The offensive woes continued for the Fightins as Pittsburgh right hander Paul Maholm held the team scoreless thru seven frames on five hits.  Maholm mixed his pitches well,  in particular spotting a nasty hook to keep the hitters off balance.  He struck out the side in the sixth in the midst of a streak of five straight k’s!  Maholm matched his career high of ten strikeouts in the contest.  Maholm was lifted in the top of the eighth for a pinch hitter.

Joe Blanton was even more stingy as he limited the Bucs to only one hit thru seven frames while racking up seven punch outs himself.  He pitched down in the zone the whole game and had only one ball hit hard off of him to the outfield, a line out to right by Brandon Moss who came to the Bucs in the three way Manny deal before the deadline from the BoSox.  Big Joe was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh and deserved a much better fate than a no decision.

Super dependable right hander Chad Durbin pitched a perfect eighth for the Fightins setting the game up for late inning heroics.  Pat Burrell came oh so close to delivering in the home eighth as he crushed a ball to left………… Harry the K started the “outta here” call but the wind was swirling in hard from left and knocked the ball down big time to reduce it to just a fly ball caught on the track!

Durbin got the first out in the ninth and then was lifted in favor of left hander J.C. Romero.  Romero kept the bullpen perfection in tact as he ended the inning on two groundouts. The Phillies continued their scoreless drought in the ninth to send the game into extra innings.  Romero got the first two Pirates in the tenth and then  Brad Lidge was called upon to enter the game and promptly  gave up a check swing single to .161 hitting outfielder Steve Pearce.  He then walked Juan Bautista and Luis Rivas to load the bases!  Lidge then got ex-Phil Jason Michaels to pop up to the catcher to end the inning……… not a thrill ride I wanted to take!

Carlos Ruiz led off the Phillies tenth with a five pitch walk.   Ruiz advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jimmy Rollins and went to third on a ground out to first by Victorino.  With no left handers left in his bullpen Bucco skipper John Russell chose to give both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard intentional walks to load the bases.  Pat Burrell, given a second chance at heroism, failed once more as he popped up to first to end the inning!

The Pirates busted through in the 12th as Ryan Doumit doubled to lead off the inning.  He scored on a double down the left field line by Mendoza line breaker Steve Pearce.  Les Walrond gave up the lead run in his second inning of work in the contest.  He was replaced by Clay Condrey with one out in the frame and two men on.  Condrey gave up the second run with two outs on consecutive infield singles before working out of the inning.

The Phillies did not go quietly in the final at bat by putting two runners on but Craig Hansen still earned his first save of the season for Pittsburgh as Brandon Moss robbed Chase Utley on a diving catch in left field and then doubled Shane Victorino off first base as he thought the ball was thru.  The Fightins have not scored now in 23 consecutive innings as they have been shut out twice in a row.   The Mets defeated the Marlins earlier in the evening so the division lead shrinks to a mere one game.

Chatter

It seems as if Tom Gordon may require season ending Tommy John surgery after his consultation with the team physician.  Gordon will seek a second opinion before deciding on the course of action.  He is forty years young and this type of surgery takes most a couple of years to come back from.  Gordon already had Tommy John surgery early on in his career.  I wish Flash all the best as he is a true warrior who has pitched in pain the past two seasons with no complaints enduring the boo birds as well when things did not go well.   J.A. Happ was optioned to Triple A Lehigh Valley to make room for newly acquired Scott Eyre.  Happ was “hugely disappointed” he said but understood the move.  He should be back in September at the least when rosters expand.  

Game two of the Florida series pitted Kyle Kendrick against the Fish.  Kendrick was staked to an early lead in this one as the Fightins scored one in the first and two in the second.  Chase Utley had the initial key blow, a double to plate the first run while an Eric Bruntlett double in the second plated Geoff Jenkins who had reached on an error, Kendrick then knocked in Buntlett to help his own cause.

 Ryan Howard smashed his 32^nd home run of the season in the Phillies third at bat to make the score 4-0.  Kyle Kendrick pitched six shutout innings to hold the lead, the twenty three year old right hander pitched out of a few jams en route to the quality start as he had his sinker working really well and got great defensive support from his infield.  He did walk five batters but the stellar fielding in particular by third basemen Bruntlett and short stop Jimmy Rollins preserved his shut out performance.

 Mike Cervenak got his first major league hit and RBI in the bottom of the sixth as he pinch hit for Kendrick to knock in Eric Bruntlett to make the score 5 zip.  Chad Durbin pitched scoreless seventh and eighth frames after manager Charlie Manuel had purposely given him the night off last evening.  Durbin has been excellent in his role this year but had pitched in five of the last six games for the Fightins, coupled with the Monday off day it gave Durbin a much needed and earned two day rest. 

 Ryan Madson pitched a perfect ninth inning to complete the shutout.  Madson only needed six pitches to finish the innings, all of the pitches he threw were strikes!  Kyle Kendrick upped his record to 10 and 5.  Since his recall from the minors mid season last year he is 20 and 9!

  Chatter

 The Phillies had minor league pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller on hand at the University of Miami to watch former Phil Freddie Garcia work out on Tuesday but it seems unlikely they would have a genuine interest in re-signing him.  It was reported as more of a cover your bases excursion, apparently fifteen teams watched Garcia throw!  A true indication of how thin pitching is when a guy coming off Tommy John surgery gains that sort of attention deep into August just for a workout!   The more realistic candidate as a potential Phillies signing is left handed reliever Scott Eyre who has cleared waivers after being designated by the Cubs.  Eyre has been on the D.L twice this year and has not pitched well this season albeit he has done so each of the past two seasons…….. us lefties never seem to die and Mr. Eyre most likely will get another look somewhere!

  I was somewhat impressed by Les Walrond’s outing.  He showed a low 90’s fastball and a decent curve ball and cutter, his problem was that he started to nibble after striking out the first batter he faced last night and ended up walking the bases full before giving up a jam shot that scored two.  I think he is worth another look, I remember back to the 70’s an at that time journey man pitcher named Dave Stewart that wore a Phillie uniform early in his career and was given up on…….. he went on to be a stud in Oakland!  Not saying that Waldron is of that ilk but lefties that can throw in the nineties are not readily available!  Tom Gordon had his first rehab appearance in Clearwater earlier this week and threw again this evening but was removed with elbow discomfort; hopes were he might rejoin the bullpen before the end of the month but he will come back to Philly to be examined by the team physician and go from there.   Pedro Feliz is scheduled to come off the DL on Saturday but is still battling lower back issues and most likely will not be reactivated on schedule. 

In need of a strong effort to end a four game losing streak Phillies rookie J.A. Happ did his part by pitching six shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in only his third major league start. Happ was lifted with one out in the seventh frame as the Cardinals put two runners on base with consecutive hits.  His mound opposition Mark Mulder did not make it out of the first inning due to shoulder discomfort.   The veteran was making his first start of the year for the Cardinals as he continues to battle the injury bug.  He was replaced by Brad Thompson who was able to hold the Phillies scoreless thru four frames.

In the fifth inning Carlos Ruiz who has been in a prolonged slump led off with a single to right field.  Ruiz scored the Phillies first run in thirteen innings on a Jimmy Rollins triple off the right center field wall.  The reigning N.L. MVP was erased at the plate going on contact on a ground ball to shortstop by Shane Victorino.   Victorino reached on the play and advanced to second base on Chase Utley’s single.  Victorino scored on a single by Ryan Howard who claimed his league leading 79th RBI.

The Cardinals tied the game in the seventh frame as they sent eight batters to the plate. Albert Pujos delivered a sacrifice fly RBI and Troy Glaus produced the game tying single.  Chad Durbin was able to pitch out of a bases loaded jam to keep the game tied.  Both runs were charged to starter  Happ who pitched to a no decision.

With Tom Gordon recently disabled by the Phillies Clay Condrey was called upon to pitch in a different role as an eighth inning hold was needed. Condrey responded admirably by striking out the side!  Howard blasted his 25th home run to deep right field on a 0-2 count in the Phillies half of the eighth.  Howard’s 80th RBI set a new club record for runs batted in before the All-Star break.  The home run tied him with teammate Utley for the major league lead.  Pedro Feliz provided a cushion by clubbing his 11th home run.  Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning and claimed his 20th save in 20 opportunities earning Condrey his second win of the season.

The 4 to 2 win maintained the Phillies slim one and ½ game lead in the division as both the Marlins and Mets kept pace with wins. The series concludes with an afternoon contest tomorrow as the ageless Jamie Moyer takes the hill for the Fightins.

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies got up 5-0 on the Atlanta Braves and then held off the Braves for a 8-3 victory on Tuesday evening.  Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino both had a great night at the plate for the Philles as they combined for four rbi in the game.

Burrell had a solo home run and a rbi single while Victorino had a two run home run to account for his first two rbi’s.  Victorino then added a two more rbi’s in the ninth inning.  Geoff Jenkins also had one rbi in the game for the Phillies.  Pedro Feliz add a rbi sac fly in the ninth inning for another insurance run.

Kyle Kendrick improved to 8-3 on the season after throwing six innings.  Kendrick threw the ball pretty good as he gave up seven hits and three runs over the six innings of action.  J.C. Romero threw a scoreless seventh inning and then Tom Gordon threw a scoreless eighth inning for the Phillies.  Brad Lidge closed things out in the ninth inning even though it wasn’t a save opportunity.

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies now know what it is like to be limited to only a couple of hits as the A’s limited them to three hits and shut out them out 5-0.  With the three hit, 5-0 shut out, the A’s took two of three games against the Phillies.  It was about the exact opposite of the game the two teams played on Wednesday night.

Shane Victorino had two hits for the Phillies and Pat Burrell had a triple in the ninth inning but that was all the offense for the Phillies against Rich Harden and Alan Embree.

Adam Eaton took the loss after throwing seven innings and giving up six hits and three runs.  Eaton is now a dissapointing 2-6 on the season.  Tom Gordon pitched one inning and gave up another two rns in the eighth inning.  That pretty much put the game out of reach for the Phillies.

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The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Tuesday night and have won the first two games of their four game series.  The Phillies are now on a three game win streak that has improved their record to 35-25.

Pat Burrell had the big hit for the Phillies as he went deep for a two run home run in the sixth inning.  The other Phillies run came in the third inning when Chase Utley had a rbi single that scored Jimmy Rollins.

Adam Eaton pitched 6 2/3 innings and only gave up one run while he recorded his second win of the season.  Eatin is now 2-3 with a 4.63 era.  Tom Gordon did give up one run in the eighth inning and then Brad Lidge shut the door in the ninth inning to get his 15th save of the season.

The Phillies will try to make it four straight on Wednesday night as they take the Reds on in game three of the four game series.

Phillies Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies held on to beat the Cincinnati Reds Monday evening by the score of 5-4.  The Phillies jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning and then put up a three spot in the fourth inning and that was just barely enough to beat the Reds.

Chase Utley got things started in the first inning with a two run home run.  Utley has now hit 21 home runs and has 52 rbi on the season.  In the fourth inning, Pedro Feliz hit a two run home run that was followed by a solo shot by Chris Coste.  Those three swings in the game was all the Phillies would need to get the victory.

Kyle Kendrick improved to 5-2 on the season as he picked up the win after pitching 5 1/3 innings.  Kendrick did allow four earned runs as he gave up two home runs in the game.  Luckily for Kendrick and the Phillies, the bullpen really stepped up and did a good job.

Chad Durbin, Tom Gordon, and Brad Lidge finished things up in the late inning.  Lidge recorded his 14th save of the season.

It took two runs in the eighth inning but the Philadelphia Phillies were able to get by the Houston Astros by the score of 7-5 on Thursday night.  The two teams battled back and forth but in the end it was the Phillies that came out on top.

Ryan Howard went 3-5 in the game including a solo home run and a rbi double.  Howard led the Phillies with two rbi in the game.  Pat Burrell, Chase Utley, Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins, and Carlos Ruiz all had one rbi in the game as well for the Phillies.  The Phillies could have scored a lot more runs then seven as they left 27 runners on base in the game.

Kyle Kendrick got a no decision in the game as he pitched the first five innings of the game.  Kendrick allowed eight hits and five runs in the game.  Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, Tom Gordon, and Brad Lidge pitched final four innings of the game and did not allow a run.  Durbin actually picked up the win for the Phillies and is now 1-1 on the season.  Lidge was making his return to Houston where he used to play as he recorded his 12th save of the season.

Good win for the Phillies as they start off the four game series with the Astros on the right foot.

Astros Blog

The Philadelphia Phillies scored a run in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Washington Natonals 1-0 on Tuesday night.  Pitch hitter Greg Dobbs singled in Eric Bruntlett for the run in the ninth inning.

Starting pitcher Cole Hamels pitched seven innings while only giving up four hits in the game. Hamels got the no decision since there was no run support early in the game.  Tom Gordon picked up the win as he pitched the eighth inning.  Gordon is now 4-2 on the season.  Brad Lidge picked up the save which was his 11th of the season.

The Phillies struggled at the plate as they eight hits in the game but never got the big hit they needed until the ninth inning.  If the Phillies want to really contend in the division for the entire year, they are going to have to get those runs in early in the game.

Phillies Blog

Things got interesting in the top of the ninth inning as the Atlanta Braves scored one run and then had two other runners on base and only down one run but Brad Lidge was able to finally get out of the inning on a fly ball and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Braves 5-4.

Kyle Kendrick improved his record to 3-2 as he earned the victory.  Kendrick tossed six innings and gave up six hits and three runs in the game.  Lidge was able to get his tenth save of the year even though he struggled in the ninth inning.  J.C. Romero and Tom Gordon both pitched a scoreless inning between Kendrick and Lidge.

Jason Werth had four rbi to lead the Phillies.  Werth had two singles that score two runs each time and then another single that scored one run.  Ryan Howard had the other rbi for the Phillies as he singled in a run in the fifth inning.

The Phillies are now 22-18 on the season.  Picking up a win over the divisional rival the Braves is always a good thing!  Phillies Blog