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.

The Phillies opened the last series of play before the All-Star break at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kyle Kendrick took the hill vs. Doug Davis for Arizona.

Ryan Howard got the scoring started by clubbing his major league leading 28th home run in the second inning to give the Fightins a one run lead. The Diamondbacks answered with the game tying run in the top of the sixth inning as Chad Tracey plated Orlando Hudson.

In the Phillies half of the sixth with two outs Pedro Feliz reached on a walk and advanced to third on a double by Shane Victorino. The struggling Carlos Ruiz came to the plate batting out of the eight hole. Rather than walk Ruiz to get to the pitchers spot Arizona chose to pitch to him. This ended up burning the D-backs as Doug Davis unfurled a wild pitch allowing Feliz to score and Victorino to advance to third. The D-Backs then chose to intentionally walk Ruiz. With pitcher Kyle Kendrick batting the Phillies executed a delayed steal with Ruiz breaking from first, getting caught in a rundown and allowing Victorino to scamper home with the third run!

Arizona took the game lead in the top of the seventh frame as consecutive hits by Miguel Montero, Alex Romero and a double by pinch hitter Emilio Bonifacio plated two runs. Starter Kendrick was lifted in favor of left handed specialist RJ Swindle. Swindle’s task was to get Stephen Drew and keep Bonifacio from scoring. After working an 0-2 count Swindle hung a 55 mph curve ball over the plate and Drew lined it into right field to give Arizona the lead. Chad Durbin then was brought into the game by Manager Charlie Manual and retired the next two hitters to limit the Diamondback lead to 4-3.

The Phillies threatened in the bottom of the seventh with one out as consecutive singles by Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth put runners on first and third. Chase Utley then hit a scorched ground ball that looked destined for center field but D-Back second basemen Orlando Hudson made an incredible diving stop, flipped the ball to shortstop Drew at second who then completed the inning ending double play with a throw to first base!

Arizona added another run in the eighth as Montero got his third hit of the game with two outs. Romero then hit a deep drive to center field that Victorino just missed making a spectacular leaping catch of against the fence. He was able to recover in time to throw out Romero via shortstop relay at third base trying to stretch the hit.

The Phillies tied the game in their half of the eighth as a Shane Victorino triple plated Ryan Howard and Eric Bruntlet (pinch running for Pat Burrell who singled). Arizona hurler Tony Pena was able to pitch out of the inning without further damage.

The game advanced to extra innings as the game remained tied at regulation end. The Phillies finally prevailed in the twelfth inning as So Taguchi led off with a single, was sacrificed to second base and scored on a line single to right field by Jayson Werth.

Rudy Seanez gained the win in relief as the Phils used all available position players and all but Ryan Madsen out of the bullpen.

Chatter

Pat Burrell was disappointed by the naming of David Wright instead of him to replace injured Alfonso Soriano on the All-Star team but consider this; it has been sixty years since the Major League home run leader at the break was not on either team. Ryan Howard leads the majors in taters and the N.L. in RBI’s. Howard’s average is below .240 which may have been part of the consideration but truth be told if not robbed of about 20 hits by the infield shift deployed by many teams against him his average would be .290. As it stands Howard came into the game with more RBI’s than hits! The game marked the 29th sellout crowd of the season for attendance.  Mike Cervenak made his major league debut with a pinch hitting appearance in the 11th inning.  He hit a hard line drive to left field but it was caught.

The Philadelphia Phillies lost for the second straight game to the Boston Red Sox.  On Wednesday it was by the score of 7-4.  With the loss on Wednesday, the Phillies dropped two out of three games against the Red Sox in their much anticipated show down.

Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick only lasted three innings as he gave up six early runs in the game.  Kendrick had troubles in the first and third innings as he gave up back to back homers in the first inning and then a two run single in the third inning.  Kendrick took the loss and is now 6-3.

Clay Condrey pitched two innings and gave up four hits and one run.  After that however the Phillies bullpen locked down and held the Red Sox scoreless the final four innings of the game.  Chad Durbin, Rudy Seanez, J.C. Romero, and Brad Lidge all pitched one inning and all did a good job.

The Phillies scored in the first inning on a Ryan Howard RBI but then didn’t score again until the fifth inning when Jayson Werth grounded into a fielders choice to score another run.  Pedro Feliz did have a two run single in the seventh inning as well for the Phillies but it was enough.

So how do you think the Phillies will respond when they play the Los Angeles Angels on Friday in another interleague matchup?  If you ask me, they are going to have their hands full with another good American League team once again.   But what do I know?  I’m just a Phillies Blogger!

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies were shut out by the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night by the score of 3-0.  The Phillies struggled at the plate with ten strikeouts as they were just never able to get a good rally going and score any runs off of Jon Lester and the two other Red Sox pitchers.

Jamie Moyer pitched the first five innings of the game.  Moyer gave up four hits and two runs while taking the loss for the Phillies.  Five walks and a home run really hurt Moyer in the game.

Ryan Madson threw the next two innings in the game and gave up two hits and one run.  Rudy Seanez and Clay Condrey were finally able to come in and pitch the eighth and ninth innings without giving up a run.

The Phillies are going to have to swing the bat better on Wednesday if they want any shot to beat this Red Sox team.  Right now I really don’t know if they will be able to.

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies were hoping to sweep the Atlanta Braves but they came up just short as they lost the last game of the three game series on Wednesday night.  The Braves got the best of the Phillies as they beat the Phillies 8-6.

Brett Myers was rocked in the game as he took the loss.  Myers only pitched 4 1/3 innings as he gave up nine hits and eight runs.  Six of those eight runs were earned.  Myers was taken deep three times in the game as he just got hammered.

Ryan Madson, Clay Condrey, and Rudy Seanez pitched in relief without allowing any more runs to score after Myers left the game.

Chase Utley and Ryan Howard both hit home runs for the Phillies.  Utley’s was a two run home run and Howard’s was a solo home run.  Utley and Jimmy Rollins both had two rbi to lead the Phillies while Shane Victorino and Howard all had one rbi.

Phillies Blog

Adam Eaton and the Philadelphia Phillies had one bad inning and that is when the Arizona Diamondbacks scored five runs in the fourth inning and then went onto beat the Phillies 6-4 on Tuesday night.

Eaton took the loss and is now 0-1 on the season.  Besides Eaton only pitching four inning and giving up five hits and six runs the rest of the Phillies pitchers did a pretty good job.  Rudy Seanez pitched two innings without giving up a hit while Tom Gordon and Chad Durbin both gave up a hit in one inning of action each.

The Phillies did score four runs and two home runs off Randy Johnson which was nice to see.  It’s too bad they couldn’t score a couple more runs however.  Eric Bruntlett and Jayson Werth both hit home runs off the Big Unit.  Bruntlett finished the game with three RBI while Werth had one RBI.

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies won in Colorado against the Rockies by a score of 9-5 on Monday bringing the Phillies to 10-10 for the year.  With Jayson Werth’s inside the park home run, the night couldn’t have been any better for the Phillies. 

Pat Burrell hit his 7th home run of the year in the 4th inning which was a two run shot.  Werth hit his inside the park home run in the sixth inning.  Later in the sixth inning, Chase Utley hit a solo home run.  Carlos Ruiz and T.J. Bohn each had a pair of RBIs in the game as well.

Kyle Kendrick was the opening pitcher for the Phillies throwing for five innings  allowing eight hits, five runs, and two walks.  Philadelphia brought in Clay Condrey, Rudy Seanez, Tom Gordon, and Brad Lidge to pitch the last four innings with Rudy Seanez getting the win giving him a season record of 2-1.

The Phillies will stay in Colorado for one more night to go up against the Rockies tonight for game two of the series.  Let’s see if the Phillies carry over any momentum after scoring five late runs in Mondays game into the game on Tuesday.

Phillies Blog