Phillies Nation

58 Responses to “Phils Dispose Of Braves, Finally Win A Series”

1. Brooks Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 3:32 am

   That hr exploded off Howard’s bat.
   Cox said after the game, “that guy is strong, he hit it with one hand”.

   Nice to see Jimmy making good contact – nice to have ‘home cookin’

2. Len Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 4:11 am

   I hate to correct. Ryan Howard is not the youngest to reach 150 home runs, but he might be the fastest to 150 home runs. I think the youngest players to reach that mark are Foxx, Rodriguez, and Griffey Jr.

3. Peter Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 6:09 am

   Not to be a “Chipper Jones” on this issue but THANK GOD interleague play is over! Go Phils, I hate the stinking braves and whiny Chipper Jones.

4. Mark Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 7:01 am

   Looking forward to a sweep! That would feel great going home to meet the Mets.

5. Rob Cowie Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 7:16 am

   Hopefully Howard switches out his congrete glove and jelly throwing arm for this upcomming contest

6. Peter Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 am

   How many “tools” does Howard have? One BIG one, right? Power. Seriously when I watch Phils pitchers throw to first for a pick off I’ve noticed Howard is focused on just catching the ball, he doesn’t even try to apply a tag — with his fielding and strikeouts he drives me nuts. To be positive, there is definitely merit in the fact he provides that “knock out” punch in the middle of the line up and, more important, he’s a Philly (is that the singular of Phillies?) and I have to love him. .

7. Mike T. Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 7:57 am

   I want the Mets right now – I can’t wait.

8. Mike T. Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 am

   The singular would be “Phillie”.

9. Bill Says:
   July 3rd, 2008 at 8:06 am

   Can anyone tell me why Howard doesn’t come out in the late innings for a defensive replacement? If Burrell can come out, why not Howard. Surely Howard’s glove is more of a liability than Burrell’s.

10. scot Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:12 am

    Was anybody else puzzled by using Lidge these past two nights. I mean was it really necessary with a 5 run lead one night and a 4 run lead last night. Take Howard’s errors and the bases loaded out of the equation. If Lidge is unavailable in a close game against the Mets this weekend, because he’s worked a few days in a row over this Braves series, I’ll be irritated.

    That said, I do understand wanting to slam the door and get a series win. Good stuff from Howard, Coste and Jimmy at the plate. It feels like it’s been forever since even a mini winning streak.

11. Mike T. Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 am

    Even though Howard is a below average to average first basemen, I don’t think a defensive replacement is necessary. Burrell’s speed is the liability in left field, preventing extra base hits (stopping balls from rolling into the corners, and being able to cut off balls in the gap). But I see where you’re coming from, Dobbs at first wouldn’t hurt in the 8th and 9th inning — but they would never do that to Howard.

12. Peter Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 am

    I concur. I have no argument for that other then an outfielder misplaying a ball can really cost extra bases. Perhaps it’s because Ryan is a popular player and a NL MVP and Burrell is not. My first inclination was Howard’s payroll but then I reminded myself Pat makes more money. I remember “Chase’s error” against St. Louis in June thinking “why couldn’t Howard have caught that”? It’s definately one or the other because if the game goes to extra innings a cleanup man is necessary. We should ask Charlie.

13. Mike T. Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 am

    I thought Gordon was covering first on that throw. No?

14. Peter Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 am

    It was 2 consecutive or in the same inning errors — very disappointing indeed.

15. Peter Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am

    I lived in Tampa for the last 9 years and I just want to say God bless philly and it’s fans for actually caring. I’m back home now and wear my proudly wear my “Phandom” on my sleeve. What philly does need is to exorcise that “here we go again” thought which everybody has when things are going well and something bad happens. We have the potential to win it all this year – first things first, just make it to the playoffs. Listen to Tugger “You gotta believe”!

16. Peter Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am

    I lived in Tampa for the last 9 years and I just want to say God bless philly and it’s fans for actually caring. I’m back home now and proudly wear my “Phandom” on my sleeve. What philly does need is to exorcise that “here we go again” thought which everybody has when things are going well and something bad happens. We have the potential to win it all this year – first things first, just make it to the playoffs. Listen to Tugger “You gotta believe”!

17. Jordan Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 am

    they used lidge because both games could have been potentional save situtations, were it not for late inning run support. by that time he was already up and warm. Plus he got little to no work against the AL, so I think it was good to get him in there. They’ll rest him tonight, and he’ll be good to go for some big saves against the Mets.

18. The Hearn Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 am

    Youngest to 150? Eh, no. Ryan Howard is 28 years, 235 days old; by the time Alex Rodriguez and Andruw Jones were that age they had each cleared 300.

    http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_hr6.shtml

19. Steve Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 am

    Why is So Taguchi still on this team? I can’t figure it out. And why use Hamels tonight, wouldn’t you rather throw Happ (or who ever is getting called up) tonight going for the series sweep with no pressure rather then in the first game against the Mets? I mean a sweep is great and all but the Phills have 4 games coming up against the Mets, and I want Hamels starting that off.

20. Geoff Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:20 am

    Is So Taguchi going to be this years jose mesa type? where you just cant figure out why hes still around? and its maddening

21. Haiku Henry Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 am

    Burrell late replaced, Legs are heavy like an ox, Ox better than “SO”,

22. Phil Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:44 am

    Okay, I have a few points to make.

    1. I think they should start moving Burrell to 1st as a late inning replacement for Ryan Howard and then replacing whoever with Burrell. If I remember correctly Burrell played 1B well back in the day.

    2. So Taguchi isn’t going anywhere. Stop begging for a minor leaguer to come up. Let them get their seasoning in. I think So sucks really bad too, but I’d rather let our minor leaguers continue to get better in the minors then riding the bench in the majors. So shouldn’t be used as a defensive substitution or pinch hitter anymore unless you have no other choice. He should be used for pinch running and sac bunts only.

    3. Ryan Howard wasn’t covering the bag against St. Louis on both of those errors. It was Tom Gordon. I actually think that Howard would have caught those balls considering he is so used to having Utley throw him routine ground balls.

    4. I’d rather have Hamels pitch tonight against Jair Jurjjens than tomorrow against Johann Santana. I think we have a better chance of hitting JJ than Santana, and going for a series sweep against the Mets is bigger pressure than starting a 4 game series against the Mets. David Wright and Jose Reyes also have a book on Hamels and beat him up pretty bad. Let this mysterious new starter come up and pitch against the Mets who have never seen him. The worst that can happen is we lose because Johann Santana mowed us down again.

23. RK Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:49 am

    Manuel has not figured out Taguchi is not Iguchi and feels like Tadahito is just in a “slump” which his why they don’t just waive him.

24. Geoff Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 am

    well, actually i think they brought up happ last year against hte mets and they pounded him. so carrasco would be a mystery.

    if we are only having taguchi do a few things, and he does them poorly, then he shouldnt be on the team and someone else should get an opportunity. let that player work in and become comfortable doing certain things well.

25. RK Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 am

    Burrell came up to replace Rico Brogna at 1st base

26. Don M Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:02 am

    Obviously he meant that Howard was the quickest to 150.. not the youngest…

    Pat Burrell played 1b like 5 years ago. there is no possible way that he would do any better than Ryan Howard… he might not do any worse… but he wouldn’t do any better.

    I also don’t like them using Lidge in non-save situations, and the arguement about “he already warmed up” is horseshit cause extra throwing has nothing to do with already being warmed up.. but then again, what do I know

27. Don M Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:06 am

    Why the F*CK does everyone care so much about So Taguchi ???

    Clay Condrey yesterday, So Taguchi again today… who are we going to bitch about tomrw, the bullpen catcher???

    You can’t have stud palyers in all 25 roster spots.. and it doesn’t make sense to bring a young guy up if he isn’t going to get regular playing time.. and none of their young prospects are ready to step up right now anyway…

28. Geoff Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:12 am

    because so taguichi and clay condrey and even geoff jenkins are wasting roster spots and playing time. jenkins occasionally drive sin a run. the rest of them are not giving you meaningful production. you cant send that garbage out there in the playoffs. you need people in those roles who youre not scared of putting into a big game and they simply dont have that.

    they used lidge the past two nights because he barely played for like 3 weeks while they were getting bent over by the american league.

    he should not be available tonight though because theyll need him this weekend

29. Bob K Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 am

    Is it me or are the Phillies as a whole more relaxed without Myers?He seems to have been a distraction…The last 2 days the Phillies have won the way they were set up to win ..starters giving up some runs,but the offense actually coming through..I say let the SOB in Allentown.

30. Phil Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 am

    Bob K I hardly think it’s Myers fault. I think they’re playing more comfortable because they’re out of the AL and back to the shitty NL.

31. TJ Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:38 am

    Geoff, Id rather have seasoned vets in the playoffs than midseason callups. Dont forget chemistry is a big deal in baseball.

    Myers wasnt the reason for our last two wins, thats the dumbest thing Ive ever heard. We’ve swpet the Braves early on last month with Myers on the team… no relation whatsoever. It was the AL.

    So Taguchi isnt that big of a deal guys, although I hate him, he’s better than Burrell defensively in left for the late innings and he pinch hits every now and then. He isnt an all star and he will make mistakes.

    Lidge needed innings after the stretch with the AL just for him to keep a rhythm.

32. Gavin Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:41 am

    A few things:
    1) I agree that the Phils dont need to bring up a young guy to ride the pine and be a 5th OF, but they definitly should look to trade for someone. Damn I wish they would have picked up Reid johnson when the jays released him.

    2) Did you know the Mets have 0 comeback wins this year when trailing by at least 3 runs? They mentioned it last night on the Braves broadcast. The Braves only have 2 and the phils lead the NL with 9.

    3) If Gillick is thinking about being an exec with SEA again. I’m not sure I want him trading for Bedard. Conflict of Interests anyone?

    4) Anyone see that Carrasco got scratched from his start last night b/c of shoulder stiffness? Ugh.

    5) Jurrjens is the real deal. Better than E. Volquez in my estimation. Howard will have 4 K’s tonight. Hope Hamels pitches a shutout. That might be what it takes.

    6) Ramon Henderson sucks. Release the bum.

33. Tim Malcolm Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:42 am

    Hearn: I saw my post again today and cleared it up. Howard got to 150 in the fewest amount of games than anyone in MLB history. Of course, he’s not the youngest to that mark.

34. Troy Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 am

    “…and back tot he shitty NL.”

    HA, couldn’t have said it better.

    The interleague W-L this year was 142-109 in favor of the AL.

    Love the Phils, am a season ticket holder, but unfortunately the AL is the clearly dominate league right now.

    The Rockies had “lightening in a bottle” last year and got smushed right out of the WS.

    Phils will win the division, and have a solid chance of making the WS, but it’ll take some serious magic to compete against whoever represents the AL there.

35. Frank Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:46 am

    Another thing about this series win is that we can stop talking about a slump.

    A win today would sandwich that disappointing 1-5 homestand against the Red Sox and Angels between a pair of winning 5-4 very tough road trips. Even with a loss today, these last eighteen road games will finish dead even.

    And assuming a win today, a pair of road trips adding up to 10-8- with lots of west coast travel, division rivals and the pretty good Cardinals- really is proof of a 90 win outfit, not a swoon. Basically, the swoon was a bad week, six games, against two clubs clearly better than the Phillies.

    A 90-win team is still here- and will spend the rest of the summer taking six-of-ten from NL East rivals.

36. Ramon Hernandez Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Hi everyone, I was warming up my arm the other day for the HR Derby, and realized I dont even give up as much HRs as Brett Myers, so do you think I can make the spot start?

37. TJ Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:03 am

    I can see us winning all of our series against our division except the late september one in florida. Other than that we’ll have a tough time against the NL Central ( STL, CHI, MIL ). Im predicting 88 wins.

38. Phil Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:13 am

    Chi is overrated. STL we get at home and already should have won 2 against them but Gordon and Myers blew it for us. Milwalkee we can beat if we don’t face Sheets.

39. TJ Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 am

    I was thinking picthing wise, Wainwright is tough, Lohse is 10-2. Zambrano, Lilly, and Dempster arent gonna be easy when Chi comes in late August. Lets be honest, we dont know what we get outside of anyone besides Hamels and maybe Moyer when they step on the mound.

40. Don M Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 am

    Nobody is saying that Chicago is the best team ever.. but they are one of the best teams in the NL… They scare me more than any other team in the national league. Again, if we aren’t afraid of them, does that mean that we’re a lock for the World Series this year?

41. clicheguevara Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 am

    “Let this mysterious new starter come up and pitch against the Mets who have never seen him.”

    Just over a year ago JA Happ went 4 inning with 5 ER against the Mets, including 3 HRs from Lo Duca, Beltran, and Wright. They don’t need a book on him.

    And are you really going to throw the new guy under the bus already against the best pitcher in baseball? Give Happ a chance against the rookie. I’d much rather lose against the pathetic Braves tonight and pull out a opening win against the Mets. Maybe Chollie is afraid that Hamels’ start will go to waste anyway when we can’t hit Santana….

42. Don M Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 am

    Gavin, great point about those Gillick to Seattle rumors.. he knows what we have in the farm, and you just made me think about that Dallas Green to Chicago move, where they made trades and got Ryne Sandberg on their squad from us.

    Last time it was Hamels vs. Santana, Hamels pitched a pretty good game, but Santana was lights-out.. Lets go for the win tonight, and then try our best tomrw.. instead of using a new guy tonight and only give yourself a 50-50 chance in the next two games.

43. Geoff Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:28 am

    I want no part of bedard or anyone on that seattle team. their gm will be out to loot someone to rebuild their team. im not letting them off the hook for the mistakes they made.

    on good teams, the 5th outfielder is someone who can actually contribuite. thats why sos gotta go. just get someone out there who isnt COMPLETELY worthless.

    have you guys ever heard of something called depth? the phillies have no depth in their lineup at all past the frontline guys.

44. Don M Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 am

    Dobbs, Coste, Jenkins/Werth, Taguchi, Bruntlett …. sounds like one of the deepest benches in baseball to me Geoff..!!!

    When you keep saying “good teams” … you should start throwing out some examples from time to time..

    outside of Boston or LA who are both trying to unload their highly-overpaid OF mistakes… Coco Crisp… Gary Matthews Jr…

45. Geoff Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 am

    You think thats a deep bench? HAHAHAHAHAHA

    i call depth meaning they can produce against quality competition when they are called upon, ESPECIALLY in tough situations. Werth is a starter not a bench player. Ruiz is considered the backup now even though backup catchers play a lot anyway. The Bench is jenkins, ruiz, dobbs, taguchi, bruntlett. dobbs is one of the best utilitymen in baseball. KEEP

    bruntelett? i liek his versatility, but still garbage DFA or RELEASE

    taguchi? not good enough to be on their struggling AAA team, let alone a major league team, totally baffling why he is playing at all. RELEASE

    jenkins? overpaid (he makes 5MM!!!!) worthless pile of crap – DFA because noone wants him

    Ruiz – good defensive catcher, worthless at the plate – no value still, TRADE FOR A SHITTY PROSPECT

46. TJ Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:42 am

    Depth comes from the system when players are ready, you dont rush raw talent to the majors to ride the bench and pinch hit, you let them develope.

47. Don M Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:46 am

    Geoff,

    You would make the worst GM of all time.

    NOT EVERY PLAYER ON YOUR TEAM CAN BE AN ALL-STAR…

    and then when you trade all of our players for prospects, we would have to listen to you bitch even more about how bad our young players are..

    Ruiz is the starter… Coste is a bech player.. if you dont know that, you don’t know the Phillies… Bruntlett did a hell of a job taking Rollins place when he was on the DL.. Dobbs is the best pinch hitter in baseball.. and Jenkins/ Taguchi sure aint great, but its better then a lot of other team have

48. TJ Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 am

    Geoff, you are too radical in your ways of assessing. I dont even know what to say in response to your post besides that its completely asinine.

49. Geoff Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:57 am

    ive seen coste more and more over the course of this season. carlos ruiz doesnt exist. pretty soon theyll put him on the pay no mind list and bring someone up to replace him because hes hitting like .215 or something close to that.

    bruntlett is actually good defensively, im a little too hard on him there, yes. but hes worthless at the plate for the most part too. hes a terrible baserunner as well.

    i just want bench players who can be serviceable at the plate. just dont go out there and suck and GIDP. just giv eme some people that can contribute when you ask them to. they dont have that from all bench positions. dobbs is the exception

    oh, and i like dobbs and ive said as much. do you know how much of a waste of money jenkins is though? seriously. brandon watson can do no worse than that, and he makes much less. geoff jenkins is garbage! you give 5 million to someone who is totally all or nothing and has a HUGE hole in his swing? terrible signing.

    you think so taguchi is better than like any 5th outfielder? HE CANT CATCH SIMPLE FLY BALLS!!!! you and i can catch simple fly balls at the very least. but a 38 year old veteran cant?

50. Geoff Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:59 am

    whatever guys. you must not want to win. because they cant win the national league pennant, let alone the WS, with the garbage that they have comnig off the bench aside from greg dobbs who has saved their asses on countless occasions.

51. Geoff Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    hey, if these guys can step it up and produce off the bench and prove me wrong in the playoofs and down the stretch, then i will gladly admit as much and applaud that effort. but i just dotn think so

52. Don M Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm

    SUPER GM,

    What moves (realistic moves) should they make to give them a great bench??

    And if all the other teams in the NL are overrated, how are they going to beat us???

53. NEPA Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm

    I think our bench is great relative to a few other aspects of the team. No big changes need to be made there, except for possibly gettign rid of Taguchi and bringing up a young OFer.

54. RK Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    Last years bench was much better then this year so I think everyone expects this years to be as good.

55. Bruce Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    geoff… you’re ranting saying such things… “Bruntlett..garbage DFA or RELEASE” and “terrible baserunner”. HUH ??? Come on.. calm down and take time to reflect. His versatility and defense are so important for ANY team’s bench. I’m sure the Phillies were most grateful for Bruntlett’s role in backing up an injured Rollins (15 day DL),. Baserunning? Did you see him scampered like a jackrabbit scoring from 1st on Rollins’ triple last night?

56. Phil Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    Our bench is Dobbs, Werth, Bruntlett, Coste, and Taguchi. I put Coste and Werth on the bench because they start less than their counterparts. Only 1 person on that whole bench is weak and that’s Taguchi. He should be a pinch runner and a bunter and that’s it. Werth, Dobbs, Bruntlett, and Coste are all INCREDIBLE bench players. Dobbs is the best pinch hitter in baseball. Werth is an everday player and should be a starter, but Manuel is a tard. Bruntlett is a great pinch runner, great defensive player, and gets his hits here and there. Coste is a great clutch hitter and probably the best back up catcher in baseball. We have a great bench Geoff. If you want to say Werth and Coste aren’t bench players than I guess I’d agree we don’t have a good bench.

57. NEPA Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    Well said Phil, agreed.

58. Bob K Says:
    July 3rd, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    “SHITTY NL COMMENT “…..well said.. AL is better this year,but Myers hasn’t been successful vs either league.He may just need a year off.I would love to see him recover…BUT …He has a “Schilling mouth”and cant back it up.Christ ,the guy is still yapping at AAA Allentown.I wish he would just shut up for a while.

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