Results tagged ‘ Chase Utley ’
The Phils waste another good effort by one of their starters before losing to the Giants in extra-innings, 1-0.
The Phils wasted another good effort by Cliff Lee, as they are unable to capitalize in extra-innings, before finally losing to the Giants on a walk-off single, thanks to a defensive error, 1-0.
The Phils and Giants spent the first ten innings of last night’s game in a 0-0 pitchers’ duel between Phils’ starter Cliff Lee and Giants’ starter Matt Cain, although the later would then leave the game for a pinch hitter, and then Giants’ reliever Santiago Casilla, as Cain held the Phils to two hits and a walk, while striking out four, as he kept them from getting anything started, while Lee would throw ten scoreless innings, giving up seven scattered hits, as he struck out seven Giants, while getting out of a runners on the corners, nobody out, jam in the first, and a runner on second, no man out, jam in the fifth, before being taken out of the game for a pinch hitter in the top of the eleventh. The Phils then threaten to take the lead in the top of the eleventh as Carlos Ruiz started the inning off with a lead-off double, before going on to third on Freddy Galvis’ sacrifice bunt, 1-4, putting the go-ahead run on third, with less than two outs. But the Phils would be denied as first pinch hitter Jim Thome would strike out, swinging, for the inning’s second out, and then pinch hitter John Mayberry, Jr. would end the inning by grounding out, 6-3, for the inning’s final out. That would come back to haunt the Phils as the Giants started a rally going in their half of the eleventh as, with one man out, Brandon Belt got on base with a single to center field. Then, Angel Pagan followed with a grounder to third base which had doubleplay written all over it, but was instead booted by the third baseman, Ty Wigginton for a fielding error, allowing Belt to reach second base, and Pagan to reach first, with still one man out. The Giants then won the game as Melky Cabrera hits a walk-off RBI single to right, scoring Belt, who would beat right fielder Hunter Pence’s throw to the plate, giving the Giants the extra-innings, walk off, 1-0 win.
Cliff Lee got a no-decision as he pitched ten scoreless innings, giving up seven hits, while striking out ten. Antonio Bastardo (0-1, 4.50) took the lost as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up a run on two hits. Matt Cain also received a no-decision as he pitched nine scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and a walk, while striking out four Phils. Santiago Casilla threw a scoreless inning, giving up a hit. Sergio Romo pitched a third of an inning, giving up a hit. Javier Lopez pitched a third of an inning, striking out the only man that he would face. Clay Hensley (1-0, 0.00) got the win as he got out the only batter that he would face.
The Phils had only four hits in the ballgame, singles by Hunter Pence, Ty Wigginton and Freddy Galvis and a double by Carlos Ruiz, as they were very effectively handled by Giants’ starter Matt Cain and the Giants’ bullpen. The Phils sadly hurt themselves by not being patient during the whole game, as they only took one walk. I hate to say this so early in the season, but it needs to be said, this team is only going to win games if they act a bit more patiently at the plate, and that includes being willing to take walks. Otherwise, this is going to be a long season even before either Chase Utley or Ryan Howard comes back from their injuries.
The Phils (5-7, 5th East) continue their trip out west with the first game of a four-game set with the Padres (3-10, 5th West), presently the worst team in the majors. The game will be played at Petco Park, and is to start tonight at 10:05 pm EDT (7:05 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mount Vance Worley (0-1, 3.75), who is coming off a lost against the Mets on April 14, as he would pitch six innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and four walks, while striking out five, in the Phils’ 5-0 lost. Worley will be trying to bounce back from his previous start, while trying to give the Phils a chance to end their present slide. The Padres will counter with Joe Wieland (0-1, 10.80), who is coming off a lost against the Dodgers on April 14, as he would pitch five innings in his major league debut, giving up six runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out one, in the Pardes’ 6-1 lost. He hopes to do better in his second career start. The Phils’ offense will be out to show that not all rookies can give them fits the first time they see them, while trying to end their present two-game losing streak.
The Phils have announced their 2012 roster.
Earlier today, the Phils have announced their opening day roster.
Catchers: Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schneider
Infield: Freddy Galvis (2B), Pete Orr (Utl), Placido Polanco (3B), Jimmy Rollins (SS), Jim Thome (1B) and Ty Wigginton (1B, 3B)
Outfield: John Mayberry Jr. (LF), Shane Victorino (CF), Hunter Pence (RF), Juan Pierre (OF) and Laynce Nix (LF)
Starting Rotation: Roy Halladay (Ace), Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Vance Worley
Relief Staff: Kyle Kendrick (Long and Swing Man), David Herndon, Micheal Stutes, Joe Savery (Lefty Specialist (?)), Antonio Bastardo, Chad Qualls, and Jonathan Papelbon (Closer)
On disabled list: Ryan Howard (1B), Chase Utley (2B), Michael Martinez (Utl) and Jose Contreras (RP).
Say hello to your defending National League Eastern Division champs, folks. GO PHILS!!!
Spring Training: After Sunday’s crushing lost, the Phils roll off a two-game winning streak.
After being crushed by the Blue Jays on Sunday, the Phils rolled off a two-game winning streak, defeating the Tigers, 4-3 on Monday, then defeating the Orioles, 4-1 on Tuesday, before taking Wednesday off.
In Monday’s game, the Tigers took an early lead in the first as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Don Kelly hits an RBI single, knocking in Miguel Cabrera, who had just walked, then stole second base, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The Tigers then took a 3-0 lead in the third as, with one man on, and with one man out, Brennan Boesch hits a two-run home run, his third home run of the spring, knocking in Austin Jackson, who had just walked, then stole second base. The Phils then came back in the fifth as, with runners on the corners, and with nobody out, John Mayberry, Jr. hits an RBI single, knocking in Ty Wigginton, who had earlier singled, then went to third on Laynce Nix’s single, cutting the Tigers’ lead to 3-1, while sending Nix, who had just singled, up to second base. Two batters later, with two men on, and now with one man out, the Phils tied the game up at three-all as Freddy Glavis hits a two-run triple, scoring both Nix and Mayberry. The Phils then took the lead as Jimmy Rollins hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Galvis, giving the Phils a 4-3 lead. That would end up being the final score as David Purcey recorded his first save of the spring by getting Jackson to ground out, 5-3, for the game’s final out.
Scott Elarton got a no-decision as he went two and a third innings, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks, while he struck out four. Raul Valdes pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings, giving up a hit, while striking out two. Joe Savery (1-0, 0.00) got the win as he pitched two scoreless innings, giving up a hit, while striking out three. Brian Sanches and Jake Diekman both received their first hold of the spring as they combined for two scoreless innings, giving up a hit (Sanches) between them, while striking out two batters (one batter each). David Purcey recorded his first save of the spring as he pitched an inning, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.85) took the lost as he gave up four runs on six hits, while striking out five. Collin Balester, Octavio Dotel and Jose Valverde combined for three scoreless innings, giving up two walks (Balester (1), Dotel (1)), while striking out one (Dotel) batter between them.
The Phils had six hits in the ballgame, a double by Shane Victorino, a single by Hunter Pence, a single by Ty Wigginton, a single by Laynce Nix, an RBI single by John Mayberry, Jr. and a two-run triple by Freddy Galvis. Jimmy Rollins had the other Phil RBI with a sac fly. The Phils also had two walks in the game.
In Tuesday’s game, the Phils took a 1-0 lead in the first as, with runners on the corners, and with one man on, Wigginton hits an RBI single, knocking in Lou Montanez, who had earlier walked, then went on to third on Pence’s single, while sending Pence, who had just singled, on to second base. The Orioles tied the game up at one-all in their half of the first as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Adam Jones hits an RBI double, scoring Nolan Reimold, who had been hit by a pitch, then stole second base. The Phils retook the lead in the seventh as, with a man on second, and with two men out, Galvis hits an RBI triple, knocking in Michael Martinez, who had been hit by a pitch, before later leaving the game with a broken right foot, then moving up to second base on Roy Halladay’s sacrifice bunt, 3-4, giving the Phils a 2-1 lead. The Phils then took a 3-1 lead in the eighth as, with runners on the corners, and with two men out, Pete Orr hits an RBI single, scoring Scott Podsednik, who had earlier singled, then stopped at third on Brian Schneider’s single, while sending Brian Schneider, who had just singled, on to third. The Phils then made it a 4-1 lead in the ninth as pinch hitter Erik Kratz hits a lead-off home run, his first home run of the spring. That would end up being the final score as David Herndon threw his first save of the spring by striking out Matt Antonelli, looking, for the final out.
Roy Halladay (1-1, 6.59) got the win as he went six innings, giving up a run on three hits and a hit batter, while striking out five. Jonathan Papelbon recorded his second hold of the spring as he pitched a scoreless inning, walking a batter. Michael Stutes recorded his first hold of the spring as he threw a scoreless inning, giving up a hit and a walk, while striking out a batter. David Herndon recorded his first save of the spring as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two. Brian Matusz received a no-decision as he pitched five innings, giving up a run on seven hits and a walk, while striking out three. Kevin Gregg pitched a scoreless inning, giving up two hits. Jim Johnson (0-2, 12.00) took the lost as he went an inning, giving up a run on a hit and a hit batter. Willie Eyre pitched an inning, giving up a run on three hits. Zach Phillips pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits.
The Phils had fifteen hits in the game, with Hunter Pence (Single, Double), Ty Wigginton (Singles, RBI) and Carlos Ruiz (Singles) all leading the team with two hits each. Freddy Galvis (Triple, RBI), Juan Pierre (Single), John Mayberry, Jr. (Double), Scott Podsednik (Single), Brian Schneider (Single), Pete Orr (Single, RBI), Michael Martinez (Double), Roy Halladay (Single) and pinch hitter Erik Kratz (Home Run, RBI) had the other nine Phils’ hits. The Phils also had a walk in the game.
The Phils lost Michael Martinez as his right foot was broken by a Jim Johnson pitch. There is no timetable for his return. On Monday, Chase Utley left Clearwater to meet with an unamed specialist to check out what is wrong with his knees. The Phils, as of yet, have no idea how this will effect his return to the club. The Phils have also sent five players down to their minor league camp: they’d optioned right handers Phillippe Aumont and Michael Schwimer, while reassigning left handers David Purcey and Jeremy Horst and infielder Kevin Frandsen.
The next Phils (9-9) game will be this afternoon with the Blue Jays (14-4) at Dunedin. The game is to start at 1:05 pm EDT.
Spring Training: On the eve of the team’s first spring training game.
As the Phils get ready for their first spring training game, tomorrow, against Florida State, they have made several announcements after the arrival of all of their players to camp:
1) Charlie Manuel announced that the team was going to do some more small ball this season, which was quickly emphasised by him talking to the team’s lead-off man, and one of the leaders of the team, Jimmy Rollins last Thursday. This was followed by announcements that he was going to allow possible Hall of Famer Jim Thome to help some of the hitters improve on their hitting approach, and that he was going to have them bunt more (for base hits). Mike Schmidt, who is now in camp as a special coach, will also be helping the batters’ with their hitting approach, along with fellow Hall of Famer, and Iron Pigs coach Ryne Sandburg, while staying in camp a bit longer. While this is good news, since using small ball, as well as stealing more bases, should give the opposing defenses something to think about, I will not be convinced until the Phils leave Florida in late March with Juan Pierre as one of their players coming off the bench, since he would be a good option to use late in games because of both his speed and bat control.
2) Jose Contreras had another bullpen session, and is continuing to pitch fine with no elbow trouble, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee. This is good news, as it should give the team several good eighth innings options between him, Antonio Bastardo and Chad Qualls, if all three players make the team out of spring training.
3) And speaking of pitchers, starter Cliff Lee missed a bullpen session last week because of abdominal problems, and was told to skip the session. Lee said that he is feeling fine now and should be able to pitch in a bullpen session today. Hopefully, it was only a temporary problem.
4) Speaking of players’ health, Ryan Howard is right now in Baltimore, having a check-up with foot and ankle specialist Mark Myerson, to check on his achilles tendon, to make sure that there’s no problem with it, since it was mentioned during the weekend that Howard was having a delayed reaction to the sutures. GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. later announced that they doubt that it was a major problem. Anyway, it should help the Phils decide how they should continue their approach on Howard’s rehab, although they don’t really expect him back until about late May at the earliest. My opinion is that they should take as much time as they can to get Howard back healthy, as they already have a few options to play first base.
and 5), Chase Utley has announced that he should be able to come back from his leg troubles last year, while it is expected that he will be given the occasional rest, to help his legs, while Placido Polanco has announced that he is ready to go.
Dear Santa…
This is what I am hoping that the Phils will do in 2012:
1) That Ryan Howard, when he returned from his injury, will learn not to swing at the pitcher’s junk, and to take a walk when it is being offered to him;
2) That Chase Utley will be able to make a comeback from last year’s injury, and will be willing to take a day off, when told to;
3) That Placido Polanco will be able to recover from his previous two seasons worth of injuries;
4) That the retooled bench will be able to contribute during the season;
5) That Uncle Chuck learns to love playing small ball;
6) That at least one of the team’s top three starters (Halladay, Lee, Hamels) will end up with 20 wins, and that the other two will end up with at least 15;
7) That Vance Worley will improve over last year’s performance;
8) That the Phils will be able to sign Cole Hamels to a multi-year contract;
and lastly, 9) That the Phils will get back into the World Series, and not be the stepping stone for another National League team during the playoffs.
2011 National League Divisional Series, Game #5: The Phils are once again knocked out of the playoffs, as they lose a 1-0 duel with the Cards.
The Phils are knocked out of the playoff, as they are three-hit by Cards’ ace Chris Carpenter, losing a 1-0 pitchers’ duel.
The Cards took a 1-0 lead in the first as, with a runner on third, and with nobody out, Skip Schumaker hits an RBI double, knocking in Rafael Furcal, who had started the game off with a triple. That would turn out to be the game’s only run, as Phils’ starter Roy Halladay would pitch his way out of a bases loaded jam later that inning, followed by a second bases loaded jam in the eighth, while Chris Carpenter almost went through the Phils’ line-up with little trouble, only getting into trouble in the fourth, before ending the game by getting Ryan Howard to ground out, 4-3, as he fell down in the baseline as he tore his achilles tendon on his left ankle trying to bust down the line.
Chris Carpenter (1-0, 3.00) gets the win as he pitched a complete game shutout, giving up just three hits, while striking out three. Roy Halladay (1-1, 2.25) took the lost as he went eight innings, giving up a run on six hits and a walk, while striking out seven. Ryan Madson pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two.
The Phils had only three hits in the game, with Shane Victorino leading the team with two hits, a single and a double, while Chase Utley had the other Phil hit, a single, as the offense once again became a non-entity during a series, as the team gets knocked out early by the much more effective Cards.
With the lost, the Phils are now back to square one, while they might be facing 2012 with the lost of several players through free agency (Ryan Madson, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez) while looking at the prospect of having no Ryan Howard during all of 2012 because of his achillies tendon injury. This is not going to be a fun fall and winter. GRRRRRR!!!!
2011 National League Divisional Series, Game #4: The Phils are unable to clinch in St. Louis as they lose to the Cards, 5-3.
The Phils once again allow an early lead to slip away as they lose to the Cards, 5-3, forcing a game 7 in Philadelphia.
The Phils took the lead in the first as, with one man on, and with nobody out, Chase Utley hits an RBI triple, scoring Jimmy Rollins, who had started the game off with a ground-rule double, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Phils then took a 2-0 lead as Hunter Pence hits an RBI single, knocking in Utley. The Phils then ran themselves out of a big inning as Ryan Howard struck out, looking, on a 3-2 slider, before Pence is thrown out trying to steal second base by Yadier Molina, although replays would show that he was actually safe. The Cards then got a run back in their half of the first as, with one man on, and with two men out, Lance Berkman hits an RBI double, knocking in Skip Schumaker, who had earlier singled, on a ball that had hit the wall, and was well played by center fielder Shane Victorino, who then, as he was getting ready to throw it in, slipped and lost control of the baseball, which then headed back towards the wall, which allowed Schumaker to score, making it a 2-1 Phils’ lead, while allowing Berkman to reach third base on Victorino’s throwing error. The Cards took the lead in the fourth as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, David Freese hits a two-run double, knocking in Matt Holliday, who had walked, moved up to second base when Berkman was hit by a pitch, then went to third on Molina’s line out to right, and Berkman, who had earlier been hit by a pitch from Roy Oswalt, giving the Cards a 3-2 lead. The Cards then took a 5-2 lead in the sixth as, with one man on, and with two men out, Freese hits a two-run home run, his first home run of the series, knocking in Holliday, who had earlier singled. The Phils got a run back in the eighth as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, Michael Martinez, who was pinch running for pinch hitter Ross Gload, who had gotten on base with a single, before going to third on Utley’s single, would score on Fernando Salas’ wild pitch, making it a 5-3 Cards’ lead, while sending Utley, who had just singled, up to second base. But that would be the ballgame as Jason Motte would collect his second save of the series as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
Roy Oswalt (0-1, 7.50) took the lost as went six innings, giving up five runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out five. Joe Blanton and Brad Lidge combined for two 1-2-3 innings, striking out a batter (Lidge) between them. Edwin Jackson (1-0, 3.00) got the win as he pitched six inning, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out four. Arthur Rhodes collected his second hold of the series as he pitched a third of an inning, striking out the only man that he would face. Octavio Dotel collected his first hold of the series as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out both men that he would face. Fernando Salas collected his first hold of the series as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up a run on two hits and a wild pitch. Marc Rzepcynski received his second hold of the series, as he pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only man that he would face. Jason Motte recorded his second save of the series as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out a batter.
The Phils had five hits in the ballgame, with Jimmy Rollins (Single, Double) and Chase Utley (Single, Triple, RBI), both leading the team with twe hits each. Hunter Pence (RBI), Placido Polanco and pinch hitter Ross Gload had the other three Phils’ hits, all singles, as the offense continue to tail off after the first three batters, especially Ryan Howard, who, in a post-game interview, admitted he is being a bit antsy at the plate. The final Phil run came in on a wild pitch.
The Phils and Cards will play the fifth and deciding game of the series on Friday night in Philadelphia. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and will start at 8:37 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound their ace Roy Halladay (1-0, 3.38), who is coming off a win in the first game of the series on October 1, as he went eight innings, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out eight, in the Phils’ 11-6 rout. Halladay will be trying to continue his post-season dominance, while trying to give the Phils the best chance to clinch at home. The Cards will counter with Chris Carpenter (0-0, 12.00), who is coming off a no-decision in the second game of the series on October 2, as he pitched only three innings, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out only two, in the Cards’ 5-4 win. He will be trying to improve on his previous start. The Phils are expecting a strong performance from Doc Halladay, while seeing if they can not only jump on Carpenter, but this time pour it on like they did in game one of the series, to avoid another disappointing post-season.
2011 National League Divisional Series, Game #3: The Phils retake the series lead thanks to Ben Francisco’s pinch hit three-run home run, as they hang on to defeat the Cards, 3-2.
The Phils retake the lead in the divisional series as they ride Ben Francisco’s pinch hit three-run home run, before hanging on to defeat the Cards, 3-2.
The first six innings of the game featured a pitchers’ duel between Cards’ starter Jaime Garcia, who kept the Phils off-balance, while giving up only four hits and a walk, while striking out three, and Phils’ starter Cole Hamels, who would pitch himself out of trouble in the first, fourth and sixth innings, as he gave up just five hits and three walks, while striking out eight. The Phils then put pressure on Garcia in the seventh as Shane Victorino got on base with a single, before going to second base on a Yadier Molina passed ball, before Garcia got the next two batters out with a fly out to right (John Mayberry, Jr.) and a ground out (Placido Polanco), 5-3. After Carlos Ruiz is intentionally walked, the Phils sent Ben Francisco to pinch hit for Hamels. After getting a ball, Francisco drills one into the Phils’ bullpen in left, to give the Phils a 3-0 lead on his pinch hit home run, his first home run of the series, knocking in both Victorino and Ruiz. The Cards then started a comeback in their half of the seventh. After Vance Worley started the inning off by getting Rafael Furcal to ground out, 3-unassisted, for the inning’s first out, he walks Allen Craig, before giving up a single to Albert Pujols, which would send Craig up to second base. Lance Berkman then followed by hitting into a force out, 4-6, that would wipe out Pujols at second base for the inning’s second out, while Craig would reach third base, while Berkman would be safe at first, putting runners on the corners. The Cards then got on the board as David Freese hits an RBI single to center, knocking in Craig, cutting the Phils’ lead down to 3-1, while sending Berkman up to second base. Worley would finally end the inning by getting Molina to fly out to right. After the Phils are kept from scoring in the top of the eighth, the Cards attempted a rally in their half of the eighth as Ryan Theriot started the inning off with a single. Charlie Manuel then came out and replaced Worley with Antonio Bastardo, who then proceeded to get pinch hitter Nick Punto to fly out to center for the inning’s first out. Manuel then came back out and replaced Bastardo with Brad Lidge. That move seems to backfire as he gives up a single to pinch hitter Matt Holliday, moving Theriot up to second base, before he is replaced at first by pinch runner Adron Chambers. The next batter, Furcal, then loaded up the bases with a single to left, sending Theriot on to third base, while Chambers would stop at second base. Manuel then came back out, and took out Lidge, replacing him with his closer Ryan Madson. That move was rewarded with Craig hitting into a 4-3 doubleplay, as Furcal is wiped out at second base, to end the threat. After the Phils are unable to add an insurance run in the top of the ninth, Madson went back out to attempt a five-out save. He is greeted with a lead-off double by Pujols, which was his fourth hit of the ballgame, and his third double of the game. After Madson gets Berkman to fly out to center for the inning’s first out, he gets Freese to ground out, 4-3, for the inning’s second out, as Pujols moved up to third. Now, with a man on third, Madson tried to get out Molina to end the game. Molina, instead, hits the first pitch he saw into center field for an RBI single, knocking in Pujols, making it a 3-2 Phils’ lead. After Molina is replaced by pinch runner Kyle Lohse, Madson went after Theriot, who had already been on base with four hits, all singles. But, he wasn’t able to get hit no. five as Madson got him to ground out, 4-3, for the final out, collecting his first save of the series.
Cole Hamels (1-0, 0.00) gets the win as he pitched six scoreless innings, giving up five hits and three walks, while striking out eight. Vance Worley received his first hold of the series as he pitched an inning plus a batter, giving up a run on three hits. Antonio Bastardo received his first hold of the series as he pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only man that he would face. Brad Lidge pitched to two batters, giving up two hits. Ryan Madson collected his first save of the series as he pitched an inning and two-thirds, giving up a run on two hits, as he recorded a very rare five-out save. Jaime Garcia (0-1, 3.86) took the lost as he pitched seven innings, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out three. Fernando Salas and Jason Motte combined for two scoreless innings, as they gave up a hit (Motte), while striking out a batter (Motte), between them.
The Phils had only seven hits in the ballgame, with Jimmy Rollins leading the team with two hits, a single and a double. Chase Utley (Single), Shane Victorino (Single), Placido Polanco (Single, his first hit of the series), Carlos Ruiz (single, his first hit of the series) and pinch hitter Ben Francisco (Home Run, his first hit of the series, 3 RBIs), had the other five Phils’ hits, with Francisco becoming the surprising hero of the game with his pinch hit shot to left.
The Phils, now with a 2-1 game lead in the divisional series, will continue the series with the Cards (2-1) in St. Louis. The game will be played in Busch Stadium (III) and will begin at 6:07 pm EDT (5:07 pm CDT). The Phils will send to the mound Roy Oswalt (9-10, 3.69), who will be trying to pitch the Phils into the NL Championship Series for the fourth straight year. The Cards will attempt to counter with Edwin Jackson (12-9, 3.79), who will be trying to force a fifth game back in Philly. The Phils will be trying to clinch their fourth straight appearance in the NL Championship Series, hoping that Oswalt will be at his best while the offense will do what it can to give him much needed run support, while watching out for the Cards putting out all the stops to force a game five.
2011 National League Divisional Series, Game #2: The Phils early lead is squandered as they drop one to the Cards, 5-4, evening the divisional series at one game each.
An early four-run lead is squandered by Cliff Lee, before the Phils lose to the Cards, 5-4, evening the divisional series at 1-1 as the two teams head for St. Louis.
The Phils jumped to an early lead in the first as, with the bases loaded, via a double by Jimmy Rollins, then walks to Chase Utley and Hunter Pence, sending Rollins to third, and Utley up to second base, and with nobody out, Ryan Howard hits a two-run single up the middle, scoring Rollins and Utley, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead, and sending Pence over to third. Two batters later, with runners still on the corners, and now with one man out, Raul Ibanez hits an RBI single, knocking in Pence, giving the Phils a 3-0 lead, while sending Howard up to second base. The Phils added to their lead in the second as, with two men on, and with two men on, Pence hits an RBI single, scoring Rollins, who had earlier doubled, his second double and his second hit of the ballgame, then stole third as Utley walked, giving the Phils a 4-0 lead, while sending Utley, who had walked for the second time in the game, would stop at second base. Normally, this would be enough for Cliff Lee, especially after pitching out of jams in the first two innings, but it was not to be in this game, as things came unglued in the fourth inning. The Cards got on the scoreboard as, with two men on, via a walk to Lance Berkman, whom Lee had buried in the count 0-2 before walking him, and a single by Yadier Molina, sending Berkman up to second base, and with one man out, Ryan Theriot hits an RBI double, scoring Berkman, making it a 4-1 Phils’ lead, while sending Molina on to third base. The Cards then cut the Phils’ lead down to 3-2 as Jon Jay hits an RBI single, scoring Molina, while sending Theriot on to third base, before going on to second base on the late throw to home plate. Two batters later, after Lee strikes out, swinging, pinch hitter Nick Punto, the Cards made it a 4-3 Phils’ lead as Rafael Furcal hits an RBI single, knocking in Theriot, before left fielder Raul Ibanez throws out Jay at home plate, as catcher Carlos Ruiz hangs onto his one-bounce throw, inspite of Jay trying to bowl him over to make him drop the ball, for the moment keeping it a 4-3 Phils’ lead. The Cards then tied the game up at four-all in the sixth as, with a runner on second, and with two men on, Jay hits an RBI single, his second hit of the ballgame, knocking in Theriot, who had just doubled, his second hit and double of the game. The Cards then took the lead in the seventh as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Albert Pujols hits an RBI single, scoring Allen Craig, who had just tripled, on a ball that Shane Victorino did not go after properly, giving the Cards a 5-4 lead. That would be the final score as Jason Motte collected his first save of the series as he threw a 1-2-3 ninth, for a four-out save.
Cliff Lee (0-1, 7.50) took the lost as he pitched six innings, plus three batters, giving up five runs on twelve hits and two walks, while striking out nine. Brad Lidge pitched an inning, giving up a walk. Antonio Bastardo, Vance Worley and Ryan Madson combined for two scoreless innings, giving up a hit (Madson) and a walk (Bastardo), while striking out three batters (Bastardo (1), Madson (2)) between them. Chris Carpenter received a no-decision as he pitched only three innings, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out two. Ferndando Salas pitched two 1-2-3 innings, striking out two. Octavio Dotel (1-0, 0.00) gets the win as he pitched an inning and a third, striking out two. Marc Rzepeczynski, Mitchell Boggs and Arthur Rhodes all collected their first hold of the series as they combined for one and one-thirds scoreless innings, with Rzepczynski facing one more batter, as they gave together up a hit (Rzepeczynski), while striking out one (Rhodes) between them. Jason Motte collected his first save of the series as he pitched an inning and a one-third, striking out a batter.
The Phils had six hits in the game, with Jimmy Rollins leading the team with three hits, a single and two doubles, just missing a home run on both of his doubles as they both hit the top of the fence. Hunter Pence (RBI), Ryan Howard (RBI) and Raul Ibanez (RBI), had the other three Phils’ hits, all singles, as the offense was held to only one hit (Rollins’ single), after scoring their fourth run in the second inning.
The Phils (1-1) will continue their divisional series with the Cards (1-1), as the series move to St. Louis. The game will be played at Busch Stadium and will start at 5 pm EDT (4 pm CDT). The Phils will send to the mound Cole Hamels (14-9, 2.79), who will be trying to put the Phils back into the lead in the series. The Cards will counter with Jamie Garcia (13-7, 3.56), who will be trying to continue his mastery of the Phils, while hoping that he can continue doing well at home. The Phils will be out to get back into the lead, while trying to finally knock Garcia out of the box. Come onuys, you’d gottten to both Lohse and Carpenter, you can get to Garcia. Just show some more patient at the plate.
GO PHILS!!!
2011 National League Divisional Series, Game #1: The Phils offense romp behind their ace, as they rout the Cards, 11-6.
After trailing early, the Phils’ offense roar for eleven runs in support of the team’s ace, Roy Halladay, as they rout the Cards, 11-6.
The Cards took a quick 3-0 lead as, with two men on, and with one man out, Lance Berkman hits the first pitch he saw into the right field seats for a three-run home run, his first home run of the series, knocking in Rafael Furcal, who had started the game off with a single, before stealing second base, and Albert Pujols, who had just walked on four pitches. The Phils got a run back in the fourth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Shane Victorino, after being given an extra life as third baseman David Freese committed a pop foul error, hits an RBI single, knocking in Chase Utley, who had earlier doubled, the Phils’ first hit of the game, after being put down 1-2-3 in the first three innings by Cards’ starter Kyle Lohse, cutting the Cards’ lead down to 3-1, while sending Ryan Howard, who had just been walked, up to second base. The Phils then took the lead in the sixth as, with two men on, and with one man out, Howard hits a three-run bomb to right, his first home run of the series, scoring Jimmy Rollins, who had earlier singled, then moved up to second base on Hunter Pence’s single, and Pence, who had just singled, giving the Phils a 4-3 lead. Two batters later, after Victorino had reached base with his second single of the ballgame, Raul Ibanez hits a two-run bomb of his own, his first home run of the series, knocking in Victorino, giving the Phils a 6-3 lead. The Phils then added to their lead in the seventh as, with the bases loaded, via singles by Roy Halladay, Rollins, his second of the game, sending Halladay up to second base, and Utley, his second hit of the ballgame, moving both Halladay and Rollins up a base, and with one man out, as Pence hits into a force out, 1-2, as Halladay is thrown out at the plate, while Rollins and Utley both moved up a base, Howard hits a sacrifice fly, which had sounded like it would leave the ballpark, scoring Rollins, giving the Phils a 7-3 lead. The Phils then made it an 8-3 lead as Victorino hits an RBI single, his third hit of the ballgame, scoring Utley, while sending Pence up to second base. The Phils then took a 9-3 lead as Ibanez hits an RBI single, his second hit of the game, knocking in Pence, while sending Victorino on to third base. The Phils then made it an 11-3 lead in the eighth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Pence hits a two-run single, his second hit of the game, knocking in Rollins, who had earlier walked, then went to third on Utley’s double, and Utley, who had just doubled, his second double of the ballgame, and his third hit. The Phils in the ninth then gave the ball to Michael Stutes, his first post-season appearance, after Halladay had put down twenty-one straight Cards, after giving up a lead-off single in the second to Skip Schumaker, starting with a fantastic play by Howard on a grounder hit to him by Jon Jay for a 1-3 put out, to close out the game. But it wasn’t to be as, four batters latter, with runners on the corners, thanks to a walk to Allen Craig, a single by Pujols, as he moved Craig up to second base, before he is then replaced by pinch runner Gerald Laird, and then a force out on a grounder hit by Berkman, 4-6, as Laird is wiped out at second base, as Craig reached third, and with two men out, the Cards made it an 11-4 Phils’ lead as pinch hitter Adron Chambers hits an RBI single, knocking in Craig, while sending Berkman up to second base. After the Cards had loaded up the bases on a single by Yadier Molina, moving up a base both Berkman and Chambers, and still with one man out, Phils manager Charlie Manuel decided to replace Stutes with his closer Ryan Madson. Schumaker greets Madson with a two-run double, on a ball that glances off of John Mayberry, Jr’s glove in left, then went all the way to the fence, knocking in both Berkman and Chambers, cutting the Phils’ lead down to 11-6, while sending Molina on to third. But that would be it as Madson buckled down and proceeded to strike out, swinging, both Jay and pinch hitter Matt Holliday, for the final outs.
Roy Halladay (1-0, 3.38) gets the win as he pitched eight innings, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out eight. Michael Stutes pitched a third of an inning, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk. Ryan Madson pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up a hit, while striking out two. Kyle Lohse (0-1, 8.44) took the lost as he went five and one-third innings, giving up six runs, five of which were earned, on seven hits and a walk, while striking out four. Octavio Dotel pitched two-thirds of an inning, striking out both men that he would face. Marc Rzepczynski pitched to three batters, getting out none, as he gave up three runs on three hits. Mitchell Boggs pitched an inning and two-thirds, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out a batter. Arthur Rhodes pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only man that he would face.
The Phils’ offense, after a slow start, pounded out fourteen hits, with Shane Victorino (Singles, 2 RBIs) and Chase Utley (Single, 2 Doubles) both leading the team with three hits each. Jimmy Rollins (Singles), Hunter Pence (Singles, 2 RBIs), and Raul Ibanez (Home Run, Single, 3 RBIs) all followed with two hits apiece. Ryan Howard (Home Run, 4 RBIs) and Roy Halladay (Single), had the other two Phils’ hits, as Howard had his first post-season RBIs since 2009.
The Phils (1-0) will continue their divisional series with the Cards (0-1) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and is to begin at 8:37 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound Cliff Lee (17-8, 2.40), who will be out to lead the Phils to a sweep at home. The Cards will counter with Chris Carpenter (11-9, 3.45), who will be pitching on three days rest, trying to send the Cards back to St. Louis with a split. The Phils will be going out to put themselves in the driver seat, planning to beat up on Carpenter, when the series heads for St. Louis.
mlblogsphilliesredpinstripes
Recent Comments