finally and started pulling away. Ryan Howard had a double and a triple with Raul Ibanez hitting a 2 run shot in the 9th but the Reds finally closed the game down.
In the 4th inning Chase Utley tried stretching out a single and was tagged out on a throw from center fielder Drew Stubbs at 2nd which was a great throw but it appeared Utley was safe. Utley jammed his right thumb on the play but wasn't pulled until the 9th for a pinch hitter. Chase will get some tests done today on the thumb, and we find out the results we will let ou guys know.
Charlie Manuel said "We hit some balls hard and they made some plays. We had some freak things happen to us as far as the game."
It was that type of night for the Fightins and they hope to get a W tonight with Joe Blanton facing rookie Mike Leake on the mound.

Phillies vs Reds June 28-30

The Phils head over to Cincinatti to take on the 1st place Reds in a 3 game series starting at 7:10 this evening. Here is a look at the probable starters in the Great American Ball Park....

Monday June 28

Kyle Kendrick RHP (4-2, 4.71) vs Johnny Cueto RHP (7-2, 3.79)

Will the real Kyle Kendrick please stand up? Maybe I should refrain that, will Kyle Kendrick just pitch solid consistent baseball. At least until J.A. Happ is back in the rotation. Lets also hope the Phils repeat what they did to Cueto last time around when he was yanked after 2/3 innings and the Phils put up 9 runs against him.

Tuesday June 29

Joe Blanton RHP (3-5, 6.53) vs Mike Leake RHP (5-1, 2.92)

Is Joe Blanton back? Mr. 7 solid innings with only allowing 3 runs every start Mr. Blanton would be great if he showed up to this dinner party. The right handed rookie Leake was held back 2 days to lessen his work load and it seemed to help his last outing allowing only 1 run in 6 innings. Lets hope the Phillies bats keep ahead of Fat Joes earned runs in this one as well.

Wednesday June 30

Roy Halladay RHP (9-6, 2.29) vs To Be Announced

Doc looks to be returning to form again as well after a 7 inning scoreless game against his former franchise. The win stopped a 3 game losing streak but the bats were silent for those starts so Doc gets a pass. I don't know much about this To Be Announced person but chances are Doc takes this game as well

Cliff Lee Watch

via MLBTraderumors.com:

The Mets will be in on Seattle ace Cliff Lee - that appears certain. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Omar Minaya has notified Jack Zduriencik of his interest, and the Mets are scouting Lee's starts.
Contrary to a Kevin Burkhardt report last night, Sherman says the Mets "would not need a negotiating window to sign Lee long-term even if it includes top prospect Jenrry Mejia in a package." However, between the injuries to potential trade chips Mejia and Angel Pagan and the ownership approval needed to pull the trigger, Minaya faces hurdles in acquiring Lee.
Sherman writes "the Mets have little interest" in Roy Oswalt and Fausto Carmona. Instead, Cubs southpaw Ted Lilly might head up their list of Lee alternatives. Lilly has been excellent since signing a four-year, $40MM deal with the Cubs in December of '06. The contract has about $6.4MM remaining. Though Lilly profiles as a Type A free agent after the season, an arbitration offer is in question. I doubt Lilly's limited no-trade provision will be an obstacle, as he's probably eager to return to the playoffs. The Cubs have about a month to decide whether to cash in their chips, and Lilly is their best one.


RTBs Take: He won't be going to the Mets. In our opinion he will be a Texas Ranger by August..Mets only have one passable prospect and that is Mejie while the Rangers have the best farm system in the Minors.

But if he does head to Flushing.....

Phillies Legend of the Week

To go along with the many changes here for RTBs we have decided to honor our Phillies legend with an entire week instead of just 24 measly hours. So to kick off our return we give you....



Kim Batiste!!



If one person defines the term "Goat to Hero" in Phillies lore it is indeed Kim Batiste. Lets take you back...



After blowing the lead in the top of the ninth with a throwing error Batiste, who was labeled in the 1993 team highlight video as a "defensive specialist" came to the plate..... What would happen next would not only lead to one of the most magical moments in Phillies history but also one of the greatest Daily News Photo pullouts ever known...





Facing Braves reliver Greg McMichael and with The Kruker on base the future Atlantic City Surf star (for 12 games) would line a double past Terry Pendleton to score the game winner and halt any ideas of his friendly Philadelphia neighbors covering his house in a monsoon of eggs.



For so much Mr. Batiste we are greatful and for that take the rest of the week off!!

Heard in the Bleachers

* In his chat session today Bob Cooney believes that the Sixers will still trade Iguodala but not until the season starts and also had these hidden Nuggets about the Sixers off season:

Thad Young looks like he has bulked up while Maurice Speights looks like he has lost roughly about 20 pounds to prepare for this year
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/Chat_Sixers_with_Bob_Cooney_0628.html

* Nick Kypreos has claimed that any Evgeni Nabokov deal with the Flyers before he hits free agency is off... via the 700 level.
http://www.the700level.com/2010/06/nabokov-talks-dead-on-arrival.html#more

* PPL park opened last night to a Union win...It might end up being the one (if only) nice thing about all of Chester

* 5 teams look to meet with Lebron James on the first day of free agency Thursday...the Sixers are not one of them

* Jamie Moyer has another stellar performance vs. the Blue Jays scoring his 9th Vvictory of the year....when will the steriod rumors start to kick up??

We're Back!!

Old Man Moyer deals another win as Phils take series from Blue Jays

47 year old Jamie Moyer hit the mound again on Sunday afternoon and delivered another victory for the Phillies. The 11-2 win helped the Phils take the series from Toronto and ended interleague play with a 9-9 record. The win was 8 out of the past 11 for Philadelphia and they are now 2.5 games behind the Bravos and still trail the Mets by 2 games in the NL East. The weather is getting hotter and hotter on the East Coast and the bats seem to be getting hot now as well. But Sunday was Moyer's day, and it seems like everytime he makes a start he passes another milestone. Moyer let up a 2 run homer to Vernon Wells in the 3rd which was the 506th home run allowed by Moyer in his major league career the most ever by a pitcher. Not the type of record as a kid you look forward to owning some day but it just shows the longevity of a player who has been in the big leagues for 4 decades now. He also became the 40th pitcher in the leagues history to clock 4,000 innings. The old lefty is now one win of tying Jim Palmer for 34th place in career victories with his 267th win. The man continues to baffle everyone and defy the odds of what a 47 year old man is allowed to do.
The bats got hot in the 2nd with Dane Sardinha hitting a 2 run double followed by rbi singles from Ben Francisco & Jimmy Rollins to take the lead 4-0. The Jays cut that lead in half the following inning but that is all they could do at the plate as the Fightins slowly beat them down as the game went on. Ryan Howard scored 3 runs on the day and several Phillies had great offensive games with J-Roll, Victorino and Francisco having 3 hits each.
The Phillies have now scored 75 runs in the past 11 games as this team has showed in the past when the weather gets hot, so do they. Now the Phils head to Cincinatti for a 3 game set with the Reds who hold a half game lead in the NL Central. Lets hope the Fightins continue the hot bats and solid pitching as they try to narrow the gap in the NL East.

Rooftop Bleachers will be returning soon.....

After a long, long break I am pleased to announce the return of Rooftop Bleachers in the upcoming days. Due to work and personal conflicts the site was shut down because the staff just didn't have enough time to put out quality posts that we felt were deserving of our fans and to ourselves. Now with a renewed energy our staff is ready to recommit ourselves and share our passion and love for the Phillies and all things Philly sports. Starting Monday June 28th the posts will be rolling out regularly. Videos, stats, opinions, game recaps and the favorite "Legend of the Day" will all be here for your enjoyment and for you to chime in on. So again sorry for the long break but we will be back....and better then ever.

Stock