Entries tagged as ‘Brad Lidge’
Braves 4-Mets 2
Atlanta starter Tim Hudson pitched masterfully, surrendering just 2 earned runs in 8 innings, striking out 4 and walking none on 100 pitches. Hudson got the win and is now 7-3 on the year. His only mistakes came in the second inning, when he served up home runs to Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado.
The Mets needed Johan Santana to pitch a gem, but their ace didn’t come through, allowing 3 earned runs on 12 hits in 7 innings on just 90 pitches, walking none and striking out only one. He drops to 5-3 on the season.
The damage came in the 7th, when Beltran misplayed a ball hit by Kelly Johnson, leading to RBIs by Omar Infante (who had been 0-19 against Santana), Chipper Jones, and Mark Teixiera. Willie Randolph didn’t take Santana out of the game, and the inning was only finished by a beautifully executed 1-6-3 double play.
Talk about teams headed in different directions; the hot-hitting Braves have won four in a row and are crusing while the mediocre Mets have lost 7 of 10 and are reeling.
Phillies 7-Astros 5
The Phillies scored early but almost blew it in their first game of the year at Minute Maid Park. Starter Kyle Kendrick did not pitch a great game, giving up 5 earned runs on 8 hits in just 5 innings of work on 91 pitches, walking one and striking out 2. But Astros ace Roy Oswalt was not much better, also giving up 5 earned runs on 11 hits in 6 innings of work, walking 2 and striking out 4 on 95 pitches.
Ryan Howard had a very good night, going 3-5 with a home run (his 14th) and 2 RBIs (and 2 strikeouts, as well). After the Astros had tied the game in the 6th, Pat Burrell hit a go-ahead pinch-hit home run in the 8th off of rookie Wesley Wright. Also driving in runs for the Phillies were Carlos Ruiz, Pedro Feliz, Geoff Jenkins, and Chase Utley (his 33rd of the year). Chad Durbin picked up his first win of the year, and Brad Lidge notched his 12th save of the year, this one against his former team.
Driving in runs for the Astros were Berkman, Brad Ausmus, Ty Wigginton, and Geoff Blum. Wright took his second loss on the year.
Marlins 4-Diamondbacks 0
The red-hot Marlins completed their sweep of the Diamondbacks in an outstanding performance by young Andrew Miller, who shut Arizona out in 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, striking out 9 and walking just one batter on 107 pitches. Miller, who picked up his 4th win, was opposed by Dan Haren, who allowed 4 runs on 8 hits, striking out 8 and walking none on 94 pitches.
Wes Helms drove in two on a pinch-hit double in the 7th to drive Haren from the game. Jorge Cantu also drove in two runs for the Marlins.
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · NL East · Phillies
Tagged: Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Andrew Miller, Chipper Jones, Tim Hudson, Carlos Delgado, Johan Santana, Kyle Kendrick, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, Geoff Jenkins, Brad Lidge, Pedro Feliz, Diamondbacks, Dan Haren, Carlos Ruiz, Kelly Johnson, Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixiera, NL East, Willie Randolph, Astros, Jorge Cantu, Roy Oswalt, Omar Infante, Wes Helms, Wesley Wright, Chad Durbin, Brad Ausmus, Ty Wigginton, Geoff Blum
Brad Lidge is 11/11 in save opportunities this season. In 20 innings pitched, he has let in only 3 runs and only 1 earned run. His K/BB ratio is 23/10, his ERA is 0.45 and his WHIP is 0.95. Will this last? No one knows, but Lidge looks confident and is dominant in almost every appearance. He goes right after batters with his fastball and slider, and he doesn’t let base runners get to his psyche. I’d expect the Phillies to make a play to extend the right-hander in the next couple months.
-Greg Berlin
(Thanks to BigEyedPig21 from ufck.org for the pic)
Categories: NL East · Phillies
Tagged: Brad Lidge, Phillies
NL Beast bloggers attended the game tonight, and what a great game it was. It didn’t have a ton of lead changes or great plays in the field; it was just a good old fashion pitchers’ duel.
Jason Bergmann pitched excellently. 7 innings, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts and 3 walks. The Phillies lineup couldn’t get to him and they remained cold after last night’s shutout. Bergmann has gone 7 innings and let up no runs in both of his last two starts. In his last game start ago against the Mets he picked up a win in a 1-0 decision. Tonight, he would not be able to secure the W.
Cole Hamels owned the night. 7 inings, 4 hits, 2 walks, and 11 strikeouts. Few times throughout the night did Hamels look shaky. When he did get in a jam, he calmly pitched his way out. There’s little else to say except that he now has 19 straight scoreless innings. His ERA is down to 2.69 and his WHIP is now at 1.02. He didn’t pick up the win, but he is coming into his own after a somewhat slow start. No longer does he have the one or two tough innings early in the game. Right now for Hamels, it’s lights out from the start. The only question is whether he’ll go 7, 8, or 9 innings.
After Tom Gordon got the job done for Phils in the bottom of the 8th, John Rauch came in for the Nats to try to keep the game scoreless. Pedro Feliz led off with a double, and then was pinch-ran for by Eric Bruntlett. Why, I ask? Is Bruntlett that much faster than Feliz? Feliz certainly is better in the field. Carlos Ruiz laid down a fabulous sacrifice to move Bruntlett to third and Greg Dobbs followed with the lone RBI of the night, a single to center. Dobbs was thrown out on the next play when Shane Victorino flied out to center. From where we were sitting Dobbs looked clearly safe, but it was a good relay and Charlie Manuel, standing right there, did not argue the call.
One run is all the Phillies would need. Despite a good effort by the Nats in the 9th, they could not get past Brad Lidge. A great pitching outing for both teams. Unfortunately both Bergmann and Hamels did not receive a win. They both deserved one.
-Greg Berlin
Categories: NL East · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Brad Lidge, Carlos Ruiz, Charlie Manuel, Cole Hamels, Eric Bruntlett, Greg Dobbs, Jason Bergmann, John Rauch, Nationals, Pedro Feliz, Phillies, Shane Victorino, Tom Gordon
The Phillies fell behind 3-0 to the Braves in the first inning after RBI hits by Chipper Jones and Jeff Francoeur. But Kyle Kendrick quickly calmed down after the first inning. He ended up going the next five innings without allowing a run. That gave him his third 6 inning, 3 earned run outing in a row. From a guy fifth in the rotation, the Phillies should be happy that he gives them a chance to win.
Offensively, the Phillies came to play tonight. Facing Jo-Jo Reyes, the Phillies started their attack in the 4th, when Jason Werth singled to center, driving in Chase Utley and big-man Ryan Howard. Howard, who was part of the action all night long, notched an RBI of his own in the fifth, knocking in Shane Victorino. Later in the inning, Werth continued his barrage, hitting in Howard. And, in the 7th, Werth would grab yet another RBI to give the Phillies their fifth run. Werth ended the night with 4 RBIs.
In the 9th, things got a little bit shaky as Brad Lidge faced adversity for one of the only times this season. With one out, Mark Kotsay walked and then advanced to 2nd base after fielder interference. At this point, Chipper Jones, who already had 3 hits on the night, hit a bomb just short of the fence in left. Eric Bruntlett, who pinch-ran for Burrell in the 7th, caught the ball right in front of the wall, saving Phillies fans and Brad Lidge a lot of grief. But the fight wasn’t over from the Braves. Brian McCann came up next and doubled, driving in Kotsay and making it a 1 run game. It should be noted that Jason Werth misplayed the ball, first breaking in and then running backwards as the ball flew well over his head. He probably should have made the play.
Lidge was having trouble finding the plate at this point and walked Greg Norton, bringing up Francoeur, who was 0-4 lifetime against Lidge. Falling behind quickly in the count, Francoeur finally lifted a ball between Werth and right fielder Shane Victorino. Victorino called Werth off at the last second and caught the ball to end the game. Not a moment too soon for Lidge, who let up his first earned run of the year in 18 innings of work.
The Phillies started their homestand with a thorough game all around, while the Braves continue to struggle on the road. They are now 5-15 away from Turner Field. Also, the Phillies have to be outright elated that Ryan Howard finally looks to be coming out of his slump. He was 2-4 with a long double to center field and now has an RBI in each of his last three games, as well as in 4 out of his last 5 games. He’s upped his average to .181 for the season.
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Braves · Phillies
Tagged: Brad Lidge, Braves, Brian McCann, Chase Utley, Chipper Jones, Eric Bruntlett, Greg Norton, Jason Werth, Jeff Francoeur, Jo-Jo Reyes, Kyle Kendrick, Mark Kotsay, Phillies, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino
Pat Gillick doesn’t prefer talking to players about contract extensions in-season. But saying this is his last year, he is willing to consider organization wishes before his own. Todd Zolecki elaborates:
So, will Gillick remain steadfast in his preference not to talk in-season, even though he won’t be back next year? It is believed the Phillies will remain inside the organization and replace Gillick with one of their assistant general managers, Ruben Amaro Jr. or Mike Arbuckle. What if everyone else thinks they should move forward and lock up Lidge or Burrell before they hit the open market?
“If I’m not going to be back and the organization thinks that they would like to move ahead, then it would be something that we would have to consider,” Gillick said before yesterday’s 4-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.
Lidge and Burrell could fit that description.
“I’d say at this point they’re both having above-average seasons,” Gillick said. “They probably would be somebody we would have to consider retaining.”
The Phillies have not had talks with them yet, but Burrell already has said he would like to return. Lidge so far is happy in Philadelphia.
The resigning of Lidge and Burrell poses many questions to the organization. Firstly, is Brad Lidge having a legitimate season? How do we know he’s not just performing well in a contract year? Lidge has been masterful so far, but his past says this won’t last forever.
It also plays into the Brett Myers situation. Myers gave the Phils a solid closer last season, capable of going multiple innings and throwing with high velocity. This year, Myers is struggling immensely from the mound as a starter. Every sign points to Myers moving back to the closer role eventually, either for the Phillies or another team. He says he likes it, he did well there last season, and he’s not performing well as a starter. Obviously, the Phils aren’t going to keep Lidge and Myers in the pen together. If the Phillies sign Lidge, it means that they are sticking with Myers as a starter. That may not be the best move.
As for Burrell, the questions really start to mount. Burrell is 31, he had a career second-half last year and had a career April this year. So far in May he has struggled. Regardless, say he keeps up solid numbers throughout the season, are the Phillies really going to sign a 31 year-old historically under-performing left fielder? The same questions about performance in a contract year comes up with Burrell. I tend to believe that Burrell has legitimately figured things out. Even so, are you going to keep his average glove in left?
(more…)
Categories: Phillies
Tagged: Brad Lidge, Brett Myers, Jason Werth, Mike Arbuckle, Pat Burrell, Pat Gillick, Ruben Amaro Jr., Ryan Howard, Todd Zolecki
Eric Bruntlett doubled and Chase Utley singled in the top of the 8th for two consecutive RBI hits. Utley’s put the Phils up 5-4. Tom Gordon gave up a leadoff double to Chris Snyder in the bottom half of the inning, but got out of the inning cleanly with three consecutive outs. In the 9th, Brad Lidge went 1-2-3 with two strikeouts and a groundout to first. Ryan Howard finished off the game by diving to touch the bag after electing to finish the play himself.
Before Bruntlett hit the game tying double a scary play happened at first. Shane Victorino struck out swinging, but the ball got passed catcher Chris Snyder and Victorino took off running down the line. As Victorino approached the bag, Dbacks first baseman Conor Jackson reachd in front of Victorino in an effort to catch the ball. A scary collision occurred in which Jackson ended up face down in the dirt and Victorino was clearly shaken up. After a short delay, Victorino stayed in the game and scored from 1st on the very next pitch. Jackson was not so lucky. Clearly shaken up, he walked off the field under his own power.
There was no intentional wrongdoing by Jackson, but I don’t know how responsible it was of him to lean across the basepath in that situation. He was being competitive and trying to make a play. But suppose he caught the ball - Victorino likely would have been called safe because of interference. Luckily, it looks ike both players will get away from this one largely unscaved. In my opinion Jackson should be more careful in that situation. He almost got himself and another player seriously injured.
Kyle Kendrick only let up 3 ER, despite allowing 10 hits and giving up one walk. He threw 60 out of 92 pitches for strikes and punched out two batters in 6 innings of work. It wasn’t pretty - nothing has been for the Phillies this year - but it was a healthy number 5 outing.
The Phillies only managed 7 hits off the Dbacks, and only 4 off of Micah Owings in is 7 innings. Owings recorded 7 strikeouts, allowing 3 ER and 1 HR to Pedro Feliz in the 7th.
This was a gritty, all-around win for the Phils. It wasn’t fun and it wasn’t easy, but they got the job done. The lineup is too potent to ever count them out, and the bullpen is keeping them in every game that isn’t a blow out.
Promising stuff tonight.
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Phillies
Tagged: Brad Lidge, Chase Utley, Chris Snyder, Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks, Eric Bruntlett, Kyle Kendrick, Micah Owings, Pedro Feliz, Phillies, Postgame, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Tom Gordon
Great week for the division. The NL East is hot; only the Marlins came in at under .500 for the past 10 games. The last-place Nationals are just 4 games out, and are 8-2 in their last 10. The Phillies may still lead the division, but the Mets and Marlins are just a half a game out.
Some of the league’s finest talent plays in the division, and this cream of the crop is setting the pace in 2008. Chipper Jones leads the league in Batting Average with a whopping .421 so far. Chase Utley leads in home runs, with 13; Pat Burrell is tied for second with 9. Burrell is also second for RBIs, with 28. Utley and Jones lead the league in OPS, with 1.193 and 1.189 respectively. Marlins starter Mark Hendrickson is second in the league for wins, with 5 so far. Of the pitchers with WHIPs in the top 10, 4 are in the NL East: Johan Santana, Tim Hudson, Jair Jurjjens, and Cole Hamels. Billy Wagner leads the league in Batting Average Against (.070). And Wagner, Brad Lidge, and Jon Rauch are tied for fifth in the league for saves, notching 7 to this point.
As expected, the division is shaping up to be extremely competative down the stretch. Look for the Marlins to cool off as their young pitching exhausts itself, and for the Braves to heat up as key players such as John Smoltz and Mike Hampton return. The Mets have nowhere to go but up, the Phillies continue to be led by career years by both Chase Utley and Pat Burrell, and even the Nationals are playing good baseball at present.
Here are the standings through Monday May 5:
Philadelphia: 18-14
New York: 16-13, 0.5 GB
Florida: 17-14, 0.5 GB
Atlanta: 15-15, 2 GB
Washington: 14-18, 4 GB
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Braves · General · Marlins · Mets · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Billy Wagner, Brad Lidge, Braves, Chase Utley, Chipper Jones, Cole Hamels, Jair Jurjjens, Johan Santana, John Smoltz, Mark Hendrickson, Marlins, Mets, Mike Hampton, Nationals, NL East, Pat Burrell, Phillies, Tim Hudson
Mets 5-Diamondbacks 2
One of the better pitching matchups of the year as Johan Santana squared off against Dan Haren in a pitchers’ dual that exploded in the 9th for the Mets. Santana was his classic self, going 6 full innings striking out 8 and walking 4, giving up just 1 earned run. Haren was almost as good, going 6 full giving up 2 runs on 2 hits (one a homer to David Wright in the 4th), striking out 7 and walking 1.
Jorge Sosa picked up the win for the Mets (he’s 4-1, unbelievably) and Billy Wagner notched his seventh save of the season after Arizona 1B Connor Jackson made a crucial throwing error in the top of the 9th that started a 3-run rally for the Mets. Bringing in runs for the Mets were Jose Reyes, Wright, and Marlon Anderson. Chad Qualls took the loss for Arizona. What a statement for the Mets, as they take the series off of the NL-leading D-Backs.
Phillies 6-Giants 5.
Charlie Manuel got his 500th win as the Phils took the game on a San Francisco error in the bottom of the ninth that brought in the winning run. Carlos Ruiz tied the game up in the 8th, allowing Brad Lidge to pick up his first win of the year. Cole Hamels allowed 4 runs on 7 hits through 6 innings, but he did have 5 strikeouts and no walks. Young Giants starter Tim Lincecum was better, surrendering no earned runs in 6 innings of work, striking out 5 and walking 2. But it was errors that would prove costly to the struggling Giants, who drop to 14-18. The Phillies remain a half-game up on New York and Florida.
Marlins 10-Padres 3
The big bats came to play today as Dan Uggla hit an RBI double and a home run to keep the Marlins tied with the Mets for second place in the division. Hanley Ramirez was 2-4 and scored 2 runs, and Matt Treanor was 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Young southpaw Andrew Miller finally pitched well for the Fish, getting his 2nd win and allowing 2 runs on 6 innings of work, striking out 4 and walking 2. Greg Maddux dropped to 2-3, allowing 11 hits for 5 runs, 4 earned, for 5.2 innings of work.
Braves 14-Reds 7
The Braves had 19 hits on the day, outhitting the Reds almost 2:1 and surviving a rocky outing by Tom Glavine. Chipper Jones contributed his fair share with a 3-run home run and a 2-run single. Also coming through big for the Braves were Mark Kotsay who homered and had 3 RBIs and Kelly Johnson, who was 4-6 with 2 RBIs. Glavine lasted just 4.2, surrendering 6 earned runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 and walking 5. Royce Ring picked up his first win of the season for Atlanta. As bad as Glavine was, Reds starter Bronson Arroyo was far worse, pitching just an inning and a third, giving up 7 earned runs. Josh Fogg came in for mop-up duty and didn’t pitch much better, giving up 5 earned runs on 6 hits in 2.2 innings.
Nationals 5-Pirates 2
Tim Redding continued his dominant streak, picking up his 4th win and allowing just 1 earned run on 6 innings of work, striking out 5 and walking 1. He was opposed by Pirates ace Ian Snell, who dropped to 2-2 after allowing 4 earned runs on 10 hits with 2 strikeouts and a walk. Aaron Boone hit his first home run as a National, filling in at third for the day as Ryan Zimmerman ended his Major League leading 205 consecutive game streak. Also driving in runs for the Nats were Nick Johnson, Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez, and Wily Mo Peña. The Nats are red-hot, having gone 8-3 on the last homestand.
-Jonathan Kraft
Categories: Braves · Marlins · Mets · Nationals · Phillies
Tagged: Mets, Nationals, Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Andrew Miller, Hanley Ramirez, Chipper Jones, Tom Glavine, Johan Santana, Charlie Manuel, Brad Lidge, Diamondbacks, Dan Haren, Greg Maddux, Cole Hamels, Padres, Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright, Billy Wagner, Ian Snell, Tim Redding, Felipe Lopez, Carlos Ruiz, Nick Johnson, Mark Kotsay, Kelly Johnson, Jorge Sosa, Jose Reyes, Austin Kearns, Giants, Reds, Dan Uggla, Connor Jackson, Marlon Anderson, Chad Qualls, Tim Lincecum, Matt Treanor, Royce Ring, Bronson Arroyo, Josh Fogg, Aaron Boone, Wily Mo Peña
With the win, the Phillies guarantee themselves a winning April for the first time since 2003. At 15-12, the Phil can’t finish the month worse than two games over .500. Man, just imagine if they Phils did that last year - they may just have won the divi….oh wait. ;-)
But don’t underestimate the importance of a winning April for this team. Despite a horrid month from Ryan Howard, two DL stints by Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins, and Brad Lidge missing the first week of the season, the Phils have put together a little hot streak to notch a winning record. Don’t underestimate the importance of this come September.
Categories: Phillies
Tagged: April, Brad Lidge, Jimmy Rollins, Phillies, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino
Phillies win this one 7-4 after a strong start by Cole Hamels. His like : 7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO and my favorite state of all 97 pitches, 73 FOR STRIKES. Damn.
Ryan Howard had an RBI singled in the first, continuing his somewhat strong return from the bench. He was 1 for 4 on the day. Eric Bruntlett drove in the Phils’ second run in the third inning, making it 2-0 until Scott Hairston’s solo shot in the 5th.
The score would stay that way until Jason Werth’s sac-fly drove in Carlos Ruiz in the 7th after Greg Maddux was pulled.
Hamels made his way to the 8th just as with this last start, but with a much lower pitch count. He only lasted 1/3 of an inning though, putting runners on the corners. After JC Romero walked the bases loaded, Tom Gordon got out of the inning with two ground ball outs, letting up one inconsequential run charged to Hamels.
Then came the bottom of the 8th and the skies opened up for the Phils. A leadoff double Utley, an for RBI single for Perdo Feliz, a two RBI double Carlos Ruiz, and an RBI double for Greg Dobbs gave the Phillies a 7-2 lead going into the 9th. Ryan Madson came in to finish of the game in favor of Brad Lidge, because the save situation was no more. Madson did fine until a two run shot just right of the left field foul poll. But the Phils win this one 7-4.
This was a strong game for the Phils. Hamels threw a strong game and kept his pitch count low. Utley continued his tear going 2 for 4 with his 10th double of the season. Feliz and Ruiz also went 2 for 4. Tom Gordon couldn’t hold the runner on third when he came in, but he should be commended for getting out of the inning with the lead intact.
Greg Maddux misses his 350th win for in his second straight strong start.
Tomorrow: Grandpa Moyer faces off against Chris Young.
-Greg Berlin
Categories: Phillies
Tagged: Brad Lidge, Carlos Ruiz, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Eric Bruntlett, Greg Dobbs, Greg Maddux, Jason Werth, JC Romero, Padres, Pedro Feliz, Phillies, Recap, Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson, Scott Hairston, Tom Gordon
- Off day for the Phils. Let’s take a look at how they did on their road trip.
Monday, April 21- Phillies 9, Rockies 5
Kyle Kendrick gets the nod against Mark Redman. Kendrick pitches 5 innings, letting up 5 ER, 8 hits and 2 HR. Chase Utley homered in in his 5th straight game, tying a team record. Utley was on the back end of the all too unconventional back-to-back homers. Before Utley’s dinger, Jason Werth hit an inside-the-parker. The play at the plate wasn’t even close.
TIMEOUT: FLYERS SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRE!!!!!!!!!!
Now where were we….
Tuesday, April 22 - Phillies 8, Rockies 6
Brett Myers gets his first start of the week. Myers pitches 7 innings, but lets in 6 ER and 2 HRs. Ryan Madson picks up the win after Pat Burrell breaks open the game with a bases clearing double, 3 RBI double. As with the whole season, Myers continued to shy away from his fastball, formerly his bread and butter pitch. More on that later.
Wednesday, April 23 - Phillies 4, Brewers 5
This has to be the most frustrating game of the week. Cole Hamels have a rough first inning, letting up 3 ER, including a 2 run shot to Prince Fielder. But Hamels quickly settles down and goes the next 6 innings innings looking like the star that he, notching 10 Ks and allowing only 4 hits from the 2nd inning through the 7th. 110 pitches into the game, with the best bullpen in the NL, Charlie Manuel decides to put him back out there. It wasn’t the gameplan, and a two-run shot to Prince Fielder, his second of the game, would spell the end for Cole. It wasn’t as if the Phillies didn’t have a chance to win the game. Chase Utley, Greg Dobbs, and Pat Burrell all homered. In the 9th inning So Taguchi walked, and then stole 2nd and 3rd. Jason Werth and Pedro Feliz (big shocker) couldn’t convert, and the Phillies lose 5-4.
Thursday, April 24 - Phillies 3, Brewers 1
The Pat Burrell show continues. Deadlocked at 1-1 in the 8th, BAT comes up
FLYERS SCOOOOOOOOOREEEEEE!!!! (shorthanded too!)
Anyways, Pat Burrell comes up 1-1 in the 8th and - as if anyone didn’t see it coming - he hits a two run double to put the Phils up 3-1. Lidge would come in to seal it for his 5th save of the year. However, the most impressive player of the game was Jamie Moyer. The 45 year old Philly native hurled 6+ innings of 8 hit, 1 run ball. That’s as good as you can hope for from the old man.
Friday, April 25 - Phillies 6, Pirates 5
(3-0! Flyers just won’t let up!)
The Phillies jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead by the 4th inning. Adam Eaton was pitching strong to start, but ended up letting in 3 ER in only 3.2 IP. JC Romero comes in and pitches himself into a nasty jam, but he gets out of it to keep his 0.00 ERA perfect on the season. Brad Lidge gets save number 6.
Saturday, April 26 - Phillies 8, Pirates 4
Quick start again for the Phightins, 5-0 in the first inning. It all began with Ryan Howard’s 2-run jack in his first at bat after two days coming off the bench. Kyle Kendrick let up 4 ER and 8 hits, but pitched strong into the 8th inning before being pulled. He’s putting together a string of (somewhat) solid starts. Good to see after his poor start to the season.
Sunday, April 27 - Phillies 5, Pirates 1
A loss would be a loss if Brett Myers wasn’t on the mound. For the second time in a week Myers shies way from his fastball. He’d talk about it in the postame, and I’ll talk about it in my next post. It’s troubling at best. As for the rest of the game, Nate McClouth hit a lead of home run and another in the 5th off of Myers. The Phillies bats were largely silent for this one. Can’t win ‘em all.
Beastily facts to take away from the week:
- Pat Burrell and Chase Utley continue to tear things up. ‘Nuff said.
- Jason Werth quietly hits 4 HRs. He’s seeing some real playing time because of the injury to Victorino. It’ll be interesting to see what Manuel does with Werth. Geoff Jenkins is having a hard time living up to just (poor) hype thus far. Werth and Jenkins both hit roughly .260 against righties. But against lefties Werth is hitting .333, while Jenkins is hitting only .100! That’s the only stat I need. I’d have Werth out there every game. Use Jenkins off the bench. Good luck seeing that happen anytime soon…
- Jamie Moyer continues to fit his role. Now, his role is more like a 5th starter than a 3rd, but he’s doing his part just fine.
- The bullpen continue to dominate.
- The Phils go 5-2 despite a couple of frustrating losses. Still, can’t complain. Good trip.
-Greg Berlin
P.S. GO FLYERS!!
Categories: Phillies
Tagged: Adam Eaton, Brad Lidge, Brett Myers, Bullpen, Charlie Manuel, Chase Utley, Geoff Jenkins, Greg Dobbs, Jamie Moyer, Jason Werth, JC Romero, Kyle Kendrick, Mark Redman, Nate McLouth, Pat Burrell, Pedro Feliz, Phillies, Prince Fielder, Road Trip, Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson, Shane Victorino, So Taguchi
