As New York Mets fans know being in first place in the National League East in September is not the most secure place in recent years.  The mighty Mets fell out of the top spot and eventually relinquished the title to our Fightins each of the last two seasons.  The FIghtins presently hold that leadership perch this season and one would think that with a 5 and 1/2 game lead and a magic number of 16 as of the time of this writing that such lead would be relatively safe………. as the New Yorker’s would tell you, don’t count on it till the fat lady sings!

The Phillies have not played well in September this season, they were swept in a four game series in Houston by the Astros and albeit came back to win two of three against the Nationals in Washington struggled to do so.   Everyone knows that the team offense is predicated on the long ball but recent times have seen that reliance to become somewhat alarming.  The Fightins run production recently has been delivered 60% of the time on home runs !  Too often they have been unable to produce runs with runners in scoring position and less than two outs.   If the team holds on and wins their third straight division title, which I expect them to by the way, the playoff run will be short if they do not figure out how to get back to offense 101 and move runners to score the small ball way also.  Home Runs usually don’t fly against the pitchers you see in the playoffs.

On top of the offensive woes the bullpen has been a real worry, Brad Lidge blew another game in Houston and struggled so mightingly in a game in Washington that skipper Charlie Manuel had to go get him in the ninth in favor of Ryan Madson who eventually closed the win.   Madson, though is not a closer just yet as he displayed against the Mets in yesterday’s game by blowing his sixth save of the season.   Brett Myers also pitched poorly against the Mets yesterday giving up a two run blast himself in the eighth inning set up roll.   Bottom line is this, anyone who does not realize that the Phillies must get Lidge right in the closer roll is blind as a baseball fan, the skipper knows it and will attempt to take the last few weeks of the season to try and get him right. 

In today’s game against the Mets Kyle Kendrick stepped up in a spot start opportunity and threw very well leaving with a 5 to 2 lead.  Matt Stairs doubled in the home eighth and was plated by Andy Tracy with a single to score that fifth run in what may become one of the more important RBI’s of the season.   The skipper brought in Mr. Lidge to attempt to get the game done and he needed every one of those three runs to do so as he converted a save for the 5-4 win.   I truly think that even though he struggled once again with hanging sliders that were hit hard by two Met hitters the fact that he was able to convert with two strike outs may indeed finally be the bridge back to where we need him to be.

I repeat, this team needs Brad Lidge to close, he is the best option we have and the success of the season will hinge on his ability to recover. 

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Kudo’s to Phillie fans who gave Lidge a very nice ovation when he came into the game today, it was a show of class for a class act, Lidge has never ducked his responsibility this season and does not deserve any boo birds wrath for that, he has not performed on the field but as we saw last season the Phillies home crowd can be a great attribute to the home team if we are behind them, this is a very good team we have, no room to be negative now fellow Phillie Phans, not if we want another title which is indeed in reach!

Pedro Martinez goes tonight against his old teammates in the night portion of the day-night twin bill.  Pedro has been excellent thus far so let’s hope that streak continues.  Has anyone noticed that Jamie Moyer could actually have 15 wins this season if not for the last two games where he left with a lead and the bullpen collapsed, not bad for a spot starter eh!   J.A. Happ is still struggling with a strained obligue and may miss another start, good thing we have Moyer ready to take the ball.   Clay Condrey threw in Reading in a rehab assignment but no word if he is ready to resume big league service, the injury to his obligue has cost the valuable right hander a big chunk of the season, J.C. Romero is still struggling with elbow woes as is fellow lefty Scott Eyre.   If those two guys can’t get back in time to finish the season don’t be suprised to see Mr. Happ in the bullpen as the team has only inexperienced Sergio Escolona and Jack Taschner in the pen presently from the left side.

Magic number is at 16 and Marlins are losing right now to Nats 7-1 in the eighth so there is a possibility that can go to 14 if they lose and the Fightins win behind Pedro tonight.   Good time to be a Phillie Phan folks!

Note :  The Fighins have four guys with 30 or more home runs this season, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley……..  those four guys have more than many entire teams including those lowly Mets, indeed a great time 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!

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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!

The Fightins entered New York’s CIti Field with a three game lead on the second place Mets in the NL Eastern Division, a three game series ensued after which the Phillies would be four games up on the New Yorkers.  Here is how the series played out.

Game 1 – Tuesday, June 9th – Mets 6 Phillies 5

J.A. Happ had his worst start of the season on the hill for the Phillies as his pitches were up in the zone and the Mets made him pay for it.  Happ pitched five and one third innings giving up four runs on six hits and four walks.  Happ gave up home runs to David Wright and Carlos Beltran.   Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley hit home runs for the Phillies as Rollins had three hits and Jayson Werth collected two.  In the end though Johan Santana was credited with his eighth win of the season and K-Rod earned his 16th save of the season for the Mets.

Game 2 – Wednesday, June 10th – Phillies 5 Mets 4 (11 innings)

Cole Hamels got roughed up a bit in this one as the Phillies ace only pitched five innings giving up eleven hits and four runs while only striking out one batter.  The Phillies perservered however and staged yet another comeback to win!  Chase Utley blasted two home runs in the game, almost to the identical spot, in right field.   Utley had three hits in the game.   The Phillies bullpen was excellent in relief of Hamels as they pitched six scoreless innings allowing only five Met hits.   Chan Ho Park earned his second win of the season by throwing scoreless innings in the ninth and tenth and temporary closer Ryan Madson earned his third save by tossing a perfect eleventh inning.

Game Three – Thursday, June 11th – Phillies 6 Mets 3 ( Ten Innings)

Jamie Moyer had another strong outing as a starter tossing six innings allowing eight hits and three runs.  Raul Ibanez blasted the key blow, a three run home run in the top of the tenth inning to seal the victory.  Scott Eyre earned the mound win and Ryan Madson collected his fourth save of the season by finishing out the game.   Pedro Feliz had three hits in the game and Chris Coste collected two.  Jayson Werth in right field, made a game saving catch in the home ninth else the game would not have made it to extra innings.

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Brad Lidge was put on the disabled list prior to the beginning of the Mets series with a sore knee.  The knee has been bothering Lidge all season and he had hoped to pitch thru it, the team hopes a 15 day stint of pure rest will reduce the swelling and enable “Lights Out” to get back to form.  Catcher Paul Bako was recalled from Double A Reading to take Lidge’s roster spot, Bako will enable the Phillies to use Chris Coste as a right handed pinch hitter more since the team is now carrying three catchers.   Scott Eyre was also placed on the 15 day disabled list after Thursday night’s game with a strained calf,  righthander Kyle Kendrick was recalled from Triple A Lehigh Valley to take Eyre’s spot.  Kendrick will be used as a long reliever and lefty Jack Taschner will be asked to fill in Eyre’s spot as the lefty specialist out of the pen.  

The Phillies drafted a local young man I know and my son had the opportunity to play with in high school and legion ball.  David Hissey, an outfielder from Emory University was taken in the 50th round by the FIghtins,  Hiss played his high school ball at Unionville High School and Legion baseball for Kennett.  Congrats David and good luck embarking on a pro baseball career!

The Phillies lost the most recent three game series against the Florida Marlins in what has become the not so friendly confines of Citizen’s Bank Park in 2009.   The Marlins took two of the three games and sunk the Phillies home record to 9 wins and 14 losses.   Home Cooking has to improve if the boys are gonna have any chance of repeating.

Game 1 – Monday, May 25th – Florida 5 Phillies 3

Jamie Moyer made his fifth attempt to gain career win number 250 and once again came up short.  Moyer did not pitch badly as he went six innings and limited the Marlins to four runs on seven hits.   The only problem was that Chris Volstad was better for Florida.   Ryan Howard accounted for all three of the Phillie runs as he blasted two home runs giving him 12 for the season.  Pedro Feliz also had a two hit game but the duo accounted for two thirds of the Phillies offense as they could only muster a total of six hits.  Chan Ho Park pitched well in relief for the Phillies as he tossed the final three frames but the Fightin’s came up short in this one.  Ex Phillie Wes Helms had a huge game offensively for the Marlins as he homered and knocked in four of the five runs.

Game 2 – Tuesday, May 26th – Phillies 5 Florida 3

Joe Blanton was dominant in this game as he had by far his best outing in a Phillie jersey.  Blanton threw shutout ball thru seven innings and struck out 11 batters, a new career high.  He limited the Marlins to only five hits and also only walked two batters.  Blanton attacked the strike zone in this one with little regard for the hitters as he trusted his stuff and it worked very well!   Offensively Shane Victorino had a big day as he collected four hits and Pedro Feliz stayed hot by stroking another two hits.   The game got interesting in the ninth as Chad Durbin loaded the bases with only one out and forced skipper Charlie Manuel  to go to closer Brad Lidge after the Marlins scored three runs.  Lidge was given a very warm reception by the fans as he entered the game and did the job as he recorded the final two outs to earn his ninth save.   He is the closer and Charlie has made it very clear that it will remain that way, that is the beauty of the skipper and of this team, they do not panic and stay the course even if sometimes the fans divert course!

Game 3 – Wednesday, May 27th – Florida 6 Phillies 2

Brett Myers started the game and pitched effectively thru five frames but was knocked out in the sixth.   It was later reported that Myers left the game due to soreness and discomfort in his hip, he has been pitching very well lately and an injury is not something the team can really afford at this point.   Myers was tagged for home runs by Dan Uggla and Cody Ross and gave up five runs.   Old reliable Clay Condrey took the hill after Myers and held the Marlins at bay for two and 1/3 innings.   The Phillies struggled offensively as they tallied eight hits, two of which were off the bat of Ryan Howard.  Matt Stairs blasted a solo pinch hit home run to right field in the home eighth.  Jack Taschner gave up the sixth run in the ninth and is the most likely candidate to be released at this point when J.C. Romero returns to the active roster on June 3rd.

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Rumblings are that the Phillies are very interested in acquiring another starting pitcher.  If Brett Myers is indeed injured and goes on the disabled list then that search may intensify.  Names being bandied about as potential acquisitions are Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn of the Mariners,  Jason Marquis of the Rockies, Brad Penny and perhaps Clay Bucholtz of the Red Sox and Roy Oswalt of the Astros.   Any of those trades would require the Phillies to give up a portion of the minor league talent they have accumulated, folks like Jason Donald, Lou Marson, Carlos Carrasco, Sergio Escalona, Joe Savery, Kyle Drabek, Drew Carpenter, etc.  would have to be dangled so G.M. Ruben Amaro must be cognizant of not mortgaging the entire future.  It is refreshing though that the team realizes they have a great nucleaus and is willing to go for it now!  Time will tell what happens.   Keep in mind also that old standbys like Paul Byrd and Pedro Martinez are also still out there as free agents.   Oswalt would be my choice if you could get him but the others would be very good additions as well.  Reports are that the team does not plan to sign Myers this offseason so whomever they might trade for would be figured into 2010 plans as well.

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

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

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

Cole Hamels earned his first win of 2009 by tossing six innings allowing only three hits while striking out seven.  Hamels was spotted a big lead early as Jayson Werth and Chris Coste popped early home runs to give the Phillies a 6 to 0 gap.   Chase Utley hit his ninth home run of the season in the fifth inning to extend the lead.  The Braves plated two runs on Hamels as he left the game for a pinch hitter in the home sixth  with a 8 to 2 lead.

Jack Taschner, Clay Condrey and Brad Lidge tossed the final three frames.  Lidge gave up a three run home run in the ninth to Casey Kotchman in a mopup get your work in appearance…. often times closers struggle when asked to pitch in non save situations, lack of adrenalin rush I suppose.  After Kotchman’s homerun Lidge got nasty and struck two in a row before getting a fly ball to end the game.

Jayson Werth had three hits and is swinging a red hot bat in his last few games.  Chris Coste had a two hit game however Shane Victorino saw his hitting streak end.   The Phillies improved the season record to 15 wins and 12 losses.

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Manny Ramirez’s suspension makes one wonder “who’s next”?   My goodness, the integrity of the game and honor within seems to be taking one hit after another !  A-Rod made his return to the Yankee lineup tonight but I am sure fan excitement sure was tempered after he admitted this spring to illegal substance use.   Alot of guys are speaking out on the subject now but not so sure it is too little too late,  like I said, makes you wonder which superstar is next to get suspended !

The Phillies are home for five more games and need to build up that home record, with the win over the Braves they are now 7 and 8 at home.  Hamels gave them a good outing as a starter now the other four guys have to keep it up, a six game win streak would calm alot of nerves!

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.

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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.

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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.

Washington used timely hitting to score their runs and coupled it with good pitching to hold the Phillie offense in check to earn a win in the final game of the three game series.   Anderson Hernandez had three hits for the Nationals and Elijah Dukes contributed two.   Hernandez drove in two of the four National runs.

Brett Myers threw six innings in this start for the Fightins and gave up three runs on eight hits.  Jack Taschner gave up the fourth run in his one inning of relief.    The Phillies were limited to six hits, one a solo home run by Shane Victorino.  Ryan Howard had two hits in the game. 

Julian Tavares earned his first save since 2006 for the Nationals as he pitched a scoreless ninth.  He used a little Luis Tiant type of pitching motion during the appearance !  Tavares is another of those very excitable latin players who wears his emotions loudly on his sleeves for all to see, not a bad thing if they are on your team but annoying otherwise!

The team is off tommorrow before starting a three game series at home vs those New York Mets.

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Brad Lidge was unavailable again due to knee inflamation.  He will have it reexamined tommorrow and a determination will be made if he needs to go on the disabled list.  Carlos Ruiz will report back to Lehigh Valley to resume his rehab stint.  Ruiz will catch the next Iron Pigs game.  

I have a book signing this Saturday at Batley’s Grille in West Chester, (formerly Stadium Grille), from 3 pm to 8 pm.  The Phillies/Mets game starts at 3:40 pm and will be on display on the multiple TV monitors at the restuarant.  Come out and buy an autographed copy of ” 2008 Philadelphia Phillies – A Poetic Season” and let’s chat a little baseball while hopefully the Fightin’s smack those Mets around!

Ryan Freel is apparently unhappy in Baltimore, what do you think about the Fightin’s picking him up as a bench player ?  I have always liked his game and versatility.

What with all the distractions of the early season, e.g. championship ceremonies, Harry the K passing, etc.  skipper Charlie Manuel said it was now time for the team to re-focus on what they are paid to do……… play baseball !

With that in mind the Fightins sent veteran Jamie Moyer to the hill against Milwaukee.  Moyer threw six plus innings to earn the win.  He was tagged early by Ryan Braun for a dinger, ( Phillies pitchers have given up a home run in every game this season thus far), but settled down nicely thereafter.  Pedro Feliz led the Phillies offense with three hits and three RBI’s including his first homer of the season.  Two hit games were turned in by Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chris Coste and Jayson Werth.  Scoreless relief innings were tossed by Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey and Jack Taschner.

A “focused” effort brought the team record on the young season back to .500 at 6 and 6.

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The Florida Marlins have been cooled off a bit after a torrid start by of all crews, the Pittsburgh Pirates!  The Bucco’s swept the series today from the Fish making the Marlins record 11 and 4.  The Mets and Braves are both under .500 so if the Fightins can string a few wins prior to month end they could in comparison to the division have a very competitive initial month.  The team goes to Florida next for a three game set so they hold the immediate division record in their own hands.

Chase Utley has a 33 game streak going of reaching base, our second sacker is a real offensive weapon when he is healthy !