win #2: cg shutout

Broad-shouldered bonding before last night's game with the Nats.

Brett Myers overcame some shoddy defense to pitch a complete game shutout, while the woeful Nats were unable to give their young starter Collin Balester anything. Phillies won 4-0, another game that they had to have. Jimmy Rollins was booed each time he came to bat. There were even boos from my section, which prompted me to sing out, "My section's turned stupid!" The man next to me cracked up, and he and I traded pointed comments on fan behavior and comprehension throughout the game. Rollins also got a standing O from the majority of the sellout crowd who were not braying donkeys after he started a spectacular 6-4-3 double play in the late innings.

As Leo Durocher said, "Baseball's like church. Many attend; few understand."

Gio Gio Gio

Gio tried & tried & tried but couldn't get the White Sox out. Let's hope his late season debut doesn't end on the DL.

win #1

Carlos Carrasco stretches pregame last Thursday in Moosic.

Last night, however, Carrasco had a double-A game, seeming to lose focus despite striking out seven. He struggled to the tune of six runs (and two walks) in five innings, which destroyed his 0.48 ERA in a 10-1 IronPigs' loss in Buffalo.

I was station switching last night, from the 'Pigs' coverage to that of the Bisons to the Phillies games vs. the Nationals--skipping the clueless Nats' broadcasters. Thank the stars we have Larry Andersen and Scott Franzke!

Joe Blanton had another sub-par start, lasting only five and giving up four runs. While the Nationals are dismal, their 10-game losing streak made them dangerous. But the much-maligned bottom of the order was able to manufacture enough runs to tie the game. It helped that Charlie had put speedster Victorino in the 6th hole. Then in the 8th, Jayson Werth, hitting in Vic's customary 2-spot, put the Phillies ahead with a solo home run. Brad Lidge nailed it down in the 9th with his 31st straight save. It was a game they had to have.

pickling peppers

pickling peppers
hotter than
my team

Tonight is the start of a nine-game homestand that will just about determine the Phillies' fate. One way or another, the season is drawing to a close. Why am I feeling less than wildly optimistic?

hamels finally gets a (very) little support

The famous (San Diego) chicken was at the game in Moosic last Thursday and lots of fans were geared up. The chicken, meanwhile, lived up to its edgy, funny reputation.

Last night in San Diego, Cole Hamels finally got just enough run support to win his first game since July 3. The difference in the 2-1 game was a Pat Burrell solo homer in the 6th. Burrell also scored the winning (and only) run on Friday. Hamels went eight innings, then Lidge came in for the save. Still, the Phillies were outhit by the light-hitting Padres 7 to 6. For most of this trip the Phillies were in no-hitting land. For over two months now the offense has been pathetic.

It was a disastrous roadtrip, with the team posting a BA around .190. It was all made worse by Jimmy Rollins, who is having a bad year on and off the field. I hate when players turn things into soap operas and that's what Jimmy, with sidekick Ryan, has done.

the amazing mr. moyer

Leaving my favorite farmstand this morning, I came to this intersection on 222.

Seven innings of three-hit shutout ball from Jamie Moyer. One home run in the 7th by Pat Burrell. Solid bullpen work, capped by a Brad Lidge 9th. Put it all together and the Phils beat the Pads last night 1-0 in San Diego. Moyer is now 11-7 on the year. The hard-luck loser: Greg Maddux. Moyer is now 45, Maddux 42. Both were drafted in 1984 by the Chicago Cubs. We're talking about role models here.

meanwhile, out on the coast

The IronPigs take their pregame stretches at yesterday's game in Moosic.

Meanwhile, in LA the Phillies wasted a sterling pitching performance by Brett Myers and were swept by the Dodgers. It's the first time the Phillies have been swept in a 4-game series since 2004 and the first time it's happened at Dodger Stadium since 1962. Ugh. Are we talking regression big time? Myers summed up the series afterwards: We were outpitched and outplayed. You'd think that Phillies hitters would have severe arm strain from tipping their caps so many times to opposing pitchers.

a trip to moosic

Carlos Carrasco delivers a pitch at PNC Park in Moosic. The old Lackawanna County stadium, now PNC Park, is looking good with grass these days.

I made a trip up to Moosic to see how Carrasco would fare on the road. He lost a 2-1 decision, giving up just one earned run (his first in triple-A) and striking out 8. The earned run occurred in the first, when Car-Car had to work out of some trouble. The unearned run was in the wacko 6th, which featured a balk, a wild pitch, and a passed ball that ultimately brought in the winning run. Again, Carrasco had to work through trouble, but he again stayed aggressive. His fastball was in the mid-90's for much of the game. All in all, a good outing for the young man. Ian Kennedy, starting for the Yankees, lasted just five. Car-Car again looked dominant.

I got to the park early and ate at the pleasant, if mediocre, Stadium Club, located down the right field line. Next time I'll just look for the tapioca pudding now being sold at the park. People in the row in front of me had some and it looked yummy. It was definitely odd to see the IronPigs in their road unis. Despite the score, it was an enjoyable game. Carrasco was worth the trip. I left after the 7th and drove into a heavy rainstorm, then out into full moonlight on the way home.

this one's on joe

pond snails sing
they're in the kettle
but don't know it
---Issa

Joe Blanton took the mound last night with a 4-0 lead and immediately started giving it back. When Blanton left after the fifth, the Phillies led 6-4. Five innings doesn't cut it.

Broken record alert! This one's on the offense, which mustered only one hit after the third inning.

This one's on Jimmy Rollins, who went 0 for 5. Something must be wrong with Jimmy, who this season has shockingly gone from being a winning player to a losing one. The "too cool for school" attitude cuts it only when you're doing it all, and Jimmy's not close this year. Or it could be that someone--agent, mom, dad, girlfriend, buddy--is in his ear. He's acting like one frustrated dude.

Ryan Madson stepped in and went two scoreless. Chad Durbin gave up the tying runs in the 8th and Clay Condrey the walk-off homer in the 9th. Durbin later said it was all on him, but it's impossible to fault the bullpen, which has been outstanding all season. That Tom Gordon is missed is already painfully obvious.

gurgle, gurgle

dodgers hot
phillies not---
gurgle, gurgle

Once again Cole Hamels was brilliant, but listless offensive support coupled with bullpen miscues again left him winless. The Dodgers and their fans, meanwhile, are riding the Manny wave. By contrast, the Phillies look lifeless, as teams always do when they are not hitting.

Tom Gordon is likely done for the season, done as a Phillie. Gordon is still exploring other options but two doctors (Ciccotti and Yocum) have recommended Tommy John surgery. A pity. Always a stand-up guy, Flash was invaluable during last September's stretch run. We shall miss you.

Congrats to Gio Gonzalez, the cutie lefty now with the A's, who last night picked up his first win in the majors.

muddling in mediocrity

The Phillies game was just starting in Los Angeles as we left Coca-Cola Park. Kyle Kendrick had perhaps his worst start ever, giving up seven runs in less than four innings. I fell asleep shortly after that, with the score 7-2. Derek Lowe, pitching for the Dodgers, always seems to beat the Phillies and I, alas, have little confidence left in the offense. Last week vs. the Marlins and Pirates, the Phillies batted just .226! During that time they managed, in part to the "Little League play" (as Scott Franzke aptly termed it) of the Pirates, to go 3 and 3. Says a lot about the mediocrity of this division that they also managed to go up slightly on the Mets and Marlins. All three teams are flawed. Yesterday, both the Mets and Marlins lost, the Mets in excruciating fashion. The Phillies didn't lose ground but they didn't gain it. Instead, they muddled along, as they've been doing for much of the season. One of these three teams will win the division and the other two will go home. It's up for grabs.

Still it was surprising to hear the final last night: 8-6 Dodgers. The game ended when Ryan Howard grounded out with the tying runs on base. It could be the hometown effect, but it was encouraging to see Chase Utley, a SoCal native, again hitting the ball. The Phillies need someone to step up, as so many did throughout last season. Look at what Manny and Casey Blake are doing for the Dodgers.

canada geese over coca-cola park

Carlos Carrasco (shown here) was charting pitches last night in the IronPigs' dugout. I could see his dimples from my seat. Kris Benson, on his long rehab from surgery two years ago, got the start. He pitched well, but did not figure in the decision. The win went to Rudy Seanez, on a rehab assignment from Philadelphia, who pitched a scoreless 8th. Benson, 32 or 33, is tall, slim, and quick. Seanez, 39 and a mixed martial arts practitioner, is short and boxy. Amazing how many players stick around for more. Is it the money? Camaraderie? Fame? Competitive juices? Benson looked ready to be back in the bigs, but the Phillies for the time being have a rotation that's set. Had he been a bit quicker, things might have been different. In the mix: Benson and Happ and maybe Carrasco.

Just as the game started a flock of Canada geese flew low over the grandstand. Autumn was suddenly in the air. Only 9 home games left this season.

drought ends at 23

Flags were flying at Thursday afternoon's game vs the Marlins but the balls were not.

The scoreless drought finally ended in the first inning of last night's game with the Pirates. Rollins led off with a triple, always exciting, and Victorino doubled him in. Hallelujah! Chase Utley, still slumping, then made out, but Ryan Howard singled Victorino home. Oh, the little things! I had tix for the game but couldn't make it. Brett Myers was in command throughout, then got more than a bit testy when Charlie came out to get him in the 8th. He got even more 'animated' in the dugout, but that is a story for Brett and Charlie. (I'm picking Charlie here.) Chad Durbin got the save. Rollins went 4 for 4 in the 4-2 victory. Players of the game: Rollins and Myers, with a nod to CD.

During the 23-inning stretch, Phillies pitchers posted a collective 1.50 ERA with opponents hitting .198 against them. But Phillies batters hit just .145. Nonetheless, lots of men were left on base during the lamentable outage by what is supposed to be a top offensive team. This is getting harder and harder to take.

carrasco again solid

Carlos Carrasco got his first triple-A win last night, going six innings and giving up eight hits and three runs, all unearned. He struck out a season-high 10 and walked none. Carrasco, in his second game at triple-A, was again sharp, throwing all of his pitches for strikes and exhibiting poise and confidence. The 'Pigs committed four errors behind him; that makes seven in his first two starts with the club. The kid has been totally impressive so far in his promotion to AAA. Most of the Buffalo Bison strike-outs were swinging.

In Philadelphia, meanwhile, it was more of the same.

Futility---
thy name is
our lineup

Despite seven innings of one-hit ball by Joe Blanton, who may have thought offensive support was a given on his new team, got a taste of the real world as the Phillies lost 2-0 in 12 to the Pirates. The loss went to 'Pigs Les Walrond, who has not impressed. But it was all about the offense, shut out now for 23 consecutive innings. And but for that phantom home run on Tuesday.... It's the first time since 1999 that the Phillies have suffered back-to-back shutouts. They had their chances last night, leaving 12 on base. Frustrating, disappointing, confounding. Is that the sound of a season going down the drain?

8/8/8

Today's the 100th anniversary of the Reading Pagoda. I only know that because the Reading Phillies are wearing gorgeous powder blue patches of the pagoda on their unis this season. They should be selling the patches or similar pins at the ballpark but of course they are not. If Carlos Carrasco were not making his second start tonight for the IronPigs, I would have gone to Reading for the game there. Sad how little is left of the minor league season.

phillies put sell-out crowd to sleep

Some of the 45,512 fans in attendance at the last businessperson's special of the season go through the turnstiles at Citizens Bank Park this afternoon.

It was hot, it was sunny, and the offense was in hiding. Big yawn. Phillies lose 3-o to Marlins rookie Chris Volstad. Yawn again. Cole Hamels must be wondering what he's got to do to get a win. So the Fish took 2 out of 3 and put another dent in postseason expectations. It's all about the offense, which continues to splutter. If not for Shane Victorino's phantom (it was really a foul ball) 2-run homer Tuesday night, the Phillies would have been shut out that game too, by starter Josh Johnson. The only game they hit and scrapped runs together was Wednesday's 5-0 win. Kyle Kendrick went a solid six, giving up just 6 hits though he had to work out of trouble thanks to 5 walks surrendered. But that's what Kyle does: gets out of trouble. He's now 10-5 on the season, 20-10 since his emergency call-up last year, and the team is 29-14 in games he starts. Don't even think of trading this kid!

Wednesday night, too, IronPig infielder Mike Cervenak, called up last week to fill a roster spot, got his first hit and his first RBI in his third at-bat in the majors . An unforgettable moment for the 31-year-old journeyman!

carrasco starts, lidge finishes

Carlos Carrasco faces his last batter last night. I took the photo off the TV broadcast.

Car-Car looked great in an IronPigs uni and great on the mound, relaxed, confident, and composed. He started out throwing in the mid-90's, had his fastball, curve, and change-up working, threw strikes, and kept his focus despite some shoddy fielding behind him. In the end he went 6.2 innings, giving up two unearned runs on six hits. He left with a 2-1 lead to a standing ovation from the sell-out crowd of 9500+, which included Phillies Assistant-GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. and Prez Dave Montgomery. Carrasco did not figure in the 'Pigs 5-3 win. He said afterwards it was the best he had felt all season.

I listened to the Phillies in St. Louis last night while baking muffins and canning pickles, which left me almost too exhausted for the final two innings. Brett Myers went six and was impressive. Trailing 2-1 in the 8th, the Phillies tied it on a two-out RBI single by Pat Burrell, then took a 5-2 lead on a 3-run homer by Shane Victorino, in as a pinch-hitter in the 7th. In the 8th, the Cardinals got a run back and loaded the bases with one out, but Ryan Madson came in and threw one pitch for a double play. Whew. In the 9th, Troy Glaus greeted Brad Lidge with a home run to make it 5-4. Lidge then got a ground out, but in a series of bizarre events loaded the bases. That's when he bore down, striking out the next two batters to preserve the 5-4 win. The final strike left me limp and gave the Phillies a 5-1 roadtrip. They are now 32-26 on the road.

blanton wins, carrasco starts

An old promotional card which features Phillies Famous Threads by Bill Williams.

OK, so I caved in and spent the evening switching between the Phillies and the 'Pigs. In the end, the Phillies game was better. Joe Blanton was solid for seven, giving up just one run (a homer to Ryan Ludwick) and four hits. Braden Looper almost matched him but he gave up two homers (Gregg Dobbs and Ryan Howard). In the 9th Brad Lidge immediately got lead-off better Albert Pujols to ground out to short and soon had his 27th save in 27 tries. Phillies won 2-1. If this is the real Joe Blanton, please stay standing.

Carlos Carrasco debuts this evening with Lehigh Valley. I'll be watching the game on TV.

lost weekend looming

I'm out of it this weekend. Last night the atmosphere turned the local stations to static and I missed most of the game. I read this morning that Ruiz said that Hamels has been leaving his change-up high in the zone in his last two starts. Tonight it's Joe Blanton but I'll probably listen to the 'Pigs. Blanton seems to be a sweet guy but so far he's been a cipher. Tomorrow it's an ESPN game. Enough said.

Rudy Seanez was put on the DL and lefty Les Walrond recalled from Lehigh Valley to go into the 'pen. Is it likely that Walrond, who has been outstanding this past month, will find a niche for himself as a big league reliever? The bullpen needs re-enforcements. So does the bench.

Today Carlos Carrasco was promoted from Reading to Lehigh Valley. I'd love to see Car-Car's triple-A debut, but the rotation is probably not in my favor. J. D. Durbin's return yesterday to the 'Pigs rotation was much like his last game months ago with them: disastrous. Poor guy.

phils sweep nats

A Reading Phillies player heads into work one day this spring.

The Phillies took care of business last night, sweeping the Nationals, who are a bad team. Kyle Kendrick got his 9th win, bolstered by an early 3-0 lead. In the 6th, as the Phillies were padding what was then a 5-2 score, I went up the dial to the Nationals coverage and was astounded to hear their bad and boring announcers nattering on about the Redskins. Must be tough doing Nats games every night but come on. Several players got plunked in this game, including Chase Utley and Nats 3rd baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Scores are being kept. It was Nats starter John Lannan who broke Utley's hand last year in his debut. On to St. Louis and sterner stuff.