It wasn't easy, but the Phillies took three out of four from the Cincinnati Reds this week. It took a 19 inning affair in which Wilson Valdez pitched a scoreless inning to pick-up the victory (I was in attendance; rough day at work yesterday), and a rally on an extremely hot day yesterday after blowing a lead.
The Phils (31-19) remain just one game in front of the Florida Marlins who just keep winning. The scuffling Reds fell to third place in the Central, four games behind the front-running Cardinals.
Already leading 1-0 in the third yesterday, Raul Ibanez continued to swing a hot stick, blasting a three-shot shot to put the Phils in front 4-0. With Cliff Lee on the mound, the game seemed over. Cincinnati had just suffered that marathon loss, and were trailing Lee on an extremely hot and a getaway day. Most teams would have thrown in the towel. The Reds decided to rally.
A Paul Janish two-run single in the fourth closed the gap to two, and the red hot Jay Bruce's two-run homer in the sixth tied it.
The Phils came right back in the sixth with an answer of their own. The bottom of the lineup worked the bases loaded with no out for Lee. He stepped to the plate and smoked the first pitch he saw to deep center-field, which went for a two-run ground-rule double.
They took a 7-4 lead that inning and would eventually take the game 10-4. Lee added an RBI single in the seventh, and Chase Utley hit his first home run of the year in the eighth.
Every regular had at least one hit, and Lee ended up striking out eight over eight solid innings. Jose Contreras made his return from the DL to pitch a one-two-three ninth with one strikeout.
It's the second time this series the Phillies scored double digit runs.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Reds even series at 1
Ryan Madson hit his first speed bump of the season last night. Entering last night's contest, he was sporting a 0.47 ERA with nine saves in as many opportunities. With the game knotted at three in the top of the ninth, Madson got the call.
He ended up allowed three runs on three hits and one walk, handing Cincinnati a 6-3 victory.
With one out and no one on, Drew Stubbs layed down a bunt. Madson hurried off the mound and threw the ball away, allowing Stubbs to reach second. It was ruled a single and an error on Madson, but had he let Placido Polanco, who was in a much better position to make the play, Polly might have nailed him.
With two outs, after an intentional walk to Joey Votto and a Scott Rolen single, Jay Bruce hit a bases clearing double to center, sealing the win.
Madson took his first loss of the season, rising his ERA to 1.80.
The Phillies led for the first part of the game. After Votto scored in the first on a bloop single from Scott Rolen, which Vance Worley made a terrific pitch busting him in, the Phils responded in the second.
Raul Ibanez hit an RBI double and Domonic Brown put them in front 2-1 with a sacrifice fly. Carlos Ruiz tacked on a run in the fourth with an RBI double.
The Reds rallied to tie the game in the fifth, thanks in large part to a Johnny Cueto lead-off walk.
Worley pitched pretty well but had some hard luck, Cincinnati found some holes and blooped some balls into no man's land. He ended up going five, allowing three runs on six hits, four walks and three strikeouts.
Chase Utley got his first hit of the season, going 1-for-4. He's 1-for-9 (.111) through two games.
Ruiz continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, raising his average to .256.
Roy Halladay takes the mound tonight against Travis Wood, leaving a good chance that Utley gets his first day off since his call-up, with a lefty on the mound.
He ended up allowed three runs on three hits and one walk, handing Cincinnati a 6-3 victory.
With one out and no one on, Drew Stubbs layed down a bunt. Madson hurried off the mound and threw the ball away, allowing Stubbs to reach second. It was ruled a single and an error on Madson, but had he let Placido Polanco, who was in a much better position to make the play, Polly might have nailed him.
With two outs, after an intentional walk to Joey Votto and a Scott Rolen single, Jay Bruce hit a bases clearing double to center, sealing the win.
Madson took his first loss of the season, rising his ERA to 1.80.
The Phillies led for the first part of the game. After Votto scored in the first on a bloop single from Scott Rolen, which Vance Worley made a terrific pitch busting him in, the Phils responded in the second.
Raul Ibanez hit an RBI double and Domonic Brown put them in front 2-1 with a sacrifice fly. Carlos Ruiz tacked on a run in the fourth with an RBI double.
The Reds rallied to tie the game in the fifth, thanks in large part to a Johnny Cueto lead-off walk.
Worley pitched pretty well but had some hard luck, Cincinnati found some holes and blooped some balls into no man's land. He ended up going five, allowing three runs on six hits, four walks and three strikeouts.
Chase Utley got his first hit of the season, going 1-for-4. He's 1-for-9 (.111) through two games.
Ruiz continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, raising his average to .256.
Roy Halladay takes the mound tonight against Travis Wood, leaving a good chance that Utley gets his first day off since his call-up, with a lefty on the mound.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Bats explode as Utley returns
Last night was all about Chase Utley. And while he may have gone 0-for-5 at the dish, his presence was felt in the lineup as the bats woke from their slumber, slugging home ten runs in a 10-3 victory.
It's the first time they've posted double digit runs since a 10-3 victory over the Mets on April 29. It also ended a stretch of nine straight games of three runs scored or less. They went 3-6 over that period.
The bottom of the first last night brought quite a scene at Citizen's Bank Park. After Jimmy Rollins led-off with a single, Utley stepped to the dish in the uncustomary second hole to a standing ovation. There was a clear excitement among Phillies' fans, bringing electricity to the air. Utley got a fastball to hit and ripped it to center, but the defense had him played perfectly.
Placido Polanco finished with a two-run home run, his third home run of the season, and the Phillies never looked back.
The Phils put a seven spot in the board in the third, highlighted by a Jimmy Rollins three-run blast to right, his third of the year, putting the Phillies in front 9-0. With a dominant Cole Hamels on the mound, the game appeared to be wrapped up.
But Cincinnati answered in the fourth when Jay Bruce jacked a three-run shot of his own off the right-field foul pole.
Raul Ibanez's fifth home run of the year, this one to straight away center, got one run back for the Phils and capped the scoring for the ballgame.
Hamels went six innings, allowing three runs on five hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Michael Stutes, Antonio Bastardo and Danys Baez each pitched a solid scoreless inning in relief.
Bronson Arroyo on the other hand had by far his worst start of the season. Lasting just 2.2 innings, he allowed nine runs on ten hits, one walk and two strikeouts.
Every Phillies' starter had at least one hit, with the exception of Utley. They had six extra base hits: homers from Polanco, Rollins and Ibanez and doubles from Domonic Brown, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz. Chooch was 3-for-3 with a walk.
Weather permitting, Vance Worley takes the mound tonight against Johnny Cueto.
It's the first time they've posted double digit runs since a 10-3 victory over the Mets on April 29. It also ended a stretch of nine straight games of three runs scored or less. They went 3-6 over that period.
The bottom of the first last night brought quite a scene at Citizen's Bank Park. After Jimmy Rollins led-off with a single, Utley stepped to the dish in the uncustomary second hole to a standing ovation. There was a clear excitement among Phillies' fans, bringing electricity to the air. Utley got a fastball to hit and ripped it to center, but the defense had him played perfectly.
Placido Polanco finished with a two-run home run, his third home run of the season, and the Phillies never looked back.
The Phils put a seven spot in the board in the third, highlighted by a Jimmy Rollins three-run blast to right, his third of the year, putting the Phillies in front 9-0. With a dominant Cole Hamels on the mound, the game appeared to be wrapped up.
But Cincinnati answered in the fourth when Jay Bruce jacked a three-run shot of his own off the right-field foul pole.
Raul Ibanez's fifth home run of the year, this one to straight away center, got one run back for the Phils and capped the scoring for the ballgame.
Hamels went six innings, allowing three runs on five hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Michael Stutes, Antonio Bastardo and Danys Baez each pitched a solid scoreless inning in relief.
Bronson Arroyo on the other hand had by far his worst start of the season. Lasting just 2.2 innings, he allowed nine runs on ten hits, one walk and two strikeouts.
Every Phillies' starter had at least one hit, with the exception of Utley. They had six extra base hits: homers from Polanco, Rollins and Ibanez and doubles from Domonic Brown, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz. Chooch was 3-for-3 with a walk.
Weather permitting, Vance Worley takes the mound tonight against Johnny Cueto.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Phils take two of three, set for Cincy and Utley's return
Despite scoring just five runs against the Rangers over the weekend, the Phillies took two of three from Texas. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee were tremendous in 3-2 and 2-0 wins respectively. Roy Oswalt took the tough luck 2-0 loss in the finale yesterday.
The lineup will receive quite a boost tonight as Chase Utley is expected to make his season debut, and bat third in the lineup. Domonic Brown should also make his second start of the season, with an opposing right handed pitcher taking the mound.
Cole Hamels is on the mound for the Phillies tonight, facing the Reds, who are coming off a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians, for the first time since he ended their 2010 season with a five-hit complete game shutout in Game 3 of the NLDS. Here's a look at the match-ups:
Tonight: Bronson Arroyo (3-4 4.11) vs. Hamels (5-2 2.92)
Tuesday: Johnny Cueto (2-1 1.45) vs. Vance Worley (2-0 1.13)
Worley gets the call with Joe Blanton heading back to the DL. The Phillies loved what they've seen from Worley, and for good reason. As a starter this year, his ERA is 0.75.
Cueto didn't make his first start of the year until May 8 against the Cubs, but what a start he's off to. Picking up wins in his first two starts against the Cubs and Cardinals without allowing an earned run, Cueto lasted just five innings in his last start against the Pirates. He only allowed three runs, but he also walked three and had thrown 94 pitches. Cueto can be a little wild, but he has great stuff and can rack up the K's.
Wednesday: Travis Wood (3-3 5.17) vs. Halladay (6-3 2.21)
Wood took a perfect game into the ninth inning in Philadelphia before losing it. He also carried a no-hitter into the sixth against the Indians in his last start, but imploded after losing the no-no. He didn't retire a hitter in that sixth frame.
Halladay finally got back into the 'W' column after losing two straight despite pitching complete games in both outings. He was dominant in a 3-2 win over Texas.
Thursday: Homer Bailey (3-1 2.08) vs. Lee (3-4 3.38)
Bailey has started just four games this season but he has been terrific. He beat Houston twice in a row and the then the Cubs, allowing one, zero and three earned runs respectively. He took the loss in his last start, allowing two runs over seven innings against Cleveland. He had retired 17 of 18 batters in the seventh when Travis Buck jacked a two-run shot off Bailey.
Lee was thrilled to get his first win since April 14 when he blanked his former team on Saturday, fanning ten in the process.
Surprisingly to me at least, the Phillies optioned Pete Orr to Triple-A to make room for Utley. While Orr is not having a tremendous year, he's more valuable than Michael Martinez. Orr has a ton of speed and Major League experience. He's hitting .230 with three doubles, three RBI, five walks, ten strikeouts and a stolen base. Martinez is batting just .194 with no extra base hits, one RBI, two walks, nine strikeouts and no steals. If they'd Martinez instead of Orr, they'd have to offer him back to his former team. At this point, he doesn't seem like he can help this club too much though.
The lineup will receive quite a boost tonight as Chase Utley is expected to make his season debut, and bat third in the lineup. Domonic Brown should also make his second start of the season, with an opposing right handed pitcher taking the mound.
Cole Hamels is on the mound for the Phillies tonight, facing the Reds, who are coming off a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians, for the first time since he ended their 2010 season with a five-hit complete game shutout in Game 3 of the NLDS. Here's a look at the match-ups:
Tonight: Bronson Arroyo (3-4 4.11) vs. Hamels (5-2 2.92)
Tuesday: Johnny Cueto (2-1 1.45) vs. Vance Worley (2-0 1.13)
Worley gets the call with Joe Blanton heading back to the DL. The Phillies loved what they've seen from Worley, and for good reason. As a starter this year, his ERA is 0.75.
Cueto didn't make his first start of the year until May 8 against the Cubs, but what a start he's off to. Picking up wins in his first two starts against the Cubs and Cardinals without allowing an earned run, Cueto lasted just five innings in his last start against the Pirates. He only allowed three runs, but he also walked three and had thrown 94 pitches. Cueto can be a little wild, but he has great stuff and can rack up the K's.
Wednesday: Travis Wood (3-3 5.17) vs. Halladay (6-3 2.21)
Wood took a perfect game into the ninth inning in Philadelphia before losing it. He also carried a no-hitter into the sixth against the Indians in his last start, but imploded after losing the no-no. He didn't retire a hitter in that sixth frame.
Halladay finally got back into the 'W' column after losing two straight despite pitching complete games in both outings. He was dominant in a 3-2 win over Texas.
Thursday: Homer Bailey (3-1 2.08) vs. Lee (3-4 3.38)
Bailey has started just four games this season but he has been terrific. He beat Houston twice in a row and the then the Cubs, allowing one, zero and three earned runs respectively. He took the loss in his last start, allowing two runs over seven innings against Cleveland. He had retired 17 of 18 batters in the seventh when Travis Buck jacked a two-run shot off Bailey.
Lee was thrilled to get his first win since April 14 when he blanked his former team on Saturday, fanning ten in the process.
Surprisingly to me at least, the Phillies optioned Pete Orr to Triple-A to make room for Utley. While Orr is not having a tremendous year, he's more valuable than Michael Martinez. Orr has a ton of speed and Major League experience. He's hitting .230 with three doubles, three RBI, five walks, ten strikeouts and a stolen base. Martinez is batting just .194 with no extra base hits, one RBI, two walks, nine strikeouts and no steals. If they'd Martinez instead of Orr, they'd have to offer him back to his former team. At this point, he doesn't seem like he can help this club too much though.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Lee faces former squad, Brown batting second
With Cliff Lee on the mound against his former team in search of his first win since April 14, Domonic Brown is in the lineup and batting second:
1. J. Rollins, SS
2. D. Brown, RF
3. P. Polanco, 3B
4. R. Howard, 1B
5. R. Ibanez, LF
6. C. Ruiz, C
7. J. Mayberry, CF
8. W. Valdez, 2B
9. C. Lee, P
After Roy Halladay pitched a strong game in defeating Texas last night, highlighted by home runs from Ben Fracisco and Raul Ibanez, the Phillies are looking to clinch the series win tonight. Colby Lewis (4-4 3.80) opposes Lee (2-4 3.83)
1. J. Rollins, SS
2. D. Brown, RF
3. P. Polanco, 3B
4. R. Howard, 1B
5. R. Ibanez, LF
6. C. Ruiz, C
7. J. Mayberry, CF
8. W. Valdez, 2B
9. C. Lee, P
After Roy Halladay pitched a strong game in defeating Texas last night, highlighted by home runs from Ben Fracisco and Raul Ibanez, the Phillies are looking to clinch the series win tonight. Colby Lewis (4-4 3.80) opposes Lee (2-4 3.83)
Friday, May 20, 2011
Vic to the DL, Brown promoted
Domonic Brown was promoted to the big league club to replace ailing Shane Victorino who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
In eleven games for Lehigh Valley, Brown was hitting .341 with two home runs and ten RBI. It's unclear if he'll be available for tonight's game against Texas.
David Herndon was also recalled, while Scott Mathieson was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.
In eleven games for Lehigh Valley, Brown was hitting .341 with two home runs and ten RBI. It's unclear if he'll be available for tonight's game against Texas.
David Herndon was also recalled, while Scott Mathieson was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Offense continues to sputter versus Cardinals
The Phillies' anemic offense continued at Busch Stadium as the Cardinals swept the short two-game set.
The Phils scored a total of two runs, dropping the opener 3-1 and last night's game 2-1. Truth is, they should have been shutout.
John Mayberry scored the lone run in the opener, after stealing second and scoring on a Ben Francisco RBI single. The only problem was: Mayberry was out. The tag beat him but the Phils caught a break as he was called safe. It put them ahead 1-0 at the time, but Cliff Lee wasn't able to hold the Cards off the board, taking another tough luck loss.
Roy Oswalt was outstanding in his return last night, dueling against Jaime Garcia who is having a tremendous season for St. Louis. The Phils managed to tie the game in the eighth when Tyler Greene, who'd been inserted into the game as a defensive replacement, dropped an easy pop-up off the bat of Jimmy Rollins. A Michael Martinez single and Placido Polanco sac fly later, the Phils had scored their first run of the game.
Danys Baez had a terrible bottom of the ninth though, loading the bases with no one out. After forcing Matt Holliday into a fielders choice out at the plate, J.C. Romero entered and threw one pitch to Lance Berkman, which he blasted to center for a walk-off RBI single.
These offensive struggles are becoming a real concern. Hopefully reinforcements are coming soon. They hope to have Shane Victorino back off the shelf soon, while Chase Utley and Domonic Brown could be nearing a call-up.
The Phils scored a total of two runs, dropping the opener 3-1 and last night's game 2-1. Truth is, they should have been shutout.
John Mayberry scored the lone run in the opener, after stealing second and scoring on a Ben Francisco RBI single. The only problem was: Mayberry was out. The tag beat him but the Phils caught a break as he was called safe. It put them ahead 1-0 at the time, but Cliff Lee wasn't able to hold the Cards off the board, taking another tough luck loss.
Roy Oswalt was outstanding in his return last night, dueling against Jaime Garcia who is having a tremendous season for St. Louis. The Phils managed to tie the game in the eighth when Tyler Greene, who'd been inserted into the game as a defensive replacement, dropped an easy pop-up off the bat of Jimmy Rollins. A Michael Martinez single and Placido Polanco sac fly later, the Phils had scored their first run of the game.
Danys Baez had a terrible bottom of the ninth though, loading the bases with no one out. After forcing Matt Holliday into a fielders choice out at the plate, J.C. Romero entered and threw one pitch to Lance Berkman, which he blasted to center for a walk-off RBI single.
These offensive struggles are becoming a real concern. Hopefully reinforcements are coming soon. They hope to have Shane Victorino back off the shelf soon, while Chase Utley and Domonic Brown could be nearing a call-up.
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