Results tagged ‘ Orioles ’

Preview: Phillies v. Blue Jays – 7:05 pm Eastern.

The 2008 World Champions Philadelphia Phillies (36-25, 1st National League East) will continue their Interleague Play home stand with a three game series with the Toronto Blue Jays (34-31, 3rd-T American League East). The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and will start at 7:05 pm Eastern. The Phils will send to the mound their ace Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.64), who is coming off a piss-poor start against the New York Mets on June 10, where he received a no-decision as he pitched only five innings, giving up four runs on eleven hits and two walks, while striking out only one batter, in the Phils’ 5-4 extra-innings win. He will be going for his fifth win of the season and his fifth victory in a row as a starter. The Blue Jays will send to the mound Ricky Romero (3-3, 3.71), who is coming off a lost to the Texas Rangers on June 11, as he pitched six and a third innings, giving up a run on five hits and two walks, while striking out six, in the Blue Jays’ 1-0 lost. He will be trying for his fourth win of the season.

The Phillies will be looking to start winning more games at home, as well as improve on their Interleague Play record. They also hope to increase their four games lead over the Mets, who will be meeting the lowly Baltimore Orioles at Baltimore, starting tonight.

A sixteen-hit attack and a strong effort by J.A. Happ leads to a Phillies win over the hapless Nationals, 5-4.

A strong start by J.A. Happ and a sixteen-hit attack by the Phillies’ offense would lead to a Phils’ victory over the last place Nationals, 5-4.

The Nats took a quick 1-0 lead in the second, as Josh Willingham hits a lead-off home run, his seventh home run of the season. The Phils tied the game up at one-all in their half of the second as, with two men on, and one man out, Carlos Ruiz hits an RBI double, knocking in Jayson Werth, who had earlier singled, and had moved up to second on Pedro Feliz’s single, while sending Feliz, who had earlier singled, over to third. The Phils would take the lead in the third as, with two men on, and one man out, Raul Ibanez hits a two-run single, scoring Shane Victorino, who had earlier singled, and had moved on to third on Chase Utley’s double, and Utley, who had earlier doubled, giving the Phils a 3-1 lead. Two batters later, with Ibanez still on first and now with two men out, Feliz hits an RBI triple, knocking in Ibanez, making it a 4-1 Phils’ lead. The Phils would increase their lead in the fourth as, with runners on the corners, and no one out, Utley hits into a 4-6 force out, knocking in Jimmy Rollins, who had earlier doubled and had gone over to third on Victorino’s single, while Victorino, who had earlier singled, was forced out at second base for the inning’s first out, while Utley was safe at first on the play, giving the Phils a 5-1 lead. The Nats would come back in the sixth as, with two men on, and one man out, Josh Bard hits a two-run double, scoring Willingham, who had earlier singled, and had moved up to second when Ryan Zimmerman was hit by the pitch, while sending Zimmerman, who had earlier been hit by a pitch, over to third, cutting the Phils’ lead down to 5-2. One batter later, the Nats would cut the lead down further to 5-3 Phils, as Anderson Hernandez hits an RBI single, scoring Zimmerman from third, before a Werth fielding error on the play allows Bard to score as well, turning it into a 5-4 Phils’ lead, while Hernandez would move up to second base on the error. But that would be the game, as the Phillies’ bullpen would shut the Nats down for the last three innings, with Brad Lidge nailing down his tenth save in the ninth.

J.A. Happ got the win as he pitched five and a third strong innings, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks, while striking out five. His record is now 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA. Chad Durbin pitched two-thirds of an inning, as he recorded his fourth hold, as he gave up an unearned run on two hits, while he struck out a batter. Scott Eyre pitched a 1-2-3 inning, as he recorded his eighth hold. Ryan Madson recorded his tenth hold as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up just one hit and a walk, while striking out one. Brad Lidge recorded his tenth save as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out two batters. Ross Detwiler took the lost as he went four innings, giving up five runs on ten hits and a walk, as he struck out two. His record is now 0-1 with a 4.80 ERA. Jason Bergmann, Ron Villone, Mike MacDougal, Joe Beimel and Julian Tavarez combined for four scoreless innings, giving up six hits (Bergmann (1), Villone (2), MacDougal (1), Beimel (2)) and a walk (Beimel), while striking out three Phils (Bergamman, MacDougal and Beimel with a stikeout each).

The Phillies collected sixteen hits in the game, with all of the regulars getting at least one hit. Shane Victorino led the way with four hits as he raised his batting average to .293. Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz then followed with two hits each. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard got the other two Phils’ hits. Ibanez knocked in two of the Phils’ runs, while Utley, Feliz and Ruiz each knocked in a run. The Phils had seven extra-base hits in the game, six doubles and a triple.

The Phillies (26-20, 2nd) continue their weekend series with the Nationals (13-34). The game will start at 7:05 pm Eastern and will be played at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils’ starter will be their ace Cole Hamels (2-2, 4.68), who is coming off his best start of the season on May 24 against the Yankees, as he went six strong innings, giving up just two runs, on eight hits, while striking out five, in the Phils’ 5-4 extra-inning win. He will be going after his third win of the season. The Nats will counter with Shairon Martis (5-0, 4.86), who is coming off a no-decision against the Orioles on May 24, as he went six innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks, as he struck out two, in the Nats’ 8-5 win , He will be going for his sixth win of the year. The Phillies will be trying to win their first series at home since their earlier home series win against these same Nationals.

Brad Lidge’s third blown save ruins the starting pitching debut of J.A. Happ and the Major League Debut of John Mayberry, Jr., as the Phils lose to the Yanks in the bottom of the ninth, 5-4.

Brad Lidge’s third blown save of the season and his second on an otherwise successful road trip, ruins both the 2009 starting debut of J.A. Happ and the major league debut of John Mayberry, Jr. as the Phillies lose to the Yanks in the bottom of the ninth, 5-4.

The Phillies took a quick 1-0 lead as Raul Ibanez hits a solo home run, with one man out, in the second inning, his seventeenth home run of the year. The Yanks tied the game up at one-all in their half of the second, as, with a runner on third, and one man out, Nick Swisher hits an RBI ground out, 6-3, knocking in Robinson Cano, who had earlier doubled, and had gone to third on Melky Cabrera’s sacrifice bunt, 1-3. The Phils retook the lead in the fifth, as, with two men on, and nobody out, John Mayberry, Jr. hits a three-one home run, his first home run of the season, and the first home run of his major league career, knocking in Shane Victorino, who had earlier singled and had moved up to second on Pedro Feliz’s walk, and Feliz, who had walked, giving the Phils a 4-1 lead. In the sixth, the Yanks got a run back as, with one man out, Derek Jeter hits a solo home run, his seventh home run of the year, making it a 4-2 Phils’ lead. In the ninth, with a runner on base and one out, Alex Rodriguez hits a two-run home run, his seventh home run of the year, knocking in Johnny Damon, who had earlier walked and then stole second base, tying the game up at 4-4. Then two batters later, with Cano on second base, via a single and a stolen base, Cabrera hits an RBI single, scoring Cano and giving the Yanks a 5-4 Walk-Off Win.

J.A. Happ got a no-decision in his starting debut, pitching a very strong game against the Yanks as he went six innings, giving up just two runs on four hits, as he struck out four. Chad Durbin received his second hold of the year, as he pitched a scoreless inning, while he struck out a batter. Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless eighth, recording his eighth hold of the year, giving up a hit, as he struck out the side. Brad Lidge blew his third save of the season as he took the lost, as he pitched only a third of an inning, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out one. His record is now 0-2 with a 9.15 ERA. Andy Pettitte also received a no-decision, as he pitched seven innings, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks, while he struck out five. Phil Coke pitched one and two-third innings of shut out ball, giving up a hit. Jose Veras took the win as he pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only man he would face. His record is now 3-1 with a 5.89 ERA.

The Phils had only six hits in the game. Chase Utley and John Mayberry, Jr. lead the way with two hits each, with Mayberry, Jr. going 2 for 3 in his major league debut, hitting a double and a three-run home run. Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino got the other two Phils’ hits, with Ibanez’s hit being a solo home run. Lidge blown save ruins the Phils’ chances at winning their first two games inside the new Yankees Stadium after having dominated the second game of the series with the Yankess via both good starting pitching and the long ball.

The Phillies (23-18, 1st) will conclude their three-games interleague play series with the Yankees (25-18, 3rd American League East) with an afternoon game at the new Yankees Stadium. The game will start at 1:05 pm Eastern. The Phils will send to the mound their ace Cole Hamels (2-2, 4.95), who is coming off a strong performance on May 19 against the Reds, as he went six innings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out seven, in the Phils’ 4-3 win. He will be going for his three straight win and quailty start. The Yankees will oppose him with C.C. Sabathia (4-3, 3.43), who is coming off a win against the Orioles on May 19, going seven strong innings, giving up just one run on three hits and a walk, while striking out seven, in the Yankees’ 9-1 win. He will be looking for his fifth win of the season. The Phillies will be looking to go back to Philly will three straight series wins and an 8-2 road trip.

Spring Training: Latest news and the Phillies now have a three-game winning streak in Grapefruit League play.

Okay, first things first: The Baltimore Orioles during the weekend had picked up Adam Eaton, signing him to a minor league contract worth $400,000 dollars, after he had cleared waivers. Okay, I have just this to say: Hey Baltimore, are you guys so desperate for arms that you’re willing to pick him up? If so, good luck with him, guys, as you are going to be needing it.

As several Phils, including Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, get ready to join their teams for the World Baseball Classic, Chad Durbin and Brad Lidge are both presently sidelined with soreness, Durbin with his right hamstring and Lidge with his arm, although Lidge would pitch earlier today with very little trouble, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee, while Durbin, at the moment, has no idea when he’ll start throwing in non-game conditions.

The Phillies have added two B games to their schedule, both against the Toronto Blue Jays. One was played earlier this afternoon, at Clearwater, with the other B game to be played this coming Friday. In the B game, via a report from Phillies.com beat writer Todd Zolecki’s blog, The Zoe Zone, starters Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton have combined for seven scoreless innings, giving up between them just seven scattered hits, as Moyer would also walk one while striking out four.

After losing three games in a row, the Phils have three straight games, as they would defeat the Atlanta Braves yesterday afternoon, 7-3 and have just beaten the Toronto Blue Jays’ ‘A’ squad, 12-7, coming from behind to win both games.

In yesterday’s game, pitching-wise, Brett Myers would pitch three solid innings, as he would give up just two earned runs on three hits, while striking out one batter. Chan Ho Park, the fourth man involved in the battle for the final spot in the rotation, would follow him by pitching three strong innings, giving up only one run, via a home run, on four hits, as he also strikes out one batter. Scott Nestor would follow with a scoreless inning, giving up only one hit while striking out one and walking one. Joe Bisenius and Blaine Neal, who would redeem himself after his bad outing, would both follow with a pair of 1-2-3 innings.

Meanwhile, the Phils’ batters, after being kept scoreless during the first four innings, would score their seven runs in the fifth (1), sixth (4) and seventh (2) innings. Eric Bluntlett and Marcus Giles would lead the attack by getting two hits each, with Giles scoring two runs and knocking in a run, while Jimmy Rollins, John Mayberry Jr., Jeremy Slayden, Gerg Dobbs, Geoff Jenkins, Matt Stairs and Carlos Ruiz would each contribute a hit in the Phils’ 11-hit attack. Besides Giles, Rollins, Dobbs, and Stairs would each get an RBI, while Ruiz would knock in two runs. Giles would also steal two bases, while Bruntlett and Mayberry would each steal one.

Park would be the winning pitcher, with a Spring Training record of 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA. The losing pitcher for the Braves would be Jeff Ridgway, with a Spring Training record of 0-1 with a 40.50 ERA.

In today’s games, J.A. Happ and Carlos Carrasco would start things off for the Phils. Happ would give up a two-run home run to Adam Lind in the first inning, giving Toronto the lead, before settling down. He would pitch three strong innings, giving up just two runs on three hits and a walk. Carrasco would take over and have a 1-2-3 fourth, before being hit around in the fifth, giving up five runs, including a three-run homer to Kevin Millar and a solo shot to Bradley Emaus, giving the Blue Jays a 5-2 lead. He would then come back and keep the Blue Jays scoreless in the sixth. Carrasco, in three innings, would give up five runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out three. Gary Majewski would then come in and pitch two strong innings, giving up no runs on two hits and a walk, while striking out one. Yoman Bazardo would follow him with a strong inning of relief.

Batting wise, after scoring single runs in both the first and fifth innings, the Phils would explode for six runs in the sixth, and then score two runs apiece in both the seventh and eighth innings. In an eleven-hit attack, Raul Ibanez and Slayden would lead the team with two hits each, while Bruntlett, Miguel Cairo, Ryan Howard, Mayberry, Pablo Ozuna, Jason Donald and Ronny Paulino would each get a hit. Bruntlett, Ibanez, Howard, Mayberry and Slayden would each knock in two runs, while Cairo and Ozuna would both knock in one run each. Howard would hit a two-run home run, while Slayden would hit a solo shot. After being quiet in the first three games, the bats have come alive, knocking in thirty-one runs in three games.

The winning pitcher, in spite of the five runs that he would give up in the fifth, is Carrasco, now with a Spring Training record of 1-0 and an ERA of 5.40. The losing pitcher for the Blue Jays is Jeremy Accardo, with a Spring Training record of 0-1 and an 15.75 ERA.

The Phillies’ Grapefruit League record is now 3-3 after six games. 

The Phillies have tomorrow off. Their next game will be an Exhibition Game on Wednesday afternoon against Team Canada, with Cole Hamels on the mound. The game will begin at 1:05 pm Eastern from Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. 

Phillies add Scott Proefrock as new assistant GM.

Phillies name Proefrock assistant GM

Amaro’s former position filled by Orioles front-office employee

By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

Welcome to the club, Mr. Proefrock.

PHILADELPHIA — Scott Proefrock has been hired as the Phillies’ assistant general manager as new GM Ruben Amaro Jr. rounded out his front-office staff.

Proefrock spent the past three years as director of baseball administration in Baltimore. He had spent the previous 11 years with Tampa Bay, eventually serving as assistant GM to Chuck LaMar through the 2005 season. He also worked with LaMar with the Braves from 1991-95 and Pittsburgh in 1989-90.

He’ll be working with LaMar again in Philadelphia, as both share an assistant GM title. Proefrock will handle big league contracts and the composition of the roster, a role held by Amaro while assisting former GMs Ed Wade and Pat Gillick.

Amaro named Benny Looper and LaMar assistant general managers last week, with both focusing on scouting and player development.

Proefrock was chosen over former Mets GM Jim Duquette, former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky and Muzzy Jackson, formerly an assistant GM with the Royals. (H/T Phillies.com)

Once again, welcome to the Phils, Scott, and how that you’ll have as big an impact here as you had, if a bit late, with the American League Champion Rays.

From last week: Phillies add Sam Perlozzo to coaching staff, post to be determined later.

Perlozzo joins Phillies’ coaching staff

Ex-O’s skipper has not yet been assigned specific role

By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

Welcome to the team, Sam. Hope you’ll enjoy the experience.

PHILADELPHIA — Moving quickly to fill one of two coaching vacancies, the Phillies announced the addition of Sam Perlozzo to the team’s staff on Thursday.

Perlozzo hasn’t been assigned a specific coaching position from among third-base coach or bench coach, where Steve Smith (dismissed) and Jimy Williams (declined to return), respectively, worked for the past two seasons.

Regardless, the former infielder will handle infield instruction. Perlozzo spent last season as Seattle’s third-base coach after 12 years with Baltimore as a third-base coach (1996-2000), bench coach (2001-05) and manager (2005-07). Before landing with the Orioles, Perlozzo coached third for the Mariners (1993-95), the Reds (1990-92) and the Mets (1987-89).

“I’ve known Sammy for a long time and couldn’t be happier to add someone with his experience to our coaching staff,” manager Charlie Manuel said in a statement.

Perlozzo was a five-time fielding champion in nine Minor League seasons, as well as for the Yakult Swallows in Japan in 1980, the same season Manuel hit 48 home runs for the Kintetsu Buffaloes.

Perlozzo’s role depends on who fills the other coaching vacancy. That could be someone else with managerial experience. Former big league skippers Jim Tracy, Grady Little and Terry Collins have emerged as candidates, according to a person familiar with the Phillies’ thinking. (H/T Phillies.com)

Once again, welcome to the team, Sam. Hopefully you’ll soon know which position you’ll be filling in.

 

Still playing the best: Phillies-Red Sox, Game 2.

The Phillies (42-30) continue their three games series with the World Champion Red Sox (44-29, 1st American League East) with another night game at Citizens Bank Park. Tonight’s game will start at 7:05 pm Eastern. The Phillies will send to the mound Jamie Moyer (7-3, 4.12), who is coming off a win against the Marlins on June 12, where he pitched eight strong shut out innings, giving up only two hits, in the Phils’ 3-0 win. Moyer has won five of his last six starts, with the Phils winning his other start. In those six starts he would go a combined forty innings, giving up only fourteen earned runs on thirty-four hits, including four quality starts. Lifetime against the Red Sox he is 6-11 in 20 starts, while Manny Ramirez has been a major thorn in his side, as ‘Big Papi’ has hit ten career home runs off of him. Jamie will be trying to improve his record, while trying to keep Manny and the rest of the BoSox offense from taking him downtown. He will be opposed by Jon Lester (5-3, 3.43), who is coming off of a victory over the Baltimore Orioles on June 12, when he pitched seven innings, giving up only two earned runs on seven hits, in the Red Sox’s 9-2 win. Lester has won his last two starts, where he would give up only three earned on fifteen hits as he pitched a total of thirteen and a third innings. He will be looking to improve his record, while trying to quiet down the Phillies’ bats.

The Phillies will be trying to continue showing that they can stand up with the best that the American League have to offe. The offense will be trying to continue the outburst which they’d shown to a national audience last night, while hoping that Jamie will have better luck pitching against a team that seems to have his number before giving it over to the National League’s best bullpen.

The Phillies are presently leading the second place Marlins by three games, while leading both the Braves and the Mets, who have earlier today fired Willie Randolph, by six and a half game. The Phillies will be looking to once again increase their lead against their divisional rivals.

The Phillies beat the best as they defeat the Red Sox, 8-2.

The Phillies, to prove that they are one of the best teams in the major leagues this year, have brought out the bats to easily defeat the World Champions Boston Red Sox, 8-2. The Phillies would score first in the bottom of the first as Jimmy Rollins would hit Bartolo Colon’s second pitch of the night out of the ballpark for his sixth home run of the season to give the Phillies a quick 1-0 lead. Three batters later, with a runner on second and one hit, Ryan Howard would hit a two-run home run, his eighteenth home run of the year, scoring Shane Victorino, who has earlier doubled, to make it a 3-0 Phillies’ lead. Two innings later, in the third, Howard would hit a solo shot for his nineteenth home run of the season to give the Phils a 3-0 lead. In the fifth, the Red Sox would cut the Phillies’ lead in half as Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew would hit back-to-back solo home runs off of Phillies’ starter Cole Hamels, for their sixth, and twelfth home run of the year, respectively, to make the score 4-2 Phils. But, that would turn out to be all of the damage that the Red Sox would be able to muster against Hamels during the seven innings and one batter that he would pitch tonight, as he would keep them generally quiet, as he gives up only seven hits. Then in the Phillies’ sixth, they would put the game away as they send nine men to the plate and score four runs. The inning would begin with Pedro Feliz getting a walk off of Mike Timlin, who was pitching in relief of Javier Lopez, who, in turn has pitched an inning in relief of Colon. Carlos Ruiz would follow with a single, moving Feliz to second. After Hamels sacrifice them both over to third and second respectively, Rollins would hit a two-run RBI single, scoring both Feliz and Ruiz, to make it 6-2 Phillies. Victorino would then follow with a single, sending Rollins over to third. Chase Utley would then hit a fielder’s choice ground ball, which would score Rollins from third, to give the Phillies a 7-2 lead. Howard would follow with a RBI triple, scoring Utley, making it 8-2 Phils. That would be how the game would end, as Chad Durbin would come in the eighth in relief of Hamels after Hamels has walked Drew to start the inning, and getting six of the seven batters that he would face, including a double play ground out off of the first man that he would face in the eighth. 

Cole Hamel would get the win, going seven innings plus a batter, giving up only two earned runs on seven hits. His record is now 7-4 with a reduced ERA of 3.23. Chad Durbin would pitch two innings of relief, giving up no runs on one hit. Bartolo Colon would take the lost, giving up four runs on six hits. His record is now 4-2 with a 4.09 ERA. Javier Lopez would pitch one inning in relief, giving up no runs on one hit. Mike Timlin would pitch two-thirds of an inning, giving up four earned runs on four hits. David Aardsma would pitch an inning and a third, giving up no runs on one hit. Hideki Okajima would then come in to pitch a scoreless, hitless inning.

The three games series between the Phillies (42-30) and the Red Sox (44-29, 1st American League East) will continue tomorrow night at Citizens Bank Park. The game will begin at 7:05 pm Eastern. The Phillies’ starter will be Jamie Moyer (7-3, 4.12), who is coming off a win against the Marlins on June 12, where he would go eight inning, giving up no earned runs on two hits, in the Phillies’ 3-0 win. Moyer has won five of his last six starts, while the Phillies would win his other start. In those six starts, he has pitched a combined forty innings, giving up fourteen earned runs on thirty-four hits, including four quality starts. Lifetime against the Red Sox, he is 6-11 in twenty starts. Moyer will be trying to improve his lifetime record against the BoSox while trying to give the Phillies two wins in a row against the World Champs. The Red Sox will send to the mound Jon Lester (5-3, 3.43), who is coming off a victory against the Orioles on June 12, where he went seven innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits, in the Red Sox’s 9-2 win. He has won his last two most starts. He will be trying to defeat the Phils, while hoping to quiet down the offense.

The Phillies’ offense woke up tonight, lead by Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard, who both had three hits. Between them, the Phillies’ sparkplug and the big man got two singles, a triple and three home runs, knocking in seven runs and scoring four. It would appear that JayRoll is starting to come out of his recent swoon while Howard is definately getting hot. If these two can get into a major groove at the same time, along with Victorino, Utley and Burrell, it will be almost impossible for the Phillies to get knocked out of first place.

With the win, the Phillies are presently three games ahead of the Marlins, as they won their games against the Mariners. The Braves are presently still six and a half games behind the Phils as they won their game with the Rockies, while the Mets are also still six and a half games behind the Phils after their victory over the Angels. The Phillies will once again be trying to increase their lead in the division.

Back home just in time to welcome the World Champion Red Sox. Phils resumes Interleague Play.

The Phillies (41-30) will start a six games home stand and the resumption of their involvement in Interleague Play tonight by hosting the World Champion Boston Red Sox (44-28, 1st American League East) for three games. The series’ opener will be played at Citizens Bank Park and will start at 7:05 pm Eastern. The Phillies will send to the mound their ace Cole Hamels (6-4, 3.27), who is coming off a no-decision against the Marlins on June 11, where he went eight innings, giving up only two earned runs, both on solo home runs to Jorge Cantu, on three hits, in the Phils’ 6-2 lost. In his previous start against the Reds on June 5, he would pitch a complete game shut out as he gave up only three hits to the Reds, in the Phils’ 5-0 victory. This will be his first time facing the BoSox, so he will be seeing how well he pitches against an elite team of the American League while trying to get his own team back on the winning track after suffering a couple of tough loses over the weekend. His opponent will be Bartolo Colon (4-1, 3.41), who is coming off a win against the Baltimore Orioles on June 11, where he pitched six innings, giving up an earned run on five scattered hits, in the Red Sox’s 6-3 win. In his five starts, Bartolo has given up three earned runs or less in all but one of his starts. Lifetime against the Phillies, he is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four starts, while this will be his first start at Citizens Bank Park. He will be trying to pitch his team past the Phils so that they can stay ahead of the surprisingly good Tampa Bay Rays.

The Phillies will be looking to regroup after losing their last two series on their recent nine games road trip, especially after yesterday’s lost to the Cardinals thanks to a pair of misconnections between Chase Utley and Tom Gordon with two men out in the bottom of the tenth which allowed the Cardinals to win the extra-inning game. The offense will be trying to once again score a lot of runs like they were doing several weeks earlier. With their upcoming series against the BoSox and the Angels, the Phillies will be seeing if they can compete with a pair of elite teams in the American League, whom they might be playing against if they get into the World Series later this year, as well as to see if any problem that they might have will be exposed now so that they can be plugged up later before the late summer and September stretch run towards the pennant.

Oh, and it seems that Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina has only received a concussion from his close encounter with Eric Bruntlett, but he was kept in the hospital for overnight observation, just in case. Thanks goodness. I hate to see a ballplayer get injured, no matter what the cause, or which team they play for.

Going into tonight’s game, Cole Hamels is among the National League leaders in Earned Run Average (10th), Strikeouts (4th-T), Innings Pitched (4th), Complete Games (1st-T) and Shut Outs (1st). He is also tied for 17th in Wins (6) and is tied for 16th in Games Started (14). As mentioned earlier, he will be trying to help his team defeat an elite team of the American League while improving on his stats in each category.

Inspite of the lost, the Phillies have at present the third best record in the National League, trailing only the National League Central leading Chicago Cubs (45-25), and the St. Louis Cardinals (42-29). In fact, they are at present the only National League teams to have won 40 or more games so far this season. Only three other teams in the majors have won over 40 or more games: Boston, the American League Western leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (42-28) and the Tampa Bay Rays (40-29). They have the best road record in the National League (20-17) and one of the best record at home (21-13). Only one other team has scored more runs than they have in the NL, the Chicago Cubs (387 (Cubs), 381 (Phils)). They are also the third best team in the NL in giving up the least runs (291), with only the Cubs (279) and the Braves (282) being better. The offense has the fifth best batting average in the NL at .264, while they are among the leaders in Slugging Percentage (1st), On-Base Percentage (4th), Walks (5th), Total Bases (1st), Runs Batted In (2nd), Home Runs (2nd), Doubles (3rd), Hits (4th) and At-Bats (3rd). The Phillies have the fourth best team ERA (3.82) in the NL, while the relief corps still has the best team ERA (2.62).

The Phillies lead the second place Marlins by three games, as they prepare to start a three games series against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle. The third place Braves, after their late lost to the Angels, are still six and a half games behind the Phillies, as they prepare to face the Rockies in Denver for a make up game, before starting a three games series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. The fourth place Mets also trails the Phillies by six and a half games, as they get ready to meet the Angels in Anaheim for a three games series. The Phillies hope to hold their own against the World Champions, to win the series, while trying to once again get some more distance betweeen themselves and the other teams in their division.

Two disconnections between Utley and Gordon in the 10th leads to an extra-inning lost.

The Phillies lose to the Cardinals in ten innings, as Chase Utley and Tom Gordon were twice unable to connect on throws from the second baseman to the pitcher covering first to lose the ballgame, 7-6. The Phillies would score first in the top of the first as Ryan Howard would hit a RBI double, knocking in Jimmy Rollins, who has earlier singled, to take a 1-0 lead. Brett Myesr would quickly give it back in the bottom of the first, as he would give up a RBI double to Ryan Ludwick, scoring Skip Schumaker, who has earlier doubled, to tie the game at one apiece. Rick Ankiel would then follow him with a RBI double, scoring Schumaker, to make it 2-1 Cardinals. The Cardinals would then increase their lead in the third when Schumaker would hit a solo home run off of Myers, his fourth home run of the year, to make it 3-1 Cardinals. Four batters later, Troy Glaus would hit a two-run home run, his ninth home run of the season, scoring Aaron Miles, who has earlier singled, to make it 5-1 Cardinals. The two home runs would be the nineteenth and twientieth home run of the year that Myers has given up so far this year, leading the league in that category. More on that later. The Phillies would then strike back in the fifth, as, with the bases loaded, and one out, Howard would hit a two- run single, scoring Rollins, who has reached base earlier on a force out, and Jayson Werth, who has walked, to cut the Redbirds’ lead to 5-3. Tony LaRussa would then take out Cardinals’ starter Mitchell Boggs and replace him with reliever Kyle McClellan. Pat Burrell would greet McClellan with a RBI single, scoring Utley, who has earlier been hit by the pitch, making it 5-4 Cardinals. The Redbirds would get a run back in the sixth, when Howard committed a fielding error on a Chris Duncan ground ball, which would score Ankiel, who has earlier tripled, which made it 6-4 Cardinals. The Phils would tie it up in the eighth inning, when with two outs, Rollins would start things off by getting a triple. Werth and Utley would then walk to load the bases. Howard would then follow them with a walk, scoring Rollins, making it 6-5 Cardinals. Burrell would then follow him with another walk, scoring Werth, and tying the score at six all. In the ninth, the Phillies would get a chance to break the tie, when, with Eric Bruntlett, who was pinch running for Greg Dobbs, who has singled, on third and Shane Victorino on first, Rollins would hit a ground ball to first baseman Duncan. With Bruntlett moving on contact, Duncan would throw home, and catcher Yadier Molina, after catching the ball, would turn around and tag out Bruntlett for the second out, as he found some way to hold onto the baseball as he gets nailed hard around the shoulders by Bruntlett. Molina would then spend the next several minutes lying on the ground, with a dead man’s grip on the ball, before he is finally taken out of the game and then taken to the hospital to be checked on for any possible shoulder and neck injuries. The Phils would then load the bases, but would fail to get a clutch hit with the bases loaded for the fourth time today, as Utley flies out. In the tenth, Tom Gordon, pitching in relief of Chad Durbin, would get the first two Cardinals out. Ankiel would then hit a grounder to Utley for what should’ve been the third out of the inning. Instead, Utley would commit a throwing error as he did not lead Gordon to first base with the throw. Gordon then gives up a single to Glaus, moving Ankiel to second. Gordon would then get Duncan to hit a grounder to Utley, for what should’ve been the third out. But, uncannily, with Utley this time actually leading Gordon to first, it would be Gordon who would commit the error by not catching the thrown ball, thus allowing Ankiel to score the winning run and giving the Cardinals a 7-6 win in extra-innings. Gordon, showing his disgust at himself for the error, would slam his glove onto the ground, before picking it up and then heading towards the visitors’ dugout.

Brett Myers, inspite of pitching a bad game, would get a no-decision as he pitches six innings, giving up six earned runs on eight hits. Ryan Madson would pitch an inning, giving up no runs on no hits, as he struck out the side. J.C. Romero would also pitch a scoreless and hitless inning. Chad Durbin would pitch an inning, giving up no runs on one hit. Tom Gordon would take the tough lost, going two-thirds of an inning, giving up one unearned run on one hits, as two errors were committed behind him. His record is now 5-4 with an ERA of 5.06. Mitchell Boggs would go only four and one third innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits. Kyle McClellan would go one and two-thirds innings, giving up no runs on two hits. Chris Perez would pitch one and two-thirds innings, giving up two earned runs on one hit. Randy Flores would face only two batters, walking both. Russ Springer would pitch a third of an inning, getting a blown save, giving up no runs on no hits. Ryan Franklin would go one innings, giving up no runs on two hits. Anthony Reyes would get the win, going an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. His record is now 2-1 with an ERA of 4.91.

Okay, what is up with Brett Myers? He has given up twenty home runs up to this point in the season, and most of them has been on balls which, for lack of a better word, has been wrapped up neatly on a silver platter to the batters to be hit out of the park. Even worst, he can’t seem to get out of the first inning without giving up a run. Myers needs to get whatever mental problems he presently has out of his blasted mind and do it before his next start if he doesn’t want to find his *** getting removed from the starting rotation. If it means that he has to finally listen to the pitching coach, then he better do so!!!! He’s a grown up and a professional ball player. He therefore needs to act like one!!!! (Yes, I’m poed with Myers’ pitching. How can you tell?) 

In spite of losing this afternoon’s game, the Phillies (41-30) will come home with a winning (5-4) road trip despite of losing their last two series. They will be coming back home to start a three games series with the World Champions Red Sox (44-26, 1st American League East). The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park tomorrow night at 7:05 pm Eastern. The Phillies’ starter will be Cole Hamels (6-4, 3.27), who is coming off a no-decision against the Marlins on June 11, where he would pitch eight innings, giving up only two earned runs on three hits while striking out thirteen, in the Phils’ 6-2 lost. This will be his first start against the BoSox, as he plans to start off the home stand with a win for the Phillies. His opponent for the Red Sox will be Bartolo Colon (4-1, 3.41), who is coming off a win against the Baltimore Orioles on June 11, where he would pitch five innings, giving up only one earned run on five hits, in the Red Sox’s 6-3 win. Lifetime against the Phillies, he is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four starts. This will be his first start at Citizens Bank Park. He will be trying to defeat the Phils to help the Red Sox increase their lead in the American League East

The first place Phillies are now leading the Marlins by three games as they were able to defeat the Rays. The Phillies are leading the Braves by six games as they prepare to play the Angels tonight. The Mets are now six and a half games behind the Phils as they won the second half of a double header with the Rangers which they split. As the Phillies prepare for their home series with the Red Sox, the Marlins will face the Seattle Mariners in Seattle and the Mets will face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Anaheim. The Phillies will try to win the series against the World Champs.

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