Apology for absence, and important news

September 12, 2011

I am sincerely sorry for my absence over the past couple weeks. I just went back to school and it has been really hectic these past couple weeks. As you can see, I've been so busy with school that I have not been able to update the blog, and that fact really frustrates me. I realize that I was never able to write about some important things that happened during my absence, such as potential NLCS preview against the Brewers this past weekend, and the sweep of the Braves. It really frustrates me that I was not able to keep this blog up to date, and keep you in the know while the Phillies magic number continued to shrink (At the time of this writing, they need two games to clinch a playoff birth, and six games to clinch the division). In addition, I'm sure that it frustrated you, the reader, during this time as well. I can't stress enough, how sorry I am about this. I apologize, and I will try my best to not let anything get in the way again.

Now to the other half of the headline....

Like I said, I will try my best to not let anything get in the way again. In order for this to work, I have decided to change my approach to how I post the latest news concerning the Phillies.

I will continue to write about signings, trades, injury updates, and standings the same way I have since this blog's inception. However, game notes and recaps will undergo some changes. Notes and recaps, believe it or not, are the articles that take me the longest to write for various reasons (which I won't go into now). To save time, I will write a short summary for the upcoming game, followed by the links to CSN Philly.com's and Phillies.com's notes for the game notes. For the recaps, I will also write a short summary on how the game played out, followed by links to the full recaps on CSN Philly.com, Phillies.com, and ESPN.com. Now you will have access to the box scores, play-by-plays, and other information that I use to write my articles.

You may have noticed some features that I have added, such as an RSS feed, e-mail alerts, Facebook and Twitter sharing, and links to the team roster and player stats. Also, you may have noticed that pretty nice banner under the blog's name. I'm not done with the extra features just yet. I won't announce them  here, but you'll find out what I have in mind in the near future.

Now, I saved the best for last.  I am happy to announce that I will be creating a new blog under the That Blog label. Next Wednesday, That Flyers Blog will be up and running. Now you can stay up to date on the Philadelphia Flyers at http://thatflyersblog.blogspot.com/.

Once again, I am deeply sorry for my absence.

Please continue to enjoy That Phillies Blog, and now That Flyers Blog.

"Let's go eat."

- Nick

Phillies at Marlins: Game 3 Notes

September 4, 2011

Today the Phillies will be playing their final game in the Florida Marlins home stadium, currently known as SunLife Stadium. Next year the Marlins will be moving into their knew home, and will become the Miami Marlins. The stadium the Marlins are leaving behind has been hoe to many great Phils' memories, the most notable... Roy Halladay's perfect game. Ironically, Halladay is pitching today in Florida.

Notes Courtesy of CSN Philly.com

http://www.csnphilly.com/09/04/11/Phillies-Marlins-game-notes-Halladay-vs-/news_phillies_gamenotes.html?blockID=558984&feedID=693

Phils give up five home-runs to Marlins in loss

September 4, 2011

Phillies.com
 http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_03_phimlb_flomlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=phi

CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/09/04/11/Herndon-Phillies-bullpen-blows-game-vs-M/news_phillies.html?blockID=558966&feedID=693

ESPN.com
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310903128

Phillies at Marlins: Game 2 Notes

September 3, 2011

Courtesy of CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/09/03/11/Phillies-Marlins-game-notes-Hamels-vs-No/news_phillies_gamenotes.html?blockID=558618&feedID=693

Mayberry homers in Phils historic win

September 3, 2011

John Mayberry Jr. continued his hot streak last night by hitting a two run homer in the fifth, then bringing in his third RBI of the night off a sacrifice fly to bring home Chase Utley in the next inning.

With last night's win, the Phillies are now 42 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history.

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_02_phimlb_flomlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=phi

CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/09/02/11/Phils-move-team-record-42-games-above-50/news_phillies.html?blockID=558508&feedID=704

ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310902128

Padres claim Carpenter

September 2, 2011

The San Diego Padres have claimed right-handed pitcher Andrew Carpenter off waivers.

By placing Carpenter on waivers the Phillies now have an open spot on their 40-man roster.

Joe Blanton could be activated from the 60-day disabled list to take up that spot. Blanton, who has been out with a right elbow injury, was scheduled to pitch an inning for Single A Lakewood on Friday, then another inning on Monday.

It been rumored that the Phils have been eyeing outfielder Aaron Rowand, who designated for assignment by the Giants on Tuesday. The Giants still have a week to trade or release Rowand, but if the Phillies do pick up Rowand, he will not be eligible for the postseason roster.

As of now, it seems likely that the Phillies will activate Blanton to take up the spot on the roster.

Phillies at Marlins: Game 1 Notes

September 2, 2011

After a rough outing last Friday against the Marlins, Roy Oswalt looks to bounce back tonight in Florida.

With a win tonight, the Phillies will be 42 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history.

Notes courtesy of CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/09/02/11/Phillies-Marlins-game-notes-Oswalt-vs-Ha/news_phillies_gamenotes.html?blockID=558174&feedID=693

NL East Standings (9/1/11)

September 1, 2011

                    W     L     PCT     GB     E#     WCGB     L10     STRK     HOME     ROAD

Phillies          87    46    .654       -        -            -          7-3        W4       46-22       41-24

Braves          81    55    .596      7.5    21          -           7-3        W2       43-26       38-29

Mets             66    69    .489     22.0    7         14.5       6-4        W2       30-36       36-33

Nationals      63    72    .467     25.0     4        17.5       2-8         L2        37-28       26-44

Marlins         60    76    .441     28.5     E        21.0       3-7         L2        25-41       35-35


Key
W = Wins
L = Losses
PCT = Win Percentage
GB = Games Back of Division Lead
E# = Games Until Elimination From Division Race, E = Eliminated
WCGB = Games Back of Wild Card Lead
L10 = Last 10 Games
STRK = Streak
HOME = Home Record
ROAD = Road Record

Source: MLB.com

Phillies complete sweep of Reds

September 1, 2011

The Phillies won 6-4 to complete a four game sweep of Cinncinati.

Ryan Howard started September off by hitting his 30th home run of the season, making this his sixth consecutive season where he has had at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI's.

The Phillies are now 41 games over .500 for the third time in franchise history. The last time the Phillies hit that mark was in 1976.

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_01_phimlb_cinmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=phi

CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/09/01/11/Phillies-take-down-Reds-to-cap-four-game/news_phillies.html?blockID=557704&feedID=704

ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310901117

Blanton hoping to return

September 1, 2011

Pitcher Joe Blanton is scheduled to pitch an inning for Single-A Lakewood on Friday, and will be scheduled for another outing on Monday if all goes well.

Blanton has been out since May due to a nerve problem in his right elbow. However, Blanton is hoping he can return to the team in time to help the bullpen in the playoffs.