Phillies Nation

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For the first time since Terry Francona was manager, the Phillies are sitting on an eight-game losing streak as a doubleheader against the Mets that played more like a pair of split-squad spring training games went south, by a score of 2-1 this afternoon and 6-3 in the nightcap.

Game one of the doubleheader bore an eerie similarity to this game, where R.A. Dickey outdeuled Cole Hamels to the tune of a one-hit complete game shutout, with that one hit coming off Hamels’ bat. In this afternoon’s game, Dickey was perfect through five and hitless through six, but in the top of the seventh, Shane Victorino (batting right-handed against the knuckleballer) doubled with one out and was singled home by Ryan Howard on the next pitch.

But Hamels, who was himself excellent through six innings, allowed a game-tying home run to something called Valentino Pascucci in the bottom of the seventh, and in the next inning, Ruben Tejada and David Wright combined for a single, a double, and two stolen bases off of Brad Lidge, and while the Phillies made some noise off Mets reliever Manny Acosta in the top of the ninth, Acosta retired Carols Ruiz to end the game with the tying run on second and the winning run on first. Continue reading Ugh

Philadelphia Phillies (98-58) at New York Mets (74-82)
Game 2: Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.30) vs. Dillon Gee (12-6, 4.48) at 7:05 p.m.

TV: Comcast Sportsnet, from Citi Field
Weather: Cloudy, 75
Media: Twitter and Facebook

GAME 1 RECAP:

Mets 2 (75-82)
Phillies 1 (98-58)

WP: Parnell (4-6)
LP: Lidge (0-2)
S: Acosta (3)

HR: Pascucci (1)
RBI: Howard (114), Pascucci (1), Wright (59)

-Phillies have now lost 7 straight for the first time since 2006.

Continue reading Gameday: Phillies (98-59) vs. Mets (75-82)

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Should Domonic Brown be on the postseason roster? (PHOTO: Lehigh Valley Live)

With the stretch run of the season coming to a close, we’ll look into a playoff-related question, and one that zeroes in on a talented Phillies player that has fallen on hard times. Today’s Writer’s Roundtable is:

QUESTION: Should Domonic Brown be on the postseason roster?

Jon Nisula: Yes, without a doubt. Brown has a ton of talent and can handle the bat well. The only thing he needs to figure out is the mental side of things. Having him on the playoff roster will not only be an asset to the Phillies as a team, but it will boost his confidence as well. He’d take it all in, feel like he deserves to be there, and who knows, he might even have a big hit or two.If anything, he deserves it way more than anyone on the current roster.

Look at the bench options they have going into the postseason: Bowker, Michael Martinez, Wilson Valdez, Brian Schneider, Ben Francisco, Ross Gload, and of course Brown.Schneider is a given–they can’t play without a backup catcher. But after that, I’d say Brown should be the #1 option out of those listed. In a late game situation with a righty on the mound, I don’t want Gload, Schneider, Martinez, or Bowker at the plate, I want Brown.

Don M.: I don’t think that Domonic Brown should be on the postseason roster.  There are faster players, there are better contact hitters, and better defenders that could be on the roster instead.

Continue reading Writer’s Roundtable: Domonic Brown on Playoff Roster?

The Phillies lost again last night. It’s becoming a little bit of a trend, and a very frustrating one at that.

Rewind to last Saturday, the night the Phillies clinched the NL East. There was a huge celebration, including Hunter Pence going bonkers in the locker room and Wheels getting champagne in his pants. It was incredible–and those celebrations never get old.

Rewind a little further, and before the Phils clinched, they were so dominant that things were almost boring. They were so far ahead of everyone else that there was absolutely no doubt that they would clinch the division and home field and it was a virtual impossibility for them not to clinch both.

Continue reading Late Season Frustration

PHOTO AP

“We’ll be alright,” said Charlie Manuel with a laugh. If only the entire fan base believed that wholeheartedly, there would be a lot less concern.

For those hoping the Phillies would wrap up their home schedule with a bang instead were sent home with barely with a whimper. Fan Appreciation Night turned to Fan Depreciation Night after another halfhearted effort sent the Phillies 6-1 loss to the Washington Nationals. For the first time since June 2009, the Phillies have lost six consecutive games.

Roy Oswalt was solid for seven innings, but unraveled in the eighth, giving up four runs with two outs. In 7 2/3 innings, Oswalt gave up seven hits while walking two and striking out four. With a popping fastball and a slick array of off-speed pitches, Oswalt looked like the man of old; the guy the Phillies got before the back injury this season sapped his velocity and caused him to miss extended time. Early on, Oswalt’s fastball was full of life, topping out at 94. In his final inning, the gun still read 94, even hitting 95 on the stadium radar. “Probably the best I felt all year,” said the Phillies fourth ace.

He lost control in the eighth, allowing a single, double, and walk, before serving up a three-run gopher ball to Michael Morse to put Washington up 6-0.

Continue reading Sixth Straight Loss Ends Phillies Regular Season at Home

Washington Nationals (75-79) at Philadelphia Phillies (98-57)

Brad Peacock (1-0, 1.42) vs. Roy Oswalt (8-9, 3.66)

TIME: 7:05; Citizens Bank Park
TV: Comcast Sportsnet
Weather: Ungodly humid, 74
Media: Twitter and Facebook

I have a confession to make: despite possessing a fair bit of knowledge of the top minor league players of not only the Phillies but their National League rivals, and despite possessing an encyclopedic knowledge of major league journeymen and roster filler, I have no idea who Brad Peacock is. I know he’s starting for the Nationals tonight, and I know he’s right-handed and is listed at 6-foot-1, but I only know these things because I looked them up five minutes ago. I had never heard his name before listening to the latest FanGraphs podcast earlier this week. Brad Peacock could walk up to me on the street and stomp on my foot ten minutes from now, while wearing his Nationals jersey, and I wouldn’t know who he is. Continue reading Gameday: Nationals (75-79) at Phillies (98-57)

What is going on with the Phillies offense? Pat and Corey try to figure it out in the latest edition of Phillies Nation TV. The guys also discuss what to do with Dom Brown and Kyle Kendrick and check in with our Minor League Contributor, Jay Floyd, for a recap on the IronPigs playoff run.

According to Fox, a  judge has declared a mistrial in the case of a man killed outside a Phillies game in July 2009.

Judge Shelley Robins New declared the mistrial on Tuesday morning after a problem arose with how testimony was conducted in the case. Defense lawyers for three men asked for the mistrial on Monday after a prosecution witness identified one defendant without the prior knowledge of the defense. A new trial date will be set on Wednesday, according to court records.

Prosecutors said in opening statements two groups sparred several times before the July 2009 melee that left 22-year-old David Sale Jr. of Lansdale dead.

Thirty-year-old Francis Kirchner is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly delivering the fatal blow. Thirty-seven-year-old Charles Bowers and 48-year-old Jim Groves are charged with third-degree murder. Defense lawyers have argued that it will be hard to prove who did what during the fight.

Continue reading Mistrial In Murder Case of Phillies Fan David Sale