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LAKEWOOD, NJ- With a chance to clinch a spot in the South Atlantic League finals, the Lakewood BlueClaws couldn't muster the offense it was going to take to get themselves an extra day off before travelling to the host city for the next round's opening game. Struggling to put the ball in play when it counted against the Rangers affiliate Hickory Crawdads, the BlueClaws stranded 4 runners in scoring position, with the game tied in the 7th and 9th innings. Lakewood fell short again when they came to the plate trailing in the 10th inning and lined themselves out of a chance to tie the game or walk off with a victory. A lead off walk for Leandro Castro and a double by Jeremy Barnes, that began the 7th inning, were wasted when Hickory reliever Miguel De Los Santos refocused and struck out the next 3 batters. This occurred in the midst of a stretch where 13 of 14 outs made by BlueClaws batters were on strike outs. In the 9th inning Castro led off again drawing a walk. Barnes bunted ...

The Phillies (81-60) have been on fire lately and have surged to take over the top spot in the National League East. However, CitiField has proven to be an obstacle the Phils can't handle this season, as they've managed to score just 7 runs in 6 games there in 2010. They travel north to take on the Metropolitans (69-71) there in a 3-game series that begins Friday night. The reigning NL champion Phillies have won three straight division crowns. New York, while out of the pennant race, still hopes to play some role in the final standings, and beating the teams near the top is surely a way to do just that. Hoping to prevent the host team from playing spoiler, Philadelphia will send ace hurler Roy Halladay to the mound in game 1. New York will counter with rookie right-hander Jenrry Mejia, who could have a hard time matching the All-star Halladay's efforts. New York will activate Jose Reyes from the disabled list this weekend. Reyes has been sidelined since August 26th with an ...

TRENTON, NJ- The expected pitchers duel proved to be just as advertised. Thunder prospect Dellin Betances and Fishercats ace Kyle Drabek went to battle on the Waterfront Park mound on Wednesday night in the opening game of the Eastern League Division Series. Drabek, the prized pitcher who came to the Toronto organization last off-season in the trade that sent Roy Halladay to Philadelphia, retired the first 9 batters he faced. Betances, a New York native, kept pace, with a huge cheering section behind him. Betances, making his fourth start above Class A, hurled 95 mph gas at New Hampshire and mixed speeds well enough to keep the Fishercats guessing. Betances stepped his game up, as he was facing the Eastern League's anointed pitcher of the year. In 5 1/3 innings, the 22-year-old righty struck out 8 while walking just 1 and allowing 2 hits. New Hampshire pitching coach Tom Signore talked about the outstanding efforts from the pitchers. "It was a well pitched game by both teams. ...

By now you have heard that the Phillies are back in first place, atop the National League East standings. There's a long road ahead for the big club, with 22 regular season games remaining, as the Phils try to reach the post-season for the fourth straight year. However, the A Level Lakewood BlueClaws begin their quest to repeat as South Atlantic League Champions tonight, as the playoffs get underway in Hickory, North Carolina. Trevor May, a right-handed pitcher who was recently ranked as the #4 prospect in the Phillies organization in a poll done by The Reading Eagle , was a member of the BlueClaws championship roster last year. May is slated to be the BlueClaws' game 1 starter, as they face the Rangers Class A affiliate, the Hickory Crawdads. May, who was also on the Gulf Coast League Phillies roster that won the GCL title in 2008, recently spoke about the team's playoff push. "As of late, we've been playing really well, trying to go into the playoffs running. I...

Justin Beal is a 24-year-old right-handed relief pitcher currently playing with the Phillies Class A affiliate the Lakewood BlueClaws. Drafted in the 28th round of the 2009 amateur draft out of Missouri Southern State, Beal went 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 20 total games with the Gulf Coast Phillies and the Williamsport CrossCutters last season. Prior to his last 2 outings this season, in which Justin allowed 4 earned runs in 5 innings, he had posted a 2.15 ERA in 18 games since being promoted to Lakewood from short season Williamsport in June. In 24 total games between the 2 levels in 2010, Beal has posted a 3-4 record and a 2.77 ERA. I had the opportunity last week to speak Justin about his success this year, his excitement for the playoffs, his family's baseball history and more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview. ____________________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter by clicking HERE .

Yours truly will be a guest once again on The Jersey Jerks Show tonight from 8-10pm EST. I will be sitting in for co-host Chris for the full show. The Jersey Jerks Show is a weekly live adult humor webcast, brought to listeners live each week on TheJerseyJerksShow.com . Each new episode reruns on multiple internet affiliates throughout the week. Fab, Marco & Chris chat it up each Tuesday about everything of importance to Jerks like them. Tune in tonight, as we are sure to make you laugh and discuss some baseball for the PhoulBallz phaithful. Listeners are always able to participate in the show by entering the live chat room or calling into the program at (267) 493-4050. Throw that HDTV on mute during the game tonight and check in with the Jersey Jerks from 8-10pm. It'll make ya feel good. ____________________________________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter by clicking HERE . And follow The Jersey Jerks on Twitter by clicking here .

Last week Jim Klocke became the first 2010 Phillies draft pick to reach Class A level baseball. Many of this year's draft picks have been playing rookie league ball with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, who won their league championship last week, and with the Williamsport CrossCutters of the NY-Penn League. With a hamstring injury to Sebastian Valle that sidelined the highly regarded catching prospect last week, the Phillies promoted Klocke (pronounced clock-ee) to fill the void. In his debut with Lakewood on Wednesday, Klocke laced 3 hits and scored 3 runs for the BlueClaws, helping them lock down the second half division title in the South Atlantic League's North division. A 31st round pick out of Southeast Missouri State in the 2010 amateur draft, Klocke signed with the Phillies and posted a .274 batting average with a .717 OPS in 29 games with short season Williamsport. Last week I spoke with Klocke about his promotion, his draft experience and more. Check out the media pla...

Double header Labor Day action begins a 4-game series in Philadelphia as the Marlins (69-66) take on the Phillies (78-59). Details on the pitching match ups and more below! Monday, game 1- 1:05pm. Adalberto Mendez (No record) vs. Vance Worley (0-0, 0.00 ERA). The 28-year-old Mendez will be making his Major Debut. Mendez went 5-4 with a 4.14 ERA in 28 games at Triple-A this season. Worley has been an All-star the past two seasons for the Phillies' Double A affiliate Reading. In 8 starts with Triple A Lehigh Valley this year, Worley had a 1-3 record with a 3.77 ERA. The right-handed Worley was a 3rd round pick in the 2008 amateur draft. Monday, game 2- 7:05pm. Anibal Sanchez (11-8, 3.14 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (10-13, 3.01 ERA). Sanchez is 3-6 with a 5.20 in 10 career starts against the Phillies. In his last 5 starts, Sanchez is 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA. Chase Utley is 9-for-23 (.391 avg) against Sanchez in his career. In his last 5 starts, Oswalt has posted a 4-0 record with a 1.02 ERA. In...

Garry Maddox was an outfielder with the Phillies from 1975-1986. Maddox entered the Majors with the San Francisco Giants, where he established himself as an everyday player in 1972. In May, 1975 Maddox was traded to Philadelphia for outfielder/first baseman Willie Montanez. Upon joining the Phillies, Maddox quickly became a key part of the team. In his first full season in Philadelphia, Maddox ranked third in the league in batting, with a .330 average, scored 75 runs and stole 29 bases to finish 5th in league MVP voting. A superior defensive outfielder, Maddox was a nightly human highlight reel long before the national and regional cable sports shows were broadcast into millions of homes on a daily basis. He won many Gold Glove Awards during his 12 seasons in Philadelphia, earning him the nickname "The Secretary of Defense". Metropolitans broadcaster and Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner once summed up Maddox's abilities well by stating, "Two-thirds of the Earth is covered b...

Fresh off a 6-1 road trip, the National League Wild Card leading Phillies (76-58) return home to host the Brewers (62-71) for a 3-game series. Chase Utley, who was 7-for-13 (.538 avg) with 8 RBI in his last 3 games, seems to have finally knocked off the rust that kept him slumping after he was activated from the disable list. Utley posted a .184 batting average with 4 RBI in his first 13 games following recovery from his thumb injury. The Phillies swept the Brewers in May out in Milwaukee, but the Brewers won 2 of 3 games in Philadelphia last season. Cole Hamels, who has a 2.20 ERA over his last 10 starts, will take the mound in game 1 of the series. The Brewers will counter with Chris Capuano, who will be making his 2nd start since rejoining the Milwaukee starting rotation. Details on the pitching match ups and loads more details on this series lie ahead. Friday, 7:05pm. Chris Capuano (2-2, 5.06 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (8-10, 3.31 ERA). In 7 road games this year, Capuano is 1-1 with a 3...

LAKEWOOD, NJ- Every young ballplayer grows up wishing he could play for his favorite team. Mike McGuire has an opportunity to do just that after signing with the Phillies organization in July. McGuire was a 43rd round draft pick taken by the Cleveland Indians in the 2008 amateur draft out of the University of Delaware. Early scouting reports liked McGuire's abilities, despite some arm trouble. He advanced as far as High A Level Kinston last season. While there, he posted an 0-3 record with a 5.46 ERA in 9 games, 8 of which were starts. The Indians weren't happy with McGuire's efforts this spring and released him. McGuire caught on with the Sussex Skyhawks of the independent Can-Am League, where he stayed in shape and pitched against other formerly affiliated minor leaguers. As a starter with the Skyhawks, McGuire went 3-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 8 outings. From there, just as all players in those independent leagues hope for, the 24-year-old McGuire got noticed. The Phillies wer...

On Wednesday South Atlantic League president Eric Krupa announced the league's full season all star team that included four honorees from the defending league champion Lakewood BlueClaws. Those who made the team were manager Mark Parent, catcher Sebastian Valle, traded short stop Jonathan Villar and first baseman "The Boss" Jon Singleton, who was also anointed the league's Most Outstanding Prospect. Singleton is the first BlueClaw player to receive the honor. The 18 year old Singleton was drafted in the 8th round of the 2009 amateur draft and has quickly risen in the ranks of Phillies minor leaguers, as a poll that surveyed a dozen minor league experts released this week by the Reading Eagle declared Singleton the #1 prospect in the organization. In 100 games this season for Class A Lakewood, Singleton has posted a .297 batting average, slugged 14 homeruns and driven in 77 runs. Lakewood has clinched a playoff berth and will return to the post-season to defend its SA...