Gameday: Astros (73-83) at Phillies (90-66)
Posted by Amanda Orr, Tue, September 29, 2009 06:21 PM | Comments: 307
Gameday 2009, Posts
Houston Astros (73-83) at Philadelphia Phillies (90-66)
Wilton Lopez, RHP (0-0, 8.44 ERA) vs. J.A Happ, LHP (11-4, 2.79 ERA)
Time: 7:05 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Mostly Cloudy & Windy, 69
TV:Comcast Sportsnet
Twitter: Phillies Nation
The Houston Astros always seem to torture the Phillies in September, but don’t jump off the bandwagon yet! The beauty of baseball is that there is always a tomorrow. After a painful loss on Monday, the Phillies will try to rebound.
Last night, the Phillies struggled against Yorman Bazardo. Once again, they’ll be seeing a new face. Wilton Lopez is making his first major league start. In 10.2 innings in relief, the rookie has struggled mightily. He has allowed 20 hits and his ERA is over eight. Over the course of the year, the Phillies’ bats have been silent against young pitchers that they’ve never faced before, even if they own high ERA’s.
J.A Happ will try to help his case for the 2009 Rookie of the Year Award. The left-hander is seeking his twelfth win of the year. Opponents have batted .236 against him this season. Happ has been the stopper. He is a perfect 7-0 after Phillies losses.
Charlie Manuel did most of the talking during a closed-door meeting this afternoon. Hopefully that will pump up the team and get them back on the right track. Manuel later said to the media: “Ever since I’ve been in baseball, I’ve been a fighter and I’ve come to whip your [butt] every day.” So let’s whip some Astro-butt tonight.
Tonight’s lineup: Rollins (SS), Victorino (CF), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Ibanez (LF), Werth (RF), Feliz (3B), Bako (C) and Happ (P).
Your Gameday Beer – Storm King Stout
There’s a storm a brewin’ and only the Phillies will decide which way it blows. We’re staying local tonight with a full and flavorful stout from Victory Brewing Co. Dark and rich with roasted malts that do not overpower its Pacific Northwest hops, this beer is a lip smacker.a Storm King is best paired with the sweet taste of victory. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Jeff
4-1 marlins
Posted: 08:39 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
Got’em!
Posted: 08:39 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Ray, I am wearing support so no worries here:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/10308/saturday-night-live-oops-i-crapped-my-pants
Posted: 08:40 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
Sit down Keppinger!
Posted: 08:40 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
Definitely not looking towards the World Series. If our bullpen doesn’t get their heads out of their @$#%, we aren’t going to the playoffs. I hope Happ can get us through seven.
Posted: 08:42 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
Come on D.C. Happ thru 7…Maybe next time…I’ll be surprised if he goes out for the 6th…
Posted: 08:43 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
Punter Hence is the new Terry Puhl.
I was 9 for Terry. I am scarred for life.
Posted: 08:44 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
If our starters don’t start pitching well it won’t matter what our bullpen does.
Posted: 08:45 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
I think Happ is done for the night
Posted: 08:45 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
i can’t get that up right now joedad i’ll check it later, but i think i know what it is…lol
Posted: 08:47 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 cas
I’m afraid I’ll jinx it, but is it possible we can start to breathe again?
Posted: 08:48 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
Another brain freeze for Chuckie…. Three straight LH. I know Werth is struggling, but come on dude..
Posted: 08:48 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 GWFightinsFan
This should be interesting…hope the bullpen doesn’t blow it
Posted: 08:50 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
cas, no time to breathe, just send the positive vibes to the Marlins
Posted: 08:51 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
J Werth baby
Posted: 08:52 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
I’m on the fly again!
Posted: 08:52 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 575 Brian Michael
Keep it up!
Posted: 08:53 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
He heard you H.K.
He heard you.
Posted: 08:53 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Fightin' in NY
Keep pouring it on, before the bullpen door opens…
Posted: 08:54 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Card losing 7-1 in the 6th
Posted: 08:55 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
braves have the bases loaded
Posted: 08:56 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
Braves got something cooking down in the dirty… bases loaded 2/outs….
Posted: 08:56 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
Braves have bases loaded 2 outs
Posted: 08:56 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Colorado Joe
Hopefully tonight’s workman like start by Happ in which he has struggled but not been burned will start to turn around the starting rotation. I hope the Astros decide to mail it in for the rest of the night down by 5. I doubt it but it would be nice for a team that is out of the race to give up once in awhile rather than treat it like their World Series.
Posted: 08:57 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
So if things hold a win tomorrow clinches
Please dont over celebrate like the yankees and angels did. this isnt our goal.
I think they are building the bridge to lidge tonight. Hope hes in for the 9th if the phils are up 7 or more. I have faith.
Posted: 08:57 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
Josh Johnson got out of the inning
Posted: 08:58 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
McCann took it in the can
Posted: 08:58 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
the threat has been secured…. 4-1 through 5…
Posted: 08:59 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Colorado Joe
Brian Mc Cann huge pop up with a 3-1 count and the bases loaded. Whew!
Posted: 08:59 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
I dont see how Happ isnt game 1 starter. What has hamels done in 2009 to earn it? Lee needs to step up in his next start to earn it.
Posted: 08:59 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
4-1 Fish through 5.
Posted: 09:00 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
disaster averted in atlanta
Posted: 09:00 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Dang it, I meant to say McCann took in the can :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBBcZjxd-bk
Posted: 09:00 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
no lead is safe
Posted: 09:01 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
jesus
how many pitches tongiht for happ?
kaz matsui the curse of the mets
Posted: 09:02 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
Reality check….We’ll still win… But the fun is gone…
Posted: 09:02 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
Oh well… at least the Phils are scoring tonight.
Posted: 09:02 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
i have more confidence in jamie lately, he’s been doing well coming in for long relief. 4 runs in 5 and a third from happ isn’t all that great but he got out of some jams that could’ve made this ugly.
Posted: 09:03 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 GWFightinsFan
Ohh boy here we go…
Posted: 09:03 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
Harry ask richie what he thinks.
Posted: 09:03 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Once again, when your bullpen is bad your starters have to be left in for way longer than they should be.
Just fantastic.
Posted: 09:04 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
my playoff rotation game 1 happ game 2 moyer game 3 fat joe game 4 lee
Posted: 09:05 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Charlie left Happ longer than he should… Happ did a good job but he was done after the 5th… and now it’s a 3-run game… plus, with a tight strike zone, who knows how that’ll go with Jamie on the mound now.
Posted: 09:06 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
not a fan of that playoff rotation
Posted: 09:06 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
No lead is safe for the Phils. This is the difference between last year and this year. Why the f— does this team have so many problems playing the Astros? The haunting of Ed Wade? WTF? Win already and clinch! Quit talking about the playoffs everyone. If the Phils don’t get their heads out of their asses, we won’t be in the playoffs! Hold the damn lead for once!
Posted: 09:07 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Anyone up for an appearance by Tyler Walker tonight?
Posted: 09:07 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
Big surprise. The Phils make Kaz Matsui look like an all-star
Posted: 09:08 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
Keep scoring Boys…
Posted: 09:09 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 ray
here’s a guy with a 15 era so he should easily shut down our offense
Posted: 09:09 PM on September 29, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Wow, look at this guy’s stats, holy Adam Eaton ERA squared
Posted: 09:09 PM on September 29, 2009