About last night

September 29, 2011

A lot happened last night, not just for the Phillies, but all around baseball.

Last night saw two teams, who a month ago looked like they had their respective wild card spots wrapped up, completely collapse and miss out on the playoffs. The Red Sox blew a one run lead in the ninth to lose to the Orioles 4-3, and eventually lose their playoff spot. The Braves. Well, we'll get to them in a second.

Two games that held playoff implications last night, had to be decided in extras.

And the Tampa Bay Rays, down 7-0 after seven innings against the Yankees, rallied back to tie it up and eventually win it 8-7 in the twelfth thanks to a walk off home run by Evan Longoria. Thanks to the Red Sox loss, the Rays were able to take the AL wild card spot with the win.

It has been an incredible regular season this year, and last night was an incredible conclusion to it.

The Phillies' regular season finale was no less thrilling.

Going into last night's game, the Phillies had the chance to set two club records. They had the oppurtunity to be the first team in franchise history to have 102 wins in a season with a win against Atlanta. A win also would make Charlie Manuel (645 wins) the leader in most regular season wins as a Phillies manager, surpassing Gene Mauch.

This team made history last night, and they did it in big fashion.

The Atlanta Braves were desperately clinging to their wild card spot, only leading by half a game over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Fast forward to the ninth inning, the Braves have a 3-2 lead, Craig Krimbel came in for Atlanta to try and secure the win and get the save.

With the bases loaded, Chase Utley hits a sacrifice fly to left, to score Pete Orr from third and tie the game up at three.

Kimbrel had been phenomonal as the braves closer all year, but last night, he faultered.

On to the thirteenth inning, with runners on first and third, Hunter Pence singled into shallow right to score Brian Schneider from third and put the Phillies up 4-3.

It would prove to be the winning run, as David Herndon finished the game by getting the Brave's Freddie Freeman to ground into a double play.

The Cardinals, trailing by half a game in the wild card standings going into last night, beat the Houston Astros 8-0, and won the wild card spot.

The Phillies not only set a franchise record in regular season wins, and Manuel setting the franchise record in mangaerial wins, but knocked their divison rival out of the playoffs.

The Phillies will face the Cardinals in the NLDS. The series begins with game one on Saturday.

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_28_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=phi#gid=2011_09_28_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=plays

CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Phils-Manuel-reach-milestones-in-dramati?blockID=569218&feedID=693

ESPN.com
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310928115&teams=philadelphia-phillies-vs-atlanta-braves

Phillies at Braves: Game 3 Notes (Regular Season Finale)

September 28, 2011

So here it is, game number 162. It has been an incredible regular season for the Phillies, and now their focus is on the postseason. As for the Braves, a month ago it seemed like they had the wild card spot wrapped up. Now, their fighting for their playoff lives with the St. Louis Cardinals only a half game behind them. Tonight, the Brave's season is on the line. As for the Phillies, it's simple, head in to the playoffs hot.

Philadelphia Phillies (101-60, 49-31 Road) at Atlanta Braves (89-72, 47-33 Home)
7:10 PM at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA.

Last Game: 9/27, Phillies win 7-1. W- Roy Oswalt (9-10)  L- Lowe (9-17)

Pitching Matchup
RHP Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.03 ERA) vs. RHP Tim Hudson (16-10, 3.23 ERA)

Notes courtesy of Phillies.com and CSN Philly.com

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_28_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=preview&c_id=phi#gid=2011_09_28_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=preview

CSN Philly.com
http://stats.csnphilly.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=310928115

Phillies beat Braves 7-1, tie franchise record with 101 wins

September 28, 2011

The Braves were holding on to the wild card spot by a game going in to last night's game. The Phillies, with help from a St. Louis Cardinals win over the Houston Astros 13-6, took away their wild card lead.

Roy Oswalt, in his last start before the playoffs, shutout the Braves for six innings. He only allowed three hits and a walk, while striking out four.

Chase Utley, Hunter Pence, and Jimmy Rollins homered in the Phil's blowout win over Atlanta.

The Phils have put that rough eight game losing streak behind them, for they have won their last three games.

The most reassuring thing to happen in last night's game though, was Antonio Bastardo's relief appearance in the eighth inning.

Bastardo has had a lot of struggles during September, and suspiscion arose that he might have been tipping his pitches, but there were no concerns this time.

For the first time since September 2, Bastardo threw a scoreless inning. He made it a quick 1, 2, 3 inning, getting Michael Bourn to strikeout swinging to end the eighth.

Last night's win was the Phillie's 101st of the season, tying the franchise record. It's also Charlie Manuel's 645th regular season win as the Phillie's manager tying him with Gene Mauch for the franchise record.

The team has the oppurtunity to set those records tonight with a win against the Braves in the regular season finale.

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_27_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=phi#gid=2011_09_27_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=phi

CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Phils-dominate-Braves-to-tie-all-time-wi?blockID=568556&feedID=693

ESPN.com
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310927115&teams=philadelphia-phillies-vs-atlanta-braves

Phillies at Braves: Game 2 Notes

September 27, 2011

After the Phillies 4-2 win over Atlanta last night, the Braves wild card lead is now down to only one game over St. Louis. With two games left in the season, the Braves will be fighting for a playoff spot, while the Phillies simply look to finish the season strong against their division rival.

Philadelphia Phillies (100-60, 48-31 Road) at Atlanta Braves (89-71, 47-32 Home)
7:10 PM at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA.

Pitching Matchup
RHP Roy Oswalt (8-10, 3.86 ERA) vs. RHP Derek Lowe (9-16, 4.92 ERA)

Notes Courtesy of Phillies.com and CSN Philly.com

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_27_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=preview&c_id=phi#gid=2011_09_27_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=preview

CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Phillies-Braves-game-notes-Oswalt-vs-Low?blockID=568142&feedID=693

Phillies Headlines (9/24-9/26)

Hey everyone, I would like to apologize. I didn't have the time to post anything yesterday. I had to do some college stuff, and that's important, can't ignore that. Regardless, I'm sorry. Here are recaps and news I didn't get to post.

9/24
Phillies lose night game, swept in doubleheader vs Mets, losing streak at 8
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310924321&teams=philadelphia-phillies-vs-new-york-mets

9/25
Halladay, Phils snap streak in 9-4 win
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310925121&teams=philadelphia-phillies-vs-new-york-mets

Hamels in the pen for Braves series
http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Hamels-going-to-pen-for-win-No-15-?blockID=567166&feedID=693

9/26
Coaching staff in 2012, playoff pitching, Brown plays, normal lineup
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110926&content_id=25232852&notebook_id=25232860&vkey=notebook_phi&c_id=phi

Lee, Phillies beat Atlanta, earn 100th win
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310926115&teams=philadelphia-phillies-vs-atlanta-braves


Courtesy of Phillies.com, CSN Philly.com, and ESPN.com

Phillies at Mets: Game 2 (Doubleheader) Notes

September 24, 2011

The Phils' losing streak seems never ending, it now stands at seven games after a 2-1 loss to the Mets in game one of the doubleheader.

Hunter Pence is expected to return to the lineup tonight and Howard was in the lineup for game one for the first time in a week, so the Phillies will have their full lineup tonight.

Philadelphia Phillies (98-59, 46-30 Road) at New York Mets (75-82, 32-44 Home)
7:10 PM at Citi Field in New York, NY

Pitching Matchup
RHP Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.30 ERA) vs Dillon Gee (12-6, 4.48 ERA)

Notes Courtesy of Phillies.com and CSN Philly.com

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_24_phimlb_nynmlb_2&mode=preview&c_id=phi

CSN Philly.com
http://stats.csnphilly.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=310924321

Hamels solid, but gets no support in loss

September 24, 2011

So now the streak is at seven. Seven....Straight....Losses.

Since clinching the NL East last week, the Phillies have not been able to do anything. That continued today.

Cole Hamels pitched a great game. The only mistake Hamels made was giving up a solo homer to pinch hitter Valentino Pascucci in the seventh.

Up until that point, Hamels was throwing a shutout, and he finished with 7.0 innings pitched, with four hits and an earned run allowed. He walked three and struckout seven.

The Phillies offense was only able to manage one run against the Met's knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who carried a no hitter in to the seventh.

With one out, Shane Victorino doubled to left to break up the no hit bid. Then Ryan Howard, who was in the lineup for the first time since the division clincher, singled to center to drive in Victorino.

After seven innings the game was tied at one. In the bottom of the eight, Brad Lidge pitched in relief of Hamels.

After shortstop Jose Reyes flew out to Victorino in center, Lidge allowed a single to second baseman Ruben Tejada. Tejada stole second, then Lidge gave up a double to third baseman David Wright that drove in Tejada to make it 2-1 Mets.

The Phillies lost by a final of 2-1, extending their losing streak to seven games since clinching the division.

Brad Lidge received the loss, he is now 0-2 this season. New York's Bobby Parnell (4-6) got the win, even though he pitched only a third of an inning to end the eighth.

The Phil's offense were only able to get four hits off the Met's pitching.

The Phillies are the first team to win 98 games and have a seven game losing streak in Major Leagu Baseball history.

The 1904 New York Giants were the former record holders, losing six straaight. They did not win the World Series that year, because there was none. But they did win the National League.

Here is a better stat, the Phillies now hold the longest losing streak after clinching a division title, surpassing the 1987 Minnesota Twins, who lost five straight after clinching the division. The '87 Twins did win the World Series that year.

Historical stats aside, the Phightin' Phils haven't been showing any fight since winning the NL East. It's extremely frustrating to see a team this good play this poorly, and with the start of the playoffs quickly approaching, you just wish they would snap out of it and get hot again.

Hopefully this team can find a way to flip the switch and start winning again once the playoffs start.

The Phillies will go back at it tonight for the second game of today's doubleheader. I realize I have said this a lot over the past week, and their only motivation right now is to be playoff ready, but maybe they will show some life and get back on the winning track tonight.

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_24_phimlb_nynmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=phi

CSN Philly.com
http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/phillies-talk/post/Instant-Replay-Mets-2-Phillies-1?blockID=566778&feedID=704

ESPN.com
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310924221&teams=philadelphia-phillies-vs-new-york-mets

Phillies at Mets: Game 1 (Doubleheader) Notes

September 23, 2011

Last night's game will be played today as part of a day-night doubleheader after heavy rain showed no signs of stopping.

The Phillies are hoping to end their six game losing streak at Citi Field today. This is the Phillies worst losing streak since June 16-21, 2009.

The Phillies are looking for some wins, and Charlie Manuel finally having his everyday lineup back helps tremendously.

Philadelphia Phillies (98-58, 46-29 Road) at New York Mets (74-82, 31-44 Home)
1:10 PM at Citi Field in New York, NY

Pitching Matchup
LHP Cole Hamels (14-9, 2.80 ERA) vs RHP R.A. Dickey (8-13, 3.35 ERA)

Other Notes
- Rightfielder Hunter Penceis expected to return to the lineup today. Pence has been out since Tuesday with mild patellar tendon strain.
- First baseman Ryan Howard also returns to the lineup today for the first time since clinching the NL East last week. Howard has been sitting out with left hell bursitis. He received a cortisone shot on Monday to help relieve the pain.

Game Notes Courtesy of Phillies.com and CSN Philly.com

Phillies.com
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_24_phimlb_nynmlb_1&mode=preview&c_id=phi

CSN Philly.com
http://stats.csnphilly.com/mlb/preview.asp?g=310924221

Phillies, Mets rained out, doubleheader Saturday

Septmber 23, 2011

The opener of the Phillies, Mets series at citi field was rained out last night. To make up for last night's game, they will be playing a doubleheader today.

Game one will start at 1:10 PM, followed by the night game at 7:10 PM.

The first pitch for Sunday's game will be moved up from 1:10 PM to 2:10 PM as a result of the changed schedule.

Last night's probables, Philadelphia's Cole Hamels (14-9, 2.80 ERA) and New York's R.A. Dickey (8-13, 3.35 ERA), will be pitching in game one of the doubleheader.

Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.30 ERA) will make his first start for the Phillies since May 14. Blanton was on the disabled list with an elbow injury. He made three relief appearances since coming off the DL.

Blanton will face the Mets Dillon Gee (12-6, 4.48 ERA) in the night cap of the doubleheader.

This is the Phillies fifth rainout this season, and their third doubleheader this month.

Good came from this rainout though. Hunter Pence is expected to return today, and Chase Utley was given the night off last night, but since there was no game, the Phillies didn't go without him in the lineup. Charlie Manuel now has his everyday lineup ready to go for today.

Phillies reach attendance milestone

September 23, 2011

When the regular season ends next week, the Phillies will lead Major League Baseball in attendance for the first time in franchise history.

Last night was the Phillies 204th consecutive sellout at Citizens Bank Park, moving their season attendance up to 3,680,718.

The attendance is averaging 45,441 people per game this year.

The New York Yankees are second in 2011 season attendance with 3,505,511 total. With three games left to play though, the Yankees will not be able to catch up.

Great job Phillies fans, keep up the support and help continue to keep this team great!