Phillies Strike Early as Doc Shuts Down Giants
Posted by Pat Gallen, Tue, April 17, 2012 12:42 AM | Comments: 19
2012 Game Recaps, Analysis, News, Opinion, Posts
Halladay continued his early success. (AP)
OFFENSE STRIKES EARLY
-Big innings are the new black for the Phillies. On Sunday, they dropped five in the eighth inning on the Mets. On Monday night in San Francisco, they put up four in the opening inning, en route to a 5-2 win to open up the three-game series. It was a positive sign to see them jump on Tim Lincecum early and not let him get settled in.
-Placido Polanco started off the wild first inning by doubling to right-center field as the Giants outfielders, Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan, looked at each other to make the play. In the seventh inning, Polanco would be plunked on the arm by Giants reliever Dan Otero, but did stay in the game and appeared to be fine.
-Roy Halladay helped himself in the fourth inning, knocking in Freddy Galvis with a single down the right field line. Galvis smacked a two-out double to right field, and Halladay added to his lead. That made up for some of those unlucky bounces on the other side.
-Juan Pierre, getting his second straight start in left field, went 0-for-4. No one is taking the reins in left field just yet. And Jimmy Rollins took a walk, just his second of the young season. I’d like to see more of that.
HALLADAY SOLID
-The Doc wasn’t spectacular, but once again ends with a nice line at the end; eight innings, seven hits, two runs, three walks, six strikeouts. The Doc tossed 109 pitches, 76 for strikes. He battled a tough zone throughout the evening, but really settled in over the final few frames. Over the final three innings, Halladay threw only 24 pitches. That’s why he’s the best. You think he’s struggling a bit and he winds up going eight strong.
-Tim Lincecum has not looked like the Freak of old here in the early going. It was an ugly first inning; one in which he threw 30 pitches. He would settle down a bit and strike out six over six innings. But his fastball routinely topped off around 91, well below where it once registered during his Cy Young years. You wonder if there is something wrong with his arm or if he’s just headed on a downward plane.
STRANGE STRIKE ZONE
-Home plate umpire Marty Foster is lucky he’s alive. Roy Halladay was staring him down and if looks could kill, the man would be dead. The strike zone was tight and Halladay wasn’t very happy about it. On multiple occasions, Doc shows his contempt for Foster, even gesturing at him on some close calls. How many other pitchers get away with that? Amazingly, it’s the first time Foster had ever called a game started by Halladay.
OTHER STUFF
-Hunter Pence made a great grab in right field to end the fourth inning, robbing Pagan of extra bases. That ended a Giants threat that could have made things interesting. Pence isn’t known for his glove, but made a nice play in a tough ballpark.
-The Phillies offense finished 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Lacking power, this lineup will have to hit for a higher average with men on base to keep coming up with runs.
-Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth to record his third save in as many opportunities.
-It was a fine start to the 10-game road trip. The victory pushes the Phillies to an even 5-5. Tomorrow, Joe Blanton takes on the newly-rich Madison Bumgarner.
Posts: 0 Jeff
The ump was very fair. Those were balls doc was getting upset
About. Low in the zone.
Posted: 12:57 AM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 77 Tom
Yes, but after the first inning, Lincecum was getting the low strike calls and that helped him settle down! I think Doc was just looking for consistency.
Posted: 01:25 AM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 frank riccard
Now that Bumgarner is rich, maybe he can hire a better optometrist. Did anybody else see that shot of his wife? Holy hell.
Buzz, your girlfriend. Woof!
Posted: 12:57 AM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 2599 Chuck A.
Not taking anything away from the O…but Polanco’s double in the first SHOULD have been caught. That…just like when Juan Pierre was safe at second in that game against the Marlins last week…opened the door and led to a big inning. And that’s what good teams do: take advantage of a mistake or an error and capitalize.
Posted: 08:53 AM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 Keith
“No one has taken the reigns in left field.” – Except for Dom Brown, who is on a hot streak in AAA. And most importantly, has committed no errors. How long do you think the LFs will have to struggle before Brown is called up? I can’t imagine they continue through an entire season of struggling LFs, if Brown does well defensively in AAA.
Posted: 09:42 AM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
I really do not think the Left fielder are struggeling, Pierre dispite his 0 for last night is batting around 300, and JMJ has gotten some key hits and has saved some runs with his defense. Can we please stop the Dom love he should not be called up and get real comfortable in LF and have a full year of consistant ab’s in AAA.
Posted: 01:45 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 2599 Chuck A.
People need to stop obsessing over Domonic Brown. He’s at AAA for a reason…to get regular playing time in LF for what may be the whole season. That was the plan that the Phillies went with and they need to stick to it unless something absolutely ridiculous happens. Plus, I wouldn’t say that Juan Pierre is “struggling” right now.
Posted: 10:16 AM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 GM
Brown is hitting .286 at AAA, I’m not sure that is really a hot streak. He also has 11 K’s vs 3 BB’s and hasn’t hit a HR yet. Dom still has some work to do.
Posted: 10:18 AM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 Teen Wolf Blitzer
Scouts are now saying that any value Brown once had is now greatly diminished. One said that the Phillies “might” be able to get a middle reliever for him in a trade scenario.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/147469525.html
Posted: 05:01 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 schmenkman
I don’t know how common this view is, but I certainly think he’s worth more to the Phillies as a good (possibly very good) outfielder who is going to be cheap for several years, than as trade bait.
Posted: 06:05 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 BART SHART
I watched the entire game last night. I agree that the home plate ump had two different strike zones, and it was great to see the Phils start this important road stand with a victory. I am impressed with Freddy Galvis. He has a nice hitting streak going and really hustles. Hope this is not a mirage. His fielding is outstanding, as well
Posted: 11:02 AM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 3570 Lefty
Great win. I figured after Lincecum had two bad starts before this that he would be on his game for the Phils last night. I’m sure he’ll get it together, but we don’t have to worry about that for a while. Anyway, a little luck for sure, but I agree with Chuck, it’s all part of the deal.
Here’s to hoping Blanton can come close to repeating his great effort from his last game again tonight!
Posted: 01:02 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 Mazinman
The Home plate ump needs to watch out. Neither river snakes or umps should anger Doc.
A nice winning streak would be nice right about now.
Posted: 01:26 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
Granted the first double by Poly should have been caught, but like he said good teams take advantages of extra outs. It is nice to see that Wiggington and Nix have contributed the last couple of games, even though they do not have a ton of hits they seem to hitting the ball hard and eventually they will drop. But if anything the last two wins show the defense can win games, extra outs kills a team;s momentum and moral of the pitchers. It would be nice to JMJ back in the line up for a couple of days in a row. Hopefully this can be the start of winning some serires out west
Posted: 01:53 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 Kevin
Yes, if you see a movie, you are automatically eltisned. Better make sure you pick a good one. Serious?It is a volunteer army these days, and you have to sign like 1000 papers before its official. They will try to recruit you, but do what you feel is best for you. If the army is for you, raise your hand and join, if not, thats cool too. Im assuming you are old enough to make your own choices.
Posted: 11:33 PM on May 13, 2012
Posts: 0 bacardipr05
Chuck i made a similar post on another blog and was jumped on. Fact of that matter without that miscue and Pence’s catch the game could of went either way.
Posted: 04:42 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 Phillies Strike Early as Doc Shuts Down Giants | Phillies Nation - e Mapenzi.com... All information on Dating sites, Free dating, speed dating, online dating, dating games, free online dating sites! · e Mapenzi.com… All information on Dating
[...] post: Phillies Strike Early as Doc Shuts Down Giants | Phillies Nation Share This:EmailNo related [...]
Posted: 08:27 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 Brooks
The key point is that the hits are appearing when they are most needed.
Regardless if there is not much power to them, they are coming in spots where runs will score and that will make this year successful.
Posted: 10:05 PM on April 17, 2012
Posts: 0 Wallpapers HD Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Attractive component to content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing on your feeds or even I fulfillment you get admission to constantly fast.
Posted: 06:25 PM on April 23, 2012