Burrell’s Blast Finishes Braves
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, September 18, 2008 11:35 PM
Clean. Sweep.
Pat Burrell’s sixth-inning home run pulled the Phils past the Braves in a 4-3 win, as the good guys swept the three-game set at Turner Field. The Phils finished the year 9-0 at Turner Field, and remain a half-game ahead of the Mets in the NL East race. Just for comfort, the Phils moved to two ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card race.
Cole Hamels wasn’t spectacular, but held his own and manuevered his way to a 14th win with a six-inning, five-strikeout perfrormance. The strong bullpen backed him successfully, with Ryan Madson giving up an unearned win and JC Romero and Brad Lidge polishing off the late innings with ease. It was Lidge’s 38th save in as many chances, and a much easier one than his Tuesday night voyage.
The Phils hit the scoreboard early again, with Jayson Werth doubling home Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard driving in Werth with a sac fly, RBI No. 138 on the season.
As the Phillies depart Atlanta for the scary grounds of Miami, they can put a few feathers in their caps. Hamels and JA Happ gave sterling performances from the gate, the offense was ripping balls left and right, and the bullpen pinned down the lowly Braves throughout the set. This was a hugely successful series, and after the big Brewer four-gamer, getting these wins against a clearly smaller opponent was absolutely crucial.
Associated Press photo
28 Responses to “Burrell’s Blast Finishes Braves”
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September 19th, 2008 at 12:20 am
P the B doesnt get the ashburn!?!?
September 19th, 2008 at 12:32 am
P the B. Haha.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:01 am
P the B for the Ash
September 19th, 2008 at 2:27 am
P the B
September 19th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Important Momentum going in against Florida. Interestingly, they won’t face Ricky Nolasco who has been tough on them throughout the season.
Let’s see how the 7 game streak does against the eight game streak.
September 19th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Right now I think this offense can pummel any pitcher. They have been ridiculous. Tonight was an off night and they still scored 4 runs and got the W.
September 19th, 2008 at 3:40 am
[...] 1/2 games in NL Wildcard race. The Brewers were edged out by the Chicago Cubs in extra innings. Tim Malcolm of Phillies Nation notes on the NL wildcard race; Just for comfort, the Phils moved to two ahead of the Milwaukee [...]
September 19th, 2008 at 3:44 am
The Marlins are a scarey team right now it be nice to come outta there with 2 outta 3,but with the way their playing we could end up getting swept.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I’m just glad that the Ryan Howard and “can’t hit in the clutch” nonsense comments have dried up and left this site. His September numbers (as in previous years) prove he does get the big hits, when they count. Unless they pitch around him, he should contribte to one, if not, two, wins against Florida this weekend. But it’s doubtful the Phils can sweep the Marlins. They are too hot for that.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Tim or anyone else, does anyone know if a Phillie team has ever swept another home team before? Hopefully everything will go smooth in Miami.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Lidge gets the Ashburn? Shouldn’t it be Pat? I’m not complaining, I’m just saying …
September 19th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Peanut Butter (P the B) probably deserves award…
Lidgey deserves it longterm due to the perfect save % – i’d give it to lidge
September 19th, 2008 at 10:18 am
In terms of the Ashburn, I think Lidge is often overlooked. He came in last night and put them down in order, with 2 K’s, securing the sweep. It’s just that Burrell’s go-ahead HR was very magnified because he was in such a slump.So I guess I have no problem with either player getting it.
September 19th, 2008 at 10:38 am
To show what it takes to get pitchers (of any caliber)..
* * *
We may be in the heat of the pennant races, but the Giants’ hot stove talk appears to be on fire. A lingering rumor was given new life Wednesday night. ESPN’s Peter Gammons said the Giants could trade starting pitcher Matt Cain, 23, to the Brewers for first baseman Prince Fielder, 24, shortstop J.J. Hardy, 26, and another player. He didn’t cite his source.
* * *
…so they would trade almost their entire offense for a “good” pitcher
September 19th, 2008 at 10:58 am
they don’t have the the monies to keep those guys
September 19th, 2008 at 11:02 am
If thats the case, then shouldn’t they go after young prospects, instead of going after a pitcher who will command 4-5 years and $40-50 Million dollars as a free agent??
September 19th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Giants should make that trade now. It adds instant offense. they are loaded with pitchers at the minor league level. So they can let Matt Cain walk. Milaukee also is loaded with triple a and double a prospect there double a team has ten legit pro prospect. They have drafted well. Good trade for both teams.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:22 am
IF thats true, that means you cant trade Ryan Howard for any good established pitching at all and youd be trading him for prospects…that tells me you have to keep him. PERIOD.
jimmy rollins is still an absolute must trade though, even if it is for prospects. team looking for a shortstop? help them out, liek toronto, or someone like that. collect some top prospects off of them and move on.
if you cant trade for thtat kind of pitching then you really do have to sign someone like sheets. also, i was reading that lowe will get 14-15mm? thats crazy. hes not THAT good.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:32 am
im pretty sure that 2 days ago you said you realized that they need to keep Rollins eventhough you don’t like him…
Lohse, Silva, Livan Hernandez, Gil Meche.. didn’t they all get like $10 Million or more… or at least seeking that as a deal.. Lowe will end up with a 3 year, $36M I bet
September 19th, 2008 at 11:50 am
ill bet also that the braves sign lowe.
as good as moyer has been, in my opinion, they need to bring a very good starter through free agency because the trade value for those guys is really high. for cain its insanely high but i cant see that deal happening…ever..unless milwaukee can absorb the loss with a deep farm system (something the phillies cant do, which is why theyre forced to look at free agents).
that source is smoking crack if they think the brewers are going to give up hardy, fielder, and other players…thats INSANE. still, the value is high, just maybe not that high.
given the complete failure of rich dubee as a pitching coach in every aspect of his responsibilities i think its high time for jamie moyer to take his rightful place as our pitching coach. that opens up a spot in the rotation for the team to bring in a free agent starting pitcher.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I think lohse sign one year 4 million. the way the money is being thrown around for starters is crazy. We have no chance at these prices.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:55 am
i said that about howard. that even thoguh he acts like lindros theres no reason to trade him if youre not going to get people like matt cain or tim lincecum back in return. the value jus is not there for a move like that. plus, in september he really is their best guy year in and year out.
no no jimmy rollins has got to go. i dont care about how well he is playing. i dont care about his defense. yes, thats right. defense in baseball is a MINIMAL requirement to be a professional. if you cant play defense then i dont wanna see the guy out there at all. but if youi can play defense well enough then thats fine. jason donald can and will do just as good a job as jimmy rollins at shortstop. PERIOD! jimmmy rollins is THE most expendable guy of their “core” and theres no reason to even send him out there anymore. just sit it out the rest of the year and move on out from there. find a nice team for him, like toronto or Los Angeles or Oakland.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:56 am
lohse will get 3-4 years 30-40 million at least, but not from us.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
is there even a point in talking to you about baseball anymore?
Jason Donald was horrible in the field this year, but now your saying that he’ll do as good a job as the BEST ss in the NL ?? Our Pitching has carried us this year, due to a lack of consisntent offense… and you want one of our best pitchers to quit, and replace the guy thats done a great job this year as a pitching coach, why??
just for the hell of it, im going to back-track and try to find where you said you didn’t want ROllins traded the other day, because you definitely just say all this shit to stir up trouble.. there is no possible way you could believe half of what you post on here
September 19th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Under “Holliday May Test Market for Big Deal”
Geoff Says:
September 16th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
heres my new plan, the realistic one:
burrell walks. howard stays. j-hole (grudlingly) stays, utley, feliz stays. coste goes, marson and ruiz will be your catchers next year. vic stays in center. werth stays but moves to left field.
you use the free money to sign a big ticket free agent starter (sabathia – prob no chance, sheets, burnett, lowe, etc.), so that youre rotation is like so:
hamels
myers
free agent
blanton
moyer
carrasco is waiting in AAA, kendrick waits in AAA to improve himself.
happ is packaged and traded for a decent, affordable, serviceable contact-oriented right fielder. (the free agent options arent too exciting)
jenkins is gotten rid of at all costs…
keep scott eyre and chad durbin. lidge is already staying. romero is already here. madson may or may not be back….go out and get a legit setup man. there are ususally plenty of free agent setup men available every year.
bring up young players to fill the bench spots. golson can be the 4th outfielder. stairs is already staying on at the 5th outfielder, backup first base. dobbs and bruntlett are probably coming back too.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
i said theyd probably not trade him so wed have to deal with him again and be stuck with him. or something to that effect.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
yeah exactly, he stays, but its grudgingly so im not happy about him staying.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
i would love matt cain here… its essentially a tossup for cain/lowe
lowe is more obtainable and if you go after/get him you get to keep j-roll, which is a plus. lowe has better ratios than cain but cain has youth. i’d give lowe 3/30 but if the market demands it then i’d go 3/36… can you add incentives in baseball contracts?