Results tagged ‘ Red Sox ’

Hamels Steals A Base And A Win

It was a tight one, but Cole Hamels pitched the Phillies to a 1-0 win; a complete game shut-out against the Giants.  He has not only found his Mojo, but Hamels also found his curveball and even his fastball location.  Towards the end of the game, Hamels retired 21 batters in a row. 

By the 9th inning, he had a 1 hit shut-out going when Rich Aurilia knocked a single and it looked like things might get scary.  But then Hamels busted out his new and improved pick-off move and nailed the pinch runner trying to steal second base.  He nailed down the final two outs and sent the crowd home happy.P6216377 Hamels.jpg

In 9 innings, Hamels struck out 9 batters and gave up only 2 hits and 1 walk.   All that and he even stole a base in the game; it was the first stolen base of his career.  Is Hamels back?  It certainly looks that way.

Both pitchers were dealing tonight and Jonathan Sanchez shut down the Phillies offense.  Ryan Howard managed to knock in the only run for the Phillies after Shane Victorino singled, stole a base and advanced on a Chase Utley sacrifice.  Howard had 2 hits in the game, but the rest of the offense was mostly anemic.  But all is well that ends well and the Phillies take Game 1 of this series.

Up Next

The series continues with the Giants tomorrow at 7:05pm with JA Happ on the mound.  Tim Lincecum was originally scheduled to start for the Giants, but with the new acquisition of Brad Penny off waivers from the Red Sox, it looks like Penny will get the nod; Lincecum will go on Thursday night.  I will be at the game tomorrow hoping for the Happ-Y outcome :O)

Accolades

Ryan Howard has been named NL Player of the Week right on the heels of Jayson Werth receiving the same honor last week.  Howard batted .393 with 5 homers and 12 RBI.  September is here and Howard is all warmed up!

Photo by Jenn

 

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Phillies Take One From The BoSox

In this 3-game series against a very good Red Sox team, the Phillies managed to escape with one win yesterday.  The game did not start out great, as JA Happ struggled in the 2nd inning and gave up 4 runs, including back-to-back homers.  But Happ went to his Happ-Y place and recovered nicely; although he walked 6 and allowed 5 runs total, Happ still managed to pitch though almost 6 innings to give the bullpen a much needed rest.

JROLL surf 2.jpgThe Phillies offense battled back and scored 4 runs in the 5th and then 6 in the 7th inning.  Singles by Pedro Feliz, Chris Coste and Chase Utley and a double from Ryan Howard led the charge in the 5th.  Then in the 7th, Jimmy Rollins emerged from his slump and hit a lead-off home run.  The rest of the team jumped on his back, decided to Hang Ten and ride the wave for 6 more runs which included 2 of those runs scored after Sox pitching hit J-Roll in his 2nd at-bat of the inning and then issued a walk to Shane Victorino all with the bases loaded to force in runs.  The game ended with a score of 11-6; the exact same score of the previous day’s game, but this time, it was in the Phillies favor.

Moyer Foundation

So the Phillies get a break from baseball today, but Jamie Moyer and many other players will do their part for charity tonight at the Philly Celebrity Waiters Dinner at the ballpark.  Benefiting the Moyer Foundation’s Camp Erin, which assists children in distress, many players will don aprons and serve food and drink to Philly locals in an effort to raise money for the cause.  It is always nice to see athletes using their free time to help the community.  Now just try not to drop a serving tray on anyone’s head… ;O)

Up Next

Tuesday night, the Phillies will host the Toronto Blue Jays for some more nerve-wracking interleague play.  Cole Hamels will take the mound at 7:05pm and Phillies fans will get to say hello to a few old friends; Scott Rolen and Rod Barajas.  So I know how Philly fans feel about Rolen, who publicly criticized the team years ago when he left, but he is still a cutie.  Please try to be gracious and not boo him…asking too much?  Oh well.

“The Pen”

Last night, the MLB Network premiered its new reality TV series, “The Pen,” which will follow the Phillies bullpen from Spring Training all the way to the All-Star break this year.  Last night’s episode gave a behind the scenes look at how pitchers are evaluated in Spring Training, how the 5th starter was chosen, what some of the players do in their free time with their kids and family, the impact of losing Harry Kalas and everything in between.  They even showed the agony that JA Happ went through when he had to call home to tell his family that Chan Ho Park was given the 5th spot and that he was unsure if he would make the team.  Cameras followed him as he sat on his bed in the hotel and made the phone call.  Gut wrenching, emotion stuff.  It was absolutely outstanding and after the hour was up, I was sad that it had to end.  But luckily, a new episode will air every Sunday night.  Make sure to tune in!

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Rollins Photo – Jenn

 

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The Interleague Nightmare Continues…

Friday night’s loss after an irresponsible decision by an umpire not to review a home run that was called foul was magnified last night as the Phillies dropped the 2nd game in the series to the Red Sox.  It began to pour as the game began and rookie pitcher, Antonio Bastardo, did not fare well in the rain.  Then again, the defense did little to help him.  The Phillies have had the best defense in baseball thus far, but last night committed 3 errors in the 1st inning.  Between that and the pitching, they were buried in a 5 run deficit after one inning going into a rain delay.061309a.jpg

95 minutes later, play resumed and Chad Durbin took the mound, pitching 3 scoreless innings.  The Phillies offense got the team back in the game, scoring 4 runs.  Chase Utley and Shane Victorino doubled to get 1 in the 3rd and then Raul Ibanez did his usual, knocking a solo shot over the right field wall in the 4th.   Jayson Werth singled next and Pedro Feliz hit a home run behind him to make the score 4-5; it was Feliz’s first home run in 40 games.

But the offensive outburst went for naught as reliever Jack Tashner (or Trashner?) took the mound and quickly gave up 3 more runs to the Sox in one inning.  Rookie Sergio Escalona, who was called up again after Kyle Kendrick was sent back to the minors, pitched 2 innings; Escalona did great in the 6th, but in the 7th got wild and allowed 2 more runs to score.  However, he did nail Phillie-hater, JD Drew very near the head with a pitch, so for that, Phillies fans everywhere thank him ;O) (FYI - this is a JOKE; I do not agree with anyone getting hit…in case that was unclear)

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Werth did hit a solo homer in the 7th, but that would do it for the offense.  The Phillies went down 11-6 in what took 5 hours and 16 minutes with the rain delay.  After 3 games in a row with extra innings, then this delayed game, we can only hope the Phillies can muster the energy today to face Josh Beckett and maybe sneak away with 1 win in the series.  JA Happ will pitch for the Phillies and the tired bullpen is counting on him.  Oh, no pressure man.  No pressure at all…

Here is the Photo Album from the game.  I took some very interesting photos of the dark and ominous Philadelphia skyline during the rain delay, as well as game action.

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Photos – Jenn

 

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A Lot Of K’s And A “Foul” Ball


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There was so little contact with the ball in last night’s Phillies-Red Sox match-up, that for most of the game, the fielders looked like this:

The Phillies pitchers struck out 14 batters and the Sox struck out 20 batters.  Phillies starter Joe Blanton had a great game, giving up just 2 solo homers in 7 innings.  But Jon Lester of the Sox out-pitched him by 1 run.  It was a classic pitcher’s duel, but left many fans at the park were left wondering if they should have brought their pillows.

The greatest excitement for most of the game was watching the emotional JC Romero pitch against the team that let him go in 2007 (thank you, Sox!).  In his usual style, Romero was all over the zone, but effective.  He pitched part of the 8th and the entire 9th while allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk.  JC, we are SO happy to have you back!

Phillies fans were woken from their slumber though in the bottom of the 9th when Ryan Howard hit a solo home run to tie the game at 2-2.  Extra innings followed, for the 3rd game in a row, but the Phillies were robbed of the win from the umpire (in my opinion anyway). 

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Greg Dobbs
hit what should have been a 2-run homer that was called a foul ball in the 11th inning.  Jim Joyce, who called it foul, refused to check the replay after manager Charlie Manuel requested it.  Tell me why then do we have Instant Replay?  Wasn’t the entire purpose to check on game changing calls? 

Look at the photo to the right; I freeze framed the video right as the ball passes the pole.  If the pole were taller, the ball would have hit it.  Therefore, it is a fair ball – game over.  But either Joyce is a Red Sox fan or he just likes staying up all night into extra innings.  At the very least, he should have reviewed it.  If he did so and still called it foul, fine.  I can live with that.  But the fact that he just flat out refused?  Unacceptable.

But as we all know, umpires can screw with games as often as they like and suffer no consequences.  So, on to the 12th inning they went…

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Kyle Kendrick
was recalled from the minors today after Scott Eyre was placed on the 15-day DL before the game with a calf strain.  This is a big shot to the Phillies bullpen.  Eyre has been great this year with a 2.57 ERA in 25 games.  And Kendrick trying to replace him, clearly was not up to the challenge.  He did fine in the 12th but then allowed 3 runs to the Sox in the 13th, losing the game for the Phillies.

So despite the amazing pitching (except Kendrick), and the 2-run homer that was called foul from Dobbs, the Phillies went down 5-2 in this first game of three.  I am getting ready to go to the game tonight and will be packing an extra set of glasses for Mr. Joyce.  Oh, and if I could somehow impart some common sense and decency onto him, I would gladly do that as well.

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Kitty – funnyanimalphotos.com

Kendrick – Jenn

Foul or Fair? – mlb.com

 

Ibanez Rocks New York

Raul Ibanez brought the pain to the New York Mets last night with a 3-run shot into the bullpen in the 10th inning.  The Phillies win the series in New York, 2 games to 1 and come home with a 7-3 record on this most recent road trip.

Ibanez has been the biggest surprise of the year for this team, bringing the defense to match his offense.  In the 4th, Ibanez played a hot shot off the wall and nailed David Wright at 2nd who was trying for a double.  From all the way back on the warning track, not only did Ibanez get the ball to Chase Utley without a hop, he placed the toss perfectly so Utley could make an easy tag. 
Thumbnail image for Ibanez Hulk.jpgThis guy has been like the Incredible Hulk for the Phillies (or the Ibanez Hulk), tossing opponents around as if they were small woodland creatures instead of professional ball players.  While leading the majors with 58 RBI’s, slugging percentage (.674) and he is also second in homers with 21, Ibanez has put this team on his back and intends to carry them to the promise land.  Could chants of “MVP!” from the fans at the ball park be far behind?  Just wait; it’s coming.

And the starting pitching continues to improve as well.  Jamie Moyer had another quality start against the Mets, going 6 innings with 3 runs on 8 hits and did not walk anyone.  He looked a bit frustrated at times, but he is the master at buckling down and getting it done.  The bullpen had another great outing too.  Clay Condrey continues to turn heads with his 2.27 ERA and last night he pitched 2 scoreless and hitless innings.  Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre took care of business in the 9th and Ryan Madson saved the game in the 10th.

But just when everything is about to click….the Phillies are getting ready to butt heads with the Boston Red Sox who are coming off a 3-game sweep of the Yankees.  The Phillies have been extraordinarily bad in inter league play historically; will 2009 be different?  Or will the Sox derail the train in Philly?  We shall see…

Save A Pet


Thumbnail image for utley_150x180.jpgIf you are going to the game tonight, stop by the Save A Pet charity booth which will be located at the first base gate and run by the Phillies Wives.  You can adopt an animal in need, donate toys and blankets, and/or purchase a calendar for which the proceeds go to benefit the SPCA.  Phillies players were photographed with either their own animals or adoptable pets from the SPCA and the result is a very adorable calendar.  You can also
buy the calendar online if you are not able to get to the game.  I may need to get about 10 copies… :O)

“Minor” Steroid Issue

Pablo Ozuna signed a Minor League contract with the Phillies on Jan. 22 and has since been playing 2nd base for the AAA Iron Pigs.  Yesterday, he was suspended 50 games for violating the league’s drug policy with an elevated testosterone level.  Prior to this year, he spent a short time with the Dodgers in 2008 and 3 years with the White Sox before that.  The Phillies are the 5th team he has played for.

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Utley photo: Phillies.com

Phillies Opening Day Preview

Quick recap of the last 2 Spring games:  The Phillies beat the Rays yesterday, 3-2, thanks in part to a Jason Donald walk of RBI single.  Today, they lost 9-7.  Cole Hamels, still rehabbing his sore elbow, pitched 5 innings, allowing 6 hits, 6 runs and a walk.  Not a great outing, but he got his work in and should be able to start against the Rockies next week.  Pat Burrell led the game off for the Rays in his only appearance today, greeting former teammate Hamels with a shot to left field that, even against the strong wind, flew into the seats.  A nice exit from Philly for Burrell who was visibly emotional after the rousing applause he received from Phillies fans over the past two days.  We will miss him!

Tomorrow the REAL games begin!!  So, have you seen the Phillies Opening Day/Night Schedule?  Here are the highlights:

5:05 p.m. – All gates open

5:28-6:28 p.m. – Phillies batting practice

6:28 – 7:18 p.m. - Braves batting practice

7:23 p.m.Cardinal O’Hara High School marching band will perform as the 2009 Phillies enter the ballpark, greeted by Mayor Nutter and Charlie Manuel.

7:38 p.m. – America the Beautiful will be sung by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men’s Chorale, directed by Jeffrey R. Smith, as members of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard unfurl the American Flag. State Flags will be carried onto the field by the Philadelphia Police and Fire Department personnel.

7:42 p.m. – Introductions start

7:53 p.m. – National Anthem: Will be performed by Katie Stam, Miss America 2009.

7:56 p.m.U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Parachute team will parachute onto the field (weather permitting), bringing the first balls.

8:00 p.m.NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson, who wore a Phillies jersey in space, will present the jersey to Charlie Manuel.

8:01 p.m. – Ceremonial First Pitch: Will be thrown by former Phillies General Manager Pat Gillick and Ben Lo, representing Modell’s Sporting Goods.

8:09 p.m. – Play Ball!

seal.jpgLet me just note a few things here:  The Phillies, the reigning WORLD CHAMPIONS, are having the Philadelphia Boys Choir sing America The Beautiful, like they do every year.  We will then have Miss America sing the National Anthem; but seriously, should I be excited about a pageant queen?  Maybe some of the men are happy, but I just don’t get it.  The Boston Red Sox, according to our friend Julia at Julia’s Rants are getting Grammy Award winner, Seal, to sing for them on Opening Day!  SEAL!  Where, or where, have the Phillies gone wrong??  I am so depressed. 

Now let us move on to the first pitch:  Former GM, grumpy man and Nationals mascot look-alike, Pat Gillick, Gillick mascot.jpgwill toss the first pitch.  Is this seriously the best the WORLD F*@%# CHAMPIONS could do?  I had heard rumors all week that maybe President Obama would visit Philly for the occasion, but he will toss the first pitch on Wednesday in DC when the Phillies take on the Nationals in their home opener. But what about Will Smith, who is a huge Phillies fan?  Or even Jamie Foxx, who was just in Philly filming a new movie?  Heck, I would settle for Patti LaBelle at this point.  But noooooo…we get Pat freakin’ Gilick!  Don’t get me wrong, I love Grumpy Gillick and all, but this is not exactly a treat for Phillies fans; we see him every day!  We want… no, we deserve, a special treat for Opening Day!  The Phils had no issue with raising the ticket prices, but could not be bothered to get anyone more interesting to toss a pitch??  Again, Gillick brought us a World Championship, but I think even he would agree that his sheer entertainment value is a tad less than Seal.  UGH!

Ok, maybe I am over-reacting.  You know how we redheads get sometimes.  But take a look at a few other teams, who did NOT win the World Series, and see what they are doing for Opening Day:  Both the Yankees and the SF Giants have HERO Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who successfully landed a plane in New York’s Hudson River this past January, saving the lives of everyone on board, to toss their first pitch.  The Reds have musician and former husband of Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey to throw their first pitch.  And they are in OHIO, folks!  That’s right, Ohio out-did Philly.  The Houston Astros have 4-time Grammy winner, Lyle Lovett, to sing the National Anthem.  And of course, the Nats get the Prez.  Okay, I think you get the picture.

Philly will have the traditional Army Parachute Team and the NASA astronaut is a nice touch as well; but is it asking too much to add a little pizzazz to the ceremonies?  Well, if it has to be Pat Gillick, how about we at least dress him up a bit?  You know, just to add some Philly flavor to the guy:

Rapper Gillick.jpg

And then, let’s invite this cute rapper kitty to handle the music for the National Anthem.  Not a Grammy winner, but still entertaining:

KittyRapper.jpg

Well, the show must go on, with or without the Rappin’ Cat, and so it will.  Sunday night, first pitch at 8:09pm – I will be back with photos!  See you there!

Photo Credits:

Seal – http://www.arjanwrites.com/arjanwrites/images/2007/09/22/arjanwrites_seal2.jpg

Gangsta Dude – http://hoppingintopuddles.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/hip-hop_gangsta-rap_lil_john.jpg

Kitty – http://media.photobucket.com/image/rapper/boo_boo221/KittyRapper.jpg

 

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Blown Away

The Phillies fought through 30 mph winds today in Bradenton against the Pirates; winner?  The wind.  Many, many balls had some help flying over the outfield fence and others simply blew right past the outfielders grasp unexpectedly.  A few guys looked like they may lose their jersey’s as they were blown about in the stiff gusts of wind.  But the only thing the Phillies lost today was the game, 10-4.

Jamie Moyer was not thrilled about the weather conditions as he gave up 11 hits, 7 runs and 1 walk and was even called for a balk when his glove flinched, likely because of the high winds.  Moyer argued with the ump, but to no avail.  Even Brad Lidge ran into trouble when Garrett Jones hit a long fly ball that the airstream helped carry over the fence for a 3-run blast.

P3024896 Howard.jpgRyan Howard did not mind the situation too much; Howard hit a bomb to straight away center field in the 4th inning that some estimate travelled over 500 feet.  It went so far, the ball was completely out of sight; the cameras never picked it up as it went out of the park.  Right before that, Howard had hit a screaming foul ball towards the Phillies dugout, which nailed Geoff Jenkins in the leg as he waited in the on-deck circle.  A brutal shot, Jenkins jumped up and down in pain.  He shook it off and looked to be ok.  As Howard trotted home after the 500 footer, he stopped to greet Jenkins at home plate, gave him a big teddy-bear hug and apologized for whacking him with the foul ball. 

In the 6th inning, some confusion ensued as Eric Bruntlett and Marcus Giles could not seem to decide between the two of them who was covering what area.  A routine ground ball turned into a base hit for the Pirates, as Moyer was not in time to cover first base during the turmoil.  That inning turned into 4 runs for the Pirates and the Phillies fielding resembled something like this:

Today’s Phillies Word of the Day is: Doo-Doo.  Yes, thanks to pitcher Scott Eyre, Phillies fans everywhere were treated to a barrage of “Doo-Doo” remarks in the 7th inning during an interview by Phillies broadcaster, Tom McCarthy.  When asked about his rough outing against the Yankees a few days ago, Eyre responded with, “It was a day where I warmed up and felt like doo-doo and so I pitched like doo-doo.”  And it didn’t end there, folks.  He used the doo-doo remark again when discussing what his next outing may look like.  Let us hope doo-doo does not make any future appearances, unless it is by The Police:

 

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Fun Fact of the Day
:  Ronny Paulino, who was just yesterday traded to the Giants in exchange for lefty Jack Taschner, has been traded yet again!  The Giants sent Paulino to our NL East rivals, the Florida Marlins, presumably so Phillies fans would not miss him too badly.  Although, Paulino may want to keep the wheels on his cart for now, just in case…

The Phillies will take on the Red Sox tomorrow at 1:05pm!  The game will be broadcast on My PHL 17 – check your local listings.

(All Photos by Jenn)

 

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Team USA Beats The Phillies

Watching Team USA with Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino playing against the Phillies was strange, to put it mildly.  Although, who to root for was easy – both!  Yet, the sight of Victorino sliding into base with a Phillies glove coming at him did feel wrong somehow; but even more confusing was watching Victorino and Rollins team up with rival New York Met, David Wright, Atlanta Brave, Chipper Jones and Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia.  Here are 4 of them celebrating after a Jones homer run plus, Victorino sliding into second and Rollins letting everyone know that he is working hard:

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Victorino and Rollins each had one hit for Team USA today and minor league Phillie, Joe Bisenius pitched for Team USA, giving up 1 run on three hits in his one inning of work.  Also for Team USA, Derek Jeter went hitless in his 6 innings, but showed off defensively, as usual.  Chipper Jones and Red, Adam Dunn led the charge against the Phillies, collecting 3 RBI a piece.  Below, see Jeter make a great leaping throw; Mike Cervenak slides into second trying to break up a double play, forcing Pedroia to jump over him; and J-Roll swings and misses:

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On the Phillies side, Eric Bruntlett and Cervenak each earned an RBI and Jason Donald woke from his slumber, hitting a solo homer in the 6th.  Catcher Lou Marson was the only Phillie with a multi-hit game, going 2 for 4.  The big score came from Ryan Howard, who knocked a 3 run homer in the 5th.  However, Howard had a very strange day.  In the first inning, Howard dropped a routine feed from Donald, allowing the runner to reach base.  Then, in the third inning, he got whacked in the helmet with a pitch, but appeared to be fine.  Later, Howard dropped a routine pop-up off the bat of Victorino and then also dropped a pick-off toss to first as Victorino slid back in safely, although, that looked to be a bad throw by Kyle Kendrick.  Here are a few photos of the events at hand; note where the ball is in the top 2 photos; the bottom photo is the home run shot:

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Aside from Howard’s fumbles, the big story of the day appears to be Kyle Kendrick who did not look good.  In 2 2/3 innings, he surrendered 5 hits and 4 runs, including the 3 run shot by Jones, which, by the way, I called as it happened.  As shaky as Kendrick was and seeing he could not keep the ball down or his emotions in check, once Chipped stepped to the plate, I told my neighbor what was about to happen and, wham!  3-run home run.  Kendrick has a lot of work to do if he is going to compete for the 5th starters’ position. 

Equally unimpressive was the outing of Antonio Bastardo, who gave up 5 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks.  Regulars Clay Condrey and Ryan Madson got some work in also and each looked ok, although Madson did walk 2.  In the end, the Phillies went down by a score of 9-6.

And now for the Photo of the Day – Team USA united!P3056461.JPG

The Phillies have both an A and a B game tomorrow against the Blue Jays; the B game is at 2pm at Bright House field and the A game is in Dunedin at 7pm.  Sadly, my time in Florida has come to a close and I will be hopping a plane back to the deep freeze of the Philadelphia area tomorrow.  I will continue my coverage from home, although be terribly depressed about it :O(  I know, I know…poor me.  Hee!  It was fun while it lasted!

 

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The Phillies Are Going To the World Series!!!


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For the first time since 1993, the Philadelphia Phillies will go to the World Series!  With a 5-1 win over the LA Dodgers, the Phillies ARE the 2008 National League Champions!  I think this photo best expresses how I feel right now…like skipping joyously through a field of flowers! J  Whoo Hoo!  The best part of the post-game celebration was watching Charlie Manuel run out onto the field, grab hold of his players one by one, and give them a great big bear hug!  These guys have worked hard to get here and they certainly earned it.

Tonight’s win was a true team effort; that, I believe, is the difference between the Phillies and the Dodgers.  The Phils have a complete team, with hitting threats up and down the line-up; the Dodgers have Manny and a few other guys who may get some hits.  They are unbalanced.  Every starting position player on the Phillies tonight, except Ruiz, was on base at least once and the 3 RBI’s came from 3 different players.  And when one guy is not hitting, someone else will step in to pick him up.  That’s a team – that’s the Phillies.

Jimmy Rollins set the tone once again tonight, hitting a lead-off home run.  It sent a signal to the whole team that tonight was their night.  And so it was…  For the Dodgers, it was a case of Murphy’s Law as everything that could have gone wrong, did.  Rafael Furcal committed THREE errors in the fifth inning, leading to 2 unearned runs for the Phillies who took a 5-0 lead at that point.  Shane Victorino felt so bad for the guy, he actually told Furcal in the middle of the inning to keep his chin up!  You’ve got to love Shane…this guy has a huge heart.  How many players do you know that would try to encourage the opposition in the middle of game, let alone a game that could send them to the World Series?  Shane has my vote for MVP of this playoff run.

Cole Hamels held up his end of the bargain, pitching 7 innings of one-run baseball.  He allowed 5 hits and 3 walks, 2 of which came with 2 outs in the 7th before he struck out Jeff Kent to get out of the jam.  Hamels looked calm and in control the whole game, even smiling when Charlie Manuel went out o the mound after the 2 walks in the 7th to ask him how he felt.  Manuel left him in the game, and you know the rest.  Cole also held Manny Ramirez to just one hit, a solo homer in the 6th inning.  Ryan Madson pitched the 8th and Brad Lidge the 9th, closing out the game.  All 3 pitchers were outstanding.

Who the Phillies will face in the World Series is yet to be decided.  The Tampa Bay Rays have a 3-1 series lead over the Boston Red Sox right now and they will play Game 5 tomorrow night.  We will all be watching with great interest.  But for now, pour me a drink!  It is time to celebrate!!!!!!!!!  WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!  GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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All-Star Bloopers

PHOTOS from mUtley Uggla.jpgy All-Star Week excursion have been posted, but I thought I would highlight a few fun ones for you here as well.  Let’s begin with my favorite of the week!  As you may know, Dan Uggla committed like 3 errors in the All-Star game on Tuesday.  Well, I am calling this one “UGGLA ALL-STAR ERROR #4″ and you will see why.  Yes, this is Dan Uggla grabbing Chase Utley’s butt as he walks back to the dugout after getting his award at the Home Run Derby for earning the most All-Star votes in the NL.  He totally gooses him!  Utley uggla long shot.jpgAnd then, check out the on-lookers, who are horrified by what they are witnessing!  Thank goodness it looks like Uggla’s son is sleeping through the ordeal J


Next up….Brad Lidge thinks about whacking David Wright with Chase Utley’s 
Lidge bat.jpg
bat…but really, haven’t we all had that thought at one time or another?  Who can blame him?

Red Sox Blooper…Manny Ramirez’s son was running wild on the sideline…  He decides to tackle Kevin Youkilis and, whoops!  The kid knees
  him right in the groin!  OUCH.Youkilis.jpg


 

 
More Utley…I’m calling this one, “Diggin’ For Gold.”  Did he not realize that I was RIGHT THERE!  I mean, if he needed help with this, all he needed to do was ask me.  Geez.  Another opportunity passed me by… 
J  But seriously, what the heck??  He couldn’t go in the dugout which was like 1 foot away to handle this??  OMG.


Utley all-star.jpgParade Blooper – Barrel man:  What is this about anyway?  A man runs out in the middle of the parade wearing a barrel.  Then he gets arrested.  Well, he was a Mets fan…I guess that explains it.


Barrell.JPGAnd finally, we have all heard about the Chase Utley expletive before the Home Run Derby at the introduction Utley Boo.JPG(the “Boo, @#@# You!” remark)…well, here is a photo I took right as he said it.  You can see Dan Uggla’s reaction…he was quite amused
J  And frankly, when I saw it, so was I J  We should all have a sense of humor.  Enough said.

Hope you enjoyed…have a happy day! J

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