Phillies Nation

Will that be a first for a team?

Wouldn’t say Rizzotti is knocking down the door just yet. It’s 300 or so at-bats of production that is far and away better than anything he has ever done in his career, and he’s never really been regarded as a prospect. His .414 BABIP is certain to regress. His accomplishments have been impressive, but a partial season of tearing up the minors doesn’t automatically make you the next guy up.

What is “consistency?” Everyone says the Phillies lack it, but every team has losing streaks and winning streaks. No team wins 162 games.

Sry about the caps lol…..

Well they did gain 1 game!Should have atleast took 2 of 3!

I’m not a doctor but I’m guessing Howard will out for a good week or better, depending on how severe the sprain is…This is turning into a circus act. One man down after another

To those who decry the Phils’ not taking more games from the Nats, I can only point out that the Nats also took two of three from the Braves.

They’ve won 9 out of their last 11. If that’s not taking advantage of a break, I’m not sure what is. And four of those wins were against a team fighting for first place, which isn’t exactly a break, anyway.

I’m hoping Howard doesn’t miss more than a few games. If he hits the DL, it could be the straw that breaks the Phils’ back.

Nice game today. Won in extras with the “small ball” everyone says Manuel never plays. Oswalt might be worth having because at least he knows how to bunt.

Please keep us posted on Ryan Howard’s prognosis. Thanks

Oswalt can pitch, too, but bunting is a valuable skill that many others don’t have.

No matter who the Phils played, 9 of 11 is decent enough for me. The Phils have had injuries, too. Playing a team missing two players is not a break when your own team is missing just as many.

Personally, I think the entire criticism of the Phils losing two games to Washington is unfounded. They aren’t the Nationals of last year, and they were the home team. And when you’ve just won 8 straight, the law of averages tends to even things out. Did anyone really expect the Phils to run their streak to 11?

I’ll for once agree with Jeff. This game was very important, or more accurately, this WIN was very important. Howard’s injury doesn’t change the fact that the Phils are one game closer to first place.

We’re all worried about Howard, but let’s comment on the games until more injury updates are available.

@Conrad – great post

Don’t forget 9 out of last 11 without Utley- then the loss of Vic, and Raul. This team isn’t folding without a Phight!

I must admit a very sick to my stomach feeling when I saw Ryno stay down, then get helped off. I’m sure everyone on the bench did.

But that’s why the win is NOT irrelevant, the phightins are showing some toughness in hard times.

I’ve noticed pitchers killing Brown these past 2 games with inside curves that break way inside. He’ll be alright. He just has to study his oppenents a little more next time, and wait for his pitches.

Does this site have a MOD? Please stop the poker spammer. He/She is spreading malware.

Congrats for the Phillies success. I believe they will overtake the Braves. The Braves are playing way over their heads. Let’s face it the Phillies play their best baseball when their backs are against the wall. They deserve to win the division. As for my beloved Mets, They are all but done for the season. The only way for them to even have a tiny chance of competing this year is to sweep the Braves the next three games, then sweep the Phillies the following three. Well, THATS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. So for all intents and purpose the Mets are done for 2010. See ya in 2011, it will probably play the same for them in the years to come.

Well George, I do not agree with you. I guess it all depends on how you look at it. The Phillies caught a break because Helton and Tulowitzski were out hurt for Colorado. If they had been in the Colorado lineup, possibly the Rox might have won a couple of games from the Phils. These guys are all supposed to be major league baseball players and be able to get the job done no matter who is hurt. Probably evened out with top players from both teams being out.

@ MikeB, about the Rockies…If they lost 8 in a row had to do with only being with Tolu and Helton, then can you really say they definately would have taken several games from us? Not to mention, they have had a losing record for much of the first half of the season. I believe Helton and Tolu were both in there. Even if they were in, does that mean Jimenez wouldnt have given up 6 runs against the Phillies in what 2.1 IP? Their pitching was also not very good at the time. I really dont think those two players would have made that big of a difference.

Back to this game, and a spill over from yesterday. Sure Lidge got the save. Cool. I still dont trust him, and I think he is a liability, but I am not going to blame RAJ for Lidge screwing up right now. RAJ is not the GM who signed lidge to the new deal. RAJ is not keeping him out there when he is noticeably off his game. Blame lidge for lidge, but if Lidge is flat out, off his game, and usually its OBVIOUS (yesterday) blame Manuel for not yanking him after the walk. The sad fact of the matter is we do not have a consitant closer. Consitant I mean, compare Lidges numbers for home games versus away games. Lidge has a 10.50 ERA AWAY, and a 3.60 ERA at HOME. Why keep Lidge in the game AWAY when its first and second, 1 out with an ERA that bad? Just like someone said before, certain bench players will play depending on the pitcher, Left vs Right, are we not looking at the pitcher? Even Lidge last season, 11 Blow Saves. 10 (TEN) of them were AWAY! With our entire Bullpen, we have blown 7 saves which turned out to be losses. we have a total of 14 Blown Saves. Take the 7 which turned out to be losses. If we could have (about) half of that, and 4 of them were losses, and 3 were wins…We would be what, 1/2 game up? I dont expect to win every game, I expect we will blow some saves, but these are NOT good stats.

@Land Shark, its hard to say that Howard would be “will be out for a good week or better” You never can tell. From my own experiences, you can even tell from watching it. I have cronic ankle sprains, so while I am not an “expert”, I have experienced it enough as a soccer player with bad ankles. Once time I rolled my ankle and was landed on, when watching the tape, looked far worse thajn what Howard did, and I was out for 2 days. Another time, I rolled my ankle, which in this case, did not look anywhere near as bad as Howard rolled it, and I was out for 2 weeks! If people are reporting DL is unlikely, I doubt he will be out for longer than a week. I would think 2-3 games. But again, I am not Doctor.

Ok, Jayson Werth is going to have to start throwing salt over his shoulder before every game. He’s the only starter in the lineup that hasn’t been seriously hurt yet this season. He’s finally taken himself off the mental DL so we can’t afford to lose him now.

Meant to say that Helton and Tulowitzski might have had an impact on Colorado’s two close losses in Philadelphia.

@MikeB, Tulo came back just after out series, and their losing streak continued with Tulo in there. Thats all Im saying. And while Helton and Tulo were not in the lineup then, what about Utley? They played who they had, just like we played who we had, and even with all the injuries, we are still in the race. Also, the Rockies in the regular season have not done well IN Philly. I think it has alot more to do with where it is, than who they had in there. Especially Helton. Giambi was playing if I remember correctly, and in nearly half the at bats as Helton, Giambi has more Homers and more RBI’s. He has a higher Average as well, but with that much less at bats, that could really play into it, buit it says something with the homers and RBI’s to me. I think you are putting to much on Helton. Tulo…Maybe not.Pretty darn good player. Helton is just flat out past his prime.