9:54 pm
Phils win! Kendrick pitches an ideal start, bullpen is strong again, Howard gets one over the fence. Things are looking good Phillies fans. That’s 6 out of 7. And the Flyers tie up the series!
9:31 pm
Kendrick coming out after a respectable 5th-starter 7 inning, 4 run, 7 hit outing. A homer and a single did it for Kendrick in the 8th.
8:08 pm
Deja vu? HBP, bun, single, double = 6-2. A lot of innings to go. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you about last night’s 6 run lead that was almost blown…
7:57 pm
Make that 6-0.
And just like that, Howard is back on the train! 2-run dinger and a quick 5-0 lead for the Phils
(Anyone else in Philly freaking out? Flyers, Birds draft trades, and Phillies. What to watch!)
Categories: Phillies
Tagged: Phillies
As expected, Ryan Howard is back in the lineup today.
Werth
Dobbs
Utley
Howard
Burrell
Jenkins
Coste
Bruntlett
Kendrick
Manuel also said he expects Victorino back Tuesday.
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Phillies
The Phils bullpen ERA stands at 2.65, best in the NL.
Utley and Burrell deserve their props, but take a look at the pen over the first month of the season. An opponents batting average of .201, 22 ER, and only 53 hits. Who comes to mind when you think of the Phils stupendous pen? Exactly what you were(n’t) thinking, Chad Durbin! Durbin has pitched a league leading 17.1 innings with a not-to-shabby 1.56 ERA. Ok, now to the big guns other guys: Rudy Seanez (you read that correctly), JC Romero, and Brad Lidge all haven’t let up a run this season. Tom Gordon has let up only 2 earned runs all season since his abominable first appearance (5 ER in .1 IP). After that outing, Gordon’s ERA is 2.16.
Expect the bullpen to get their fare share of work tonight. In four starts, Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 5.59) has only made it past the 5th inning one time, a 7 inning stellar performance in a 2-1 loss to the Astros.
For the Pirates, Matt Morris (0-3, 9.15). Perhaps the Phillies can tee off and make it 6 out of 7. They’re playing solid baseball to say the least. Remember, their only loss in the last six was off of Cole Hamels and Cholly’s questionable move to leave him in the game.
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Phillies
Tagged: Phillies
The Mets dropped another frustrating one 6-3 as young Atlanta pitcher Jair Jurrjens combined with the depleted Braves bullpen to limit the Mets to just two hits all night. Mike Pelfrey pitched well until the sixth, when he gave up a two run home run to Kelly Johnson. The entire Mets offense came in the bottom of the third, when Jurrjens walked three runs in. The one bright spot for the Mets tonight was the bullpen. Scott Schoeneweiss, Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano, and Duaner Sanchez combined to allow just one earned run after Pelfrey exited in the sixth. Carlos Delgado was benched for the first time this year, with Marlon Anderson getting the nod. But not to worry, Delgado entered in the ninth and promptly struck out swinging. Jose Reyes picked up his fourth error of the year and went 0-4 which begs the question, what is wrong with Jose Reyes? Could it be the infamous MLB 2K8 curse? Or is this team just playing with no emotion?
This game was both frustrating and boring to watch. The difference makers, namely Reyes and Wright, aren’t stepping up, which is important when the bottom of lineup card reads Pagan Anderson Casanova Pelfrey. I’ve said it time after time, when Jose Reyes gets on base, this team is entirely different. Gary Keith and Ron had a great stat up last night about the Mets record when Jose Reyes scores a run versus when he does not, and the difference was staggering. Seriously, Howard Johnson, do your job and get this guy to look at some pitches from time to time. He looks lost at the plate.
Maine goes today against sinkerballer Tim Hudson, should be a good matchup if Maine decides to find the strike zone.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Mets
Tagged: Mets
Wil Nieves hit his first career Major League home run in the bottom of the ninth off of Bob Howry as the Nationals defeated the Cubs by a score of 5-3. Odalis Perez pitched well (for once), going 6 full innings with 7 strikeouts, 4 walks, and just 2 runs allowed on 5 hits. He was opposed by former closer Ryan Dempster who also pitched well, going 7 full innings and allowing 2 earned runs. Nick Johnson returned to starting duty with a bang, going long for a 2 run shot with 2 out in the bottom of the first. Lastings Milledge also returned to the lineup and drove in a run for the Nats. For the Cubs, Reed Johnson, Aramis Ramirez and Matt Murton drove in runs. Johnson made a spectacular catch in center field to rob Felipe Lopez of an extra base hit in the fifth. Jon Rauch got the win for the Nationals.
Good for Nieves and good for the Nationals, who have won two straight at home, injecting some life into their team. A win against the Cubs tonight or tomorrow would be a huge statement, as the Cubs came into DC as one of baseball’s hottest clubs. It might be hard to pick that win up tonight, as Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano (3-1) opposes Matt Chico (0-4).
Categories: Nationals
Tagged: Nationals
