NLCS Gameday: Dodgers at Phillies, Game 4
Posted by Pat Gallen, Mon, October 19, 2009 06:37 PM | Comments: 550
Gameday 2009, Posts
Los Angeles Dodgers (1-2) at Philadelphia Phillies (2-1) 
Randy Wolf, LHP vs. Joe Blanton, RHP
Time: 8:07 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Clear, 44
TV: TBS
Twitter: Phillies Nation
Ho-Lee smokes. That was some sort of outing, eh?
Cliff Lee absolutely dominated the L.A. Dodgers last night at CBP, firing an eight-inning gem to put the Phils up 2-1 in the NLCS. His performance was one of the finest in Phillies history.
Joe Blanton doesn’t have to repeat last night’s outing, but no one would mind if he did. Although he has not started a game since October 2 against Florida, Blanton has toed the rubber twice during the playoffs, with both appearances coming against Colorado in relief. Last postseason against the Dodgers, Blanton was decent, giving up three earned runs over five innings in the Game 4 victory. A repeat performance of that would be just fine tonight. And if Blanton comes up big, the Phillies will be in control of this series.
Standing in the way of that is an old Philly favorite. Randy Wolf will face off against the Phils for the fourth time in his career, but the first in the playoffs as a member of the Dodgers. Wolf is 1-1 against his former club in 2009, with two very different games. On May 13 in Philadelphia, Wolf was brilliant, striking out eight over six-innings, allowing just one earned run. On June 7, the Phils traveled to L.A. and knocked him around for six earned over 6 1/3. Which Wolfie will we see tonight? Hopefully the latter.
Amazingly, Pedro Feliz has owned Randy Wolf in his career. Feliz is 5-for-17 against Wolf with three homers. However, on the flip side, Ryan Howard has been awful against the junkball-throwing lefty. The Big Piece is just 1-for-9 with four punchouts in his career.
Blanton has been good against Matt Kemp (2-for-11) and Casey Blake (1-for-21) during his career, but awful against Manny Ramirez (14-for 25, HR, 8 RBI) and James Loney (5-for-8).
A commanding 3-games-to-1 lead is on the line tonight in South Philly, and it’s up to Joe Blanton to keep the ball rolling.
Tonight’s Lineup: Rollins (SS), Victorino (CF), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (LF), Feliz (3B), Ruiz (C), Blanton (P).
Your Gameday Beer – Sierra Nevada Porter
Sierra Nevada Porter doesn’t have the same malt taste as other beers from the brewery. It has a smoky flavor with hints of dark chocolate in the aftertaste. It is remarkably smooth and an overall great tasting genuine porter. This should keep you nice and warm on this chilly October evening. For dinner tonight: Steak. – By Pat
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Tracey
Brilliant move, Charlie, leaving Blanton in the game.
Posted: 09:44 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
cas, the Phils have much more waddage left, don’t lose faith!
Posted: 09:44 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 bob.
Biggest inning of the ballgame, obviously.
NEED a shutdown inning from Blanton!!
Posted: 09:44 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 A Detectible Met Horror
I feel good about the top of our lineup coming out against Randy Wolf next inning… I’m feeling at least a run or two.
Posted: 09:45 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 AC from NJ
Can somebody please work with Feliz this offseason on plate discipline? Please???? For crying out loud. Idiot.
Posted: 09:45 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
@Tracey, the way our hitting’s looked, it would just be a waste of a pitcher. Charlie’s made more right moves than wrong moves, so let’s wait and see.
Posted: 09:46 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
@ AC:
Feliz is a career .250. He’s David Bell with a darker tan. Patience will just result in more called looking. :)
Posted: 09:46 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
cas, never mind… The Phils are down 1 run…. And Hamels will pitch well tomm. If needed, LA isn’t the Old Yankee Stadium.
Posted: 09:47 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
Well, the dodgers were going to score, especially after last night. I just hate that after every BIG offense game where we score a ton of runs, the offense goes completely dead for the next game(s).
Posted: 09:47 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 AC from NJ
Thrilled that Charlie left Blanton in for the next inning – he only has to face Manny and Loney now, with 84 pitches done.
Posted: 09:47 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Well quality AB by Chooch…at least we are not starting of the inning with the pitcher.
Mike D. – as to your last prediction….close but you had the teams backward
Posted: 09:47 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
Wow Cas….. where’s your faith?
Posted: 09:48 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 A Detectible Met Horror
DAMN the bounces just aren’t goin our way
Posted: 09:49 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
dammit no freebies!
Posted: 09:49 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
we are like jeckyl and hide. get happy out there
Posted: 09:50 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
Game 5 lineup: 1. Victorino 2. Utley 3. Werth 4. Howard 5. Ibanez 6. Ruiz 7. Rollins 8. Feliz 9. pitcher.
Posted: 09:50 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 AC from NJ
blanton has had 2 strikes on a lot of these guys tonite and failed to seal the deal.
nice catch by Ibanez for out 1.
Posted: 09:50 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
now it’s a strike!
Posted: 09:51 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
well no luck here
Posted: 09:51 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
dam almost
Posted: 09:51 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 AC from NJ
damn – the bounces REALLY aren’t going our way tonite. this is torture.
Posted: 09:51 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Got him this time. Prediction.
Posted: 09:53 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike D.
Yep.
Posted: 09:53 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Keep arguing Martin…please keep arguing
Posted: 09:53 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 A Detectible Met Horror
CLOSE pitch
Posted: 09:54 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 AC from NJ
finally – this ump gave the phils a call on strike 3. i think the guy sucks though – a lot of poor calls.
Posted: 09:54 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 GWFightinsFan
C’mon guys this game is still very much winnable…just gotta stay cool, and BE PATIENT WITH WOLF!!!
Posted: 09:54 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 A Detectible Met Horror
Woww did you see that changeup
Posted: 09:54 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 A Detectible Met Horror
Oh noooo
Posted: 09:55 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
man the errors!
Posted: 09:55 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
fuuuuuuuuuuck
Posted: 09:55 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 AC from NJ
Great. Just F*ckin great. Every stinking Dodger run comes in with 2 outs. Blanton is just not clutch when its needed, and Charlier shouldn’t have left him in.
Posted: 09:55 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Terri
this inning should be over with if it wasn’t for our defense.
Posted: 09:56 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
Bounces, fellas. Dodgers are getting dink and donk hits. Some nights you get 11. Some nights the bad guys do.
Regardless of the outcome, I feel good with our prima donna and Lee still available in the series.
Posted: 09:56 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
why not walk blake and go to a lefty???????
Posted: 09:56 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
OK fellas, time for a comeback. They can’t make it too easy on us fans. Need to make you squirm to make sure you are paying attention.
Posted: 09:57 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
That’s f—ing strike 3!
Posted: 09:57 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
good managing tonight. leaving blanton in and not walking blake to get to wolf. wolf can hit but blake will hurt you more.
Posted: 09:57 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Harry Kalas
ump sleep at the wheel
Posted: 09:57 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Phils Phan
Where are the announcers bitching about that no call?
Posted: 09:57 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 A Detectible Met Horror
THAT WAS RIGHT DOWN THE EFFING MIDDLE
Posted: 09:58 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 GWFightinsFan
a lefty to face the pitcher???
Posted: 09:58 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 bob.
Just not good enough from Blanton tonight……and not much help defensively
Posted: 09:58 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
happ should of been in and you walk blake. manuel is a horrible manager making moves.
Posted: 09:58 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 mycruzincooler.com
Time to put up a 5 spot.
Posted: 09:59 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
Ok guys, we got a game with the Dodgers tonight. And that only means one thing. Bad news for the Dodgers!
Posted: 09:59 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
OMG only 4 innings left. The Phills couldn’t possibly score 3 runs or more in 4 innings, can they?
Posted: 09:59 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 AGH
Feliz really needs to sit. He has contributed less than nothing this postseason.
Posted: 09:59 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 AC from NJ
trying to work myself into a positive frame of mind for the B6th. Top of the order coming up – how much longer can Wolf keep this up? Let’s go Phils – Rally Time!!
Posted: 10:00 PM on October 19, 2009
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
The Phillies need to get their heads out of their butts and start playing. They are looking like the Eagles right now.
Posted: 10:01 PM on October 19, 2009