Kendrick, Pedro Shine in DH Sweep of Mets
Posted by Pat Gallen, Sun, September 13, 2009 11:45 PM | Comments: 82
2009 Recaps, Posts
It could have easily been a four-game sweep. Instead, the Phillies will have to settle for three out of four over the New York Mets.
In Game 1 of the day-night doubleheader, memories of Saturday evening were still fresh in the minds of those in attendance. Victory had been snatched out of thin air, as Ryan Madson gave up a two-out, two-run jack to David Wright, allowing the Mets to prevail 10-9.
On Sunday afternoon, the most impressive performance came from spot starter, Kyle Kendrick. Pitching in place of the injured J.A. Happ, Kendrick pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs over seven hits. You couldn’t ask for anything more than the quality start put forth by the long-forgotten righty. His poised outing certainly gave the faithful a sliver of peace following the previous meltdown.
In the midst of Kendrick’s intriguing showing, the offense continued to use the long ball to their advantage. Before the big flies came, Ryan Howard drove in the first run of the game with an RBI double to right field off of Mets starter John Maine.
With two down in the fourth inning, Ben Francisco, starting in place of Jayson Werth, blasted a homer into the left field seats that put the Phils up 2-0. Shane Victorino followed that up an inning later with a two-run home run to push that lead to four.
In the eighth inning, the Mets began to chip away. After Kendrick gave up a one out single to Angel Pagan, shortstop Anderson Hernandez jumped on a 1-1 fastball and nailed it into the bullpen. The moans and groans, and thoughts of “here we go again” no doubt popped up throughout Citizens Bank Park as the Mets cut it to 4-2.
Kendrick departed after the Hernandez blast, giving the ball off to the steady Tyler Walker. Walker did his part in keeping the lead at two, as he got Wright to ground out and Daniel Murphy to pop out to end the half inning.
Then, the palpitations began in sync, as the 45,024 knew exactly what was coming. An insurance run in the eighth paved the way for Brad Lidge. The frustrating closer came on in the ninth inning, eager to alleviate some of the pressure on him and the rest of the bullpen for their late-game inadequacies. He ended up with a save, but in the process did little to win back the confidence of the fan base.
With one on and one out, Josh Thole singled to right field, scoring Jeff Francouer, and instantly the bulls eye was back on Lidge. Luis Castillo struck out, but Jeremy Reed sent Thole home on another single. With the Phils holding a 5-4 lead, and the capacity crowd doing the same with their collective breath, Lidge got Angel Pagan to strikeout swinging.
Lidge finished things off, but again in heart stopping fashion. With the Phillies 5-4 win, they jumped ahead of the Marlins by six games as Washington defeated Florida. However, the anemic relief corps are turning every game into a circus.
Game 2 provided much of what we’ve become accustomed to; little offense, solid starting pitching, but worrisome anticipation leading into the later innings.
The starting pitching match up was reminiscent of two aces going toe to toe. Instead, it was dueling fifth starters Pedro Martinez and Tim Redding firing on all cylinders, foiling the opposition with old school trickery and excellent pitch location.
Redding absolutely owns the Phillies over his career, having won five of his 36 career wins against the homeboys. In 13 career starts against the Fightin’s, the journeyman starter has an ERA of 3.13, nearly two runs lower than his overall total. It was no different on Sunday night, either.
The 31-year old went six innings, allowing one run on a long RBI single to Chase Utley that should have scored more than one, had there not been a base running blunder by Jimmy Rollins. Unfortunately for Redding, Pedro was at his very best, continuing his streak of quality performances in red pinstripes.
Martinez chucked a season-high 130 pitches through eight scoreless frames, finagling his way out of a few jams, all while proving his 37-year old arm still has plenty of ammunition left. His final line: eight innings, six hits, no runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. Perhaps realizing that a strong final month could pay dividends when it comes to free agency in the winter, Pedro took the ball and performed magic.
On his 130th pitch of the night, with David Murphy at second base, Pedro threw a breaking ball in the dirt that Ruiz blocked beautifully, collected, and gunned down Murphy as he tried to take third. The Bank erupted as Feliz applied the tag, and in the process, put Martinez in the running for a spot in the playoff rotation.
With a 1-0 lead and three outs remaining, Ryan Madson became the anchor and did not finish without incident. After a quick two-pitch ground out by Jeremy Reed (aided by a beautiful play by Ryan Howard), Brian Schneider looped a single into right-centerfield to jack the collective pulse of the second sellout crowd of the day.
But with a runner on, Madson was able to close the door by striking out Francouer and getting Pagan to line out to Feliz, putting a bow on a hard fought series. And although Madson pitched well to seal the deal, uncertainty is still very much present.
Three out of four ain’t bad, especially at this point in the season. With that said, a four game sweep was well within reach, and it was the bullpen that allowed it to slip away. The only thing Charlie Manuel and his crew can do is keep trying to find the hot hand to close it out and hope that it works on that given night.
On this day, it was about the incredible start by our dear, old friend, Kyle Kendrick. On this night, it was about the revival of one of the greatest pitchers of our lifetimes, Pedro Martinez. All in all, it equaled a sweep of the day, and a six-and-a-half game lead over the Marlins in the NL East.
Posts: 0 jacob
some days, like today, it just feels great to be a fan of this team.
Posted: 12:04 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Brooks
Is the collective waiting for Howard to break loose? He has 1 hr so far in the month of September, far cry from last September. Is Ryan going to take us there soon?
Pat, cheer up, it was a great day to be a Phillie fan – anytime you take 2 from the muts, its a great day!
Posted: 12:05 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 marty
Brooks relax…he had an insane August… he can’t do that every game…just relax.
I gotta say, the coolest moment of the game was when Charlie came out in the 8th..and left Pedro in and the Bank WENT NUTS… that was the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while
Pedro officially became a Phillie tonight…and he won over the city as well.
We love you Pedro
Posted: 12:28 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 David, the Mets fan from Queens
Pat,
If you’re going to belittle the Mets, you may as well accurately name their players. The player that was thrown out at third base tonight was DANIEL Murphy, not “David.” It’s funny that you make such a mundane and even negligible mistake because when I went to Fenway Park on May 23rd to watch the Mets and Red Sox play, the announcer also called Danny, “David.”
Posted: 12:32 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Talk about nads of steel: 3-2 count change-up men on 1st and 2nd, and that curveball to Beltan…Even more amazing is that the Mets suprisingly have one of the best RISP numbers in the NL and Pedro/Ruiz (i say this because chooch called a brillant game) worked their way out of several jams. Madson did record the save however still looked shakey and benefited from good glove work…It could also be pitching on 3 or 4 days in a row…closers in particular the fireball variety should only work 3 days once in a blue moon, and never 4 days without rest. It was also the bottom of the line-up. I’d rather have seen Tyler….but we did win. However, the band-aid on the puncture wound won’t hold for long.
Posted: 12:48 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bill
Thank you marty im glad someone gives it to howard. He can’t do it for two months straight. And actually he is still hitting… alot actually because his average is right about .275 right now which is amazing because before his hot streak of august he was hitting right around .255 so hes absolutely still hitting just not HR hes hitting the singles and doubles and still driving in runs so lets not get up in arms. I just have to give it to Crazy Kyle Kendrick he pitched one hell of a game. Exactly what we needed today/night. Great Day.
Posted: 12:55 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 karen
I agree with Marty. Pedro may have been solid in previous outings but tonight was his true welcome as a Philly. He shows such determination and love for the gam
Posted: 12:56 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Whizwithout
How awesome must it have been for Pedro to have Manuel come out to the mound n show his confidence in Pedro Matinez in the 8th inning against the team that obviously must not of had confidence in him. Pedro even got to official seal of the Mets chances of being in the playoffs even tho we could have guessed they wouldnt make the playoffs for a while now.
Posted: 12:56 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 marty
maybe it’s because The Big Piece is so good…that everyone expects him to hit a bomb every time up.
He’s human…and baseball is a failure sport. you FAIL 7 of 10 times…you’re a great player..
We know what we get with Ry…and I love it…I’m glad he’s here another 2 years…
He can’t hit 50 and drive in 150 every year…
be happy we are able to cheer on one of the greatest power hitters of all time
one final note…
PAY-DRO! PAY-DRO! PAY-DRO!
Posted: 01:03 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
David, the Mets fan fro Queens
Perhaps, people are confusing Daniel with David Murphy who DHs for the Texas Rangers and has been in the league longer. Coincidently, before playing for the Rangers, he was a pinch hitter for the Red Sox from 2006 to part of 2007.
Posted: 01:08 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
You have to give it to the younger old goat…did he not put on a show and on national tv representing Philly. You know he was well aware of it and worked it. That 8th inning was a total Gladiator moment. In the words of Maximus Decimus Meridius:
Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?
And then the play at 3rd…
What else can you say: quality entertainment
Posted: 01:29 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 ryan
damn. Pedro Freaking Martinez!!!! He must of drove to the park in a Delorian tonight because he took us back in time to about ten years ago. He hasn’t pitched this well in about 5 years at least. I see no way we can leave him off of the playoff rotation. Sorry JA Happ. you’ve been great and may be the rookie of the year but you’re services are going to be rendered to the bullpen. We need a lefty in the pen anyways with romero and eyre being hurt and unreliable. Happ would be a great lefty to use out of the pen. Pedro needs to be in that rotation. He’s pitching amazingly and furthermore, he is a major big game pitcher who loves the spotlight and the big moment.
Posted: 01:35 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
First I was at tonights game. ELECTRIC. 5 rows behind home plate. Pedro was dealling and the crowd were behind him. I am tired of these Mets fans. You have a classless team from top to bottom. You will never win again. 86 is history. Wright is a pu s ….Yes he had is moment yesterday. 9 homers. He is pathetic. Pedro made sure of that with that k. Beltran is off the juice. Even with your clown Reyes you will never win. You melt because you are the scum of NY. GO away.
Posted: 01:42 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Ryan -
1.21 gigawatts? 1.21 gigawatts? Great Scott!
What-what the hell is a gigawatt?
Posted: 01:52 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Philly Texan
I have to give it up to Pedro. I didn’t like the signing. I thought he was done. Thought he had nothing left in the tank. I didn’t like that he replaced Moyer.
But, man, was I wrong. After six starts, I’m a believer. The guy’s been straight dealing, and you have to give him his props. Great signing by Amaro. Hard to believe this guy was sitting out there for half the year and hardly anyone else had interest.
So should Pedro be in the playoff rotation?
A few weeks ago I would have said no way. But now he really deserves consideration. Especially with Happ injured.
Posted: 02:13 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 mikeB
Martinez brings post season pitching experience if he were selected to pitch in the playoffs were as Happ does not have that being a rookie.
Posted: 02:55 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 george55
now the phils play the Nads, oh, i mean Nats – nah, Nads sounds better. Phils on a roll. no stopping ‘em now. everything is coppacetic…..lidge is back, madson is great, charlie is making one beautiful decision after another – i nominate him for manager of the year. phils knock in all their runners they get on base; they have the best RISP percentage in the league. They have timely hitting and can blow teams away with long and short ball. Meyers is great. he should be a starter!
anyone want a hit of this stuff? the more i smoke, the more the phils look great. Don’t take away my smoke….
Posted: 05:41 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Erin
I was at both games, and just got back to school in Pittsburgh. Kendrick and Martinez were both so solid. Thank god for good starting pitching that can go that far into the game when our closers are struggling. It is always great to beat the Mets…twice in one day is even better!
Posted: 05:41 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 teejvee
Good gauge of where the team is right now. Scuffling against the bottom dwellers.
Posted: 06:14 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff Y.
Is it me or are these 9th innings getting harder to watch?
Posted: 07:24 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Al Pacino
Good morning Phillies Nation! Time to Rise…. and Shine…!!!Why I’m a yelling? Because I’m Al Pacino!!….I ‘m like Stephen A. Smith.. I like to yell and scream at top of my lungs for absolutely no reason what so ever!
Posted: 07:36 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bobby in Boston
That was one clean playoff-type win Pedro gave us last night. That block-and-throw play Carlos Ruiz made to end the 8th was big-time clutch baseball defense. Ruiz continues to quietly be one of the most important players on this team. ESPN’s Joe Morgan and Jon Miller were driving me crazy with their “this-is-going-to-kill-Pedro” talk when he came back out to pitch the 8th. They sound a lot like John Madden advising the Patriots to take a knee near the end of their first Super Bowl win. Not to bring up football in this blog.
On a related note, why didn’t Cholly leave Moyer in for another inning on Saturday? He was looking real good with a four-run lead and only 93 pitches. It’s very concerning to see the tightrope walk that is the back of our bullpen, but all the top teams in the league have struggled here and there down the stretch, and I still we have as good a chance as any to make it back to the WS.
I went to the afternoon game yesterday—my first ever at the Cit, and I have to say that is one B-E-A-yootiful place to watch a game. Great sight lines all over the place. If you’re willing to stand (and you’re tall enough), you can watch the entire game from right behind the plate, AND have a little bar upon which to rest your beer. And standing in the upper beer deck at Ashburn Alley, the sun splashing down on a Sunday afternoon, sucking down a brew. Not a bad way to spend a day.
Madson looked great last night. I’m okay with a closer-by-committee approach for the next couple of weeks. I’d really like to see Myers close a game sometime soon. I’d also like to see Happ back out there, as well as Romero, Condrey, Eyre, etc. This pitching staff has plenty of time to get itself ready for the playoffs and go on a run.
Posted: 07:43 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 bob
Phils once again did what they needed to do in this series. 3 of 4. And yesterday takes the sting out of Saturday’s debacle.
If Romero or Eyre can’t come back then Happ is probably gonna be the lefty out of the pen.
As good as I feel about Pedro, I feel terribly for Happ.
However this is a good problem to have….
Posted: 07:58 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Mostone
I was at the park last night and I’ll admit it – I thought Charlie had lost his mind when Pedro came in to start the 8th, but I was on my feet cheering my head off with the rest of the crowd when he was left in for the 3d out. That was a great moment.
Go Phils! Magic number is 14.
Posted: 08:12 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Duffie_D
Pat Gallen,
Brad Lidge may be a closer in transition right now, but he is quite the opposite of “fledgling.” He’s been closing games on a full time basis since 2004. Do you know what “fledgling” means?
Posted: 08:22 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 George
I was ready to point out the misuse of “fledgling” myself, but people do make mistakes at times. Besides, I think it best to just compliment Kendrick and Martinez on jobs well done.
Someone the other day posted that Kendrick made him vomit and that Pedro was questionable, and the Phils would be lucky to win ONE of these games. I had no response, much as I have no response to anything george55 says. At least today I can laugh quietly behind their backs.
Posted: 08:44 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 David
Guys, if your grammar is so good, why don’t you write the stories and we’ll read your blog.
Posted: 08:51 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 1317 Pat Gallen
Yes, thanks. I apologize for the “mistakes” since I wrote this thing going on midnight.
But anyway, I would think the more important issue here is the play of the Phillies, not my grammar.
Posted: 08:59 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
No Pat, the most important thing is Duffie_D is obviously an intellectual superior to us all because he can point out a grammatical error. May we forever be humbled in his presents.
I had to turn down tickets to the night game but wish I went. The crowd’s reaction in the 8th inning was playoff like in its intensity. If the crowd can bring that energy to the Park in the playoffs, the Phils could repeat last year’s success.
Posted: 09:26 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Amazinsux
With the victory last night the Phillies “officially” eliminated the Muts! Of course we all know they were really out of it several months ago! Nice side note. Let’s hear it Muts fans….. wait til next year! SWEET!
Posted: 09:30 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in Tn
Let me menstruate the point a little as I sit in the presents of such intellectual giants. The labia of the mets was pummeled and we were victorious, yes we were. Inasmuch as we now have the buzzing gnats and the sister kissing braves as suppositories and that is the kind of back bacon we all need.
Please know that everyone who makes fun of Pat Gallen is a poopyhead.
Posted: 09:36 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
While I could pick apart everything and talk about the “flaws” of this weekend..(there are ALWAYS going to be flaws) I am thrilled that the Phils were able to shave 25% off of their magic number total over the course of the weekend…..from 19 to 14. That is huge as we begin the final 3 weeks of the season.
I’m not sure what the closer situation is going to be and I’m as frustrated as anybody. I think it’s just going to have to be a mix and match thing and Charlie going with whoever appears to be hot at the time. Maybe a two-headed closer isn’t such a bad thing right now. Both Lidge and Madson have proved that they CAN colse games and that they CAN”T.
Posted: 09:38 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 1317 Pat Gallen
Thanks, Phan In TN?
Chuck: It certainly seems like Manuel can only go with his gut feeling at the time; or even just go with whoever is hot or more rested. It’s not scientific, but it’s all he can basically do. I’d rather see that and make it look like they are trying to find a solution, than to just throw one or the other out there for the sake of saying he’s our “closer.”
Posted: 09:49 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
And that’s what the Phils basically did for the first 5 months….Charlie saying that he was sticking with Lidge and that he was his “guy.” Thank goodness that finally changed. I guess we have the awful Houstin series to thank for that.
Posted: 10:02 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
I’m glad and excited that the Phillies got the 2 wins yesterday. And I’m thrilled to see Kendrick and Pedro flat out dealing.
BUT
Lidge still gave up 2 runs DESPITE getting the save. Pathetic. Can he learn how to keep runners from taking off to 2nd base?
Posted: 10:09 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Right now Lidge IS pathetic. Period. He just can’t be trusted with ANY lead and that’s frightening as we head to the postseason. And Madson isn’t much better. The liner to end the second game was pretty well hit off Madson. He’s not consistent at all in locating his fastball and hitters (like David Wright) are all over it.
Posted: 10:14 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 The Original Chuck P
I still think that you have to work towards getting Lidge back to form for the postseason… we have a 6.5 game lead heading down the stretch so we have some games to play with. I think that you have to have an idea in mind of who you want to be your closer in the postseason and you have to have a plan for how you expect to make that person ready. I don’t know if Myers will be ready, I’m not sure if Madson has the mental makeup and there isn’t much else available… maybe Walker. I guess you can do this merry-go-round if you have to but it really doesn’t seem efficient.
How quickly things change… last Friday, people were ready to jump off of the ledge. Some people were suggesting that the Mets were going for revenge (and we should be worried) and that the Fish were going to be handed a sweep… with that logic, our lead had already disintegrated from 6 to 3.5. Well, we actually extended our lead this weekend without playing great baseball… if we keep winning series, we’ll be just fine.
Things are heading in the right direction… after taking 3 of 4, we have an off day before playing the Nats. The Fish, on the other hand, are taking an overnight flight to St. Louis. I have a weird feeling that the Mets are going to help us win the pennant… the Fish play the Mets Sept 25-27 and even though the Mets are a bad team right now, they’re getting healthy. Thankfully, we don’t play them again…
Posted: 10:19 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Chuck, regarding Madson: I wasn’t fully aware that he has 2 different fastballs until yesterday. He throws the sinking one which is PHILTHY and also the 4-seamer that is much more flat. The 4-seamer is the one he used to strike out a batter (can’t remember who it was)… but it’s also the one they hit the hardest cause it has little movement and comes in blazing at 97mph or so. He should avoid using that pitch unless he really needs a K or something… if he just uses his sinking fastball and his changeup, and lets the defense work behind him, he could do a better job closing games for us while Pathetic Lidge is stuck celebrating his 2-ER saves.
Posted: 10:25 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Just throwing this out there, and I hate to use such a small sample size as yesterday’s performance from KK but at this point, would you rather Kendrick on the playoff roster or Lidge? Personally, I’d rather opt for the former over the later.
At least Kendrick can work out of a jam. Amazing considering he couldn’t at all last year. And even has more than two pitches to work with now. If I am Charlie, which I clearly am not, my playoff rotation and bullpen looks as follows:
starters not in order: Hamels, Lee, Blanton, Happ.
Bullpen: Pedro, Eyre, Condrey, Romero, Myers, Madson, Walker, and Park.
That is with 12 pitchers which is usually standard in the playoffs. Guys who would get thrown in if any of the above are hurt, such as Condrey, Romero, Eyre, then I would replace them with Durbin, KK, Moyer.
Honestly, I don’t really think Durbin deserves to be there at all but I don’t know that Moyer can be used as a traditional reliever. At this point though, everything I just said might not matter as Eyre, Condrey and Romero could all be out for the rest of the year, who knows.
Posted: 10:33 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 bob
Mix and match for closer. Period. It seems that is going to have to be the way to outside outside of a miracle discovery in the last 3 weeks.
Obviously that is my biggest concern. The flip side is that we have 3 relievers (Myers, Madson, Lidge) that CAN close games. Looks like it’s gonna be all about feel and the matchups. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Myers or Madson going 2 innings a night if they are on.
But with the starting pitching that the Phils are receiving the pen is going to be alot fresher going forward and they should be able to rest Myers/Madson/Lidge on any given night.
This team can win another championship, despite the question marks in the 9th and lack of hitting with RISP.
Posted: 10:34 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 bob
Side question: Is anyone else impressed by Tyler Walker? Anyone see him as a possiblity for a playoff roster spot?
Posted: 10:38 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
Original Chuck P says, “I’m not sure if Madson has the mental make-up.”
Oh, and Lidge DOES!!!!????
I agree, however, that getting Lidge “on track” is very important. However, I’m just not confident that that is possible for this season and I think Charlie is going to have to use both Lidge AND Madson as closers, depending on the situation and circumstances.
Manny…..Joe Morgan was talking about that sinking fastball last night and was baffled as to why he wasn’t using it more often.
Posted: 10:40 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
Waittttt a second. this may be a stupid question, but for the playoffs we only have a 4 man rotation correct?
So I am thinking, Lee, Blanton, Hamels, Pedro?
Posted: 10:41 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
Can anyone else see Happ as the closer? I can. He seems to always get out of jams and has a lot of confidence and I think he has the mentality to be a closer.
Posted: 10:45 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Correct Stuart, in the playoffs you typically use a 4 man rotation. Just curious, why did you slot Pedro in over Happ? Not saying one is right or wrong. Happ has certainly shown that he can be a reliever and I am pretty sure Pedro can be if needed.
@ Chuck: Lidge has the mental make up to be a closer when things are going well. When they aren’t, as is typically the case this year then everything just snow balls for him.
Posted: 10:48 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 1317 Pat Gallen
Stuart and Ed R.- we have a post coming up in the next hour or two regarding the fourth starter in the playoffs. Going to be an interesting debate.
Posted: 10:50 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
I said put Pedro ahead of Happ in the playoffs and everyone killed me. Pedro has been there before. He knows how to get it done. When Charlie came out to get him and walked back alone. The crowd just went wild. It was like a scene from Rocky. Then chooch making that throw to third. WOW.
Posted: 10:52 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Duffie_D
To suggest that the misuse of the word “fledgling” is grammatical is misleading. The syntax and context made sense, it wasn’t a grammatical error. The author simply does not know what the word means. And if he doesn’t know what the word means, he shouldn’t use it.
Do you want to know the truth? Yes, I actually do think that I am intellectually superior to 99% of the people here. Yes, I think given the time I could write better game recaps than the people who write for this website. I’m sure all of you have been reading stories by beat writers and AP game recaps for years. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that they are written in a certain pattern, one that the writers on this website to their detriment do not follow.
Yes I know I sound like an asshole. I sound like an asshole because I think the writers on this site actually do have talent. I see them make stupid mistakes and it frustrates me.
Posted: 11:00 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Phan in Tn
yes, that chooch throw had me a little moist
Posted: 11:01 AM on September 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck
So then, Ed R., Lidge DOESN’T have the menatl makeup to be the closer..right now. Because the be an effective closer you have to be able to handle the mental pressure when things aren’t going well…..and he can’t do that right now. Things DO “snow ball” for him…he just implodes. Yesterday, he was VERY fortunate to get out of the situation he was in. It was ugly.
Posted: 11:01 AM on September 14, 2009