Cole Hamels pitched eight innings but could not hold the slim one run lead provided to him as the Marlins Cody Ross slammed a game tying home run in the home team’s eighth at bat to knot the score at two.  Ryan Howard had staked Hamels to an early lead in the first inning as he singled to score Jimmy Rollins.  Howard knocked in his 87^th run of the year in the third frame as he doubled to score Chase Utley. 

  The Marlins scored their first run in the fourth inning as Jeremy Hermida touched Hamels for his 12^th home run of the season.  Meanwhile Josh Johnson kept the Phillies at bay till turning the game over to the bullpen with two outs in the sixth inning.

  The game advanced to extra innings and was finalized in the 11^th as Jorge Cantu delivered the game winner knocking in Alfredo Amezaga.  Clay Condrey absorbed the loss for the Fightins.  The Phillies left ten runners on base in the contest.  Shane Victorino joined Howard with two hits in the contest but timely hits were not found as six runners were left on base in scoring position.  With the win the Marlins pulled within ½ game of the Division lead while the Mets win over the Reds put them back into a first place tie with the Fightins.  The Phillies have an off day tomorrow but then open a three game series in New York on Tuesday which will determine the Division leader going into next weekends play.

  Chatter

 Geoff Jenkins had to leave the game with a contusion on his shoulder after his bat splintered in a sixth inning at bat.  A portion of the bat knocked him down as it broke.  Maple bats and the way they shatter is a concern for fear that someone might get seriously hurt at some point.  These bats tend to splinter when they break. Brett Myers is slated to join the team and pitch against the Mets on Wednesday.  He has stated that he has his swagger back and is ready to go……… here is hoping swagger keeps the fastball out of the middle of the plate!

Greg Olsen who in times past has stated he hates the Philies had just enough to gain a win in the second game of this three game set.   He pitched five innings giving up four runs on eight hits which was hardly a stellar performance but enough to outlast Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick who struggled in this outing.  Kendrick only pitched four and one third innings giving up seven runs on ten hits.  Kendrick gave up home run blasts to John Baker, Jeremy Hermedia and Dan Uggla.  Kendrick was unable to spot his sinker and paid the price accordingly.  He is a pitcher who really only has one effective pitch and when failing to locate usually has difficulty.

Pat Burrell had a good offensive game for the Fightins as he blasted two home runs giving him 25 on the season.  Burrell also had a double in the contest.  Clay Condrey and Ryan Madson pitched scoreless relief for the Philies but Rudy Seanez was touched for two runs in the eighth inning.

The series concludes with a Sunday Matinee in which team ace Cole Hamels will take the hill for the Fightins.

Chatter

Speculation still abounds that the team will acquire a left handed reliever prior to the trade deadline.  John Grabow of the Pirates seems to be the least costly and most attainable.  Rumors still swirl that Brian Fuentes is a possibility from Colorado.  New addition Joe Blanton was added to the active roster and Joe Bisenius was optioned to triple A.   Brett Myers is slated to rejoin the team as well during the coming week and the team most likely will go back to carrying 12 pitchers on the roster, the most likely option candidate is infielder Mike Cervenak.

After the Mets win at Cincinnati the day before the Phillies began post All-Star game play in a tie for first place in the N.L. Eastern Division.  Opening the second half in Florida the mound assignment went to 45 year old veteran Jamie Moyer.

 Moyer began the game with an undefeated record against the Marlins.  The pitching craftsman has frustrated the young Marlin hitters in games past by using their aggressiveness against them forcing them to hit pitches in spots where only outs can be produced.

 This game started no different as Moyer sat down the Marlins in order thru the first three frames.  Meanwhile he was staked to a lead on Ryan Howard’s 29^th home run of the year. Howard belted a solo home run in the second inning.  Pat Burrell continued his hot hitting as he doubled and was plated by a Pedro Feliz single.  The Phillies added to their lead in the third and fourth frames as Jimmy Rollins doubled and scored on a Chase Utley single in the third and Geoff Jenkins hit a long solo home run to center field in the fourth.

 The Marlins scored two in the fourth frame as RBI’s were credited to Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla. The Marlins actually had the bases loaded with no outs but Moyer was able to limit the damage to only the two runs.  Moyer pitched six complete innings giving the Fightins a quality start as he exited with a 4-2 lead.

 Chad Durbin and J.C. Romero earned holds as they combined to pitch the seventh and eighth innings allowing no runs to score.  Brad Lidge converted his 21^st save as he pitched a perfect ninth inning.  Jamie Moyer earned his 9^th win of the season and improved his record to 10 and 0 against the Marlins.  The Mets lost to the Reds therefore the Fightins regained sole possession of first place in the division.

 Chatter

 Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that the Phillies had recent interest in making a blockbuster deal with the Rockies that would involve acquiring All-Star outfielder Matt Holiday and pitcher Brian Fuentes.  Recent word is that GM Pat Gillick has convinced ownership to expand the salary limits so it is not unfeasible that those discussions had real intent.  Rosenthal’s article states that talks have stagnated for the moment and it is unclear that they would resume.  If a deal of this magnitude would come to fruition a resounding WOW would be my reaction as it would be a significant indication that the Fightins are for real in trying to bring home a World Series title! 

The Phillies acquired right handed starting pitcher Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor leaguers Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman and Matthew Spencer.  Cardenas and Outman were rated as top ten prospects in the Phillies system.  Blanton is an innings eater having pitched more than 200 innings in two of the past three seasons.  He has a record of 42 and 34 over that same time period.  Blanton has struggled at times this season and has a 5-12 record thus far for 2008 in 20 starts.  He is expected to replace Adam Eaton in the starting rotation with Brett Myers rejoining the rotation as well.

I believe it is an upgrade to the rotation, perhaps not a top of the rotation type pitcher but for what was exchanged he is well worth the risk.  It remains to be seen if any more transactions are made before the trade deadline passes.

No one has a crystal ball and games are won on the field but that being said a quick look at the remaining schedules for the Marlins, Phillies and Mets one can extrapolate projected season ending wins.   Both the Marlins and Mets have 67 games left while the Phillies have 66.  

The Phillies have faced thier remaining opponents 48 times thus far this season and have won 27 games which equates to a .562 winning percentage.  They have not faced the Dodgers yet this season and have 8 remaining games with them.  Applying the math would project the Phillies with 89 wins at season end.

The Marlins have faced thier remaining opponents 56 times thus far this season and have won 30 times which equates to a .535 winning percentage.  They have not faced the Cardinals or Cubs yet this season and have 7 games remaining with each.  They have played the Nationals 12 times already and have 10 wins in those matches.  Applying the math would project the Marlins with 85 wins at season end.

The Mets have faced thier remaining opponents 52 times thus far this season and have won 24 times which equates to a .461 winning percentage.  They have not faced the Astros yet this season and have 7 games remaining with them.  Applying the math would project the Mets with 81 wins at season end.

Just a crapshoot but interesting to see how it plays out!  Here is hoping it works this way for the Fightins!

The Phillies optioned R.J. Swindle to Triple A Lehigh Valley and recalled pitcher Joe Bisenius.  Swindle was ineffective in his short stint with the Phillies.  Bisenius was on the big league roster last season as he made the opening day roster.  Once thought of as a potential closer Bisenius is a hard throwing right hander.  The Phillies were caught short in the bullpen after extended innings were needed both in Friday and Saturday’s games.  Bisenius was available for action on Sunday but was not used. 

In the series finale with Arizona both team’s aces took the hill.  Cole Hamels opposed Brandon Webb.    The Diamondbacks scored first as Chad Tracey connected on a home run to right field in the second inning.  They scored again in the fourth inning as Robby Hammock knocked in Chris Young with a single.

 The Phillies plated one in the fifth as pitcher Cole Hamels stroked a double to right center scoring Pedro Feliz.  The game was tied in the bottom of the seventh as Jimmy Rollins stroked a double to deep right center to score Carlos Ruiz.   At that point both Hamels and Webb were out of the game and the contest was turned over to the bullpens

 Chad Qualls started the eighth frame for Arizona on the hill and ran into immediate trouble as both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard singled to reach base.  That set up the heroics of Pat Burrell who slammed a Qualls slider to deep left center for his 23^rd home run of the season.  Pedro Feliz followed with his 12^th home run to put the lead at four.

 Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning and was touched for one run but struck out two to end the contest.

 Chatter

 With the win the Phillies clinched first place in the N.L. Eastern Division at the All-Star break.  They also won the season series with the Diamondbacks 4 games to 2.  The game was a sellout again marking the 31^st of the season.

Game two of the Arizona series was played as a late afternoon contest so that it could be carried as a regional broadcast on FOX Sports.  Adam Eaton toed the rubber for the Fightins against the Big Unit Randy Johnson.

 The Snakes bit first by scoring two runs in their first at bat as Chad Tracey and Mark Reynolds collected RBI’s.  The Phillies tied the game in the third frame as Shane Victorino blasted a two run home run to the left field seats.

 Things exploded in the fourth inning as Eaton ran into a bout of wildness after two outs. Alex Romero lined a single and Robby Hammock then walked.  Eaton went to 3-2 on mound opponent Randy Johnson before hanging a slider that Johnson smoked down the left field line to score both runners.  Stephen Drew then walked and Conor Jackson lined a double to left scoring Johnson.  Orlando Hudson was issued an intentional walk and then Eaton was lifted in favor of RJ Swindle. It marked the second consecutive short outing for Eaton. Tracey produced two more runs on a broken bat single to center field. Mark Reynolds then blasted a three run home run as Arizona’s tenth hitter in the frame to make the score 10 to 2!  All tolled the D-Backs sent 12 hitters to the plate as they took the eight run lead.

 The Phillies scored two runs in the fifth inning highlighted by Shane Victorino’s second home run of the game.  No more scores occurred and the game ended 10 to 4. 

 Chatter

 Philly fans have lost their patience with Adam Eaton.  Eaton was given a large contract before last season as a free agent acquisition.  He has yet to produce in the blue collar town and has been a consistent target of the “Boo Birds”.  RJ Swindle has been mediocre since getting the call from Triple A.  The soft tossing lefty must be perfect in pitch placement or is subject to being blasted by major league hitters. With the stretch drive looming the Phillies are in need of a steady starter in the rotation along with someone who can pitch at the top.  Perhaps the steady starter is Eaton but he has not shown results thus far.   Eric Bruntlett got the start at second base as manager Charlie Manual gave All-Star Chase Utley the day off against Johnson.

The Phillies opened the last series of play before the All-Star break at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kyle Kendrick took the hill vs. Doug Davis for Arizona.

Ryan Howard got the scoring started by clubbing his major league leading 28th home run in the second inning to give the Fightins a one run lead. The Diamondbacks answered with the game tying run in the top of the sixth inning as Chad Tracey plated Orlando Hudson.

In the Phillies half of the sixth with two outs Pedro Feliz reached on a walk and advanced to third on a double by Shane Victorino. The struggling Carlos Ruiz came to the plate batting out of the eight hole. Rather than walk Ruiz to get to the pitchers spot Arizona chose to pitch to him. This ended up burning the D-backs as Doug Davis unfurled a wild pitch allowing Feliz to score and Victorino to advance to third. The D-Backs then chose to intentionally walk Ruiz. With pitcher Kyle Kendrick batting the Phillies executed a delayed steal with Ruiz breaking from first, getting caught in a rundown and allowing Victorino to scamper home with the third run!

Arizona took the game lead in the top of the seventh frame as consecutive hits by Miguel Montero, Alex Romero and a double by pinch hitter Emilio Bonifacio plated two runs. Starter Kendrick was lifted in favor of left handed specialist RJ Swindle. Swindle’s task was to get Stephen Drew and keep Bonifacio from scoring. After working an 0-2 count Swindle hung a 55 mph curve ball over the plate and Drew lined it into right field to give Arizona the lead. Chad Durbin then was brought into the game by Manager Charlie Manual and retired the next two hitters to limit the Diamondback lead to 4-3.

The Phillies threatened in the bottom of the seventh with one out as consecutive singles by Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth put runners on first and third. Chase Utley then hit a scorched ground ball that looked destined for center field but D-Back second basemen Orlando Hudson made an incredible diving stop, flipped the ball to shortstop Drew at second who then completed the inning ending double play with a throw to first base!

Arizona added another run in the eighth as Montero got his third hit of the game with two outs. Romero then hit a deep drive to center field that Victorino just missed making a spectacular leaping catch of against the fence. He was able to recover in time to throw out Romero via shortstop relay at third base trying to stretch the hit.

The Phillies tied the game in their half of the eighth as a Shane Victorino triple plated Ryan Howard and Eric Bruntlet (pinch running for Pat Burrell who singled). Arizona hurler Tony Pena was able to pitch out of the inning without further damage.

The game advanced to extra innings as the game remained tied at regulation end. The Phillies finally prevailed in the twelfth inning as So Taguchi led off with a single, was sacrificed to second base and scored on a line single to right field by Jayson Werth.

Rudy Seanez gained the win in relief as the Phils used all available position players and all but Ryan Madsen out of the bullpen.

Chatter

Pat Burrell was disappointed by the naming of David Wright instead of him to replace injured Alfonso Soriano on the All-Star team but consider this; it has been sixty years since the Major League home run leader at the break was not on either team. Ryan Howard leads the majors in taters and the N.L. in RBI’s. Howard’s average is below .240 which may have been part of the consideration but truth be told if not robbed of about 20 hits by the infield shift deployed by many teams against him his average would be .290. As it stands Howard came into the game with more RBI’s than hits! The game marked the 29th sellout crowd of the season for attendance.  Mike Cervenak made his major league debut with a pinch hitting appearance in the 11th inning.  He hit a hard line drive to left field but it was caught.

As the trade deadline looms the Phillies need of starting pitching makes rumors persist. The team might be in pursuit of Blue Jays starter A.J. Burnett. SI.com has recently reported that a Blue Jays top executive was recently seen in Reading, PA scouting the Phillies double A team. Potential prospects of interest include catcher Lou Marson, pitcher Carlos Carrasco or outfielder Greg Golson. Burnett has top of the rotation type of stuff but has not been consistent with results. He has the option of voiding his contract at year end and becoming a free agent or continue and collect on the $24 million left on the deal.

The team needs to take a risk especially in light of recent trades of C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee and Rich Hardin to Chicago. Burnett may not be the answer but it is readily apparent the need is not being filled by the present roster. Phillies starters are collectively 31-31 with an E.R.A over 4. Twenty five of those wins are claimed by the trio of Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick. As a lifelong Phillies fan I think the time is now and if it means mortgaging the future a bit by dealing a prospect so be it……….. after all we have only one world series championship and over 10,000 losses as a franchise!