Lee Pitches All Nine Innings
Cliff Lee continues to be a pure pleasure to watch. Tonight he pitched the entire game, leaving a bunch of Marlins in his wake.
And Delmon Young is beginning to wield his bat in winning fashion. He had another home run tonight. It comes at a time when the Phils need all the offense they can get.
Of note is that Delmon is doing good in the outfield as of late. He threw a solid throw from the outfield to Rollins, to get a man out at second.
The Phils won the game 3-0, and won the series.
Now at one game under .500, they are off to battle the Nats in Washington, DC.
Ocho Cinco or Jonathan Papelbon?
Is the Phillies closer named Ocho Cinco or Jonathan Papelbon? That’s an easy answer. Once the tall blond pitcher runs to the mound to close a game, Jonathan Papelbon is gone. That pitcher standing on the mound in the ninth inning, his killer stare blazing toward home plate, his arm swinging, is no other than Papelbon’s alter ego Ocho Cinco.
Former Red Sox infield Alex Cora remembers when Ocho Cinco was born. It was during the 2007 season during their fantasy football league draft. Papelbon was fixated on getting wide receiver Ocho Cinco and talked about it all the time. So Cora started calling him Ocho Cinco, and that name stuck as the name of his alter ego on the mound.
According to Papelbon, it’s Ocho Cinco, the cold blooded closer, on the mound when he pitches. Ocho Cinco has ice in his veins. He doesn’t remember past wins or losses.
After he’s cooled down in the tub post game, then he’s Papelbon again, the ‘goofy, nice’ guy with a soft southern drawl.
Papelbon said he loves running to the mound to close a game. He loves the passion of the Phillies fans, and loves the roar of the crowd as he departs the bullpen. He said it makes the hair on his arms tingle.
But, of course, it’s Ocho Cinco’s arm hairs that tingle, to be exact.
Disaster in Cleveland
The less said the better concerning the Phillies game in Cleveland tonight.
Chase Utley hit a homerun; Delmon Young had a homerun his first time at bat, but from those points onward the game spiralled wickedly out of control, to disappear down the major league drain.
In baseball tomorrow is always, and forgivingly, another day.
Thank goodness.
Phillies’ Jonathan Pettibone Snags First Major League Win
Phillies pitching remains strong. Last night Kyle Kendrick had an 107 pitch, 3 hit shut out.
Today, Jonathan Pettibone had his first Major League win, defeating the Mets 9-4. He had lots of offensive support, including back to back homeruns from Domonic Brown and John Mayberry Jr., and a 5 run fifth inning.
Pettibone, whose father was also a major league pitcher, got his first major league hit today, in the third inning.
All this improved the temperaments of Phillies fans everywhere.
Phillies’ Jonathan Pettibone Has Good First Start in the Majors
When Phillies 5th starter John Lannan went on the DL, eyes turned to the Iron Pig’s starting rotation. Who would substitute for Lannan, and get his first start in the majors?
The answer was Jonathan Pettibone, whose 9.64 ERA with the Iron Pigs was not massively impressive.
But Pettibone came to Citizens Bank Park determined to do well, and he did, striking out 6 and allowing two Pirate runs in 5 1/3 innings.
So the Phils have won two in a row. It’s a start. Maybe tonight Cole Hamels will get his first win, and it’ll be three in a row.
Carlos Ruiz’ Return
His 25 game suspension nearing completion, Carlos Ruiz may return to catch for the Phils on April 28 against the Mets.That means he might be back next week.
He ‘might be’ and not surely will be because he was hit on the wrist in a game in Clearwater yesterday.
His X-rays are negative, but he’s been deemed day to day by the Phillies’ brass.
Halladay Has Strong Outing In Win Over Cardinals
Halladay gave up two hits – both homers. Half of his pitches were strikes.
Will Charlie Manuel Be Fired Soon?
It’s inevitable that murmurs of frustration would center on Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel.
Even an objective eye might agree that it is time for Manuel’s departure, maybe placing him in the front office instead.
Critics point out that he isn’t motivating the players anymore; Charlie is said to be a hitting guru, yet the Phils’ hitting is dismal. Something seems wrong with the picture.
But the team is said to love Manuel. Plus he brought the 2008 World Championship to the Phillies. Who can ever forget that? Who can ever be grateful enough for that?
Manuel critic Angelo Cataldi brays each morning that Manuel has to go. But Cataldi is a clown, and why WIP thinks his schtick is still amusing is completely baffling. (Oh, for another morning Philly sports talk show that centers on local sports and not the national venue.)
It could be that unless the team starts doing what they are paid to do, their beloved skipper might depart the team in this the last year of his contract.
Phillies, please start hitting.
Ben Revere Is Master of Center Field
The Phillies’ Ben Revere says he wants the Gold Glove. If he keeps protecting center field like he did last night, that might not be out of the question.
When the Reds’ Todd Frazier solidly hit the ball toward the center field wall, Revere began tracking it at top speed. Few expected him to haul it in, but he did, his diving body parallel to the ground and his glove outstretched.
It was just as amazing that he kept his wits about him enough to leap immediately to his feet to fire the ball toward Freddy Galvis, who, in turn, threw to first base for the double play.
It was Ben Revere’s third double play in a week.
He said he was just wanting to put a smile on the face of Cliff Lee. And he did just that.
Doc Halladay Goes 8 Innings in Win Over Marlins
Likely all Philadelphia was breathing a little shallowly as Doc Halladay took the mound today in Miami.
But we could have relaxed right from the start. He was great. He went 8 innings, allowing only 5 hits in 87 pitches. He pitched out of trouble in the second inning, and retired 10 Marlins in a row later on. His sinker was effective.
Best of all, Roy Halladay recorded his 200th career win today.
There was some really good defense playing behind Doc today, notably Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, and Ben Revere. Actually everyone did their part to get Doc the win. Last but not least, Laynce Nix hit a solot homerun to put the Phils on top.
Feels good, Philadelphia, huh? Feels really good to see Halladay pitch well today.
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