Gameday: Phillies (79-58) at Nationals (47-92)
Posted by Pat Gallen, Thu, September 10, 2009 06:15 PM | Comments: 259
Gameday 2009, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies (79-58) at Washington Nationals (47-92)
Joe Blanton (9-6, 3.80 ERA) vs. Livan Hernandez (7-10, 5.44 ERA)
Time: 7:05 p.m at Nationals Park
Weather: Cloudy and Windy, 65
TV:Comcast Sportsnet
Twitter: Phillies Nation
What cures all that ails? How about the Washington Nationals. The Philles took the trip to D.C. having been swept by the Astros in Houston. The Nats are giving the Phils something to smile about again, even after two close games.
Pedro Martinez and Cliff Lee have each walked away with wins to start the series, and Joe Blanton goes for the turnaround sweep tonight. The bad news here is that Blanton has not fared well in the Nation’s Capital, going 0-1 in three career games, with an ERA north of six. The good news is that Blanton has been superb for two straight months. He hasn’t given up more than three earned in a game since June 18. Opposing him is rubber-armed Livan Hernandez. The hefty righty is 10-9 against the Phils in his career, sporting a 3.67 ERA.
Last night, the longballs kept coming for the Phillies, as they smacked two more solo shots thanks to Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz. They went back-to-back in the 8th inning, giving the team the support it needed en route to the 6-5 win. With those two solo homers, the Phillies have now hit 15 straight home runs without men on base, a crazy stat when you think about how often the Phils have players on base.
Ryan Madson came on for his sixth save of the season. Noticeably absent was Brad Lidge. Charlie Manuel said today that he wants to put Lidge in a situation where he can succeed. “If we’re behind in the game or we’re ahead or something by a good margin we’ll get him to make sure he pitches live in the game and things,” Manuel said. “That’s kind of how I look at it.”
Tonight’s Lineup: Rollins (SS)/ Victorino (CF)/ Utley (2B)/ Howard (1B)/ Ibanez (LF)/ Werth (RF)/ Feliz (3B)/ Ruiz (C)/ Blanton (P).
Your Gameday Beer – Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier
It’s not quite October, but we’re breaking out the Oktoberfestbier for tonight’s tailgate party in Lot W. This refreshing brew hails from one of Germany’s largest brewers, affectionately known as HB. It’s a break from all the recent IPAs – there are barely any hop flavors in this one, just smooth pale malts and earthy yeast. We’re grilling hamburgers and hot dogs, so I suggest you do the same. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Sounds to me like Charlie won’t use Lidge in a save opp.
Posted: 06:23 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Basically, if we’re leading by 3… we’ll see Lidge… If we’re winning by 1, it’s Madson/Myers time.
Posted: 06:41 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike N
nice piece here on the Lidge sitch: http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9512
makes a lot of sense to me
Posted: 06:46 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Colorado Joe
I hope the Phillies keep getting production out of Raul. He carried the team in the beginning of the season and hopefully can continue his recent surge till the end of the season. His swing has looked so much better recently. thank goodness.
Posted: 06:56 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Since the bull pen is now the Citizens Bank Park’s Triage, we might not see Lidge in the 9th much and possibly not all, but he’ll probably throw in the 7th, 8th or in non- save match-up stutuations
Posted: 07:08 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Andrew
winds blowing in hard its kinda cold and windy here
Posted: 07:08 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
AD: Washington Nationals Fielding – Don’t Miss It!
Posted: 07:10 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Well honestly I think its a good sign that they are not swinging at first pitch with Rollins and Vic, hopefully that continues! At the very least it drives up the pitch count, and the Nats have gone to their bullpen quite a bit, more than the Phillies at least.
Posted: 07:10 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Start it off early baby!
Posted: 07:12 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Crap my pants! go UT
Posted: 07:12 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Thats what happens when the Phillies dont have RISP, LOL. Had he been on 2nd or third, we wouldnt have scored. LOL
Posted: 07:13 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Brian of CO – It’s Livan….were already in the bullpen
Posted: 07:13 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
point takes J Reed. LOL Hopefully they tee off on this guy.
Posted: 07:14 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I meant point taken. Well Howard didnt actually get a hit, but he did drive the ball deep enough to get the run in.
Posted: 07:16 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Thats funny Brian. I am at work with it on my phone. After a 10 hour day you made me laugh. Thanks man.
Posted: 07:18 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
I lived In D.C. and watched alot of Livan … no matter how crappy he pitches, nothing gets to the guy. It’s like he’s been lobotomized…but Mr. Blanton needs to watch out when he picks up some lumber. I’ve seen blast one out of RFK….if you hit one out of there you should get 1.5 runs
Posted: 07:20 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 dodger fan
Go Joe Blanton!
Posted: 07:20 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Thanks Jeff. LOL. After 8 freaking pitches. well hell at least he got the out. Hopefully he gets a couple suckers to ground OUT with only 1-2 pitches.
Posted: 07:21 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
that’s “seen him blast one..”
Posted: 07:22 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Has Joe Blantons Home Run from last Post Season landed yet? LOL. We have all discussed the pos season run and the pennant race, and I seem to be the most worried, but you want a pennant race, NL West. LOL. The Dodgers had like a 12 game lead or something going into the break, now they only have like a 2.5 game lead, and they are only 1 (ONE) game over .500 since the All Star Break.
Posted: 07:24 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 dodger fan
2 game lead…
Posted: 07:27 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
really? I havent “trolled” around, but I can imagine some of the blog comments.
So the Fly ball by Feliz, looked pretty deep on MLB.com, why didnt Werth tag up and go to 2nd? Oh damn, RISP 1 out.
Posted: 07:30 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
nice bunt blanton
Posted: 07:31 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
That would have been a really nice time to get a single for J-Roll.
Posted: 07:33 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
I wish J-Roll would just try to exercise even an ounce of patience at the plate. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, make the guy throw you a good pitch but what does J-Roll do, swing at the first thing near the strike zone and pop up.
Posted: 07:33 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Ed R. Look at the bright side, he didnt swing at the first pitch. Many times in the past J-Roll as with many other on this team will swing at first pitch regardless of where it is.
Posted: 07:35 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
0-2 and an error. Hmm was that really on J-Roll? If so, he really needs to get his head out of his arse.
Posted: 07:37 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Oh J-Roll is the absolute worst when it comes to swinging at the first pitch. Though he may not be that based on statistics, it certainly feels that way.
Posted: 07:40 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Was that error really on J-Roll? Looked like Howard could have caught that easily and still tagged the runner but whatever. Still the best defensive SS in baseball.
Posted: 07:41 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Jessie
wow the mets suck!
Posted: 07:43 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Phillies in general are pretty piss poor at first strike. I am quite pleased about the amount of pitches these guys are taking actually. Its sad that I am pleased about that really, but hey. I am thinking the worst has got to be the Diamonbacks. They are on pace for something like 220+ strikeouts this year, which would break the old record of 209, held by themselves last season.
Posted: 07:43 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Hopefully the Mets dont play any better against us. Sure would like to sweep them. or at the VERY least, take the series.
Posted: 07:45 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Where did that pitch miss? And I just realized the Phils were wearing their american flag hats, or whatever you want to call them.
Posted: 07:55 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
damn.
Posted: 07:57 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Brian, I think your numbers are wrong becasue Reynolds alone will have close to 200
Posted: 07:59 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Im sorry your right, those numbers were Reynolds alone. He currently has 190ish, is on track to break his own record those numbers are correct for him, however, the fact that the team as a whole is pace to set a record is correct. Thanks.
Posted: 08:02 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
currently has 190. Last year he hit 204, not 209. minor changes.
Posted: 08:05 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 jt
What is it with the nats getting big hits against the phils.
Posted: 08:06 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
so much for teeing off on this bum.
Posted: 08:08 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Well if Victorino isn’t napping on the bases he is sliding around the outfield like a fool. Honestly I would be so much happier with another CF.
Posted: 08:12 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Jt – the nats and phillies typically have slug fests. The Nationals have been a bad team for sometime but they always battle us till the bitter end
Posted: 08:12 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
these extra base hits this series are really annoying.
Posted: 08:16 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Way to go Joe.
Posted: 08:16 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Chase Utley, YATM!
Posted: 08:17 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Sorry Ed R, I completely disagree about Vic. He doesnt seem to be having a particular great series, but he has come through quit a few times.
Posted: 08:17 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Nice play, Heavy B!!
Posted: 08:18 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
He has had some big hits no doubt, but his mistakes on the base paths alone are mind numbing.
Posted: 08:19 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
great the Fish are leading 4-0 bases loaded. Oops never mind, 5-0 1st and 3rd 1 out now.
Posted: 08:20 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Any guess on how many pitches for J-Roll this at bat?
I’m going 2.
Posted: 08:20 PM on September 10, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I am thinking 1 for J-Roll. Nice to see the blanton getting a hit, why cant J-Roll.
Posted: 08:21 PM on September 10, 2009