Gameday: Reds (40-41) At Phillies (43-37)
Posted by Amanda Orr, Tue, July 07, 2009 05:45 PM
Cincinnati Reds (40-41) at Philadelphia Phillies (43-37)
Aaron Harang (5-8, 3.86 ERA) vs. J.A Happ (5-0, 2.96 ERA)
Time: 7:05 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Cloudy, 83
TV: Comcast Sportsnet
Twitter: Phillies Nation
After a 22 run offensive explosion, the Phillies hope they saved some runs for tonight.
Aaron Harang hasn’t won a start since May 25, but don’t let that fool you. He has been pitching quality starts, but has lacked run support. Harang faced the Phillies earlier in the season. In seven innings, he allowed only one run and struck out nine. The Reds are hoping Harang can go deep into tonight’s game after the bullpen was over-used last night.
Since becoming a starter, J.A Happ has been fantastic. In his last start against the Braves, Happ gave up two runs over seven innings. If Happ gets into a jam, he has proved he can escape it. Many times he will get key ground-ball double plays.
Lately, Jimmy Rollins has been swinging the bat well. He has had success against Harang in the past, batting .348 against him in 23 at-bats.
Your Gameday Beer – Žatec is brewed by none other than the Žatecký Pivovar brewery in the Czech Republic. The label says “Since 1004″ so these guys know what they’re doing; which is why I am drinking one of these half-liter beauties right now. It also claims to be a “Bright Lager Beer” and I would definitely say the flavor reminds me of Yuengling – malty but completely balanced. Forget Bud Light, this beer defines drinkability. I am going to eat a chicken cutlet sandwich with roasted peppers and sharp provolone tonight. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
147 Responses to “Gameday: Reds (40-41) At Phillies (43-37)”
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July 7th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Ok, guys, we got a game with the Red tonight. And that only means one thing. Bad news for the Reds!
July 7th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Let’s keep Fantasy GM talk out of here. Let’s go Happ! Pitch another gem!
July 7th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Lets go big Pelf throw a shutout. We just have to hold on until August when every one is back healthy wealthy and wise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 7th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
What is the over / under for runs that the Phillies will score tonight? I say 8!
July 7th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Mets shouldn’t you be on the Mets blog right now and discussing that game with other mets fans and not on PN? Noone here cares what Pelfrey does tonight because regardless we will be 5.5 games ahead!
July 7th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Just of note Pablo Sandoval still leads the NL Final Vote after 48 hours. Victorino is still second. So keep voting Phillie Phans!!!!
Reds Lineup Tonight:
1. Taveras CF
2. Hairston SS
3. Votto 1B
4. Phillips 2B
5. Gomes LF
6. Hernandez C
7. Bruce RF
8. Encarnacion 3B
9. Harang P
Phillies: Rollins, Vic, Utley, Howard, Werth, Dobbs, Feliz, Ruiz, Happ
July 7th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
go Phils!
July 7th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
The Mets will get swept. My friend is a Mets fan. He says who cares anymore the season is over for his team. He said Delgado and Reyes wont make a big deal. He also says the phillies will be in the show. To much hitting and just needs one more pitcher.
July 7th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Did anyone see the vote Victorino commercial on DNL tonight? It was hilarious. I’d love to find a link of it online.
July 7th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
This might be crazy but there are no restrictions on how many times you vote so I might vote for 4 hours straight! Anyone wanna join?
July 7th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
http://www.thefightins.com/meechone/shane-victorinos-official-campaign-commercial/
There’s the commercial courtesy of thefightins.com
July 7th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I am the only one who thinks Dobbs has been very good lately, hasn’t gotten a hit in the last four or five games he has played in. This has to bode well for when he gets back into his pinch hitter role once Raul is back, and maybe even spell J. Wreth righties down the stretch. Not much talk about him, after all the haters earlier.
Go PHILS
July 7th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I have voted about 100-200 times already
July 7th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
The no voting thing really through me off. I was on there for close to a half hour trying to figure out when my 25 votes would be up. But I have been keeping the window up for the past two days and just vote 5 times or so every now and then. I have probably voted well over 100 times already.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Darn there goes the no hitter, time for a ground ball DP
July 7th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Yea I’m at over 100! But I’m going to try to bust 1000..Hey even if he doesn’t Im going to make sure he goes down Phighting
July 7th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
oh well just two more outs JA
have I mention how much I hate the blue dot on MLB.com that says in play no out(s) when the phillies are not batting
July 7th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
ok first K of the night good going so far JA
July 7th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
very nice three man faced three out, so JA is back to facing the minimum, lol
July 7th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
and a 13 pitch inning not bad for out new #2 call me Mr. Happ
why do i feel like I am talking to myself tonight
July 7th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
3 Ks for Happ so far
July 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Shag, you probably are because everyone else is busy voting for shane. That is what I’m doing at least. I work at a gym up at the desk and I have a lot of down time and I ended up voting over 500 times today. I lost count around 300 and then started recounting and got to 200. I can’t stop voting! It’s like a disease….
July 7th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
WOOOO BABY! Love those big poppa homers!
July 7th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
HOWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 7th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Whoaa! Howard!
July 7th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
WERTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2-0 Phillies
July 7th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
OHHHH MAMA! The Phils are bashing once again! JWerth!
July 7th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
WERTH!!! Back to Back baby!
July 7th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
And people don’t think he’s that good…
July 7th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Mets can be anywhere from 3.5 and 5.5 out tonite.But for anyone to say the Amazins are done is a bit premature.i do remember a certain team 7 games out with 17 games to go.Its not over not by a longshot.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
2 run single by Mannywood. Mutts are down 3-0.
Whoa how about that Cole-esque change up that J.A. just threw? Man, this guy is really starting to get in my good graces.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Mets are looking good already, down 3-0 in the 2nd.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
from mlbtr scott luaber reports blue jays have a scout at the game tonight looks like they will be asking for happ in any deal for roy
July 7th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
no trading Happ, and woo another hit for Jimmy
July 7th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
well 6 of our 9 hitters have hits already
July 7th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
don’t know who else they could be looking at ? afraid no happ could be a deal breaker
July 7th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
then we don’t get Halladay
July 7th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Bases loaded with no outs and we don’t get anyone home…I don’t care what the score is, that is pathetic.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Ahh… bases loaded with no outs… couldn’t anyone have gotten a sac. fly?
July 7th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
happ traded will really hurt the back of the rotation but halladay hamel blaton would not be bad for the second half and a playoof run
July 7th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
As far as I am concerned, I consider Happ to be the number 2 pitcher. Throughout his time here, he has been nothing but solid and has had some amazing outings. There are very few players I would trade him for. And that is the most GM talk I am doing today.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
well the reality of it is, you can’t get a guy like Doc for just high ceiling prospects. the Blue Jays or any team trading a guy with his talent will want at least one MLB ready player.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
D’oh. That’s why you need to get some runs with the bases loaded and no outs.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
blah
July 7th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Well, and now the Reds are back in it. Goddamit.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Yea that bases loaded debacle might come back to bite them
July 7th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Ruiz with a solid triple, now only Happ and Dobbs need hits lol
July 7th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Jimmy no first pitch swinging please! Ur patience has been paying off
July 7th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Phillies are 1 for 7 with RISP. Ah, that’s the Phillies that I know and love.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Phillies really need to put up some runs to make up for the past two innings. Can’t let teams hang around.
Looks like another fine outing by Pelfrey. He just got pulled.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Boy we are leaving runners in scoring postion tonight.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
we are clearly out of this with the offense now. I told you we were streeky. no one will admit we are done. we should look at trading with the mets since they clearly have the future of the division.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
how about we trade dobbs, lidge, howard, ibanez, madson, werth and victorino for halliday? what does everyone think?
July 7th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
BREAKING NEWS!
Phillies have traded mikemike and Cairo for a couple of bananas, good trade? anyways, everyone has a hit except Happ
July 7th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
mikemike shut up! Seriously you come on here and sound like an idiot!
July 7th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Damn! Well the offense needs to wake up now!
July 7th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
you both make aj and little guy look intelligent, so you shut up. I know when it is over when I see it. we need to trade and trade now while our guys have value.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
still cant believe the phillies had bases loaded and 0 outs and couldn’t get even a sac fly or run…sucks
July 7th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Is mikemike posing as a mets fan? Phillies are the past, present, and future of this division. Phils will win this division going away. Mets will finish in 4th place, approximately 20 games behind us. Mark my words. And stop blaming injuries. Blame Minaya for not knowing how to spend that money. No depth, no guts, no good. That is the Mets. Even Alex Cora says the same thing.
And there, I’ve said too much about this incredibly irrelevant team from NYC.
Some insurance might be nice in this 3-2 game, but I’m getting more confident in this bullpen again…
July 7th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I am a phillies fan, I just know when it is over unlike you stupid people. We are done for this year. We score 22 in one game and 3 in the next. harung is not that good of a pitcher. we just have lost it. I am greatful for 2008, but it is time to unload.
Back to my questions how about those for Haliday or even Santana?
July 7th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
and bobby you idiot it is a 3-3 game
July 7th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Can’t believe we loaded the bases with 0 outs and couldn’t get a single run in! Ugh…
Oh well, it’s still a tied game…
July 7th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
on vacation this week, but i just got a text from a bud saying werth, savery, and drabek is the likely trade for halladay. all i can find is speculation on this site, and i cant reach him for credibility. is there a reason he gave me those three names?
July 7th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Happ pitched alright
July 7th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Another solid start by Mr. Happ!!!
July 7th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
OK guys: It’s time to get some runs. Either that, or we need to convince MLB to allow us to use roll-over runs.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Imagine a rotation of H cubed.
Halladay
Hamels
Happ
*drools*
July 7th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
maxhole – that is a steel if we can get him for that. lets do it. we may be contenders if we do. no trade = season over c’mon rubuen
July 7th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Alright? 7 IP, 3 runs… We’d be placing Moyer on a pedestal if he’d finish 7 innings… nothing against the old guy, but just saying…
July 7th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
besides, that was the original deal i posted about a week ago, so someone is reading this site.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
ok im serious about this, but still who knows. my next door neighbor is the one who texted me. just got a second text saying his friend is a phillies intern who has the inside scoop. werth, savery, drabek for halladay is the word its supposed to happen by tomorrow
July 7th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Maxhole, I don’t believe that and if it is true that’s too much. We can’t give up our best pitching prospect and our everyday RF who is really awesome.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I am excited now, werth is a POS
July 7th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
phil i agree man, werth is reliable. unfortunately, thats prob the stuff itll take to pick up halladay
July 7th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Maxhole…it’s not true. The Jays do not need outfield help, they do want a major league ready SS, however. I strongly believe that Donald will be in a deal.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
eww no trading those players
July 7th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I heard today the jays gm said it would take about 8-10 guys, but if they deal for 3 we r good. i am excited
July 7th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
WHAT?! BRUNTLETT?! Ohhhh my.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Eric Bruntlett?? WTH
July 7th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Oh, come on! Ten hits and only 3 runs???
July 7th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
seriously why is he still on this team.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
and that is a perfect example of how we need a solid right handed bat off the bench. Hell, I would have trusted Stairs in that situation over Bruntlett.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
they need to trade bruntlett too, though he has no value on this earth. They actually read my post about trading those three for Halliday. I posted that a week ago and they are doing it. The power of these blogs is amazing. This is great. We are going to have a real starter, and make cole the 3 starter where bebelongs. now we need to trade lidge and madson for premium closers
July 7th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
whose decision is it to decide the PH because why would you use your WORST pinch hitter at this point in the game?? horrible decision
July 7th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
That’s way having JRoll is so crucial on the defensive end…what a terrible terrible play by Hairston there. Could cost the Reds the game. I’ll take it!
July 7th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
We can’t catch a break. Jimmy swinging at the first pitch!
July 7th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
we should tarde j-roll too because his hot streak adds value
July 7th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Trade bruntlett? How about release him? This is so typical Phillies, score a bunch of runs one night and the next night they somehow find it impossible to hit with RISP…the sad thing is, everyone saw this coming. Maddening.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
so frustrating to use gamecast. this site keeps crapping out on me too
July 7th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
mikemike we need to trade you to a Pirates blog
come on Phillies!
July 7th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
@Maxhole: I think there’s a problem with the site, because it’s crapping out on me even when I don’t have Gameday open.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Aw crap… reds take the lead.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I hate seeing closers in non save situations
July 7th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Lidge is not good in these situations and he is not 100%. But honestly we should have scored like 6 runs.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
lidge needs to remember how to throw a first pitch strike. fundamentals are out the door with him anymore. how do you expect to get guys out if you cant get ahead in the count
July 7th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
this game sucks…the phillies could have have had so many more runs at this point!! offense looked ok at the beginning of the game, but then they went back to swinging at bad pitches, being impatient, etc.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Looks like the Phillies are back to doing what they do best: Sucking.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
OK: It’s do-or-die time guys. We’re not getting any roll-over runs.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Can blame Lidge, but can blame crapping the bed with men on base even more. Poor loss (likely).
July 7th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Man I hate these types of games. Hopefully we can have a walk-off
July 7th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
This game is about Charlie and his faith in Bruntlett. WHY??
July 7th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Someday Charlie will realize that Lidge sucks in non-save situations.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
@Phils Phan: Yeah, they’ve really blown it with men on base.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I was at the store. Why did Bruntlett pinch hit when he is batting .130. Why not Coste? Sh1t even Mayberry
July 7th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
well, tomorrow we will have halliday and we will eb fine. we will lose werth and some other dead wwait. No sense in high payroll for a stagnent team.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
OK, winning run at the plate…
July 7th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
i dont blame it on lidge because i guarantee if it was a save situation, he would have pitched fine.
anyway, why was bruntlett up there PH again? i’d rather have anyone else even if it was a left handed batter – they should have just left dobbs in as he probably could have had a better shot at hitting, even a sac fly
July 7th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
The last hope for the Phillies is Eric Bruntlet- There is a phrase you never ever want to hear.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
yea I have not seen this game yet still at work, I see Lidge blew the save, but way too many men left on base, from the stat book.
I say tough loss move on, the phillies are not going to sweep every team they are better than, come back get them tomorrow, win the series and bring on the Bucs. should have scored more runs, JA pitched well, a couple of HR’s the offense got hits just not key ones.
My only Bitch would be why pinch run for Peter Happy, he is not that slow, and you take Peter Happy out of the game, when the guy has been tearing the cover off the ball.
But like I said it is just a loss, as long as we win tomorrow we will be fine
July 7th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Can we get rid of Bruntlett now, he can’t field and can’t hit, pretty much the essentials of a good baseball player
July 7th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Thats where NOT having a legitimate RH pinch hitter with power cost us a ballgame
July 7th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Jason Werth is becoming the new Pat Burrell/ Eric Lindros. He puts up huge numbers, but not when you need them.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
You can’t blame Lidge for the fact that they’re 1-12 with RISP tonight.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
and I know most of this trade talk is bs. But my two cents you can not trade any of the starting 8 I don’t care if it is for Halladay, and I would not trade MR. Happ because he has proven he can pitch on this level. And I do not care how much of a sure thing any of these minor leaguers are, you just do not know, as much as all of you love Drabek, i would trade him before Happ
July 7th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Why Manuel did not hit Mayberry with a man on third makes me want to crap him out. he is so bad in these spots. bruntlet should be on the mets. the sucky AAA team. they are pathetic.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I cannot fathom how the Phils found a way to lose this game. They had at least 4-5 chances to score a guy from third with less than 2 outs off the Cincinnati Reds. The Phils took the Reds for granted tonight and let them hang around. Werth went for his second grand slam in 2 nights and struck out. J-Roll who has had more than his share of pop outs this yr hits a grounder to a corner infielder with a guy on third with less than 2 outs!!! I am disgusted by this loss. I will guarantee a Phil’s loss tomorrow after this disgusting display of baseball. I am mortified that Bruntlett was able to bat twice in crucial situations. I don’t know if I will be able to sleep tonight after I watched this slop. I’m hoping that this Phils team will revert back to their old selves (a la 2008) after this pitiful loss.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Morris you are high, Jayson has had some clutch hits in his career man some of you are way too sensitive, you expect to win every game, yes they should have scored more runs, but they did not it is one game they are still 4-1 in the last 5 and will win tomorrow,
July 7th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
@ Tracey- your right this doesnt fall on Lidge sooner or later he would give up a run. This goes on Cholly! This year he really has made some poor decisions. You do not use a slumping hitter as a DH you just don’t do that! Another thing with Vic on third, bases loaded no outs why not try a squeeze play. Where is the small ball we cant jus rely on hits
July 7th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Lidge didn’t blow the save, because it was a non-save situation.
The whole fault falls on our lineup’s inability to capitalize with runners in scoring position, with zero outs! Leaving the bases loaded (with no outs to start with) is inexcusable!!
July 7th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Here come the mets
July 7th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Morris- As to Brunlett, he’s a swiss army knife of a fielder and that’s the only reason I think they keep him. Who do you think they should get or do you think Donald, once recovered, is capable? How bout the Pronger trade? I think Pronger is latin for “dead Penguins”
July 7th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
It’s easy to blame Lidge, but the offense was putrid. After winning by 21 last night, they were obviously going to lose by 1 tonight. Freaking unbelievable.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Ok, hear me out. Lidge, Bruntlet, madson, werth, stairs, drabek, donald for halliday and hill. we are sellers, we now proved that we cannot win this division.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
It is really disheartening to see the Phils lose a game like this when they had so many chances to score runs. Poor game management by Manuel.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
poor managing decisions are also to blame – first, bruntlett pinch hitting is a joke. i cannot even understand what made charlie think that he was going to make contact with the ball??
second, why even use lidge if its a non-save situation? just give him a day off so when we actually do need him, he will be well rested. they used him tonight and i dont know how many pitches he threw but he didn’t have a 1,2,3 quick inning.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Honesltly just dont even talk to that guy, hes trying to get attention. Its not funny, no one believes that. Just stop.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
mikemike – why would an AL team need a utility fielder like bruntlett or if donald is in the deal, isn’t that redundant since he’s being hyped as a utility man? And why would the Jays take Stairs back?
July 7th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Geoff you are another idiot. for real, do us a favor and don’t post
July 7th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Stairs came from the rays
July 7th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
yeah here comes those mets 8-0 yo the dodgers
July 7th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Werth hits the grand slam last night with the Phillies up by 17. But this is the 3rd time in about 10 days that he has come up to the plate with the bases loaded and crapped the bed.
I don’t quite understand it. This team some times has the attitude of somebody else will take care of it, and then later seems to have a trying to do too much attitude. The division is there for the taking right now. They need to jump on it.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Stairs came from Toronto for Fabio Castro in a waiver-trade.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Pretty soon you all will be regretting the mets. we will come back healthier and wealthier and take this division. Reyes, Delgado, Beltran and Perez will come back and be perfect.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
mikemike – why would an AL team need a utility fielder like bruntlett or if donald is in the deal, isn’t that redundant since he’s being hyped as a utility man? And why would the Jays take Stairs back? Oh wait i didn’t see Hill, there. I suppose Donald is for Hill. Don’t think the Jays will give both up when they can get so much for 1 SP. Hill’s 27 years. 27-30 are the prime years when most players put up there best stats. He’s also a 2nd basemen….and we already have the best in mlb. What turn him into a SS?
July 7th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Last time I checked the METS lost, too. And oh, nevermind that there are 2 very good teams above them…
July 7th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Why must everyone on this blog worry about the Mets. How about we worry about our own team and its flaws. 5 games over .500 is hardly anything to be excited about. We swept the Mets, congrats. We beat up on a horrible team ravaged by injuries. Imagine us being competitive without Howard/Ibanez/Rollins/Madson/2 our our starters. Stop continuing Philly’s inferiority complex with New York. We shouldn’t respond to Mets fans who post here. Just worry about ourselves. Before we know it we’ll be in 2nd behind the Marlins. Forget the Mets.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
This one hurts a bit, but we’ll bounce back tomorrow with our sudden Cy Young candidate on the hill, Rodrigo Lopez. Seriously, this is the way baseball goes. One night, everything you hit finds a hole and the next you can’t hit the broad side of a barn with men in scoring position. But I agree with the postings about bringing in Lidge. You don’t bring your closer into a tie game in the 9th inning. Just asking for trouble.
Obviously a game we should have won, but as others have pointed out, Happ looked good and the Phils have given up exactly 7 runs in the past five games. And the five starters pitched into or beyond the 7th inning in every one of those games. This is what we need to keep an eye on to gauge postseason hopes. If the pitchers come close to that performance these next five games, I’m feeling good. I agree that we could use another right-handed bat, but overall, the offense isn’t broken, it just tends to chug to a halt when Jimmy is off, as he was tonight. Utley, Howard, Werth, Ruiz are fairly consistent, whether great, good, or fair. What we need is Jimmy to keep getting multi-hit games and Ibanez to return after the all-star break.
And yeah, Halladay would be nice, but I’m not holding my breath. We’d have to trade Happ and probably two other very promising minor league pitchers, along with some key position player. Maybe more. The price is going to be very steep. Halladay is a horse and he’s saying all the right things. The Red Sox may be in the best position because they’re so deep. But according to Ken Rosenthal, we’re a leading contender. It’s going to be very interesting.
http://bit.ly/pSTkU
July 7th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
ATOPTHENLEAST – all fans but you are smart they fear us and our power. rememebr we were atop in 2006, 2007 and 2008. We are the team to beat this year once everyone gets back. Your fans know it and that is why they hate us
July 7th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
I tend to wonder…where was Eli all weekend when we got swept.You come in when the Phils lose? Is THAT the only satisfaction you have.Mets lost too bub PLUS I saw at least ONE Mets based team win in Coney Island…Cyclones-3/Iron Birds-2 Had fun and great to see a team play with heart and a want to win.16-2 now In the NY-Penn League.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Eli, you are living in a fantasy world, but I like your positivity, even if you are a lousy Mets fan. At least you’re not a closeted Met fan, like mikemike.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I would rather see the Phillies loose then the mets win somedays. I lead a dull life.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
It also looks like everyone has thrown the Mets in 4th…why not have us drop deeper maybe behind the Nats…its not too late for dead last.Leave the Amazins for dead,thats fine by me.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
At the moment, I do not support the idea of trading for Halladay. Halladay has only known the Blue Jays’ organization; there is no telling how he would blend into Phils’. This is a championship team, and we do not know how he would fare in such an environment. He very well could be a quality start machine for the Phils just as he has been for the Jays, but minor league depth is critical for defending champions more than anybody else. The entire league is out to prove themselves against the Phils; if any of the players falter under that kind of pressure as the season goes on, hungry, dynamic youngsters could provide the right balance. Losing Happ and/or Drabek – among others – would be too high a price. This is not to downplay that which Halladay could bring to the ballclub. Indeed, his success would likely continue and the Phils would have a rotation to remember. But who knows how long that will last?
Tonight, Lidge should have been able to keep the score level. Yes, closers by definition thrive in save situations, but baseball demands that all players play as consistently as possible in whatever situation arises. I do give Lidge credit for trying, though, especially since he is still getting back into the swing of things after the injury.
The real problem – this is, of course, the topic of the night – is the offensive letdown from last night. No one had anticipated another blowout, but the contrast was much starker than it needed to be. Their offensive output came, once again, from the longball. Mitch Williams was spot on during the post game. He declared that even a squeeze play isn’t a bad thing to try when RISP haven’t been driven in. Harang is a good pitcher, too, but one whom the Phils have faced on several occasions. I keep wondering why the Phils’ team batting average has to be this low in relation to the number of runs that they have scored. While a high-echelon pitcher should be on their wish list, the Phils have to consider what offensive upgrades they can make so that they don’t go cold in the clutch on a frequent basis.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Morris- in fairness to Werth, he hit that granny off a position guy, SS, who Baker put in the game to save his late-inning quality for a stituation like tonight..why waste them when its 16-1 or whatever the score was at the time. Tonight, Harang’s a different story. But nonetheless. 1-10 with RISP is a tough pill to swallow. I don’t know why the management doesn’t coach a little more small ball in these stituations because the players don’t seem capable of it at times, or at least they are not all on the same page to pull it off. Man, they’ve got oodles of god-given talent, and good dispositons…they just need a serious shot of baseball IQ and the rest is history.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
werth is a good trade chip
July 7th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
good job lidge thats y i love you. one good year than your a bust
July 8th, 2009 at 12:42 am
mets88 you are such a craphead. you show when we loose but not when we win. go back to your own sites.