an almost unbelievable comeback + a one-hitter

I drove my mother, a friend of hers, and a 9-year-old to Lakewood yesterday to see the BlueClaws play the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the low single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The kid Nick and I got some player autographs before the game.

Justin DeFratus, who started for the 'Claws, was crisp in the 1st, then struggled, to put it mildly, the rest of the way. We left in the middle of the 7th with the BlueClaws trailing 12-2.

In the car, I went straight to the Phillies game, where Ryan Madson was on for Moyer in the 8th. Moyer, Madson, and Romero combined on a one-hit shutout of the Marlins. Raul Ibanez homered twice and Ryan Howard once in the 4-0 win. It was the 200th homer of Howard's career. He is the fastest in MLB history to reach 200 homers; he did it in 658 games. The next closest is Ralph Kiner, who did it in 706 games.

This morning I learned that the BlueClaws put nine on the board in the bottom of the 7th. Wow! That must have shaken the crowd out of its torpor. Ultimately, though, the 'Claws fell 14-11.

Yesterday Michael Taylor was promoted to Lehigh Valley. The 'Pigs won behind Kyle Kendrick, 5-4, who went eight innings, giving up just two runs. It was wedding night at the park and the 'Pigs wore wedding tux jerseys that were awesome/embarrassing/hilarious/bizarre. Take your pick. Happily, starter Kendrick is recently engaged.

pedro martinez is a phillie

Today, while I was up in Delaware Water Gap, Pedro Martinez was introduced as the newest member of the team. I hardly know what to say. From what little I saw on TV this evening of his press conference, Pedro knows how to work the media. He was totally charming and entertaining. He also sounds like a total, professional pitcher. No surprise that. He is after all Pedro.

He signed his contract, for $1 million, and was immediately put on the DL so that he can start a 'rehab' assignment in the minors. Maybe he'll appear here at Lehigh Valley at least once. What a circus that should be.

another sweep to finish off a 9-1 homestand

Kyle Drabek pitched a strong 1-2-3 inning in today's Futures Game in St. Louis. Here he is in a recent outing at Reading. I've got to see him while I can.

The Phillies finished off the Pirates 5-2 behind a 1st-inning grand slam by Pedro Feliz and strong pitching by J.A. Happ. Trade rumors swirl around Happ and Drabek. Meanwhile, the Phillies have gone 9-1 on this homestand to bring their home record almost to the .500 mark. I'm drowning in deadlines and for once can hardly wait for the All-Star break.

5 in the 9th--oh what a game!

The bell was still until the 9th, when Matt Stairs, then Ryan Howard lit it up. Ding-dong! Ding-dong!

Cole Hamels gave up two home runs in the first last night, then another in the second to give the Pirates a 5-0 lead. Fast forward to the 9th, with the Phillies down 7-3. Matt Stairs led off with a mammoth pinch-hit homer, which looked like window dressing till Ryan Howard tied it up with a 3-run shot. Raul Ibanez, in his first game off the DL, then doubled and pretty soon the Phillies had the bases loaded with one out for back-up catcher Paul Bako. He singled to left, giving the Phillies the 8-7 win. A totally amazing comeback. Minutes after the Bako single, it started raining.

Ibanez had two doubles and an RBI and scored the winning run. Rollins stole three bases. Jack Wilson, Bucco shortstop, made a spectacular sliding catch in left, then somehow managed to double Rollins off first in the defensive play of the game.

I confess that I left after the 7th because of a deadline, then spent almost an inning and a half wandering the parking lot in search of the car. I finally got on my way as the Pirates were making out in the 9th and listened to the drama unfold on radio. A stunning rainstorm, with lightning forking from the sky, provided the backdrop all the way home.

Vice-president Joe Biden, a lifelong Phillies fan, and his wife watched the whole game from seats behind home plate. What a game!

chris coste to houston

And the hits just keep coming. To make room for Raul Ibanez, activated today from the DL, fan favorite Chris Coste was designated for assignment. He was claimed by the Houston Astros, which means that Coste's Cinderella story with the Phillies has come to an end. All the best, Chris!

Hours later and I've just heard Coste being interviewed about the move and his stay in Philadelphia. About the former, he's happy that for now he's still in the majors. About the latter, he said, "You could write a book about it." And he already has.

jayson werth to all-star game

Jayson Werth has been named to replace the injured Carlos Beltran on the All-Star roster. Cheers for Charlie Manuel for picking his guy, who was as deserving as the next. Kudos to Jayson Werth, who has come a long way to reach this point. The Phillies outfield is awesome. Long may they play.

Whew! I'm getting a bit delirious.

a call from victorino

No sooner had I finished posting the entry below, when the phone rang. It was Shane Victorino (well, a recording of him), saying thanks for voting him to the ASG and pledging that he and the team would do their best again to win the World Series. Woohoo! Sweet greetings on a Friday morning. Thanks, Shane. Thanks, Phillies.

victorino, park, and ibanez

Driving home from Philadelphia yesterday, I heard the news that Victorino had been voted onto the All-Star roster, along with Brandon Inge from the Tigers. So the online hook-up between Phillies' fans and Tigers' fans seems to have worked. I'm delighted that Vic won but, really, online voting is so mindless.

Chan Ho Park has been an absolute brick in the bullpen. Let's hear it for the guy! He would also seem to be a good teammate. As Victorino was taking the field during Wednesday's game, he came running out of the bullpen wearing a sandwich board touting Vic for the All-Star game. I heard it described on the radio, then yesterday saw a great photo in the Inquirer, of Victorino sprinting by Park. Too, too cool.

Raul Ibanez was on a rehab stint last night with the 'Pigs. Up close, the guy is looking good. I hope I'll see him tomorrow at the Bank.

Yesterday's rumor that the Phillies are on the verge of signing Pedro Martinez to a $4 million contract almost overshadowed the Victorino news. Sure the deal won't cost prospects but I still don't get it. A great pitcher, Martinez was already a retread when he signed with the Mets. We don't need another five-and-dive guy.

double whammy

I drove yesterday from Philadelphia in rush-hour traffic, made a 5-minute stop at home, then drove to Coca-Cola Park. It was a long, intense day yesterday---my excuse for punking out after the 7th-inning stretch. At the time the 'Pigs were trailing 3-2 and the Phillies were down 6-4. By the time I got to the car, the Phils were up 8-6. In the 8th, the 'Pigs made it 6-3. That score held up. The Phillies tacked on another run with a Jayson Werth laser shot to dead center. Final score there: 9-6.

Chan Ho Park was spectacular in relief of Jamie Moyer, who went just five; Brad Lidge was in form for the save. Chase Utley had an inside-the-park home run. Yes, the guy runs. Werth's homer was his 20th of the season. That gives the Phillies four players with 20 or more home runs before the All-Star break.

The IronPigs were supposed to be in Moosic playing the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees but the Yanks are having drainage problems with their field and the two-game series was suddenly moved to the Lehigh Valley. For season-ticket holders those are two bonus games. Not only that, but also the weather could not have been better for baseball.

carpenter and marson shine in french

It was play-by-play in French last night at Coca-Cola Park, at least next to me. The guy sitting next to me was a French fellow living in the Lehigh Valley, who had brought his parents visiting from France. It was a first ballgame for all. Amazingly, they stayed till the very end, seemingly enjoying what was a very good game for the hometeam. Andrew Carpenter rebounded from a bad outing his last time out and was totally in control in the 12-0 shutout of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Lou Marson, who definitely seems to be rounding into form, led the offensive charge with two big doubles. The weather was mild, the place was packed, and a good time was had by all--except for the Red Sox fans in attendance.

We got to the car just in time to hear the bottom of the 9th in Philadelphia. It was a tie game, with two outs and Pedro Feliz on first. Jimmy Rollins worked a walk, putting Feliz in scoring position. Up stepped Shane Victorino, doing everything he can this week to make a case for his inclusion in the All-Star game. Bingo! Victorino served a single into center, Feliz scored standing, and the Phils won 3-2.

missed chances

This little fan had a great time all game long.

Lightning flickering in the distance, a full moon in the sky, and jazz on the radio added up to a mellow ride home last night from Philadelphia. Too bad that the Phillies frittered another good outing by J.A. Happ and let the game get away. They put three on the board early, via back-to-back homers by Howard and Werth in the 2nd, then an RBI double in the 4th by Utley, but squandered every scoring opportunity after that, going 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position. Ugh. Guess you have to give Aaron Harang, who sweated his way through 114 pitches, credit for keeping his team in it. The Reds got the go-ahead run in the 9th and won it 4-3.

Utley also doubled on a ball that barely left the infield. That happened moments after the big screen had showed Utley getting his first major league hit, a grand slam. He ran the bases then exactly as he did last night to turn what looked like a possible out into a double. "The man", indeed.

So all the talk now is of Roy Halladay. J.P. Ricchardi, the Blue Jays' manager, has supposedly said he's ready to entertain offers. The Phillies would of course be a contender but I'm already tired of the knee-jerk reactions I've been hearing. I would also like to know why the Jays suddenly want to trade this guy. And if he is really healthy. Would I give up the farm for him? No, but I wouldn't give up the farm for anyone. Pat Gillick was a genius GM because he made the little or middling moves that ended up mattering the most.

vote for shane victorino!

Shane Victorino is on the NL ballot for the 33rd man to go to the All-Star Game next week in St. Louis. Vote early, vote often for the very deserving Flyin' Hawaiian. Voting ends 4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday. Go, Shane!

22? where are the roll-overs?

It was Johnny Cueto and the Cincinnati Reds last night. The talented Cueto lasted 2/3 of an inning, giving up nine runs in all, including a two-run double to Cole Hamels. By the end of the 1st, the Phils were up 10-0. The Reds never had a chance. Hamels has owned them his whole career and last night was no exception. The final score: 22-1. Shane Victorino was all over the place, with a homer, single, and double. He was robbed of the triple that would have given him the cycle when the left field ballgirl fielded the ball that would have put him on third. You had to feel sorry for her but really you had to feel sorrier for Shane.

It would be great to roll some of those unneeded runs over to games to follow.

a sweeping weekend

So the Phillies came limping home from a disastrous roadtrip last week to play the Mets. Nothing like a sweep to make everyone feel better. It's absolutely hilarious to listen to the New Yorkers trash the Philadelphia pitching, when the Mets are throwing out the likes of Livan Hernandez and Fernando Nieve, whom call-up Rodrigo Lopez and stalwart Jamie Moyer bested, aided by timely hitting and sterling defense by their mates. Sunday was a nice, taut pitching duel between Santana and Blanton. The lead-off solo homer by Jimmy Rollins (nice to see you back) was all the Phillies needed, but Chase Utley added another in a 2-0 shutout. Blanton was superb!

Brad Lidge notched two more saves. Sunday's was a 1-2-3 stikeout of the side. Best of all, he looks healthy for the first time all year. If the knee is good, Lidge is good. If he's good, the bullpen may just fall again into place.

The Mets and their fans whine much too much about the team's injuries. Shall I list the ones the Phillies have had? And injuries are no excuse for the dismal defense the Mets have played all year.

drabek dazzles

The R-Phils scored their first run, in the 1st, without benefit of a hit. Leadoff man Quintin Berry drew a walk, stole 2nd, was sacrificed over, then sacrificed in. Love that small ball.

Kyle Drabek pretty much had his way with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Thursday night in Reading. The outing came as Antonio Bastardo was coughing up a 4-0 lead down in Tampa and it was tempting to picture Drabek taking the struggling lefty's place in the rotation. But that's jumping ahead a bit. Drabek's fastball was in the mid-9o's and his curve ball was working. He went 7.1 innings, with nine strikeouts and lots of first-pitch strikes. He ran into trouble just once, in the 6th, when he gave up three runs. Two of them were on a ball misplayed in center field. Drabek then came back to put the side down 1-2-3 in the 7th. In the end, the R-Phils won the game 9-3 and Drabek was the star. He looked very, very good.

drabek and flande to futures game

Kyle Drabek and Johan Flande (what a delicious name) have been selected to go to this year's Futures Game, which will be held in St. Louis on the Sunday of the All-Star break. Congratulations to both. Can't help, however, but wonder why Michael Taylor was not named.

a sweet night home and away

I like the design of this t-shirt, as well as its soft faded look.

It was a wonderfully mellow night at the ballpark in Allentown last night. The IronPigs, just off a 7-1 road trip, beat the Indianapolis Indians 6-3, aided by some key errors. In fact, errors featured in much of the scoring by both teams.

Early in the game there was a video update from Tampa, where John Mayberry Jr. had just hit a three-run homer to put the Phillies up 6-0 in the top of the 1st. Yes, they're back on the road. Another update followed in the 4th, when Chase Utley's two-run homer made it 10-0. The Phils' game ended a tick after the 'Pigs' game, which made for a good post-game ride home. The Rays' David Price was ineffective, while Jamie Moyer pitched well through six. The Phillies are now 24-9 on the road.

everyday clay to dl?

More bum news if true. It's being reported that reliever Clay Condrey is headed for the 15-day DL with an oblique strain.

Tonight it's Jamie Moyer vs. David Price. Uh-oh.

rolling rock

Rolling Rock is a quintessential Pennsylvania name. I used to enjoy the beer as well but haven't had it for years. This delivery truck was in front of me on a recent rainy day.

it happens

So you go 7-3 on a tough road trip, then come home and win exactly one in nine games, taking your home record to a totally dismal, unfathomable 13-22. It happens. It happens? How does it happen? By striking out something like 83 times during the homestand and issuing almost as many walks to the visitors. By blowing saves on a mindblogging basis. By not hitting. And certainly by not playing defense. Ouch. What sloppy play, what mental mistakes were on display this past week. Then of course you lose a key hitter in Raul Ibanez and your top slugger geta a mystery fever that spikes to 104 degrees. Thank the gods for minor league ball available here on radio and tv.

I didn't get part 2 of The Pen last night on MLBN. It started with a repeat of part 1, then segued into a 25-minute part 2. I had expected another, and new, hour. It was good but way too short.