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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.

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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!

Jayson Werth stole four bases in the opening game of the Phillies three game home series against his former  team, the Dodgers.   Included in his four steals was an electric swipe of home in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and the bases juiced.   Werth timed the throwback to the pitcher from catcher Russell Martin perfectly and sprinted immediately thereafter  for home sliding under the return throw from the pitcher!  Alot of guts to even try it but one of those plays when successful leaves folks talking about it for a long time!

Chan Ho Park had his second consecutive strong outing by going six innings allowing only seven hits and two runs.  Park started out a bit shaky in the first inning as the Dodgers hit some bullets but they were only able to score one time, he settled in nicely thereafter and earned the win.   Werth led the Philie offense with two hits as the team could only muster six in the game.  Raul Ibanez had the only extra base hit for the Fightins as he doubled to knock in one of the runs.   Pinch hitter extraordinaire Matt Stairs added another pinch single to his tally with by delivering in the bottom of the eighth.

The bullpen did the job once again as Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge closed the game behind Park.  Orlando Hudson had three hits in the game for the Dodgers.  Lidge struggled a bit in the ninth but held on to earn his fifth save of the season.

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Werth’s four steals tied a team record for steals in a game, the last time a Phillie did so was in 1978 when Garry Maddox stole four in a fourteen inning game.  Balking Bob Davidson had a tough nite as first base umpire and he missed a couple calls that were not so close for a professional umpire to make.  Skipper Charlie Manuel mildly protested a call in the eighth just to let him know.   Jimmie Rollins batted out of the fifth slot in the lineup in this one as he is battling a season long slump, J-Roll hit the ball hard a couple times and ended up one for three with one walk.  Rollins will be fine, just gotta stick with him.  The TV crew got a great shot of ex Phillie Larry Bowa  in the Dodger dugout after a double steal was pulled off by the Phillies in the seventh, Bowa tossed his sunflower seeds and stomped into the clubhouse entry in disgust!  Gotta love his intensity. 

Chan Ho Park appeared to tweak a hamstring running out a bunt in his first at bat, the trainer was brought onto the field in the top of the fifth to check him but Park stayed in the game.  Time will tell I suppose if the injury is something that may cause down time.

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! 

So far this season the Fightin’s have been a better road team than at home, that trend continued as the Phillies began a short four game road trip with a sweep of the Cardinals in the baseball mecca, St. Louis.   In game one of the series on Monday, May 4th big Joe Blanton delivered his best outing of the season as he pitched six effective innings giving up one run on only four hits to earn his first win of the season.  Jayson Werth belted a two run home run in the fourth inning off of former Phil Kyle Lohse.   Ryan Howard smoked a grand slam, ( his second of the season), in the fifth inning off of Lohse to end his outing abruptly!  Both taters were long ones, the defending World Champions can hit and it don’t matter if they are playing in Yellowstone……when they hit ‘em they are out of any park!   Scott Eyre, Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin each pitched a scoreless inning in relief of Blanton to close out the game, a 6 to 1 Phillies win.

On Tuesday evening Brett Myers was the starter for the Phillies and pitched 5 and 1/3 innings to earn the win albeit it was not a stellar performance.  Myers gave up five runs on nine hits and while earning the win but it was more due to the potent Phillies offense than to his effectiveness.  Shane Victorino belted a solo home run to lead off the game and Jayson Werth hit his fourth home run of the season in the fifth inning, a three run shot off of Cardinal starter Adam Wainwright.   The Cardinals hit three home runs of thier own in the game including Albert Pujol’s 10th of the season. Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson each earned holds in relief and Brad Lidge closed the game albeit a non-save situation.  Victorino had four hits in the game while Jimmie Rollins, Raul Ibanez and Pedro Feliz had two hits each.  Jayson Werth had four RBI and Shane Victorino had three.  FInal Count – Phillies 10 Cardinals 7

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The Phillies next road opponent is the not so Amazin Mets in thier new ballyard.  Chan Ho Park takes the ball in game one vs Johan Santana, a surely apparent mismatch…….. Park needs to get back his agressiveness and prove he belongs in the rotation, he is definitely on the borderline of being pulled from the spot.  Cole Hamels is being held back to Friday night vs the Atlanta Braves at home.  Chase Utley was held out in the Tuesday game as he was hit by a pitched ball on the ankle in Monday’s game, Miguel Cairo got his first start of the game at second base in his place.  Utley was not a happy camper being asked to sit out by the skipper, he is a true throwback that wants to play them all and more than willing to play thru pain…….. part of what makes him a true MVP type player!

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.

Early hitting season continued as the Fightin’s smashed four home runs enroute to a 7 to 1 victory in the second game of this home series against the Washington Nationals.   Chase Utley smoked two long balls driving in three runs.  Utley now has seven home runs on the young season.  Raul Ibanez continued to impress as he stroked two more hits including his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot in the eighth inning.   Phillie fans have adopted a new chant of RAUUULL when Ibanez comes to the plate.  He has added alot to the team makeup both on and off the diamond, class act indeed !

Pedro Feliz also belted a home run, his second of the season.  Feliz had a two hit ballgame as well.  Shane Victorino had a two hit offensive effort also.   The only downer of the night was when starting pitcher Cole Hamels turned his ankle in the fifth inning while fielding a ground ball.  Hamels had to leave the contest and was in obvious pain.   We will have to wait and see how severe the injury is.  Chad Durbin threw three and two thirds innings of stellar relief behind Hamels and iron man pitcher Clay Condrey threw the ninth frame to close out the game.  With the win the Phillies record improved to 11 and 8, pending the outcome of the Marlins/Mets game they could wake up in first place in the N.L.  East in the morning.

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When Ibanez hit his grand slam home run last night it was the 26th grand slam in the majors this April !  That seems like an unreal number, maybe we need to launch an investigation into juiced baseballs again………. or bad pitching !   Carlos Ruiz suffered a setback in his rehab assignment at Triple A affiliate Lehigh Valley and was shut down again, Ruiz was back in Philly for medical review.  Brad Lidge has inflamation of the knee and according to the skipper is day to day.  The Hamels injury is concerning, last season the team went relatively injury free over the season’s course, J-Roll was hurt in the early part of the season and Utley played with a bad hip in the second half but for the most part the team avoided long term breaks in service.   The season is a marathon so the depth the team has built up in the minors will indeed be tested a bit it seems.  

It was Charlie Manuel bobblehead night at the park and the game was a sellout, look on e-bay for folks looking to sell ‘em!

Charlie Manuel has a saying that when the weather gets warm that it becomes “Hittin Season” as the air is still and humid and the ball pops off the bat.  Usually in those conditions the scores are high and the home runs aplenty in Citizens Bank Park……..well “Hittin Season” came a bit early as the Washington Nationals and the Phillies pounded each other in a hitting barrage ending in a 13 to 11 winning Phillies conclusion.

Joe Blanton started the game well for the Fightin’s as he struck out the side in the first inning but it was not a vision of things to come.  Blanton got tagged for six runs and eight hits and could only last 4 and 1/3 innings.  Scott Eyre also got tagged for four runs in relief as the Phillies had to use five relievers in the game.  Washington smoked five home runs including two long blasts by Ryan Zimmerman.   Nick Johnson, Adam Dunn and Elijah Dukes also belted taters.

The Fightins did some “hittin” on thier own.  Ryan Howard belted a grand slam in the fifth inning to bring the game to a 6 all tie.  The Fightins fell behind again  11 to 7 but the team kept battling and with the count 11 to 9 and bases juiced in the eighth Raul Ibanez hit another grand slamalie to put the game away !

Ryan Madson pitched the ninth frame to earn his first save of the season and the Fightins won another come from behind effort !   Ibanez and Jimmie Rollins each had three hit ballgames, great to see J-Roll bust out of his season long slump.   Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz each had two hit ballgames.   The Phillies pounded out 14 hits while the Nationals had 12………… “Hittin Season” indeed.

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Brad Lidge did not even warm up in this one and the ninth was indeed a save situation, not sure if it was just to rest him from throwing over 40 pitches on Saturday or if there is a problem otherwise.  Stay tuned,  Madson was chucking in the high 90′s in this one again but we need them both at the back end to win ballgames against the tough teams.

Clay Condrey threw well in relief again albeit he did walk in a run in an inherited bases loaded jam.  Condrey has three wins on the season and his sinker has been really good in the early season.

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 !

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.

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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.

With the death of Mr. Kalas earlier this week it has been hard to concentrate on baseball games for all in Philadelphia including me.  The mourning period continued prior to the game on Friday at Citizen’s Bank Park, ( the first home game post Harry), as there were ceremonies to honor Harry the K.  His three son’s each threw out first pitches, caught by Mike Schmidt, John Kruk and Jimmy Rollins respectively.  Kane Kalas then sang an opera version of our National Anthem that was very stirring and emotional.

Cole Hamels took the mound for the game and left with a  7 to 5 lead after seven but Ryan Madson got hit around in the eighth frame giving up three runs and the Phillies lost to San DIego 8 to 7.   Chase Utley homered in the first inning of the game and had two hits.  Shane Victorino, Chris Coste and Pedro Feliz each had two hits while Raul Ibanez had three.

On Saturday Harry Kalas’s body lay in repose at home plate of the stadium from 8 am to 3 pm as thousands of fan’s paid last respects.   A memorial service was held from 1:30 to 3.  RIP Harry, we finally must say good bye.

Saturday’s game started at 7 pm with Brett Myers taking the hill.  Raul Ibanez staked Myers to an early lead with a solo second inning home run.  The Padres scored the next three to go up 3 to 1 before Myers doubled in the fifth and eventually scored on a Shane Victorino sacrifice fly.  Ryan Howard tied the game in the sixth with a solo blast to left. 

Ryan Madson gave up the go ahead run to the Padres in the eighth as he struggled once again.  Chase Utley bailed Madson out with a solo homer in the home eighth to tie the game.  Raul Ibanez scored the go ahead run for the Phillies in the same inning as he singled, went to third on a Jayson Werth single and touched the plate on a Pedro Feliz sacrifice fly to right field. 

However, Brad Lidge could not hold the lead in the ninth, for the first time in his Phillie career, as the Padres initially scored the tieing run, LIdge’s streak of consecutive saves ended at 47 for regular season chances.  The Philly fans, albeit disappointed,  gave Lidge an ovation in acknowledging a remarkable run but were even more disappointed as Lidge then walked  two batters with two outs recorded and gave up a three run bomb to Kevin Kouzmanhoff to put the Fightin’s down by three !  Lidge was lifted at that point but did not hear any boo’s as he departed, one time courtesy I suspect.

 Heath Bell pitched the ninth in each game to earn saves.  He leads the league in the early going in that category.

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Jamie Moyer goes tommorrow afternoon against the Padres in game three of the series.  The four game stint concludes on Monday evening.  This series represents the only San Diego visit to Philly this season.    The Phillies team record is now 4 wins and 6 losses.