Not Found

Seems like the Phillies are always playing the Nationals this season!  In fact the two teams have met for four series already and 11 games, considering that the Phillies have played 47 games overall the Nationals have been the opponent for a little under one quarter of the contests!   It has been good for the Phillies thus far as they won nine of the contests!  Here is a recap of the two most recent games.

Friday, May 29th :  Phillies 5 Nationals 4

J.A. Happ had another good outing as a starter as he went five and one thirds innings to gain his third win of the season.   Happ goes right at the hitters and has above average stuff in his reportiore of fastball, changeup and curve.  Phillies post game analyst Ricky Bottalico actually stated after the game that he thinks Happ could eventually be a number one type starter!  Pretty high praise but if true that would be sweet indeed.    Shane Victorino led the Fightin’s offense with four hits while Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez, Pedro Feliz, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz each had two hit games.  The Phillies collected sixteen hits in the game but left 13 runners on base and did not score after the fourth inning.   Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson all earned holds out of the bullpen and Brad Lidge earned his 10th save of the season with a perfect ninth inning in which he struck out two hitters.  

Saturday, May 30th :  Phillies 9 Nationals 6

Ryan Howard had a big game offensively beliting two home runs including a 475 foot grand slam!  Howard was all over Nationals starter Shairon Martis as he tagged him for both blasts.  The Nationals defense was as shaky as usual as errors led to two unearned runs in the mix.  Cole Hamels was the benefactor of the offensive explosion as he went six innings to earn the win.  Clay Condrey was again excellent as he pitched out of a seventh inning jam by striking out two batters.  Condrey is super steady and is a key cog to the bullpen’s success.  Ryan Madson pitched a perfect ninth striking out two hitters.  Brad Lidge earned his 11th save by finishing the game aided by a spectacular double play pulled off the J-Roll and Chase Utley.  Lidge faced only three hitters to get it done.

Chatter

Brett Myers will have surgery on his hip this coming week to repair what could be season ending damage.  Myers is a warrior and most certainly pitched thru the pain last season as well, we always were in a quandry why he had velocity some games and not others, now we know the reason.  It is why I don’t like when fans boo ballplayers, we never truly know if their performance is hindered by injury and perception of what we see as failure is skewed due to that reason, I don’t know alot of folks who would work thru injury but these guys do, yes they make alot of money but I still admire the effort given by most.

Sergio Escalona was recalled from Lehigh Valley and added to the bullpen to temporarily take Myers roster spot, the Phillies will need a starter to take Myers spot on Tuesday so Escalona’s stint could be short.   Candidates to replace Myers at least on an interim basis include Kyle Kendrick, Andrew Carpenter, Vance Worley or Antonio Bastardo.  The safe bet would be Kendrick but I have a feeling that it could be either Bastardo or Worley who gets the call.  Both are up and coming studs and have thrown very well thus far this season.   If it is Bastardo the Phillies would have four lefties in the rotation, since I am a southpaw myself I see nothing wrong with that at all!  

Keep in mind that J.C. Romero comes off the inactive list on Thursday so another roster move is pending.   Reports are that the Phillies are in the market to trade for a starter, even before Myers got hurt that was the rumblings.   Jake Peavey of the Padres is now being bandied about as a name they would at least inquire about but my opinion is that they will target either Jason Marquies of the Rockies or Roy Oswalt of the Astros.   Erik Bedard is another name being bandied about but the Mariners might wait it out till the end of July to see if they can drive up the price to get him.   All of those guys will require a bounty of talent to be given back, don’t be shocked if teams target Kyle Drabek in any return package as the young righthander is tossing very well at Clearwater this year.   If you could get Peavey or Oswalt giving up Drabek might indeed be worth it!   I think that Jason Donald or Lou Marson would also have to be included in any deal to get that type of pitcher back.  I don’t know if they would be willing to give up Michael Taylor who is tearing it up at Reading though but young outfielder Dominick Brown from the Clearwater roster might offer some intrique.

The Phillies are also still in the market for a right handed bat off the bench, how about that Marlon Byrd returning to the FIghtin’s ?  Could happen and he might be a good fit.

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!

The Phillies dropped the last two games of the three game home series against the Dodgers, it deflated the team record to 8 and 12 at home but they rebounded with a road win against the Nationals to improve the season record to 18 and 17. 

May 13, 2009 – Dodgers 9 Phillies 2 :  

Jamie Moyer got roughed up again in this one as he was able to only pitch four and one thirds innings while getting tagged for eight hits and seven runs, all earned.   Moyer was hit hard and once again had difficulty locating his pitches effectively.  If he cannott be precise in pitch location then he will not succeed, he knows that and had bouts where it happened last year but in order to stay in the rotation must turn it around.   Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez homered in the game, Carlos Ruiz led the offensive attack with two hits but it was a faint offensive attack at best as the team could only muster five hits in total.  Ex Phil Randy Wolf pitched a very effective game for the Dodgers and claimed his second win of the season by going six frames. 

May 14, 2009 – Dodgers 5 Phillies 3 :

In an afternoon game to wrap up the series Cole Hamels pitched his most effective game of the 2009 season.  Hamels went seven strong frames allowing only one earned run, two total, while striking out nine.  Hamels left the game trailing as once again the Phillie offense struggled against Dodger pitching.  Chad Billingsley went seven innings also for the Dodgers limiting the Fightin’s to only one run on three hits.   The Phillies could only muster five hits total once again and two players accounted for four of them!  Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez had two hits each in this one.   Ruiz tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a clutch two base knock but the game was eventually lost in extra innings as Chad Durbin gave up two runs in the Dodger tenth and the Phillies succumbed.  The loss dropped the Phillies record to .500 overall as the home game struggles continued.

May 15, 2009 – Phillies 10 Nationals 6 : ( in Washington)

It was far from easy as once again the team was forced to come from behind to win a game.  Joe Blanton gave up four runs in five innings of work as the starter, he could not find the strike zone as he walked six batters in addition to giving up five hits.   The Phillies offense battled back however and held a two run lead going into the National’s last at bat.  Ryan Howard blasted a three run home run in the seventh frame to put the team ahead but Brad Lidge continued his struggles in the closer role as he was tagged for two runs with two outs in the ninth  and the Nationals tied the game forcing extra innings.  Skipper Charlie Manuel’s hand was forced as he had to use expected Saturday night starter J.A. Happ in relief for the extra frames.  Happ responded with two scoreless innings and actually ended up earning the win,  Raul Ibanez knocked in the game winning run as he slapped a bases loaded single in the top of the 12th to score two.  The Phillie offense broke out in this one as they tallied 16 hits including four hit games for Ibanez and Pedro Feliz.  Carlos Ruiz continued his hot hitting as he tallied three hits in the game.  Shane Victorino had a two hit game.    The Phillies away record improved to 9 and 4 with the victory.

Chatter

The team was honored with a visit to the White House Friday afternoon to meet our 44th president, the honorable Mr. Obama.   Jimmy Rollins presented our commander in chief with a Phillie jersey with number 44 and his name on it.   President Obama, albeit a White Sox fan, acknowledged the team as just that, a team and stated that they were proof of what can happen when folks work together. 

Andrew Carpenter will be recalled today to pitch the second game of a day night doubleheader against the Nationals.   J.A. Happ was to start the game but had to be used in relief on Friday night.  Miguel Cairo will be designated for assignment to make temporary room on the roster for Carpenter. Carpenter is a 23 year old who had a spot appearance in the show with the team last season.  He is a control pitcher who relies on contact to get batters out……….. can’t do much worse than the collective starting staff has performed thus far!

My daughter gets married this coming Monday in the spring training home of the Phillies, Clearwater, FLA!   When she was a little girl I used to take her to Clearwater for baseball tournaments I would play in and also for Phillies spring training, she always said that when she got married that Clearwater was where she wanted it to be…….. so trying to be a good Dad I am accomodating!  Maybe I will run into Pat Burrell while I am down in the Tampa area!

Jamie Moyer took the ball in NYC in hopes of earning the 250th win of his marvelous career, instead he was pounded for seven runs on seven hits in only 2 and 1/3 innings of work and ended up losing his second game of the season.   Mike Pelfrey pitched seven innings for the Mets to up his record to 4 and 0.   The good news in this one was the work of the Phillies bullpen as J.A. Happ, Clay Condrey and Jack Taschner pitched scoreless ball in relief of Moyer.  The bad news is that an early hole was dug too deep for the Phillie offense to climb back from. 

The Fightin’s did battle back to make it a game as Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth each belted home runs in the contest.   Werth led the Phillie offense as he went 4 for 4 at the plate, Howard had a two hit game as in total the Phillies matched the Met offensive output of ten hits.  It was the early Met onslaught that cost the Phillies the loss however and one certainly has to be concerned with the inadequacy of the starting pitching thus far.  This team will score runs with anybody but if our starters continually put the team in a hole then the battle will wear the team down both from bullpen overuse and team morale.  Let’s hope that the starting pitching can turn it around soon.

Chatter

Danny Ozark, the Phillies skipper from the mid 70′s passed away today at the age of 85.  The “Wizard of Oze” as he was known came to the Phillies from the L.A. Dodgers where he was a long time third base coach for the great Walter Alston.  Ozark was a father figure type that inherited a young Phillie nucleaus including the likes of Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt and nurtured and taught them how to be a team and win.  Ozark’s teams won multiple Division titles back when there were only two in in each league but failed to make it the World Series…. the Big Red Machine and Dodgers had alot to do with that !   Ozark was eventually dismissed in favor of Dallas Green who led the team to it’s first world championship in 1980.  Ozark was the 1970′s version of Charlie Manuel, the difference being that Charlie won a championship and “the Wiz” did not.  He was a good man by all accounts and may he rest in peace. 

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.

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 !

Games two and three of the home series against the Brewers saw the Phillies score only two runs total as they fell to the Brew Crew by counts of 3 to 1 and 6 to 1.   Braden Looper tossed six innings of shutout ball on Wednesday to earn his second win of the season.   The Phillies could only muster 8 hits in the contest, two of which were by Jayson Werth including his second home run of the season.   Joe Blanton pitched relatively well for the Phillies in his start but was tagged for all three runs including a solo home run by J.J. Hardy.

On Thursday afternoon Philadelphia native Dave Bush took a no – hitter into the eighth inning for the Brewers before pinch hitter Matt Stairs broke it up with a solo home home.   Cole Hamels took the loss for the Phillies and was knocked out of the game early by a Prince Fielder line drive off his throwing arm.  Hamels gave up two runs on four hits in 3 and 1/3 innings.  J.A. Happ got tuned for three runs in 1 and 2/3 innings of work in relief of Hamels.   The Phillies only managed two hits in the ballgame.

The Phillies offensive woes continued as they faced the Florida Marlins in Miami on Friday night.  The Fish threw big Josh Johnson against the Fightins and he held them scoreless thru seven innings as he was dominant.   Brett Myers started for the Phillies and threw six innings but gave up a three run bomb to Dan Uggla in the first inning.   The count was 3 to 0 going into the Phillies top half of the ninth when the Fightin’s offense erupted to score 7 times!   Shane Victorino blasted a grand slam home run to plate four and Chase Utley smoked a solo blast in the frame.  Matt Stairs had a big pinch single in the  middle of the inning to start the scoring run.  Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard both belted doubles off the left field wall.  Matt Lindstrom got tuned up pretty well in the inning as he blew the save.    The Phillies brought 12 batters to the plate in the eruption.

Ryan Madson pitched the ninth to close the game in a non-save situation.  He struck out the side.  The Phillies won the game 7 to 3.  The season record now stands at 7 wins and 8 losses. 

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.

In the series finale against the Nationals, (game 2 of the series was postponed due to rain), Joe Blanton made his second start of the season.   Adam Dunn took Blanton deep in the Washington first with two mates aboard to give Washington an early 3-0 lead.   The Fightins got one back in the fourth as Raul Ibanez singled to score Chase Utley, they made it 3-2 in the fifth inning as Jimmy Rollins hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Lou Marson. 

Shairon Martis threw 6 and 1/3 effective innings for the Nationals limiting the Phillies to five hits and the  two runs.  Blanton threw six innings in this outing allowing only three runs and was replaced by Chad Durbin in the seventh. Durbin was tagged by Josh WIllingham for a solo dinger to lead off the seventh.  Jack Taschner got tuned by Elijah Dukes and Alberto Gonzalez for solo bombs in the eighth to score two more.  He gave up two more runs on multiple consecutive hits before being pulled in favor of J.A. Happ who closed the inning.

The Phillies pitchers have been tagged for 20 taters in the eight games played thus far season, that is alot of homers and must be corrected else a long season looms in that regard.

Chatter

The Phillies will wear a patch on the jersey over their heart with the initials HK in honor of Harry Kalas for the remainder of the season.  His fellow announcers will also wear the patch on thier shirts in the booth.  Mr. Kalas’s body will lie in repose at home plate on Saturday from 8 am till 1 pm at Citizen’s Bank Park.  Fans can pay respects on a first come first served basis, a memorial ceremony will be conducted from 1:30 pm to 3 pm. …..  not since Babe Ruth lay in state at home plate in  Yankee Stadium has such a service been conducted.  It is a proper sendoff for a beloved figure that we fans of the team held in such high regard for 38 years, class move for a class man.

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 !