Once again Jimmy Rollins started off a ball game with a hit as he stroked a double to lead off the Phillies first frame. Chase Utley followed with a double of his own to score J-Roll with the game’s first run. The Phillies manufactured a run in the second inning as Shane Victorino singled, advanced to second on a ground out, to third on a wild pitch and then scored as Carlos Ruiz singled to knock him in. This gave starter J.A. Happ an early lead to work with in his second big league start of the season against Atlanta.

J.A. Happ made the lead hold up till the top of the sixth when he was tagged for a two run home run by Kelly Johnson. Happ did a nice job by going six and 2/3 innings limiting the Braves to five hits and two runs and left with a runner on second base. Skipper Charlie Manuel went to the bullpen when Atlanta announced pinch hitter Yunel Escober and brought in veteran Rudy Seanez. Atlanta’s skipper Bobby Cox countered by pinch hitting for Escobar with left handed hitter Greg Norton. The Phillies walked Norton intentionally and went after Martin Prado instead. Seanez got Prado to ground out to third………… Prado is the hitter who lit up the Mets in yesterday’s game in a similiar situation.

Seanez got two outs in the eighth including a play at the plate where J-Roll threw out Kelly Johnson on a ground out, Johnson had led off the inning with a three bagger. Scott Eyre came in to get Casey Kotchman for the last out of the inning. Gregg Dobbs led off the eighth inning with his 22nd pinch hit of the season. Greg Golson pinch ran for Dobbs and advanced to third base on an errant throw to first trying to pick him off! Golson’s speed paid off as he then scored on a ground ball to third base where the throw came home but Golson beat it ! Pat Burrell then busted the game open as he nailed a three run home run that scored Jayson Werth and Chase Utley in front of him. Utley had been walked intentionally and Werth had hit the ground ball to third and reached on the fielders choice. Shane Victorino then tripled but was stranded as the inning ended. The score was 6 to 2 Phillies at the end of eight!

Ryan Madson came on to pitch the ninth inning and albeit he gave up two hits was able to close it out for the win. The magic number for a playoff spot is down to three with the win and four for the division !

Chatter

The Marlins loss earlier in the day to the Reds officially put them out of the running for the division crown. The Phillie Phanatic had a shot a catching a foul ball hit into the stands on the fly but dropped it! The obligatory boo was delivered to the Phanatic by the Philly faithful, speaking of the paying crowd, the game was once again sold out and fans were very loud in thier support of our Fightins! The Philadelphia Inquirrer’s Jim Salisbury speculated in his column today that the Phillies payroll next season might indeed approach $120 million and that does not include any potential run at a pitcher like C.C. Sabbathia which he sees as highly unlikely……… I hope he is wrong on the Sabbathia front…………… the team has drawn well over 3 million each of the last two seasons and will set an attendance record this season, all due to a winning team…….. ownership needs to cough up some of the financial benefit of that and give this core nucleas the weapons it needs to stay in the hunt and bring home titles !

Unlike in the first two games of this series Jimmy Rollins started this one by getting a hit. Rollins singled to lead off the game but was stranded in the first, however he led off the top of the third with a double and scored ahead of Chase Utley’s home run to put the Fightins up 2 -0. The Phillies added another run in the fourth as Jimmy Rollins got his third hit of the game to score Carlos Ruiz. Florida’s defense again hurt them as right fielder Cody Ross dropped an easy fly ball hit by pitcher Jamie Moyer that would have been the third out of the inning before Rollins would have come to bat !

The Marlins scored a run in the home sixth as Josh Willingham crossed the plate on a flare single by Alfredo Amezaga. Staff Ace Jamie Moyer gave the Phillies another quality start as he went six innings holding the Marlins to only one run. Moyer baffles the young Marlin hitters with location, change of speed and savvy, I am sure they are happy to not see him again this year!

The relief pitching roulette began once again in the seventh as Chad Durbin started the seventh and got the first out before giving up a double to catcher John Baker and a flare single to Jorge Cantu. Charlie Manuel then tapped the pen again as he brought in lefty J.C. Romero who got the second out but then proceeded to walk the bases loaded and give up a run on an infield hit which could have been much more if not for a very good stop by third baseman Greg Dobbs on the ground ball hit hard down the line. Charlie went to the pen again as he tapped right hander Clay Condrey , Condrey got out of the inning by coaxing Cody Ross to ground out to third base.

Shane Victorino led off the eighth with a single and Pedro Feliz then ripped a two run home run into the left field bleachers to give the Fightins a three run lead again! Ryan Madson pitched a perfect eighth to set up the final inning. Good job Ryan!

Brad Lidge finished the game and earned his 40th save in 40 tries. He struck out two in the inning. With the win the Phillies now go up 1 and 1/2 games on the Mets in the division race and maintain their three game lead on the wildcard. They now have a magic number of 4 to clinch a playoff spot. The boys came up big in Miami and now just have to finish it at home against the Braves and Nationals ! Jamie Moyer gets the win, his 15th of the season.

Chatter

The Mets bullpen blew another lead at Atlanta as they turned a 4-2 lead into a 7-6 loss. It looks as if J.A. Happ will get another start against the Braves tommorrow else Cole Hamels would have to pitch on three days rest, Hamels will probably be held back till tuesday’s game.

I sure am glad to be done with the Marlins bunch, they do not quit, have really good hitters, and some young arms with nasty stuff, the Mets have them to end the season and our buddies from New York will have a handful to deal with!

Jimmy Rollins in the last few games has not been able to jump start the offense, seems to be lunging again a bit.  In this one he struck out in his first two at bats however the Phillies did manage to score first thanks to the hapless fielding of the Marlins.   In the top of the third Carlos Ruiz reached on a throwing error by  third baseman Jorge Cantu, he advanced all the way to third as Phils starting pitcher Joe Blanton laid down a sacrifice bunt but Florida starter Anibal Sanchez threw the ball away allowing Blanton to reach.  Chase Utley then singled home Ruiz.

Blanton could not hold the lead however as Florida plated two in the bottom of the third as catcher John Baker belted a double to drive in both runs.   Shane Victorino tied the game in the top of the fourth by belting a solo home run, his 14th dinger of the season.   The Phillies re-took the lead in the sixth as Greg Dobbs singled to drive in Ryan Howard who had walked to lead off the inning.  The Phillies proceeded to load the bases and  Tadahito Iguchi pinch hit for Joe Blanton but flew out to right field on the first pitch.  Blanton did a credible job in this one as he struck out nine and only allowed three hits with two walks.  He had much better command than in prior starts and had some real pop on the heater.

The relief firm of Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero and Ryan Madson came on to pitch scoreless sixth, seventh and eighth frames albeit each was nerve wrecking especially the eighth when the Marlins put two runners on with no outs but Madson wiggled out of it with the help of a couple close calls by home plate umpire C.B. Buckner, one on a play at the plate where Gregg Dobbs threw out the runner, the call could have went either way truly and the other on a pitch that appeared to hit Cody Ross on the hand but Buckner instead ruled it hit the knob of the bat!   To Madson’s credit he did then go on to strike Ross out but the Fightins gotta fix the setup spot over the winter else they are  gonna give fans like me a heart attack !

Greg Dobbs led off the ninth with a double off the right field wall, Carlos Ruiz then sacrfice bunted pinch runner Greg Golson to third but the Phils could not score as Matt Stairs struck out and Jimmy Rollins was out trying to bunt for a hit.  J-Roll took the collar in this one.

Brad Lidge came on for the ninth and struck out the side to earn his 39th save in 39 tries despite walking the leadoff hitter.   HUGE HUGE HUGE win for this team !    Milwaukee, New York and Houston all lost so the Phillies go back into first in the N.L. East but are also now 3 games up on the wild card with seven left to play………….. HUGE HUGE HUGE Win boys !!!!!!!!!

Chatter

Word is that big Joe Blanton has been suffering from biceps tendinitis since a start he made in Los Angeles back in July,  it explains the lack of control and velocity he has had since coming to the Phillies. To his credit he has never refused to take the ball and goes out and battles each time.   In last nights game the Florida manager went to the umpires and required that Brett Myers put on a long sleeve shirt to cover his tatoo stating it was distracting, this after Phils skipper Charlie Manuel made the umpires enforce that the Marlins base coaches stay within the coaching boxes, little bit of tit for tat going on !

Much bigger crowd for this game, there was a concert and fireworks display after the game.  Albeit the crowds are generally small for Marlin home games Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas  did note during the game broadcast that they are usually very loud and supportive of the home team.

Carlos Ruiz played a heady game in this one doing the little things that often go unnoticed.  He picked off a runner at first base in the sixth, blocked the plate on a bang banger in the eighth, put down a perfect sac bunt in the ninth, blocked numerous pitches in the dirt including a nasty skidding fastball in the seventh and generally kept the calm on the field in numerous mound conferences.  The little catcher has taken a beating this year from fans and media as he has struggled most of the year offensively so he should get kudos for when he has a good game like this one !

The Brewers sure are trying to punt that wildcard spot as they lost again today 4 to 3 against the Reds, they looked lifeless on the bench and had their ace going today C.C. Sabbathia……………… maybe the big fella should come to Philly next year for more support eh!   Never too early for Hot Stove talk !!!!

By the way it is ok by me if both the Mets and Phils make the playoffs, don’t like the Mets but do respect them and their fans as they live and die for their team on a daily basis just like most of us Philly folks do for the Fightins, northeast fans are very passionate!  …………… of course I hope they are the wild card and we win the division !

Did I mention this was a HUGE win !!!!! 

Good starts in games usually help relax things a bit.  The Phillies got off to a good start again in this one as Jayson Werth hit a double off the center field wall to plate Chase Utley with the games first run.  Werth advanced to third when the Atlanta centefielder bobbled the ball.  Ryan Howard then drove Werth home with a sacrifice fly to left field.  This gave Cole Hamels a two run lead before even throwing a pitch!   Atlanta answered back in the bottom of the first however as Brian McCann doubled off the wall to score Chipper Jones who had walked.   Casey Kotchman tied the game in the second inning with a solo home run. 

Pat Burrell hit a two run bomb in the sixth inning that scored Jayson Werth ahead of him.  Werth had reached on an error.   Cole Hamels struggled with his control but managed to pitch six innings and left the game with a two run lead.  Hamels was high with most of his pitches but was able to make key pitches when he needed them, it was a gutty effort by the young ace.

Ryan Madson pitched the seventh inning and some shaky fielding allowed Atlanta to score an unearned run.  Both Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins committed errors that gave the Braves five outs in the inning.  Rollins error was actually a fly ball that Pat Burrell should have called him off on but did not, Rollins went deep into left field and attempted an over the should catch that fell out of his glove.   Howard’s error was later changed by the official scorer to a hit for Kelly Johnson, it extended Johnson’s hitting streak to 16 games but it was a pretty weak change of heart to be honest! Howard botched an easy ground ball and Johnson should have been out.

J.C. Romero pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Phillies.  Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth inning to close the game striking out two batters.  He earned his 38th save in 38 tries.  The Phillies improved to 78 and 0 when leading after eight innings.  They swept all nine games played in Atlanta this year, first time Braves were swept at home by Phils since 1909!

Chatter

Chipper Jones and Brian McCann are really the only two hitters in the Atlanta lineup that scare anybody at the moment.  It is a far cry from the Braves heydays when they dominated the division.  Despite being in a deep slump Pat Burrell remained in the lineup,  I think one of the things players appreciate most about skipper Charlie Manuel is the fact that he shows confidence in guys both when they are going good or bad.  That trust paid off as Burrell blasted career home run # 250 in the sixth inning.  Earlier in the year Ryan Howard could not hit dirt and now he is on an MVP pace, baseball messes with ya that way !

The Brewers lost earlier in the day to the Cubs, good and bad news for the Fightins.  Good that Milwaukee lost but bad that the Cubs magic number is down to 2 to clinch the central division.  The Cubs play the Mets next and one has to wonder if they rest a few folks after they clinch. 

Question to Ponder

Atlanta’s John Smoltz is a free agent next season, what about Mr. Smoltz in Phillies pinstripes in 2009 ?

The Phillies marched into Atlanta tied for the wild card lead and only 1/2 game behind the division leading Mets, they also entered the contest with a perfect 6 and 0 record in Atlanta thus far this season.  That being said you knew it wasn’t going to be easy in this one as nothing has this season.

Veteran Jamie Moyer started for the Fightins in this one and albeit he struggled with command did manage to go 5 and 2/3 innings.  Moyer was tagged for six hits and six runs and left the game trailing.  Ryan Howard provided the big offensive push for the Fightins as he had four hits in the game including a triple in the seventh and a home run in the eighth.  Howard had three RBI’S in the game.  Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz also homered in the contest.  Ryan Madson was huge in this one as pitched perfect seventh and eighth innings to shut down the Braves who had erupted for four to take the lead in the sixth inning.  Jimmy Rollins had two hits in the game and Shane Victorino had a three hit game.  Howard’s home run came in the top of the eighth and  gave the Phils a one run lead to protect.

Brad Lidge earned his 37th save in 37 tries albeit it was not an easy one as he walked the bases loaded before striking out the last hitter!  Phillies took over first place with the win!

Chatter

The Mets were shutout in Washington and lost 1 to 0.  At least they can’t blame that one on the bullpen!  J.A. Happ will start tommorrow night in the fifth starters spot.  He was given the nod over veteran Adam Eaton and struggling Kyle Kendrick.   Scott Eyre has voiced a wish to resign with the Phils next season, Eyre is a free agent at end of season, he has been very effective since coming over from the Cubs and in my opinion should be welcomed back.  Moyer did not have location in this one but remember that he threw on three days rest last start and on four days in this one, during the summer the team has tried to give him extra rest if possible.  He is a pro though and will not turn away the assignment !  

If Phillies win the division Ryan Howard  is gonna be the MVP again !  He can’t be denied if he keeps up this pace !

On an unusually hot day in September, ( heat index over 100!), things started lethargic for the FIghtins.  Starting pitcher Joe Blanton was tagged for a two run home run in the Brewers first at bat by Ray Durham to put the Phils immediately in a hole.  Blanton’s woes with the Phillies have been caused by his lack of demand on his pitches and he hung a curve ball to Durham that the hitter actually seemed to double clutch on before swinging!    The Phillies got one back in the fourth inning as Chase Utley doubled, went to third on a single by Ryan Howard and scored on a double play ground out by Pat Burrell.   Milwaukee made it a two run game again in the top of the fifth as Mike Cameron smoked a Blanton changeup into the rarified air of the left field upper deck!

Ryan Howard tied the game in the home sixth by belting his 44th home run of the season over the left field wall to score Chase Utley in front of him.   Dave Bush did a nice job for Milwaukee as he went six innings and only gave up five hits.  Bush is a local Philly boy as he grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs,  likewise Joe Blanton pitched effectively for the Fightins as he was pulled in the offensive seventh in favor of pinch hitter Matt Stairs.  

Ryan Madson got the first two outs in the eighth before skipper Charlie Manuel went to lefty Scott Eyre to turn switch hitter Ray Durham into a right hander.  Eyre did the job by striking out Durham who was left in for the at bat despite only hittiing .219 against lefthanders this season.  Milwaukee had Ricky Weeks and Bill Hall available on the bench, not our worry though!

Jayson Werth led off the eighth with a single off of righthander Guiellermo Mota  which prompted a pitching change by Milwaukee, they brought lefthander Brian Shouse in to presumably face Utley and Howard……… but in a surprise move our three hole hitter Chase Utley sacrificed Werth to second with a bunt!   Ryan Howard was then intentionally walked with first base open  but the Brewers still  kept Shouse in to face right hand hitter  Pat Burrell rather than go to righty Eric Gagne.   Burrell singled to left field to score Werth with the go ahead run on a very close play at the plate!  Shane Victorino then belted a three run home run to put the Phils up by four !   Pedro Feliz then singled.   All of this happened against Shouse, he did not retire a hitter as finally Brewer skipper Ned Yost came and got him…………. if Milwaukee sports talk shows are anything like Philly’s  then Mr. Yost’s ears will be burning off as the second guessers will be out in full force!

Brad Lidge recorded the final two outs in the ninth after Scott Eyre got the first one.  Charlie is taking no chances down the stretch and is using Lidge even in four run lead non save closeouts.  The Phillies increased thier record to 67 and 0 when leading after eight.  Lidge should be fine for tonight’s game as he only threw seven pitches to get the last two outs!

Chatter

The team seemed flat once again at the start, perhaps due to the weather or the lack of a capacity crowd.  J-Roll struck out to begin the game and as he goes so does this crew.  Blanton had to be considered a disappointment thus far in the way he had pitched, he too often was getting behind hitters and then was hit hard, even the outs he got seemed to be struggles.  By pitching seven in this one he did his job and saved burning the pen for the game tonight, alot of between game work with pitching coach Rich Dubee has been going on to help the big fella find a consistent release point on his pitches.    Corey Hart lost a ball in the sun in the bottom of the fifth but stayed with it and made a last minute dive to record the catch.   The game tonight has tremendous importance as it will swing the wild card race in a distinctive path forward.  Tuesday offers another challenge for the starting pitching staff as it is a situation for the fifth spot in the rotation, if that spot is skipped Jamie Moyer would have to pitch on three days rest again.  Who do you give the chance to ?  J.A. Happ who got hit around behind Kyle Kendrick last week, Kendrick who is in a deep slump or do you ask veteran Adam Eaton to earn that big paycheck ?    I don’t believe I am saying this but Eaton may be the best option if Moyer cannott go !  Stay tuned.

Chase Utley broke his own team record for getting hit by a pitch in the sixth inning when he took one in the shoulder.  It marked the 26th time Chase has taken one for the team this season!

Backs against the wall and in need of leaders to step up the Phillies embarked on a four game journey against the Brewers by sending veteran Jamie Moyer to the hill. Moyer has been in essence the staff ace this season and is leading the team in wins and quality starts. He took this assignment on three days rest, first time this season attempting to do that for the 45 year old ! Ryan Howard gave Moyer an early cushion as he belted a Ben Sheets fastball over the center field wall in the very first inning to put the Fightins up 2 to 0. Jimmy Rollins scored in front of Howard as he reached on a single to lead off the game.

J.J. Hardy took Moyer out in the third to make the count 2 to 1. Ryan Howard got it back in the 4th as he belted a double off the top of the centerfield fence to plate Chase Utley who had led off the inning with a single. Pedro Feliz doubled off the right field wall to score Howard. Prince Fielder slammed a two run home run in the top of the sixth to make the score 4 to 3.

Charlie went to the pen in the sixth, Moyer threw five and 2/3 innings and left with the lead. He gave the team another pro’s pro effort and showed his younger teammates how to perform in big games. Ryan Madson got first call from the pen and got a groundout to end the visitor’s sixth. The Phillies scored again in the bottom of the sixth as Carlos Ruiz doubled home Pedro Feliz. Feliz had reached base on a single.

Ryan Madson pitched into the eighth inning and actually got two outs before Charlie had to do his bullpen shuffle to complete the inning. He used both Scott Eyre and Chad Durbin to finish the inning. At end of eight 5 to 3 Phils. Good job by Mr. Madson in this one going two innings allowing no runs.

Shane Victorino led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, went to second on an errant throw to first, was sacrificed to third by Pedro Feliz on a bunt and scored on a squeeze bunt by Carlos Ruiz! Small ball baby! If it didn’t work you can bet your last dollar the talk show discussion would have been second guessing the hell out of that one!

Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 36th save in 36 tries. The Phillies increased their record to 66 and 0 when leading after eight innings. One down, three to go !

Chatter

Skipper Charlie Manuel in his game recap with the Press last night called out the home fans to step up just like the team needs to. Mr. Manuel stated that the fans were flat in the Marlins series and that the team needed their energy to push them along. I wholeheartedly agree with him and in fact listed that as one of my “little things” in a previous blog article the team needed. I also agree with my buddy Al in his response to last nights blog review that I am tired of the blame being funnelled on the skipper, lets all get on the same page folks……… players, coaches, front office, skipper and yes us as fans…………. beat the damn Brew Crew and then sweep the Braves and Nats in the last 12! Who says it can’t be done, not me!

One last thing for tonight, God Bless the memory of those who died on 9/11/01, I like all Americans will never ever forget that horrible day in our history and will always honor those who perished. God Bless America !

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 !

The way Pedro Martinez throws the ball nowadays certainly does not strike fear in the heart of any opposing batter.  Martinez relies on savy and location and is far removed from the power pitcher he was some five years ago.   The same can be said of Phillies starter Jamie Moyer so this matchup was going to be won by whichever veteran had the most command of their control.   The Phillies jumped on Martinez in the second inning as Jayson Werth reached base on a walk and then went to third on a double by Greg Dobbs that was badly misplayed by Met right fielder Fernando Tatis.  Guess if you play a hot dog out of position every now and again you will get some mustard on your face!  Matt Stairs then produced a very professional at bat as he waited for a pitch that he could drive and hit a long sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Werth.  Carlos Ruiz then hit a clutch single to drive home Dobbs who had advanced to third on the sac fly. 

In the Phillies fourth Ryan Howard led off with a double to center field followed by Jayson Werth with a single to put runners on first and third.  Greg Dobbs then belted his second big hit of the game as he took a rare Martinez fast ball over the right field wall for a three run home run!  Carlos Ruiz then doubled down the right field line, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Moyer and scored on a misplayed fly ball by Met left fielder Evans, another guy playing out of position,  that fell in for a double for Jimmy Rollins.

Martinez was done after four innings and left trailing the contest 6 to 0.  Meanwhile Jamie Moyer was brilliant in this one as he pitched seven shutout innings limiting the Mets to only two hits, his location was excellent and had the Met hitters lunging and popping up throughout his stint.  He recorded 12 fly outs and 8 ground outs while striking out one and the Mets only had one runner reach scoring position !  Scott Eyre came on to pitch the eighth and gave up three consecutive doubles after recording two outs that plated two Met runs.  Eyre came up big to end the inning as he struck out Carlos Delgado after going 3 and 1 on the count to him!  Ryan Madson got the first out in the ninth as he struck out Tatis but then gave up a baltimore chop single to Damien Easley and Charlie went to J.C. Romero who came in to get a double play ground ball to end the game! 

Chatter

Charlie Manuel played a hunch again at third base as he started Greg Dobbs again instead of Pedro Feliz.  Dobbs came thru big time and even played an excellent defensive game at third which is not his strong suit.   Ryan Howard made a tremendous defensive play at first base on a scorched ground ball by Carlos Delgado in the third inning.  Pat Burrell got the start off as Charlie chose to go with Matt Stairs in his starting outfield, that paid off for the Fightins as well.  All those moves are what makes Charlie a very good manager to me, anyone can second guess game moves but this guy gets his personell and knows how to use it!  Big game still left for the Fightins in the nightcap of the day/night doubleheader but to me a win there is gravy, Santana will be tough, lets see if our young “ace” Hamels learned from Myers and Moyer !  They got into the Mets heads already with these first two games, can really produce some doubts if it becomes a sweep !  Carlos Ruiz deserves some props in this one as he had three hits in the game.

The Mets sure must be counting on Santana tonight as they used relievers Feliciano, Heilmann, Figueroa and Sanchez in this one albeit none for more than an inning.  Will see if that has any effect on the night game.  The Phils used Eyre, Madson and Romero as well so at the least neither team used their closers.

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 ?