Kyle Kendrick took the hill for the Fightins in the last game of the three game series against the Nationals in Washington.  Kendrick was staked to an early three run lead as Jayson Werth belted his 15th home run of the season to lead off the second inning.  Eric Bruntlett then singled as did Carlos Ruiz.   Bruntlett scored on a ground out by Jimmy Rollins and Ruiz scored on a error by the Nats Ryan Zimmerman.

The Nationals scored single runs in the third and fourth frames to tighten the score.  Jimmy Rollins belted a two run home run in the fourth frame to widen the gap once again. The Phillies put the game away with three more runs in the sixth highlighted by RBI singles for Ryan Howard and  Pat Burrell.

Kendrick pitched six and 2/3 innings before yielding  to Clay Condrey.  Condrey completed the inning and pitched the eighth, Rudy Seanez started the ninth frame but relinquished two runs and was pulled in favor of Chad Durbin who finished the game by getting the final out.   Nationals Park marked the 47th park that Seanez has pitched in during his journeyman career.

The Mets were idle so with the win the Phillies expanded their lead in the division to one full game.  The Marlins pounded the Rockies so they remain one and 1/2 games off the pace.

 Chatter

The trade deadline came and went with no activity for the Phillies.  Manny was indeed dealt by Boston but to the Dodgers.  The Phillies have yet to play the Dodgers this season and have eight games left with L.A. so they will have to deal with Ramirez for a good portion of their remaining games.  I assume that J.A. Happ will see innings out of the pen and provides insurance if one of the starters stumbles.   Adam Eaton pitched at Single A Lakewood and did not have a great line score as he only lasted thru four innings.  He may indeed be the most expensive minor leaguer in history !   The Phillies will keep their eyes open for waiver wire deals, remember that two years ago Jamie Moyer was acquired via that path.

Hey Phillies fans if you are interested in purchasing a good baseball book please consider “Thoughts from a Southpaw” written by yours truly, Steve Potter.  The book is available on amazon, borders, barnes and noble and also directly on my publishers site www.publishamerica.com .  Simply put in either my name or the book title on any of those sites and you will be enabled to purchase the book.

“Thoughts from a Southpaw” is partially a compilation of baseball poems, poetry of the game per se, that are visions of how the game is or should be played, stories of personal experiences, perceptions of the “heroes” of the game and issues, present and past, surrounding the grand game of baseball.  There are thirty-three baseball stories in all, composed at various times over the past few years.

In addition to discussions on the game of baseball, there are two more chapters reflecting other thoughts on fellowship, family and country.  This book is a reflection of what I value most, the ability to enjoy our lives and the things that matter around us.  It is a book of short stories that are intended to provoke thoughts and perhaps memories of your own!  Being a lifelong Phillies fan it has alot of connection with the Delaware Valley and the interaction with our team of “Fightins”.    Please afford yourself the chance to read thru it, I am confident that you will enjoy!

Veteran  Jamie Moyer took the mound for the Phillies in the second game of the series versus the Nationals.  Moyer was staked to a two run lead in the first inning as Pat Burrell knocked in Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino whom had both singled.   The Nationals put three on the board in their half of the inning as Moyer gave up two home runs.

No more scoring occured till the fifth when the fightins erupted for five runs.  Highlights of the inning were home runs by Chase Utley and Shane Victorino.  The Phillies added another in the seventh as Victorino hit his second homer of the game.  Moyer was lifted after six very professional frames as Ryan Madson came in.  Madson was touched for two runs by the Nationals to tighten the score to 8 to 5.  Chad Durbin pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Brad Lidge came on for the ninth as the game was in a save situation.  It was the fifth consecutive game for a Lidge appearance.  Lidge has experienced tendinitis in his elbow since the all-star game so consecutive appearances like this may be of concern later on.   Ryan Langerhans touched him for a leadoff double but he retired the next three batters to earn his 26th save as has converted every opportunity. 

The Mets lost so the Phillies move back into sole possession of first place in National League East.  The win was credited to Moyer, his tenth of the season and the 240th of his career.  The ageless one has been very good this year especially since the all-star break.

Chatter

Rumors are rampant that Manny is  headed to the Marlins with the Pirates included in three team trade where Jason Bay would end up in Boston and Jeremy Hermedia would become a Pirate.  Albeit the Phillies do not have a position open for Manny it would be hard to swallow seeing him go to a division rival.  Pat Burrell’s numbers this year align to Manny but Ramirez is a hall of famer, tough to pass on that kind of talent regardless of whether how enigmatic he may be!  The Phillies seem to be concentrating on adding bullpen depth but it does seem more and more possible that they make no moves at all before the deadline passes.  I do not think we have enough to truly be a championship contender but surely hope that I am wrong!

Brett Myers pitched seven strong innings yielding only one unearned run as the Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals 2 to 1 in Washington.  Chase Utley provided Myers all the run support he would need as he popped a two run home run to right field in the third inning scoring Jimmy Rollins who had reached base on a single.  Myers only allowed four hits to the light hitting Nationals.   J.C. Romero and Chad Durbin collectively pitched the eighth inning to earn holds.  Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning to earn his 25th save of the season.

Pat Burrell and Utley each had two hits in the game as Nationals starter Collin Ballester pitched six strong innings as well and combined with his bullpen to limit the Fightins to only eight hits.  With the Mets also winning the Phillies kept pace 1/2 game behind the New Yorkers in the National League East standings.

Chatter

Adam Eaton was optioned to Triple A on the off day prior to this contest.  Left hander J.A. Happ was added to the major league roster.  Pedro Feliz was placed on the 15 day disabled list prior to the game and infielder Mike Cervenak was recalled to replace him.  Rumors still circulate about potential trades for the Phillies, Manny Ramirez, Ron Mahay, Jason Bay, John Grabor, Arthur Rhodes, etc. are amongst the names mentioned as potentials coming to the club.  It is a wait and see as the deadline is 4 pm on 7/31.  Rumblings are that Cole Hamels has a small fracture in his left elbow. Also that Chase Utley may have an injured hip.  If either were to miss extensive time the team would indeed be in serious trouble!

In a game extended by a near two hour rain delay the Fightins offense exploded with two big innings in a come from behind 12 to 10 win over Atlanta.  The game began at 1:35 as newly acquired Joe Blanton took his second turn on the hill for the Phillies.  Blanton was touched for two runs in the first frame as Brian McCann and Mark Kotsay gained RBI hits.  The game was delayed in the bottom of the second inning as the skies opened up and thunder and lightning was prevalent.   

 When play restarted both starting pitchers were replaced, Jo-Jo Reyes came in for Jorge Campillo and Adam Eaton came on for Blanton.  Eaton was tuned up for three runs in the fourth inning as Kelly Johnson hit a two run home run followed immediately by a dinger by Omar Infante.   The Fightins came right back with a five spot in their fourth at bat to tie the game.  Chris Coste hit a two run home run to center field. So Taguchi then collected a pinch hit, Jimmy Rollins followed with a single, Shane Victorino then hit his 8^th homer of the season to knot the score.

 Pat Burrell hit his 26^th home run of the season in the fifth inning to put the Phillies up one.  Meanwhile Clay Condrey replaced Eaton on the mound and held the Braves scoreless for two frames.  The Phillies erupted for five runs in the sixth inning as Shane Victorino knocked in Carlos Ruiz with a single,(Ruiz had doubled on a pinch hit); J-Roll went to second on the hit as he had been walked prior to Victorino’s at bat.  Rollins and Victorino then pulled off a double steal.  Ryan Howard then plated both with a single.  Jayson Werth homered to bring in Howard and himself.

 J.C. Romero pitched a scoreless seventh for the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins hit the team’s fifth home run of the game in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 12 to 5.  In the top of the eighth things got interesting again as the Braves put up a five spot of their own.  Rudy Seanez started the inning for the Phils but could only get one out as he gave up multiple hits including an RBI double to Infante.  Seanez left with the bases loaded, Ryan Madson came on and immediately walked in a run. Martin Prado then cleared the sacks with a double to right field that Jayson Werth misplayed trying to make a diving catch. 

 Brad Lidge came on to pitch the ninth to earn his 24^th consecutive save.  Play concluded at nearly 7 pm some 5 and ½ hours after it started!

 Chatter

 With Manny being Manny in Boston an article was posted in the New York Post that the Phillies might be a trade destination for the enigmatic slugger.  Ramirez respects Phillies manager Charlie Manuel like a father figure as Manuel was the hitting coach in Cleveland when Ramirez played there.  Boston management seems at wits end this time with Ramirez so if a deal could be made with the Fightins not having to give up too much, considering that Manny wants out of his contract at year end perhaps a move might be intriguing!  He might be the professional hitter the lineup seems to need.  The team has an off day tomorrow which is a good thing for the bullpen as they had to use seven pitchers in each of the past two games.

Jayson Stark of ESPN rebutts the Ramirez rumors stating that the Phillies focus is on acquiring pitching.  Lefthander J.A. Happ was pulled in the third inning of his start in Triple A today for no apparent reason, he was being congratulated in the dugout by teammates…………. speculation is that he is either involved in a trade or may indeed become the lefty in the bullpen the team has been trying to acquire.

When Cole Hamels takes the hill for the Phillies one usually expects a quality start.  This one appeared to be no different thru three frames as Hamels allowed no Brave runs to score.  The Phillies spotted their ace to a three run lead when they scored twice in the second inning as Chris Coste singled with two outs to score Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell.  Howard had reached on a walk and Burrell had followed with a double.    The third run scored in the third inning as Shane Victorino tripled and Chase Utley scored him on a sacrifice fly.

Things got ugly for Hamels however in the fourth inning as the Braves plated nine runs!  Included in the inning were errors by Hamels and Utley that in effect made only four of the runs earned but Hamels was hit hard as he allowed five hits in the inning including a three run home run by Mark Teixeira.  Hamels was far from “ace like” in this one as he was chased after three and two thirds innings.

The FIghtins were true to their name however as they did not hang their heads and call it in.  They put up a seven spot in the fifth inning to regain the lead.  The Phillies brought ten batters to the plate in the inning.  Key blows in the inning were two out hits by Chris Coste and Greg Dobbs.  Coste delivered a single to right to score Ryan Howard and keep the inning alive.  Dobbs then smoked a three run home run to put the Phillies ahead by one!  This team has not shown any dog in them and the innning was a true reflection of team character!

The Phillies bullpen dominated their part of the contest.  Atlanta was held scoreless by Rudy Seanez, Adam Eaton, Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge.  Eaton was credited with the win while Madson, Durbin and Romero all earned holds.  Lidge earned his 23rd save and set a new team record by converting 23 consecutive save opportunities breaking the old mark set by Billy Wagner when he was a Phillie. 

Chatter

Eric Bruntlett started the game at third as Pedro Feliz again sat out with back pain.  Greg Dobbs got his 20th pinch hit of the season, a game winner at that.  Dobbs has been excellent all year at hitting in the pinch.   In order for Hamels to be a real staff ace he cannott implode in games like this one, he has dominated the Braves thus far this season but lost his composure in this one as he even errored on a throw himself trying to force a play.  I think he is an extreme talent but is still young and we fans must be patient with his continued development.   Joe Blanton takes his second turn in the rotation tommorrow in the series finale.

Kyle Kendrick took the hill for the Fightins against the Atlanta Braves.  Kendrick held Atlanta scoreless thru three frames however Brian McCann ripped a home run in the fourth to put Atlanta on the board.  Meanwhile Jair Jurrjens held the Phillies scoreless thru eight innings with little trouble giving up only three hits.  Kendrick was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth inning trailing by one run.  The Braves stranded nine runners thru six at bats including twice leaving the bases loaded.

 J.C. Romero was called upon to pitch the seventh inning and allowed one hit and no runs. Chad Durbin came on for the eighth and pitched a perfect inning.   Brad Lidge started the ninth and gave up hits to the first two hitters he faced and then walked the next batter to load the bases. Mark Teixeira then ripped a single to right to score the second run.  Brian McCann then busted the game open as he ripped a grand slam home run.  Lidge has been shaky in his last few efforts albeit this marks the first time he has been hammered in an outing.  Clay Condrey came in and took more lumps before ending the inning as the Braves batted around plus three. The Braves put up seven runs in the inning.  Jurrjens was then lifted after eight frames in favor of Will Ohman who closed the game.

Jayson Werth smoked a liner up the middle in the Phillies eighth but Jurrjens made an outstanding play to stop the ball and throw him out. It was the loudest ball hit all night by the Phillies until Chase Utley doubled in the ninth and Ryan Howard followed with his 30th home run.

 Chatter

 It was “Christmas in July” night at the home ballpark but no gifts were delivered to the Phillies as the offense was held stagnant.  Another sold out crowd was on hand but most of the night was very quiet as nothing happened to prompt excitement.  The team has only hit .238 since June 14^th so perhaps an offensive acquisition is indeed the need rather than pitching help.  Chase Utley was even booed by the Philly un-faithful in a couple of his at-bats as he is one of the key players who is battling a prolonged slump, the double in the ninth was his first hit in 18 at bats.

 Charlie Manuel had a closed door team meeting before the game. He told the press the team had “lost the shine on their chandelier” and needed to get it back!  We will see what long term impact the meeting will have.  It truly is up to the players.  Pedro Feliz was a late scratch at third base as he suffered back spasms. The Phillies had dominated the Braves thus far this season winning 8 of the first 9 games played so this one was a definite payback.

Jamie Moyer pitched exceptional but Oliver Perez was better as the Mets won the series finale 3 to 1 and took over sole possession of first place in the National League Eastern Division.    Perez rang up 12 strikeouts in 7 and 2/3 innings before yielding to the bullpen.   Moyer went seven innings allowing only two hits while striking out six.

The Mets took an early lead in the game as David Wright singled to score Jose (Hot Dog) Reyes in the third inning.  That lead held till the Phillies at bat in the seventh frame when Jayson Werth blasted a center field home run off of Perez to tie the game.

The Phillies had the bases loaded with two outs in the top half of the eighth when Perez was lifted in favor of Aaron Heilmann.  Jayson Werth was the hitter, rather than use a left handed pinch hitter such as Gregg Dobbs, ( 19 pinch hits lead the majors), or Jimmy Rollins the skipper chose to let Werth hit. He promptly skied the first pitch to center field for the last out.  Critics would summize that Charlie blew the game by not making the textbook move especially in light that Heilmann is far less effective against left handers.   Perhaps indeed the pinch hitter should have been used but Manuel played a hunch that Werth would come thru.   It is amazing how Northeast corridor fans love to excentuate the negative, this is the same manager the team had when they were 10 games over .500!  Talk shows will buzz with how Charlie’s lack of a move blew the game but the fact of the matter is that a manager is only as good as his players, if Werth comes thru no one would comment.

J.C. Romero took over mound chores for the Phillies in the eighth and gave up two runs as Carlos Delgado doubled to score teammates David Wright and Robinson Cancel.  Billy Wagner pitched the ninth to earn his 26th save.

Chatter

Jimmy Rollins was benched as he arrived late for the game.  It marks the second time this year Rollins has been disciplined by Manager Charlie Manuel for breaking the two main team rules, always hustle and be on time.  Rollins disagreed with Manuel that he deserved the disciplinary action this time.  Eric Bruntlett replaced Rollins in the lineup and had three hits in the game.   The Phillies offense has been sporadic this season to say the least, they are amongst league leaders in home runs and runs scored but discounting isolated high run games, ( they scored 20 in one against St. Louis), they have lacked consistency.  When a pitcher only allows two hits thru seven innings you must find a way to win!

No time to panic though, the team must regroup and win upcoming series with Atlanta at home and Washington on the road. 

With recent questions concerning Brett Myer’s fire tonight it seemed as if his worst enemy.  In his  first start since being recalled from the minors Myers had a tough first inning as he relinquished two runs without giving up a hit!  He did so by walking four consecutive batters followed by a fielders choice.  Myers seemed to be fighting himself, almost too pumped up to allow for a fluid delivery.

 The Phillies bounced right back to tie the game in their half of the third frame as Shane Victorino and Geoff Jenkins each hit solo home runs off John Maine.  Control was once again Myer’s dilemma in the third home half as he walked David Wright and then hit Carlos Delgado with one man out.  Carlos Beltran then singled to center to load the bases. Marlon Anderson struck out but Damian Easley got an infield single to put the Mets back ahead.  Brian Schneider then did Myers a huge favor as he swung at the first pitch to ground out to second and end the inning.

 The Phillies tied the game once again in the fifth as Carlos Ruiz singled, was sacrificed to second by Myers and then scored on a Jimmy Rollins double to right center.  Myers night was over after five as he was lifted in favor of Ryan Madson.  Madson was touched immediately in the sixth for three runs as Jose Reyes hit a bomb over the right field wall scoring two teammates in front of him. Clay Condrey came on to pitch two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth.

 Maine settled down after some early control issues to pitch an effective seven innings. The Mets bullpen was able to rebound from last evening to complete the win as Billy Wagner closed the door in the ninth.

 Chatter

 Despite all the rumors of trades pending Shane Victorino continues to play well. Victorino has stated a desire to stay in Philadelphia rather than play elsewhere but the Phillies do not have a lot of trade chips to offer so it may be inevitable.  Greg Dobbs got the start at third base as Pedro Feliz was given a night off, Feliz has struggled lately making contact.  Mets third base coach Luis Aguayo seemed a bit gun shy early as he held Carlos Beltran on a single to center field that he could have probably scored on.  The Mets sure make it easy for opponents to get fired up, the Jose Reyes home run is a perfect example as he hot dogged his way around the bases and then was greeted by Carlos Delgado with a series of celebratory hand slaps.  Back in the day this would have cost him or a teammate a ball in the ear! 

Talk about a challenging first assignment with your new team, Joe Blanton sure stepped into one in his first start for the Phillies.  First place on the line within the division, facing the archrival Mets in New York and just for good measure face their staff ace Johan Santana.  No pressure Joe but lets see what you can do!

 The Phillies jumped out to an early one run lead as consecutive singles by Pat Burrell, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth allowed Burrell to score. Blanton held that lead till the Mets third at bat.  His troubles started with a four pitch walk to Met shortstop Jose Reyes. Endy Chavez then legged out an infield single to second base as Reyes was running on the pitch also.  David Wright then smoked a double down the left field line to score Reyes but Chavez was thrown out at the plate on perfect relays by Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins.  Carlos Delgado then appeared to strike out on a curve ball in the dirt but the third base umpire said he did not swing.  Two pitches later Delgado, a notorious low ball hitter, golfed a low fastball over the right field fence to give the Metropolitans a two run lead.  Blanton wriggled out the inning with no further damage. 

 Between innings Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel was ejected from the contest as he argued the lack of a call in the Delgado at bat.  On the replay it did appear that Delgado broke his wrist on the swing.

The Mets added two more runs in the sixth inning as with two outs Blanton issued a four pitch walk to Marlon Anderson.  The walk once again burnt the right hander as the next batter Ramon Castro deposited a hanging slider over the left field wall.  The Phillies got one back in the top of  the seventh as Shane Victorino touched Santana for a solo home run to left field. 

 Blanton was pulled after six innings, an inauspicious debut for the Fightins at best.  The Mets loaded the bases in the seventh but did not score as Chase Utley made a diving catch on a line drive hit with mustard by hot dog pinch hitter Fernando Tatis.  Pat Burrell doubled in the Phillies eighth but was stranded on base.  Santana pitched eight innings, he issued no walks in the contest, in his three starts against the Fightins he has given no free passes.

With Billy Wagner ailing the Mets summoned Duaner Sanchez to close but he could not get the job done as he gave up consecutive singles to Jayson Werth, Greg Dobbs and Shane Victorino.  Joe Smith came in and faced Carlos Ruiz who hit a ground ball to short that Jose Reyes played badly as Victorino beat him to second on a fielders choice, Werth scored on the play.  The Mets then went to left hander Feliciano to face So Taguchi who came up huge with a double to right field to tie the game, it was Taguchi’s first pinch hit of the season!  Mr. Clutch Jimmy Rollins  then plated two more with a line double to left field. The Mets got a “Bronx cheer” as Chase Utley grounded out to second pushing Rollins to third, Pat Burrel was then intentionally walked.  Rollins scored on an bobbled ball hit back to the box by Ryan Howard that Feliciano could have had a inning ending double play on!  Aaron Heilman then became the Mets fourth pitcher of the inning as he came to face Jayson Werth who led off the inning and walked him!  He finally got out of the inning as Dobbs popped to short.

Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning and gave up one run but earned his 22nd save of the year.  Chad Durbin was credited with the win.  Mets fans were stunned by the outcome as the comeback win was a definite deflator!

 Chatter

 Endy Chavez was thrown out at the plate twice in the contest, once from left field and the other from right.  Luis Aguayo, the Mets third base coach was overly aggressive on both plays as Chavez was out by a lot each time.  Carlos Ruiz had a couple of hits for the Fightins which is a good sign as he has struggled mightily recently.  The Phillies have held first place since May 31st, the last time the Mets held first by themselves this year was in April.   The Phillies are now 4 and 7 against New York with seven games remaining in the season series, must win the head to head games if title is to be claimed.  As Jimmy Rollins said in the post game interview this is only one game so must come back tommorrow night fightin just as hard!