Hamels, Phils Unable To Sweep Mets
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, September 08, 2008 09:04 AM | Comments: 140
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Cole Hamels couldn’t deliver on the big stage, and the Phillies lost 6-3 to the Mets Sunday night. They are now two games behind the Mets for first place in the NL East, with a four-game disadvantage in the Wild Card standings.
Hamels got hit early, surrendering three runs in the first inning. He was aided by some bad calls (David Wright being safe at third base) and bad luck (infield hits). But he didn’t do his job, going just five innings in what was his most important start of the season. He didn’t do an ace’s job.
Johan Santana, however, did the ace’s job, going 7.1 innings and giving up just two runs on five hits. The Phils scored in the first — a Ryan Howard RBI single. Howard beat Santana again in the third with his 40th home run of the season.
But the Mets answered quickly enough, and extended their lead to 6-2 in the eighth. Carlos Delgado hit two monster home runs off Hamels, also contributing an RBI single.
The Phils got one in the ninth, but Jimmy Rollins struck out to end the game and the possible sweep.
Now the season comes down to if the Phils can win two more games than the Mets.
Associated Press photo
Posts: 0 Fred
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the Rockies win their final 19 games last year?
Posted: 11:44 AM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
I thought Marson and Donald were our top prospects?
Posted: 11:47 AM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Justin
David your putting Happ in our rotation and taking out Brett Myers, the very same pitcher that shut your team down for 8 innings Friday night. The Phillies have the edge when it comes to pitching as the Mets have just lost Billy Wagner probably for the remainder of the season meaning Luis Ayala (who has played for the Nationals will have to be counted on more to close out games) and while he’s done a decent job for your club your going to sit there and tell me that your bullpen will hold up the remainder of the season without the best pitcher in your bullpen? I doubt it. We may have to play Milwaukee for 4 games this weekend but you have to play the Nationals (who have been on a recent hot streak) for 5 of your next 8 games and finish the season against the Cubs and Marlins. Last I checked the Marlins kicked you guys out of the playoffs for us last year.
Posted: 11:52 AM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
Fred you are correct. Also when is this last year!, last year! and last year! stuff going to end. You guys can’t sit there and rely on collapses to win divisions every year. It’s kind of sad in a way.
Posted: 11:53 AM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
Justin that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard, “We may have to play Milwaukee for 4 games this weekend but you have to play the Nationals (who have been on a recent hot streak) for 5 of your next 8 games…” Don’t you think this sounds just a little bit retarded?
Posted: 11:55 AM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
its completely pathetic actually, from the start of the season, through the season, through the trade deadlines, the management has built this team WITH A RELIANCE ON the mets collapsing again. thats painfully obvious.
Posted: 11:56 AM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike D.
I think the Brewers are going to lose the first two games of the series to the Reds and then Sabathia pitches Wednesday. So if the Phils win 2 of 3 from the fish, they are 2 back in the Wild Card entering into a 4 game set at home vs. the Brewers and don’t have to face Sabathia. A win of that series evens them up in the Wild Card standings and the Brewers still have to play the Cubs 6 more times.
Posted: 11:57 AM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 mikemike
There isn’t a
top of the rotation pitcher in the system. That’ why I posted Saunders we didn’t sign. Gibson is top prospect. Workman was top pitcher we didn’t sign two drafts ago and he was dominated in cape league.the point is the owners must realize if they really want to win we need to get a Ace big time pitcher.We must be able to match up with the mets or cubs.The top prospect in there system is marson followed by donald and carrasco.Geoff none of the prospect mention are that highly though of expect for marson.
Posted: 12:01 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Anthony
One of the logical Mets fans/non-trolls here. In reality, Hamels has never been good vs. the Mets at Shea, 0-1 in 3 games started, with a 4.50 ERA. He is an ace in the making, no doubt, but no matter what went on with the catcher’s interference and the blown call at third, your ace isn’t supposed to let those things bother him, and it clearly did. And also unfortunately for him, he ran into a buzz saw in Carlos Delgado. There’s still 3 weeks left in the season, and with managers like Gonzalez in FL, Acta in WSH, and Cox in ATL, things will not come easy for either the Mets or Phils down the stretch. The NL East, NL West, and the AL Central, all 3 division races will be awesome from here on out.
Posted: 12:02 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Anthony
Justin, even your homeboy Howard Eskin agrees that the Cubs-Mets series will not matter, as the Cubs will have locked up the division, and will be playing alot of kids. Also, the Cubs stink on the road this year, and the games are at Shea.
Posted: 12:05 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Ok, Ok… everybody stop worrying. The Nats, Cubs and Fish will sweep the Mets. We will sweep the Brew Crew and Fish (twice). The Mets and Brewers will collapse under the pressure of our surging Phils. And I heard Enron is a great stock buy.
Posted: 12:06 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Justin
Rivalez say what you want we’re not the team that’s choked in the past. The mets still have to win those games and hope they don’t overlook a team in your opinion can’t set foot on the same diamond as your beloved choke artists. I hope that bullpen of hasbeens and never will bes can hold up. I think Ricardo Rincon can do the trick. I just heard Bob Wickman is now 300 pounds and wants to join the Mets bullpen now that Wagners done for the year, he wants to be your closer. You should sign him
Posted: 12:17 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
The Phillies are on pace to win 88 games still.. and to say that they banked on The Mets collapsing, instead of saying that they banked on their offense being more consistent, is pretty stupid..
RiValez.. stay normal dude.. everyone was getting along fine last week, having legit conversations about Phillies_mets… lets not start these stupid Cyber-Fights on here.. let have smart discussions instead of all acting tough.
Somebody said that Carrasco projected as a 3-4 starter… the book on him is that he projects as a “middle-to-top of the rotation starter” with his ceiling looking to be about a #2.. and pretty much every scout in baseball has been impressed by him… so we won’t call him GOD.. but Mets fans shouldn’t knock him either.. he’ll be a Pelfrey or Maine for us.. which would be awesome!
Drabek is the one to watch.. they said he’s already got Major-League stuff, just needs to work on his command, and LEARN HOW TO PITCH… but for a 19 year old kid or however old he is, to have a MLB Fastball and Curveball is impressive.. lets see how he responds to that TommyJohn Surgery though.. Im not really too sure about Savery, and how he projects.. same with Bastardo who was climbing the ranks quickly but had a setback this year
Posted: 12:27 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
Justin talking to you is like talking to a 5 year old. You have no logic or reason. And Fred I just bought Enron right now on your tip! Thanks!
Posted: 12:28 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Justin
Well to talk to an idiot i had to dumb myself down for you to understand, i mean you are a mets fan, what did you think? id talk intelligent? please
Posted: 12:31 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
Justin, even Phillies fans agreed with what I had to say. Your comments are silly and not logical.
Posted: 12:32 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 ZeroPlayoffWinsSince1993
Long way to go this season everyone. Mets play 17 consecutive and believe me I do not trust this team against the hot Gnats. It’s simply too early for any accurate predictions. The NL East is going down to the last weekend again IMO. Having Santana, however, is a huge boon vis-a-vis 2007 and Hamels looks spent. Both bullpens are operating equally. It’s Myers who could be the difference.
Posted: 12:37 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Off-topic… I saw Eskin on the Eagles sideline yesterday at the game… shouldn’t reporters by in the press box? AND.. not only was he on the sideline he was right behind Andy Reid… so he was either on the bench, or just behind it.. pretty tough to be an impartial observer when you are up their a$$es..
Posted: 12:37 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
A 19 year old who has just had Tommy John surgery in the past couple of months? I wouldn’t think his projection would be very high. The best I’ve heard about Carrasco is a #3 but anything higher would be a nice plus.
Posted: 12:40 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
All things considered.. Im VERY glad that we are playing the Nats to end the season, instead of the Marlins.. who HATE the Mets and will do everything in their power to keep them from the postseason again.
The Marlins hate the Mets more than the Phillies do.
The Nats and Phillies have a little beanball war kinda thing going on too, but the Gnats aren’t nearly the team that the fish are…
And I don’t think the Cubs will be sitting players and playing their kids… they might sit a few guys here or there, but its not smart to sit baseball players and have them get out of their comfort zone at the plate right before you head into the playoffs.. I can see a player getting a day off here or there.. but they sure as hell aren’t going to give games away. Especially since they’re been struggling the past week.. they are going to try to win every game they play from here on out
Posted: 12:40 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
it will take a few years before drabek cabn be considered a legitimate prospect because of his injury. take it easy there. we should expect to find out about joe savery in a year or so too.
Posted: 12:42 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
Don M, It kind of does suck that the 10 Marlins fans hate us. LOL you ever watch a game in Florida vs the Mets. There is more Met fans than Marlin fans at the game.
Posted: 12:45 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Well with Carrasco they think he’ll be a number 3… maybe he’ll be better, maybe he’ll be worse.. but i like those projections better than the normal “back end of the rotation starter” that the Phillies usually have coming up.
Look how well the Moyer’s and Blanton’s of the world look when your offense can score 5 runs… 5-3 wins are great when you have a starter keep you in the game, and a bullpen to hang on to it.
If Carrasco can be another guy that keeps us in games, that would be great.. but he has that POTENTIAL to be above-average.. something the Kendrick and Happ, etc.. don’t really have..
Drabek has all kinds of talent and potential.. my point is … they have been drafting good pitching prospects lately.. so lets wait and see what happens with them
Posted: 12:47 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Im talking about the Marlins PLAYERS.. who cares what team’s fans hate each other.. that is just drama.
The Marlins and Phillies PLAYERS don’t like the Mets PLAYERS…. that is why they are great games to watch.
Posted: 12:48 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
well they just lost a series to the nats, which is pathetic, so theyd better take it seriously this time around. they clearly didnt last time.
Posted: 12:52 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
Happ is not considered above average? Isn’t this the guy that has been tearing up the minors?
Posted: 12:52 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
yes they have lately, better than the position players theyve got. outside of the top 5 or so young position prospects that we all know already i cant find any that really stand out at all.
they could have a pretty good roation in a few years. but that wont help them next year. if they do not improve the rotation to start the season next year, they will finish 3rd or 4th in the division. attachments to moyer and kendrick aside. at the very least, you need to push one of those guys out of the rotation with a better acquisition.
Posted: 12:55 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
happs been mishandled, he will be moved in the offseason for some kind of young position player. or hell be permanently converted to a relief pitcher.
Posted: 12:56 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
The Phillies need to resign Moyer. They would be crazy not to.
Posted: 12:56 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 DAVE
For all the anti-Delgado people out there:
MVP stands for Most Valuable Player. And there is not one player more valuable to the Mets than Carlos Delgado. Is it a mere coincidence that he was struggling when the Mets were a sub-.500 team, and then the Mets got on a 10 game winning streak and re-took the NL East lead when Delgado got hot? He has single-handedly won more games then any other Met. What does it matter if he’s only had a good 1/2 season or 3/4 season? The fact is the Mets are 17 games over .500 because of Delgado’s resurgence. Silver Sluggers are meant to be given to players with the best stats…but MVP awards go to players that play the biggest role in helping a team make the playoffs. And Delgado is the perfect example. I doubt he’ll win MVP, but he DEFINITELY deserves consideration.
Posted: 12:57 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
I didn’t know that about Happ. I thought he was going to be this good 3-4 starter. I guess not. How did they mishandle him?
Posted: 12:57 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 David, the Mets fan from Queens
Just some random thoughts:
Wasn’t it interesting that Cody Ross took offense to Pelfrey pitching inside when the Mets were in last in Miami? Ross’s anger was not based on the fact that Pelfrey threw inside but rather because of the frustration due to their inability to remain alive in the fight for the NL East. It’s a sad inferiority complex that is very apparent on television. I could see why many of you on this blog argue that the Marlins “hate” the Mets. I wonder if they’d stoop low enough to lose to Phillies purposely so that the Mets don’t make it to the playoffs. I doubt that they would, but I’ll bet you that they wouldn’t care if they lost to Philly.
In terms of the upcoming Brewers/Phillies series, I see the Phillies having the edge. The Brewers are breaking down psychologically; especially after those heart-wrenching losses to the San Diego Padres! What worries me is the upcoming series with the Cubbies at Shea! My Mets had some amazing comeback wins against the Cubs then and I’m pretty sure those wins are still fresh in their memories. A 2 game lead on the Phillies is equivalent to having a 1/2 game lead – anything is possible!
It all comes down to starting pitching and clutch hitting. Who will respond when the team needs it most?
Posted: 01:00 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
they flipped him between bullpen and starting too many times. hes doing fine right now but there isnt going to be room in the rotation for him unless they fail to get another starter in the offseason and he beats out carrasco and kendrick for the 5th slot. in all honesty, jamie moyer should be 5th. you need people with better CONSISTENT stamina than he has to go ahead of him. moyer as a 5 isa s trong rotation actually. anyways, happ will have to go out of the pen or else hell be traded.
Posted: 01:16 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Carrasco is 99% sure to be starting the season at AAA.. unless he gives up zero hits throughout spring training. Let see what they do, because you know Sabathia is going to get Fort Knox from the Yankees… Sheets will be out there, and he’ll want to go somewhere that has a chance to contend.. and he’ll want $15+ per season, which would should be able to do
Posted: 01:23 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
IF they change their philosophy. their philosophy is to not spend that kind of money on starting pitching, period. they MUST change their ways in order to do that. and rest assured, thats exactly what they need to do. otherwise next year will be similar to this year and those before it.
Posted: 01:26 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
carrasco is a 5th starter candidate by the end of next year, i wasnt necessarily saying hell open the year in that slot
Posted: 01:27 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Only one Phillie made Baseball America’s all-star team. Not Carrasco. Not Marson. Not Donald. Not Happ. Michael Taylor (22 years old) from Clearwater. He batted .346, .557 SLG, 19 HRs and 88 RBIs. He made the second team.
Posted: 01:28 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
That’s minor league all-star team.
Posted: 01:28 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie
I truly think a major, major X-factor that no one is really talking about is Joe Blanton. I hate to say it, but if he pitches well we will be ok, but if he blows up like his last outing we are in a world of trouble. We’ll see tonight I guess.
Posted: 01:31 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
He’s also 6’6″ 250 lbs.
Posted: 01:32 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Here’s the comparison between Howard and Taylor at age 23:
Howard (CLE) 130G; 149H; 490 AB; 32 2b; 23 HR; 82 RBI; 50 BB; 151 SO; .304 avg; .374 OBP; .514 SLG; .888 OPS
Taylor (LAK and CLE): 132G; 170H; 492AB; 39 2b; 19HR; 88 RBI; 50BB; 89 SO; .346 avg; .412 OBP; .557 SLG; .968 OPS
The Phils could be on to something here.
Posted: 01:36 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I think he steals bags too.. Taylor, I mean..
Koske Fukudome mad the All-Star team this year…. who cares…
and honestly, Marson and Donald had VERY good years, I dont know what that means for their futures, but they’ll get recognized for their seasons when everything is finished
Posted: 01:37 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
good oone fred. i forgot about that guy. anyone else LOVE those power numbers for a single A guy?
Posted: 01:48 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
the good version of blanton is actually a very solid pitcher. the problem is the bad version of him is ugly as hell to watch.
Posted: 01:49 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
As someone here stated, the Phillies are no longer in control of their own destiny. They are dependent on other clubs beating the mets. In the meantime, the Phillies must focus on the marlins and play each game as if it is their last of the world series. For the record, the Marlins currently hold a 7-5 W/L edge in season series. The Phillies lost the last series at home 2 out of 3 on Aug 5-7. The Phillies and Marlins have split their six games played in Philly this season. These next three could be the Marlins’ last chance to get back into the division race. This will be no easy task for the Phillies.
What can we expect from Blanton tonight (the scheduled starter)? I think marlins have not seen him before. It may be to Blanton’s advantage.
Posted: 01:50 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
see, i think if myers stays hot and pitches this well next year. then all you need is:
ace (sheets, whoever you get in a trade, etc)
hamels
myers
blanton
moyer (kendrick carrasco happ as the other candidates)
thats really a decent rotation if you have stability from myers and blanton.
Posted: 01:50 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
i think blanton needs 7IP
Posted: 01:51 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
less than 3 runs
Posted: 01:56 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
So basically, you think Blanton needs to have a quality start tonight… Really EVERY pitchers needs to do that EVERY time out for the rest of the season. time to earn those millions boys
Posted: 02:11 PM on September 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Runshouse
Wagners out for next season too… K-rod is up for free agency… hmmm.
Posted: 02:15 PM on September 8, 2008