Six shut out innings by the bullpen, a diving catch by Jayson Werth and two homeruns by Chase Utley won the game for the Phillies and got their lead in the NL East back to 3 games over the Metropolitans. It was a surprising effort from the bullpen as Scott Eyre, JC Romero, Jack Taschner, Chad Durbin, Ryan Madson and even Chan Ho Park shut down the Mets lineup in the extra inning victory. It was a risky play by Werth, who could have allowed the winning run to score if he hadn't made the catch on the ball batted by David Wright. It was clutch hitting by Utley, who, with his second homerun of the game, gave the Phillies an 11th inning lead that they would not let up. Huge win for the Phillies! ------------------------- Stats to ponder- Jimmy Rollins in the lead off spot this season- 49 games, .208 avg (47-for-226), .244 OBP, 1 HR, 29 runs. Jimmy Rollins batting any place else in the lineup this season- 7 games, .409 avg (9-for-22), .440 OBP, 3 HR, 6 runs. Carlos Ruiz against the Mets ...
Comments
As for the Myers/Hamels main event, Ken Rosenthau claimed to be 5 feet away, heard the whole thing, and indeed it was just the two busting on each other. I'm buying into that. Hamels will start Game 7 but on a very short leash.
A lot of talk up here about how the Yankees own Pedro, and how they "got to him" in Game 2.
Let's look at his Game 2 start:
6IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 8K, 2HR, 2.08 ERA.
Compare to CC in Games 1 & 4:
7IP/6.2IP, 4H/7 H, 2R/3 R, 2ER/3ER, 3BB/3 BB, 6K/6K, 2HR/1 HR, 1.52ERA/1.98 ERA
Pedro's numbers in Game 2 were nearly identical to CC's in Game 4, not that far off his numbers in Game 1. Granted, this will be his 2nd start against them, and there's going to be an adjustment, but someone as experienced and crafty as Pedro should make adjustments as well. Petitte will show up, I expect the two to go at it for at least six innings.
If Charlie gives the ball to Lidge with less than two outs again in this series, I may show up with an automatic weapon. Expect a ninth innings combo of Eyre, Meyers, Durbin or Lidge. Madson is possibly the best 8th inning man in the game, but does not have the mental stuff of a closer. 6th-7th innings belong to Park and Durbin. I have faith in all of them but Lidge. I would say the entire roster feels that way.
I have to say I am no fan of hip hop music. Maybe I am just too old.
But, I also have to say NeeKo and Jay Z's lyrics are like day and night.
1,000,000 times better, NeeKo's version, and nobody would have to "sanitize" it for a national audience.
We have a piece lauding NeeKo's lyrics - I enjoyed very much the historical and landmark references in addition to some of Philly's sports heros. He got in all four teams, too.
I understand Neeko's song is quite popular in Philly, which proves you don't have to rap about garbage to get some attention.
Good luck to NeeKo.