Phillies comeback and win again…err, not this time [BEAST-OFF]

I was dotting my I’s when Jimmy Rollins flied out on the first pitch to left and I was crossing my T’s when Shane Victorino grounded sharply to first for the final out. What looked like yet another comeback win was not to be. Marlins win this one 5-4 to open a three game set against the Phils.

Let’s start with the obvious. Brett Myers reverted to fecal matter tonight. After a series of somewhat respectable starts and then finally a great one last week, Myers let up 5 earned runs in only 5.1 innings pitched. 7 hits, 4 walks, 3 strike outs and 3 home runs.

I was beginning to think he was making progress but who knows? One thing is for sure, this team needs STARTING PITCHING. (ATTN: Pat Gillick and Ruben Amaro Jr., See: reality, attached). Okay, okay, let’s just blame the heat and move on…

Phillies Beast (and least) of the Week

Beast: Pedro Feliz, 3B. Feliz was outstanding this week. He hit .379, going 11 for 29, with two doubles, a home run. Yes, he only had 4 RBIs, but he gets the Beast for having an outstanding May in general. For the month he is hitting .310 with 12 RBIs, a vast improvement over April’s .218. Geoff Jenkins and Shane Victorino also deserve props for excellent weeks. Jenkins hit .381 and Victorino .394, but Feliz plays every day and has had such a stellar May that he deserves the Beast this week.

Oh, did I mention Ryan Howard with 4 HRs and an average of .276 for the week?

Runners Up: Geoff Jenkins, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino

Least: Brett Myers, RHP. I didn’t want to give it to Brett again, but no one else has really had the stand out crappiness that he manages to pull off start after start. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to witness the last two outings, and while they’re not horrendous, they’re nothing close to good either. Brett needs to get away from the team for a couple week. Phantom DL or AAA or personal time – I don’t care. The Phils have lost the last 6 Myers outings and he has a 6.67 ERA in May. Something needs to Happen soon.

Runners Down: Charlie Manuel. I can’t stand these pinch runners every game. So yes, managers are up for beast and least, too.

(Feliz pic from Darrins on Flickr; Myers pic from inherbarefeet on flickr)

Major “doo-dooing” in Houston

Brett Myers lived up to his words tonight. He threw “doo-doo” like usual. 6 innings, 4 ER, 8 hits, 4 BB, 2 SO. Something needs to happen. I don’t care if it’s a trip to the phantom DL or a stint in the minors or a trade. This can’t continue. The Phillies are not going to compete for the division with Jamie Moyer as our second best pitcher. Myers is losing trade value daily. He’s still most attractive as a closer, and many teams could use him.

Ryan Howard is a Beast. He moon shot to right-center propelled the Phils to a 3-2 lead in the 3rd. But Myers couldn’t hold back the ‘stros. Carlos Lee‘s second RBI hit of the night (3 total) tied the game in the bottom of the 5th and Mark Loretta‘s single in the bottom of the 6th gave the Astros the lead. That would be all for the night for both teams.

In the 9th, the Phillies squandered a great opportunity to tie the game – for the second night in a row. Tonight, with the bases loaded and one out, Shane Victorino hit a shallow fly ball to left. Pedro Feliz was sent after the catch. A perfect throw by Darren Erstad completed the double play and ended the game (upon which point I promptly stormed out of the stadium.)

Postgame: Phillies 12 – Nationals 2 [BEAST-OFF]

What a game last night. The Phils blogosphere was bashing Ryan Howard unendingly yesterday. I didn’t think the verbal punishment was necessary, and last night Howard stood up for me. He went 3/5, he two homers and a double, and knocked in four. Howard is now hitting .269 for the week with 4 dingers and 8 RBIs. Those are the kind of numbers to expect out of the big man. Last week I said Howard was back. I’m sticking by words.

Jamie Moyer continued to defy reality last night. He pitched 6 innings and allowed no runs and 7 hits. Cole Condrey contributed with a 3 inning save. But the pitching wouldn’t even matter last night. Evidently, the team decided they were sick of all the talk of slumps and followed Howard’s lead. Shane Victorino and Pedro Feliz combined for 3 hits a piece, and Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Chris Coste all had two hits. Pat Burrell didn’t get the memo, he was O for 4.

Oh, the Nats? Matt Chico was out after 5. He only let up 4 of the runs. Jesus Colome was put in to endure a beating of his own. He let up 6 earned runs in the 6th inning. Chris Schroder let up two himself in relief of Colome.

-Greg Berlin

Postgame: Phillies 1 – Nats 0 [BEAST-OFF]

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

Postgame: Nats 4 – Phillies 0 [BEAST-OFF]

The Nats, led by right-hander Tim Redding, shutout the Phillies 4-0 last night. Redding pitched 6 and a third innings, he allowed 7 hits, gave up 2 walks, and struck out 2. The Phillies certainly had their chances throughout, with men seemingly every inning. The Phillies left 9 men on base throughout the game, many times coming in the middle of the order or with only 1 out. But they couldn’t find their way around Redding.

Brett Myers did not have the same luck. While he was not lit up as he has been in some earlier starts, he only lasted 6 innings, allowing 3 earned runs, giving up 8 hits, striking out 2, and walking 3. One of those walks was a four pitch at bat to Redding.

Myers got off to a poor start in the first when Dmitri Young hit a sac-fly to Shane Victorino, scoring Cristian Guzman. I was at the game and it did not look like Victorino played the ball correctly. He ran in on the ball immediately, preventing him from using his momentum to make a great throw to the cutoff. Still, his throw was okay. It was Jimmy Rollins‘ throw that really was the problem. It was off enough that it made the play close. Guzman was safe despite Carlos Ruiz‘s best effort.

The Nats tacked on three more runs in the game with a two RBI Lastings Milledge double in the 3rd, and a Dimitri Young double play in the 7th. Weird, yea, but Guzman scored despite getting the two outs.

The Phillies have now lost 7 of 11, and 3 in a row, a season-high losing streak. The Nats won their second in a row.

Postgame: Phillies 5 – Braves 0 [BEAST-OFF]

Cole Hamels is a monster.  9 innings, 4 hits, 6 strikeouts, 3 walks, no runs.  He had 120 pitches, with 85 of them being strikes.  This was Hamels’ fifth win of the season, and his first career complete game shutout.  Finally, Hamels pitches a game this season without having that one tough inning, especially early.

Hamels got run support too, which can sometimes be tough for him as the team seems to relax when he’s on the mound.  Pedro Feliz, Ryan Howard, and Shane Victorino all homered.  Howard is back.  There, I’ve said it.  I almost think he likes having to prove everybody wrong year after year.  All the homers came off of Braves pitcher Chuck James.  Pedro Feliz added another RBI in the third, scoring Pat Burrell on a single to left.

In a way, this was a statement win for the Phils.  Hamels went the distance, dominating batters throughout;  Ryan Howard continued his mini-hot streak; and the team took two of three from a division rival.  That can never be underestimated.  And on the same day, the Mets lost a tough 1-0 game to the Nats, losing three of four to Leasts of the East.  The Mets are reeling.  Now if only the Marlins would start to mail it in….

Around the Beast

Here are last night’s wrap-ups from the Phillies, Braves, and Marlins.

Braves 8-Phillies 6

Tom Glavine picked up his first Braves victory since 2002 as the Braves rolled over Brett Myers. The opening-day starter drops to 2-5 after surrendering home runs to Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar in the first, just a couple of the 6 earned runs he would give up on the night (4.1 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, 3 HR, 75 P). For the Braves, Kelly Johnson added a home run, Gregor Blanco drove in two runs, and Brian McCann added another.

The Braves bullpen could barely contain the Philadelphia offense, allowing two earned runs in the last two innings, including a 2-out Ryan Howard home run in the 8th. Chase Utley also homered for the Phillies (2 runs in the 6th off of Glavine), Jimmy Rollins drove in two runs on the night and Shane Victorino drove in one. The bright spot for the Phillies was their bullpen, with Ryan Madson, Clay Condrey and Rudy Seanez combining for 4.2 scoreless innings in relief of Myers.

Reds 7-Marlins 6 (F/10)

Rookie shortstop Paul Janish hit a walk-off single in his Major League debut as the Reds defeated the Marlins in the 10th inning. That came after Cody Ross tied the game on a three-run longball off of Reds closer Francisco Cordero in the ninth. Cordero’s first blown save of the year was an ugly one–the Marlins scored all six of their runs in the top of the ninth. Reds pitcher Mike Lincoln was charged with four runs, Cordero with two. This after Bronson Arroyo shut the Marlins down, going 7 full innings allowing no runs on 5 hits, striking out 5 and walking 3 on 111 pitches.

The Marlins were plagued by ineffective pitching all night, first from starter Ricky Nolasco (4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 97 P), then from relievers Logan Kensing, Justin Miller, and Renyel Pinto. NL Beast has said it over and over again, the Marlins are only as good as their pitching.

Ross, Luis Gonzalez and Matt Treanor drove in runs for the Marlins. Adam Dunn homered and Jerry Hairston Jr., Ken Griffey Jr., Brandon Phillips, Edwin Encarnacion and Janish plated runs for the Reds.

Postgame: Phillies 5-Braves 4 [BEAST-OFF]

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

Phillies Beast (and least) of the Week

NOTE: You are reading this correctly.

Beast: Eric Bruntlett. Yes, that’s right. The substitute short stop turned out to be an excellent replacement for Jimmy Rollins. In the last week, Brunlett hit .333 with 8 RBIs. That stint included two doubles, a triple, and a home run. He had a terrible first game filling in for Rollins, but he got his stuff together and will be a welcome addition to our already potent bench. Oh, by the way, Bruntlett had those 8 RBIs only starting 4 games against the Diamondbacks!

Runners Up: Shane Victorino, Pedro Feliz, Carlos Ruiz

Least: Chase Utley. Yes, that’s right again. Your eyes are not deceiving you. Utley hit .120 for the week, only 3 hits in 25 at bats. He had no home runs and struck out 8 times. Pat Burrell was only 3/19 on the week, and Ryan Howard only 4/24. Needless to say, the middle of the order has to hit better. Luckily, Brunlett, as well as Carlos Ruiz and Pedro Feliz have been hitting the cover off the ball this week.

Runners Down: Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell

-Greg Berlin

Phillies Pregame – 5/9 10:15 EDT

The Game: San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Matchup: Patrick Misch (0-0, 5.40, 8/3 K/BB, 1.30 WHIP) vs. Cole Hamels (3-3, 3.10, 41/14 K/BB, 1.07 WHIP)

The Story: The Phillies look to get back to their winning ways in San Francisco after splitting a four game set in Arizona. The series starts off with stud Cole Hamels, looking for his fourth win of the season, facing off against Patrick Misch, who is appearing in only his third game this season.  In one previous start a week ago, also against the Phillies, Misch lasted only four innnings, allowing 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 2 walks, 2 home runs, and struck out 4.  Misch has let up 4 home runs on the season in only 10 IP.

The big news of the is Jimmy Rollins back with the team for the first time since April 20.  Rollins is listed as the lead off man in tonight’s lineup, and no one is trying to hide the Phils’ sigh of relief that their MVP is back.  The offense hasn’t stalled, but it has certainly cooled off in the last week.  Rollins’ speed, coupled with that of Shane Victorino, who is also just back from injury, are essential to the functioning of the lineup.  In addition, it sends utility man Eric Bruntlett back to the bench.  Bruntlett is hitting .303 in the month of May and will add depth to an already strong bench.  Australian infielder Brad Harman has been sent back to Lehigh Valley to make room for Rollins.

Stat of the Day: Former Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand is hitting .336 in his first season with San Francisco.

Lineups:
Phillies
Rollins (SS)
Victorino (CF)
Utley (2B)
Howard (1B)
Burrell (LF)
Werth (CF)
Feliz (3B)
Ruiz (C)
Hamels (P)

Giants
Lewis (LF)
Castillo (3B)
Winn (RF)
Molina (C)
Rowand (CF)
Aurilia (1B)
Velez (2B)
Burriss (SS)
Misch (P)

Video of Victorino-Jackson Collision

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Postgame: Phillies 5 – Diamondbacks 4

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

Phillies Pregame – 5/6, 9:40 PM EDT

The Game: Arizona Diamondback (21-11) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (19-14)

The Matchup: Randy Johnson (4 GS, 1-1, 4.79, 22 SO, 9 BB, 1.45 WHIP) vs. Adam Eaton (6 GS, 0-0, 4.72, 19 SO, 13 BB, 1.37 WHIP)

The Story: You never want to look up and see Randy Johnson opposing you, but it’s safe to say he’s not the pitcher he once was.  Regardless, he’s should get a lot of Ks against the Phillies hackers.  Adam Eaton is bound to never get a decision this year, posting none in 6 starts.  The righty has lasted at least 5 innings in five of his six starts, and continues to be quite the pleasant surprise for the Phillies.

It’s unlikely that the Phils’ bats with be as hot as they were last night, but overall the team is just hot all around.  Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard seem to be taking baby steps towards getting back to their old selves.  Even Eric Bruntlett is starting to swing the bat with a triple and two hits last night.  Look for Jason Werth to be back in the lineup after sitting out the last two games.

The Dbacks will look to recover from an all around poor performance yesterday.  The NL’s second best offense (183 RS) owns the highest slugging percentage in the league (.459) and are still posting the major’s best record (21-11).

Stat of the Day: The Phillies own the NL’s best road record at 9-6.

Lineups later.

It ain’t a streak, but it’s a winning April for the Phightins

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.

Who? What? Where? Werth…

More on what to do with OF Jayson Werth from David Murphy:

Is Jason Werth ready to be an everyday player? And, most important, with Shane Victorino coming off the disabled list and a plethora of bodies in the outfield, are the Phillies ready to make him one?
…

When he became a free agent that offseason, the Phillies were one of the few teams willing to give him a chance.

“There was a time when I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to play,” Werth said.

Now, the question is, how much will he play?

Two days ago, manager Charlie Manuel acknowledged that leaving Werth in centerfield even with Victorino healthy was a possibility.

“Werth has definitely earned his right to play,” Manuel said.

That could mean Victorino plays more in rightfield, where he established himself as one of the league’s better fielders last season. But Werth could end up back in rightfield, where he began the season sharing time with Jenkins, a free-agent acquisition.

Victorino’s arm is better suited to rightfield, but his speed is a tremendous strength in center.

“Victorino’s one of the best rightfielders that I’ve seen in quite a while,” Manuel said. “He could play in right, but I also look at him as a centerfielder. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Manuel acknowledged the possibility that Werth’s productivity could suffer if he returned to a platoon role.

“I think he can cool off by sitting, yeah,” Manuel said…

I have advocated for Werth’s spot in the lineup continuously and I think it’s becoming clear at this point that he is going to be an every day player. Geoff Jenkins should be the odd man out here. Leave Werth in center, start Victorino in right, and give Jenkins the odd day in right in which Victorino or Werth would play center. The bottom line is that Jason Werth has served more valuable to this team than Jenkins and even Victorino this season. Werth has earned his spot in the lineup.

Come on Charlie, make the move…

-Greg Berlin

Phillies Preview – (4/29, 7:05pm EDT)

San Diego Padres (10-16) @ Philadelphia Phillies (14-12)

Cole Hamels (5 GS, 2-3, 2.75 ERA, 30 SO, 1.08 WHIP)
vs.
Greg Maddux (5 GS, 2-1, 3.66 ERA, 19 SO, 1.06 WHIP)

Old versus new tonight. At the age of 42, Greg Maddux will look for his 350th career win (after Trevor Hoffman blew it last week), while Cole Hamels, only 24 years old, looks to recover from last week’s 7+ inning outing in which he was lit up by Prince Fielder twice for two-run homers in the first and eighth innings.

Remember Phillies’ fans, Charlie Manuel opted to keep Hamels in after 110 pitches to start the 8th inning. Now, in Manuel’s defense, Hamels had 11 strikeouts in the game. But with the best bullpen in the National League, the move doesn’t hold water.

Look for CF Shane Victorino (strained right calf) to be back in the lineup tonight. He should be starting after a 15 day stint on the DL.

UPDATE: Essential reading by David Murphy over at High Cheese summing up the possible starting lineups tonight.

So what will it be?

Jayson Werth in center field and Victorino in right?

Victorino in center and Werth in right?

Victorino in center and Geoff Jenkins in right?

Or Werth in center, Jenkins in right, and Victorino on the bench?

Phillies Weekly Bea(s)t

– 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!!