Comments on: Phillies Rally Big in the Ninth

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:29:57 +0000

Brian Michael, I’m nitpicking here but when Howard or anyone else hits a game tying HR in the team’s last at bats in the 9th inning is a BIG deal anytime.

Bako had the fortune of a drawn infield when he hit a sharp grounder that scooted by the infielders. However, I have no problem with the the “Ashburn award” for Bako since it was the game winning hit.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:13:52 +0000

Bako deserves it. Not only does he come through for the game winner but he gets a clutch hit earlier in the game. AND….he called a great game behind the plate.

By: Brian Michael

Brian Michael — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:09:57 +0000

Sure. It’s not that big of a deal for Ryan Howard to hit a home run, Paul Bako usually stinks – this might be his only opportunity to win an Ashburn.

By: Manny

Manny — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:04:54 +0000

That game-winning single by Bako somewhow had Chris Coste written all over it. I thought he was gonna hit for double play, but NO…he came up BIG TIME!! Thank you, Paul Bako.

And thank you Ryan Howard, what a blast!!

By: holly

holly — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:48:20 +0000

I agree with phils_ftw. How Bako get’s the Ashburn Award is beyond me. Clearly it should be Ryan, can anyone explain the reasoning behind this?

By: shag beta sigma delta

shag beta sigma delta — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:33:38 +0000

Very good win last night, It is nice seeing that fire and never give up attitude again. I admit I give Bako shit, but last night he definitely came through twice when we needed him to, so props out to him, hopefully this is a sign to come and he can be a third option of the bench when we need a left handed PH.
As for Ryan way to go big dog, not only the HR, but two singles, and way more patience at the plate then he has shown in a while, All long with JRoll having some good at bats. And lost in all the dramatics, Utley just being the man.
Cole, did settle down and pitch 4 good innings, but come on three dingers to this team, not sure what the deal is his fastball still topped out around 92-94 and change was around 80, but seemed to not have any movement, hopefully he will be better after the break

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:25:28 +0000

I don’t care about Halladay but without adding a solid number 2/3 we will at best limp into the blvd and watch our season end there. There are people in the market other than holladay. I don’t even think that getting him is a great deal if it means losing Happ. But Cole is too inconsistent this year.

By: phils_ftw

phils_ftw — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:14:35 +0000

Bako deserves credit, but I think Howard is the star player of the game, not only was he performing well all night offensively, but he drove in a clutch 3-run HR to tie the game. This coming against a team he has a history of not hitting HRs against, and having not hit one for quite a while. When he finally did, boy was is it clutch. Bako’s game winning single was nice, but Howard kinda set the stage for it to even be possible in the first place.

By: NJ

NJ — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:59:57 +0000

I was devastated when I read about Coste’s release to the Astros and it got me thinking about Bako. I suspect he is not anywhere near as maligned within the Phillies inner circle, the majority of catchers in this league don’t hit to a number fans find acceptable but the reality is were looking at the state, the teams looking at a hell of a lot more. When I see a guy like JR Towles sitting in the minors when he’s had numerous chances to become an everyday player I’ll give props to Bako for earning a spot on the roster, earning playing time and coming through to make an impact.

Another tough night for Cole, credit to him for digging in after that awful start but it’s clear he’s not right, he’s lost his mound presence and his stuff looks pedestrian. I’m hoping the all-star break will give him a chance to re-adjust and prepare for the rest of the season in the way he neglected in the off-season. I don’t think we can be angry or surprised, it’s disappointing he and the team didn’t have a better off-season plan for him but the team rode him into the ground last year.

Props to Scott Eyre and especially Tyler Walker last night. After surrendering those runs Eyre came back out and got the job done and Walker’s been great in that role, sure he’s seeing easier innings but so many guys come up after being written off as a reliever who should be guaranteed a roster spot and put up ugly numbers, Walkers getting it done right now.

Lastly on the Halladay saga… Don’t ‘expect’ a deal to happen, even Keith Law said yesterday a deal looks unlikely. There’s no doubting what he could bring but there’s also no doubting the multitude of ways the prospects can help the Phillies to explode open that window of opportunity.

By: Papa Thompson

Papa Thompson — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:21:30 +0000

There’s a lack of props being given here to Paul Bako. Yesterday, people were lining up to throw insults at him. He drives in two runs, including the game-winner, and everybody acts like Stairs is the hero.

That said, I’m still trying to make sense out of the decision to waive Coste, because it’s got to signal something. Out of the chute, I thought maybe the Phils were far enough along on the Halladay talks to know Marson wouldn’t be part of a deal.

I’ve been thinking about the possibility of a three-way trade, too, because of the Vernon Wells rumors.

By: The Dipsy

The Dipsy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:08:35 +0000

mikemike. Respectfully, how do you know what the Jays want? They probably want a catcher and a 2B and a (Marson or Ruiz), Donald, because those are the positions they nedd to fill, and then of course some pitchers.

The Dipsy

By: Tracey

Tracey — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:34:24 +0000

Great quote from this morning’s news coverage of the game:

In case of emergency, use Stairs!

By: mikemike

mikemike — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:24:20 +0000

I talk about this on phuture phillies. Halladay would be great, but they want a king’s ransom. players like Taylor, Drabek, Happ, Marson, and Worley or Stutes , Happ is major league already, Taylor is a monster, Drabek is a 5 start stud, Marson is a on base machine catcher, and Worley or Stutes are 3-5 prospect in a rotation that’s a lot plus they will throw in Donald for either Stutes or Worley.

By: » Stairs, Howard Homers, Bako’s Walk-off Single Lead Phillies Past Pirates | Blogging-Baseball.com

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:42:29 +0000

[...] Nation’s Amanda Orr picks things up in the Phils’ sixth inning: The Phillies didn’t get to Ohlendorf until the sixth inning. In his first start since coming off [...]

By: Manny

Manny — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:48:23 +0000

PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: bigbobster

bigbobster — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:48:09 +0000

A little sleepy, but was at the game, then stopped at the Grey Lodge to continue the celebration…it was beautiful watching Matt Stairs wake up the team in the ninth, and once again, the big man, Ryan Howard, taking advantage of a straight fast ball. Howard is simply the most clutch player I’ve ever seen in a Phillies uniform (Sorry Michael Jack, you’re a close second). As for the trade rumors, here’s my take: I see the Phils lineup making a three-year run similar to Oakland from 88 through 90 and Yanks 98 through 00, but it would require Halladay. I don’t think they should give up Happ, but they should be willing to part with their top three or four prospects. It would trouble me to see Drabek pitching on this team in three years surrounded by so-so talent (no Howard, no Jimmy) when we had this chance. This current roster is a starter away from getting another WS ring.

By: Evan

Evan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:16:30 +0000

I was lucky enough to make this game, best game i’ve ever been to.

By: nate

nate — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:06:07 +0000

best stat about this game… as seen on espn: the last time the phils came from four back in the 9th at home to win it was in 1998. (i actually remember the game, leiberthal hit a walk off homer.) they played the pirates like tonight. the final score was 8-7, like tonight. the winning hit was hit by a catcher, like tonight. and lastly, the home plate umpire was the same. crazy.

By: Phils Phan

Phils Phan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:40:33 +0000

Great run-on sentence.

That being said, Matt Stairs is Bill Brasky.

By: clktwr14

clktwr14 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:37:21 +0000

Bako two for four, hey even a blind squirrel can find two nuts once, big deal when the real pressure is on he will lay down like a porstitute with a line of horny sailors out her door !!!!!!!!!!!!