Phillies Nation

27 Responses to “Gigantic 5th Saves Hamels, Phils, Fans, Season”

1. Greg V. Says:
   July 26th, 2008 at 11:38 pm

   I had a really bad feeling that Hamels was going to get lit up today. I can’t imagine all these loses after pitching a countless number of gems this season. That has to mess with the head a bit and sometimes, you just have a lousy outing. I was declaring the season over and everything and then they came back in true Phillies fashion. It’s so easy to become frustrated with this team lately but they did everything right as far as coming back is concerned. Not ready to say that they are a lock for the play offs, but this is the team I know and love. I hope to see more of it.

2. Brian G. Says:
   July 26th, 2008 at 11:44 pm

   Amen

3. NateB Says:
   July 26th, 2008 at 11:58 pm

   The offense definitely owed Hamels this one… to get him off the hook and not get a L was a way to say “thanks for keeping us in every game you pitch and sorry for not getting you 5 more W’s during our slump.” Who knows- this could be the key to the offensive reawakening this season. I almost think subconsciously Hamels gave up the home run to Texiera to see if he could wake up the Phils’ offense. I’m hoping we’ll look back at the season and point to this game as the time the offense came back to life for good.

4. wonderbear Says:
   July 27th, 2008 at 12:00 am

   I am grateful for the comeback win but i will stick to my guns and applaud the day Ryan Howard becomes an American League player. Sure games are won with offense but many of those nine Brave runs would not have been scored if Howard could field. Look at the game replay and see if you don’t agree he should have made the crucial plays on a ground ball and a foul behind first during the Brave rally. That would have shut down the Braves in that inning with but a few runs.

5. Geoff Says:
   July 27th, 2008 at 12:09 am

   Phew. Big game tomorrow for Joe Blanton, I really hope he holds it down tomorrow. I could see him going 8 giving up less than 3. id love to see that out of him a few times down the stretch.

6. that guy Says:
   July 27th, 2008 at 12:10 am

   With the exception of Feliz, we have seen subpar, at best, infielding this year.

7. philsphan Says:
   July 27th, 2008 at 12:23 am

   The Mets lost! Phillies are tied with the Marlins for 2nd and now only one game behind the Mets.

8. Clare Says:
   July 27th, 2008 at 12:24 am

   I really enjoyed this post, nice job!!! I was at this game and me and my friends refused to give up, even after that 9 run inning. And we were right. =)

9. Josh Says:
   July 27th, 2008 at 1:31 am

   I don’t know what team “that guy” is watching, but Howard looks like the only weak fielding link to me in our infield.

10. Geoff Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 1:37 am

    Well, ive calmed down a bit. BUT, I am completely prepared to trade away jimmy rollins for other pieces to the puzzle. im prepared to go with jason donald there, a rookie thrown into the mix. YES. I am sober at the moment. Donalds defense is decent enough. Jimmy could get you an awesome return that could help us immediately.

11. Geoff Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 1:39 am

    that return maybe could be an ace to make hamels the number two. how about that, yeah. anyone that gives up 9 runs in one innings is not an ace, just a number two guy having a bad night. hamels is awesome, but there are plenty of guys who are legit aces we could make a move for. yes.

12. Geoff Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 1:40 am

    maybe we can get aaron rowand back or mak ea move for jason bay.

13. HAHA Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 2:53 am

    Geoff: YES. I am sober at the moment.

14. HAHA Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 2:54 am

    And you’re crazy Cole is definitely an ace.

15. Phil Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 4:07 am

    Cole is an ace. Sabathia’s 1st 3 starts landed him at a 13.00 ERA. Is he not an ace? This game was awesome to watch. I am really excited that the Phillies are turning it around. They had situational hitting. It was such a pleasure to watch aside from Hamels. I wonder if Ruiz was catching if Hamels woulda pitched better?

16. Mark Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 5:09 am

    Still concerned about the offense. Down 9-3, they pounded Hampton and two relievers for a 7 run fifth inning, went ahead and then the offense went back into a shell depending on the bullpen to make a 1 run lead stick over 4 innings. And after Madson waqlked 3 in the sixth inning, it almost didn’t.

    In a game like Saturday night’s, a 1 run lead is anything but safe. The Phils got very lucky.

17. christopher Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 6:17 am

    this game was the ultimate test of faith for me. i’m living in south carolina for the summer, but i’m visiting philly this week because it’s my birthday. i love this team but they’ve been killing me these past two series (i can watch the games on my laptop). and then to start this series off with a game like the first, i was really feeling like giving up. then comes this game, with me and my family there, baking in the sun. and they get off to an early lead playing smart baseball, the type of baseball everyone says this team can’t play. and i think, here we go, hamels starting, early offense… we’re set. and then comes the inning. NINE RUNS. from cole freaking hamels. and i have to admit. i considered right there and then, giving up on this team, for the rest of this season at least. i walked to the back by the bathrooms, called a friend, and cursed and yelled. and he told me this- “they’re a good team. don’t forget that. they’re struggling this game, but no matter what, remember they’re a good team.”

    and so i sat down with my family, and i tried to be reasonable. “if they score two runs, we’ll stay for the rest of the game.” i NEVER leave a game early. but even i was trying to justify why we should stay. and then those two runs came. and then another, and then another. and then- BOOM! i swear, the highest i’ve ever seen a ball hit in person at a game. to say dobbs crushed that ball wouldn’t be fair. he destroyed it. he annihilated it. there was never any doubt, for anyone in the park, from the moment it left his bat, that we had the lead.

    and then every inning after that, you could feel the tension throughout the stadium. but you could also feel the excitement. i’m sure this team is going to make me pull my hair out more than once before the end of the season. but going to this game reminded me of the most important thing, in my biggest moment of doubt- this team is a freakin blast to watch. sure, they’ll make you hate them at times. but when they make you love them? those times, there’s no team i’d rather root for.

18. scot Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 9:26 am

    Great stuff, Tim.

    Similar situation to my day. I was packing up to head to Jersey from CT after Hamels gave up 9 runs, thinking to myself, man the stadium is gonna be a very unhealthy atmosphere sunday. And I get to around Stamford, CT and am hoping I can find the game on ESPN radio. It’s not on there, but somehow in CT I am getting the big talker!!! And Harry is telling me the Phils took the lead 10-9 after a 7 run 5th. Unreal I think. I lose reception around the GWB, and then pick it up again around 16W on the turnpike, and catch the final few innings. Still can’t believe this game actually happened.

19. Bear Mike Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 9:50 am

    You guys did a great job describing the emotions that, I am sure, every die hard Phillies Phan experienced yesterday. What a roller coaster of a game! And as an extra treat, the Mets lost in 14 innings. While that was a great boost for the Phillies, the Mets are playing some hard nosed ball right now. Let’s pray the Phillies can play at their true level the rest of the season just to make it interesting. I am still predicting the Phillies will win the NL East, but it is going to be very tight down thru the stretch. Leaving for the ballpark at 10:30am (#16 for the year). First time I will see Blanton in person.

    GO PHILLIES!!!!!

20. Bear Mike Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 9:56 am

    One more point: On SportsCenter last night, John Kruk blasted Jimmy Rollins saying that he is the key to the Phillies offense. He spoke of the two benchings and what a dissappointment he has been to the Phillies this season. There is such a stark difference right now between Rollins and Reyes, who is on fire lately. Jimmy: nice job yesterday! Keep it up and please get that fire back in your eyes! You have proven that you have the ability to carry this team, now do it!

    GO PHILLIES!!!!!

21. Phil Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 10:00 am

    I had the same emotions. I was watching the game, and then I watched that horrible inning unfold. It wasn’t just Hamels. The defense was horrible. They couldn’t make good plays. There were a lot of balls that Hamels threw for those walks that were definitely strikes. Hamels himself threw the ball away because he was in a rush. It just unfolded for him. I was baffled because Hamels owns the Braves. I’ve been saying this all season though…Chris Coste SHOULD NOT catch Cole Hamels. Hamels is a lot more dominant with Ruiz behind the plate. You can see how well they click. Anyway, I turned the game off, and I went into the kitchen to make homemade pizza for a party. We have a TV in the kitchen specifically so that when the Phils are on we can watch them if we’re cooking/doing dishes/etc. I put the game back on and my gf got on my case about it. She’s like just turn the game off, they suck. I responded by telling her I know, but I’m a masochist. Lately she’s been telling me not to watch them in general because of how stressed I get over their horrible play. Then the bottom of the 5th came. I was washing dishes and wasn’t paying attention and I just hear the fox announcers saying base hit. One thing lead to another, and I was excited to be a Phillies fan again. It was the 2nd time in the past 6 weeks, where I could actually tell they enjoyed being a team. Also, remember when Hamels imploded in Houston in May, and the offense ended up bailing him out? After that we went on a tear and won like 16 of 20. That’s what we needed right now. A crazy winning streak. I hope this offense wakes up from that. GO PHILS!

22. Rick Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 10:10 am

    Holy $#%@! I was at the game yesterday and it was unbelievable. Pregame festivities consisted of the fan photo day where we all were allowed to go onto the field and the players walk around and we were allowed to take pictures.

    All the Phillies were extremely accomodating, posing with anyone whenever asked! It was awesome! My GF took pictures of me with Ryan Howard and Chris Coste. We also got an awesome picture of my idol Jamie Moyer. Only disappointment was that I missed my favorite Phillie, Pat Burrell. Oh well, everything can’t be perfect.

    Anyway, on to the game, we were ready to give up after the Braves 9-run third. It was the lowest point of the Phillies 2008 season and Cole’s worst inning ever.

    That being said, one has to believe this is a turning point. Especially, with the Mets losing on a Pujols extra-inning HR happening on the same day!

    Next year if any of you have a chance to attend the fan photo day, I highly recommend it!

    Go Phillies!

23. Rick Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 10:15 am

    One other thing of note:

    These ballplayers are A LOT bigger than people realize. I’m not a real small guy @ around 5′10″ and 175lbs, but Ryan Howard dwarfs me in the picture!

24. Lewisauce Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 10:29 am

    According to the Phils’ official Web site, the last time Dobbs had a game-winning pinch hit was May 20 against the Nats. After that, the Phils went on a 15-4 tear.

    Fingers crossed …

25. David Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am

    If I remember correctly, several Phillies fans, on this blog, were shitting on their team. NOW, they are extremely optimistic. Your mood swings are sickening. Why don’t you remain faithful? Admit the weaknesses in your team, and gloat on your strong points. Gross.

26. Phil Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 10:46 am

    David, our strong points are our offense and bullpen, and the past 6 weeks our offense has been total shit, and our bullpen has been struggling as well. Surprisingly enough, our rotation which is our weak point, has been pretty solid.

27. Geoff Says:
    July 27th, 2008 at 10:51 am

    Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell are both 6-4

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