Phillies Nation

143 Responses to “Gameday: Pirates (38-47) At Phillies (45-38)”

1. Morris Buttermaker Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 6:20 pm

   Ok guys, we got a game with the Pirates tonight. And that only means one thing. Bad news for the Pirates!

2. Keith Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 6:25 pm

   hmm, Braves-Mets made a trade. Francouer for Church.

   go Phillies!

3. shag beta sigma delta Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 6:30 pm

   Yup at work again, the phillies offense has not be inconsistent the last week just unable to get key hits in situation, yes 10 hits and three runs sucks, but at least they are hitting, if that makes any sense I am just bored, mad that the Coste story has ended in Phily, oh well go phils a win for JB tonight 7 or 8 strong innings and 1 maybe 2 runs will be nice

4. shag beta sigma delta Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 6:51 pm

   ok hopefully things will pick up at the restaurant but if they do not I will be in checking in on all the chatter,
   GO BIG JOE
   GO PHILLIES

5. shag beta sigma delta Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

   wait a minute, left handed pitcher and no Chooch is he hurt or something would be nice to have Coste tonight, what is up with all the time off for Ruiz,
   Mayberry in left field let’s hope he gets a few hits tonight
   Rollins-Victorino-Utley-Howard-Werth-Feliz-Mayberry-Bako????????????-Blanton
   I am sorry I really do not see what this Bako guy give us Oh well faith in Charlie

6. Georgie Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

   Hahaha, shag, there you are talking to yourself again, always cracks me up! Ruiz strained his neck last night but he said he’d be available if they need him.

7. Andrew Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 7:10 pm

   1
   over / under on bako hits tonght.

   start bidding. ill go with the safe under

   or can Paul rake vs lefties? tounge in cheek

8. Andrew Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

   Why do the phillies pitchrs have to give up moon shots? Like guys with 4 career homers hit them 600 feet vs the phils

9. Ed R. Says:
   July 10th, 2009 at 7:15 pm

   That was a ridiculous home run by someone I have never even heard of..guess I could say that about most of the Pirates roster these days.

10. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    alright Victorino, let’s get that run back

11. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:19 pm

    boo

12. j reed Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    you don’t steal 3rd with a left handed batter up esp if it’s Ut.

13. j reed Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    that’s don’t try to steal 3rd

14. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    Funny thing about Werth, had that situation been in the 7th 8th or 9th inning, he probably would have had a hit. LOL. He has been clutch lately. I thought Ibanez was supposed to be back from the DL tonight?

15. j reed Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    wow it could have been bases loaded with one out…and now it would have been 1-1.

16. The Little Guy Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Ibanez isn’t starting since Duke is LH.

17. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Feliz, Mayberry Jr., Bako

18. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    on paper and looking at the pitching matchups, the Phillies should sweep the pirates. but thats why we play ball

19. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    oh no its Bako time

20. j reed Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    has anyone heard anything in the rumor mill about pedro and/or halliday today?

21. Roy Halladay Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    j reed my last name does not have an ‘i’ in it

22. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

    1-2-3 Phillies go down – Duke, McCutchen, Sanchez

    Funny not comparing Ibanez to Bako but still it shows Bako isn’t good offensively. Ibanez has more homers this year (22 in 250AB) than Bako has in his career (21 in 2107AB). Bako is the type of guy who you keep on your bench and in the bullpen to help warm up the relief pitchers and who you bring in for a defensive switch in the late innings. Ruiz should be starting even though he is struggling.

23. j reed Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    roy pardon me all over the place

24. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:46 pm

    upgrade your backup catcher

25. Andrew Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    Pedro is going to be here right after the all star break. Halladay is in the works.

    you know I thnk Pedro should close. Just my 2 cents

26. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    that ball 4 to garrett jones looked like a called strike 3 to me
    blanton, rollins, victorino bottom 3rd
    Blanton has thrown 52 pitches in 3 innings

    anyone hear how pedro performed for the phillies today. He did another assignment for the phillies at 1pm today. Reports say decision will probably come on sunday.

    Imagine if the dodgers got halladay. Manny, Billingsley, Halladay, Either, Kemp, Martin, Loney, Broxton, Hudson, Blake – now thats scary

27. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    Why get rid of Coste and keep Bako? It still appears Coste is better than Bako.

28. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    no more coste guard for chris coste anymore

29. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    Cairo > Bako

30. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    Im not sure the Dodgers have anyone that the Jays want. The Jays tried to get J. Donals last season, and logical to say they would want Happ. While I love happ in the rotation, I would rather have Halladay then Happ. I would rather let a prospect go and keep Happ, but we shall see, I doubt anything will happen.

31. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    First pitch out for Rollins! how many of those have we seen this year!!!!

32. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    Victorino gets another hit

33. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    What the hell is this swing at first pitch crap again. We win 6 of 7 at home with LOTS of patience, so lets go back to swing first pitch. Shane is doing well, hopefully he can get a run tonight. He’s getting on. Thats step 1.

34. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    true brian but its said the blue jays really like clayton kershaw who the dodgers won’t trade but that could change come deadline day or before

35. Andrew Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    bako= The Mendoza Line is an informal term used in baseball for the threshold of incompetent hitting. Even though Mario Mendoza’s lifetime batting average is .215, the Mendoza Line is said to occur at .200, and when a position player’s batting average falls below that level, the player is said to be below the Mendoza Line

    Have to come up with a new one for Bruntlett or just call it the Bruntlett line. .150

36. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    tied game!

37. DJ Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    The Phillies, Angels, Rangers and giants are players for Halladay! Thats scary if the Giants get him.

38. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    that was a nice slide by Victorino

39. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    cmon werth. show us your werth the all star game (well atleast for this AB)

40. DJ Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    Wow that was great base running by Vic!

41. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    looks like big joe has just given up the one dinger but pitching good otherwise

42. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    alright Werth!

43. nate Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Johnny Wacko! i can’t believe the espn blogger calling it a joke that werth made the all star team

44. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Are they handing out free sun lotion at Citizens bank park lately to so that all the fans dont get a sun burn from watching Werth. WTF The dude is on FIRE.

45. Walter Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    3-1 Phillies after 3. The LaRoche brothers and Moss top 4th

46. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    oo if Ibanez gets one more RBI and Werth gets four more , Phillies will have four players with 60 or more RBIs at the all star break

47. Joe from NJ Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    what a joke? Charlie is very selfish. All phillies outfield in all star team.The Rockies’ Brad Hawpe should replace carlos beltran. people don;t want to watch so many phillies players in all star.
    According to MLB, any injured starter will be replaced by the top vote-getter on the player ballot who’s not a starter. The Rockies’ Brad Hawpe received 394 votes, more than the D-backs’ Justin Upton’s 277 and the 156 received by the Astros’ Hunter Pence.

48. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    nice two out two run double Jayson

49. Andrew Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Joe if the mets won they could put some over their over rated over paid players on the roster.

50. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

    Brad Hawpe is replacing Beltran as a starter . . . but he can’t replace his roster spot if he’s already on the team lol

51. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    oo Brandon Phillips stole home against the Mets

52. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    other the the big HR big joe seems to be pitching well, pitch count is up a little I think but so far so good, and some key two out hits is always nice

53. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    nice play Howard

54. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Maybe not if iam doing the math right, he would be around 100 after 7 so that is not awful, I guess that is just about on target, oh well that is what happens when the shag gets bored

55. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    not so bad 75 after 5 I guess I will have to take that lol
    3 hits one walk 4 Ks another nice outing so far for the big fella

56. nate Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    someone from the reds just scored from third on the mets on an errant pickoff. they didn’t give the mets an error, so i guess he stole home. that make four on the year.

57. j reed Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    didn’t freddy sanchez play 3rd last year?

58. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    I think Joe’s ERA is a little decieving isnt it. He has an ERA of 4.51, but it seems to me he is either right on, or borderline crap. Hasnt it been either VERY FEW ER’s per start, or a lot? It seems if you take out the very few starts he got hit pretty hard his ERA would be much lower, I dont know though.

59. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Blanton’s pitching well again

60. joedad Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    I started feeling towards the end of last year that Jason Werth could be an MVP one of these days. It may have begun for real with the all-star appearance.

61. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    This Duke guy is not pitching too bad himself, was the first run unearned, only four hits for the good guys, but still winning 3-1 good game so far

62. Andrew Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Werth gets picked off too much and makes bad decisions too often. He lacks the intangible a player like Utley has. He lacks a certain baseball common sense.
    But he deserves to be an AS and I am happy for him.

63. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    OK, Lets get a few insurance runs here.

64. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    So is Mayberry either a home run or an out? dude first pitch again for Bako?

65. Dave Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Uggh, I understand not being able to hit, but can’t someone like Bako at least work the count? Don’t swing at the first pitch!

66. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    maybe Bako will win a game later this year

67. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    There really hasnt been any of the Phils working the count. J-Roll is back to first pitch swing again, I kind of expect it from Blanton, but I agree, Bako should at least get an eye, I hope this is just a single off day for J-Roll and not reverting back to the first 2 months of the season. Lets get out of this inning without giving up a run.I hate being in the 9th only up by one or worse yet, tied (knock on wood).

68. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    Come on JC. 2 outs now bud.

69. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:03 pm

    alright Romero

70. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    SWEET!

71. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    Lets get something here now.

72. Jeff Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Joe is wrong about Charlie being selfish. You as a manager take care of your players. End of story. They won him a world series you take care of them. You get one chance to bring who you want. Unless he keeps winning.

73. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

    Victorino 3 hits

74. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    JC did his job again took him awhile but it looks like he is back to 2008 form nice to see
    Will it be Madson in the 8th do you think, or will JC start the inning, would like to see another Madson Lidge for old time sake tonight.

75. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:09 pm

    OK, So I guess they need to hand out sun lotion for Vic and Werth.

76. DJ Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    This last week should prove to everyone why Vic is an all-star!!

77. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    Shag that was the 8th, It will be Lidge in the 9th.

78. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    Is howard in another HR drought? It almost seems like he should gain the weight back. LOL. Better in the field, but wasnt he close to 30 HR’s by this point last season?

79. DJ Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    They will be going into the 9th! Its going to be Lidge time

80. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:13 pm

    you know what I do not hear on here is when, like the other night JRoll hits and rbi single down the line on the first pitch, people are not whining then, as long as it is a strike then hit it.
    and maybe this Duke guy is a first pitch strike guy and that is the only pitch you have to hit.
    Can we please get of his back he is hitting like 390 in july and 0-4 tonight and all the haters are already on him

81. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    Muts are losing again, but I would prefer Atlanta and the Fish lose, I am done worrying about the mets

82. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    nice Romero

83. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    So JC will face the lefties this inninig or just pitch until someone gets on

84. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    4 more strikes.

85. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    1 more out

86. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    nice. one more out.

87. Andrew Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    the mutts been irrelevant for a long time. They need to blow it up and restart. Keeping only johan
    They traded church today

88. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    hmm homerun

89. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    shag J-Roll is doing well 10 days into July, Lets hope it continues. When you have 2 months of hitting about .204, then get REALLY HOT for 10 days, its not like her had 10 days of poor at bats. People are slowly beginning to have phaith.

90. Andrew Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    when I say pedro closing im nto kidding

    is he tipping shit agian?

    its getting to be over and over and over

91. Dave Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    Uggh, thought he looked bad today. Come on Brad, just get the next guy out.

92. Jeff Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

    I thank lidge for last year but do not love him as a closer.

93. Keith Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    oh no

94. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Wow, we have been giving up alot of HR’s lately to NON home run hitters. uh oh.

95. Dave Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Not again, man. Not again.

96. DJ Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Come on Lidge!!! Just 1 out

97. cm Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    brad looks ok..not too good though…could be because he pitched in yesterday’s game too

98. Terri Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    i don’t like this

99. Brian of CO Says:
    July 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    Hes having a rough year, lets hope for 1 final out. just one more out now. not more runs. PLEASE

100. Georgie Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

     ok guys, the tv repairman just got here, so we had to turn off the back-up, what’s happening?

101. Andrew Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

     im close to stroking out

102. Keith Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:28 pm

     Phillies win!

103. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:28 pm

     not good. Did Lidge hire last years Mets Bullpen coach in the offseason?

104. DJ Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:28 pm

     YEEAAAAAAA Phillies win!

105. Terri Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:28 pm

     Wow that was close. Good game by Joe!

106. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:29 pm

     Thank god. Lidge is at least bending instead of breaking.

107. j reed Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:29 pm

     Andrew- I think pitch tipping has been his problem, but not tonight. His stuff looked a little flat.

108. cm Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

     lidge looked really really good last weekend when he saved those 2 games…not so much tonight…the all-star break will hopefully be good for him to get a couple days off

109. Andrew Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

     hard to win a WFS with a closer who gives up moon shots routinely

110. Keith Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

     Blanton for the Ashburn

111. Georgie Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

     3-2 final?

112. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

     Joe had a GREAT game. I know Vic was 3-4 with a run, and Werth was had 2 (HUGE) RBI’s but I am thinking Blanton for the Ashburn. Any of those 3 would be great though.

113. j reed Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

     Georgie-had to get the defibrillator but didn’t have to use it

114. Andrew Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:33 pm

     one good thing. When the phillies give up a homer it isnt a cheap one. It counts as 1 run no matter if it barely clears the wall or goes out into the upper deck. Lidge s a big big issue. How many more BS can we handle?

115. shag beta sigma delta Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

     well Lidge made it interesting, but got the job done that is all that counts I seem to remember a lot of saves like this last year
     Nice win,

116. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:37 pm

     I think for Joe, his ERA is a little decieving to me. He seems to be REALLY good with VERY FEW ER’s or completely off, and giving up 6 or 7, but really hasnt he pitched well so far except for maybe 2 starts? am I wrong? If I remember correctly take out like the first 2 starts, and his ERA would be closer to 3.2 rather than 4.4.

117. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:39 pm

     Andrew he got the save tonight. It wasnt a blown save, so If its him going in with 2 or 3 runs and only giving up 1 run, and thats it, so be it. He scared us all, but like Shag said, he at least got the job done.

118. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:41 pm

     Just curious where have the Trolls been? Eli seems to be absent alot.

119. Geoff Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:42 pm

     Nice win ,blanton solid again.

120. Georgie Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:47 pm

     I missed the whole game, my neighbor came over, and when I came in it was already the 8th inning, and then the tv guy came, can’t believe he’s working this late.

121. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:47 pm

     I didnt even see Amanda already answered my question in the blurb. “After a slow start, Blanton is improving as the season goes on. In his last eight starts, Blanton is 3-1 with a 2.63.”

122. j reed Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

     Andrew-agreed. That last slider looked good though. I was watching some Sunday night game and joe morgan said he though he was tipping as well. Either he tips or he releases the ball in a way that gives the batter more time to pick-up the ball’s rotation and since most of his sliders are out pitches, batters will lay off them and draw walks or force him to use his fastball which has lost some of his velocity. I think if he could still get up his fastball into the upper 90’s, it wouldn’t be such an issue but when batters can lay off your slider and wait on a 92-93 mph fastball you get moon shots. If he’s at the point in his career where his velocity, injury free, is waning then he needs another pitch . Usually, I think less is best for relievers/closers, but in his case as he isn’t a ground ball pitcher like Hoffman, he something else to keep batters on their toes.

123. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:06 pm

     J Reed. how has Lidges Mechanics been since he came back. Being in Colorado, I rarely get a chance to actually watch the game and am usually walking MLB.com and this website. I know before the injury, Lidge was CLEARLY not right. The biggest problem I saw then was lack of extension. He was noticeably favoring his knee by trying not to fully extand onto the knee. Is he fully back from that, or is he still a little timid?

124. Grrrumpy Miner Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

     Brian,you know as sure as sh8 with my Amazins losing (This SUCKS big time 6 1/2 out) jackasses like Eli are sitting in his corner eating his Christmas pie.I am glad most of youse guys are leaving the Mets for dead…..so that when they come back healthy…..they get to play spoilers because you know most of if not all the scrubs,schlubs and furniture movers will be playing for a paycheck in the 2010 season whether its for the Mets or not.Church for Francoeur is a start and hope Minaya has something other than his arm up his sleeve.

125. Georgie Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

     Grumps, did your mets lose again?

126. Sean P. Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

     Lidge got lucky tonight – when the count was full to that last batter instead of throwing a strike, the last batter swung at ball 4. How long are the Phillies going to stick with the floundering Lidge. He’s given up just about a run per inning.

     Lidge has been consistent each month with the 1 run per inning performance.

     If we get through mid-August and its continuing like this does anyone think there is any chance the Phils will remove Lidge from the closers role?

127. Georgie Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

     I can’t imagine they’d do that Sean, who would close, since madson wasn’t exactly “lights out” when he was closing?

128. mikemike Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

     Where is the little guy. call amaro and tell him to bring up marson. I know you work for the phillies so do us a favor please and get it done.

129. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

     Grrrumpy Miner, Beltran, Delgado and Reyes being out are not the only problems for your amazins, so when they come back, if the Amazins can get out of 4th place, it is also because Wright began hitting again and Pitchers stopped giving up runs. Those three being out has nothing to do with D. Wright going from a BA of close to .340 in April, May and beginning of June down to around .320. Those three being out also has nothing to do with Johan Santana giving 4 HR’s to the Phils, or 9 ER’s to the Yankees in 4 innings, or the other pitchers who have been around since the beginning giving up 5 or more runs. Run production may be down, but Pitching is also down.

130. jgqergn Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:29 pm

     Well, I would disagree Brian on one thing. Wrights average definently could have suffered from losing Reyes and Delgado, then Beltran was the final one. He is the only real threat. Pitchers do not need to pitch to him. Also, He goes on 15 game streaks. His average willl rise again. then drop.then rise.then drop

131. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:31 pm

     Not to mention Grrrumpy Miner, the Phils have been able to hang on with losing Lidge for a while (he was gone even when before the DL), Ibanez, Lopez, Bastardo and Myers (I think I am missing one), and get through J-Roll’s 2 month stretch of hitting .203. So it appears the the Phils and you Mets had the same amount of players get hit with Injuries.

132. Sean P. Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:32 pm

     I don’t know who would close however, as bad as Madson was he is still head and shoulders above Lidge as far as ERA goes. Maybe Romero, I don’t know.

     Lidge’s era is still 7.03(!) halfway through the season w/ 6 blown saves (most in MLB) in 24 opportunities plus 4 losses.

     Madson’s era is 3.09 w/ 4 blown saves in 8 opportunities.

     The Phils still have time, Lidge has time to turn things around – but if things don’t turn around this issue has to be addressed. At least for the sake of my fingernails and hair.

133. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

     jgqergn, I can see a drop of 5 points or so, but a drop of close to 23 to 25 points? I think thats a bit much.

134. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:38 pm

     Sean P, look at those stats again for a sec. Madson is 50% on save opportunties and Lidge is still close to 75%. What is Lidges count since return from injury. He has a loss from a NON save opportunity (I am not convinced that was all him seeing how the bunt led the man on 1st all the way to 3rd on a poor defensive play. What is lidges ERA since returning. As I recall his ERA was over 10 before the DL. Isnt Lidge 5 for 5 on actual save opportunities since his return?

135. Griffin Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

     Grrrumpy Miner, you’re a good Mets fan so I don’t mean to hit you while your down, but Jeff Francoeur is a terrible hitter. The Mets got worse today. Expect a lot more of articles like these:

     http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sweetspot/0-4-45/Mets-and-Braves-swap-RFs.html

136. Sean P. Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 10:55 pm

     Since lidge has come off the DL on June 26 he has given up 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings against PIttsburgh, Cinci, and the Blue Jays. Seems alarming to me. He is 5/5 in save opportunities, however, i have a hard time getting past all those runs for a guy who pitches 1 inning at a time or less.

     Being a closer, I think his ERA should be way below 7 even if it has dropped from 10 to 7.

     I’m just saying i don’t think were going to see a turn around from Lidge this season, but i hope he does and well have to see where he is a month or two from now.

137. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 11:00 pm

     Sean P I agree, however to say “as bad as Madson was he is still head and shoulders above Lidge” and in the same post point out that Madson is 50% on save ops and things like that I think is missing the point. I do agree that the runs given up are alarming, but I am not so alarmed about the 1 run in the ties game he went in for. To me that wasnt entirely him. The bunt was going foul, ok pick it up, get the guy out and keep the guy on 2nd, by letting him go to third, a bloop single scored him, had the guy been held at 2nd like usually would happen, I dont think he would have scored. He is CLEARLY not like he was last season, but to me Madson does FAR better as a set up man. I think Madson’s ERA as a closer is closer to 5, his ERA as a set up man is lower if I remember correctly.

138. Sean P. Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

     I agree with you, and agree that Madson is not the answer in the closer’s spot.

     I’m just frustrated with Lidge’s preformance especially after last year. I don’t expect him to be perfect. But he went from perfect to the opposite end of the spectrum.

139. mikemike Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 11:11 pm

     The mets took a shot with franceour. They gave up church big deal he has no upside, Lidge is scaring me everytime he pitches well almost everytime. coste gone and we keep bako, that makes no sense.

140. Brian of CO Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

     True statement Sean P. I also am wondering why we lets Coste go and kept Bako. Its not like Coste is great or anything, but I think hes better than Bako.

141. Sean P. Says:
     July 10th, 2009 at 11:22 pm

     Yea, definatly better than Bako. But i guess thats why i’m not upper level management material.

142. Pirates » Current News Trends Says:
     July 11th, 2009 at 12:30 am

     [...] Gameday: Pirates (38-47) At Phillies (45-38) | Phillies Nation [...]

143. j reed Says:
     July 11th, 2009 at 12:46 am

     Brian of CO – in answer to your question regarding Lidge’s mechanics…Let me get back to you on that….When I am watching him I am I am looking more at his arm, how he holds the ball and his glove more so than his lower body. I case you are wondering about the glove issue….when the Cards dave duncan got his hands on Kyle Loshe after us, he noticed that Loshe was tipping pitches by opening his glove for certain pitches and closing them for others. Once they resolved it, the Cards got themselves a pretty good pitcher. I thought that Dubee being so highly touted should have caught this. I mean that’s a big tell and given Loshe’s talent, for Dubee to have missed it says alot to me. So that’s why I go to pitch tipping with Lidge. As to his velocity which a knee problem would certainly affect, there is also the rotoray cuff injury to consider in that though years old could be contributing to premature decline in arm speed. Hard to say, since he was clocked one night @ 95 and tonight at 92….to me a third pitch solve these issues. A third pitch gives batters about a 33% chance of guessing right instead of a 50% chance unless he tips that to. Even if he not tipping but simply throwing with less deception it will give batters another type of rotation to contend with which i think would be harder than simply it is or it isn’t the slider. Now i definitely abdicate simplicity in pitching (i think this is the hurdle non-american asian pitcher face when they first arrive in MLB…they throw alot more off speed, trick pitches) but when age and injury being to limit you, if that is indeed the case, you have to play smarter and you achieve that best when you make it harder for the oppostion to predict your move. Unfortunantly, as closer experimenting with a new pitch can be too costly so even if a new pitch was the answer, it probably wouldn’t happen until the off season. Hamels however as a starter can master that curveball and has to…with just a fastball and change hitters can work up his pitch counts up by fouling pitches ad nauseum or if his fastball isn’t locating batters will sit back on that change-up which since it’s his out pitch, has to be up in the zone if he wants a callled strike and that’s unlikely cause it gonna be crushed or be blooped into the outfield for a basehit.

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