Game Recap:
Joe Blanton didn't make it out of the fifth inning, and furious ninth inning rally for the Phils came up just short as they lost the last game of their series to Washington.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
Chase Utley was 2-5 with a run scored and an RBI.
Matt Stairs hit a pinch hit grand slam in the ninth inning.
Jimmy Rollins went 2-5 and scored a run.
After Joe Blanton left the game, the bullpen didn't allow another run and only gave up two hits.
What went wrong?
Ryan Howard had an RBI, but went 0-4 and hit into a game ending double play.
Raul Ibanez went 0-4.
Joe Blanton allowed eight runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings. He walked four and struck out four.
Game Analysis:
Not the prettiest game in the world, but these things happen from time to time. It took a while, but Joe Blanton got hit up again, putting the Phillies in a big hole. Even with Matt Stairs launching a pinch hit grand slam in the ninth inning, the Phils just couldn't climb all the way back, even though they came close.
Honestly, Joe Blanton has been so good lately that one bad game isn't cause for concern. Every pitcher has a bad game from time to time. Look at what Cliff Lee has been doing since he started 5-0 with the Phils. I don't think you have to worry about the way he pitched last night. He's been overdue for one of these starts for a while, and I'm actually glad that it happened now instead of in the playoffs.
I did like seeing the Phillies at least attempt to come back from an 8-2 hole in the ninth inning. Those are the kind of things that you want to see out of team in the middle of the playoff hunt, and it's what the Phils did so well last season. This team never says uncle, and they showed that last night, even in defeat.
Honestly, the next seven games are the make or break point of the season for the Phillies. They have the Mets for four over the weekend, then play the Nationals for another three before starting a ten game road trip against the Braves, Marlins and Brewers. That road trip is going to be key, since the Phillies still have six games against Florida, and that series in Miami could either bury the Marlins or give them new life. I'm not used to seeing the Phillies ahead at this point of the season, but being five up with 24 games to play is a good thing. All that matters now is that the Phils keep winning, so those last three games against the Marlins don't even matter.
Tonight, Cole Hamels (8-9, 4.32 ERA) takes on former Phillie Nelson Figueroa (2-4, 4.74 ERA) and the Mets.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Phillies Recap: Phillies-6, Nationals-5
Game Recap:
Home runs by Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz in the seventh inning proved to be the difference, as Cliff Lee got the Phillies their second straight win.
What went right?
Raul Ibanez went 2-5 with an RBI.
Jayson Werth was 2-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
Pedro Feliz went 2-3 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored.
Ryan Howard went 1-3 with two walks and a run scored.
Cliff Lee pitched seven innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on ten hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four. He also went 1-4 at the plate with an RBI.
Ryan Madson ran into a little trouble in the ninth, but got Adam Dunn to line into a game ending double play to pick up the save.
What went wrong?
Chase Utley was 0-5.
Paul Bako was 0-2, and was lifted for a pinch hitter before Cliff Lee came out of the game.
Game Analysis:
It wasn't a perfect game by any stretch, but the Phillies managed to hold on for the second straight night against a pesky Washington Nationals team. The Nationals may be the worst team in baseball, but they are a tough bunch that will hang around until the very end. They did the same thing last year, and they're doing it again this season. Luckily for the Phillies, there's nothing like playing the worst team in baseball to take care of a losing streak. Cliff Lee wasn't great, but after his last two starts, anything would be an improvement, and tonight he went seven innings, which is a good run for a starting pitcher. He still gave up a lot of hits and had some trouble, but he got out of it, and the offense put him in position to win the game.
For the second straight night, the offense finally looked like it was coming back. Raul Ibanez looked sharp again, hitting two doubles and driving in a run, while Jayson Werth smacked his 33rd home run of the season, making him a serious contender to get to 40 homers for the season. Pedro Feliz followed Werth up with a shot of his own, which would be the right stuff for the Phils tonight.
Ryan Madson didn't have his best stuff tonight when he was called upon to close, but he did enough to get the job done. He allowed a leadoff single and a stolen base, but struck out Christian Guzman and then got Adam Dunn to line into a double play to end the game. It's the sort of thing that Brad Lidge hasn't been able to do much this year. I honestly feel that if Lidge had been in that game, Dunn probably would have hit a pitch so far it may just be landing right now, and the Phillies would only be up five games on Florida. Instead, Madson got a slow line drive to Utley, who caught Justin Maxwell straying too far from second base. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.
There are going to be some people that will point to this and say that Madson doesn't have what it takes to be a closer. You know what, back in June, I may have agreed with you, but not now. Not after Brad Lidge has blown ten saves and cost the Phillies more wins than any closer I can remember. The Phillies could have had a chance to be at almost 90 wins right now this season. Instead, they're still leading the National League East, but not by nearly as much as they could be. Right now, it looks like Charlie Manuel is going to do a bit of closer by committee, and while that might upset some people, I'd rather see Ryan Madson or Brett Myers coming in to fix the mess that Brad Lidge started rather than just seeing Lidge out there, blowing another save. The Phils have another month to work this out, it's just a matter of sitting back and seeing what happens down the stretch.
Tomorrow, Joe Blanton (9-6, 3.80 ERA) looks for his 10th win of the season. He'll be going up against Livan Hernandez (7-10, 5.44 ERA). The Phils are going for the sweep tomorrow, so let's see if they can get it. Go Phils!
Home runs by Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz in the seventh inning proved to be the difference, as Cliff Lee got the Phillies their second straight win.
What went right?
Raul Ibanez went 2-5 with an RBI.
Jayson Werth was 2-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
Pedro Feliz went 2-3 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored.
Ryan Howard went 1-3 with two walks and a run scored.
Cliff Lee pitched seven innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on ten hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four. He also went 1-4 at the plate with an RBI.
Ryan Madson ran into a little trouble in the ninth, but got Adam Dunn to line into a game ending double play to pick up the save.
What went wrong?
Chase Utley was 0-5.
Paul Bako was 0-2, and was lifted for a pinch hitter before Cliff Lee came out of the game.
Game Analysis:
It wasn't a perfect game by any stretch, but the Phillies managed to hold on for the second straight night against a pesky Washington Nationals team. The Nationals may be the worst team in baseball, but they are a tough bunch that will hang around until the very end. They did the same thing last year, and they're doing it again this season. Luckily for the Phillies, there's nothing like playing the worst team in baseball to take care of a losing streak. Cliff Lee wasn't great, but after his last two starts, anything would be an improvement, and tonight he went seven innings, which is a good run for a starting pitcher. He still gave up a lot of hits and had some trouble, but he got out of it, and the offense put him in position to win the game.
For the second straight night, the offense finally looked like it was coming back. Raul Ibanez looked sharp again, hitting two doubles and driving in a run, while Jayson Werth smacked his 33rd home run of the season, making him a serious contender to get to 40 homers for the season. Pedro Feliz followed Werth up with a shot of his own, which would be the right stuff for the Phils tonight.
Ryan Madson didn't have his best stuff tonight when he was called upon to close, but he did enough to get the job done. He allowed a leadoff single and a stolen base, but struck out Christian Guzman and then got Adam Dunn to line into a double play to end the game. It's the sort of thing that Brad Lidge hasn't been able to do much this year. I honestly feel that if Lidge had been in that game, Dunn probably would have hit a pitch so far it may just be landing right now, and the Phillies would only be up five games on Florida. Instead, Madson got a slow line drive to Utley, who caught Justin Maxwell straying too far from second base. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.
There are going to be some people that will point to this and say that Madson doesn't have what it takes to be a closer. You know what, back in June, I may have agreed with you, but not now. Not after Brad Lidge has blown ten saves and cost the Phillies more wins than any closer I can remember. The Phillies could have had a chance to be at almost 90 wins right now this season. Instead, they're still leading the National League East, but not by nearly as much as they could be. Right now, it looks like Charlie Manuel is going to do a bit of closer by committee, and while that might upset some people, I'd rather see Ryan Madson or Brett Myers coming in to fix the mess that Brad Lidge started rather than just seeing Lidge out there, blowing another save. The Phils have another month to work this out, it's just a matter of sitting back and seeing what happens down the stretch.
Tomorrow, Joe Blanton (9-6, 3.80 ERA) looks for his 10th win of the season. He'll be going up against Livan Hernandez (7-10, 5.44 ERA). The Phils are going for the sweep tomorrow, so let's see if they can get it. Go Phils!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Phillies Recap: Phillies-5, Nationals-3
Game Recap:
The Phillies hit five home runs to go along with 6.2 innings from Pedro Martinez to break their four game losing streak.
What went right?
Chase Utley went 1-3 with a solo home run.
Jayson Werth was 1-4 with a solo home run.
Raul Ibanez went 3-4 with two home runs.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-3 and had a solo home run.
Pedro Martinez allowed three runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
What went wrong?
Jimmy Rollins was 0-4.
Ryan Howard was 0-4.
Pedro Feliz went 0-4.
Brad Lidge couldn't make it out of the ninth inning, loading the bases while recording only one out. He walked a batter, gave up a hit, and hit a batter.
Game Analysis:
Boy, it sure is nice to see the Phillies on offense again, isn't it? After the bats went quiet in Houston all weekend, the Phils at least brought them out for some longballs tonight in Washington. It wasn't pretty watching them hit five solo homers, but I'll take it, especially after the weekend series with the Astros.
It looks like Raul Ibanez might be back on the right track now. His two home runs tonight give him three in the last two games, and while they've all been solo shots, it's just nice to see him hitting again. That cold stretch he was on after he returned from the DL was nasty, and while it's only been two good games in a row, it's just a good thing to see him helping the Phils out again, particularly when Ryan Howard couldn't get anything going tonight.
Of course, that isn't the main story coming out of this game. Tonight, it's all about the ninth inning. After getting an out with a man on, Brad Lidge fell apart, again. He hit a batter, then walked the next batter to load the bases with one out and the heart of Washington's order coming up. This time, Charlie Manuel made a move and brought in Ryan Madson, who set down Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn without much of a problem. The question is, what does this mean for the Phillies and their bullpen? Is Brad Lidge still the closer, or is it going to be a situation where Madson comes in to put out any fires that Lidge can't handle? One thing is certain though, and that's the fact that Brad Lidge has lost his mojo this year. He doesn't have the same edge that he had last season, and he's paying for that.
Yes, it's just one game, and Madson didn't look that sharp when he had to close in June, but the fact is that he came in with the bases loaded and retired the two toughest hitters in the Washington lineup. I don't know what Charlie is going to do from here, but if Lidge can't get it done, maybe Madson can. Tonight just brought that idea to the front of the line.
Tomorrow, Cliff Lee (12-11, 3.06 ERA) looks to get back on track after two nasty starts. He'll be facing Garrett Mock (3-7, 5.63 ERA).
The Phillies hit five home runs to go along with 6.2 innings from Pedro Martinez to break their four game losing streak.
What went right?
Chase Utley went 1-3 with a solo home run.
Jayson Werth was 1-4 with a solo home run.
Raul Ibanez went 3-4 with two home runs.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-3 and had a solo home run.
Pedro Martinez allowed three runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
What went wrong?
Jimmy Rollins was 0-4.
Ryan Howard was 0-4.
Pedro Feliz went 0-4.
Brad Lidge couldn't make it out of the ninth inning, loading the bases while recording only one out. He walked a batter, gave up a hit, and hit a batter.
Game Analysis:
Boy, it sure is nice to see the Phillies on offense again, isn't it? After the bats went quiet in Houston all weekend, the Phils at least brought them out for some longballs tonight in Washington. It wasn't pretty watching them hit five solo homers, but I'll take it, especially after the weekend series with the Astros.
It looks like Raul Ibanez might be back on the right track now. His two home runs tonight give him three in the last two games, and while they've all been solo shots, it's just nice to see him hitting again. That cold stretch he was on after he returned from the DL was nasty, and while it's only been two good games in a row, it's just a good thing to see him helping the Phils out again, particularly when Ryan Howard couldn't get anything going tonight.
Of course, that isn't the main story coming out of this game. Tonight, it's all about the ninth inning. After getting an out with a man on, Brad Lidge fell apart, again. He hit a batter, then walked the next batter to load the bases with one out and the heart of Washington's order coming up. This time, Charlie Manuel made a move and brought in Ryan Madson, who set down Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn without much of a problem. The question is, what does this mean for the Phillies and their bullpen? Is Brad Lidge still the closer, or is it going to be a situation where Madson comes in to put out any fires that Lidge can't handle? One thing is certain though, and that's the fact that Brad Lidge has lost his mojo this year. He doesn't have the same edge that he had last season, and he's paying for that.
Yes, it's just one game, and Madson didn't look that sharp when he had to close in June, but the fact is that he came in with the bases loaded and retired the two toughest hitters in the Washington lineup. I don't know what Charlie is going to do from here, but if Lidge can't get it done, maybe Madson can. Tonight just brought that idea to the front of the line.
Tomorrow, Cliff Lee (12-11, 3.06 ERA) looks to get back on track after two nasty starts. He'll be facing Garrett Mock (3-7, 5.63 ERA).
Post Labor Day Aftermath
So, the last weekend didn't go so well for the Phils, did it? I'm not going to break down the last two games, since they're pretty much the same thing.
It's real simple right now...the Phillies aren't hitting the ball. It's the same thing they went through at the end of June when they got smacked around by the AL East. The pitching has been solid, but the bats are quiet. That's going to have to change soon, since the season is coming to a close. I'm not happy about it, but I'm not that worried.
This happens from time to time with the Phils. They'll go into an offensive funk, then play lights out for about a month. If things line up right this year, their next hot streak should be coming up in about two weeks, just in time for the stretch run and the playoffs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Tonight, Pedro Martinez (3-0, 3.52 ERA) can hopefully get the Phillies at least a win. He'll be facing Washington's John Lannon (8-10, 4.09 ERA).
It's real simple right now...the Phillies aren't hitting the ball. It's the same thing they went through at the end of June when they got smacked around by the AL East. The pitching has been solid, but the bats are quiet. That's going to have to change soon, since the season is coming to a close. I'm not happy about it, but I'm not that worried.
This happens from time to time with the Phils. They'll go into an offensive funk, then play lights out for about a month. If things line up right this year, their next hot streak should be coming up in about two weeks, just in time for the stretch run and the playoffs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Tonight, Pedro Martinez (3-0, 3.52 ERA) can hopefully get the Phillies at least a win. He'll be facing Washington's John Lannon (8-10, 4.09 ERA).
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Phillie of the Week: August 30-September 5
The Phillies didn't have the best week this time out, getting shut out twice and losing one game in the bottom of the ninth inning. However, one player stood out with his effort. This week's Phillie of the Week is:
Cole Hamels
Cole pitched a complete game shutout against the Giants on Tuesday, allowing just two hits and striking out nine. He needs to keep up his recent hot streak for the stretch run.
Cole Hamels
Cole pitched a complete game shutout against the Giants on Tuesday, allowing just two hits and striking out nine. He needs to keep up his recent hot streak for the stretch run.
Phillies Recap: Astros-5, Phillies-4
Game Recap:
Brad Lidge blew his 10th save of the season as the Astros scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to rally past the Phils last night.
What went right?
Ryan Howard went 1-3 with a triple and an RBI.
Pedro Feliz was 2-4 with an RBI.
Ben Francisco had a pinch hit RBI in the eighth inning.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-2 with an RBI.
Miguel Cairo was 2-4.
Joe Blanton pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino was 0-5.
Jayson Werth went 0-4.
Brad Lidge blew his 10th save of the year, allowing two runs on two hits in two thirds of an inning. He walked two batters and struck out one.
Game Analysis:
That's enough, Brad Lidge. Last night felt like a game from 2008. The Phillies were down, but managed to come back in the late innings and turn the game over to their bullpen. Unlike 2008, the Phillies couldn't keep the lead, as Brad Lidge blew another save, giving him ten blown saves on the season. If there is one thing that is keeping the Phillies from being even better than last season, it is Brad Lidge this year. Last year, the Phillies never lost a game that they led going into the ninth inning. This year, it's a whole different story.
Lidge has been nothing but trouble all year, and every time it looks like he's turned the corner, he ends up right back where he started from. Last night should have been easy. Lidge struck the first batter out, then ran an 0-2 count on the second batter, only to have him work a walk. By the time Kaz Matsui had come up, the bases were loaded, and somehow, there was another out. Of course, Matsui has killed the Phils before, and he did it again last night. Last year, Lidge would have worked through this, but it's not 2008 anymore.
Brett Myers came back last night and pitched a scoreless eighth inning, getting out of some trouble when he walked a batter. Lidge is shot as a closer this year. His nerves are gone, and there's nothing left to try and fix. Myers needs to be made the closer, today. It's time to make a change, Charlie.
Today, Cole Hamels (8-8, 4.26 ERA) can hopefully keep his scoreless innings streak alive as he faces Bud Norris (3-3, 6.61 ERA).
Brad Lidge blew his 10th save of the season as the Astros scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to rally past the Phils last night.
What went right?
Ryan Howard went 1-3 with a triple and an RBI.
Pedro Feliz was 2-4 with an RBI.
Ben Francisco had a pinch hit RBI in the eighth inning.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-2 with an RBI.
Miguel Cairo was 2-4.
Joe Blanton pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino was 0-5.
Jayson Werth went 0-4.
Brad Lidge blew his 10th save of the year, allowing two runs on two hits in two thirds of an inning. He walked two batters and struck out one.
Game Analysis:
That's enough, Brad Lidge. Last night felt like a game from 2008. The Phillies were down, but managed to come back in the late innings and turn the game over to their bullpen. Unlike 2008, the Phillies couldn't keep the lead, as Brad Lidge blew another save, giving him ten blown saves on the season. If there is one thing that is keeping the Phillies from being even better than last season, it is Brad Lidge this year. Last year, the Phillies never lost a game that they led going into the ninth inning. This year, it's a whole different story.
Lidge has been nothing but trouble all year, and every time it looks like he's turned the corner, he ends up right back where he started from. Last night should have been easy. Lidge struck the first batter out, then ran an 0-2 count on the second batter, only to have him work a walk. By the time Kaz Matsui had come up, the bases were loaded, and somehow, there was another out. Of course, Matsui has killed the Phils before, and he did it again last night. Last year, Lidge would have worked through this, but it's not 2008 anymore.
Brett Myers came back last night and pitched a scoreless eighth inning, getting out of some trouble when he walked a batter. Lidge is shot as a closer this year. His nerves are gone, and there's nothing left to try and fix. Myers needs to be made the closer, today. It's time to make a change, Charlie.
Today, Cole Hamels (8-8, 4.26 ERA) can hopefully keep his scoreless innings streak alive as he faces Bud Norris (3-3, 6.61 ERA).
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Phillies Recap: Astros-7, Phillies-0
Game Recap:
Cliff Lee only lasted three innings as the Phillies were shut out for the second time in three games.
What went right?
Carlos Ruiz was 3-4.
I've got nothing else.
What went wrong?
Cliff Lee only pitched three innings, allowing six runs on nine hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.
The Phillies left nine men on base.
I'm not going to break down every last member of the lineup that sucked last night, but it was most of them.
Game Analysis:
Where the hell has the offense gone for the Phillies? In their last ten games, the Phils have scored just 21 runs, and have gone 5-5. While the fact that they've won five of their last ten games with just 21 runs is impressive, the fact of the matter is that their offense has hit a serious funk, and they're going to need to break out of it if they want to go deep into the playoffs once again.
Couple the poor offense with another bad start by Cliff Lee, and you've got yourself one bad game to watch if you're a Phillies fan. Nothing went right last night, as Lee was roughed up for four runs in the second inning, two of which came on a double by the opposing pitcher, and he just never seemed to get into a groove. It didn't look like he was hitting his spots again, and though he's been roughed up in two straight starts, I'm not worried yet. He had a stretch like this earlier this year with the Indians, and look how well he came out of that. If this keeps up for a few more starts, with the playoffs looming, I might get a little more nervous, but for now, I'm more worried about the offense.
The Phillies have got to get out of this hole on offense. Raul Ibanez has got to start hitting again, and Shane Victorino has got to be more patient at the plate. Those two have been the main culprits during this funk, and I'm going to be looking towards them to get the Phillies back to where their offense was about a month ago. It has to happen.
Tonight, Joe Blanton (9-6, 3.77 ERA) goes for his tenth win of the season against a guy that's owned the Phils recently in Roy Oswalt (8-5, 3.80 ERA). Hopefully, the Phillies can snap out of this nasty groove their in and take it to Oswalt tonight.
Cliff Lee only lasted three innings as the Phillies were shut out for the second time in three games.
What went right?
Carlos Ruiz was 3-4.
I've got nothing else.
What went wrong?
Cliff Lee only pitched three innings, allowing six runs on nine hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.
The Phillies left nine men on base.
I'm not going to break down every last member of the lineup that sucked last night, but it was most of them.
Game Analysis:
Where the hell has the offense gone for the Phillies? In their last ten games, the Phils have scored just 21 runs, and have gone 5-5. While the fact that they've won five of their last ten games with just 21 runs is impressive, the fact of the matter is that their offense has hit a serious funk, and they're going to need to break out of it if they want to go deep into the playoffs once again.
Couple the poor offense with another bad start by Cliff Lee, and you've got yourself one bad game to watch if you're a Phillies fan. Nothing went right last night, as Lee was roughed up for four runs in the second inning, two of which came on a double by the opposing pitcher, and he just never seemed to get into a groove. It didn't look like he was hitting his spots again, and though he's been roughed up in two straight starts, I'm not worried yet. He had a stretch like this earlier this year with the Indians, and look how well he came out of that. If this keeps up for a few more starts, with the playoffs looming, I might get a little more nervous, but for now, I'm more worried about the offense.
The Phillies have got to get out of this hole on offense. Raul Ibanez has got to start hitting again, and Shane Victorino has got to be more patient at the plate. Those two have been the main culprits during this funk, and I'm going to be looking towards them to get the Phillies back to where their offense was about a month ago. It has to happen.
Tonight, Joe Blanton (9-6, 3.77 ERA) goes for his tenth win of the season against a guy that's owned the Phils recently in Roy Oswalt (8-5, 3.80 ERA). Hopefully, the Phillies can snap out of this nasty groove their in and take it to Oswalt tonight.
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