I just saw this the other day, and figured it would be worth sharing. This is Harry's last commercial shoot. I suddenly feel the urge to buy pretzels...
I still miss you, Harry.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Phillies Recap: Phillies-6, Cardinals-1
Game Recap:
The Phillies used the longball to shell Kyle Loshe, getting a two run homer from Jayson Werth, and Ryan Howard's second grand slam of the season to do the damage. Joe Blanton had his best start of the year, and picked up his first win.
What went right?
Jayson Werth went 2-4 with a two run home run to break out of his recent slump.
Ryan Howard continued his domination of the St. Louis Cardinals, going 2-3 with a walk and a grand slam, tying him with a Mike Schmidt for first all time in Phillies history with seven slams.
Shane Victorino increased his hitting streak to 13 games with a single in the fifth inning.
Joe Blanton had possibly the best start for any Phillies pitcher so far this season, allowing just one run and four hits in six innings.
The bullpen once again didn't allow a run, as Scott Eyre, Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin pitched three innings of one hit baseball.
What went wrong?
Aside from Victorino's one hit, he struck out three times.
Pedro Feliz went 0-4, and damn near killed Rick Ankiel in the eighth inning on a fly ball.
Game Analysis:
This was the kind of game that the Phillies needed to win. After splitting a weather stricken series with the Mets, the Phils went to St. Louis to take on one of the best teams in the National League. Kyle Lohse hadn't been roughed around yet this season, while Joe Blanton had looked like the exact opposite of the man the Phillies had traded for last year.
Well, all of that changed tonight. After giving up an early run and getting bailed out of another one by a great play by Chase Utley, Blanton would settle down and pitch his best game of the season. He would only face trouble one more time after loading the bases with just one out in the sixth inning, but got out of it with a strikeout and a weak ground ball to short. Meanwhile, the Phillies didn't get much off of Lohse, but they had him in trouble all night, as his pitch count quickly reached 90 pitches. Of course, he'd allowed two home runs by that point, including Ryan Howard's second grand slam of the season, and the damage was done. While Blanton had trouble getting out of the fifth inning in his last few starts, this time, Lohse was gone after just four and 1/3 innings, and the Phils had the confidence they would need.
With Blanton showing tonight that he can pitch the way he did last year, that has to be a lift to the bullpen. I know I've said it time and time again, but overuse of your bullpen early can kill a team come September and October. Last year, the Phils were able to take the World Series because of how well their bullpen pitched, and if they have a bunch of arms like Chad Durbin's last September, they're not going to be doing anything but watching the World Series. Brett Myers is scheduled to pitch tomorrow, and Cole Hamels comes back hopefully on Friday. Both of those guys need to get back on track, and the Phillies shouldn't have much to worry about. Their offense has already scored 135 runs, good for seventh in baseball, so as long as their starting pitching can get back on track and stop giving up so many damn home runs, they should be just fine. In fact, if the Marlins lose tonight (the game is still going on in the 12th inning), they'll be in first place for the first time this year. Things are starting to look up.
Tomorrow, Brett Myers (1-2, 4.83 ERA) looks to keep the momentum going for the Phillies as he takes on Adam Wainwright (3-0, 2.76 ERA). After this, the Phils head to New York to take on the Mets again, so the momentum needs to continue.
Go Phils!
The Phillies used the longball to shell Kyle Loshe, getting a two run homer from Jayson Werth, and Ryan Howard's second grand slam of the season to do the damage. Joe Blanton had his best start of the year, and picked up his first win.
What went right?
Jayson Werth went 2-4 with a two run home run to break out of his recent slump.
Ryan Howard continued his domination of the St. Louis Cardinals, going 2-3 with a walk and a grand slam, tying him with a Mike Schmidt for first all time in Phillies history with seven slams.
Shane Victorino increased his hitting streak to 13 games with a single in the fifth inning.
Joe Blanton had possibly the best start for any Phillies pitcher so far this season, allowing just one run and four hits in six innings.
The bullpen once again didn't allow a run, as Scott Eyre, Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin pitched three innings of one hit baseball.
What went wrong?
Aside from Victorino's one hit, he struck out three times.
Pedro Feliz went 0-4, and damn near killed Rick Ankiel in the eighth inning on a fly ball.
Game Analysis:
This was the kind of game that the Phillies needed to win. After splitting a weather stricken series with the Mets, the Phils went to St. Louis to take on one of the best teams in the National League. Kyle Lohse hadn't been roughed around yet this season, while Joe Blanton had looked like the exact opposite of the man the Phillies had traded for last year.
Well, all of that changed tonight. After giving up an early run and getting bailed out of another one by a great play by Chase Utley, Blanton would settle down and pitch his best game of the season. He would only face trouble one more time after loading the bases with just one out in the sixth inning, but got out of it with a strikeout and a weak ground ball to short. Meanwhile, the Phillies didn't get much off of Lohse, but they had him in trouble all night, as his pitch count quickly reached 90 pitches. Of course, he'd allowed two home runs by that point, including Ryan Howard's second grand slam of the season, and the damage was done. While Blanton had trouble getting out of the fifth inning in his last few starts, this time, Lohse was gone after just four and 1/3 innings, and the Phils had the confidence they would need.
With Blanton showing tonight that he can pitch the way he did last year, that has to be a lift to the bullpen. I know I've said it time and time again, but overuse of your bullpen early can kill a team come September and October. Last year, the Phils were able to take the World Series because of how well their bullpen pitched, and if they have a bunch of arms like Chad Durbin's last September, they're not going to be doing anything but watching the World Series. Brett Myers is scheduled to pitch tomorrow, and Cole Hamels comes back hopefully on Friday. Both of those guys need to get back on track, and the Phillies shouldn't have much to worry about. Their offense has already scored 135 runs, good for seventh in baseball, so as long as their starting pitching can get back on track and stop giving up so many damn home runs, they should be just fine. In fact, if the Marlins lose tonight (the game is still going on in the 12th inning), they'll be in first place for the first time this year. Things are starting to look up.
Tomorrow, Brett Myers (1-2, 4.83 ERA) looks to keep the momentum going for the Phillies as he takes on Adam Wainwright (3-0, 2.76 ERA). After this, the Phils head to New York to take on the Mets again, so the momentum needs to continue.
Go Phils!
Change in Starters
So it turns out that Adam Wainwright won't be pitching tonight for the Cardinals against the Phillies. Former Phil Kyle Lohse (3-0, 1.97 ERA) will be going tonight. Wainwright will be pitching tomorrow. I feel like the Phils should try and bring in Kaz Matsui, just for tonight.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Phillies/Mets game postponed
Well, that kills my fun for a Sunday afternoon. In case you didn't see already, the weather has forced the Phils and Mets to call off their game today.
Tomorrow, the Phillies travel out to St. Louis to take on the red hot Cardinals. I'm going to assume Joe Blanton (0-2, 8.41 ERA) is going to get the start, to give Cole Hamels and Brett Myers another chance to rest. The Cardinals will be sending Adam Wainwright (3-0, 2.76 ERA) to the hill. This should be a good series to see where the Phils stand in this young season.
Tomorrow, the Phillies travel out to St. Louis to take on the red hot Cardinals. I'm going to assume Joe Blanton (0-2, 8.41 ERA) is going to get the start, to give Cole Hamels and Brett Myers another chance to rest. The Cardinals will be sending Adam Wainwright (3-0, 2.76 ERA) to the hill. This should be a good series to see where the Phils stand in this young season.
Phillie of the Week: April 26-May 2
This week's Phillie of the Week is:
Raul Ibanez
Ibanez continued to make the National League his own personal playground this week, batting .455 with three home runs and ten RBI. One of those long balls happened to be a go ahead grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals. This season, Ibanez is hitting .360 with eight homers and 21 RBI, and he's also scored 21 runs, putting him the top five in the NL in all four categories. I'm just going to say what everyone in left field was saying after that grand slam against the Nationals...
We're not worthy!!
Raul Ibanez
Ibanez continued to make the National League his own personal playground this week, batting .455 with three home runs and ten RBI. One of those long balls happened to be a go ahead grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals. This season, Ibanez is hitting .360 with eight homers and 21 RBI, and he's also scored 21 runs, putting him the top five in the NL in all four categories. I'm just going to say what everyone in left field was saying after that grand slam against the Nationals...
We're not worthy!!
Phillies Recap: Phillies-6, Mets-5
Game Recap:
After blowing an early lead to the Mets, the Phillies came back with a Raul Ibanez home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, then won the game on a bases loaded walk by Shane Victorino in the tenth, giving the Phils their first win against the Mets this season.
What went right?
The previously mentioned Shane Victorino batted in the lead off spot and went 2-5 with a lead off triple and the game winning RBI.
Raul Ibanez continued to make people forget about Pat Burrell, tying the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with his eighth home run of the season, and putting the Phils on the board in the first inning with a sacrifice fly that plated Victorino.
Jimmy Rollins batted in the fifth spot and drove in his seventh run of the year with a single in the first inning.
The Philadelphia bullpen was again excellent, throwing four and 1/3 shutout innings in relief of Jamie Moyer, with Jack Taschner picking up the win.
What went wrong?
Jamie Moyer was squeezed at the plate by the umpire while he was in the game, and he gave up five runs in five and 2/3 innings, including two home runs in the top of the sixth that allowed the Mets to take the lead.
If you're a Mets fan, Oliver Perez only lasted two and 1/3 inning, walking six and allowing four runs. He's really earning that big money contract, isn't he?
Game Analysis:
Now, this is being pieced together from box scores and highlights, since I wasn't able to watch the game yesterday. I was a little busy watching two of my friends get married, and while the groom is a Mets fan, it was a good time.
Even though it's early in the season, you had the feeling that yesterday's game was a must win for the Phillies. They had already dropped the first game of the series to the Mets, and losing the second would have put them back at .500 and given the Mets confidence that we don't want them to have. Instead, the Phils jumped on Oliver Perez early and often, bringing in four runs in the first three innings. I've always said that Perez is either really good, or really, really bad, and yesterday, he was the latter.
Of course, that wasn't enough, as Jamie Moyer wasn't getting his corner pitches called for strikes. That's nothing to worry about, it just happens to be the way the umpire was calling the game yesterday. Jamie will have games like this throughout the season, it's up to the offense to make sure things don't get out of hand. They were up to the task yesterday, even with Chase Utley getting a day off. Charlie Manuel shook up the lineup, moving Jimmy Rollins down to fifth and batting Shane Victorino in the lead off spot, and it worked like a charm. Both Shane and Jimmy had RBIs, and Shane led off the game for the Phils with a triple, then won the game on the oh so exciting walk off walk in the tenth inning. It doesn't have to be fancy, a win is a win, and these are oh so sweet against the Mets.
I'm still concerned about the use of the bullpen this early in the season, though. Brad Lidge was able to pitch, but he walked two batters in his inning of work, as did Ryan Madson. Meanwhile, Clay Condrey has already pitched in 14 games, and while he's only thrown 14.1 innings, you have to wonder if he's going to end up like Chad Durbin did at the end of last year. This team needs J.C. Romero back in the worst way, just for that extra arm in the bullpen. Only 28 more games until he can pitch again!
Today, the Phils go for the series win with Joe Blanton (0-2, 8.41 ERA) opposing John Maine (1-2, 5.40 ERA). Nothing would top this weekend more than beating the Mets two days in a row.
Go Phils!
After blowing an early lead to the Mets, the Phillies came back with a Raul Ibanez home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, then won the game on a bases loaded walk by Shane Victorino in the tenth, giving the Phils their first win against the Mets this season.
What went right?
The previously mentioned Shane Victorino batted in the lead off spot and went 2-5 with a lead off triple and the game winning RBI.
Raul Ibanez continued to make people forget about Pat Burrell, tying the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with his eighth home run of the season, and putting the Phils on the board in the first inning with a sacrifice fly that plated Victorino.
Jimmy Rollins batted in the fifth spot and drove in his seventh run of the year with a single in the first inning.
The Philadelphia bullpen was again excellent, throwing four and 1/3 shutout innings in relief of Jamie Moyer, with Jack Taschner picking up the win.
What went wrong?
Jamie Moyer was squeezed at the plate by the umpire while he was in the game, and he gave up five runs in five and 2/3 innings, including two home runs in the top of the sixth that allowed the Mets to take the lead.
If you're a Mets fan, Oliver Perez only lasted two and 1/3 inning, walking six and allowing four runs. He's really earning that big money contract, isn't he?
Game Analysis:
Now, this is being pieced together from box scores and highlights, since I wasn't able to watch the game yesterday. I was a little busy watching two of my friends get married, and while the groom is a Mets fan, it was a good time.
Even though it's early in the season, you had the feeling that yesterday's game was a must win for the Phillies. They had already dropped the first game of the series to the Mets, and losing the second would have put them back at .500 and given the Mets confidence that we don't want them to have. Instead, the Phils jumped on Oliver Perez early and often, bringing in four runs in the first three innings. I've always said that Perez is either really good, or really, really bad, and yesterday, he was the latter.
Of course, that wasn't enough, as Jamie Moyer wasn't getting his corner pitches called for strikes. That's nothing to worry about, it just happens to be the way the umpire was calling the game yesterday. Jamie will have games like this throughout the season, it's up to the offense to make sure things don't get out of hand. They were up to the task yesterday, even with Chase Utley getting a day off. Charlie Manuel shook up the lineup, moving Jimmy Rollins down to fifth and batting Shane Victorino in the lead off spot, and it worked like a charm. Both Shane and Jimmy had RBIs, and Shane led off the game for the Phils with a triple, then won the game on the oh so exciting walk off walk in the tenth inning. It doesn't have to be fancy, a win is a win, and these are oh so sweet against the Mets.
I'm still concerned about the use of the bullpen this early in the season, though. Brad Lidge was able to pitch, but he walked two batters in his inning of work, as did Ryan Madson. Meanwhile, Clay Condrey has already pitched in 14 games, and while he's only thrown 14.1 innings, you have to wonder if he's going to end up like Chad Durbin did at the end of last year. This team needs J.C. Romero back in the worst way, just for that extra arm in the bullpen. Only 28 more games until he can pitch again!
Today, the Phils go for the series win with Joe Blanton (0-2, 8.41 ERA) opposing John Maine (1-2, 5.40 ERA). Nothing would top this weekend more than beating the Mets two days in a row.
Go Phils!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Phillies Recap: Mets-7, Phillies-4
Game Recap:
The Mets got to Chan Ho Park early and often, lighting him up for seven runs in four and 2/3 innings to win the first game between New York and Philadelphia this season.
What went right?
Chase Utley hit his eighth home run of the season, and his hot start has pretty much eased any doubt people may have had about his recovery from hip surgery. He also had two walks.
Raul Ibanez hit a two run single in the third inning. He finished the day 1-4 with those two RBI.
The Philadelphia bullpen was again superb, going four and 1/3 innings without giving up a run.
What went wrong?
Chan Ho Park laid another egg, walking six and allowing seven runs in just four and 2/3 innings.
Jimmy Rollins went 0-4 and was picked off of first base after a walk, killing what could have been a solid inning.
The Phillies left 13 men on base and couldn't score when they needed to.
Game Analysis:
After a month of April that saw the Phillies struggle, but finish strong, hopes were high tonight that the momentum could continue, especially against the New York Mets. Well, those hopes were dashed quickly as Chan Ho Park was beaten around Citizens Bank Park early and often. He just didn't look comfortable out there, and his six walks in less than five innings was more than enough to show me that. When you add in the eight hits the Mets had off of Park, that's more than enough damage to win against any pitcher.
Of course, the Phillies had their chances tonight. They left runners on base in alomst every inning, and had Chris Coste thrown out at home during the sixth inning to put a stop to what could have been a solid inning. Instead, they dropped their first game against the Mets, and that's what stings the most for Phillies fans. It's not the fact that the Phils lost, we know that's going to happen. It's the fact that they lost...to the Mets.
I don't know about you, but I'm about done with Chan Ho Park in the starting rotation. Almost every time he's been out there, he's been knocked around, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. It's been a month now, and the experiment has to be nearing an end. J.A. Happ has been solid each time that he's come in to relieve Park, and it may be time to switch those two around. Yes, Park was good in Spring Training, but that was then, and this is now. Teams don't necessarily win the World Series on the strength of their fifth starter, but they can damn sure lose because of it, and as long as Chan Ho Park is starting every five days, I don't feel comfortable. The Phils have to do something about this, and soon.
The Phillies look to bounce back tomorrow against the Mets. The ageless Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.09 ERA) takes on the shaky Oliver Perez (1-2, 9.31 ERA). I'm going to be at a wedding, so I won't be able to watch the game. The groom is a Mets fan, so I'll be rooting for the Phils anyway.
The Mets got to Chan Ho Park early and often, lighting him up for seven runs in four and 2/3 innings to win the first game between New York and Philadelphia this season.
What went right?
Chase Utley hit his eighth home run of the season, and his hot start has pretty much eased any doubt people may have had about his recovery from hip surgery. He also had two walks.
Raul Ibanez hit a two run single in the third inning. He finished the day 1-4 with those two RBI.
The Philadelphia bullpen was again superb, going four and 1/3 innings without giving up a run.
What went wrong?
Chan Ho Park laid another egg, walking six and allowing seven runs in just four and 2/3 innings.
Jimmy Rollins went 0-4 and was picked off of first base after a walk, killing what could have been a solid inning.
The Phillies left 13 men on base and couldn't score when they needed to.
Game Analysis:
After a month of April that saw the Phillies struggle, but finish strong, hopes were high tonight that the momentum could continue, especially against the New York Mets. Well, those hopes were dashed quickly as Chan Ho Park was beaten around Citizens Bank Park early and often. He just didn't look comfortable out there, and his six walks in less than five innings was more than enough to show me that. When you add in the eight hits the Mets had off of Park, that's more than enough damage to win against any pitcher.
Of course, the Phillies had their chances tonight. They left runners on base in alomst every inning, and had Chris Coste thrown out at home during the sixth inning to put a stop to what could have been a solid inning. Instead, they dropped their first game against the Mets, and that's what stings the most for Phillies fans. It's not the fact that the Phils lost, we know that's going to happen. It's the fact that they lost...to the Mets.
I don't know about you, but I'm about done with Chan Ho Park in the starting rotation. Almost every time he's been out there, he's been knocked around, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. It's been a month now, and the experiment has to be nearing an end. J.A. Happ has been solid each time that he's come in to relieve Park, and it may be time to switch those two around. Yes, Park was good in Spring Training, but that was then, and this is now. Teams don't necessarily win the World Series on the strength of their fifth starter, but they can damn sure lose because of it, and as long as Chan Ho Park is starting every five days, I don't feel comfortable. The Phils have to do something about this, and soon.
The Phillies look to bounce back tomorrow against the Mets. The ageless Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.09 ERA) takes on the shaky Oliver Perez (1-2, 9.31 ERA). I'm going to be at a wedding, so I won't be able to watch the game. The groom is a Mets fan, so I'll be rooting for the Phils anyway.
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