Phillies Nation

47 Responses to “Uninspired Loss Drops Phils Out Of First”

1. NC Jason Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:16 pm

   This is some of the worst play I have seen in a while, their play, their hitting, and the whole mantra of the team. No urgency, and no passion. Above all note to Jimmy, there is no excuse for being late - none. He blamed it on red lights - hey jimmy thats why they have team buses jackass. Just like the Abreu situation last year maybe it is time to add via subtraction.

2. mr poopy head on butt hash Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

   I LIKE TO SNIFF MY BUTT

3. MS Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

   we need howard eskin to light a fire under this team.

4. J. Thomas Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

   Tim, you are right about the lack of ‘passion’. Utley’s body language and Rollins demeanor indicates there is something wrong there..but probably not lasting. Anyway, there is more wrong with the pitch selection that costs ball games. Everyone here in the NY area and across baseball knows that DelGado doesn’t hit anything above the waist..can’t get around on the high inside fastball. So the other night he gets a great sinker over the plate just below the knees. Home run! Then today with the defense set so the only way he can hurt is with a homerun or a slice to left, what does he get? a fast ball on the outside just below the belt. Double down the left field line.
   In both case they were good pitches..just the wrong ones.

5. NJ Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

   It’s very simple and one question needs to be asked, how can the supposed best offense in the NL struggle for such a prolonged period of time. That question needs to be answered and I wouldn’t be suprised if Milt is made the fall guy.

   It’s one thing when your offense and pitching is bad, but were loosing on night the pitching has been good, very good and somewhere near incredible.

   Jimmy needs to be put in his place and changes have to be made. The team need leadership on the field and they need direction, they need to start making the other teams pay for their wins.

6. Grrrumpy Miner Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

   Uninspired? Do you not give Oliver Perez any credit? Perez may not be Cy Young,but you can’t discount that he pitched over 7 innings of quality baseball as Jamie Moyer did.The game came down to Carlos Delgado getting a clutch hit and the Phils didn’t with the difference maker in Rollins.Sorry folks thats baseball.

7. fred Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:36 pm

   The problem is that at various point of the season Burrell, Utley or Howard has carried the team whilst the rest slumped, or in the case of Feliz, Jenkins and Ruiz just played they way they usually do. Right now, no one is producing and someone has to step to the plate in a big way. Take away the 9th inning on tuesday and we scored 6 runs all series. That’s atrocious, and it’s about time people stopped blaming the pitching. Also, the bullpen is slowly detteriorating back to the mean; Seanez, Romero, Madson just can’t keep ERA’s below 2, they just aren’t that brilliant. A big piece must be added, whether it’s Holliday or Burnett they need SOMETHING or they won’t see 1st place again this year.

8. cp3 Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:38 pm

   fly balls that leave citizens bank just dont leave shea, a real ballpark, not a ban box!!

9. Tim Malcolm Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 5:40 pm

   No, Perez pitched well. But he only pitches well against hacky, fastball-hitting teams (Phils, Texas, Cincinnati). For the most part he’s pretty bad.

10. fred Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

    Your right about us only hitting fastballs Tim. Pitchers with a breaking ball (i.e perez and his slider) own the Phils. Case in point, Ryan Howard is 2-22 with 14 K’s against Perez.

11. NJ Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:43 pm

    wow and retard comment of the day goes to cp3

12. Rich the Mets Fan Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:51 pm

    Not here to cause trouble, just talk baseball.

    a) Unbelievable how much of a fall from grace we’re seeing out of Jimmy Rollins. As much as I would say “Good riddance,” I would say it’s quite a surprise given his character.

    b) Somebody indulge me as to why Gillick didn’t even consider bringing up Kris Benson for a few starts before pulling the trigger on the Blanton trade. What was the deal with that?

    c) I’m glad that we all, Mets and Phils fans, can finally have a rivalry to legitimately call our own.

    Well, that’s it from me. Peace out! LETS GO METS!

13. Tim Malcolm Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    Rich: Benson was in no way ready to face Major League hitting. Of course, I could almost say the same thing of Eaton and Myers…

    Thanks for checking in and keeping it civil.

14. NJ Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

    Good going Rich, nice post. The rivalry can be sporting and we have lots to jibe about since were two of the most underperforming clubs in baseball.

15. Glen Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

    Perez is not a bad pitcher at all. Inconsistent at times sure but when he is on he is great. He owns the Yankees, Braves, and Phillies. He also seems to pitch big in big games.For the most part he is not pretty bad.

16. James K. Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

    You know you’re reading a Phils site when the description of Oliver Perez’s 12 K day is that he was throwing “junk”, and that Jamie Moyer and his 78 mph fastball was “spectacular.”

    Haha.

17. James K. Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:01 pm

    Also, I’d like to second what Glen said above.

    @Tim Malcolm - Look up the numbers before making statements, it’ll improve your blog. Perez has dominated the Yankees this season and last as well. P.S. I think Texas lineup is pretty impressive - to dominate Kinsler, Bradley, Hamilton, etc. is pretty good!

    Cincinatti too - Dunn, Griffey, Phillips, Bruce - not a bad crop. Also, look at Perez and Pelfreys numbers post-Rick Peterson firing. Be afraid Phillies fans.

18. Jeffrey Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:01 pm

    Someone take a screen cap because we’ve just witnessed the first time on the internet that someone complimented Shea Stadium.
    Dear Deadspin: We have a winner!

19. fred Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

    Speed of a fastball means nothing if the oppo can’t hit it. 78 or 98, it don’t mean a thing if it get’s the outs.

20. Grrrumpy Miner Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

    Whether its a hacky-fastball hitting team or a beer league softball team,bottom line Ollie pitched a Quality start and I know you don’t dispute that Tim. However,as a Mets fan,we never know what Ollie is pitching, its sort of a Dr. Jeckyll/Mr Hyde thing with him.Moyer pitched a good game as well,but it came down to the bullpen and it failed.These next 2 months are gonna be fun.In the words of the Great Bob Murphy…..”Fasten your seat belts”

21. Tim Malcolm Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    Yeah, Grumpy has it here. Ollie can be very good (against teams that swing at fastballs and get in trouble, thus making Ollie’s wild stuff swinging strikes), or he can be very bad (against teams that are much more patient and take advantage of his wild stuff). Today he was very good, absolutely. But I’m looking at it through the Phils’ glass, that yet again, they couldn’t be patient and alter their approach.

22. Rich the Mets Fan Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:20 pm

    @ NJ: I agree, although I feel the Metropolitans are starting to turn a corner, in a style comparable to Bruce Boudreau and the Caps in the NHL season. Whether that guarantees a playoff berth, well, we’ll see.

    @ Tim Malcolm: Well, Eaton and Myers kind of proves my point. However, I look at it this way. Bringing Benson up could’ve been smarter than trading for Blanton. Not only does it save time and money, but also gives the prospects traded more time to prove themselves in the system for the rest of the season. And for all I know, Benson could fare better than Blanton, Major League ready or not.

23. fred Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:26 pm

    Benson was not ready at all. He was getting tonked about by AAA hitters. Happ should have been given a rotation spot and Cardenas traded in a package for Holliday.

24. Geoff Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    why are we even talking about benson? hes not even close to being able to help this team in any way at all.

25. Geoff Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:30 pm

    oliver perez is fucking terrible. the phillies made him look good but they are terrible too.

26. fred Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:37 pm

    Amen geoff

27. The Man Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    “No, Perez pitched well. But he only pitches well against hacky, fastball-hitting teams (Phils, Texas, Cincinnati). For the most part he’s pretty bad.”

    Here’s a Met fan perspective. Oliver Perez is a tool. He doesn’t like to be like everyone else and pitch one way, he likes to do it his way, and most of the time he gets into trouble. But when the spot light is on, Perez stops fooling around and turns it in gear. He’s not “pretty bad”, he’s actually pretty good. He’s got an ERA of what 4.0? That after a horrible part. He OWNS teams like the Phillies, Yankees, and Braves. All three of those teams have different approaches, I’m telling you, these are the games that you see the real Oliver Perez.

    I would like to believe the new pitching coach has helped him out. I’d like to believe that Perez’s new motion has caused the success, but I’m not going to. Here’s what I think about Perez. He’s a big game pitcher. When the lights are on and everyones watching I’m counting on him. But against a team like Washington on a Saturday afternoon? I wouldn’t bet on him making it past 6.

    But, you are wrong for calling him a bad pitcher.

28. fred Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    It’s amazing that he had that year with the Pirates (’04 i believe), when he posted an ERA of 2 with 220 K’s. Shows just how much of an enigma he is that 2 years later in ‘06 he was DFA’d. Sometimes great, sometimes awful. Better than Eaton, or for that matter Blanton, who are just always mediocre on a consistent basis.

29. Joshua Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 6:54 pm

    The phillies are just garbage and they made a mediocre pitcher look like Tom Seaver.

30. Kyle Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    The most troubling part is they are wasting fine performances (Hamels Sunday, Moyer today) that they won’t get back. It’s odd to say, but who would have thought the offense would be the downfall here?

    It’s one thing if Kendrick goes 5 innings and gives up 6, or if Moyer has an occasional blow-up.

    But for MVP-caliber players, and all-star level talent (a quartet any team would take) to go into this long of a slump - nearly two months of mediocrity — is stupefying. I can’t figure it out. I really can’t. Why have they only scored 3.95 runs per game for 2 months?

    Other than the fluky ninth, they scored 6 runs in 26 innings against the Mets. That’s just not good enough. I don’t know what the problem is, but I hope it fixes itself soon.

    Last year when they were losing, you could see why: A 10-8 loss here, a 9-7 there. Losing 2-1, 3-2, 3-1, etc…is just too exasperating to take.

31. Grrrumpy Miner Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Geoff……..Terrible or not,Ollie gother the job done.Plain and simple.

32. Grrrumpy Miner Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    Geoff……..Terrible or not,Ollie got the job done.Plain and simple. Damn I hate the spell checker on my PDA.

33. mg52 Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    Oliver Perez is a good pitcher. His stuff is fantastic and his preparation sound. On the other hand, the Phillies face him frequently. They should understand by now how to reach base when he assumes the mound. His stuff might not permit them, say, nine or ten runs; but enough to support the fine efforts of the Phils’ pitchers is expected. It is baffling that no one in the management corps sees that this offense needs revitalization. It is an unwieldy ensemble that can be tuned up - once more - with some hitters who are intelligent enough to spank the fastball early in the count and to make contact with breaking balls later.
    Perez is creative and crafty, but not untouchable. If the Phils learn not to be purely fastball hitters and actually formulate a plan before they put the bats in their hands, he will not be this invincible.

34. PhillyFriar Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

    Re: Perez, he’s a two pitch pitcher. Granted, when they’re working, he can be very good, but he’s generally wild and relies on teams chasing out of the strike zone sliders. Maybe calling it “lowball junk” isn’t accurate, but he’s a streaky pitcher who’s not nearly as fantastic as some people believe.

    Oh, and how’s this for a microcosm for the Phils’ last month: Bruntlett hits a leadoff double to start the 6th inning, and none of Utley, Burrell, or Howard can bring him home.

35. Chase Mutley Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    Lets try not to argue semantics here Mets fans, Ollie had a “spectacular” game of throwing “low ball junk.” Jaime Moyer has lots of “spectacular” games throwing crafty garbage — he did today. I don’t think any offense was intended.

    And c’mon, not to take anything away from Ollie, he pitched a game that most teams would have struggled with but Nolan Ryan Howard sure made it easier on him.

36. letsgomets Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    Surprised to read all of the negativity - you guys are only one game out of first with 2 months to play. The Phillies offense is loaded and it’s only a matter of time before they start scoring 8 runs a game.

37. Kyle Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    Letsgomets,

    You’re probably right. But a two month sample at a 3.95 per game clip is no small thing. Something more troubling may be at place here; or you may be right and they will start to hit.

    The thing is, they’ve spoiled so many great pitching performances. Before the season, could you imagine if you told the Phils they’d have the fourth or fifth best pitching in the NL? They’d be thrilled. Except…except the offense has not held up their end of the bargain.

    Overall though, you’re right - one game out isn’t all bad. The bad comes from being behind 1-0 in the middle innings and feeling like the game is over.

38. LetsGoMets! Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 10:30 pm

    the phillies just aren’t that good. They represent all philadelphia teams, they’re pretty good……..but they aren’t winners

39. James K. Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    @Chase Mutley: You’re a fool if you call a 94 mph fastball and 82 mph slider from Perez “lowball junk”.

    First time ever on this site - love seeing these Phillie fans freaking out after this series - imagine if it was a sweep! (like it should have been)

    Keep lingering on the other team’s home plate after you score the tying run Shane Victorino, you’re a real hero. Nothing better than to see Jimmy Rollins having an awful season after his 2007 “MVP” coughcoughbullsh*t season.

40. Sarah Wayne Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 11:43 pm

    Look Phils: now is the time to step it up. I agree with pretty much everyone here’s conclusion that the team seems to have lost many things (consistent hitting being one of them…oh yeah, and games) and most of all what they’re lacking now is effort. I don’t know where the motivation went, but just about everyone on the team seems to have adopted a blase attitude about the whole thing. I give Ryan Howard credit for his attitude during his first few terrible months this year, because at least he looked like he was trying and concentrating…things just weren’t coming together right, and he admitted it and tried to work through it. This is especially noticeable and admirable given the general feeling out on the field now. What a contrast.

    I’m glad that I found this blog, because I’m getting sick and tired of our daily papers shying away from dishing it out. Especially because nearly every reporter is too afraid to say anything about Utley’s performance lately, and that needs to be changed. You can see it in his eyes and his arms, in his whole approach, when he comes up to bat. It’s not that he’s not seeing the pitches–it’s that he doesn’t seem to want to try to.

    Thanks for the honesty guys. It’s refreshing to find!

41. Jeff Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 11:53 pm

    James, it’s amazing how selective your 10 hours in first place has made your memory. Ollie Perez = ace.

42. Mark Says:
    July 25th, 2008 at 4:22 am

    Virtually the entire offense is in a funk. They better straighten the ship out… and fast! The blew a sensational performance by Moyer.

43. RiVLez Says:
    July 25th, 2008 at 8:23 am

    You can’t say he’s not a better SP than anyone on the Phillies except for Cole Hamels. You are crazy if you don’t think so.

    Tim Malcolm Says:
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
    No, Perez pitched well. But he only pitches well against hacky, fastball-hitting teams (Phils, Texas, Cincinnati). For the most part he’s pretty bad.

44. Jeff Says:
    July 25th, 2008 at 11:23 am

    I don’t think anyone said there’s anyone on the Phillies staff other than Hamels that’s better than him. That’s not saying much though.

    The most frustrating part of Mets fans who come here beating your chest is that you’re acting like a one game lead in July and beating what is proving to be a weak Phillies’ team is winning Game 7 of the World Series. When the Phillies were in first place for 3 months all we were talking about is how this team wasn’t good enough to face the Brewers or the Cubs. Now all I’m hearing about how Ollie Kofax stuck out the magnificent Ryan Howard who, as we all know, never strikes out.

45. Darren Daulton Says:
    July 25th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    I just came back from traveling through time and visiting aliens and I was happy to see that they have things called blogs now. Golly, who would have thunk? I was also suprised to see that the name Jeff is now spelled Geoff? Maybe aliens got to Geoff’s parents too. Oh well, maybe the ghosts of Mitch Williams will never go away. Speaking of Mitch, I visited him when I traveled back to 2003. I can’t believe that such upstanding Philadelphia fans were threatening his life. It just doesn’t fit into their reputation as being classy. Oh well, I am off to my wife beating lessons. Today I am teaching Brett Myers.

46. 2007 Says:
    July 25th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    Hey guys! Remember me? I made your children cry.

47. MetsFan08 Says:
    July 25th, 2008 at 2:51 pm

    Let’s Go Mets!!!!

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