Gameday: Pirates (38-49) At Phillies (47-38)
Posted by Amanda Orr, Sun, July 12, 2009 12:45 PM | Comments: 68
Gameday 2009, Posts
Pittsburgh Pirates (38-49) at Philadelphia Phillies (47-38)
Virgil Vasquez (1-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. J.A Happ (5-0, 3.04 ERA)
Time: 1:35 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Sunny, 79
TV: MY PHL 17
Twitter: Phillies Nation
The Phillies would like to end the first half of the year on a good note. For the most part, the Phillies have hit and pitched well during this homestand. They’ll look to continue that today and complete the sweep, improving to 9-1 on this homestand.
Although he is not overpowering, J.A Happ has been the Phillies most consistent pitcher. In his last outing, he received the no-decision, but pitched well. He struck out seven and walked none in seven innings. Happ hasn’t lost since his Major League debut in 2007.
Virgil Vasquez is making his third start since being move in the rotation. In his last start, Vasquez gave up four runs in six innings. Walks have hurt Vasquez. He has allowed eight walks in 18 innings. The Phillies will have to be patient against the 27-year old right hander.
After missing the last two games due to a neck injury, Carlos Ruiz is back in the starting lineup. Raul Ibanez will also play for the second straight day.
Your Gameday Beer – Troegs Sunshine Pils
This is our second Troegs selection this week and it’s another good one. This Pils is light yet very flavorful with an aroma of flowers. The creamy yellow pour gives this beer its sunshine name. It is a great summer beer to have with a light lunch like a salad.
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Keith
lots of all star news
Trevor Hoffman replaces Jonathan Broxton
Zack Duke replaces Matt Cain
Carlos Pena replaces Dustin Pedroia
Carlos Pena joins Nelson Cruz, Brandon Inge, and Joe Mauer as AL participants in the Home Run Derby
Posted: 01:25 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian Michael
Nice patience by Jimmy there. Now that he’s getting on base again hopefully those SBs will keep rising.
Also, like last night, I’m working on installing Facebook Connect. It’s not working yet so don’t be alarmed.
Posted: 01:45 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
WTF??? hahahahaha!
Posted: 01:49 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
For whatever reason when the phillies broadcast is available I feel obligated to watch it.
Wheeler is the worst announcer for any sport.
But that doesnt cover it. He is the worst broadcaster in the world. He Does make the bald guy seem good and make you wish they would just pipe the radio in.
Posted: 01:50 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
FELIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 01:59 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
FELIZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 01:59 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 558 Brian Michael
WOW!
I had a feeling this might happen the way the Pirates have been playing this inning.
Posted: 01:59 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
WOW!!! I did NOT see that coming! Looks like they’re going to end the first half on a good note!!! … or did I just jinx it?
Posted: 02:00 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 phlphan in ND
So I am thinking at least 12 runs today
Posted: 02:12 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Aw, he got gyped.
Posted: 02:13 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
JROLL~
Posted: 02:14 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
12 runs? That would be a nice way to start the All Star Break.
Posted: 02:15 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 phlphan in ND
decent catch there by mctuchen
Posted: 02:16 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
(blink) Are they doing a pitching change already?
Posted: 02:18 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
nice DP Utley
Posted: 02:51 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
wow chase
Posted: 02:52 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Is there a more complete player than Chase Utley (not named Albert Pujols)…?
Posted: 02:52 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
that was a strike
Posted: 02:53 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
No, NJ, there’s not. Chase Utley, you are the man.
Posted: 02:54 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
true that
Posted: 02:55 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Yeah, I think of Harry during every game, because they don’t have a halfway decent announcer to take his place.
Posted: 02:57 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
He had high hopes…he had high hopes…
Posted: 02:58 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
What happened to McCarthy? He was decent when he had the three-inning stints last year on TV, or when he was on the radio. I wonder if he’s trying to hard, or if he just hasn’t learned to tune out Wheels. McCarthy’s call last night was pretty good – you can tell he wants the Phils to win.
Tracey, I was watching the World Series DVDs. Even Joe Buck appreciated Harry – after Harry introduced the lineup for Game 4, Buck said “if I had that voice, I’d just sit around all day and talk.”
Posted: 03:01 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
wow, its already the sixth…this game is going by fast
Posted: 03:03 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Lol anyone else just hear that guy in the crowd yell at McCutcheon?
Also, does anyone remember when Matt Clement (Boston) got hit on the head four years ago by a Carl Crawford line drive?
Posted: 03:05 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Come on, Happ
Posted: 03:06 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
watch it happ
Posted: 03:07 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Why is no one ever here for the Sunday games I watch?
Posted: 03:10 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
mike d.-no i don’t remember crawford hitting clement but i was wondering what happened to Clement the other day…i know in 2006 he had a bicep problem (screwed-up my fantasy team) and I think was out for the year. What ever happen to him?
Posted: 03:12 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
pedro with the hot stick
Posted: 03:14 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
It’s a beautiful day outside (at least in NY), so I think most people are out and about.
There does seem to be nobody in here though.
Posted: 03:15 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
j reed, funny you should ask about Clement-there was a story last week (I believe on ESPN.com) about Clement becoming the varsity coach at his former high school.
Posted: 03:16 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 1376 Pat Gallen
Tough crowd this Sunday. It is super nice here in Philly, so I assume most are enjoying the weather. I’m perfectly content enjoying this game.
Posted: 03:19 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Griffin-I was thinking of possible re-treads for our rotation as we seem to go that route and he came to mind. After 2006 I heard little about him. Did injury drive him out of the league?
Posted: 03:21 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Watching Happ pitch really reminds me of a young Andy Pettitte…
Posted: 03:22 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
wow another streaky LaRouche at the plate. Brother like brother i guess
Posted: 03:23 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Didn’t Matt Clement blow out his shoulder or elbow? The guy had a pretty vicious sidearm delivery
Posted: 03:24 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
anybody else think if Happ started the season as a starter he’d be on the all star team?
Posted: 03:25 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Happ is still sharp as a tack after 7. I was about to say, do you think he’ll pitch another CG, but he’s already over 100 pitches.
Posted: 03:25 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 1376 Pat Gallen
NJ, completely agree. They have that same tilt when they pitch. Uncanny.
Posted: 03:27 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
I remember during one of Clement’s last seasons, he gave up longballs like they paid him to do it at Fenway. I remember him getting hit in the head by a line drive like the one that almost came at Happ. Apparently he was the superstitious type too. Folded under pressure like a lawn chair. We don’t need that type of guy.
I don’t remember a young Andy Pettitte, NJ. Do you live in NY and see him a lot?
Posted: 03:28 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Joe
heh. Veal out of the pen.
Posted: 03:29 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
Happ is a contender for rookie of the year
Posted: 03:31 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
He (Happ) seems to throw a deceivingly heavy ball when he takes off some velocity, for a guy who can hit the early to mid nineties he seems to be more effective working in the high eighties. Forget where he fits into the rotation, this guy can give you seven plus quality innings every time out just like a Matt Cain or a Gallardo but without the electricity.
Imagine with the all-star break Charlie will get the bullpen in soon.
Posted: 03:31 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
NJ- All i remember is he screwed my fanasty team in “06 and at the time it was a bicep problem which usually isn’t a career ender. Too bad yet another arm in the dust bin. This is why i always wince when I heard about trading proven position players for pitching….that’s why i always think pitchers, utility men and prospects for pitchers. You just don’t know what your gonna get with a hired arm…
Posted: 03:34 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
NJ, that’s why I don’t want to trade Happ. He’ll go 7 most, if not all, of the time, and trading him for Halladay puts an innings hole in our rotation. I’d like Halladay, but not for Happ.
Joe Kerrigan. There’s a name I never thought I’d hear again. I don’t think our pitchers liked him, did they? They always seemed to do worse after a visit from him, though.
Posted: 03:36 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Mike D. Am a few thousand miles away from New York. Have to admit I haven’t seen countless hours of Pettitte pitch but to me he’s one of those guys who’s such a signature pitcher but in such an understated way. Looking at Happ I can’t see anything that stands out in his arsenal, he’s just a guy who goes out there and pitches a ballgame and that’s so reminiscent of Pettitte. Savery could really learn from Happ.
Is he still eligible for the ROY?
Posted: 03:38 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Come on, Madson.
Posted: 03:42 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
What is wrong with Madson?
Posted: 03:42 PM on July 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
well Happ’s secondary stuff is coming around…as long as he keeps his fastball down, he’s got enough stuff to keep batters honest. i’d hate to see him go, but i think for an upper tier arm he’s gonna be in the deal
Posted: 03:43 PM on July 12, 2009