Offense Litters Denver Outfield For 8-4 Win
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, April 12, 2009 01:18 AM | Comments: 16
2009 Recaps, Posts
We can breathe a little easier, as the Phillies offense woke up and socked Rockies pitching for an 8-4 win. They did it without much help from the longball, and they also answered all the Rockies big hits. A well-rounded offensive showcase.
Ryan Howard powered through with a bases-clearing double in the third inning, seizing a 3-2 lead after Brett Myers surrendered one of three Colorado home runs. The righty again gave up four and again via three longballs, but this time he survived seven innings, showing better control of his pitches en route to a suitable line: 7 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 6 K, 1 BB.
Though Colorado had power, the Phils did it every other way. Jayson Werth socked a two-run triple, scoring Chase Utley and Howard, who looked pretty svelte rounding the bases in quick fashion. Holding the 5-4 lead with Myers shutting down the Rockies late, the Phils began to pull away. A Raul Ibanez home run, an Utley RBI single and a Pedro Feliz RBI single gave the Phils a nice cushion. Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge eased through their innings, securing the victory.
Altogether the Phils collected 15 hits, with Feliz and Shane Victorino (on base four of six times) each recording three.
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
You can see what happens when Rollins and/or Victorino reach base. A much different team, and one capable of winning a lot of games.
Posted: 01:19 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Jordan
I wouldn’t include Rollins, he’s still struggling, but just imagine what they’ll do when he starts hitting and getting on base.
Posted: 01:36 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Johnny Snowden
we should talk more about this drinking phillies game. and no it’s not because I’m drunk and the phillies were offensively patient and able to capitalize, or that we got a decent outing from our starter tonight and the bullpen continues to amaze. I just like drinknig games.
Posted: 02:34 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 joshb
I’m not even worried about Myers. Really, the only runs he has given up have been home runs. Imagine how good he’s going to be when he figures that one out. Dominant.
Posted: 05:50 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 fred
Myers has always struggled with the longball, but 6 in 2 games is pretty extreme. He needs to stop making mistakes up in the zone, because apart from the HR’s he’s giving up he’s been fine. He’s getting K’s and not walking many so the signs are pretty positive right now.
Posted: 06:49 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Dave P.
Coste’s catch was pretty sweet, although his positioning led to his need to do something spectacular. I have read that there is some questioning his ability to handle pitchers, I wonder if he will be catching Park tonight…
Posted: 06:56 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Doug D.
The more I see of Ibanez, the more I like him. He actually got his glove over the wall in an attempt to snag that homer. Pat wouldn’t have even reached the warning track. And Raul scored EASILY on Happy Pete’s hard-hit single directly at the center fielder. Pat would have either been held at third or been out at the plate by 20 feet if he was sent home….Mad Dog and Light’s Out were dynamite…It’s about time Ryan hit a ball to the left side. He was doing it all time in Clearwater, but when the season started he reverted back to tying to pull everything…Myers’ curveball is devastating. It had tremendous bite, even in the thin air of Coors Field. It was good to see his velocity hit 92 on the gun. Now if he could just keep his fastball down in the zone (or above the letters)…I watched the game on MLB Extra Innings. The Rockies announcers are horrible. In the first game of the series, they had no clue as to why the Rockies runner was called out for interference, and last night, they had no clue that Madson possessed a change-up along with his mid-90s heater.
Posted: 07:04 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Ryan Madson was insane.
Posted: 08:46 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Real Phillies Fan
It’s a good thing we didn’t deal Marson since the pinnacle son according to all baseball experts (Travis D’Arnaud) is hitting a whopping .091 to start the season in the SAL for Lakewood.
Posted: 10:05 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 george orlowitz
Once again, despite this win, the Phillies have shown an inherent team policy of ‘not starting well off the block’. The starting pitchers have thrown fastballs a jr. high student can hit, the batters are not showing patience at the plate (the Atlanta win not withstanding.) I don’t know whether it’s the April curse or what?.
Not to worry though. By May, the pitching and hitting will come in-sync. This club has the desire and the talent to repeat. We just have to give it time; – someone set the clocks forward a month please.
Final note: Ryan…please lay off the curve ball. not a pretty sight.
Posted: 10:12 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Message to Milt Thompson….
I hope he reads this blog!
SIT DOWN WITH HOWARD AND HAVE HIM FIX AND WORK ON THE GIGANTIC HOLE IN HIS SWING!!!
WE CAN DRIVE THE PHILLIES PARTY BUS THROUGH IT!
Okay enough shouting much better performance yesterday!
Posted: 10:21 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
We have to just chill out and be more passive in our expectations on a game to game basis. The offense is going to explode some night, most nights it’ll be one big inning and there will be a dishearteningly high amount of games with one big rally fizzling out into nothing. Jimmy’s going to make outs leading off, Ryan Howard’s going to have the holes in his swing but you look at the body of work and know that’s the way it’s going to be and chances are we’re going to come out on top and Ibanez was a very good addition, the guys a gamer.
Love the bullpen and you have to laugh at Myers gopher-balls, can’t make judgement on any of the starting pitchers though till they’ve actually pitched enough innings to make a judgement.
Posted: 10:32 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Greg V.
The first win was a gift from a lousy bullpen. This win was a real win! Myers looked good aside from the bombs. But even then, last year he just looked miserable and last night he got good and angry! His pitching was fierce. His curveball has always amazed me and still looks better than ever. I think he’ll only get better.
Posted: 11:25 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Chooch's cooches
Myers had a WHIP under 1. Thats always good to see and is a promising sign for the future. You guys are right, he just needs to cut out the longball.
Posted: 11:42 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Just thought after our conversation about Coors a couple of days back, last night was proof Coors is still a hitters park. The park may not be the nightly home-run derby house it was once considered but the two key offensive elements are still there and the Phils took advantage last night, the air still gives the ball some pop off the bat and with those dimensions you get bat on ball and your going to get guys around the bases. Giving up the bombs must be tough on a pitcher but constantly seeing balls in play must really get to the guys on the mound in Coors.
Come on Seoul Man!
Posted: 11:50 AM on April 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D
Nice to see someone’s in my corner Johnny.
Take a drink every time you say to yourself “I hate watching the game on GameCast.”
On a completely unrelated note, that was my best idea of the night when I was also writing two final papers I need to graduate.
Posted: 02:05 PM on April 12, 2009