Phillies Lead NLCS After Game 1 Victory

Raul A-Bomb?-Yes!

The Phillies won the 2009 NLCS opener on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in the final four round to determine the contestants for the World Series. The Phillies were led by two key three-run homeruns by Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez and got solid relief pitching from Chan Ho Park and Brad Lidge.

Ruiz is making a bid to add to his own nickname collection. The man already known as "Chooch", who TBS renamed "Cooch" by accident last year, has made a bid for a brand new name, "Senor Octubre". I'll simply go with my adjusted alias, THE Chooch. Ruiz in 6 career NLCS games has a .368 batting avg. THE Chooch's 3 run homer in the 5th inning gave the Phillies a lead they would not relinquish.

In the bottom of the 7th inning, lefty Antonio Bastardo entered the game to face left handed batting Andre Ethier, who smashed a lead off double. Chan Ho Park then entered the game and tossed a sparkling inning, retiring Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp and Casey Blake in succession, without allowing any damage.

Raul's 8th inning HR off of lefty reliever George Sherrill gave the Phillies a cushion to work with. It was the first homerun Sherrill allowed to a lefty batter since June 14, 2008. The insurance runs would prove necessary as Ryan Madson gave up two runs to LA in the bottom half of the inning, making the score 8-6.

In the 9th inning, Lidge successfully converted another save to open the NLCS. Lidge's current 7 game scoreless appearance streak is his longest of the season. Lidge's post season ERA as a Phillie, in 12 games, is 0.77.

Game 2 will be played today, starting at 4:07 EST. Former Dodger Pedro Martinez takes the hill for the Phils.

Speaking of former Dodgers, a tip of my PhoulBallz goes out to Phillies first base coach Davey Lopes who refused an opportunity to celebrate a Dodgers team of the past by rejecting an offer to toss out a ceremonial first pitch prior to NLCS game 1. Lopez turned down the offer, stating that he is a Phillie and didn't wish to participate in anything celebrating their opponent, the Dodgers. As Lopes explained to Martin Frank of The News Journal, he has no ties to the Dodgers any longer, "There's nobody left from when I played. I don't know the players. I don't know the coaching staff. I don't know the owners."

--------------------------

You should follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE!

Comments

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular ...

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Prospect Brody Colvin

Recently, right-handed pitcher Brody Colvin was promoted from Class A Advanced Clearwater to Double-A Reading. Prior to the 2012 season, Colvin, who turns 22-years-old on Tuesday, was ranked as PhilliesNation's 6th best prospect . This season, following some ups and downs, it's unclear where Colvin will rank next preseason. Earlier this year, Colvin, a Louisiana native, was removed from Clearwater's starting rotation and moved to the bullpen to relax and improve his mental approach. He did so and returned to starting after a brief time. Through his first two outings with the R-Phils, the 7th round draft choice from 2009 posted a 1-0 record while allowing five earned runs in 11 innings (4.09 ERA). In his last start on Saturday, however, Colvin allowed eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to New Britain. In a recent interview with Brody, he spoke about the transition moving to the Eastern League, his brief bullpen stint, physical concerns from last season...

Phillies look-alikes, Part 1

The Phillies are World Series Champions and, thus, are world wide celebrities. This recognition isn't enough, I tell you. Some of the champs could very well be confused with other major celebrities around the globe...or at least around my house. Let's dig in... Two look-alikes in particular have been widely discussed. Geoff Jenkins even made a sign on the table covering at his autograph station at last year's Phillies Phestival that he is not Brett Favre or phormer Phillie Randy Wolf. ------------------------------------------------------- Jayson Werth may be on his way to Wrestlemania. Jay-Dub is aware that he resembles Heavyweight wrestling champion Adam "Edge" Copeland. Are you? -------------------------------------------- Carlos Ruiz's fame was boosted by TBS during the playoffs, but he might be ready for his own Comedy Central sketch show, as he looks very much like Carlos Mencia. Dee dee dee! -------------------------------------------------- And whi...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog