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.

Jose Reyes is a hot dog but he is a very talented player as well.  Reyes led off the game with a triple off of Phillies starter Jamie Moyer and scored on a single by Damien Easley.  Easley scored the second run of the initial Mets at bat as Fernando Tatis singled him in.  The Phillies put two runners on with one out in their half of the first but Mets starter Pedro Martinez struck out Ryan Howard on three pitches and then also k’d Shane Victorino.   Damien Easley extended the New York lead in the second inning as he belted a solo home run to left center field with two outs.

The Mets busted the game open in the third inning as Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado got back to back singles and then Fernando Tatis belted a three run home run.  Tatis skipped across the plate when he crossed it, someone is gonna get this hot dog somewhere down the road, not wise to show up opponents!   The key to the Mets success against Moyer was the approach, they laid off pitches out of the zone and forced Moyer to come in when behind in the count and then pounded him.   Even Pedro Martinez got a hit in his second at bat!  Moyer gave up six earned runs and nine hits in the three innings he worked.  He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the Phillies third at bat.

Damien Easley tripled to lead off the Mets fourth and scored the seventh New York run when David Wright grounded out to second base.  Despite being down six runs the Phillies did not play the infield in and conceded the run.  The Phillies scored a run in the bottom of the fourth as Pedro Feliz hit a sacrifice fly to center field to knock in Victorino.

Relief pitcher Clay Condrey started the Phillies fifth as he doubled down the left field line, it was Condrey’s first career extra base hit and only his third hit ever!  Jimmy Rollins then belted a Martinez hanging curve into the right field seats to plate two for the Fightins.  Chase Utley followed by drawing a walk, Ryan Howard then hit a  bomb to left field to score Utley ahead of him and make the count 7 to 5. 

The Mets loaded the bases in the sixth inning with one out but Scott Eyre was able to get Carlos Delgado to ground into a double play without allowing a score!  The two teams had already played for 2 and 1/2 hours by the middle of the sixth inning!  Pedro was pulled after five as Mets skipper Jerry Manuel went to his bullpen, first call Brian Stokes.  Jimmy Rollins singled with two outs in the sixth inning which marked the ninth consecutive plate appearance where he reached base! 

Stokes threw two shutout innings for New York and was replaced by Duaner Sanchez in the eighth. Sanchez only got one out before yielding a single to Carlos Ruiz and was lifted in favor of Pedro Feliciano.  Chris Coste greeted Feliciano with a single and Jimmy Rollins then singled to right field to score Ruiz.  Nobody booed Rollins as he reached base for the 10th consecutive time going 5 for 5 in the contest!  Feliciano did strike out Chase Utley with runners on first and third to temporarily keep the Phillies at bay.  Jerry Manuel then brought in Joe Smith to face Pat Burrell.  Smith got Burrell to fly out to left field to end the inning.

Brad Lidge pitched the ninth and buzzed Fernando Tatis with a fastball before striking him out on two low and away sliders.  Message served.  Eric Bruntlett smoked a pinch hit double with two outs in the Phillies ninth and scored Jayson Werth who had singled earlier in the inning to tie the game!  The Mets bullpen once again blew a save opportunity!  Jose Reyes saved a ninth inning loss for the Mets by making a diving stop on a grounder up the middle to throw out Ruiz and send the contest to extra frames.

This was a great game to watch but I thought it would never end!  As the stroke of midnight came and wenth the two teams had played over five hours!  Shane Victorino led off the 13th inning with a triple down the right field line to force the Mets hand.  They walked the next two hitters to load the bases.  Brett Myers was used as a pinch hitter for Rudy Seanez and was obviously told to not swing as he watched six pitches in striking out.  Chris Coste smoked a liner to center, his fourth hit of the game to score Victorino with the game winner !

Chatter

The Phillies offense struggles with pitchers who feature off speed pitches as their primary, Pedro at one point in the game sat down seven consecutive hitters spotting an 84 to 88 mph fastball but mostly working on changeups.  Jimmy Rollins was the only Phillie to solve him early as he had two hits in his first two at bats.  Pedro had five strikouts thru three innings and never broke 90 mph!  They did get to him in the fifth as they forced him to come up in the zone by laying off pitches and putting him in fastball counts.   Both these teams can hit but it sure is a chess match as to how!

The game was once again sold out, the 44th time this season which ties a Phillies club record. Carlos Ruiz made his major league debut at third base in the ninth inning as the Phillies saved Eric Bruntlett to pinch hit in the home ninth, made Charlie look like a genius, Bruntlett then played third base in the extra innings!  The Phillies carry twelve pitchers on the roster and many times are caught short with position players in late innings.

The Phillies offense came out of its shell for a second consecutive game as the Fightins pounded the L.A. Dodgers 9 to 2 in a nationally televised game to go up two games in this four game series.  Pat Burrell blasted his 30th home run of the season in the first inning plating three runs.  Burrell hit the ball off the left field foul pole to spot starter Cole Hamels with an early lead.    Hamels went seven strong innings giving up five hits and two runs.  He was touched for the two runs in the third inning as Russell Martin hit a two run home run.

The Phillies busted the game open in the fifth and sixth innings scoring three runs in each frame.  In the fifth Dodger center fielder Matt Kemp lost a fly ball hit by Pat Burrell in the high Philadelphia sky and the ball fell untouched for a double!  Jimmy Rollins scored on the play, Ryan Howard then smoked a double to center field to knock in two more runs.  In the sixth Burrell again figured in the scoring mix as he singled to knock in Hamels.  Shane Victorino then singled to knock in Burrell and Chase Utley.   Scott Eyre and Rudy Seanez finished out the game on the mound for the Phillies to book the win.

Chatter

Geoff Jenkins was placed on the fifteen day disabled list with a hip sprain.  Andy Tracy was recalled from Triple A to take Jenkins roster spot.  Tracy has previous major league experience as he played for the Montreal Expos and Colorado Rockies.  Tracy is a veteran player and is 35 years of age.  His primary position is first base but will serve as a left handed bat off the bench for the Fightins.  Pat Burrell had five RBI’s in the game matching his career high.  This has been a season of offensive spurts for the Fightins and hopefully this is a spurt that lasts thru the playoffs!  Sometimes playing better teams actually makes you play better yourselves and the Fightins certainly are in the midst of a challenging run with two left with the Dodgers, then two with the Mets and four with the Cubbies.  The last two games the hitters have been much more aggressive early in the count and have been successful, they are dead red fast ball hitters and if opposing pitchers try to use the heat to get ahead in the count this team can make you pay! 

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!

Joe Blanton made his third start since being acquired from the Oakland A’s for the Fightins, this time against the St. Louis Cardinals, in Busch Stadium, St. Louis.  BLanton was very effective thru seven frames as he held the Redbirds to only one run on four hits.  He had a shutout thru six innings but Ryan Ludwick, who is on a tear, tagged him for a long home run in the seventh.

Blanton was staked to a two run lead early in the game as Greg Dobbs hit a solo home run in the third inning and Ryan Howard slammed his 31st home run of the season in the fourth inning.  Braden Looper pitched six very good innings for St. Louis as he only gave up three hits but two were the long balls. 

Eric Bruntlett was picked off first base by Cards catcher Yadier Molina in the eighth frame, Molina has a cannon and it marked the 45th time in his career that he has picked a runner off first!  The Molina brothers are surely very good defensive catchers, ( older brother Benji catches for the San Francisco Giants and younger brother Jose catches for the New York Yankees).

J.C. Romero and Chad Durbin pitched the eighth inning, Romero was touched for a single before getting a strikeout.  He was pulled in favor of Durbin with right handed hitters coming up for the Cards.  Durbin came in a coaxed a double play ground ball from Joe Mather to end the inning.  He threw nothing but sliders to Mather as the young man looks like a dead red fast ball hitter.  The double play was key as it left Albert Pujols standing in the on deck circle!

Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning and earned his 27th save of the year.  He struck out two batters in the inning.  The Phillies are 49 and 0 when leading after eight innings this year.  Lidge is perfect in save chances this year.  Big win for the Fightins as they struggled offensively but the pitching came thru big time!

Chatter

Rudy Seanez was put on the disabled list prior to the Cardinal series and left hander Les Waldron was recalled from Triple A Lehigh Valley.  Waldron has previous big league experience with the Cubs and Royals, seventeen games in total, most recently with Chicago in 2006.  Despite a right handed starter on the hill for the Cards skipper Charlie Manuel chose to play Jayson Werth in right field rather than left handed swinger Geoff Jenkins.   It is not a pure platoon and many times Charlie seems to play a hunch as to whom starts or even pinch hits in situations.  He catches alot of flak when it doesn’t work but few accolades when it does! 

Kyle Kendrick took the hill for the Fightins in the last game of the three game series against the Nationals in Washington.  Kendrick was staked to an early three run lead as Jayson Werth belted his 15th home run of the season to lead off the second inning.  Eric Bruntlett then singled as did Carlos Ruiz.   Bruntlett scored on a ground out by Jimmy Rollins and Ruiz scored on a error by the Nats Ryan Zimmerman.

The Nationals scored single runs in the third and fourth frames to tighten the score.  Jimmy Rollins belted a two run home run in the fourth frame to widen the gap once again. The Phillies put the game away with three more runs in the sixth highlighted by RBI singles for Ryan Howard and  Pat Burrell.

Kendrick pitched six and 2/3 innings before yielding  to Clay Condrey.  Condrey completed the inning and pitched the eighth, Rudy Seanez started the ninth frame but relinquished two runs and was pulled in favor of Chad Durbin who finished the game by getting the final out.   Nationals Park marked the 47th park that Seanez has pitched in during his journeyman career.

The Mets were idle so with the win the Phillies expanded their lead in the division to one full game.  The Marlins pounded the Rockies so they remain one and 1/2 games off the pace.

 Chatter

The trade deadline came and went with no activity for the Phillies.  Manny was indeed dealt by Boston but to the Dodgers.  The Phillies have yet to play the Dodgers this season and have eight games left with L.A. so they will have to deal with Ramirez for a good portion of their remaining games.  I assume that J.A. Happ will see innings out of the pen and provides insurance if one of the starters stumbles.   Adam Eaton pitched at Single A Lakewood and did not have a great line score as he only lasted thru four innings.  He may indeed be the most expensive minor leaguer in history !   The Phillies will keep their eyes open for waiver wire deals, remember that two years ago Jamie Moyer was acquired via that path.

In a game extended by a near two hour rain delay the Fightins offense exploded with two big innings in a come from behind 12 to 10 win over Atlanta.  The game began at 1:35 as newly acquired Joe Blanton took his second turn on the hill for the Phillies.  Blanton was touched for two runs in the first frame as Brian McCann and Mark Kotsay gained RBI hits.  The game was delayed in the bottom of the second inning as the skies opened up and thunder and lightning was prevalent.   

 When play restarted both starting pitchers were replaced, Jo-Jo Reyes came in for Jorge Campillo and Adam Eaton came on for Blanton.  Eaton was tuned up for three runs in the fourth inning as Kelly Johnson hit a two run home run followed immediately by a dinger by Omar Infante.   The Fightins came right back with a five spot in their fourth at bat to tie the game.  Chris Coste hit a two run home run to center field. So Taguchi then collected a pinch hit, Jimmy Rollins followed with a single, Shane Victorino then hit his 8^th homer of the season to knot the score.

 Pat Burrell hit his 26^th home run of the season in the fifth inning to put the Phillies up one.  Meanwhile Clay Condrey replaced Eaton on the mound and held the Braves scoreless for two frames.  The Phillies erupted for five runs in the sixth inning as Shane Victorino knocked in Carlos Ruiz with a single,(Ruiz had doubled on a pinch hit); J-Roll went to second on the hit as he had been walked prior to Victorino’s at bat.  Rollins and Victorino then pulled off a double steal.  Ryan Howard then plated both with a single.  Jayson Werth homered to bring in Howard and himself.

 J.C. Romero pitched a scoreless seventh for the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins hit the team’s fifth home run of the game in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 12 to 5.  In the top of the eighth things got interesting again as the Braves put up a five spot of their own.  Rudy Seanez started the inning for the Phils but could only get one out as he gave up multiple hits including an RBI double to Infante.  Seanez left with the bases loaded, Ryan Madson came on and immediately walked in a run. Martin Prado then cleared the sacks with a double to right field that Jayson Werth misplayed trying to make a diving catch. 

 Brad Lidge came on to pitch the ninth to earn his 24^th consecutive save.  Play concluded at nearly 7 pm some 5 and ½ hours after it started!

 Chatter

 With Manny being Manny in Boston an article was posted in the New York Post that the Phillies might be a trade destination for the enigmatic slugger.  Ramirez respects Phillies manager Charlie Manuel like a father figure as Manuel was the hitting coach in Cleveland when Ramirez played there.  Boston management seems at wits end this time with Ramirez so if a deal could be made with the Fightins not having to give up too much, considering that Manny wants out of his contract at year end perhaps a move might be intriguing!  He might be the professional hitter the lineup seems to need.  The team has an off day tomorrow which is a good thing for the bullpen as they had to use seven pitchers in each of the past two games.

Jayson Stark of ESPN rebutts the Ramirez rumors stating that the Phillies focus is on acquiring pitching.  Lefthander J.A. Happ was pulled in the third inning of his start in Triple A today for no apparent reason, he was being congratulated in the dugout by teammates…………. speculation is that he is either involved in a trade or may indeed become the lefty in the bullpen the team has been trying to acquire.

When Cole Hamels takes the hill for the Phillies one usually expects a quality start.  This one appeared to be no different thru three frames as Hamels allowed no Brave runs to score.  The Phillies spotted their ace to a three run lead when they scored twice in the second inning as Chris Coste singled with two outs to score Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell.  Howard had reached on a walk and Burrell had followed with a double.    The third run scored in the third inning as Shane Victorino tripled and Chase Utley scored him on a sacrifice fly.

Things got ugly for Hamels however in the fourth inning as the Braves plated nine runs!  Included in the inning were errors by Hamels and Utley that in effect made only four of the runs earned but Hamels was hit hard as he allowed five hits in the inning including a three run home run by Mark Teixeira.  Hamels was far from “ace like” in this one as he was chased after three and two thirds innings.

The FIghtins were true to their name however as they did not hang their heads and call it in.  They put up a seven spot in the fifth inning to regain the lead.  The Phillies brought ten batters to the plate in the inning.  Key blows in the inning were two out hits by Chris Coste and Greg Dobbs.  Coste delivered a single to right to score Ryan Howard and keep the inning alive.  Dobbs then smoked a three run home run to put the Phillies ahead by one!  This team has not shown any dog in them and the innning was a true reflection of team character!

The Phillies bullpen dominated their part of the contest.  Atlanta was held scoreless by Rudy Seanez, Adam Eaton, Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge.  Eaton was credited with the win while Madson, Durbin and Romero all earned holds.  Lidge earned his 23rd save and set a new team record by converting 23 consecutive save opportunities breaking the old mark set by Billy Wagner when he was a Phillie. 

Chatter

Eric Bruntlett started the game at third as Pedro Feliz again sat out with back pain.  Greg Dobbs got his 20th pinch hit of the season, a game winner at that.  Dobbs has been excellent all year at hitting in the pinch.   In order for Hamels to be a real staff ace he cannott implode in games like this one, he has dominated the Braves thus far this season but lost his composure in this one as he even errored on a throw himself trying to force a play.  I think he is an extreme talent but is still young and we fans must be patient with his continued development.   Joe Blanton takes his second turn in the rotation tommorrow in the series finale.

Greg Olsen who in times past has stated he hates the Philies had just enough to gain a win in the second game of this three game set.   He pitched five innings giving up four runs on eight hits which was hardly a stellar performance but enough to outlast Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick who struggled in this outing.  Kendrick only pitched four and one third innings giving up seven runs on ten hits.  Kendrick gave up home run blasts to John Baker, Jeremy Hermedia and Dan Uggla.  Kendrick was unable to spot his sinker and paid the price accordingly.  He is a pitcher who really only has one effective pitch and when failing to locate usually has difficulty.

Pat Burrell had a good offensive game for the Fightins as he blasted two home runs giving him 25 on the season.  Burrell also had a double in the contest.  Clay Condrey and Ryan Madson pitched scoreless relief for the Philies but Rudy Seanez was touched for two runs in the eighth inning.

The series concludes with a Sunday Matinee in which team ace Cole Hamels will take the hill for the Fightins.

Chatter

Speculation still abounds that the team will acquire a left handed reliever prior to the trade deadline.  John Grabow of the Pirates seems to be the least costly and most attainable.  Rumors still swirl that Brian Fuentes is a possibility from Colorado.  New addition Joe Blanton was added to the active roster and Joe Bisenius was optioned to triple A.   Brett Myers is slated to rejoin the team as well during the coming week and the team most likely will go back to carrying 12 pitchers on the roster, the most likely option candidate is infielder Mike Cervenak.