Schmidt Invokes Last September – Inspires Phillies

Phillies’ Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt wrote an inspirational letter to Charlie Manuel.  He had asked Charlie to post it on locker room door for all of the players to read prior to the game against the Mets.  I have it posted below:

Guys,
One pitch, one at-bat, one play, one situation, think ‘small’ and ‘big’ things result. Tough at-bats, stay up the middle with men on base, whatever it takes to keep the line moving. Hot offense. 27 outs on defense. The Mets know you’re better than they are. They remember last year. You guys are never out of the game. Welcome the challenge that confronts you this weekend. You guys are the best.
Good luck,
#20

The Phightins took the 1st game of the series last night with Brett Myers shutting down the Mets’ offense.  Myers pitched a full 8 innings while allowing 3 hits and 2 walks and no earned runs.  Myers was dominating on the mound by striking out 10 hitters by having excellent control with his fastball and knockout punch of the curveball.  Brad Lidge entered in the 9th inning accruing his 34th consecutive save with a less than smooth outing.

Offensively the Phillies were stagnant against Mike Pelfrey after the 1st inning.  Then clutch hitter Greg Dobbs came up to the plate in the 7th inning.  Dobbs smoked a pitch off of Pelfrey into right field with Ryan Church just missing a snow cone catch as the ball continued over the outfield wall for a 2 run homer.

The game scheduled for Saturday was postponed due to Tropical Storm Hanna coming to town.  The Phillies will play a day / night double header on Sunday with the 1st game beginning at 2:15pm E.T. and the 2nd game starting at 8:05 pm E.T. being televised on ESPN.

 

Philadelphia AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Rollins, SS 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .273 Victorino, CF 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .281 Utley, 2B 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 .291 Howard, 1B 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 .235 Burrell, LF 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255   Bruntlett, LF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .217 Werth, RF 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .276 Dobbs, 3B 3 1 2 2 0 0 0 .297   Feliz, 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250 Coste, C 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .272   Ruiz, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .221 Myers, P 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .039   Lidge, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 30 3 4 3 2 6 5

image from phillies.com

Philadelphia Phillies – 4 Out Of 7 Ain’t Bad

The Phillies wrapped up the 4 game series against the Chicago Cubs today.  This places the Phillies 1 game up on the Cubbies for the year.  The Phightins took 2 out of 3 games at the Bank and then split the 4 game series at Wrigley.  That’s not too bad for going against the team in baseball with the best record.  Sort of makes you think that there could be a post season in our near future. 

Jamie Moyer once again bedazzled the hitters by pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing 2 runs on 8 hits.  Moreover, the bullpen was solid once again by picking up 3 2/3 innings while giving up 1 run on 3 hits.  This gave the 12th win to Jamie Moyer and the lead on all of the Phillies starters for the most wins of the season.  Brad Lidge was solid by striking out 1 hitter and forcing the other 2 to fly out and accruing his 33 save in 33 opportunities.

The Phillies are heading into a 3 game series with the Nationals in DC while the Mets are headed off to play the Brew Crew.  This could put the Phillies back on top of the N.L. East prior to both teams facing off in Shea Stadium for the last time ever unless one of them claim the wild card.

Tomorrow Kyle Kendrick (4.83 ERA) pitches against Tim Redding (4.54 ERA) in search of his 12th win of the season.

 

Philadelphia AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Rollins, SS 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .270 Utley, 2B 4 1 2 0 1 1 0 .293 Burrell, LF 5 0 1 0 0 3 3 .257   1-Bruntlett, PR-LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .221 Howard, 1B 5 1 3 1 0 1 2 .234 Victorino, CF 5 1 2 0 0 0 3 .283 Werth, RF 4 1 2 3 0 0 3 .282 Feliz, 3B 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .251 Ruiz, C 4 1 1 0 0 0 3 .221 Moyer, P 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 .095   Durbin, C, P 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .111   Romero, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000   Madson, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000   Lidge, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 37 5 12 5 2 6 18 image from phillies.com

Como Esta? Say Hello to My Little Friend . . .

Yesterday the Phillies unleashed some of their best pitching to date against the Chicago Cubs.  Brett Myers was dominant on the mound once again since his return to the majors.  Myers pitched 7 innings while allowing 2 earned runs on 11 hits.  He also struck out 8 batters and walked none.  The Phillies’ bullpen did not disappoint their fan base yesterday while they pitched 2 scoreless and hitless innings.  The pinnacle of the game was when J.C. Romero entered in the 8th inning with 2 base runners.   He stuckout the 1st two hitters then he allowed a walk to load the bases.  Romero then attacked Geovany Soto for the 3rd strikeout and retiring the side with a little Spanish flare.  This set-up closer Brad Lidge to enter the game in the 9th and strikout 2 of the 3 hitters and acquiring his 32nd save of the year.

The Phightins offense was alive as well yesterday with 10 hits accrued with and no walks.  There were 3 longballs unleashed that were administered by Ryan Howard and 2 by Jayson Werth.  Rollins also went 3 for 5 as well as Werth 3 for 5 with both Utley and Howard getting 2 hits over 9 innings.

Today Jamie Moyer (3.81 ERA) will take the mound against Sean Marshall (3.52 ERA) in search of his 12th win of the season.

 

Philadelphia	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Rollins, SS	5	0	3	0	0	1	0	.270
Utley, 2B	4	1	2	0	0	1	1	.291
Burrell, LF	4	0	0	0	0	1	3	.258
Bruntlett, LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.221
Howard, 1B	5	2	2	1	0	2	4	.230
Victorino, CF	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.282
Werth, RF	4	2	3	4	0	1	0	.279
Feliz, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.253
Coste, C	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.280
Ruiz, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.221
Myers, P	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.042
Romero, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
a-Dobbs, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.296
Lidge, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Totals	38	5	10	5	0	7	15
image from phillies.com

Philadelphia Phillies: Dissecting the Dodgers

Last night the Phillies failed to dodge the ball on the first game in a four game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Phightins lost 8-6 in a ball game that was not determined until the last out by Ryan Howard in the top of the 9th inning.  The Phils had two on base with Ryan Howard being the go ahead run at bat.  Howard grounded out into the overshift ending the comeback that the Phillies were waging.  Kyle Kendrick was removed from the game in 3 1/3 innings while accruing 7 earned runs on 9 hits within that time.  Kendrick failed to strikeout any batters, but managed to walk 3 while administering a homerun to the former Indian Casey Blake.  The Phils then replaced Kendrick with the newbie lefthander Les Walrond which pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings with Clay Condrey finishing the game by allowing 1 run over 2 innings.

The Phillies offense started off slow, but was able to accumulate 10 hits over 9 innings.  Chase Utley was in rare form by amassing 3 hits on 5 opportunities.  Jimmy Rollins was able to hit another triple against Lowe which is his 8th of the year.

Tonight Cole “hard luck” Hamels takes the mound with hopes and aspirations that his team with mount another offensive strike.  Cole has recently been diagnosed with the Johann Sanatana disease and is on a day to day regiment of lack of offense.  Hamels (3.35 ERA) is searching for his 10th win this year against LA’s southpaw Clayton Kershaw (3.71 ERA).  On a side note Brad Lidge says he is ready to begin closing again since his recent right shoulder tendinitis left over from the All Star game in which he was repeatedly abused due to the lengthy game and multiple warm-up sessions.

 

Philadelphia AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Rollins, SS 5 1 2 1 0 0 2 .276 Victorino, CF 4 1 2 0 1 1 1 .289 Utley, 2B 5 0 3 2 0 1 2 .290 Howard, 1B 5 0 0 2 0 0 5 .237 Burrell, LF 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .265 Werth, RF 4 1 1 0 0 3 2 .266 Dobbs, 3B 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .307 Ruiz, C 3 1 0 0 1 1 1 .217 Kendrick, P 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .116   Walrond, P 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000   a-Jenkins, PH 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .244   Condrey, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000   b-Cervenak, M, PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .200 Totals 37 6 10 6 3 8 18     image from phillies.com

Philadelphia Phillies – Swatting The Nats

Last night Brett Myers shut down the Washington Nationals to gain his 1st win since returning from the minor leagues.  Myers only allowed 1 run, 1 walk and 4 hits over 7 innings in which he also plunked Ronnie Belliard and Paul Lo Duca in the process.  Understandably the Nationals are the worst offensive team in the National League sporting a .241 team combined batting average.  Not to take away anything from Brett because he did perform well by hitting the outside/inside portions of the plate.  He also kept his adrenaline in check to be able to locate his fastballs for strikes unlike his last outing at Shea.  On another note Brad Lidge was able to enter the game and accrue his 25th save of the season in as many opportunities.

On the offensive front the team failed to raise their hit count into double digits against the Nationals pitcher whom was recently brought up from the minor leagues.  There were several balls that were launched onto the warning track, but not much was done to manufacture runs on the ground.  The Phillies won the game only by Chase Utley’s 2 run shot out into right field seats.  Pedro Feliz has been placed on the 15 day diabled list due to lower back inflamation.  Phillies Injury Listing

Tonight the Ole’ man will take the mound with his impressive 3.76 ERA.  Jamie Moyer is in search of his 10th win this year facing off the Nationals Tim Redding (3.98 ERA) which the Phillies have historically had issues with hitting against.

 

Philadelphia	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Rollins, SS	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	.270
Victorino, CF	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.283
Utley, 2B	4	1	2	2	0	0	0	.290
Howard, 1B	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.237
Burrell, LF	4	0	2	0	0	2	1	.279
Ruiz, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.211
Jenkins, RF	4	0	0	0	0	2	1	.237
Dobbs, 3B	3	0	0	0	0	1	2	.306
Bruntlett, 3B	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.239
Coste, C	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	.285
Lidge, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Myers, P	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	.063
Romero, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Durbin, C, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.167
Werth, LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.272
Totals	35	2	8	2	0	9	9

image from phillies.com

Philadelphia Phillies – Fishing Trip

 

     Last night the ageless Jamie Moyer accrued his 9th win of the season by stringing up the fish.  The Florida Marlins were once again perplexed by Jamie Moyer in which he allowed 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk with 3 strikeouts over 6 innings.  Brad Lidge was able to come in last night and toss the anchor over to solidify the Phillies on top of the N.L. East with his 21st consecutive save.

     Ryan Howard picked up where he left off prior to the All Star break by crushing the 2nd pitch of the 2nd inning out of Dolphin Stadium.  Also, Geoff Jenkins was able to connect to a homerun ball that exited in the deepest part of the stadium in center field.  The Phillies offense as a whole looked as the though the 4 day lay-off help to right their ship.  The Phillies strung up 8 hits in their 4-2 win against the Marlins.  Some other offensive notables were Chase Utley going 2-3 and Geoff jenkins hitting 2 out of 3 against the Righty Ricky Nolasco.

     The Phillies were able chum up the Marlins which places them alone ontop of the N.L. East with the Mets succumbing to the Reds ending their 10 game winning streak.  Jimmy Williams the Phillies bench coach received the win last night since Charlie Manuel was ejected after disagreeing with a call which led to Shane Victorino getting plugged at the plate while showing a bunt.

     Tonight the Phillies sinker ball pitcher Kyle Kendrick (4.47 ERA) takes the mound also in search of his 9th win against the Marlins Scott Olsen (3.77 ERA).

 

Philadelphia AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG Rollins, SS 5 1 1 0 0 1 1 .273 Victorino, CF 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .276 Utley, 2B 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 .294 Howard, 1B 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 .234 Burrell, LF 4 1 1 0 0 1 4 .274   Bruntlett, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .232 Jenkins, RF 3 1 2 2 0 0 0 .243   b-Werth, PH-RF 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .270 Feliz, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 4 1 .266 Ruiz, C 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .203 Moyer, P 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .129   a-Taguchi, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .209   Durbin, C, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167   Romero, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000   c-Dobbs, PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .319   Lidge, P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 35 4 8 4 1 10 13     Image from phillies.com

Philadelphia Phillies – Ace Of Base Dealing

     Yesterday the Philadelphia Phillies were able to solidify their dominance in the N.L. East by clinching the #1 position prior to the All Star break.  Cole Hamels the Phillies’ ace was able to deal it to Brandon Webb and the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Hamels administered 8 strikeouts, 1 walk while allowing 11 hits and 2 runs over 7 innings.  Ryan Madson received the win while Brad Lidge chopped off the snake’s head with 2 strikeouts in the 9th inning.

     Pat Burrell once again displayed his clutch hitting prowess by smashing an 8th inning 3 run homerun into left center field.  Even though Pat did not mention it I’m sure it was meant to get Clint Hurdle’s attention since he was not selected for the All Star team.  Pedro “soft hands” Feliz followed up Burrell’s at bat with a longball of his own screaming underneath the radar into the left field seats.  Feliz also went 3 for 4 while at the plate and accrued  runs for the Phightins.  Some other notables are Jimmy Rollins going 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and Cole Hamels hitting as double into right center allowing Feliz to score from 1st base.

     The homerun derby will be televised at 8pm atlantic time on ESPN with the All Star game being viewed at 8pm of the Fox network.  Be sure to root for Chase Utley at Yankee Stadium’s short right field porch.

 

Philadelphia	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Rollins, SS	3	0	2	1	0	0	0	.274
Victorino, CF	4	0	1	0	0	2	4	.279
Utley, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	1	4	.291
Howard, 1B	4	1	1	0	0	1	1	.234
Burrell, LF	4	1	1	3	0	0	0	.275
Lidge, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Jenkins, RF	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.237
Werth, RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.271
Feliz, 3B	4	2	3	1	0	1	0	.270
Coste, C	3	0	1	0	0	1	2	.279
1-Ruiz, PR-C	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	.202
Hamels, P	2	0	1	1	0	0	0	.277
a-Dobbs, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.322
Madson, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
b-Bruntlett, PH-LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.232
Totals	35	6	11	6	0	7	12

Image from phillies.com

Philadelphia Phillies – High Noon In The Lonestar State

    

 The Philadelphia Phillies won last night while hornswaggling the Texas Rangers in a 8-6 showdown.  The Phillies were able to match bat for bat against the Rangers that lead the majors in runs and RBI’s.  Also, Cole Hamels pitched his 8th win of the year while Brad Lidge was able to close the door on 19/19 saves.  Chase Utley and Ryan Howard smoked the longball out of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, TX.  This ties Chase Utley (23 HR) with Dan Uggla (23 HR) from the Florida Marlins with the most homeruns in the majors in 2008.  This surpasses last year’s 22 HR produced by Utley and we are only 82 games into the season.

     The Phillies pull  ahead in the N.L. standings with the eastern division all losing in yesterday’s games.  The Florida Marlins fall back to 2 games behind the Phightins with losing Dan Uggla to an ankle sprain.  The Braves and the Mets fall back to 4 games with the Mets losing the last 2 games during their subway series with the Yankees.  The Washington Nationals bring up the rear of the division with being an inflated 12 games in the defecit.

     The Phils are still trying to determine what they will do with Brett Myers and his starting rotation position.  They have considered moving Chad Durbin into the rotation and placing Myers in the bullpen.  There is always the option of J.A. Happ or Kris Benson that is pitching for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs today in a rehab assignment.  They may even consider to move to a temporary 4 man rotation until a determination can be made.  With those decisions looming veteran Jamie Moyer (4.09 ERA) takes the mound against the Rangers Eric Hurley (4.24 ERA) in the series finale and the end of interleague play for the year.

 

Philadelphia	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Rollins, SS	5	0	1	1	0	0	3	.264
Victorino, CF	5	1	1	0	0	2	2	.275
Utley, 2B	5	1	3	2	0	0	2	.298
Burrell, LF	3	1	0	0	1	1	1	.270
Bruntlett, LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.239
Howard, 1B	3	2	1	2	1	1	1	.215
Dobbs, DH	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	.330
Feliz, 3B	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	.264
Werth, RF	3	0	1	2	1	0	0	.263
Coste, C	3	1	1	0	0	1	1	.314
Totals	36	8	10	7	3	5	13

Image from phillies.com

Philadelphia Phillies – Moyer Chummed The Marlins

Tonight the ageless Jamie Moyer pitched 8 innings allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk while bedazzling the Marlins into a Phillies victory.  Moyer was able to clinch his 7th win of the season improving his record to 7-3 which ties him for 8th place with the likes of Johan Santana and Kyle Lohse in the N.L. for wins in 2008.  The Phillies offense tonight started to show signs of life once again with 11 hits, but they left 10 runners on base (L.O.B.).  The Phils were able to capitalize 2 runs on a pitch thrown in the dirt in the 6th inning by the Marlin’s starter Scott Olsen with the final score being a shutout 3-0.  Brad Lidge was able to record his 18th save with a scoreless 9th inning while improving his ERA to 0.93.  I would also like to thank the Marlin’s fans on brightorangeseats.com , waxheaven.com , and fortheloveofbaseball.com for dealing with my banter over the past several days.  The Phillies are now headed off to St. Louis to play the Cardinals in a 3 game series with Kyle Kendrick (4.87 ERA) taking the mound against Todd Wellemeyer (2.93 ERA).

Don’t forget to vote for Pat “The Bat” Burrell at MLB.com or Phillies.com.  Let’s not forget to also talk up Jamie Moyer for the All Star game remember he is 45 yrs old with a lot of heart . . . . . .

 

Philadelphia Phillies – Scalping the Competition

The Philadelphia Phillies finished up a 3 game series at Turner field in which they tomahawked the Atlanta Braves into submission.  Ryan Howard went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI’s by clubbing 3 doubles on Sunday’s game.  Shane “the Flying Hawaiian” Victorino also went 3 for 5 with 1 RBI allowing the Phightins to win over the Braves in a 6 to 3 decisive victory.  The Phillies left their boomsticks in the dug-out and putting to rest any question of their ability to manufacture runs without the longball.  Adam Eaton pitched well giving 6 full innings, but Chad Durbin received the win.  Brad Lidge was also able to achieve his 17th save since moving with the Phillies which ties him for 1st in the National League and for 4th in MLB for 2008.  The Phillies have the day off tomorrow and then they move onto Florida for the 2nd stage of their road trip.  The Phillies will be looking to fill their stringer full of wins against the Marlins to increase their 3.5 game lead.  Brett Myers (5.13 ERA) will be starting on Tuesday in search of his 4th win of the season.  He will be facing against the right-handed hurler Ricky Nolasco (5.05 ERA) while the Phils are looking to draw closer to Jimmy Rollins’ 100 game prediction.  Go Phightins !!