Results tagged ‘ Rays ’

Phils add more depth to the pen as they sign Chad Qualls.

The Phils today have announced that they have just signed former Padres righthander Chad Qualls to a one-year, $1.15 million dollars contract.

Qualls, who had pitched for the Padres last season, will be joining the Phils’ bullpen of Jonathan Papelbon, Jose Contreras, Antonio Bastardo, Michael Stutes, Kyle Kendrick and Dontrelle Willis, along with several others, for spring training. Last season, as a member of the Padres, Quads would appear in 77 games, going 6-8 with a 3.51 ERA, as he pitched in 74.1 innings. He would strike out 43 batters while working only 20. An eight year veteran, Qualls had also pitched for the Astros, the D-backs, and the Rays, appearing in 537 games for a total of 543 innings, compiling a 38-34 record with an ERA of 3.78, as he would save 51 games in 89 attempts. Career-wise, he would strike out 426 batters while walking only 150.

Qualls will likely be an insurance policy in case Contreras, who is coming off right elbow surgery, is not able to join the club going north at the end of spring training.

Welcome to the club, Qualls. Okay, junior, how about adding a little bit more depth to the offense?

Pat Burrell retires.

Yesterday, Pat Burrell, who had spent nine years playing for the Phils, and was a member of the 2008 World Series Championship team, as well as being a member of the 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants team, announced his retirement.

Burrell, nicknamed Pat the Bat, was the number one draft choice of the Phils in the 1998 draft, before joining the main club in 2000. Spending 12 years in the majors, nine of which would be spent as a member of the Phils, Burrell would play in 1640 games for the Phils, the Rays, and the Giants, compling a career triple slash of .253/.361/.472, as he had a total of 1393 hits in 5503 total at-bats, hitting 299 doubles, 16 triples and 292 home runs, 251 of which was hit as a Phils, landing him in 4th place on the team’s all-time home run list. He would also collect 976 RBIs, while scoring 767 times.

Burrell will mainly be remembered for his RBI double in Game 5, part 2, of the 2008 World Series, which would lead to the Phils winning their second World Series Championship, before leading the victory parade down Broad Street.

Thanks for the memories, Pat, and wish you luck in your retirement.

Phils make a trade with the Rockies, getting Ty Wigginton for player to be named later or cash.

The Phils have announced that they had just concluded a trade with the Colorado Rockies, getting Ty Wigginton for either a player to be named later or cash. Wigginton, who has played first base, third base, left and right field in his career, will most likely be the team’s main right-handed bat off of the bench, to compliment Jim Thome, whom the Phils had recently resigned.

Wigginton, who played for the Rockies in 2011, had also played for the Mets, the Pirates, the Rays, the Astros and the Orioles since 2002, appeared in 130 games, batting .242 in 401 at-bats, getting 97 hits, including 21 doubles, 2 triples and 15 home runs. He had also knocked in 47 runs while scoring 52.

It is more than likely that during Ryan Howard’s absense, as he recovers from his injuries, that Wigginton might be sharing first base duties with John Mayberry, Jr. and Jim Thome, and might also play a bit of third base to give Placido Polanco some useful time off both before and after Howard’s return to the line-up.

This might be a good move for the Phils over-all, since Wigginton can cover several bases during the upcoming season.

The National League wins the All-Star Game for the second straight year as they defeat the American League, 5-1.

For the second straight year, the National League All-Stars win the All-Star Game, as they defeat the American League’s best, 5-1.

The American League took the lead in the All-Star Game in the fourth as, with two men out, Adrian Gonzalez of the Red Sox hits a solo home run off of the Phils’ Cliff Lee, giving the AL a 1-0 lead. The AL tried to make it a 2-0 lead three batters later as, with runners on first and second, via singles by Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays, as first baseman Prince Fielder of the Brewers was unable to catch his pop fly, and Josh Hamilton of the Rangers, sending Bautista up to second base, Adrian Beltre of the Rangers hits a single to left. Bautista tried to score on the hit, but is gun down at home plate by a strong throw from left fielder Hunter Pence, as catcher Brian McCann of the Braves applied the tag, 7-2, for the inning’s final out. The National League then took the lead in their half of the fourth as, with two men on, via singles by Carlos Beltran of the Mets and Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, with Beltran stopping at second base, and with no one out, Fielder crushed a 2-2 cutter into center field for a three-run home run, scoring both Beltran and Kemp, giving the NL a 3-1 lead. The NL added to their lead in the fifth as, with a man on second, and with two men out, pinch hitter Andre Ethier of the Dodgers hits an RBI single, knocking in Rickie Weeks of the Brewers, who had earlier reached first base on a fielder’s choice force out, as pitcher Jordon Walden of the Angels threw home to beat out Starlin Castro of the Cubs, who was pinch running for Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies who had earlier singled, after he had first stolen second base, and then third, as he was tagged out at the plate by catcher Alex Avila of the Tigers for the inning’s second out, 1-2, before Weeks stole second base, giving the NL a 4-1 lead, before he was thrown out at second base as right fielder Bautista’s throw towards home was cut off by first baseman Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, who then threw to shortstop Jhonny Peralta of the Tigers, who then tagged Ethier out at second base for the inning’s final out, 9-3-6. The NL then made it a 5-1 lead in the seventh as, with a runner on third, and with one man out, Pablo Sandoval of the Giants hits a RBI ground-rule double to left, knocking in Pence, who head earlier singled, then went all the way to third on catcher Matt Wieters of the Orioles passed ball. That would be the final score as Brian Wilson of the Giants would record a save as he got out the last two batters, Michael Cuddyer of the Twins vis a fly out to right and then Paul Konerko of the White Sox via a ground out, 6-3, after the AL had put runners on second and third, via Carlos Quentin of the White Sox reaching base on shortstop Castro’s throwing error and a single by Matt Joyce of the Rays, which sent Quentin to third base, before he went on to second base on right fielder Jay Bruce of the Reds throwing error.

Roy Halladay of the Phils pitched two 1-2-3 innings, striking out a batter. Cliff Lee of the Phils pitcher one and two-thirds innings, giving up a run on three hits. Tyler Clippard (1-0, 0.00) of the Nationals gets the win as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up a hit. Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers received a hold as he pitch a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Jair Jurrjens of the Braves also received a hold as he pitched a scoreless inning and two-thirds, giving up a hit, while striking out one. Craig Kimbrel of the Braves also got a hold as he pitched a scoreless third of an inning, as he walked a batter. Jonny Venters of the Braves pitched two-thirds of an inning, striking out one. Heath Bell of the Padres pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only man that he would face. Joel Hanrahan of the Pirates would pitch a third of an inning, giving up a hit, while striking out one. Brian Wilson of the Giants would receive a save as he pitched two-thirds of an inning. Jered Weaver of the Angels pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a walk, while striking out a batter. David Robertson of the Yankees also pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. Michael Pineda of the Mariners pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two. C.J. Wilson of the Rangers blew the save before taking the lost (0-1, 27.00) as he pitched an inning, giving up three runs on three hits, while striking out a batter. Jordon Walden of the Angels pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits, while striking out one. Chris Perez of the Indians pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, while striking out one. Brandon League of the Mariners pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits, while striking out a batter. Alexi Ogando of the Rangers pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out both men that he would face. Gio Gonzalez of the A’s pitched a third of an inning, striking out the only man that he would face.

The American League All-Stars had six hits in the game, a solo home run by Adrian Gonzalez of the Red Sox, and singles by Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays, Josh Hamilton of the Rangers, Adrian Beltre of the Rangers, Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox and Matt Joyce of the Rays. The National League All-Stars had nine hits in the game, a single by Lance Berkman of the Cardinals, a single by Carlos Beltran of the Mets, a single by Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, a three run home run by Prince Fielder of the Brewers, a single by Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies, an RBI single by pinch hitter Andre Ethier of the Dodgers, a double by Yadier Molina of the Cardinals, a single by Hunter Pence of the Astros and an RBI ground-rule double by Pablo Sandoval of the Giants.

The victory gives the National League a 42-38-2 lead over the American League, while it will also give the National League pennant winner home field advantage during the upcoming World Series.

The Phils fall behind early before they lose to the Rays, 4-1.

The Phils fall behind early in the game before they finally fall to the Rays, 4-1.

The Rays took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Manny Ramirez hits an RBI double, knocking in Johnny Damon, who had earlier doubled. The Ray then doubled their lead in the fourth as Evan Longoria hits a lead-off home run, his first home run of the spring, making it a 2-0 Rays’ lead. Three batters later, with a man on second, and with one man out, B.J. Upton hits an RBI single, scoring Ramirez, who had earlier singled, then went to second on a David Herndon wild pitch, giving the Rays a 3-0 lead, before Upton is thrown out at second base, trying to stretch it for a double, 7-4, for the second out of the inning. The Rays made it 4-0 in the eighth as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Anthony Scelfo hits an RBI double, knocking in Justin Ruggiano, who had earlier singled. The Phils finally got on the board in the ninth as, with the bases loaded, via a single by Delwyn Young, who then moved up to second base on a pass ball by Kelly Shoppach, and walks by Ben Francisco and pinch hitter Tagg Bozied, which moved both Young and Francisco up a base, and with one man out, Erik Kratz hits an RBI infield single, scoring Young, making it a 4-1 Rays lead, while moving Francisco up to third base, and Bozied up to second base. But that would be the final score as Cesar Cabral would end the game by getting the next two batters out.

Roy Oswalt (0-2, 4.61) took the lost as he pitched three innings plus two batters, giving up three runs on four hits, while striking out four. David Herndon then followed with two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk, while striking out two. Scott Mathieson and Antonio Bastardo combined for two scoreless innings, giving up a hit (Bastardo) and three walks (Mathieson) between them. Ryan Madson pitched an inning, as he gave up a run on three hits. James Shields (1-0, 1.88) got the win as he pitched seven shut out innings, giving up just four hits and a walk, while he struck out four. Andy Sonnanstine recorded his first hold of the spring, as he pitched a scoreless inning, striking out a batter. Cesar Cabral then pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits and two walks, while striking out a batter.

The Phils had six hits in the game, with Michael Matinez leading the team with two hits, both singles. Jimmy Rollins (Double), Delwyn Young (Single), Pete Orr (Triple) and Erik Kratz (Single, RBI), had the other four Phils’ hits.

The Phils’ Grapefruit League record is now 17-10.

Philadelphia Phillies – Team History: 90 + wins.

In the team’s 128 years history, the Phils would win 90 games or more only fourteen times.

The team has won 100 games or more only twice in its history, as they would win 101 games twice. The first time occurred in 1976, when the team would win 101 games, losing only 61, as they would win the first of three straight NL Eastern Division titles, before losing to the World Champions Cincinnati Reds 3-0 in the NL Championship Series. They would duplicate that record the following year, 1977, as they would win their second straight NL Eastern Division crown, before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, 3-1.

Their third highest victory total would be 97 games, which they would do twice. The first time would occur in 1993, when they would unexpectively win the Eastern Division that season with a record of 97-65, then win the NL title by defeating the National League Champions Braves in the NL Championship Series, 4-2, before finally falling to the World Champions Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, 4-2. They would then duplicate the record this year as they would win their fourth straight NL Eastern Division crown, the first time that they would do that in the team’s history, before defeating the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Divisional Series, 3-0, and then losing to the San Francisco Giants in the NL Championship Series, 4-2.

The fifth best team was the 1899 Phillies, who finished that season in third place with a 94-58 record, the team’s best record for the 19th Century, ending up nine games behind the first place Brooklyn Superbas. The sixth best team was the 2009 team which finished with a record of 93-69, winning the team’s third straight Eastern Division title, doing so for the second time in the team’s history, before defeating the Colorado Rockies in the Divisional Series, 3-1, then beating the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, 4-1, winning the team’s second straight NL title, doing so for the first time in the team’s history, before losing their World Series crown to the American League Champions New York Yankees in the World Series, 4-2.

The next two teams ended up with identical records of 92-70, giving them both the seventh best winning total. The first one was the 1964 team, the one that had the most infamous late season collapse in baseball history, until the Mets team of 2007. That team would end up being tied for second place with the Reds, a game behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The other team to win 92 games was the 2008 Phils, who would win their second straight Eastern Division title, before defeating first the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Divisional Series, 3-1, then the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, 4-1, and then the American League Champions Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, 4-1, winning the team’s second World Championship.

The team with the ninth best record was the 1980 Phils, who ended the season with a record of 90-72, finishing first in the Eastern Division, before first defeating the Houston Astros in the NL Championship Series, 3-2, then defeating the American League Champions Kansas City Royal, 4-2, winning the team’s first World Championship. The tenth best team was the 1916 team which ended the season with a 91-62, finishing in second place, two and a half-games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The eleventh team to win at least 90 games was the 1950 ‘Whiz Kid’ who won the pennant in 1950 with record of 91-63, only to lose the World Series to the World Champions Yankees, 4-0. The twelfth team was the 1915 team, which won the Phils’ first National League pennant with a record of 90-62, only to lose the World Series to the Boston Red Sox, 4-1. The final two teams would end up with identical records of 90-72. The first one was the 1978 team, which won the National League Eastern Division title, the third straight for the team, doing so for the first time in the team’s history, before losing the NL Championship Series to the National League Champions Dodgers, 3-1. The fourteenth, and final team, with 90 or more wins, was the 1983 team, nicknamed the ‘Wheeze Kids’, who would win the NL East, then defeat the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, 3-1, before losing the World Series to the American League Champions Baltimore Orioles, 4-1.

Will the 2011 team become the fifteen team to win 90 games or more? Maybe, maybe not, but we won’t know for sure until next year comes and goes.

The Phillies lose another interleague play game as Antonio Bastardo leaves the game with an injury, as they fall to the Rays, 10-4.

After an explosive start, the Phils watch the game slip out of their hands, and see another pitcher go down, as they lose to the Rays, 10-4, their first road series lost in a while.

The Phillies took a quick lead in the first as, with two men on, and one out, Ryan Howard hits a two-run double, scoring Greg Dobbs, who had earlier singled and had gone to second on Chase Utley’s single, and Utley, who had just singled, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, with two men out, the Phils made it 3-0 as Matt Stairs followed with a double, knocking in Howard. It then became 4-0 Phils as Pedro Feliz hits an RBI single, scoring Stairs. The Rays would come back in their half of the first, as, with one man on and two outs, Carlos Pena hits an RBI double, knocking in Pat Burrell, who had earlier doubled, making it a 4-1 Phils’ lead. Ben Zobrist then made it a 4-3 Phils’ lead as he hits a two-run home run, his sixteenth home run of the season, scoring Pena. The Rays would tie the game up at four-all in the second, as Willy Aybar hits a lead-off home run, his sixth home run of the season. Four batters later, with runners on the corners, and one man out, the Rays took the lead as Carl Crawford hits an RBI double, scoring Gabe Kapler, who had earlier doubled and had gone to third on Dioner Navarro’s single, giving the Rays a 5-4 lead, while sending Navarro, who had just singled, over to third base. One batter later, Burrell would hit into an RBI ground out, 4-3, for the inning’s second out, scoring Navarro from third to make it 6-4 Rays, while sending Crawford on to third. In the fourth, the Rays tried to add to their lead, with two men on, Kapler and Crawford via walks, and two men out, as the Phillies took their starter Antonio Bastardo out of the game because of a strained left shoulder. The Phils replaced him with Chad Durbin, who then proceeded to end the threat by striking out Burrell. The Phils then threathen to score in the sixth, as they had runners on the corners, Stairs on third, after getting on base by being hit by the pitch, and then going to third on Feliz’s infield single and a throwing error by Rays’ shortstop Jason Bartlett, after originally being unable to handle the ball, with one man out, as Eric Bruntlett hits a fly ball to center field, which would’ve been deep enough to score Stairs, and make it a 6-5 Rays’  lead. But, in a baserunning blunder, Feliz had run up to second base, and was thus doubled up when Rays’ centerfielder B.J. Upton’s throw beat him back to first, 8-3, before Stairs could cross the plate, denying the Phils a run, and leaving the score at 6-4 Rays. The Rays then proceeded to bust the game open in their half of the sixth as, with the bases loaded via a Crawford double, later going to third on a Durbin wild pitch, and then walks to both Burrell and Zobrist, and two men out, Bartlett hits an RBI single, scoring Crawford, making it 7-4 Rays, while both Burrell and Zobrist moved up a base, leaving them loaded. Aybar then followed with a two-run single, scoring both Burrell and Zobrist, giving the Rays a 9-4 lead, and sending Bartlett to third, before Aybar is thrown out trying to go to second, 8-4, ending the inning. The Rays made it 10-4 in the seventh as, with runners on the corners and one man out, Crawford hits into a RBI force out, scoring Upton, who had earlier tripled, as Gabe Gross, who had earlier walked, was thrown out at second, 4-6, for the inning’s second out. That would end up being the final score, as the Phils’ offensive would be unable to mount any attack during the last two innings.

Antonio Bastardo took the lost, pitching only three and two-thirds innings because of an injury to his left shoulder, as he gave up six runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out two. His record is now 2-3 with an ERA of 6.75. Chad Durbin pitched two innings of relief, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks, while striking out three. Tyler Walker pitched a third of an inning, giving up two hits. Jack Taschner pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits and a walk, while striking out one. Ryan Madson also pitched an inning, giving up a hit and a walk, while striking out one. Andy Sonnanstine got the win, as he pitched five and one third innings, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk, and striking out seven. His record is now 6-7 with a 6.61 ERA. Grant Balfour pitched one and two-thirds innings, recording his ten hold of the year, as he give up a hit, while he struck out two. Randy Choate pitched an inning, striking out a batter. Dan Wheeler also pitched an inning, giving up a hit.

The Phils had eight hits in the game, with Greg Dobbs and Pedro Feliz both leading the team with two hits a piece. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Matt Stairs and John Mayberry, Jr. had the other four hits, as the Phils got shut down after such a promising start in the first inning. Howard knocked in two of the Phils’ runs, while Stairs and Feliz both knocked in a run.

The Phillies (37-33, 1st National League East) will conclude Interleague Play this weekend with a three-games series against the Blue Jays (40-34, 3rd American League East). The game will start at 7:07 pm Eastern time, and will be played in Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Phils starter will be their ace Cole Hamels (4-3. 4.24), who is coming off a lost to the Orioles on June 21, as he went eight strong innings, giving up just two runs on nine hits, as he struck out ten, in the Phils’ 2-1 lost. In a previous start against the Blue Jays, on June 16, he pitched a no-decision, as he went six innings, also giving up just two runs, on seven hits and two walks, as he struck out two, in the Phils’ 8-3 lost. He will be trying for his fifth win of the year, while trying to start the series on a very positive note for the Phils. He will be opposed by Ricky Romero (4-3, 3.59), who is coming off a win against the Nationals on June 21, as he pitched seven strong innings, giving up only two runs on eight hits and three walks, while striking out six, in the Blue Jays’ 9-4 win. In a previous start against the Phils, also on June 16, he also received a no-decision as he pitched seven strong innings, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out nine, in the Blue Jays’ 8-3 win. He will also be looking for his fifth win of the season, while trying to continue the Phils’ Interleague Play woes.

The Phils are unable to support Joe Blanton’s stellar performance before being blown away in the 8th inning, as they lose to the Rays, 7-1.

The Phils’ bat waste a good effort by Joe Blanton, before watching the Rays bust the game wide open in the eighth inning, losing 7-1. The lost means that the Phils have now participated in another losing season of Interleague Play. GGGRRRR!!!!!

The Rays took the lead in the second as, with one man on, and one man out, Pat Burrell hits a two-run home run, his second home run of the season, scoring Carlos Pena, who had earlier singled, making it 2-0 Rays. The game would then become a pitchers’ duel between Phils’ starter Joe Blanton, who would end up giving up only six hits and two walks, as he struck out ten Rays in seven plus innings of work, and Rays’ starter Matt Garza, who was one hitting the Phils, striking out six batters (seven overall) by the seventh inning. In the seventh, the Phils cut the Rays lead to 2-1 as, with one man out, Jayson Werth hits a solo home run, his thirteenth home run of the season. The Rays would then break the game wide open in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the bases loaded, and two men out, Burrell hits a ball to Phils’ shortstop Jimmy Rollins which should had ended the inning, if he had thrown it over to first for the sure out. Instead, he threw over to second base, where it was beaten out by Ben Zobrist, who had earlier walked, allowing Carl Crawford, who had earlier singled, moved on to second when Pena was hit by the pitch, and then moved over to third on Zobrist’s walk, to score, while Pena, who had been hit by the pitch, and had moved up to second on Zobrist’s walk, to move to third, as the Rays increaded their lead to 3-1, as the bases remained loaded. The Rays would then make it a 5-1 game as Jason Bartlett hits a two-run single, knocking in both Pena and Zobrist, while sending Burrell, who had been safe at first on the fielder’s choice ground ball, to third base, putting runners on the corners. Gabe Gross then followed with a two-run double, scoring both Burrell and Bartlett, making it a 7-1 Rays’ lead. That would be the final score as the Phils went down in the ninth.

Joe Blanton took the lost in spite of pitching a very good game, as he went seven innings plus one batter, giving up only two runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out ten. His record is now 4-4, with an ERA of 5.06. J.C. Romero pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up three runs on one hit, a walk and a hit batter. Chan Ho Park pitched a third of an inning in relief, giving up a run on two hits. Matt Garza got the win as he pitched eight strong innings, giving up only a run on three hits, three walks and a hit batter, as he struck out seven. His record is now 5-5 with a 3.61 ERA. Randy Choate pitched a scoreless inning, giving up only a hit and a walk.

The Phils had only four hits in the game, with Jayson Werth leading the team with two hits, including a solo home run, accounting for the Phils only run, and one hit each by Matt Stairs and Greg Dobbs. The Phils’ batters were kept off-balanced for most of last night by Garza as they fail to support a good effort by Blanton,

The Phillies (37-32, 1st National League East) will conclude their interleague game series with the Rays (38-35, 4th American League East) tonight. The game will start at 7:08 pm Eastern and will be played at Tropicana Field. The Phils’ starter will be Rookie Antonio Bastardo (2-2, 5.21), who is coming off a lost against the Orioles on June 19, where he went seven innings, giving up four runs on five hits, as he struck out five, in the Phils’ 7-2 lost. He will be trying for his third win of the season, while trying to give the Phils the chance to win another road series. The Rays will counter with Andy Sonnanstine (5-7, 6.60), who is coming off a lost to the Mets on June 19, where he pitched six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out five, in the Rays’ 5-3 lost. He will be trying to give the Rays a series win, while trying to improve his record. The Phillies will be trying for another road series win, only their second series win in Interleague Play.

The Phils continue their dominance on the road as they blast the Rays for an easy win, 10-1.

The Phils continue to show themselves to be the best road team in the major league after posting six quick runs in the first as they coast to an easy 10-1 victory over the 2008 American League Champions Rays. In the process, the Phils stopped a six games losing streak.

The Phils took an early lead in the first as, with two men on, and nobody out, Chase Utley hits a two-run double, scoring Jimmy Rollins, who had earlier reached base on a two-base throwing error by Rays’ third baseman Evan Langoria, and Shane Victorino, who had just walked, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. It became 3-0 Phils as Ryan Howard hits an RBI double, scoring Utley. After Jayson Werth followed Howard with a single, sending him up to third base, putting runners on the corner, with still nobody out, and Pedro Feliz struck out swinging, for the Phils’ first out, John Mayberry made it 6-0 Phils with a three-run home run, his third home run of the season, scoring both Howard and Werth. The six-run outburst made things easier for Phils’ starter Jamie Moyer, who would proceed to have an easy game, giving up only five hits before finally being taken out of the game in the seventh. Before then, the Phils would add to their lead. In the top of the fourth, with two men on, and nobody out, Carlos Ruiz hits an RBI ground out, 6-3, for the Phils’ first out of the inning, while scoring Mayberry, who had reached first base on a missed catch error by Rays’ first baseman Carlos Pena, then moved up to second on Chris Coste’s single, before continuing on to third on Rays’ center field B.J. Upton’s fielding error, while Coste moved up to second, as the Phils increased their lead to 7-0. Two batters later, with Coste now on third with, two men out, thanks to a Rollins’ ground out, 4-3, Victorino would make it an 8-0 lead as he hits an RBI single, scoring Coste. Utley then gave the Phils a 10-0 lead as he hits a two-run home run, his sixteenth home run of the season, knocking in Victorino. The Rays would score a run in their half of the fourth as, with two men on, and two men out, Jason Bartlett hits an RBI single, knocking in Pena, who had earlier doubled, while sending Pat Burrell, who had earlier walked, over to second, making it a 10-1 Phils’ lead. But that would be all of the scoring that night, as the Rays’ bullpen stopped the Phils’ offense, while Tyler Walker and Sergio Escalona, recalled from the minors to take the place of Clay Condrey, who had been placed on the 15-games disabled list, took over for Moyer and threw three shut out innings at the Rays.

Jamie Moyer got the win as he pitched six strong innings, only giving up a run on five hits and three walks, while striking out four, recording career victory no. 251. His record is now 5-6 with an ERA of 5.97. Tyler Walker and Sergio Escalona combined for three shut out innings, giving up only three hits (Walker), while striking out one (Walker). David Price took the lost, as he got roughed up for all ten runs, only five of which were earned, on seven hits and two walks, while striking out only two, in four and a third innings of work. His record is now 1-2 with a 4.45 ERA. Winston Abreu and Lance Cormier then came in for four and two-thirds scoreless innings, giving up only three hits (Abreu (2), Cormier (1)) and a walk (Abreu), while striking out five batters between them (Abreu (3), Cormier (2)).

The Phils had ten hits in the game, with Chase Utley leading the way with three hits, including a double and a home run, knocking in four runs, as he raised his batting average to .303. He was followed by Shane Victorino, who had two hits, knocking in a run, as he raisied his average to .308. Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, John Mayberry Jr., Chris Coste and Carlos Ruiz had the other five Phillies’ hits, with Mayberry’s hit being a three-run home run, and Howard’s hit a one-run double. Besides Utley’s four RBIs, Mayberry’s three, and Victorino and Howard’s one RBI each, Ruiz knocked in the other RBI, as the Phils’ bats finally knocked in some runs, as they took advantage of some sloppy fielding by the Rays.

The Phillies (37-31, 1st National League East) continue their three-games Interleague Play series with the Rays (37-35, 4th American League East). The game will be played at Tropicana Field, at 7:08 pm Eastern. The Phils will send to the mound Joe Blanton (4-3, 5.28), who is coming off his third straight no-decision, this one against the Blue Jays on June 18, as he pitched five and one-third innings, giving up four runs on nine hits and a walk, while he struck out two, in the Phils’ 8-7 lost. He will once again try for his fourth straight win and his fifth win of the season, while trying to eat up the innings to help give the bullpen a much needed rest. The Rays will counter with Matt Garza (4-5, 3.83), who is coming off a lost against the Rockies on June 18, as he pitched five innings, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks, as he struck out five, in the Blue Jays’ 4-3 lost. He will be trying to even up his record while hoping to avoid getting creamed by the Phils’ potent road warrior offense. The Phillies will be looking for another road win, while at the same time go back to increasing their lead over the Mets.

Brad Lidge is able to stop a Marlins’ rally in the ninth, preserving the win for Joe Blanton, as the Phils defeat the fish, 5-3.

Joe Blanton pitched seven shut out innings, which was almost wasted in the ninth until Brad Lidge was able to come in and shut the door, redeeming himself for his two blown weekend saves as the Phils held on the defeat the pesky fish, 5-3.

The Phils took the lead in the first, as, with the bases loaded, via Jimmy Rollins reaching first on a Hanley Ramirez’s throwing error, a double by Shane Victorino, sending Rollins over to third base, and a walk to Chase Utley, and nobody out, Ryan Howard received an RBI walk, forcing in Rollins, giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead, while moving both Victorino and Utley up a base. One batter later, Raul Ibanez would make it 2-0 Phils as he hits a sacrifice fly, for the inning’s first out, scoring Victorino from third, while sending Utley on to third. After a wild pitch sends Howard to second, and Jayson Werth strikes out for the inning’s second out, Pedro Feliz hits a two outs RBI single, scoring Utley, giving the Phils a 3-0 lead, while sending Howard over to third base. The Phils would add to their lead in the sixth as, with a runner on first, and two men out, Victorino hits an RBI double, scoring Rollins, who had been safe at first on a force out, 5-4, as Phils’ starter Joe Blanton, who had reached base earlier on a walk, was out at second, but not before disrupting Marlins’ second baseman Dan Uggla’s throw to first base with a take-out slide, making it 4-0 Phils. In the seventh, after Joe Blanton had finished his strong effort by striking out his eleventh Marlin batter, the Phils added an insurance run, as with one man on and two men out, Feliz hits an RBI double, scoring Werth, who had earlier doubled. That would turn out to be important in the top of the ninth. With one man out, Chad Durbin walks Uggla, putting a man on first. Cody Ross follows with a single, putting runners on first and second, as Uggla moved up a base. Chris Coghlan then walks, loading the bases. Charlie Manuel then took out Durbin and brought in Scott Eyre to face pinch hitter Ross Gload. Gload hits a grounder to first, that was scooped up by Howard. The play should’ve ended the ballgame with a double play, 3-6-3, but instead, Howard threw the ball pass Rollins, thus allowing both Uggla and Ross to score, cutting the Phils’ lead down to 5-2, while sending Coghlan all the way to third, and Gload to second, with still one man out. Manuel then came back out and called for Brad Lidge. He then walks Emilio Bonifacio, reloading the bases. Lidge then got Jeremy Hermida to ground out, 3-1, for the inning’s second out, while Coghlan scored, making it a 5-3 Phils’ lead, while sending Gload to third and Bonifacio to second. Lidge then ended the game by striking out Wes Helms, recording his ninth save of the year.

Joe Blanton got the win as he pitched seven shut out innings, giving up only five hits and two walks, while striking out eleven batters. His record is now 3-3 with a 6.14 ERA. Ryan Madson pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out one. Chad Durbin pitched a third of an inning, giving up three runs, only one of which was earned, on one hit and two walks. Scott Eyre pitched to one batter, who got on base on an error. Brad Lidge picked up the save, his ninth of the season, as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up just a walk, while striking out one. Andrew Miller took the lost, pitching six innings, giving up four runs, only two of which were earned, on seven hits and four walks, while he struck out four. His record is now 1-2 with an ERA of 4.55. Christopher Leroux pitched two innings in relief, giving up a run on three hits.

The Phillies collected ten hits in the game. Shane Victorino got the most hits as he went four for five, including two doubles, as he knocked in a run, while also scoring one, raising his season average to .284. Pedro Feliz was next with two hits, while Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz had the other four hits. Ryan Howard and Ibanez both knocked in a run, while Feliz would knock in two, to go along with Victorino’s RBI.

The Phillies (25-19, 1st) will tonight conclude their three-games series with the Marlins (21-26, 4th). The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park, and will start at 7:05 pm. The Phillies’ starter will be Brett Myers (4-2, 4.34), who is coming off his best start of the season as he tamed the Yankees on May 22, pitching eight innings, giving up just three runs on eight hits, while striking out five, in the Phillies’ 7-3 win. He will be going for his fourth straight victory. The Marlins will counter with Burke Badenhop (2-2, 5.75), who is coming off a no-decision against the Rays on May 23, where he pitched an inning and a third in relief, giving up a run on three hits and a walk, in the Marlins’ 10-3 lost. He will be out there trying to tame the Phils’ bats. The Phils will be trying to win their fourth straight series, while preparing to meet the lowly Nationals on Friday. They still lead the Mets by half a game. 

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