Sometimes, like Pedro Martinez, says you have to tip your cap and admit that the other team was just better.  The Yankees were indeed the better team this post season and although it was not the outcome I was hoping for the Fightin’s did give us another great season!

Now the “Hot Stove” season is slated to begin and G.M. Ruben Amaro has already begun planning for the 2010 season.  The club picked up the option on lefthander Cliff Lee and has initiated talks that a long term deal could be in the future albeit probably unlikely.   They have told righthander Brett Myers that he will not be part of the 2010 plans and Myers will be pursueing free agent employment elsewhere. 

Today the team announced that they will not pick up the option on third baseman Pedro Feliz which may indicate that exploratory talks with other free agents at the position may be fruitful but the team is keeping the door open for future discussions with Feliz as well.

So what does this team need to get back to the World Series and win it in 2010.   The evident need to me is starting pitching quality not depth……… the Yankees ran Sabbathia, Burnett and Petite at us, yes if Cole Hamels was at 2008 form then coupled with Lee we had two thirds of the matchup equaled but we need another ace………… Roy Doc Halladay fits here and can be had in my opinion.  Send the Jays a package of J.A. Happ, Michael Taylor, Joe Savery or Yoland Flande and the kid outfielder from Lakeland that stole a bunch of bases and I think he can be had.   Yes he is only signed for one more season as is Lee but have themcompete for the contract extension, in the interim running out a rotation of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Blanton and perhaps Moyer sure sounds like a winner to me!

In regards to third base I keep reading the name Adrian Beltre as a potential fit here, also Mark DeRosa, Chone Figgins, Troy Glauss, Dan Uggla, Melvin Mora or Marco Scutaro.   Personally I like Pedro Feliz and the steady defense that he brought but if the team can keep that kind of glove and improve the offense then so be it.   I think that it will either be DeRosa, Beltre or Glauss myself.

The team also needs a steady middle infield backup and Scutaro would be a great addition there but he would have to be agreeable to limited at bats since Rollins and Utley don’t take many games off.  Backup catcher is also a need and the Colorado Rockies just released Yorvitt Torrealba.  He would be a great combo with Carlos Ruiz for next season.

Bullpen re-engineering is also a need and the Mets release of J.J. Putz provides the Phillies an opportunity to get a high reward, low risk type of guy coming off injury.  Putz has closed and if healthy could provide another option to help Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge at end of games.  Last off season the Phillies brought in Chan Ho Park and he did a very good job in the pen, look for another few of those signings this season as well.  Relievers need to be redistritbuted since they throw alot of innings and it is very difficult for teams to stay consistent with the same crews, need to bring in fresher arms from year to year, perhaps the minors might also provide some new options as I think both Antonio Bastardo and Sergio Escalona could make strong pushes in Spring Training for roster spots.

Alas, we lost the world series but looking ahead pitchers and catchers report in a little more than 90 days!  Still a great time to be a Phillie Phan!

Cliff Lee was dominant in game one shutting down the most powerful offense in the American League as if it was something of ease, Pedro Martinez was impressive in game two but was outdueled by mega millionaire A. J. Burnett who made the National League’s most superlative offense look passive in nature.   So, here we are back in Philly town with the series knotted at one game a piece and the fall classic now narrowed in scope to a best of five with the Fightins holding the home field “advantage”.

In New York the fans really didn’t have much impact, some have written that ticket prices kept the regular attendees away and “corporate america” fans were in their place instead…….hell even I was offered Yankee game tickets in that regard!   “Impact” of fans is debatable however, the chants to Pedro of “Who’s your daddy” are admissable but in his case really have no impact as the man albeit hears the words does not let them effect his performance.  Remarks made towards his family, personal being or of off colored flavor are not admissable though and are true signs of ignorance!  Any “fan” who takes that route is not one of intelligence and honestly has no place in the stadium.

I am hopeful that tonights game reflects the class of Philly Phans like last year’s NLDS did when Brett Myers coaxed a walk from C.C. Sabbathia and with each pitch the phan noise got louder resulting in a standing ovation for Myers as he trotted down to first base, that was a true reflection of phan baseball prowess and I was proud of my fellow Phillie devotees in how they showed that and oh by the way influenced Mr. Sabathia to hang a high fastball to Shane Victorino that he belted for a salami!

Stupid phan behavior is wearing a Manny hat that says he is a cheater and teaching your nine year old child that this is proper to chide another human being in such manner.  Yes, I believe that A-Rod will hear his share of comments tonight about his shortcomings within the steroid stupidity era of baseball as well but the more influential impacts of our phans are ones that influence the game itself, remember the Burt Hooten meltdown in the 70’s when the noise was so loud in Veterans Stadium that he lost concentration and walked in a run?  That was impact!

So Philly Phans let’s not sit on our hands during the moments when things are not going the Philly way and have announcers say, “this crowd has been really quieted by the Yankees” but rather keep the decible levels high and in the spirit of game impact, show the baseball world that phan impact aligns with baseball acumen and that Philly is the home where “phan advantage” is the true home field edge!

Chatter

Tim McCarver commented in game two that he did not understand why Charlie Manuel did not start the runners in the bottom of the eighth when Chase Utley subsequently hit into a double play, for the novice fan McCarver’s words place doubt however if TMac had done his homework he would have known that Utley hits into minimal double plays and that the bigger risk was getting the runners thrown out on the steal and/or a line drive.  

Interesting article in today’s Daily News about tonight’s starter Cole Hamels, it reminds us about the first time he faced the Yankees in 2004 Spring training as a 20 year old phenom.  Hamels dominated in that performance and opened our eyes on what he could become.  I truly believe that he will pitch a very good game tonight and erase our doubts about this young star.  Hamels is only 24 and needs to become Kid Cole again rather than Kid Cool!  He has it in him and I think he will shine tonight!

Reggie Jackson was quoted as saying this matchup was like the Varsity vs the Jr. Varsity, child please! This is the same genius that for years said that Richie Ashburn did not belong in the hall of fame, Reggie retired years ago as a Yankee player, he now needs to retire his mouth so as to avoid silly remarks coming out of it!

I predicted the Phillies in five albeit I thought they would sweep in NYC, am sticking to my prediction and looking forward to another parade here in the best “home field advantage” in the game…..let’s prove it once again tonight as a collective 10th man!

As I have stated many times this season it sure is a great time to be a Phillies Phan!  With the team capturing thier second consecutive National League pennant and now set to participate in the MLB “World” Series against the most storied franchise agrueably in all of sports it is time to predict the outcome.

The Yankees have won 26 “world” series titles and the Phillies have won all of two!  Facts tell us that one of the 26 titles came at the hands of the Fightins in 1950 against a team led by Richie Ashburn. However, this Phillies team is far from the 1950 version, this crew is a dominant one and in fact many think they are on the verge of a dynasty of winning prowess.  Great time to be a Phillies Phan!

I think that C.C. Sabbathia is the biggest obstacle, both figuratively and physically!, that the Fightins face in this series.  Sabbathia will throw three times if the series goes seven games and he has dominated our hottest hitter Ryan Howard in past matchups.  If the Fightins are to beat him then the right handed bats have to step up big time, we know that the can as Jayson Werth, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Pedro Feliz, and Carlos Ruiz have been able to do so repeatedly.  I think the key to game one will be an unsung hero Ben Francisco who will start in left field with Raul Ibanez shifting to the DH role.   I think Francisco will have a big game and the Fightins will sneak a win behind Cliff Lee.

Pedro Martinez takes the hill in game two against A.J. Burnett.  Burnett has been hot and cold in his past endeavors against the Fightins but he has never faced a lineup of Phillies like the present one.  I think the Phillies smoke Burnett and surprise New York by also winning game two behind a ramped up Pedro.   Game three is Cole Hamels turn to step it up again as he goes against Andy Petite.  I am picking the Fightins to prevail in this one also and silence the New York faithful with a dominating 3 games to zero lead in the series.

Game four will force the return of Sabbathia to the hill and I think he will prevail with a win but in Game Five behind Cliff Lee again I think the Phillies bring home a second straight world series title!  It will set the stage for this team to be compared to those in history who have strung sustained success and titles……………… Great time indeed to be a Phillies Phan!

Chatter

I know it is far from time to be looking into next season but what if the Phillies somehow made another run at Doc Halladay in the offseason……….how sweet would this team be with Lee, Halladay, Hamels, Blanton and Martinez as a 2010 rotation!  Would we see a threepeat ?

NLCS

The Dodgers plan to use Vincenti Padilla and Randy Wolf in the playoff starting rotation, those guys used to pitch for the Fightin’s when they stunk!  Granted both are good pitchers but do we really think they can beat our team’s lineup ?  The Phillies will start with Cole Hamels in the first game and the young lefty needs to step up like he did last fall as he is positioned to pitch more than once in the series.  Pedro Martinez is the likely starter in game two with Cliff Lee getting the ball in game three, after that it is a wait and see who goes for game four.   The key to this series as I see it is the bullpen, if the Phillies pen can come thru and it looks like both Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ are going to be in the pen at least for the first three games then I see the Fightin’s going to thier second world series in a row.  I think that Chan Ho Park is a real possibility of being added to the post season roster and if healthy can indeed be a big plus to the back end of the pen.   My prediction is that the Phillies take the series in six games but I can actually see them winning in five as well!

ALCS

Don’t have any real logical reason to state so but I have a feeling that the L.A. Angels are going to win the American League pennant.   Even though the Yankees have the best team money can buy I think the Angels are more motivated and hungry and I see a coast to coast World Series!

With 14 games left to play the Fightins have reduced the magic number to clinch their third straight N.L. Eastern Division title to six.  Any combination of Phillies wins or the second place team in the division losses adding to six will result in the championship!

The Fightins just won two of three in Atlanta to basically leave the Braves for dead in the race and now go on to Miami to attempt to do the same with the young Marlins.  Here are some thoughts regarding the remaining two weeks of the season :

Kudos

Raul Ibanez appears to have found a semblance of his batting stroke as he battles thru the tail end of a tough second half of the season for him.  Ibanez has reached the 30 home run plateau and has come up with big hits lately in games.   Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels appear poised to lead the rotation into the post season, Hamels has thrown really well in his last four outings and Lee is coming off of two strong outings himself.  Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins appear to have the playoff game face on as each has come to life offensively during the stretch drive,  both also continue to play very well defensively.  Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz have also quietly went about thier business both with the bat and the gloves to hold down the fort in the lower part of the order as well as providing defensive stability.   Tyler Walker deserves recognition for having a very good year out of the pen which has gone relatively unnoticed.

Concerns

Unlike last season the injury bug continues to bite!  Brett Myers, J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre, J.A. Happ, Chan Ho Park and Pedro Martinez  are all pitchers with different forms of injury that have placed doubt in regards to thier availability and roles for post season.   Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz  and Greg Dobbs all are battling “minor” injuries and probably could use some rest before the playoffs begin.   

Not liking at all when Brad Lidge pitches and the Phillies give up second base on “defensive indifference” when a runner is on, more times than not the runner has scored when if held on they would not have.   I realize that Mr. Lidge is struggling and his focus is being directed at getting the hitter out but not holding runners on make closer games than needed in my opinion, also inflates the E.R.A. !

Shane Victorino got tossed in the first inning of today’s game vs the Braves for argueing a play at second base where he thought his steal attempt resulted in a swiped bag, the umpire saw differently.  Victorino argued to a point where he got thrown out, come on Shane, gotta stay in the game in that situation whether the call was bad or not, can’t lose his head as the team needed him for defense and his bat against a tough right hander !

Yunell Escobar got benched by Braves Manager Bobby Cox in game one of the series and deservingly so, Escobar failed to run out a ground out to shortstop in his first at bat and the crusty old skipper immediately gave the young stud a seat on the bench for his “lapse in judgement”.  Cox was absolutely correct in doing so and it is why he continues to be one of the games best managers! 

Chatter

The team moves on to Miami for a three game set including a rare Tuesday night doubleheader, the DH is a result of the Miami Dolphins needing the stadium for a Monday Night Footbal game.  The last regular season road trip of the year ends with a four game set in Milwaukee.   Kyle Kendrick has pitched very well for the Fightins this September, one as a starter where he went 8 very strong innings and most recently in relief of J.A. Happ in Atlanta where he came out of the pen to throw three scoreless innings!  His sinker has been very effective and he has shown an ability to change speeds effectively, something he did not do during his last stint with the team.

Go Phillies!  Clinch that division and then on to the playoffs, great time indeed to be a Phillies Phan !

September 3rd – Houston 5 Phillies 4

Charlie Manuel is perhaps the most patient and supportive manager in major league baseball but one has to truly wonder how much even he can take.  Brad Lidge was perfect last season and has, in spurts, this season shown some of that same form but tonight’s game against the Astros may indeed have broken the skipper’s patience !

The Phillies have been scuffling on offense and have been shut out twice in the last five games scoring a total of seven runs in those contests.  If not for pitching gems by Cole Hamels and Pedro Martinez against the Giants they most certainly would be riding a five game losing skid. 

That being said the  issue at hand tonight was even harder to swallow as the team had scuffled back from an early 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead into the ninth for our closer  to end it.  But problems occured when after getting Hunter Pence to strike out on some nasty sliders to start the inning Mr. Lidge could not find the plate !  He walked Geoff Blum and then Chris Coste sat on a first pitch fastball and lined it to center, he then walked Lance Berkman to load the bases !  Get the theme, no control in the zone will usually get you beat no matter what you throw!    With the bases juiced Michael Bourne helped Lidge out by first pitch swinging which resulted in a force out at the plate for out number two but a patient Kaz Matsui worked a 3-1 count and lined a fastball to center to end the game for Lidge’s 10th blown save!

It is true that the Fightin’s are in first place by nine games in the loss column at game’s start but it is also true that the constant failure of the closer is a real concern.  It had appeared that Lidge had righted the ship having saved his last three chances but once again in this once a recurring theme occurs, teams are laying off of the slider out of the zone as he has been unable to throw it for a strike, they sit on the fastball and have been able to hit it hard consistently this season, fittingly the phrase……. Houston we have a problem!

Chatter

Cliff Lee has also mightingly struggled his last two outings after appearing to be Superman in his first five starts for the Fightins,  Houston tagged him for six runs in only three innings last night and the Braves lit him up for nine in the start before, hopefully just a hiccup in a long season.  Cole Hamels has pitched exceptionally well in his last two outings so that is a great sign.  Joe Blanton has perhaps been the steadiest pitcher all season as he once again gave the team a quality start in tonight’s Houston debacle.

Not for nothing but with Raul Ibanez struggling the way he has since coming off the DL his offensive numbers bear a striking resemblence to those that Pat Burrell put up for the team year after year, not bad but for all those Burrell knockers Mr. Ibanez has not been that much distinctively better on offense when it comes down to it.

Rosters expanded on September 1 and the Fightin’s added Jack Taschner and Brett Myers to the pitching staff and Paul Hoover as a third catcher.  Expect John Mayberry Jr. to join the team as well when the Iron Pigs triple A season is over later this week.

Chase Utley did not play tonight against the Stro’s as he has a foot injury from a foul ball, the team reported x-rays were negative.  Shane Victorino left the game early tonight with a noticable limp.  Can’t afford the injuries!

Still in first place folks so no need to panic but the team must figure out the back end of the pen else we will be watching either St. Louis, L.A., the Rockies or Giants in the series this year.  Still a good time to be a Phillies fan!   Could be the Mets with no hope this year eh!

On Sunday I witnessed, along with many other fans, a true rarity in Major League Baseball.  Eric Bruntlett pulled off an unassisted triple play to end the game and give the FIghtin’s a 9 to 7 win over the Mets in New York !  It was only the 15th time in major league history that an unassisted triple play has occured and the second time in history that it has occured to end a ballgame!  The last and only other time in major league history that an unassisted triple play occured to end a game was May of 1927!   The feat is so extraordinary that the Baseball Hall of Fame asked Bruntlett to provide a piece of memorabilia to be added as part of the Hall of Fame collection,  Eric the Great donated his jersey to the hall as a momento.

Prior to the trip the New York the Fightins completed a three game sweep of Arizona as Joe Blanton tossed eight innings in a 12 to 3 win.  Blanton could have went nine but Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel chose to give Chad Durbin an inning of work to close the game.  Jayson Werth, Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard each homered in the game as the Fightins pounded 12 hits.

The four game series in New York began on Friday night with a loss as the Metropolitans beat the Phillies 4 to 2 behind Mike Pelfrey.  Cole Hamels continued to struggle as he was able to only go five innings giving up ten hits, Chan Ho Park and Ryan Madson pitched scoreless relief behind Hamels.  The Phillies had ten hits in the game but left 11 runners on base.  Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard had six of the hits, each with two hits apiece.

On Saturday the Phillies bounced back with a 4 to 1 win over the Mets as J.A. Happ went seven innings to earn his 10th win of the season.   Madson earned hold number 21 on the season and Brad Lidge tossed a perfect ninth to earn save number 24.  Chase Utley belted a two run home run to provide the game winner in the sixth inning.  Old nemesis Tim Redding started for the Mets and once again held the Fightins at bay by only giving up one hit thru five frames, Redding was on a pitch count and was taken out after five else this may have been a loss!

On Sunday Pedro Martinez made his Citi Field debut and was given a six run cushion before he even took the hill as Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz each belted three run home runs in the first inning to chase Mets starter Oliver Perez.  Perez was so bad that his own manager showed him up by pulling him with a 3-0 count to batter Martinez rather than let him finish out the at bat!   Martinez earned his second Phillies win of the season as he tossed six frames and was relieved by Durbin and Madson before Lidge closed to earn his 25th save on the Bruntlett triple play!  It must be noted that if Bruntlett had not committed two errors prior to the Triple play it would not have been needed!  Strange game is baseball sometimes.

In the series Finale on Monday staff ace Cliff Lee tossed seven strong innings and Ryan Howard belted two home runs to lead the Phillies to a 6 to 2 win.  Chan Ho Park earned his 8th hold in relief of Lee who is 5 and 0 as a Phillie and 12-9 overall as he won his ninth consecutive start!  Sweet!

Chatter

Greg Dobbs was put on the disabled list on monday and  Miguel Cairo was brought back up from Triple A.  Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero made rehab appearances in Clearwater and may rejoin the team in early September.  Brett Myers made a rehab start at single A Lakewood and is also on target to join the team in September.  It will be interesting to see whom the team recalls when rosters expand on September 1, e.g. will folks like Michael Taylor and Kyle Drabek be given major league service time ?  It may depend on how close or far the race is at that time.    With the win on Monday and prior to other results the team heads to Pittsburgh with a seven game lead in the division and two games in hand.  Great time to be a Phillies Fan!

With Howard’s homers on Monday he once again eclipsed 100 RBI in a season, the big guy has hit at least 30 bombs and driven in 100 or more for four consecutive seasons ! 

The Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks last evening by a count of 8 to 1 as Cliff Lee tossed his second complete game for the FIghtins since joining the team.   Back in the day when “Lefty” Steve Carlton used to pitch for the Phillies whenever his turn would come in the rotation his teammates would call the day “Win Day”.   I think that Mr. Lee has earned that same regard as he is 4-0 for the Phillies, 7-0 in his last seven starts and has four complete games in that stretch !   He is a true throwback pitcher in a day when complete games are very rare, he makes the Fightins a prohibitive favorite, in my opinion, to return to the World Series!  

Lee was supported by home runs by Chase Utley, Ryan Howard  and two by Jayson Werth.  Lee had two hits himself.   The previous night Jamie Moyer showed why he has now won 257 career games as he came in relief of Pedro Martinez in the fourth frame and pitched two hit baseball in leading the Phillies to a 5 to 1 win over Arizona.  Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel brought Moyer into the game after a 56 minute rain delay rather than push Pedro back onto the mound after the delay.  Martinez, himself pitched a very effective first three frames and looked as is he was also gonna deal a good one until Mother Nature cut short his night.  Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz each hit bombs in the game.

Prior to the two games at home against Arizona the Phillies beat Atlanta two games to one in a three game set in HotLanta.   Joe Blanton threw seven strong innings against the Braves in game one but pitched to a no decision as he left the game in a tie with Braves starter Jair Jurrjens.  Jurrjens threw a gem at the Phillies but his bullpen took the loss when Ryan Howard belted a solo home run in the top of the ninth to put the Fightins ahead.  Brad Lidge saved game number 22 and Ryan Madson was credited with the win.   Lidge blew a save in game two of the series in relief of Cole Hamels who went six innings and yielded only three hits and two runs to the Braves.  Lidge’s bullpen mates Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin and Madson held the Braves at bay in relief of Hamels  but Lidge gave up two runs in the ninth to suffer the loss.

The Phillies bounced back in the series finale to claim the series with a 4 to 1 win.  Ryan Howard belted two home runs to supply all the runs rookie J.A. Happ would need as Happ went 7 and 2/3 innings to earn win number 9 on the season.  Brad Lidge notched save number 23 behind holds by Ryan Madson and Scott Eyre.

Chatter

When Pedro Martinez and Jamie Moyer pitched in the same game it marked the first time that two pitchers with over 200 career wins each both pitched in the same game for the Phillies.   The last time it happened in Major League Baseball was when Minnesota Twins teammates Bert Blyleven and Steve Carlton both appeared in a contest.  The Phillies duo fared much better as they won while the Twins duo suffered a lop sided loss!   Big Ryan Howard has once again reached the 30 home run threshold and appears to be heating up in the later part of the season as has been his pattern in his brief career thus far.  Howard tied and then surpassed my favorite all-time Phillie Dick Allen on the team all time home run list.   If Howard stays according to past pattern he can single handedly carry the team on his broad shoulders offensively. 

Brett Myers admittedly lied about how he suffered a black eye recently, at first he said he got it while playing with his son who inadvertenly hit his daddy, he later changed his story to say that he suffered it stumbling out of his truck.   As it turns out he was at a bar with his wife and buddies of his, some of his buddies got into an altercation but all accounts say Myers was not part of the scuffle and in fact left to avoid the issue.   Mind boggling to me that folks even put themselves in those positions!  Will never understand that.

The Fightins have a 5 and 1/2 game lead over second place Florida as of this writing and are only 2 games behind the Dodgers for best record in the National League.  After tonights game against Arizona the team hits the road again for three games against the Mets and then three more against Pittsburgh before concluding the month with a home series against the Braves.

For he first time since 1984 the Phillies went into Chicago and swept a series away from the hometown Cubbies.  After winning the first game in extra innings on Tuesday  the Fightins came out of their recent offensive slumber to score 12 runs Wednesday evening enroute to claiming a victory behind starter Pedro Martinez and then rode ace Cliff Lee on Thursday afternoon to the winners circle.

Martinez tossed a very effective five innings and was clocked as high as 93 on the radar to earn career win number 215.  Chan Ho Park tossed three perfect innings behind Martinez and Chad Durbin finished out the game.  Home runs were clubbed by Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino.  All tolled the Fightins pounded 14 hits in the game.  An idiot fan tossed a full cup of beer on Victorino as he made a catch in centerfield on the warning track.  Originally security ejected the wrong guy but then came back and tossed the entire row as the dumbass fan didn’t fess up to his stupidity.  Some fans actually cheered the idiot as he left which makes one wonder……… maybe there is a reason for the curse on the cubbies, stupid fans like these!  I am sure that there are plenty of good fans in Chicago also but this dumbass sure is not one of them!  Charges have been filed by both Victorino and the Chicago Cubs, let’s see how proud the dummy is going to be about that!

On Thursday afternoon Cliff Lee continued to prove he was worth trading for as he led the Phillies to a 6 to 1 victory.   Ryan Howard belted a three run home run to give Lee all the runs he would need and Pedro Feliz also belted a dinger.   Both Howard and Feliz had three hit games.   Cliff Lee tossed eight innings in the contest and is now 3 and 0 as a Phillie, he even belted a double as a hitter !

Chatter

Depending on the outcome of tonight’s games involving the Braves and Marlins the Phillies will head to Atlanta with either a 4 and 1/2 game lead in the division or one game more.   Last season the Phillies were perfect in Atlanta but this year has been a struggle.  Big Joe Blanton will take the hill in the opener followed by Cole Hamels and J.A. Happ.   

Word is that Brett Myers had another very effective simulated game session and  is on track to be back pitching at month end or early September.  Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero are not close to returning though as both have had setbacks in the injury recovery process. 

Sources tell me that my boy Ryan Freel was released by the Royals, have always liked him as a player so hope the Phillies give him a shot.   How bout that Milwaukee Brewer housecleaning of late, I think that Bill Hall is still a player and was surprised the Brew Crew designated him for assignment.  He is another guy I would like to see in Phillies red pinstripes.

Coming into this weekend’s series with the Florida Marlins the Phillies held a seven game lead over the second place Fish and had an opportunity to perhaps bury them early this summer by sweeping and/or winning the series.   The young Marlins had other designs however as they climbed back into the race by turning the table on the Fightins and sweeping them!   As of this writing the Phillies still hold first place but the lead is now down to four games.

Friday night Florida’s Ricky Nolasco tossed a gem and beat the Phillies 3 to 2.  Joe Blanton pitched pretty well himself by going into the seventh but Florida got him for three runs in the first and second frames which turned out to be the difference.   The Phillies were limited to only four hits in the game, two by Raul Ibanez as the offense has stalled a bit lately, guess “hitting season” is in a lull right now!

Saturday’s game was a 6 to 4 loss as Cole Hamels continued to struggle.  Hamels could only go into the sixth frame before being lifted, he gave up four earned runs on five hits and also issued four walks.  The command he displays when he is going good has been sporadic at best this season as the young ace took his seventh loss of the season to go against seven wins.  Ryan Howard awoke from his offensive slumber as he went a perfect four for four at the plate and Shane Victorino got two hits before going accross the street with a few teammates to the Wachovia Center to watch Ultimate Fighting’s debut in the Philadelphia area.   Perhaps that experience was in hopes that it would stir the troops a bit for the Sunday Matinee to close the series!

Jamie Moyer took the hill sunday and battled thru five innings but left trailing the game 3 to 1 as the young Marlin hitters showed good patience with the pitch doctor and produced “soft” hits off the end of the bats to take the lead.   Rodrigo Lopez came on in relief of Moyer and all but punched his ticket back to the Minors by getting blasted for six runs in two thirds of an inning!  Victorino got thrown out of the game by the homeplate umpire  during the inning by questioning balls and strikes from his defensive perch in centerfield !   I have never seen an outfielder get tossed by the home umpire for balls and strikes!  Victorino came roaring into the plate area after being tossed and had to be restrained by teammates.   This reaction was prompted by a poor call the prior half inning where the homeplate blue rang Ryan Howard up on a 3-2 pitch which looked to be low.   Josh Johnson got the win for the Marlins in the finale.  The Phillies ended up with an old fashioned butt whippin put on them in a lopsided 12 to 3 loss.

Chatter

Florida has something special in Chris Coghlan.  The 24 year old had eight hits in the three game series and truly sparked the Marlin offense, he is no defensive wiz in left field where they have him playing, ( he came up thru minors as a second baseman), but he is not near as bad as the Mets Mr. Murphy out there either !

The Phillies hit the road next with a six game trip thru Chicago and Atlanta, they play 13 of the next 19 on the road.   Pedro Martinez is ready to go as a starter and will get a chance according to the skipper to do so on multiple occassion, my guess is that Mr. Moyer may be headed to the pen. 

How bout that Ryan Freel as a potential bench bat for the Phillies, I see that he was demoted once again to the minor leagues, I always liked him and perhaps he could be a spark for the Fightin’s off the bench.

Brad Lidge got tuned up in the ninth inning on Sunday by giving up three runs including a bomb to ex teammate Wes Helms.   In my opinion he is hurt despite what the team says, no bite on the slider and the fastball seems real straight, it is what happens when the knee can’t bend.

It is only August and the Fightin’s are still up four games so no time for us Phans to panic but rather sit back and cheer our boys on as indeed the race is still on !