It’s Sunday and things are quiet on the Phillies front, which makes for boring posting.  But after perusing the numerous Philadelphia sports sites/blogs, I found the following links that are worth checking out.

Roy Oswalt - Photo credit: Steve Trapani

Oswalt’s likely departure changes dynamic of Phillies rotation this is courtesy of Philly.com and taps into the likelihood of Roy Oswalt‘s exit.

Thanks to the TheFightins.com, we found this gem Ryan Howard riding around Whole Foods Market on a Rascal.

Absolutely gotta love ZooWithRoy.com who has put a funny spin on the Phillies/Rollins negotiations.  Jimmy Rollins Negotiations Update

CrashburnAlley.com posted an interesting take on the National League MVP selection.  Brief Thoughts on the NL MVP Award.

Photo courtesy of Steve Trapani – Flickr Follow him on twitter: @Trap_33

I was all set to write…WOO-HOO Phillies clinch the 2011 NLDS!  But boy was that shot to s**t after the Phillies lost 5-3 to the Cardinals.

So now we are heading back to Philly for Game 5 on Friday night. Which I really didn’t want to see happen.

And I didn’t think it would be necessary after the Phillies took a nice 2-0 lead in the first inning.  Jimmy Rollins got the ball rolling with his fourth double of the series, then Chase Utley hauled ass to get an RBI-triple.  Hunter Pence then singled to score Utley.  Offense looked good and ready to win this game.  Unfortunately the bats had other plans and flatlined.

The Cards quickly answered in the bottom of the first with an RBI-double by Lance Berkman, that ended up being a double thanks to Shane Victorino slipping (literally) and unable to get the ball back in.

Was hoping for a better outing from Roy Oswalt, but he just didn’t have it.  He threw six innings, gave up five runs on six hits, and struck out five.

The squirrel that made its national television debut on Tuesday night, made another appearance in tonight’s.  And it decided to run across home plate as Oswalt was pitching to Skip Schumaker.

The pitch, which hit the catcher’s mitt a split-second before the furry fellow crossed the home-plate area, was called a ball. The squirrel darted into the stands while Oswalt stood with his hands in the air, either protesting the pitch should have been wiped out or should have been called a strike. – Phillies.com

Obviously Oswalt was struggling anyway, but the squirrel definitely just added to it.  And I defended the little critters in my previous post but they have no place on the baseball field.  When asked after the game what he thought of the squirrel, Manuel stated that there wasn’t much he could do about it, but that being from the south, had he had a shotgun, he would have shot the squirrel.  All I know is that better be the last squirrel sighting at any Phillies games.  The once labeled ‘lucky squirrel’ is now null and void.

On Tuesday night, the Philly killer was Ryan Theriot, tonight it was David Freese, who hit a two RBI-double in the fourth then slammed a two-run homer in the sixth.  Putting the Cards up 5-2.

Joe Blanton threw in the seventh and Brad Lidge pitched the eighth.  Combined they retired all six batters faced but the damage had already been done.

The Phillies managed to squeak in a run in the eighth courtesy of pinch hitter Ross Gload singling then advancing to second on a balk.  Michael Martinez pinched run for Gload and got to third after Utley singled.  With Hunter Pence at the plate, St. Louis reliever Fernando Salas threw a wild pitch, allowing Martinez to score.  At that point the Phillies would take a run any way they could.  Sadly though with the offense on life support, there wasn’t much hope of a miraculous recovery.

Even worse, Ryan Howard who usually kills it at Busch Stadium has been downright invisible. Tonight he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.  Not harping on him, I just want him to find whatever is missing and be the hitter I know he can be!  And hopefully he finds it before Friday night.

And speaking of Friday night, the pitching match-up for Game 5 will be Roy Halladay vs. Chris Carpenter.  If ever there was a time to be grateful that Doc is a Phillie, Friday night would be it.  I have faith…so please baseball gods, don’t disappoint me!

Complete Box Score Phillies/Cardinals – Game 5 NLDS 10/5/11

The song used for the FOX/TBS Postseason is “Written in the Stars” by Tinie Tempah featuring Eric Turner can be heard here.

PHL Roy Oswalt & STL Edwin Jackson

In my recap last night, I completely forgot to mention the two-minute show that came in the form of a squirrel that was running amok on the field.  A couple of people on twitter playfully accused Tony La Russa of planting the squirrel to distract Cole Hamels.  And some said the squirrel was good luck for the Phillies. On My Fox Philly this morning, the newscasters suggested we all reference a squirrel (in some way, shape, or form) before future games.

Here at my house, we feed the squirrels peanuts and let me tell you, those squirrels are living high on the hog.  We buy huge bags ofnuts and those squirrels have come to expect them.  When I pull up in my driveway, they actually greet me and give me a look as to say, “Where’s our nuts, lady?” Or they have even resulted in peeking in our windows in search of their treats. So just for the Phillies, see photo on the right (pic of one of ‘my’ squirrels).

And actually, my squirrels are already Phillies fans, because last year we had a small Phillies flag and we had it outside on the front lawn.  Well, the squirrels confiscated it to use in one of their nests.  See photo on left.

Tonight in St. Louis, the Phillies can clinch the NLDS and advanced to the Championship Series.  But I’m not going to jump ahead, I’m just going to think positive and hope it ends in the Phillies’ favor.

Check out Game 4 preview after the jump…

» Continue reading “NLDS Game 4 Preview: Phillies/Cardinals”

I stated a couple days ago how the Phillies were either going to be the Atlanta Braves’ worst nightmare or their dream come true, well I think its pretty clear which one the Phillies are.

The Phillies 7-1 victory over the Braves, put to rest any doubt people had (myself included) on whether they could finish out the regular season on a high note after hitting a bad streak.  But I refrain from being too ecstatic for fear of being a j**x.  Look at that, I won’t even spell it out!  And for those that know me and my track record at Phillies games this year, I have NO tickets for any of the post season games.  So everyone can breath a sigh of relief.  I will watch from the comforts of my home in southern New Jersey, approximately 30 minutes from Citizens Bank Park, I think that’s a safe enough distance!

In regards to Tuesday night’s game, I can’t stress enough how absolutely wonderful it is to see the offense show up and make the other team’s pitchers work.  Especially when you have a guy like Derek Lowe on the mound.  Let’s face it, the dude has been struggling.  The Phillies would have been crazy not to take full advantage of Lowe’s current lack of pitching prowess.

Roy Oswalt - Photo credit: Steve Trapani

Chase Utley started it all off with a solo home run in the first.  Hunter Pence had 3-RBI’s on the night, thanks in part to a 2-run homer in the fifth.  Pence has 96 RBI’s on the season, just four shy of a 100.  Jimmy Rollins hit another solo shot after hitting one in Monday night’s game.

Righty Roy Oswalt pitched well by going six innings, only giving up three hits, no runs, and struck out four.  That was enough to give him his ninth win of the season.  Rookie Joe Savery relieved Oswalt in the seventh and had a one-two-three inning including a strikeout.  Then Antonio Bastardo pitched the eighth and I’ll be honest, my faith in him has been teetering.  But he looked good, also having a quick inning, retiring all three batters.

Kyle Kendrick threw in the ninth and though gave up a homer to Martin Prado, he retired all three batters afterwards.  Game over!

With Tuesday night’s win, manager Charlie Manuel reached 645 wins (2005-2011) as the Phillies skipper.  Tying him with Gene Mauch for the Phillies franchise record.

The Phillies’ win on Tuesday was their 101st victory of the season and that ties them with the 1976 and 1977 Phillies for the franchise record.

Complete Box Score Phillies/Braves – 9/27/11 Game

After the jump, check out Wednesday’s game preview which is the Phillies final regular game of the season!!!!

» Continue reading “Phillies = Buzzkill For Braves”

For the third time in Phillies franchise history and not since 1977, the Phillies got their 100th win of the season.  A couple weeks ago I would have thought 100 wins would be no problem, but the way things had transpired over the last week, I was starting to think 100 wasn’t going to happen. But they did it.

And now they are on a 2-game winning streak, and are back on track.

Cliff Lee threw six innings, gave up five hits, two runs, and struck out six.  He also collected his 17th win of the season.  The offense also contributed thanks to a Jimmy Rollins solo shot in the fifth, 2-RBI’s by Raul Ibanez and one by Placido Polanco.

Rookie relievers Joe Savery and Michael Stutes, both pitched in the seventh inning without giving up any hits or runs.  Brad Lidge threw in the eighth, gave up a hit but also kept the Braves from scoring.

Closer Ryan Madson got his 32nd save of the season and the Phillies won 4-2.

Complete Box Score Phillies/Braves – 9/26/11 Game

Check out Tuesday night’s game preview after the jump….

» Continue reading “Phillies Reach 100 Wins!”