Phillies Nation

Sweep Revenge! Phightin’ Phils Over .500

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, April 23, 2008 12:23 AM

Pat Burrell’s bases-clearing double off Colorado closer Manny Corpas swung the game completely around in the top of the ninth, giving the Phillies an 8-6 lead, which Brad Lidge nailed down. With yet another awesome comeback, the Phils have swept the Rockies and are now above .500 for the first time in 2008, at 11-10.

In 2007, the Phillies didn’t get over .500 until May 26.

Burrell’s three-run double capped a wild evening where the offenses kept punching back at each other. Chase Utley, while ending his home run streak, blasted a two-run double in the third inning. The Rockies came right back with doubles and a Matt Holliday homer. Down one, Jayson Werth hit his second homer in as many days. The Rockies grabbed two more thanks to a Garrett Atkins homer. Down two, Greg Dobbs singled home Pedro Feliz. That set up the ninth-inning drama.

So Taguchi led off the ninth with a single. Utley singled to center field, and with Taguchi heading to third base, Willy Taveras thoughtlessly threw the ball to third, allowing Utley to reach second. Ryan Howard was intentionally walked with first base open, loading the bases for Burrell. If I’m Rockies manager Clint Hurdle there, I pitch to Howard — why even give Burrell the chance with less than two outs when Howard isn’t even striking balls deep? Poor move.

Charlie Manuel made his own controversial move, leaving ace Brett Myers in the game for the seventh inning after a quick sixth. Garrett Atkins made Manuel pay for his decision. At the time I wasn’t very happy with the decision, but you have to give Myers confidence to go seven, even with mediocre stuff. That he was facing the meat of the Rockies lineup at Coors Field is just a tough factor that led to his six earned runs. His ERA is now at 4.78.

Ryan Madson toughed through the eighth and earned the win. Lidge looked phenomenal, working fast and striking out Clint Barmes en route to his fourth save.

Also, give credit to Jayson Werth, whose .300 average and fine power has been a fine substitute — heck, improvement — for Shane Victorino … and Greg Dobbs, who continues to come up with clutch pinch hit after clutch pinch hit. If there’s one thing we can say about Manuel, it’s that he knows how to use his bench.

All in all another great win for the Phils, who will travel to Milwaukee with Cole Hamels ready to go.

Associated Press photo

Here are some photos from the game:

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Down Early, Phils Power Past Rockies

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, April 22, 2008 12:10 AM

It started downright ugly, with the defense flubbing plays and Kyle Kendrick not on his game again. But somehow, the Phils remained in the game and seized the opportunity, turning a typical loss into a runaway 9-5 win over the Rockies.

The offense looked sharp, and in critical situations. Jayson Werth hit his first career inside-the-park home run with a drive to the deepest part of Coors Field, and Chase Utley followed that up with his ninth homer of the year, his sixth in five games (he’s hit one in each of his last five, tying a franchise record). Down one, the Phils manufactured a two-out rally to load the bases off local product Taylor Buchholz. And with the bases loaded — a spot in which the Phils have struggled this year — Carlos Ruiz came up huge with a two-run double to grab the lead.

Werth and TJ Bohn added to the damage in the ninth, gaining insurance for the Phils for the easy close. Werth had two hits, Utley had two hits, Ryan Howard had two hits, and Pat Burrell had three hits, including his seventh home run of the season.

Kudos to the bullpen, who came up large. Clay Condrey battled out of a scoreless sixth inning; Rudy Seanez worked a scoreless seventh for the win; Tom Gordon had a fine eighth inning for the hold; Brad Lidge closed the door on the Rockies. Food for thought: Coming into the game the bullpen had a 3.03 ERA. They are now under 3.00.

Kendrick struggled to get five innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and two walks.

Associated Press photo

Here are some photos from the game:

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Pictures from Opening Day 2008

Posted by Brian Michael, Wed, April 02, 2008 09:12 PM

It was cold, rainy and the Phillies lost, but it was still better than going to work.

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Phillies vs. Pirates - PNC Park

Posted by Brian Michael, Fri, August 17, 2007 10:18 AM

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Hamels vs. Clemens - Citizen’s Bank Park

Posted by Brian Michael, Mon, September 04, 2006 09:57 AM

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Great Britain vs. Ireland - Finsbury Park, London

Posted by Brian Michael, Sat, July 29, 2006 09:50 AM

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Armed Forces Night - Citizen’s Bank Park

Posted by Brian Michael, Wed, June 14, 2006 09:49 PM

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Phillies Nation Bus Trip - RFK Stadium

Posted by Brian Michael, Sat, June 10, 2006 10:01 PM

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Opening Day 2006 - Citizen’s Bank Park

Posted by Brian Michael, Mon, April 03, 2006 10:04 PM

Thanks to Brandon Boyd, Maria Pratt, Alex Herrera for the pictures.

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New Left Field Wall Construction - Citizen’s Bank Park

Posted by Brian Michael, Thu, December 29, 2005 10:05 PM

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