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Skipper Charlie Manuel stacked the lineup with left handed bats against Florida starter Anibal Sanchez as the young Marlins starter has struggled big time against lefties but has held opposing right hand hitters to a batting average under .200.   The Phillies jumped out early as Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a single, stole second, went to third on an errant throw by the catcher and scored on a single by Chase Utley.  Ryan Howard then plated Utley with a screaming double to the right center field wall.  Phillies starter Joe Blanton gave the lead right back though in the second as he issued two consecutive walks and paid for it as the Marlins used a sacrifice fly and ground out to tie the game!

The Fightins bounced Sanchez from the game in the second as Matt Stairs walked, went to third on a double by Carlos Ruiz and scored on a sacrifice fly by Blanton.  Ruiz scored on a single by Jimmy Rollins.  Sanchez then walked Utley and his night was over!  Ryan Howard greeted lefty reliever Mark Hendrickson with a single up the middle to score Rollins to put the Phillies up by three.  Once again Blanton gave it right back as he walked the leadoff hitter again and Mike Jacobs took him way deep to right field to make the count 5 to 4 after only 2 and 1/2 innings of play.  It only took 1 and 1/4 hours to record the first 15 outs ! 

 That score held thru five frames albeit Blanton struggled with control throughout.  He was replaced by Chad Durbin in the sixth inning.  Durbin pitched two scoreless innings.  In the Phillies seventh Shane Victorino and Chase Utley reached base on a walk and Hit by Pitch after Rollins had grounded out.  Ryan Howard then hit a ground ball to second that could have been an inning ending double play had Utley not went hard into the bag preventing Marlin shortstop Hanley Ramirez from making a throw…………… big little thing that produces wins!  Jayson Werth then blasted a three run home run to center field to put the Phils up by four!  He would not have even batted if not for the all out hustle and slide of Mr. Utley !

J.C. Romero came into the eighth, got one out but then gave two right back as he issued a walk and then saw Cody Ross slam a fast ball into the left field seats.  Charlie then went to Ryan Madson and he got one out before getting slammed for a double by Josh Willingham.  Charlie came out once again and brought in Scott Eyre who threw one pitch to end the inning.  Whatever the cost of getting Kyle Farnsworth from the Tigers was in my opinion would have been worth it as I do not know how long Charlie can piece together the eighth inning hold situations !

Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning and earned his 35th save in 35 tries despite some heart thumping as Florida put two runners on, Lidge struck out the last two batters to end it.  The Phillies are now 65 and 0 when leading after eight.  Jimmy Rollins scored three runs and had three stolen bases in this one as he collected three hits, another of the key little things, J-Roll set the table and put the pressure on the Fish throughout.

Chatter

The one and two thirds outing was the shortest of the 24 year old Anibal Sanchez’s career.  He is coming off shoulder surgery and obviously is still not right with his mechanics.  Kyle Kendrick gets a shot at redemption tommorrow night as he gets the start against the Fish.  Kendrick usually pitches well at home, his struggles have been all on the road thus far,  I expect the young man to step up as he is an 11 game winner so far this year therefore has the ability……….. just has to keep the sinker down as these Marlins swing from the heels and are definitely all or nothing hitters.   Third base coach Steve Smith was back in the box after serving a two game suspension for being run from a game in Washington last week,  Lehigh Valley triple A manager Dave Humpert had filled in for Smith in New York for the first two games of that series.   Ryan Howard had another mental block on a throwing play in this game in the second inning when he had a play at home but did not make the throw opting instead to let a run score and tag the runner coming to first, don’t know what it is but he has to cut it loose !

Prior to the beginning of the game the Fightins already knew that the “streakin” Mets had won their game played earlier in the day and had swept the Brewers series so once again the importance of winning the game at hand was magnified.   Ryan Howard got the team started on the right track as he blasted a two run home run to center field in the first inning.  Chase Utley scored in front of Howard, Utley was drilled by a pitch in his at bat which prompted plate umpire Brian Gorman to immediately issue a warning to Nats pitcher Odalis Perez and both benches.  Inferred was that the HBP was for the play at the plate the night before where Utley slammed into the Nats catcher. 

Phils starter Joe Blanton gave the lead right back though in the bottom of the first as Washington scored two runs of their own.   In the Phillies third Jimmy Rollins singled and was plated by a triple to center field by Chase Utley to put the Phillies back ahead by one.  That lead held up till the Nationals fifth……… when

Blanton continued to show us nothing in regards to proving he can step up as a winner when he walked the bases loaded to start the fifth and a very angry  Charlie Manuel came and got him in favor of Ryan Madson.  A  ”lack of guts” was shown by two of our starters in this series and Charlie’s body language clearly showed his displeasure with the approach taken by the big right hander in this one!   The Nationals then took the lead on fielding blunders by the Phils; first a ground ball hit to first baseman Howard where he double clutched on the throw and instead of coming home immediately to cut off the tieing run he soft tossed the ball to second base which also took away any chance of a double play !  Elijah Dukes then hit a sure fire double play to third base but  Chase Utley took the throw in front of the bag and was taken out of the DP turn by the sliding Lastings Milledge.  The Nationals scored two runs on just one base hit!  Sorry, sorry,sorry  half inning of play by the good guys!

Jayson Werth led off the Fightin’s sixth inning with a single and scored ahead of Ryan Howard’s 39th home run of the season as Howard blasted the ball over the right center field wall.  Howard, like the Mets 1st sacker Carlos Delgado, can be a butcher in the field but can erase mistakes with the way he swings the bat!  Washington changed pitchers and the Phillies allowed reliever Jesus Colome to get out of the inning on three pitches, one each to the next three batters!   Ryan Madson showed some moxy by striking out the side in the Nationals sixth inning. 

Ryan Zimmerman tied the game in the Nats seventh with a solo home run hit off of Chad Durbin.  Durbin got hammered in the eighth inning as he gave up three hard singles, the key blow delivered by pinch hitter Ronnie Belliard that put the Nationals ahead.  J.C. Romero came in and walked the first hitter he faced, the immortal Emilio Bonifacio, to load the bases.  Christian Guzman then belted a bases clearing double to put the game away.  Washington batted around in the inning.   The Phillies scored two in the ninth but it was not enough……..FInal count 9 to 7 Washington.

The loss left the Phillies on the outside looking in regards to the playoff chase as they now trail the New York Mets by three full games in the division race and are four and 1/2 behind Milwaukee in the Wild Card chase.  This series loss was a major blow and puts the team in a corner that they will either battle out of or go down for the count from.  They head to New York with their tail between their legs, time to see what the boys are made of.

Chatter

Shane Victorino was given the start off as Jayson Werth started in center field and Eric Bruntlett got the start in right field.  VIctorino has been scuffling a bit lately so Charlie gave him a rest at the beginning albeit Victorino did get in later as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement.  Cole Hamels will start Sunday in the series finale against the Mets as Kyle Kendrick will be skipped this turn in the rotation.    The Phillies must take it to the Mets this weekend in New York, winnng the series is an absolute and a series loss would be devasting in regards to any playoff hopes.  I personally do not think the Mets are that good a ballclub but somehow they continue to win games and show no signs of letting up, if the Fightins are to make the playoffs they must take care of business themselves in these last three head to head contests.  It is make or break time !  Just a note of comparison…….. last year in September  the Mets were coming off a sweep and an offday when they faced the Phillies in a series at Shea and were swept by the Fightins!  As Yogi would say I sure hope it is “dejavu all over again”  this go round.

Question

How many of you value watching the opening day game for the Eagles on Sunday higher than the Mets Phillies contest ? 

With 24 games remaining on the schedule and trailing by two games in the Division race one could surmise that every game is a “must win”!   That being said the Fightins sent their ace Cole Hamels to the hill to attempt halting the Nationals seven game winning streak and win this one for the Phils.

The Phillies drew first blood as consecutive singles by Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley plated two runs in the third inning.  The inning ended however on a sad note as National catcher Jesus Flores was carted off the field on a stretcher after a bang bang play resulted in a collision between him and Utley. Utley had broken for the plate on a pickoff attempt at first base and was attempting to jar the ball loose from Flores as Nat first basemen Ron Belliard’s throw beat him by plenty at the plate.  It appeared Flores suffered an injury to his ankle.

Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz led off the Phillie seventh with singles, both were sacrificed to scoring position by Cole Hamels.   Jimmy Rollins plated Feliz with a single to right field and Ruiz scored on a groundout by Chase Utley to make the score 4 to 0. 

Cole Hamels pitched 7 and 1/3 innings, once again a quality start.  He ran out of gas in the eighth inning as Washington put two runners on with a walk and a single.  Charlie went to his pen and brought in J.C. Romero.  Romero struck out left handed hitter Willie Harris and then Manuel called in Chad Durbin.  Durbin did his job in the inning as well as he got Ryan ZImmerman to ground out to short and end the inning.  Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning to close the game.

Chatter

Three additional roster additions were made as Mike Cervenak, Andy Tracy and Les Walrond were all recalled from Triple A Lehigh Valley.  All three have been on the roster for various stints this season.  Jason Donald from Double A Reading is also likely to be recalled as well as soon as the Reading season concludes.   The extra players give skipper Manuel more flexibility with his bench and bullpen.   Chase Utley was visibly upset when Flores was carted off, Utley plays as hard as any player in the bigs but he is not dirty nor does he want to hurt anyone.  His only play to be safe at the plate was to jar the ball loose and he made the right play…………. hope that Flores is ok.  National fans booed Utley in his plate appearances after the play, no class, no clue.

Question

How big do you believe it is that Cole Hamels takes the ball Sunday against New York rather than get an extra day off between starts and face Florida on Monday ?   Pitching on Sunday would give Hamels four days rest and would be his regular rest, Kyle Kendrick would get skipped over to accomplish this.

Sometimes you just gotta let the ball fly as a pitcher and not worry so much about “spotting” the pitch.  When Kyle Kendrick struggles he does so trying to “aim” instead of throw and looks as if he is “pitching scared”.  He is really a one trick pony relying almost exclusively on his sinker and getting hitters to put the ball in play on the ground, he gives up plenty of hits but has been able to get key outs when needed as his ball moves really well. If he doesn’t let it fly though mentally he gets behind batters and either walks them or puts himself in spots where the pitch is predictable and targeted to get smoked!   In this one Kyle did not pitch so well and indeed looked as if he was “pitching scared”.

The Nationals took advantage and  jumped on Kendrick early as they plated two first inning runs. He gave up a leadoff single to Willie Harris and walked Ryan ZImmerman and then advanced both runners to scoring position by tossing a wild pitch.  Lastings Milledge singled to center to plate both runners.  In the Nationals fourth Willie Harris smoked a triple to right field to plate another run and Cristian Guzman then doubled him home, Ryan Zimmerman followed by blasting a home run to deep center field to make the National total count six………all runs scored with two outs!   It could have been more if not for some poor base running by Washington where they helped Kendrick out.  Kendrick was gone after four innings being lit for nine hits, three walks and two hit batters.  Certainly not a start to remember and may call for a change in the rotation as the team cannott afford meltdowns like this to occur at this point of the season.

 Meanwhile  Phillie killer Tim Redding, ( he has shutout the Phillies twice already this year),  started on the hill for the Nationals and held them scoreless and hitless thru five frames!  Shane Victorino got the first hit in the sixth as he singled to left, stole second and went to third on an errant throw by the catcher.  Ryan Howard then ripped a double down the right field line to score Victorino and Jayson Werth drew a walk that ended Redding’s day as Washington went to the pen.  Washington relievers walked the next two Phillie hitters and then hit a batter, first to load the bases and then to plate two runs to make the score 6-3 before they were able to work out of the jam.

The Nationals tacked on another run in the seventh off of Clay Condrey.  Their bullpen closed out the contest albeit Jimmy Rollins belted a solo home run in the ninth as Washington won it seventh consecutive game.  The Phillies were totally outplayed in this one and with the loss fell to two games behind the Mets who beat the Brewers in the first game of that series.

Chatter

Pat Burrell was given the start off as he struggled in the month of August and looked apprehensive in the last game against Chicago.  Burrell when struggling seems to take alot of called third strikes as if he is guessing on the pitch, he pinch hit in the sixth and walked but struck out later in the game.  Matt Stairs started in right field and Jayson Werth took Burrell’s starting spot in left field.   With the expansion of the rosters in September the Phillies recalled catcher Lou Marson and outfielder Greg Golson from Double A Reading.  Adam Eaton and J.A. Happ were added to the pitching staff from Triple A Lehigh Valley. 

Office Talk

Often times in my office we get into discussions on the Fightins and baseball in general, thought I would throw out on the blog here questions in hopes of creating some correspondence with those of you that are reading.   Question :  Do you think the new Instant Replay Rule will have an impact on any games going down the stretch and do you agree that the Rule is a good thing or do you think baseball should totally rely on the “human element” and only use the umpires original call ?   Let me know your thoughts.

Johan Santana vs Kyle Kendrick certainly seems like a mismatch but someone forgot to tell Kendrick!  Ryan Howard spotted Kendrick an early lead in the very first inning as he belted a Santana fastball over the left field wall to score Jimmy Rollins in front of him.  Rollins had led off the game with a single.  The Mets had taken the first lead in the top half of the inning as Jose Reyes scored on a Carlos Delgado single.   In the Phillies second Jayson Werth took Santana deep with a solo home run to left field to make the count 3 to 1. 

Carlos Delgado took Kendrick deep to right field in the top of the sixth to make the count 3 to 2.  After Carlos Beltran got an infield single Charlie Manuel went to his bullpen to bring in Scott Eyre. Eyre got out of the inning with no further scoring setting up Kendrick as the potential game winner.  Eyre also pitched the seventh and did a great job as he got every batter he faced out.  Huge effort by him with the bullpen lean for the game.  Rudy Seanez attempted to hold the lead in the eighth and got two outs but Carlos Delgado took him out to left field to knot the game at three.   When Carlos Beltran squibbed an infield single Charlie came and got Seanez and brought closer Brad Lidge into the eighth inning for the first time this season.  Beltran stole second base which then prompted an intentional walk to Ryan Church to set up a confrontation with rookie Dan Murphy who lined a Lidge slider to right field for a double  to score Beltran that put the Mets in the lead.  Brian Schneider then blooped a single over third base to put the Mets up by three as both Church and Murphy scored.

Twenty three year old Andrew Carpenter, just recalled specifically for this game,  made his big league debut for the Phillies in the ninth as the bullpen was completely spent the night before.  Carpenter pitched a scoreless inning in his first outing, probably will be optioned back to Reading after the game as the team needs to bring back the extra bat!

Luis Ayala got the job done in this one for the Mets and the game was won by New York 6 to 3.  The Phillies concluded the homestand with a 7 and 2 record and take to road trailing the Mets by 1/2 game.

One thing that was pretty evident during the game, these guys don’t dislike each other as much as the fans of each team dislikes the other team!  Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado on numerous occassions were shown talking, joking and smiling with Phillies players on the base paths, seemed like a sunday afternoon recreation game at times!  Phillies announcer Gary Mathews commented that back in the day no one talked to the opponents as games were more intense.  I don’t doubt today’s players intentions to win but it is hard to bill this as a rivalry if the guys are so chummy!

Chatter

The Braves traded Mark Kotsay to the Red Sox for a minor league outfielder, would have been a nice addition for the Phils.  As noted the Phillies did make a roster move to add a pitcher for the game as the bullpen was completely spent last night, righthander Andrew Carpenter was recalled from Double A Reading and Andy Tracy was designated.  This leaves the team with only four bench players.  The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Todd Zolecki reports that the Phils have had informal talks with Jamie Moyer about returning next year.  Moyer has stated he plans on pitching again in 2009 and would like to return to Philly.  The team has also had preliminary discussions with Pat Burrell about returning as Burrell also is a free agent.  Hard to find players who actually want to play in Philly!  Got two there that do and are quality, should sign both!

The Phillies play the next ten games on the road beginning with four in Chicago where the Cubs are 49 and 19 so far this season.  They then have three in Washington and then the final three contests of the season with the Mets in New York.   The Mets take to the road for six as they play three in Florida and then three in Milwaukee.   Another telling stretch for both clubs.

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

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

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

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

Chatter

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

When the offensive portion of a team is in a funk like the Phillies are then other ways need to be found in order to win.  In this game the Fightins found a way.  Jimmy Rollins set the tone early as he legged out an infield single in the game’s first at bat.  He then stole second base, went to third on an errant throw by the San Diego catcher and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jayson Werth.   Cole Hamels made that early lead hold up thru five innings as he handcuffed the Padres and shut them out.

Pat Burrell slammed his 29th home run of the season in the visitor’s sixth inning to give Hamels a bit of a cushion.   San Diego did score in the bottom six but Hamels would deny them any more as he went eight strong turning a one run lead over to premier closer Brad Lidge.  Lidge struck out the side and earned his 30th save in as many tries updating the Fightin’s record to a perfect 55 and 0 when leading after eight innings!   A must win was gained to keep the team two games off the pace for the Eastern Division title.

Chatter

The team won the San Diego series two games to one, in the middle game Kyle Kendrick was wild and got shelled for a second consecutive outing in a 8 to 3 loss.   The team has an off day today and then begins a HUGE nine game homestand starting with three against the Nationals.  They then must pay back the Dodgers as the Hollywood crew comes in for four games and lastly there are two with the Mets.   While the Mets have won six straight they have been against the likes of the Nationals and Pirates, they now embark on a seven game homestand of thier own taking on the Braves for four whom they have struggled with thus far and the Astros for three, Houston swept the Metropolitans in Houston the last time they met.  I think this topsy turvey race is far from over and each week brings different paths forward !

Hopefully the boo bird fans do not shower J-Roll with their collective affection this week, let’s take his comments as a challenge to be even more supportive and step up like we want our Fightin’s to do! Nobody wins with the negativity stuff !   Rudy Seanez is back off the disabled list and was available in the Padre series, Mike Cervenak was optioned back to triple A.  Pedro Feliz may come off the D.L. as early as Wednesday. 

Let’s go Fightins !  We are in a race, much more exciting this way than in many years past!   Lets get at ‘em and collectively get this thing done, what’s the worst that can happen, we lose?  Been there before and no one died from it!   Winning is much sweeter though, let’s taste that drink once again!

When times get tough leaders emerge and this was the case in the opening game of the Fightin’s three game series against the Padres in San Diego.   Skipper Charlie Manuel challenged his troops to “be men” and push forward else incur the consequences of falling out of the race.  Jamie Moyer seemed to take the challenge personally as he pitched seven brilliant innings shuting out the Padres on only three hits.  He was matched pitch for pitch by fellow veteran Greg Maddux with the exception of one toss.

That errant pitch was hammered by Pat Burrell for his 28th home run of the season and represented the lone score of the game.   The bullpen held the lead for Moyer as Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero each gained Holds and Brad Lidge came on to pitch the ninth and earn his 29th save.  Lidge has been bothered by shoulder stiffness so it was a big plus to see him back out there.

Jimmy Rollins albeit still struggling with the bat showed off his defensive form making a couple brilliant plays at short stop.  He was featured on “Web Gems” on ESPN!  Rollins also took Charlie’s challenge to heart as he is indeed the team leader and as he goes so will the Figthin’s!   Rollins is a multi skilled player and can change the course of the game in many ways, this one he did so with his glove.  

Chatter

The Phillies were coming off a sweep at the hands of the Dodgers so needed a win desperately.  The Dodgers won the fourth game of the series by a count of 3 to 1 as another top notch pitching performance by a Phillie starter was wasted.  Brett Myers tossed seven innings against the Dodgers but with the offense only able to muster two hits he took the hit for another loss.

Rudy Seanez is scheduled to come off the disabled list today, it may not seem he has tremendous impact but folks like him and Clay Condrey by taking thier turn of bullpen innings save the arms of the likes of Madson, Romero and Durbin.  They are indeed key and vital for the home stretch.  Most likely Les Waldron will be optioned back to Triple A today.  The Mets continue to win, they defeated the Pirates 2 to 1 to remain one game ahead of the Fightins in National League East. 

Kyle Kendrick toes the rubber tonight in San Diego, lets hope he gets teh sinker down in the zone and not up like he was in L.A.  Here is also hoping that the FIghtin offense resurfaces!

As good as Kyle Kendrick was in his last start he was equally as bad in this one.  A sinker ball pitcher lives and dies with location, if down in the zone ground balls are the theme and success can be had.  However, if up in the zone hard hit flys usually occur and runs for the opponents are many!

Kendrick got torched for seven runs on nine hits in only 3 and 1/3 innings including six in the second inning.   Casey Blake took him out to deep center field.   Les Walrond followed Kendrick and had his best stint as a Phillie as he went 2 and 2/3rds innings allowing only two hits and no runs.  Clay Condrey threw the final two frames for the FIghtins and gave up one run on five hits.

Despite being down by six early the Phillies battled back in typical Fightin fashion as they scored six runs to make it a contest.  Ryan Howard knocked in two runs to reach the 100 RBI count once again! Chase Utley appears to be heating up again as he had three hits in the game while Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins had two hits each.  Rollins had another triple in this one, his third in four games.

Chatter

Both the Mets and Marlins also lost so the two game lead in the division stands for one more day.  Manny was Manny again as he delayed the start of one inning and finally took the field with a different color glove than what he had started the game with, guess he had to go hunt for it!  Some of his antics do not make any sense whatsover.

Game two of the Florida series pitted Kyle Kendrick against the Fish.  Kendrick was staked to an early lead in this one as the Fightins scored one in the first and two in the second.  Chase Utley had the initial key blow, a double to plate the first run while an Eric Bruntlett double in the second plated Geoff Jenkins who had reached on an error, Kendrick then knocked in Buntlett to help his own cause.

 Ryan Howard smashed his 32^nd home run of the season in the Phillies third at bat to make the score 4-0.  Kyle Kendrick pitched six shutout innings to hold the lead, the twenty three year old right hander pitched out of a few jams en route to the quality start as he had his sinker working really well and got great defensive support from his infield.  He did walk five batters but the stellar fielding in particular by third basemen Bruntlett and short stop Jimmy Rollins preserved his shut out performance.

 Mike Cervenak got his first major league hit and RBI in the bottom of the sixth as he pinch hit for Kendrick to knock in Eric Bruntlett to make the score 5 zip.  Chad Durbin pitched scoreless seventh and eighth frames after manager Charlie Manuel had purposely given him the night off last evening.  Durbin has been excellent in his role this year but had pitched in five of the last six games for the Fightins, coupled with the Monday off day it gave Durbin a much needed and earned two day rest. 

 Ryan Madson pitched a perfect ninth inning to complete the shutout.  Madson only needed six pitches to finish the innings, all of the pitches he threw were strikes!  Kyle Kendrick upped his record to 10 and 5.  Since his recall from the minors mid season last year he is 20 and 9!

  Chatter

 The Phillies had minor league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller on hand at the University of Miami to watch former Phil Freddie Garcia work out on Tuesday but it seems unlikely they would have a genuine interest in re-signing him.  It was reported as more of a cover your bases excursion, apparently fifteen teams watched Garcia throw!  A true indication of how thin pitching is when a guy coming off Tommy John surgery gains that sort of attention deep into August just for a workout!   The more realistic candidate as a potential Phillies signing is left handed reliever Scott Eyre who has cleared waivers after being designated by the Cubs.  Eyre has been on the D.L twice this year and has not pitched well this season albeit he has done so each of the past two seasons…….. us lefties never seem to die and Mr. Eyre most likely will get another look somewhere!

  I was somewhat impressed by Les Walrond’s outing.  He showed a low 90’s fastball and a decent curve ball and cutter, his problem was that he started to nibble after striking out the first batter he faced last night and ended up walking the bases full before giving up a jam shot that scored two.  I think he is worth another look, I remember back to the 70’s an at that time journey man pitcher named Dave Stewart that wore a Phillie uniform early in his career and was given up on…….. he went on to be a stud in Oakland!  Not saying that Waldron is of that ilk but lefties that can throw in the nineties are not readily available!  Tom Gordon had his first rehab appearance in Clearwater earlier this week and threw again this evening but was removed with elbow discomfort; hopes were he might rejoin the bullpen before the end of the month but he will come back to Philly to be examined by the team physician and go from there.   Pedro Feliz is scheduled to come off the DL on Saturday but is still battling lower back issues and most likely will not be reactivated on schedule.