Gameday: Phillies (94-50) at Astros (50-97)
Posted by Amanda Orr, Tue, September 13, 2011 06:19 PM | Comments: 60
2011 Gameday, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies (94-50) at Houston Astros (50-97)
Cole Hamels (14-7, 2.60) vs. J.A Happ (5-15, 5.77)
Time: 8:10 pm, Minute Maid Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 101 (Roof closed)
Media: Twitter and Facebook
The lowly Astros took the first game of the series as Roy Oswalt struggled against his former club. Brett Myers was able to shut down his former team on Monday night. Another familiar face will take the hill for the ‘Stros on Tuesday.
J.A Happ will make his second career start against Philadelphia. In that outing, he allowed two runs over 6 1/3.
It was only two years ago when Happ went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA, helping his team make it to the World Series. Since being traded to the Astros, Happ hasn’t been the same. Because of his struggles, Happ was sent down to the minor leagues. Since being recalled, Happ has a 2.50 in three starts. However, his ERA still stands close to 6.
Cole Hamels will oppose his former teammate. The lefty hasn’t shown any signs of a setback after his recent shoulder injury. Since coming off the disabled list, Hamels has a 2.45 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 22 innings. With Lee and Halladay in the rotation, Hamels shines away from the spotlight, but he is having an excellent year. His 2.60 ERA ranks fifth in the league and his 0.95 WHIP is the best in the National League.
The magic number is five, but the Phillies can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a St. Louis loss. With the way Hamels has been pitching lately, there is a good chance the Phillies could clinch that postseason berth tonight.
Today’s Lineup:
Your Gameday Beer – Michelob
Michelob Lager is brewed here in America by In-Bev’s Anheuser-Busch though it is named after a small town in a region of the Czech Republic known for its hops. That’s pretty much where the story begins and ends. As a pretty basic beer, it has a thin and watery consistency and flavor. There are hints of corn, maybe even citrus, but the bitter and sweet tastes are balanced. Have it with your favorite style of fried chicken. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Andrw from Waldorf
This should be win.
They kind of need it and I expect them to win when they need to. Even if its a kind of.
Posted: 07:23 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Last night was a different beast. Our defense did nothing (outside of Mini Mart’s mid air snag on a high bouncer) to help Oswalt. Myers has (in a small sample size) owned the Phillies since he left. He vowed to “take it to the Phillies” since he left, and he has done pretty well at it. He is 2-0 in 3 starts against the Phillies, with a sub 3 ERA. We won one of those games, but he was not in the decision. My fear is that I dont think we have ever seen happ since he left, and the Phillies excel at looking like a bunch of minor leaguers against people they have never seen. They often play to the level of their competition, which is why they did well against the Braves and Brewers, and not so well against the Fish last series, and last night against the Stro’s.
Posted: 07:39 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
We can’t count on the Cards to do our work for us tonight. We have to lock down a playoff berth for ourselves. Let’s git ‘er done!
Posted: 08:11 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Besides, “earning” a playoff spot, or winning the division by another’s loss is so anti-climatic. LOL.
Posted: 08:13 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrw from Waldorf
I forgot Cole is pitching means the Phils wont score on Cy Happ.
Posted: 08:16 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrw from Waldorf
Howard up for a community service award
Congrats to him.
Posted: 08:18 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
OK, this is just plain embarassing.
Posted: 08:20 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
This is just typical – playing like SH*T to a SH*T team – if our aces do not pitch aces, we are losing. And Cole is not pitching a tremendous game – it might be an OK game by his standards but with NO offense, we are going to look pitiful.
Posted: 08:25 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
24 pitches in the first inning alone – this will not be a long outting for Cole.
Oops, I forgot, only 2 outs in the first inning.
Posted: 08:28 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
Whew! Well, that could have been a lot worse, but we seriously need to NOT lose this one!
Posted: 08:28 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrw from Waldorf
Very typical
Astros on the way to 105 loses but will sweep the phils.
Posted: 08:32 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
I took a cue from the Brewers’ sound man and set up my scoreboard program to play the Andy Griffith theme when Mayberry comes to bat. I just got a nice giggle.
Posted: 08:33 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrw from Waldorf
Please no retaliation
no fights please
Posted: 08:34 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
Nah, the ‘Stros have more class than the Giants and the Mets combined.
Posted: 08:36 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
(sigh) well, at least we’re making some good contact.
Posted: 08:39 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
that we did Tracey, that we did better than striking out for sure.
Other than Happ being the X-Phil, his W-L record and his ERA qualifies him for a good pitched game vs the Phils. High ERA, mediocre W-L record and for some reason, we struggle offensively.
Posted: 08:44 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
Well, that’s a little cleaner. And Hamels got out of that inning with only 15 more pitches.
Posted: 08:47 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrw from Waldorf
cy happ
Posted: 08:52 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 41 Johnny Callison
Gotta adjust to this doofus ump.
Posted: 09:00 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 41 Johnny Callison
Boom
Posted: 09:03 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
WHEE!! Pence seems to be the only one who can really hit this 3rd rate team!
Posted: 09:03 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
really? REALLY???
Posted: 09:19 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
Yep, the worst team in the majors are kicking the Phillies asses, again.
Wow.
Posted: 09:22 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 41 Johnny Callison
Same combo of lackluster pitching, blah defense, and sparse hitting (except Pence) as last night. Time is now to get some baserunners on and make this not so painful to watch.
Posted: 09:25 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
Another 1-2-3 for Cy Happ?
Posted: 09:28 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
So Hamels gave up 5 runs so far, should we bench him and get rid of him like we are Oswalt? I wish I am surprised, but I really am not. The same thing happened last year. Everyone kept predicting a sweep of the Astro’s and Pirates towards the end of last season, and I believe we got swept by both. Oswalt had zero help from his defense. Hamels is having a bad day.
Posted: 09:31 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
Oh I love it, go ahead and walk Pence, please
Posted: 09:32 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
Here we go Andrew – this is runs!
Posted: 09:33 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Here you go Andrew. Stike out?
Posted: 09:33 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
This is it…
Posted: 09:34 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
This Ump needs to be taken out back. He is horrible.
Posted: 09:35 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
All he is throwing is fastballs!
Posted: 09:35 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Let me guess. Low and inside, swing and a miss.
Posted: 09:36 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1237 Tracey
ARGH!!!!
Posted: 09:36 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
meh… and this usually is a setup for a few more opponents runs – when we stack’m and slackm’
Posted: 09:37 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 680 The Original Chuck P
Ugh… So close.
Posted: 09:37 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
The Phillies are usually better at bases loaded 2 outs then bases loaded no outs. Oh well. Looks like we will have to wait another day.
Posted: 09:39 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Someone please take this Ump out. His strikezone sucks. Who is behind the plate today, Joe West? Damn.
Posted: 09:40 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 219 Morris Buttermaker
Ok guys, we got a game with the Astros tonight. And that only means one thing. Bad news for the Astros!
Posted: 09:40 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 219 Morris Buttermaker
Anyone know when the Phillies game is supposed to start tonight? Can somebody let the Phillies know?
Posted: 09:43 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Come on Morris, where were you an hour ago. We could have used that an hour ago. LOL. JK
Posted: 09:44 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Hell, looking at the line-up, if I would have seen Mini Mart and Ben Fran playing at the same time, I wouldnt have even bothered to log on. LOL.
Posted: 09:46 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
11 baserunners in 5 innings, 5 runs – what excuses are there tonight? Bad D?
No excuses, just an attitude problem.
Posted: 09:47 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Tonight? Looks like 2 things. Bad D would have to be 1, with 2 errors (unacceptable), and cruise control (bad attitude).
Posted: 09:49 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 41 Johnny Callison
Need some more baserunners. Let’s go!
Posted: 09:50 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
We arent getting help from anywhere. Cardinals are up 6-4 top 9. Atlanta up 6-1 Top 8.
Posted: 09:51 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 219 Morris Buttermaker
The Phillies have looked totally disinterested for 3 days in a row. Just have nothing. They look bored. It is hard to watch.
Posted: 09:54 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 1353 Brooks
Cy Happ -
Posted: 09:54 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Like I said in another thread. The Phillies play to the level of their competition. Not to mention, they often are good at lowering ERA’s of mediocre pitching, and raising the ERA of good pitchers. Nothing new.
Posted: 09:56 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 41 Johnny Callison
Room service hopper….painful this booth.
Posted: 10:00 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
Get some Ibuprofren while you are at it. This game is not helping my headache.
Posted: 10:05 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 566 Brian Sr. of CO
LOL. Cholly had enough with the Ben Fran experiment apparently. I think this will be the first 3 game losing streak this season wont it be?
Posted: 10:00 PM on September 13, 2011
Posts: 219 Morris Buttermaker
They play down to competition. But they also realized that they are pretty much set for the playoffs. Just kind of hard to watch. Boring as hell. They are just going through the motions. Reminds me of 10 years ago when the Phillies had nothing to play for in September. But this time it is for a much better reason.
Posted: 10:01 PM on September 13, 2011