Joe Blanton is a very unassuming young man. He stepped into a very assuming role however as he took the ball for game four of the 2008 World Series. Blanton stepped up big time by pitching six plus strong innings only allowing two runs and even belting a home run to earn his first world series win!

Jimmy Rollins got things started offensively for the Fightins as he usually does when they succeed with a lead off double in the first inning. Rollins advanced to third on a ground out and was actually out in a run down on a ball hit back to the mound by Ryan Howard but was called safe by the ump! Rollins scored on a bases loaded walk by Pat Burrell. The Phillies went up two to zero as Pedro Feliz stroked a two out single to plate a run. The Rays scored their first run on a Carl Crawford solo home run in the third inning.

Ryan Howard put the Phillies up by four with a three run home run in the fourth inning. The big man took a curve ball out to the left field seats! Pinch hitter Eric Hinske took a Blanton fastball out to center field in the fifth to make the score 5-2 but Joe Blanton the hitter got it back by turning a Edwin Jackson 95 mph fast ball into a left field tater in the Phillies fifth ! It was Blanton’s first ever major league home run!

The Rays threatened in the seventh putting two runners on but skipper Charlie Manuel played bullpen shuffle bringing in Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson in to get out of the inning with no damage. Madson pitched a perfect eighth striking out both Carlos Pena and Evan (Eva) Longoria in the midst.

Jimmy Rollins got his third hit of the game in the eighth as he doubled off the wall. He could have been credited with four but the official scorer gave the Rays second sacker an error on a ground ball in the hole earlier in the game. Pretty simple equation for the Fightins, J-Roll gets on they win!! Jayson Werth belted a home run to score Rollins and put the Fightins up by six! Ryan Howard belted another bomb after teammate Chase Utley reached to make it 10-2 Fightins. Howard ended up with five RBI’s in the game! J.C. Romero pitched the ninth to finish the game.

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Cole Hamels goes in game five in a rematch of game one as Scott Kazmir throws for the Rays. Jamie Moyer’s performance in game three was even more remarkable considering he was battling a three day stomach virus that had kept him up most of the prior night! The man is a real pro! One win away boys from being known as the best of 2008 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, kudos to the Phillies advance scouts in supplying the team with a great advance plan on these young Ray hitters. The game plan has been perfect thus far……….one more big one to go !

What a great comeback by the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night! Trailing 5-3 heading into the eighth inning, things did not look good for the Phillies. However, Shane Victorino stepped up bigtime and hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 5-5. It was then pitch hitter Matt Stairs turn to go yard as he delivered the game winning moonshot off of Jonathan Broxton and the Phillies beat the Dodgers 7-5.

Besides the four runs in the eighth inning, the Phillies jumped on the scoreboard in the first inning with two runs. Chase Utley had a rbi double while Jason Werth scored on a rbi ground out by Ryan Howard. Howard would end up scoring the Phillies third run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch as well.

Starting pitcher Joe Blanton tossed five innings as he gave up three runs on seven hits. He did strike out four batters but also walked four batters. It would have nice to see him pitch a little deeper into the game but luckily for the Phillies their bullpen pitched well enough to get the victory.

Chad Durbin was the only relief pitcher to give up any runs as he allowed two in the sixth inning and was quickly pulled. Ryan Madson threw 1 2/3 innings to get the victory in the game. Brad Lidge threw 1 1/3 innings to get the save. Scott Eyre also got into the game as he recorded one out.

Now the Phillies are up 3-1 in the series and will be looking to close things out in L.A. on Wednesday. They will be sending Cole Hamels to the mound and he will be facing off against Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers. I like the Phillies chances of closing out the series with Hamels on the mound that is for sure!

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The Milwaukee Brewers came out with the perfect approach against Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer as they were very patient and made Moyer throw strikes.  The Brewers plated two runs in the first inning as Prince Fielder hit a sacrifice fly to score Mike Cameron and J.J. Hardy singled to plate Bill Hall.  Both Cameron and Hall had reached on walks.   Those were the only runs scored thru four innings as Brewer starter Dave Bush was getting the Phillies out on “at ‘em” balls.  The Phillies hit the ball hard on many occassions but right at Brewer fielders whom to thier credit made every play.

Moyer was pulled for a pinch hitter in the top of the fifth.  He threw only four innings but amassed 90 pitches as the Brewer hitters worked many 3-2 counts.   Milwaukee scored one more in the bottom of the fifth off reliever Clay Condrey.    The Phillies scored in the sixth as Jayson Werth tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a groundout by Ryan Howard.  The Brewers scored again in the seventh off of Scott Eyre as Jason Kendall plated J.J. Hardy who had led off the inning with his third hit of the game. 

The Brewer bullpen was once again dominant as they did not give up a run in four and 2/3 innings of work.  Solomon Torres closed the game out for Milwaukee to earn the save.

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The Milwaukee fans mostly stood thru the entire game, they showed alot of heart and were very loud in their support of the home team.  The Brewers threw big time leather in this game, specifically Craig Counsel at second and Bill Hall at third.     I think that game four is as much of a must win for the Phillies as it is for the Brewers, if Milwaukee can win they gotta like thier chances with C.C. Sabbathia coming back a second time, the Phillies would counter with Cole Hamels which would be a great matchup but not one I want to sit on the edge of my seat for !  Big game tommorrow with Joe Blanton scheduled to take the ball for the Fightins and Jeff Suppan for Milwaukee.

The first round of the playoffs starts tommorrow so I thought it would be a good time to review the matchup and predict the outcome.   Cole Hamels will face off in the first game against a relative unknown Yovani Gallardo.  Gallardo only threw 24 big league innings this year but my son tells me that Gallardo has a live arm and is one to watch in the future.  He had knee surgery only four months ago but worked very hard to push himself back to the show.  The Phillies historically struggle against pitchers they have not seen so not sure what to expect with facing Gallardo.  Hopefully they will figure him out early and get to the Brewer Pen which I think is a weak spot.

The  regular season series went to the Phillies by a count of 5 to 1 in the six games played, included in that tally was a four game series sweep in September that set the stage for the Fightins drive to the N.L. east division title.   It is acknowledged that the Phillies have yet to face Brewer superman C.C. Sabbathia as his turn was not included in the September series and that may have indeed put a different slant on the outcome. 

The Phillies will open the playoff series with young ace Cole Hamels who battled nerves in last years playoff round against Colorado.  Hamels has outstanding stuff and when he is on is very tough to beat, the Phillies have not given him much in offensive support this season else the 14 wins he did get may have been more like 18 to 20.   Sabbathia was forced to throw on Sunday so the Brewers will not have their ace to match up with Hamels in the opener but rather will pitch him in game two on three days rest once again.  No one else in the Brewer starting rotation puts much fear in me at this point, Ben Sheets would but he is hurting physically.  The Phillies will follow Hamels with  righthander Brett Myers, his first playoff start, and then the staff’s best starter Jamie Moyer (16 wins)  in games two and three.  Philadelphia’s bullpen is amongst the best in the game anchored by Brad Lidge who had 41 saves in 41 tries, the team is perfect when leading after eight innings going 79 and 0 when that happens.   Key to the team success will continue to be the relief firm of Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson as they most assuredly will be counted on for innings 7 and 8 and potentially as early as the sixth.  The eighth inning has been the achilles heel this season so these boys gotta step up for the Fightins to have continued success.

Philadelphia’s offense is keyed by National League Home Run and RBI champion Ryan Howard who had a torrid September to carry the team on his back, in my opinion he is the National League MVP.  Other keys to the series will be the spark ignited both defensively and offensively by Jimmy Rollins, as he goes so do the Phillies.  Shane Victorino has been the most consistent Phillie offensively and will have to continue to do so and second sacker Chase Utley will need to continue his steady “best in the game” form at second base.  Jayson Werth and Pat Burrell had big hits down the stretch along with Greg Dobbs who led the National League with over 20 pinch hits this season.  The Phillies led the league in homeruns this season collectively, in short they are a very good offensive ballclub.

The Brewers counter with Ryan Braun and Prince Feilder in the power department and Mike Cameron is one of the games best defensively in the outfield as well as at the plate with 25 bombs this season. Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy are very good players as well and will be a challenge to the Phillies.  Milwaukee did struggle in September,(11-16), and are not as strong in the pen where Solomon Torres,( 7 blown saves), is the closer.  Eric Gagne imploded many times down the stretch so I feel if we can get to their bullpen early we can do some damage with our offense. 

Overall I think that the Brewers  really scuffled in September resulting in the firing of Ned Yost as the  manager and rode Sabbathia heavily to get to the playoffs. I’m hoping that they may be spent by doing so, they also come into the playoffs relatively inexperienced.  Sabbathia pitched on short rest for most of September and albeit he is a true stud should be running on a low tank.  I think that the Phillies are deeper in pitching, are overall better on offense and are at least a match as a defensive team.  It is my opinion that they will win the series in four games, hope that I am right!

Joe Blanton made start number 13 for the Phillies in the opening game of the last series of the regular season in drizzly and cool weather conditions, Blanton came out and shut the Nats down in order to start the game.   Ryan Howard then gave Blanton an early lead by belting his 48th home run of the season in the first inning scoring Chase Utley and Jayson Werth in front of him.   Howard smoked the ball to dead center field and cut it thru a super strong wind to get it out of the park!

Washington scored one in the second on an RBI single by rookie catcher Luke Montz.  It iwas his first major league run batted in.  The Fightins knocked Nats starter Colin Ballistar out of the game by scoring four times in the second as Chase Utley belted a bases loaded double to score Greg Dobbs, Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth.  Ryan Howard then scored Utley with a double of his own.   

The Nationals scored two unearned runs in the fifth inning as Howard booted a ground ball hit by Pete Orr.  They added yet another in the sixth as Kory Casto apparently hit a home run to right field but it was disputed as a fan leaned over the fence.  It marked the first time in a Phillies game where the umpires chose to review a replay to determine if the call would stand, after review they decided it was a home run.   Joe Blanton was pulled after the sixth, he did a credible job giving up four runs, two earned  on five hits and left with a 7-4 lead.

Scott Eyre pitched a perfect seventh striking out two, J-Roll made a tremendous bare hand pick and throw on a ground ball for the third out of the inning !   The Fightins scored one more in the eighth as Chase Utley scored on a passed ball.   Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero combined to pitch a scoreless eighth inning.    Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning and threw a perfect inning striking out two batters.

The Phillies came out very focused in this game led by the big fella Ryan Howard, when they are focused like they were in this one they are indeed a tough crew to beat.   With the Phillies win and the Mets loss to Florida in New York the magic number for the division is now one!  At the least the Phillies have now clinched a tie for the division crown, they can win it on the field tommorrow afternoon in the second game of the series against the Nats………… what better pitcher to have that honor this season than one Mr. Jamie Moyer!

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Ryan Howard set another new team record when he drove in his 32nd run of the month, that is the most in club history for the last month of regular season play.   Another team record was set by the fans, it marked the 48th sellout of the season, close to 3.3 million folks have come thru the turnstiles this season.   At an average modest rate of say $25 per ticket that would generate approximately $80 million in revenue.  I’d say the fans have done their part to justify keeping good players on payroll and going after some others this offseason via free agency !

Charlie Manuel got ejected in the ninth argueing a call on an appeal for what should have been a strike out.  The fans chorused “Charlie, Charlie, Charlie!”……………… good to hear the support for the big fella.

Brett Myers took the hill for the Fightins in the series finale against Atlanta and staggered thru a shaky first inning as the Braves hit him hard and often.  They scored two runs in the first frame on four hits before he was able to coax a ground ball double play ball to end the inning.   The Phillies bounced back in the second to score one as Pat Burrell doubled, went to third on an infield hit by Shane Victorino and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz.

The Braves got the run right back in the third as the key blow was a triple by Brian McCann.  Chase Utley hit his 33rd home run of the year in the home third to make the score 3-2.   Big Ryan Howard tied the game with his 47th home run in the fourth.   Pat Burrell got his second double as he hit an outside pitch perfectly down the right field line which albeit he did not score was a great sign that he is seeing the ball again!  The Braves re-took the lead in the fifth as Brian McCann doubled to score Martin Prado.   That marked the end of Brett Myer’s evening as Charlie Manuel went to Chad Durbin.  Durbin came in and gave up an unearned run on a Ryan Howard error and another on single by Brandon Jones.  Charlie then lifted Durbin for Scott Eyre to face pinch hitter Chipper Jones, remember this is only the fifth inning!    Chipper bombed Eyre with a three run home run……….. Braves took a 9 to 3 lead!

The Braves added a run in the eighth to make it 10-3, included in the mix was a steal of second base up by six…………..old school thought process was to put the next pitch in the batters ear!  J.C. Romero chose not to do that, guess these are not old school times!  There was a bench clearing in the bottom of the eighth though when Julian Taveras chose to physically run over to third base and attempt to “pick off” Shane Victorino.  Victorino took exception with it noting the score to Mr. Taveras!  Both benches cleared shortly thereafter.  No ejections though.  The Phillies did pick up a run to tighten the score to 10-4.

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Some of the loser element of the Fightin’s  faithful tried to start Eagles chants in the eighth…….. give me a break please, either stay with this team to the end or stay home.  

Phillies bats need to wake up this weekend or a possible early winter is at hand, what seemed like a sure playoff berth is now back up for debate.   The Fightins will send Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer and Cole Hamels to the mound but they will need offensive support to succeed.  J-Roll needs to lead the charge and the others must follow!

Don’t know what has happened to Brett Myers the last two games, location was horrible again as too many pitches are middle of the plate, needs to get head back into “pitching” and not “throwing” it would seem.  The Marlins and Braves simply teed off on him these last two contests. Might need him in the bullpen this last weekend and I am sure with his moxy he will make himself available!

 Three left with those pesky “Nats”, a team the Fightins should beat but have historically always played the Phillies tough, expect no different in these three.

This season has been a roller coaster ride so there the fitting end indeed is that it comes down to the last series of the season.  The Mets and Phillies have given their fans agina on many nights but hope on many others, one of the teams is gonna lose out but they have been so close all season what better way than have it decided on the last weekend of the year……..only thing better is if they played head to head to decide it !  Stay tuned Phillie fans, we have felt heartache many times but here is hoping that we are playing next week instead ! 

The Atlanta Braves drew first blood in this one as they scored a first inning run. Martin Prado doubled off Phils starter Cole Hamels and scored on Kelly Johnson’s single. The Phillies tied the game in the home second as Pedro Feliz knocked in Ryan Howard.

Atlanta re-took the lead in the third as Hamels had picked off Kelly Johnson going to third but threw the ball away allowing him to score. Casey Kotchman hit a solo home run in the sixth to put the Braves up 3 to 1. It marked the third time this year that Kotchman has taken Hamels out of the park. The big fella, Ryan Howard led off the home sixth with a triple and scored on an RBI stand up double by Pat Burrell.

Cole Hamels pitched seven effective innings for the Fightins, he struggled early with command but settled in and threw a good game. Hamels gave up 2 earned runs on eight hits and left trailing 3-2. He had seven strikeouts and only issued one walk. Scott Eyre came on in relief and got one out in the eighth before giving the ball to Chad Durbin who got the next two outs. Durbin also recorded the first two outs in the ninth before giving the ball to J.C. Romero who struck out Greg Norton to end the inning.

Mike Gonzalez closed the game for Atlanta as they won 3 to 2.

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Office talk today was whether Ryan Howard is worth the expected big money he is due to receive. If he goes to arbitration again this year he most likely will be seeking between 15 and 18 million. To sign him to a long term contract the Phillies would most likely have to pay an average rate of 20 million or more. Is the big man worth it? My opinion is yes, I think he is an unique player that only comes along infrequently. We are honored as Philly fans to see his efforts on a daily basis, yes he strikes out alot but hey he is a 50 Home Run 130 + RBI guy, how many of those folks exist ? I say he is worth the money and the Phillies should sign him as the cornerstone to our team. Just my opinion but I do not feel equal value would ever be attainable for the big fella in any trade!

Average attendance at Phillies games this year was close to 43,000 per game with 48 games to date being sold out! As stated in last night’s review this season will establish a new attendance record for the club as the attendance will go close to 3.3 million!

The Fightins need to bounce back and win the series tommorrow night. The Mets won so they gain back the game they lost last evening. As of this writing the Brewers were trailing against Pittsburgh.

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 !

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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 !

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!

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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!

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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!