Been away in Clearwater, FLA for a week celebrating my daughter’s wedding and have not updated the old blog since I left……….thanks Bernalda for the nice comment, see us Phillie and Mets fans can get along!  In any regards here is a summary of the week I missed while down in rainy florida……yes rained everday I was there!  The one week I show up happens to be the week they get a steady stream of much needed agua across the whole bloody state, oh well……. at least the Fighthin’s didn’t play soggy for the week.  Here is the recap.

Saturday, May 16th – Day/Night Double Header in Washington

Game 1 : Phillies 8 Nationals 5

Brett Myers had a really nice game going seven innings allowing only three hits and two runs to earn his third win of the season.  Ryan Madson got hit around a bit in the eighth giving up three runs which created a save situation in the ninth which Brad Lidge converted for his sixth of the year.  Raul Ibanez continued his all-star pace by blasting two home runs in the game and Jayson Werth also hit a dinger.  The Phillies pounded 14 hits in total including three from Ibanez and Werth and two each from Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Chris Coste.

Game 2 : Phillies 7 Nationals 5

Rookie Drew Carpenter was recalled from Triple A Lehigh Valley and made his major league starting debut in this one which was shortened by rain.  The game was stopped in the top of the sixth inning and play never resumed.  Carpenter only pitched 4 and 1/3 innings but was credited with the win due to the shortened game.   Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez each blasted home runs in the game to lead the Phillie offense.  The Phillies accumulated nine hits in the five full innings of play,  Chase Utley was 3 for 3 and Jimmy Rollins, Ibanez and Howard each had two hit games.  No coincedence that when J-Roll gets multi hit games the Fightins’ score alot of runs!

Sunday May 17th : Phillies 8 Nationals 6 – Washington, D.C.

Chan Ho Park pitched himself out of the rotation in this one as he only lasted 1 and 1/3 innings giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks.  Park was terrible in this one and dug the Phillies a early hole after they had even spotted him a three run lead in the first inning!  Five Phillies relievers limited the Nationals to only one run and four hits the rest of the way and rookie Sergio Escalona picked up his first major league win, he replaced Drew Carpenter on the roster who was optioned back to Lehigh Valley prior to the game.   Scott Eyre earned his sixth hold of the season and Brad Lidge pitched in the ninth to gain his 7th save.   Jimmy Rollins, Pedro Feliz and Jayson Werth led the offense with two hits each as the Fightin’s swept the four game series from Washington.

Tuesday, May 19th : Phillies 4 Reds 3 – Cincinatti, Ohio

Cole Hamels pitched six strong innings to earn his second win of the season and Ryan Howard belted his ninth home run of the year as the Phillies defeated the Reds in the series opener.  Clay Condrey and Ryan Madson each earned holds and Brad Lidge notched his eighth save of the season.

Wednesday, May 20th :  Reds 5 Phillies 1 – Cincinatti, Ohio

Jamie Moyer pitched better in this one but still suffered his fourth loss of the year.  Moyer went six innnings giving up three runs on nine hits.  It was all Reds starter Aaron Harrang needed as he tossed seven frames striking out nine while stopping a hot Phillie offense.  Raul Ibanez did hit his major league leading 14th home run in the game to account for the Phillies lone run.  Ibanez is making Phillie faithful state “Pat who ?”

Thursday, May 21st :  Phillies 12 Reds 5 – still in Ohio!

Joe Blanton was the happy recipient of the strong Phillie offensive showing as he went only five innings to earn his second win of the season.  Blanton gave up five runs in the fifth frame as he had shut the Reds out to that point.  Clay Condrey, Scott Eyre, Chan Ho Park and Sergio Escalona finished the game and held the Reds scoreless.   Chase Utley, Greg Dobbs, Ryan Howard and superman Raul Ibanez each belted home runs in the game for the Phillies.  Jimmy Rollins had a four hit game and continues to raise his average.

Friday, May 22 : Phillies 7 Yankees 3 – Yankee Stadium, NYC

Brett Myers threw his best game of the season going eight strong innings against the Bronx Bombers limiting them to three runs on eight hits.  Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless ninth to finish the game.  Jimmy Rollins belted a home run in his first at bat in the new Yankee stadium to get things started for the Phillies.  Jayson Werth also homered and Raul Ibanez hit his 16th home run of the season as well.  Carlos Ruiz had a three hit game batting out of the nine hole for the Phillies. Matt Stairs served as the DH in the first interleague game of the season for the FIghtins.

Saturday, May 23rd :  Yankees 5 Phillies 4 – NYC

J.A. Happ pitched really well in his first start of the season since replacing Chan Ho Park in the rotation but came up with a no decision as the Yankees mounted a ninth inning comeback to win.  Happ threw six innings only giving up 2 runs and 4 hits.  Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson each earned holds but Brad Lidge could not hold the Yankees in the ninth and was credited with both his second loss of the season and third blown save.   John Mayberry, Jr. belted a three run home run in his first major league at bat !  Mayberry was recalled from Triple A to add a right handed bat for interleague play, Sergio Escalona was optioned back to Lehigh.  Raul Ibanez blasted his 17th home run of the season in this one as well………… the man is on fire!

Chatter

While in Florida we took in a Rays game as they played Oakland in an afternoon game on Thursday, the 21st.   We got soaked trying to get into the stadium as it was raining like crazy, so soaked that I had to buy a Ray’s T-shirt to wear and take off my World Champion Phillies T-shirt I had worn to the game!    Only a security guard politely chided me about the Phillies shirt,   they announced 13,000 as the attendance but I think it was far more sparse than that.  The stadium is not horrible but is still a  far cry  from the newer parks like CBP in Philly.   The fans jumped on reliever Troy Percival in earnst and booed the hell out of him when he could not throw strikes, turns out he was hurt and was put on the DL the next day……… never will understand what booing does for folks!  The Rays bid for a new stadium by the waterfront in St. Pete was rejected so I am not sure what the next move is for the franchise, the core Rays fans seem loyal but I don’t know if there are enough of them!   In any regards the Rays have a good young team and should be supported, if not in Tampa then I am sure some other city will welcome them.  By the by the Rays won the game 5-4 with a ninth inning rally sparked by a Carl Crawford single, like him as a player but his buddy in center, B.J. Upton is a dawg in my opinion, doesn’t run out ground balls and half assed a fly ball to center field that he could of caught with a bit of effort,  Charlie would have eaten him alive if he were one of his players and did that!

 

 

Post info: By Steve Potter on May 24th, 2009
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Jayson Werth stole four bases in the opening game of the Phillies three game home series against his former  team, the Dodgers.   Included in his four steals was an electric swipe of home in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and the bases juiced.   Werth timed the throwback to the pitcher from catcher Russell Martin perfectly and sprinted immediately thereafter  for home sliding under the return throw from the pitcher!  Alot of guts to even try it but one of those plays when successful leaves folks talking about it for a long time!

Chan Ho Park had his second consecutive strong outing by going six innings allowing only seven hits and two runs.  Park started out a bit shaky in the first inning as the Dodgers hit some bullets but they were only able to score one time, he settled in nicely thereafter and earned the win.   Werth led the Philie offense with two hits as the team could only muster six in the game.  Raul Ibanez had the only extra base hit for the Fightins as he doubled to knock in one of the runs.   Pinch hitter extraordinaire Matt Stairs added another pinch single to his tally with by delivering in the bottom of the eighth.

The bullpen did the job once again as Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge closed the game behind Park.  Orlando Hudson had three hits in the game for the Dodgers.  Lidge struggled a bit in the ninth but held on to earn his fifth save of the season.

Chatter

Werth’s four steals tied a team record for steals in a game, the last time a Phillie did so was in 1978 when Garry Maddox stole four in a fourteen inning game.  Balking Bob Davidson had a tough nite as first base umpire and he missed a couple calls that were not so close for a professional umpire to make.  Skipper Charlie Manuel mildly protested a call in the eighth just to let him know.   Jimmie Rollins batted out of the fifth slot in the lineup in this one as he is battling a season long slump, J-Roll hit the ball hard a couple times and ended up one for three with one walk.  Rollins will be fine, just gotta stick with him.  The TV crew got a great shot of ex Phillie Larry Bowa  in the Dodger dugout after a double steal was pulled off by the Phillies in the seventh, Bowa tossed his sunflower seeds and stomped into the clubhouse entry in disgust!  Gotta love his intensity. 

Chan Ho Park appeared to tweak a hamstring running out a bunt in his first at bat, the trainer was brought onto the field in the top of the fifth to check him but Park stayed in the game.  Time will tell I suppose if the injury is something that may cause down time.

Post info: By Steve Potter on May 12th, 2009
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Good pitching usually beats good hitting every time, that indeed was proven again this weekend as the Fightin’s dropped the last two games of the three game home series with the Atlanta Braves.  On Saturday Javier Vazquez threw 7 and 2/3 innings of stellar pitching against the Phillies, he only allowed four hits and two runs in that span.    With the exception of a few badly placed pitches Joe Blanton also pitched well going eight innings, the difference being that Blanton gave up two two run bombs, one to Brian McCann and the other to Yunel Escobar.   The Phillies were limited to five hits in the game, two of which were delivered by Chase Utley.  Utley homered in the game as did Raul Ibanez.    Final count :  Atlanta 6 Phillies 2

Sunday’s game was more of the same from a pitching dominance perspective, this time the Atlanta hurler was Kenshin Kawakami as he went six innings giving up five hits and two runs.  Three Braves relievers went the final three frames limiting the Phillies to one additional hit and no runs.   The Phillies were thus limited to six hits total, two each by Ryan Howard and Matt Stairs who got the start in right field.   Brett Myers pitched well for the Phils by going six innings allowing only one run on five hits.  Jack Taschner took the loss as he was tagged for two runs and three hits in only two thirds of an inning of relief work in the seventh frame.   FInal Count : Braves 4 Phillies 2

Chatter

With the two losses the Phillies record dropped to 15 and 14 and they fall to third place in the division one and 1/2 games behind the Mets.  The team has an offday on Monday before opening a three game home set with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Chan Ho Park will take the pill against his ex mates in the series opener.  The Phillies lead the majors in both sides of home run statistics !  They have hit more home runs than any team but the pitching staff has also given up more home runs that anyone…….. by far, in fact they are on pace to set a new major league record for home runs allowed! 

Post info: By Steve Potter on May 11th, 2009
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Johan Santana is widely regarded as the best starting pitcher in baseball, last evening he proved once again why he has such recognition.  Santana held the very potent Phillies offense to just two hits and no runs thru seven innings of work enroute to his fourth victory of the season.  He struck out ten hitters in the seven frames and dazzled batters with his array of fastballs, sliders and changeups.  Santana can throw any of those pitches for a strike at any count and all are above average pitches, he is a tough guy to beat and is the primary reason why the Mets should stay in contention throughout the season.

Chan Ho Park matched Santana thru six frames as he pitched shutout baseball allowing the Mets only one hit!  Park pitched agressive in the strike zone like he did in spring training and the results were comparable.  It was definitely his best outing as a Phillie and if he can bottle that approach will easily be a double digit game winner for this team.

The Phillies could only amass three hits in total in the game as Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriquez closed out the game for the Mets.  There was only one run scored in the contest, a seventh inning unearned run scored by Dan Murphy for the New Yorkers.   Shane Victorino extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a baseknock. 

Bottom line in this one is that the Fightin’s just ran up against an extreme talent and competitor, Santana exemplifies the same bulldog approach and tenacity that the Fightin’s used to win a World Championship last season, hats off to him, sometimes you just gotta say the other guy beat ya!

Chatter

I realize the Citizen’s Bank Park is very hitter friendly but whomever laid out Citi Field went to the extreme opposite approach!  415 in the power alleys is a long way and 383 to right is crazy!  This park is a double/triple extravaganza,  Jose Reyes should have 30 freaking triples playing here!  Better have a centerfielder who can cover alot of ground in this yard else you are in trouble……….reminds me of Coors Field in Colorado without the thin air.   Watched the Met fans in the stands last night and I don’t see a distinctive difference between them and us Phillie fans, they live and die with the team and are very intuitive into the game.  Carlos Delgado was given a Bronx cheer last night when he caught a pop up, he doffed his cap to the fans……..Delgado had dropped one the night before against Atlanta!  The Phillies-Mets rivalry is a good one but I think that the fans are more intense about it than the teams, don’t get the sense that the ballplayers dislike each other like the Yanks/BoSox thing spills over, perhaps just me.

Ryan Howard is having a great year thus far with the glove, gold glove worthy!  He made a diving stop last night on a hard ground ball and a terrific flip to Park covering first but Chan Ho dropped it!  Last year I don’t think the big man would have even gotten to it, the work he did this offseason and spring with coach Sam Perlozzo has certainly paid off!

Jamie Moyer takes the hill tonight looking for career win 250, my boy Eric and his buddy are gonna be in attendance tonight in NYC!  Eric is a diehard Mets fan which goes to prove that we can coexist!

Post info: By Steve Potter on May 7th, 2009
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So far this season the Fightin’s have been a better road team than at home, that trend continued as the Phillies began a short four game road trip with a sweep of the Cardinals in the baseball mecca, St. Louis.   In game one of the series on Monday, May 4th big Joe Blanton delivered his best outing of the season as he pitched six effective innings giving up one run on only four hits to earn his first win of the season.  Jayson Werth belted a two run home run in the fourth inning off of former Phil Kyle Lohse.   Ryan Howard smoked a grand slam, ( his second of the season), in the fifth inning off of Lohse to end his outing abruptly!  Both taters were long ones, the defending World Champions can hit and it don’t matter if they are playing in Yellowstone……when they hit ‘em they are out of any park!   Scott Eyre, Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin each pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Blanton to close out the game, a 6 to 1 Phillies win.

On Tuesday evening Brett Myers was the starter for the Phillies and pitched 5 and 1/3 innings to earn the win albeit it was not a stellar performance.  Myers gave up five runs on nine hits and while earning the win but it was more due to the potent Phillies offense than to his effectiveness.  Shane Victorino belted a solo home run to lead off the game and Jayson Werth hit his fourth home run of the season in the fifth inning, a three run shot off of Cardinal starter Adam Wainwright.   The Cardinals hit three home runs of thier own in the game including Albert Pujol’s 10th of the season. Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson each earned holds in relief and Brad Lidge closed the game albeit a non-save situation.  Victorino had four hits in the game while Jimmie Rollins, Raul Ibanez and Pedro Feliz had two hits each.  Jayson Werth had four RBI and Shane Victorino had three.  FInal Count – Phillies 10 Cardinals 7

Chatter

The Phillies next road opponent is the not so Amazin Mets in thier new ballyard.  Chan Ho Park takes the ball in game one vs Johan Santana, a surely apparent mismatch…….. Park needs to get back his agressiveness and prove he belongs in the rotation, he is definitely on the borderline of being pulled from the spot.  Cole Hamels is being held back to Friday night vs the Atlanta Braves at home.  Chase Utley was held out in the Tuesday game as he was hit by a pitched ball on the ankle in Monday’s game, Miguel Cairo got his first start of the game at second base in his place.  Utley was not a happy camper being asked to sit out by the skipper, he is a true throwback that wants to play them all and more than willing to play thru pain…….. part of what makes him a true MVP type player!

Post info: By Steve Potter on May 6th, 2009
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Chan Ho Park continued his early season struggle as a starter on Friday night as he gave up seven runs and eight hits in only four and 2/3 innings of work.  Park, once again, had poor location and paid for it early as he gave up a first inning two run bomb to Dan Murphy.   The Mets scored in four of the first five frames of the game in building a lead they would never relinquish.  Chad Durbin, J.A. Happ and Clay Condrey pitched scoreless baseball in relief of Park but the hole was too deep for the Fightin’s to climb out of in this one.   

The Phillies did fight back by scoring four runs including a solo home run by Chase Utley in the seventh frame.  Pedro Feliz continued to swing a hot bat as he collected two hits, Raul Ibanez knocked in two of the four runs bringing his season RBI total to 19.    The Mets bullpen pitched as advertised in this one as Pedro Feliciano, J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriquez held the lead,  Putz was particularly impressive as he worked a perfect eighth inning.

On Saturday afternoon the two rivals were back at it as each team sent lefties to the mound.  Jamie Moyer took the hill for the Phils against the egnimatic Oliver Perez.   The Phils took an early 4 to 2 lead and knocked Perez out of the game after two and 1/3 innings, Perez has struggled mightily for the Mets thus far this season and may be on his way to Adam Eaton type affection by Met fans! Moyer lasted into the sixth inning but found trouble in that frame as he gave up three runs to relinquish the lead.    The Phillie bullpen was perfect in relief as Scott Eyre, Clay Condrey, Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge and Jack Taschner each were unscored upon.   Raul Ibanez hit his eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning to retie the game.

The Phillies won the game in the bottom of the tenth on a bases loaded walk issued by Sean Green to Shane Victorino that scored Pedro Feliz.  Green was his own worst enemy as he issued two walks and a hit batter in the inning.   Feliz, Victorino and Ibanez each had two hit ballgames for the Fightins.

Chatter

Cole Hamels threw a bullpen session early Saturday and felt soreness around his ankle which may prohibit him from starting Tuesday against St. Louis.   If Hamels cannott start then J.A. Happ will take the turn.  Carlos Ruiz was activated off the D.L. on Saturday and started as the catcher.  Lou Marson was optioned back to Triple A Lehigh Valley to make room on the roster for Ruiz.   Chan Ho Park will most likely stay in the rotation at least for now.  Albeit Park has been inconsistent the injury to Hamels virtually  insures that he will get one more start, he needs to pitch like he did in spring training when he earned the spot in order to keep it.  Kyle Kendrick is 2-1 at Triple A in five starts with a 2.77 ERA so help may only be a short drive away!  Also keep an eye on Michael Stutes at Double A Reading along with Vance Worley.   The Phillies have built up some depth in the system which makes the boys on the big team a bit more accountable.

Post info: By Steve Potter on May 2nd, 2009
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The Phillies came into this weekend’s three game series with Florida staggering a bit with a record of 6 wins and 8 losses coming off two straight series losses at home.   The offense was stagnant till the friday night ninth inning wakeup call where they scored seven runs.   On Saturday night they faced another of the Marlin’s young stud starters in Chris Volstad.    Volstad threw seven strong innings and left with a 4 to 3 lead.  The Marlin bullpen, however, once again blew the game as the Phillies tied the game in the ninth and won it in the tenth !   Big late game hits were delivered by Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Matt Stairs and Raul Ibanez.   Ibanez is a true pro hitter and continues to be impressive in his game approach and delivery.   Chan Ho Park belted a solo home run early in the game and actually threw a nice game going seven innings while allowing four runs.

Ryan Madson picked up the win in relief and Brad Lidge earned his fourth save of the season albeit a bit shakey in the outing. 

On Sunday afternoon Jamie Moyer continued his dazzlement of the youthful Marlins as he tossed six innings to earn his third win of the young season.  The Phillies jumped on Florida starter Graham Taylor and knocked him out in the fourth inning.  Shane Victorino had a big offensive day out of the leadoff spot driving in four runs with two hits.  Ryan Howard had a two hit ballgame and Pedro Feliz had three hits in the game.  Chad Durbin and J.A. Happ finished up behind Moyer to close out the victory. 

With the sweep the Phillies increased the early season record to 9 and 8.  Florida has lost six straight and is now 11 and 7.

Chatter

It is true that the Marlins have great young starting pitching but they are lacking in the little things of the game, baserunning, fielding and common baseball sense are all things they severely lack in.   It is a reflection of having a young team that learns the trade in the major leagues rather than at the minor league level.  It is why, in my opinion, they will not win over the long haul of the season. 

Kudo’s to my son, Nolan, for completing his college baseball career this weekend.  He set a school record with 19 appearances this season as a pitcher including throwing in three consecutive games this weekend.  His final college game was an eight inning effort as a starter on Saturday, this after throwing two and 1/3 innings on Friday and 1/3 of an inning in game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday.  He is a tough minded young man, not afraid of any situation or obstacle and always  the ultimate team player………. as his dad I am indeed very proud.  Good job Nolan !

Post info: By Steve Potter on April 26th, 2009
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Raul Ibanez hammered a walk off home run on Sunday afternoon scoring Ryan Howard in front of him to give the Phillies a come from behind 5 to 4 win.  The Padres had built up a 4 to 0 lead but home runs by Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, ( a pinch hit for J-Roll, his first pinch hit bomb in his career), brought the Fightins back to within one.

Chan Ho Park pitched better in this game, his second start of the season, but still gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings of work.  J.A. Happ threw three scoreless innings in relief and Clay Condrey picked up the mound win with a scoreless ninth inning of work.

Ryan Howard had three hits in the game and Ibanez had two.  Howard is hitting .386 in the early going.

Chatter

Monday’s game was postponed due to rain, it will be made up later in the season.. San Diego thus will have to make another trip to Philadelphia as they were only scheduled to be here this one time this season.  Carlos Ruiz is eligible to come off the disabled list next week and will probably begin his rehab assignment this coming  weekend in the minor leagues.  Jamie Moyer will take the hill tommorrow night at Citizen’s Bank Park against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Post info: By Steve Potter on April 20th, 2009
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Five games into the season and the Phillies found themselves in desperate need of a starting pitcher to give them extended innings.  Brett Myers stepped up and did just that against the Colorado Rockies as he pitched seven innings giving up only four hits albeit they were all dingers!  Myers, who has never lost to the Rockies or at Coors Field,  was pulled for a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth holding a 6 to 4 lead.   Good Job Brett!

Shane Victorino and Pedro Feliz each had three hit games for the Phillies.  Ryan Howard delivered a key blow in the third inning as he belted a bases clearing double.  Jayson Werth slugged a two run triple in the fifth inning and Raul Ibanez smoked a solo home run in the seventh frame.  Chase Utley had two hits in the game including a RBI single in the eighth.

Ryan Madson pitched a perfect eighth inning and has been very impressive in the early going, Madson has faced six batters and retired them all!  He is throwing serious gas as the heater is rushing up there in the 95-96 range which makes his changeup a devastating pitch when he uses it.  Excellent job so far Mr. Madson!

Brad Lidge pitched the ninth even though it was a non save situation, ( Phillies led by 4), to close out the win.   Lidge also heated up the fastball in the 95-96 range and worked a perfect inning.  If Madson and Lidge continue to throw like that then the Fightin’s are gonna be tough to beat as long as the starter’s can get a lead to them!

Chatter

As reported after last evening’s game Carlos Ruiz was put on the fifteen day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle and Lou Marson was called up from Triple A to back up Chris Coste who will assume the starting catcher roll till Ruiz is healthy again.   The Phillies go at the Rockies again tommorrow with Chan Ho Park making his Phillies debut as a starter.

Post info: By Steve Potter on April 11th, 2009
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Cole Hamels took the ball as the starting pitcher in the Fightin’s fourth game of the season and continued the trend of poor outings by the starting staff.  Hamels was touched for seven runs on eleven hits and lasted only 3 and 2/3 innings before being lifted.  Hamels gave up multiple extra base hits including a two run tater to Garrett Atkins.   He was far from sharp, poor pitch location and had no velocity whatsoever as his fastball was consistently in the 85-86 range and only a few times reached 90.  That led to little distinction between the heater and his meal ticket pitch, the changeup, and  therefore allowed the Rockies to tee off.

Meanwhile the Phillies bats were relatively silent other than Jayson Werth who had four  hits  including a dinger and Chase Utley who posted two hits, Werth scored all three Phillie runs.   Ryan Howard had a really bad day as he grounded into three double plays !    Give the Rockies starter Jason Marquis credit though as he tossed seven innings only allowing five hits.  J.A. Happ and Clay Condrey threw scoreless innings in relief for the Phillies but Chad Durbin got hit around a bit in the eighth giving up three runs.

  Back at ‘em tommorrow with Brett Myers making his second start this year for the Phillies.

The Rockies home field has an enourmous outfield playing area by design due to the high altitude, outfielders sure have to be on their horse to play on that field !  What seem like routine fly balls drift forever and end up on the warning track, this on a field where the foul poles are some 350 feet away down each line !

Chatter

Carlos Ruiz left the game early with what was reported as a strained right oblique.  The thing the team avoided last season was injuries for signficant periods,  I have my doubts that Mr. Hamels is entirely healthy right now and if Ruiz missses any signficant time we may see young Lou Marson in the show sooner than one would have thought.  Not a good sign albeit early yet.

The Phillies signed ex San Francisco Giant pitcher Tyler Walker to a minor league contract, he reported to Lehigh Valley in Triple A.  Walker had been released by the Seattle Mariners at the end of spring training, he may be called upon later in the season for bullpen assistance…….. if our starting pitching keeps up the pace they are at we will need alot of relievers !

 

Post info: By Steve Potter on April 10th, 2009
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