Philadelphia Phillies, Hamels Win NLDS Opener, Beating Milwaukee Brewers 3-1!

The Philadelphia Phillies took 14 years to win this division. They
finally won the division last year, behind the biggest collapse in MLB
history courtesy of the Mets, and a dramatic last day victory over the
Nationals. But they failed to muster much of anything against the only
team in baseball hotter than them last year, the Rockies. This year,
the Phillies clinched a game early, and while they were resting their
starters during Sunday’s 8-3 victory over the Nationals, the Brewers
were playing a must win game on the final game of the season, with
their ace CC Sabathia out on 3 days rest for the third straight time.
And it took a clutch Ryan Braun 2 run home run in the 8th inning to
beat a bunch of Cubs bench warmers. So with some role reversal in many
ways, the Brewers came out today against the Phillies kind of flat, the
same eerie way the Phillies played against the Rockies in Game 1 last
year…so to the game!

     The Phillies sent out their hardluck ace Cole Hamels who
despite his team leading 3.09 ERA had only 14 wins, and 10 losses,
mostly because of his inept offensive backing whenever he pitched. He
lost quite a few 1-0, 2-0, 3-2 kind of games. But he came out today
with a passion, a fury, and he pitched 8 pristine innings. He struck
out 3 of the first 4 batters he faced, wasn’t touched up with a hit
until the fifth inning, and only allowed one more hit the rest of the
way. His final line:

8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 9 K

Impressive. It really was all the Phillies needed to win, and they
scored enough runs to win in the third inning. Carlos Ruiz singled, and
Cole Hamels made a huge play with his bat, by bunting down the third
base line. At first, it seemed that the play was going to be made at
second, possibly becoming a double play, but instead the ball was
bobbled so the throw to second was out of the question, and on the
throw to first, Ricky Weeks could not make the clean catch, allowing
both runners to be safe. J-Roll and Werth could not get the runs in, so
with 2 outs, Utley hit one deep to center field…and Cameron could not
come down with the catch. This allowed the first two runs to score.
After intentionally walking Ryan Howard, and then giving up a walk to
Burrell to load the bases, another walk was issued to Victorino to
drive in the third and final run of the game for the Phillies. Turns
out it would be the only runs they would need.

When it came to the ninth inning, the score was still 3-0, and Cole
Hamels was on the line of about 100 pitches. Lidge was given the ball
in the ninth, not having pitched in 3 days, and well rested. Lidge came
out and struck out the side, but not until he allowed a run to score,
and the tying run to come up to the plate twice. But he got the job
done as he always has, and the Phillies held on for their first
postseason victory since Game 5 of the 1993 World Series against the
Toronto Blue Jays by a final score of 3-1.

Philadelphia Phillies Clinch NL East!!!

Writing this blog Saturday night would have been ideal, considering
that by default the Mets would have already choked at least one race
away with the Phillies clinching the division with their thrilling 4-3
victory over the Washington Nationals. Although Brad Lidge almost gave
me a heart attack with the most thrilling half of an inning ever known
to Philadelphia baseball, without a doubt. So it was decided to wait
until Monday, in order to not only cover the Phillies season finale,
but to cover the Mets blowing BOTH races…

     By virtue of the Phillies 8-4 win Friday night coupled with a
Mets loss, the Philadelphia Phillies had a 2 game lead with 2 to go
heading into Saturday.  Last year, the Phillies were had a 1 game lead
with 2 to go, but failed to clinch on Saturday, leaving it until the
final game of the season, and the rest is history…The first three innings were rather uneventful as Jamie Moyer and
John Lannan turned the first third of the game into a pitcher’s duel.
It was not until the bottom of the fourth inning when a base hit from
Utley started what would eventually amount to two Sac Fly RBIs by Pat
Burrell and Carlos Ruiz opened up the scoring. After taking a 2-0 lead,
the Phillies gave up a run with two outs, as Jayson Werth could not
come down with the catch near the right field wall which would have
ended the inning, but instead it allowed the runner from second to
score, cutting the Phillies lead in half. But Werth redeemed himself in
the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run, to extend the Phillies
lead back to two runs.

     There would be no further action until the top of the eighth
when with no outs, and runners on second and third, Milledge hit a fly
ball to center. Victorino came in, but was not going to be able to make
the catch. Going for it regardless, he hit into Jimmy Rollins who was
on the run with a better chance to catch it anyway. They collided,
bruising Victorino’s shin, but Rollins made the catch, and the Phillies
were able to escape the inning only allowing one run. Once again though
in the bottom of the inning, the outfielder who committed the blunder
redeemed himself. With two outs, Victorino singles to get on first, and
then rounds the bases on Pedro Feliz’s clutch two out double, to extend
the Phillies lead to two, and giving Brad Lidge some insurance.

Turns out he would need all that, and a little bit more…

     Lidge comes on in the ninth, and easily strikes out pinch
hitter Emilio Bonifacio. One out, two more to go. Easy for Lidge, who
was a perfect 40/40 in save situations this season. What could possibly
go wrong?

Just about almost everything.

     Bernadina comes up, and hits a single to get on. After getting
ahead of pinch hitter Langerhans 1-2, Lidge walks him. Than a Hernandez
single loads the bases. So bases loaded with Ryan Zimmerman up. The
pitch sequence:

1. Ball in Dirt

2. Foul

3. In PLAY! It is hard up the middle! To J-Roll! The Flip to Utley, the Relay to Howard is on the mark!!

ROLLINS SAVES THE GAME! LIDGE GETS THE SAVE! THE PHILLIES CLINCH!!!!!! THE PHILLIES ARE THE 2008 NL EAST CHAMPIONS!!

-And what makes it better is the Met’s flop…of course a Philly fan would think.

Phillies break out the brooms and sweep the Brew Crew out of sole possesion of first place in WC!!

Behind the best played series for the Phillies all year, the Phillies swept the Brew Crew out of sole possession of the Wild Card Standings. Not to mention they gained 1.5 games on the sulking Mets who lost 2 out of 3 to the Braves this weekend (thanks Luis Ayala). But back to the task at hand, which was sweeping the Brewers, and getting into first place, where they now control their destiny. A recap of the series…

Game 1 set the tone: Phillies Game 1 Recap

Game 2: Cole Hamels came out with a solid performance to redeem his disaster against the Mets, and the Phillies only allowed three runs on two HRs. Meanwhile Jimmy Rollins continued his hot streak going 5-5 with a 2R HR, and falling a triple short of the cycle and the Phillies poured on 7 runs. Brad Lidge closed the ninth, and the game. Final: Phillies 7 Brewers 3

Game 3 (Sunday’s Day-Night Doubleheader’s Matinee): Joe Blanton allowed the Brewers to take a 2-0 lead, and then a 3-1 lead on HRs, but settled down to pitch 7 quality innings, while waiting for the offense to heat up. In the 6th, Ryan Howard continued his September tear with a game tying 2R HR, and the Phillies waited until the 8th to break the deadlocks with big hits from Burrell (tie breaking RBI single), and an insurance 3R HR  from Victorino, to pad the final score, which was an encore of Saturday night: Phillies 7 Brewers 3

Game 4 (Sunday’s Day-Night Doubleheader’s Nightcap): B. R. E. T. T. M. Y. E. R. S. C. Y. Y. O. U. N. G. Don’t argue with me…Myers threw a beastly 2H CG, and the Phillies rode Burell’s awakening bat (Solo HR), and Jimmy Rollins (2 RBI), and company to a 6-1 victory, and a clean series sweep of the Brewers.

Results: Brewers forced to watch a Cubbies no-hitter at Miller Park.
Brewers fire Ned Yost!
All hell breaks loose in Milwaukee!! (No I don’t have a link for this one…but is it not quite obvious?

 

Philadelphia Phillies double the Brew Crew up 6-3 behind solid pitching from Moyer, bullpen, and Howard power!

The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Milwaukee Brewers last night 6-3 at Citizen’s Bank Park. Here’s some analysis, performances that stood out on both sides, and a look at tonight’s game 2.

The Phillies needed this game…there is no doubt about this…as a matter of fact they need all games from here on out. No doubt about that at all. So they send out Moyer on short rest. We all know he is 45, etc,etc…but this man came off not only short rest, but two pressure packed starts against the Cubs and Mets. And he won them both with brilliance. So out he gave his all. 5 2/3 of 3 run baseball. He had key strikeouts with men on base, induced key groundouts, etc. What a sigh of relief. And to back him up? Who else better than Ryan Howard (Mr. Power). His electrifying 2 run HR off Sheets in the bottom of the first served a couple of purposes:

1) Gave the Phillies an early lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
2) Broke Sheet’s scoreless innings streak.
3) Set the tone early for the game, and perhaps the series.

And he was not done there…later in the 4th inning, he plated Utley with a shot that bounced off the padding on the CF wall, and bounced back in for a double. So close to his second HR of the evening…but Pedro Feliz made sure Howard would score in that inning by ripping an RBI double which scored Howard from second. So Howard’s 3 RBI which tied the whole Brewer team for runs (Two HR’s one from Hardy, and 2 R HR from Fielder ((his first in 93 AB…also interesting was Moyer gave up a HR to his dad Cecil way back when..)) had a great night. But it was also not to be forgotten of Carlos Ruiz who picked the right time to pick up his anemic bat…he had 2 crucial insurance RBIs which came in the form of an old fashioned double to the gap, and the rare (only 2nd time under Manuel this has been attempted) squeeze bunt, to bring Victorino home in the bottom of the 8th off of third. Great execution. Meanwhile, the bullpen came on, and got the 10 outs to win the game, and Brad Lidge converted yet another save oppurtunity and is now 36-36 in saves.

Tonight’s game 7:05 EST:
Friday, September 12th, 2008
Citizen’s Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Milwaukee (Parra 10-7) @ Philadelphia (Hamels 12-9)

AE vs. Ghost! Phillies vs. Marlins! 2 Takes, 2 Fans, 1 Blog!

The Florida Marlins beat the Phillies 3-0. This is Anthony E. vs. Ghost talking about the Game. 

Chris Volstad’s Line (3-2): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 K, 4 BB. Is he for real?

AE’s
The Phillies Phan Take: Of course this guy looks real. He no hit the
Phillies dynamic lineup through 4 innings, and danced in and out of
trouble with RISP multiple times during his 6 innings of work. Every
time the Phillies got a runner to second, he buckled down. Of course he
is for real.

Ghost’s
Marlins Fan Take: Though he is still a rookie, you can see a trend from
his starts…he’s always had solid outings, not blowing things up nor
imploding…I think he’s just going to get better.

Cole Hamel’s Line (9-8): 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 7 K, BB. Good performance, but a loss?

AE’s
The Phillies Phan Take: Cole Hamels should be called “Hardluck Hamels”
because of the extreme lack of run support he gets. He has lost 1-0,
2-1, 2-0, and 3-2 games all year long. Although he made some stupid
mistakes like leaving an 0-2 pitch up to the 8 hole hitter with a man
on 2nd and 2 outs. He can’t avoid those small mistakes. And when your
luck is down, you have to take what you control into your own hands.
And he deserved the loss becuase the mistakes he made were his own.

Ghost’s
Marlins Fan Take: One of the unfortunates of the game really…he
allowed few hits, fewer runs but his offense gave him no support
whatsoever unlike stowe’s man-bra.

The
Ninth Inning that included a play at the plate and an easy pop fly
dropped five feet away from first base by three players who couldn’t
make a simple play?


AE’s The Phillies Phan Take: In the top of the ninth, Lidge who hasn’t
pitched lately was brought into a non save situation. He got three outs
and held the fort, but allowed a runner to come home, only to be a dead
duck when Jenkins assist from RF sent the Marlins into the bottom of
the ninth with no insurance. Then the Marlins defense made a blunder on
a simple Jason Werth pop up where three players standing 5 feet away
from first base, but Gregg survived Werth reaching third and ended up
saving the game. Drama with no results for the Phillies.

Ghost’s
Marlins Fan Take: Well, from a Marlins fan’s point of view, I saw
nothing I didn’t see before…gut-wrenching, often times
heart-breaking, sometimes ecstasy-inducing drama is a constant and
reliable factor when they play.

Runners LOB. Phillies 10, Marlins 8…bad clutch hitting or good clutch pitching?

AE’s
The Phillies Phan Take: The Phillies streakiness has been horrid. They
score in bunches. They could have won yesterday 1-0. Instead they
scored 5 runs. On a day they needed 4, the couldn’t get one. Runners
LOB is the Phillies fault. Becuase if the pitching was good, there
wouldnt be that many baserunners in the first place.

Ghost’s
Marlins Fan Take: Well I can speak for the Marlins when this is one of
their major concerns…the LOB numbers are horrifying. Not just in this
game, but throughout the season. It’s a aspect they’ve slowly been
correcting, to not depend solely on the deep ball, but to get timely
hits as well. Since it’s a common trend for them, I wouldn’t say it was
Hamels, rather the Marlins inability, still, to drive in runs in.

Overall take of this rubber game? What does this win mean for the Marlins, and this loss for the Phillies?

AE’s
The Phillies Phan Take: Simple. This Phillies loss coupled with a
Marlins win, and a Mets win (they beat the Padres on Wright’s walkoff
2-R HR) means that the Phillies lead the division by only 1.5 games
over the Fish, and 2 over the Amazin’s. Simple. No harm done, as the
Mets and Marlins will play each other, and if the Phillies can take
care of this upcoming Pirates series, this series will be an
afterthought.

Ghost’s
Marlins Fan Take: Apparently unlike everyone is saying the Marlins can
play defense. Apparently unlike everyone thinks the Marlins aren’t a
fluke. Apparently, on the contrary to what the ESPN airheads say, the
Marlins have a solid, young pitching rotation as well as a decent
bullpen. Apparently, the Marlins have a shot at this…doesn’t get any
tougher than taking the series at Philly…go figure huh? You would
have thought it? Ummmm ME!!! thats right, you doubters, you critics,
you mortals!! Suck on this, YANKEES SUCK!

 

AE:
Ghost it was great working on this blog with you. Good Luck to your
Marlins the rest of the way. It should be interesting. I enjoyed it!
(The blog not the game err.)

Ghost:
Yea…well **** and the Phillies. No, just kidding, it’s always fun
watching you writhe in pain knowing that a 20 milliion dollar team is
beating you at home with rookie pitchers. It’s been fortold my
friend…written in the baseball gods baseball rules manual: Marlins
will upset the balance and induce chaos in the sports world every few
years…97….03…..it’s comiiing!!!!  Who’s next? Mets? Where’s
Cheez…ah there you are….hello there….my friend….are you
ready?….ok! great……now **** and get ready….I’m done lol!

AE:
Err..yes. We both hope you enjoyed this blog, and if anyone wants to do
the same thing like a mets fan with me when the Phils play the Mets, or
anyone else, send me a fanmail!

Oh Happy Day! Phils blank Fish 5-0 behind Kendrick’s gem, timely hitting!

Some Headlines:

Kendrick turns in stellar 6 innings of shutout ball.

Howard ties Dunn with his 32nd HR.

Mike Cervanek gets first ML hit, and RBI in 6th inning.

Some Stats:

Kendrick (W 10-5): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER 4 K, 5 BB

Sanchez (L 1-1): 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 K, 3 BB

Howard: 2-5, HR (32), RBI, R

The Game:

Kendrick
danced in and out of trouble for 6 innings, throwing 106 pitches, and
helping himself with an RBI. The Phillies scored in a total of 4 runs
in the first 3 innings, giving the Phils an edge their pitching would
not relinquish. In the 6th Kendrick was replaced by pinch hitter Mike
Cervanek who is 31 and 0-2 in his only major league at-bats. With
Bruntlett on 3rd and the infield in, Cervanek bounced an infield single
past third for his first ML hit/RBI. The bullpen combined for three
scoreless innings as Durbin went two nearly flawless innings, and
Madson sunk the Fish 1-2-3 in the ninth finishing it off with a K to
end the game. Final Score: Phillies-5 Marlins-0

What does this win mean?

This
win means the Phillies even this series, and have won 8
of their last 10. Coupled with a Mets loss, the
Phillies have a 2.5 game lead over the Marlins, and a 3 game lead over
the Mets.

Looking Ahead:

Phillies vs. Marlins

Citizens Bank Park 

Thursday August 7th @ 1:05 

Hamels (9-7) vs. Volstad (2-2)

Oh Happy Day! Phillies hold off Cards in primetime 5-4!

Some Headlines:

Myers turns in another stellar performance.

Ludwick homers for 4th time in 3 games.

Some Stats:

Durbin (W 4-2): 1 IP, 2 H, ER, K, BB

Garcia (L 0-1): 0.1 IP, H, ER

Lidge (S 28): 1 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 K 

Victorino: 1-2, HR (10), 3 RBI, R

Utley: 1-4, HR (28), RBI, R

Ludwick: 2-3, HR (27), 2 RBI, R, BB

Glaus: 2-4, HR (19) 2 RBI, R, 2 K

The Game:

Myers
had tons to prove in this primetime ESPN televised rubber match of the
series/season series. He came out and went 6 strong innings, and so did
Wellemeyer who last faced the Phillies in a 20-2 bashing. Both only
allowed 4 hits, but the bullpens changed this game around. Both
bullpens combined to give up 6 runs over the final 4 innings, and the
big blow came from the bat of Victorino off the bench, a 3 R HR that
left the RF fence in a hurry. Turned out to be the difference, as Lidge
survived a bases loaded one out jam after giving up a Glaus HR in the
ninth, K’ing two rookies for his 28th save in 28 chances. Final Score:
Phillies 5 Cardinals 4

What does this win mean?

This
win means the Phillies win this series and the season series, and and
have won their second straight game in which Myers has started, and 7
of their last 8. Coupled with a Mets loss and a Marlins loss, the
Phillies have a 2.5 game lead over the Marlins, and a 3 game lead over
the Mets.

Looking Ahead:

Phillies vs. Marlins

Citizens Bank Park 

Tuesday August 5th @ 7:05 

Moyer (10-6) vs. Johnson (1-0)

Oh Happy Day! Blanton shines as Phillies beat Cards 2-1!

Some Headlines:

Joe Blanton has his best outing as a Phillie getting his first win in a Phillies uniform.

Some Stats:

Blanton (W 1-0): 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 5 K, 2 BB

Looper (L 10-9): 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 K, 2 BB

Lidge (S 27): 1 IP, H, 2 K 

Howard: 1-1, HR (28), RBI, R, 3 BB

Dobbs: 1-3, HR (4), RBI, R

Ludwick: 1-4, HR (26), RBI, R

The Game:

Blanton
and Looper went toe to toe for 7 innings, both making mistake (s). The
difference in this game? The mistake count was Blanton 1-Looper 2.
Allowing a solo shot to Dobbs, and then Looper’s nemisis Ryan Howard
(4-5 with 4 HRs against him) hit another one to neutralize Ludwick’s
3rd HR in two games against the Phillies, and Brad Lidge avoided a RISP
in the 9th by striking out Ankiel to end the game, and saved his 27th
game in 27th chances. Final Score: Phillies 2 Cardinals 1

What does this win mean?

This
win means the Phillies even the series, and and have won their third
straight game in which Blanton has started. Coupled with a Mets loss
and a Marlins victory, the Phillies have a 1.5 game lead over the
Marlins, and a 2 game lead over the Mets.

Looking Ahead:

Phillies vs. Cardinals

Busch Stadium

Sunday August 3rd @ 8:05 (ON ESPN)

Myers (4-9) vs. Wellemeyer (8-4)

Moyers hasn’t lost to Nats since 91, and doesnt disappoint!!

Some Headlines:

Phillies win their second series in a row.

Jamie Moyer is undefeated against the Nats since 1991..

Phillies regain first place!

Some Stats:

Moyer (W 10-6): 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 3 BB

Redding (L 7-6): 4 IP, 10 H, 7 ER, K, BB

Lidge (S 26): 1 IP, H, K 

Utley: 2-4, 2 RBI, 2-R HR (27)

Victorino: 3-5, 3 RBI, HR (9)

Burrell: 1-4, 2 RBI

The Game:

The
Phillies haven’t scored of Tim Redding in 13 innings coming in..they
made quick work out of him in the first however with 4 straight one out
singles to open up a quick 2-0 lead. Moyer however, gave them all back
and one more in the bottom frame, as he got tattoed with 2 HR and 3 R
in the first. He rebounded however, and went the rest of the game not
allowing another run. And the offense had his back tonight, as Utley
and Victorino went deep. Moyer even helped himself by drawing a walk,
which he would eventually score on due to Rollins RBI single in the 5
run 5th inning the Phillies used to put away the Nats. Brad Lidge
picked up his 26th save in 26 chances, and the final score: Phillies 8
Nationals 5

What does this win mean?

This
win means the Phillies win the series, and and have won their second
straight series against an NL East foe. Coupled with a Mets loss and a
Marlins victory, the Phillies have a .5 game lead over the Mets, and
the Marlins stay close only 1.5 games behind…

Looking Ahead:

Phillies vs. Nationals

Nats Stadium

Thursday July 31st @ 7:10

Kendrick (8-5) vs. Lannan (6-10)

Phillies avoid sweep, as error and Moyer sink Fish 3-0.

Some Headlines:

Phillies avoid sweep.

Jamie Moyer is now 9-0 lifetime against the Marlins.

Some Stats:

Moyer (W 7-3): 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 K, BB

Olsen (L 4-3): 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, ER, 7 K, BB

Lidge (S 18): 1 IP, H, 2 K 

Utley: 2-4, R, BB

Werth: 1-4, RBI

The Game:

Again this game started out like all the others. A pitching duel. Olsen and Moyer both were dealing almost flawlessly for quite some time. It wasn’t until the 6th inning with J-Roll on 3rd, and Victorino on 2nd that Olsen ran into trouble. He had 2 outs, and Ryan Howard was down 0-2. Olsen’s throw goes wild. J-Roll scores from 3rd, and then Treanor made a throwing error trying to prevent another run, and instead Victorino slid safely home. Meanwhile, Moyer had a no-no going through 6.1 IP, and even though he lost the no-hitter in the 6th, he still pitched a 3 H shutout into the eighth, while the Phils added an insurance run in the 8th off of Jayson Werth’s RBI single. Brad Lidge came on for the save and converted for the 18th time in 18 tries. Final score: Phillies 3 Marlins 0.

What does this win mean?

This win means the Phillies avoid a sweep, push their division lead to 3 games over the Marlins, and are now 4-2 on this current 9 game roadtrip.

Looking Ahead:

Phillies vs. Cardinals

Busch Stadium 

Friday June 13th @ 8:15 

Kendrick (5-2) vs. Wellemeyer (7-1) 

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