Not Found

Going into this game one would think Johan Santana vs Cole Hamels would result in a very low scoring pitchers battle.  Santana has faced the Fightins four times already this season and they have done little against him.  Hamels was making only his second appearance this season against the Metropolitans.   In the first Phillie at bat Chase Utley singled to rigtht field batting out of the two hole in the lineup, Jayson Werth drew a four pitch walk and then Ryan Howard belted a single to left field to draw first blood as Utley scored.  In all three games of the series the Phillies scored first!  Santana toughened though and pitched out of the inning which was key as the Fightins had a real chance to score more.

Ryan Church singled as well batting out of the two spot for the Mets in the first, David Wright was then awarded first base on catchers interfence as his bat hit Chris Coste’s glove during his swing.  Charlie Manuel asked for an appeal on the call and argued enough that he was throw out of the game!  Sort of a silly spot to get tossed as the Phillies had all of the momentum at that point still.  Carlos Beltran singled to left to plate Church and David Wright was thrown out at third by Pat Burrell………. only thing missing was the umpires call as Wright was ruled safe!  Carlos Delgado then drilled a single to center to score both Wright and Beltran who had advanced to second on the throw, so much for “ace like” pitching by young Cole!

The Phillies got one back in the third as Ryan Howard belted a solo home run to left field but Hamels gave it right back in the home third as Carlos Delgado hit a moon shot off the score board in right field to make the count 4 to 2.   Learning little from that experience Hamels threw the same hanging pitch, one a curve, the second a changeup,  to Delgado in the fifth which he blasted into the upper right field deck to make the score 5 to 2 !  Hamels was done after five as his pitch count reached 109, as big as Myers and Moyer were earlier in the series Hamels came up equally as small.  He was up in the zone with his pitches and threw alot of deep counts.  He is young but if he is truly going to be considered an ace he needs to learn how to control the nerves in games like this and deliver like his veteran teammates did the two games before him.  Not good enough was the result in this one !  Clay Condrey pitched a pefect sixth inning in relief and Rudy Seanez did the same in the seventh. 

 The Mets stuck with Santana to begin the eighth despite seeing him get hit hard on recorded outs in the seventh and after he got the first out he saw Jayson Werth belt a double over Carlos Beltran’s head in center, looked like Beltran dogged the effort a bit to me!  Jerry Manuel then came and got Santana rather than have him face Howard again.  The Mets bullpen is shaky which is why Manuel was hesitant to go to it but lefty Pedro Feliciano got Howard to ground weakly to first base for the second out, Manuel then called in right hander Brian Stokes to face Pat Burrell.  Burrell fisted an even weaker ground ball to shortstop on the very first pitch to end the inning. 

Seanez gave up an eighth inning run to make the count 6 to 2.  Luis Ayala pitched the ninth for New York and albeit shaky, he gave up a run on two hits, did close out the game for New York.

Chatter

It is weird how Ryan Howard does so well against Santana as he has struggled against much lesser lefthanders many times this year.  He came into the game hitting over .400 against him and had really good swings in this one.  Baseball is like that sometimes, certain guys just see the ball really well against certain pitchers albeit against others struggle mightily.   Pat Burrell did not have good at bats in this one as he struck out twice and limped out on his other at bats.  Jimmy Rollins also had a very quiet game at the plate as Santana shut him out and he struck out to end the game against Ayala.  The Phillies usually lose when he is not productive offensively and scoring runs.

 The Phillies accomplished an objective by winning the New York series but must not fall backwards now, they have the next seven at home against Florida and Milwaukee.  Florida historically plays the FIghtins tough and Milwaukee is the team to catch for the wild card.  Cannott have a hiccup in the home stand as they follow it with six on the road against Atlanta and Florida before finishing up with six at home against the Braves and Nationals, the very team that put them in the three game hole coming into the New York series.   New York has a pretty easy schedule to close out the year as they have the next five at home against Washington and Atlanta including two off days on Monday and Thursday.  They then hit the road for seven, four at Washington and three at Atlanta before finishing the season at home with seven, four with the Cubs and final three with the Braves.  The Cubs should have clinched by then and will have little to play for.  May the best team win……. Mike Schmidt says it is us!  Watching should be nerve racking but fun !  Lets go Nats in the next two eh !

Milwaukee has the next three at home against the Reds and then embark on a ten game road trip with four against the Phillies, three against the Cubs and three at Cincinatti.  They finish at home with six, three against Pittsburgh and three with the Reds.  Not so easy for them either I suppose.

Jose Reyes is a hot dog but he is a very talented player as well.  Reyes led off the game with a triple off of Phillies starter Jamie Moyer and scored on a single by Damien Easley.  Easley scored the second run of the initial Mets at bat as Fernando Tatis singled him in.  The Phillies put two runners on with one out in their half of the first but Mets starter Pedro Martinez struck out Ryan Howard on three pitches and then also k’d Shane Victorino.   Damien Easley extended the New York lead in the second inning as he belted a solo home run to left center field with two outs.

The Mets busted the game open in the third inning as Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado got back to back singles and then Fernando Tatis belted a three run home run.  Tatis skipped across the plate when he crossed it, someone is gonna get this hot dog somewhere down the road, not wise to show up opponents!   The key to the Mets success against Moyer was the approach, they laid off pitches out of the zone and forced Moyer to come in when behind in the count and then pounded him.   Even Pedro Martinez got a hit in his second at bat!  Moyer gave up six earned runs and nine hits in the three innings he worked.  He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the Phillies third at bat.

Damien Easley tripled to lead off the Mets fourth and scored the seventh New York run when David Wright grounded out to second base.  Despite being down six runs the Phillies did not play the infield in and conceded the run.  The Phillies scored a run in the bottom of the fourth as Pedro Feliz hit a sacrifice fly to center field to knock in Victorino.

Relief pitcher Clay Condrey started the Phillies fifth as he doubled down the left field line, it was Condrey’s first career extra base hit and only his third hit ever!  Jimmy Rollins then belted a Martinez hanging curve into the right field seats to plate two for the Fightins.  Chase Utley followed by drawing a walk, Ryan Howard then hit a  bomb to left field to score Utley ahead of him and make the count 7 to 5. 

The Mets loaded the bases in the sixth inning with one out but Scott Eyre was able to get Carlos Delgado to ground into a double play without allowing a score!  The two teams had already played for 2 and 1/2 hours by the middle of the sixth inning!  Pedro was pulled after five as Mets skipper Jerry Manuel went to his bullpen, first call Brian Stokes.  Jimmy Rollins singled with two outs in the sixth inning which marked the ninth consecutive plate appearance where he reached base! 

Stokes threw two shutout innings for New York and was replaced by Duaner Sanchez in the eighth. Sanchez only got one out before yielding a single to Carlos Ruiz and was lifted in favor of Pedro Feliciano.  Chris Coste greeted Feliciano with a single and Jimmy Rollins then singled to right field to score Ruiz.  Nobody booed Rollins as he reached base for the 10th consecutive time going 5 for 5 in the contest!  Feliciano did strike out Chase Utley with runners on first and third to temporarily keep the Phillies at bay.  Jerry Manuel then brought in Joe Smith to face Pat Burrell.  Smith got Burrell to fly out to left field to end the inning.

Brad Lidge pitched the ninth and buzzed Fernando Tatis with a fastball before striking him out on two low and away sliders.  Message served.  Eric Bruntlett smoked a pinch hit double with two outs in the Phillies ninth and scored Jayson Werth who had singled earlier in the inning to tie the game!  The Mets bullpen once again blew a save opportunity!  Jose Reyes saved a ninth inning loss for the Mets by making a diving stop on a grounder up the middle to throw out Ruiz and send the contest to extra frames.

This was a great game to watch but I thought it would never end!  As the stroke of midnight came and wenth the two teams had played over five hours!  Shane Victorino led off the 13th inning with a triple down the right field line to force the Mets hand.  They walked the next two hitters to load the bases.  Brett Myers was used as a pinch hitter for Rudy Seanez and was obviously told to not swing as he watched six pitches in striking out.  Chris Coste smoked a liner to center, his fourth hit of the game to score Victorino with the game winner !

Chatter

The Phillies offense struggles with pitchers who feature off speed pitches as their primary, Pedro at one point in the game sat down seven consecutive hitters spotting an 84 to 88 mph fastball but mostly working on changeups.  Jimmy Rollins was the only Phillie to solve him early as he had two hits in his first two at bats.  Pedro had five strikouts thru three innings and never broke 90 mph!  They did get to him in the fifth as they forced him to come up in the zone by laying off pitches and putting him in fastball counts.   Both these teams can hit but it sure is a chess match as to how!

The game was once again sold out, the 44th time this season which ties a Phillies club record. Carlos Ruiz made his major league debut at third base in the ninth inning as the Phillies saved Eric Bruntlett to pinch hit in the home ninth, made Charlie look like a genius, Bruntlett then played third base in the extra innings!  The Phillies carry twelve pitchers on the roster and many times are caught short with position players in late innings.

Jimmy Rollins came thru with a clutch two out hit in the Phillies second inning to give the Fightins a early two run lead.  Rollins single to left center scored Jayson Werth who had walked to lead off the inning and Pedro Feliz who had also singled.  What was key was how Rollins went with the pitch rather than trying to pull the ball.  Teams have been throwing Rollins slow, slower and slowest type of pitches and he has been lunging at the ball impatiently, if he can stay back and let his hands drive thru the ball then teams will be forced to adjust and throw fastballs again and we know he can do serious damage with those!

Jimmy Rollins drilled a hanging curve ball down the right field line in the fifth innning for a double, advanced to third on a Chase Utley single and scored on a double play ground out by Pat Burrell.  The Phillies then loaded the bases as Chad Billingsley walked two hitters around a single by Shane Victorino but could not score any additional runs. 

Rollins again went with the pitch in the sixth and smoked a fastball down the left field line which he legged into a triple.  Rollins was stranded however as the Phillies could not bring him in.  Brett Myers held the Dodgers scoreless thru seven innings stranding ten runners including pitching out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh by striking out Jeff Kent and then getting Manny Ramirez to line out to right field.  He registered 8 strikeouts in what was once again a very effective and outstanding outing.

  The Phillies scored thier fourth run in thier half of the seventh as Ryan Howard led off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout by Victorino and scored on a single by Jayson Werth.  Pedro Feliz then followed with a single and Werth scored from second on a ground out to second base by Chris Coste as both runners took off on the pitch and Werth never stopped running around third base catching the Dodgers off guard !

J.C. Romero pitched a scoreless eighth inning but the Dodgers did put two runners on base.  Clay Condrey pitched the ninth inning to complete the series sweep as he struck out Manny during the inning with two runners aboard.  Buckle up New York, the Fightins are coming your way!

Chatter

The hitter off the bench the Phillies have been seeking may be soon available.  The Minnesota Twins acquired “Everyday” Eddie Guardado from the Texas Rangers to strengthen the bullpen, to make room for him on the roster they are expected to designate Mike Lamb for assignment.  Lamb is a left handed hitting third baseman who has struggled with the Twins.  He had good success as a part time player with Houston from 2004 to 2007 averaging about 13 home runs per year.  He is not due an inordinate amount of money this year or next and could be a fit as a lefty off the bench.

The Mets are in town for two in thier last visit to Philly this year.  Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick take the pill against the Metropolitans squaring off against Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana.  A split is the minimum need but a sweep would be great!

Pedro Feliz did not start the game at third base but he surely had a huge impact on the outcome as he belted a three run walkoff win home run in the 11th inning to give the Fightins a 5-2 victory over the Dodgers.   Joe Blanton started the game on the hill for the Phillies and pitched six innings giving up one run on six hits.  Blanton was scored upon in the very first inning as the Dodgers loaded the bases with one out and James Loney knocked in Andre Ethier with the games first run.  Blanton then pitched out of the trouble without allowing another run to score and went another five holding the Dodgers scoreless.

The Phillies tied the score in the home fifth as Chase Utley singled to knock in Carlos Ruiz.  The Dodgers re-took the lead in the seventh as Jeff Kent singled off of Ryan Madson to score Ethier again.  Pedro Feliz was the tieing hero as well as with two outs in the bottom of the ninth he singled to knock in Shane Victorino and knot the score at two!  That set up the extra inning heroics for Feliz as he belted a Jason Johnson fastball deep into the left center field seats scoring Chris Coste and Victorino in front of him.  Chad Durbin earned his fifth win of the season as pitched the two extra frames of play.

Chatter

With the win the Phillies closed to within 1/2 game of the New York Mets for first place in the NL Eastern Divsion.  Andy Tracy made his Phillies debut with a pinch hit walk in the ninth inning.  Jimmy Rollins continued to struggle going 0 for 5 in the game.  According to Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal the Phillies have been frustrated attempting to add a quality bat off the bench.  Texas just put Frank Catalanotto on waivers and he has cleared the American League but issue with him is monies due for 2009 and 2010.   He is a good left handed hitter but not sure if the club would eat the six million due him for the following two years.   Brett Myers takes the hill tonight for the Fightins looking to return the favor of a four game series sweep to the Dodgers! 

Kyle Kendrick came into this game against the Dodgers having struggled in his last two starts.  Kendrick started out poorly in this one as well as he gave up a first inning home run to Andre Ethier.  Kendrick fell behind in the count to the first six batters he faced.  The key to this young pitcher though is his bulldog mentality and ability to battle thru “situations”.   Kendrick used that moxy and  settled down to give the Phillies 5 and 2/3 innings of three hit ball leaving the contest with a 3-1 lead.

Greg Maddux made his 2008 debut for the Dodgers having been recently reacquired by LA from the San Diego Padres.  Maddux held the Phillies at bay thru the first three frames but in the fourth Pat Burrell worked Maddux for a 10 pitch at bat earning a walk.  Ryan Howard then blasted his 34th home run of the season over the left field wall scoring Burrell ahead of him.  The Phillies scored thier third run in the fifth off Maddux as Greg Dobbs led off with a bunt single,  Jayson Werth followed with a line single to right field and Dobbs scored on a single up the middle by Chris Coste. 

Kendrick started the sixth inning and got two outs before the next two hitters reached.  Charlie Manuel went to the pen and brought in Chad Durbin who was able to end the inning with no runs scoring.  The Fightins busted loose in the home sixth as Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino singled, Burrell reached third on Victorino’s hit.  Jayson Werth then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Burrell.  Greg Dobbs followed with his second single of the game and then Chris Coste sent Maddux to the showers as he smoked a three run home run to left field!  I don’t know why Coste was in the minors and/or independent ball so long as this man can flat out hit!

Chase Utley hit his 31st home run of the season in the seventh inning to make the score 8 to 1.  Ryan Madson came in to pitch the eighth setting the Dodgers down in order.  Scott Eyre pitched the ninth for the Phillies to close out the game.  The Mets shut out Houston behind Johan Santana so the Phillies remained 2 and 1/2 games behind in the N.L. Eastern Division race.

Chatter

Geoff Jenkins started the game in right field but pulled up lame after legging out an infield hit and was replaced by Werth.  Jenkins will get an MRI tommorrow for a possible quad strain or hip flexor issue.  Dobbs once again got the start at third base as Charlie played the hot hand, wise move the way the team has been struggling offensively.  Chris Coste matched his career high for RBI’s in a game with four.  Jimmy Rollins continued to struggle at the plate and fans continued to let him know about it.  Rollins at one point was riding a 3 for 38 streak.  Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports speculates the FIghtins might entertain moving Ryan Howard in the offseason if Matt Holliday could be obtained.  He thinks in that scenario that Pat Burrell would be resigned to play first base……..food for thought but personally I would want Howard to be a Phillie for a long long time!

To be a playoff team games against opponents who are struggling must be won.  The Washington Nationals came into this game with an eleven game losing streak.  Phillies starting pitcher Brett Myers needed to take the mound going for the jugular to make it twelve and he did just that by tossing a complete game shut-out against the Nats!  He was dominant in the contest by pitching ahead on nearly every batter, establishing his fast ball early in the count and then closing out the at-bats with as masterful curve ball.  Myers struck out nine batters in the contest.   It was the seventh complete game of his career.

Myers was given a lead in the third inning as Nats shortstop Anderson Hernandez threw the ball away on a taylor made double play allowing Chris Coste to score.  Coste had reached base by being hit by a pitch.  The Fightins added three more in the fifth as Greg Dobbs spanked a home run that scored Shane Victorino in front of him.  Coste followed that with a  single, went to third on a single by Jimmy Rollins and scored on a bloop double down the right field line by Jayson Werth.

The bottom half of the order came thru big in this game as all four runs were scored by the six thru eight spots in the lineup and five of the team’s nine hits came from the men in those spots,  Victorino and Coste had two hits each while Dobbs reached on a walk and had the two run bomb.  Chase Utley also had a two hit game and did so by driving the outside pitch to left field twice, a good sign as teams have been able to get him out with those pitches as he has habitually been pulling the ball on every swing.

Despite the outcome the Phillies made a few blunders in the game.  Greg Dobbs and Pat Burrell both had fielding errors and Rollins was caught attempting to steal second with runners at first and third and one out.  Chris Coste also ran into an out on a failed sacrifice bunt attempt by Myers in the seventh inning.  Against teams like the Nats these things can be overcome but perhaps not against the Dodgers and Mets who are in next.

Chatter

Phillies G.M. Pat Gillick stated on a pre-game TV show that even though the Phillies had made an offer to free agent catcher  David Ross that Ross had decided to sign instead with another club.  Gillick speculated that it was an American League team but was not specific as to who.  When querried about potentially picking up a bat off the bench Gillick stated that the team had a few feelers out but nothing seemed imminent.  Pedro Feliz did come off the D.L. before the game however Greg Dobbs still started the game at third base.  To make room for Feliz pitcher Les Walrond was optioned back to Triple A. 

Similiar to a Spring Training game the wind created havoc on pop ups and fly balls in the first game of the nine game home stand.  Joe Blanton started on the hill for the Phillies but was gone after five as he gave up four runs on eight hits.  Blanton would have been touched for more had not the wind blown a few balls back that on an ordinary night would have been deep into the stands!  Willie Harris did touch Blanton for a first inning homer as he belted it to right field, the one place where the wind was not blowing in.

Washington scored the second run in the fourth and two in the fifth keyed by a triple by Ryan Zimmerman.  The Phillies scored one in the second on a sacrifice fly by Greg Dobbs.  Dobbs reached base again in the fifth as Harris botched a fly ball to left caught in the wind swirl!  Shane Victorino scored on that play,  Victorino had tripled to lead off the inning.  Dobbs scored on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Geoff Jenkins who hit for Blanton to make the count 4-3 Nats after five innings of play.

Chad Durbin pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings for the Fightins.  In the bottom of the seventh  Shane Victorino once again was in the middle of an offensive “make things happen” as he reached on a fielders choice and then went first to third on a flare single behind short stop by Greg Dobbs, few guys have that kind of speed or guts to make that running play!  Chris Coste then poked a sacrifice fly to right field to score Victorino and tie the game.

Ryan Madson pitched a perfect eighth for the Phillies setting up late game heroics.  Jayson Werth hit his 17th home run in the Phillies eighth right into the teeth of the wind to give the Fightins the lead.  Werth absolutely crushed a hanging curve ball off of Steven Shell and it still only made it two rows in over the left field wall!  Werth is some kinda strong to have hit it thru the swirl!

Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 31st save.  Lidge struck out two of the three batters he faced.  The Fightins kept their record perfect when leading after eight innings and are now 56 and 0 when that scenario occurs!

Chatter

Jimmy Rollins was greeted with a mix of boos and cheers in his first at bat but they progressed to more boos in his next two at bats especially the third when he grounded into a double play.  Some even booed him on a line drive out in the bottom of the eighth!  Anyone who feels it is their right to boo a player who is giving their all and/or is not hot dogging is an absolute idiot in my opinion.  Rollins was roundly cheered last season enroute to an MVP season, yes he is struggling this season but he is the same guy and gives the same effort!  Philly fans are passionate but I believe the minority are the ones booing and it gives us all a bad image………… pure lack of class in my opinion.  Rumblings are, according to Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal, that the Phillies have interest in former Cincinatti catcher David Ross perhaps as a September roster addition.  Carlos Ruiz has struggled all season offensively so adding another dependable catcher may be indeed be a wise addition.

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.

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.