Mental Errors Hurt Phillies in Loss to Rays

As well as the Phillies have played on the road, last night came as a bit of a shock. What had been a pitcher’s duel for seven innings ended up looking like a rout because of a pair of crucial misjudgments during the game.

The first mental letdown occurred in the top of the fourth inning. After Pat Burrell‘s two-run homer gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead, Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza worked himself into a bit of a jam in the fourth inning. After Garza walked Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard to start the inning, the Phillies looked prime to tie the game or take the lead.

But Jayson Werth inexplicably swung at the first pitch he saw, grounding into a deflating double play. Not only do I not comprehend any logic that compels a batter to swing on a first pitch in any situation, but I will likely go to my grave wondering why you swing at a first pitch after the three batters in front of you walked.

The second lapse came in the eighth inning from the usually defensively-sound Jimmy Rollins. Rollins has never taken his poor game from the batter’s box to the field but last night he may have. Rollins was 0-for-4 on the night but his biggest gaffe came with two outs in the eighth inning.

With the bases loaded Chan Ho Park was trying to keep the Phillies within one run, down 2-1. With Burrell at the plate for the Rays the Phillies could get an easy out at first to end the threat. When Rollins fielded the ground ball up the middle he tossed the ball to Utley for a force at second, despite having plenty of time to get the slow-footed Burrell at first. The close play went to the runner, a run scored to make it 3-1, and inning continued.

The Rays took full advantage of the extra out. A bloop base hit scored two more runs and before the dreadful inning was over the Rays had a 7-1 lead.

Instead of being down by one run with some of the best hitters coming up against a shaky closing situation for the Rays, the Phillies would have to score six times just to keep the game alive.

The mental errors took away from a terrific game from starter Joe Blanton. Blanton made one mistake to Burrell, which resulted in a two-run home run. But in seven innings Blanton sprinkled six base hits, struck out ten batters, and walked just two.

The Rays closed the game without another run from the Phillies. With the loss the Phillies’ lead in the NL East was trimmed to 1.5 games as the Mets won last night.

For the series finale, the Phillies will send Antonio Bastardo to oppose Andy Sonnanstine of the Rays.

Macho Row Phlashback: 2008 World Series – Game Four

After being swept out of the 2007 playoffs by the Colorado Rockies, the Phillies were determined to not repeat their failures in 2008. After clinching their second straight division title the Phillies dispatched of the hot Milwaukee Brewers and took out Manny Ramirez and the rejuvenated Los Angeles Dodgers. All that was left was a match-up with the Cinderella story from the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays.

For either team the 2008 Fall Classic was going to be the perfect ending to a wonderful season. Philadelphia though was looking to capture their first world championship in any sport in a quarter century.

We continue our next phlashback series with a look at game four of the 2008 World Series, which took place in Philadelphia.

After the Phillies pulled out a nail biter in game three to take a two-to-one series lead against the Tampa Bay Rays, the offense made sure that game four would hardly be in doubt. The Phillies sent their unsung hero, a mid-season acquisition, Joe Blanton to face the Rays batters. Blanton had pitched well in his first two post-season appearances, setting the Phillies up for an NLDS clincher and helping the Phillies build a 3-1 in the NLCS. Blanton sure did help the Phillies grab a commanding 3-1 lead on this night.

Blanton retired the first three batters for the Rays on 13 pitches. Jimmy Rollins and the rest of the offense got in gear and put the home team on the scoreboard first.

Rollins hit a lead off double to right field and moved to third base on a sac fly by Jason Werth. Chase Utley walked, setting up a controversial play for Ryan Howard. Howard grounded to Rays third baseman Evan Longoria who applied a tag on Rollins as he tried to not get caught in a run down. Howard was safe and Utley moved to second, and despite replays clearly showing that Longoria had made the tag for an out, Rollins was called safe, loading the bases for Pat Burrell. After a protest from manager Rays Joe Maddon failed to overturn the call, Burrell took ball four on a 3-1 count. Rollins came home and the Phillies were up 1-0 on a disputed run.

The Phillies took the 1-0 lead into the third inning, where they would extend the lead to 2-0. A single by Pedro Feliz scored Utley, who was safe on an error to lead off the inning. A Carl Crawford home run put the Rays on the board in the fourth inning, and cut the lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the fourth inning though, the Phillies took a firm hold on the game.

Rollins lead the bottom of the fourth inning off by reaching first base on an error. Werth walked to follow up Rollins and Utley struck out swinging. Howard stepped to the plate looking for a good pitch, and he nailed one. On a 2-1 pitch from Rays pitcher Andy Sonnanstine, Howard gave the Phillies a 5-1 lead with a three run home run to the opposite field.

Eric Hinske hit a two-out solo home run in the fifth inning off of Blanton to cut the lead for the Phillies to 5-2.

In the bottom of the fifth inning though, after Feliz and Carlos Ruiz recorded two quick outs Blanton came to the plate. Never known as an offensive threat, who would have though that Blanton would hit his first career home run in the majors? Probably nobody. But he did.

Blanton became the first pitcher since Ken Holtzman, of the Oakland A’s in 1974, to hit a home run in the World Series. Blanton’s majestic shot gave the Phillies a 6-2 lead and may have deflated the Rays to the point where a comeback was impossible.

The Phillies had struck the Rays but to their credit Tampa Bay had come back every time. After Blanton’s shot though there was little fight from Tampa Bay for the remainder of the game.

The Phillies offense put four more runs on the scoreboard in the eighth inning with a pair of two run home runs from Werth and Howard. For Howard it was his second home run of the game, and third of the series.

The game had turned into a laugher and Phillies fans were fantasizing about a championship, which we all thought would come a day later. The Phillies won the game 10-2 and took a 3-1 lead in the series. While the emotions of the Phillies and their fans could not be hindered, the playing surface at Citizens Bank Park could.

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Click here for my original game recap.

Preview Game 69: Phillies @ Rays

After shelling the Rays for 10 runs last night, the offense probably can not wait to get back at it again tonight. The Phillies go for the road series win when they send Joe Blanton to the mound.

The Rays will go with starting pitcher Matt Garza, who has now recorded a win since May 16, despite pitching well. Garza enters the game with a 4-5 record but a 3.83 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Garza has struck out 78 batters and walked 36. Perhaps not the greatest of ratios but it would appear to give Tampa Bay a slight edge on paper.

Blanton enters the game with a 4-3 record and a hefty 5.28 ERA that has been dropping. In Blanton’s game four appearance against the Rays in the World Series he went six innings, struck out seven batters and allowed two runs. Blanton has won his last three decisions but has not received a decision in his previous three outings.

Last night the Rays committed three errors, which lead to five unearned runs. Even if the Rays cut down on the errors they still need to find some momentum on offense. The Rays had eight base hits, but only crossed the plate once.

Phillies record: 37-31
Rays record: 37-35

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind)

1. PHILLIES 37-31, –
2. Mets 35-34, 2.5
3. Marlins 36-36, 3.0
4. Braves 34-36, 4.0
5. Nationals 20-48, 17.0

Pitching probables: Blanton (4-3, 5.28 ERA) vs. Garza (4-5, 3.83 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet

First pitch: 7:08 p.m. EST

Season series: Phillies lead 1-0
6.23 @ Tampa Bay W 10-1 Preview/Open Thread/Recap

Game open thread will be posted at 6:30 p.m. Game recap will be up tomorrow morning.

Phillies-Rays: Rematch? Fine With Me; Phillies Blast Rays

Any chance the Phillies can move their remaining home games to Reading or Lehigh Valley?

The Phillies once again proved that they are a totally different team on the road and jumped all over the Tampa Bay Rays en route to a 10-1 rout in the World Series rematch. Jamie Moyer picked up the win.

Things got off to a good start when Jimmy Rollins reached first base on a throwing error by third baseman Evan Longoria. Shane Victorino walked and Chase Utley hit a double to the gap in left center field, scoring both leadoff runners. As Joe Buck might say, “It’s a good start for the Phillies.” Ryan Howard, playing as the designated hitter, followed up with a double to score Utley. After Jayson Werth hit a single to put runners at the corners, and Pedro Feliz struck out, young John Mayberry Jr. hit a towering three-run home run to put the Phillies up 6-0 with one out.

The Phillies extended their lead in the fourth inning with four more runs to make it 10-0 The four-run inning included a two-run home run by Utley, who had three hits on the night. The Rays picked up their lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning by putting together a few hits against Moyer.

Moyer, with the benefit of a quick big lead, was in control the whole night. Moyer allowed five hits over six innings, striking out four while walking three. Not needing to use some of the usual bullpen guys helped as Tyler Walker and Sergio Escalona pitched the final three innings of mop-up duty. Walker allowed three hits in two innings and struck out one batter. Neither relief pitcher walked a batter.

Clearly it was a rough night for young Rays starting pitcher David Price. Price was pegged with all 10 runs, although only five were earned. The Rays committed three errors while Price was pitching. In 4.1 innings, Price allowed seven base hits, walked a couple batters, and gave up two home runs.

Rollins made a terrific catch in the game when Longoria hit a high fly ball to left field. Mayberry appeared to have it lined up but the ball hit a speaker and bounced back in play. The way the ball fell, Mayberry was now way out of position but Rollins had followed the ball and made the basket catch practically in left field.

Former Phillie Pat Burrell, now the DH for the Rays, had a rough night. The long-time fan favorite went 0-for-3 with a strike out to Moyer. Burrell did walk once.

With the win and the Mets losing to the Cardinals, the Phillies pushed their lead in the NL East to 2.5 games.

World Series Phlashback: 2008—Game Three

After being swept out of the 2007 playoffs by the Colorado Rockies, the Phillies were determined to not repeat their failures in 2008.

After clinching their second straight division title the Phillies dispatched of the hot Milwaukee Brewers and took out Manny Ramirez and the rejuvenated Los Angeles Dodgers. All that was left was a match-up with the Cinderella story from the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays.

For either team the 2008 Fall Classic was going to be the perfect ending to a wonderful season. Philadelphia though was looking to capture their first world championship in any sport in a quarter century.

We continue our next phlashback series with a look at game three of the 2008 World Series, which took place in Philadelphia.

For the first time in fifteen years the World Series had returned to Philadelphia, but the return would be delayed by rain. After a 91 minute rain delay the Phillies and Rays resumed their series, which was tied at one, in the latest starting World Series game in history. Jamie Moyer took the mound in the first World Series game of his lengthy career.

Moyer set the Rays down in the first inning despite walking Carlos Pena. The Phillies offense would be quick to give Moyer a lead in the bottom of the first inning. After Jimmy Rollins lead off the inning with a single Chase Utley later brought Rollins home on a ground out.

Rays starter Matt Garza struck out Ryan Howard and got Pat Burrell to pop up to end the inning.

The Rays responded in the top of the second by scoring Carl Crawford, who hit a lead off double, on a sacrifice fly. But the Phillies struck back and regained the lead in the bottom of the inning when Carlos Ruiz hit a solo home run off of Garza.

Home run trots would continue later on in the bottom of the sixth inning. With Moyer cruising it was Utley and Howard who would boost the lead to 4-1. The second and first basemen hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning.

Just before the seventh inning stretch though Moyer got into a bit of trouble. Carl Crawford hit a successful bunt for a single to lead off, although replays show that Moyer got the ball to Howard in time for the out.

Dioner Navarro followed with a double to left field to put the lead off runners in scoring position. Gabe Gross’s ground out scored Crawford, cutting the Phillies lead to two runs.

Chad Durbin came in to reliever Moyer, but a Jason Bartlett ground out scored Navarro to trim the lead down to one run. Durbin got the Phillies out of the inning though with that small lead.

As had become the standard, Ryan Madson entered the game to set the game up for a Brad Lidge save. Clinging to a one run lead things were getting tense at Citizens Bank Park for the fans.

B.J. Upton was the lead off batter and Madson failed to put him away. Upton hit a ground ball to Rollins on a 3-2 pitch, and Rollins double clutched the ball and didn’t get the ball to first in time.

With American League rookie of the year Evan Longoria up the Rays were seeking to take over the momentum in the game. On Madson’s first pitch to Longoria the speedy Upton stole second base.

On the very next pitch Upton then attempted to steal third base. Ruiz’s throw got past third basemen Pedro Feliz though and Upton raced home to tie the game at four runs apiece. The Rays seemingly had taken the game over, but they still had to take a lead, which they failed to do in the eighth inning.

Jayson Werth looked to give the Phillies the lead right back in the bottom of the eighth and drew a lead off walk. Werth took off and stole second base himself with Utley up to bat. Utley then struck out and Howard came up to the plate and Phillies fans were feeling good. But then Werth was picked off at second base and Howard struck out to end the inning.

After J.C. Romero pitched a perfect ninth inning it was up to the unsung heroes of the Phillies offense to put an end to game three.

Eric Bruntlett, who had replaced Burrell in the seventh inning in left field for defensive purposes, lead off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. Bruntlett took off to second base on a wild pitch by Rays reliever Grant Balfour, and then reached third base on an error on the throw to second.

The winning run was now ninety feet away with nobody out. The Rays decided to intentionally walk Shane Victorino and pinch hitter Greg Dobbs to load the bases and setting up a force out at home.

Up stepped Ruiz, who had already hit a home run in the game. On a 2-2 pitch Ruiz hit a chopper down the third base line and Longoria could not field the ball clean enough to get a decent toss home to get Bruntlett. The Phillies walked off with the thrilling game three victory late into the night.

With the win the Phillies took a 2-1 series lead and felt good about their chances of wrapping things up at home. The Phillies had not lost a post season game at home through the first two rounds.

Phillies 2008 World Series Phlashback: Game Two

After being swept out of the 2007 playoffs by the Colorado Rockies, the Philadelphia Phillies were determined to not repeat their failures in 2008. After clinching their second straight division title, the Phillies dispatched the hot Milwaukee Brewers and took out Manny Ramirez and the rejuvenated Los Angeles Dodgers. All that was left was a matchup with the Cinderella story from the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays.

For either team, the 2008 Fall Classic was going to be the perfect ending to a wonderful season. Philadelphia though was looking to capture its first world championship in any sport in a quarter century.

We continue our next “phlashback” series with a look at Game Two of the 2008 World Series, which took place in Tampa.

Before heading to their home stadium, the Philadelphia Phillies were looking to put a firm grip on the World Series. A second win on the road would accomplish that, but it was not to be this time around. The young and feisty Tampa Bay Rays took advantage of some weak ground balls to bring home two runs in the first inning, and they held on to take Game Two of the World Series.

Brett Myers took the mound for the Phillies. Having put on a show with his bat in his first two games in the previous rounds, Myers would be all about pitching in Game Two of the World Series. After Myers walked Akinori Iwamura to start the bottom of the first inning, B.J. Upton hit a ground ball single to right field . Iwamura advanced to third base on a throwing error. Upton advanced to second to put two runners in scoring position with nobody out.

Back-to-back ground outs by Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria brought home Iwamura and Upton and put the Rays on top 2-0 after the first inning. The Phillies put together a threat in the top of the second inning, but could not capitalize.

After Ryan Howard led off the second inning with a double and Pat Burrell walked, Shane Victorino popped out, failing to advance the runners. Greg Dobbs then struck out looking, failing to bring home Howard and Burrell from scoring position after each advanced a base on a wild pitch by Tampa Bay starting pitcher James Shields. Pedro Feliz lined out to end the inning.

In the next inning, the Rays continued to apply the pressure on Myers. After loading the bases with one out, Upton hit a two-out single to right field, scoring catcher Dioner Navarro; right fielder Rocco Baldelli tried to score but was out at home on a close play. Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz held on to the ball and made the tag, which appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The inning ended with the Rays up 3-0.

The Rays tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning off of Myers, but Myers was doing a decent job of keeping the Rays in check and keeping the Phillies in the game. The Phillies just could not take advantage of lead-off runners, stranding lead-off runners in the second, third, fourth, and fifth innings. Even in the sixth inning, the Phillies could not convert a pair of base hits into into any runs.

Eric Bruntlett, of all players, finally put the Phillies on the scoreboard with a two-out solo home run off of reliever David Price. The shot may not have fueled a comeback, but perhaps it sent a message that the Phillies wouldn’t wither away from the Rays, despite their offensive struggles.

With three outs left to make some magic happen, the Phillies gave it a good shot. Ruiz led off with a double, but Jimmy Rollins failed to move him to third, popping up for the first out. Jayson Werth reached first base on an error, and Ruiz scored to cut the Rays’ lead to two runs. With two outs to work with, the Phillies just needed to score two more times to tie things up. With Chase Utley and Howard up next, optimism was high for Philadelphia.

But Utley struck out and Howard grounded out to end the ball game, cutting short a promising rally in the final inning. Tampa Bay took Game Two by a score of 4-2, but the Phillies were still feeling confident.

They were ready to take care of business at home, starting in Game Three.

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I originally recapped this game on my personal blog, before this site existed. To read it, click here.

Preview Game 68: Phillies @ Rays

When we last saw these two teams in Tropicana Field, it was Game 2 of the 2008 World Series. Tonight, there is considerably less at stake, but that does not mean it is not an important game to either team.

The Phillies start their road trip with a three-game set against their World Series opponents and are looking to find a way to turn their season around. Despite leading the NL East, recent home woes have left fans feelings a new low about this team in 2009.

Jamie Moyer will get the start as the pitching staff searches for its own turnaround.

Moyer enters the game at 4-6 with a 6.35 ERA, but has shown improvement since the start of the season. He had what the team hopes was a hiccup in his last start, when he allowed six runs on 10 hits in six innings of work (Moyer was taken out in the seventh inning).

He threw a good game against Tampa Bay in Game 3 of the World Series, going 6 1/3 innings and allowing just three runs on five hits on the rain-delayed evening.

The Phillies went on to win the game in the ninth, rendering Moyer’s performance a no-decision.

For the defending AL Champion Rays, the team finds itself six games out of first place, despite a 37-34 record. Not only are the Rays looking up at the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox, but the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays have a head start on the as well.

Tampa will send David Price to the mound for tonight’s series opener. In his last outing, he pitched a career-high seven innings against the Colorado Rockies.

Price faced the Phillies in two relief appearances in the World Series, allowing two runs (one earned) in 3 1/3 innings pitched.

For Phillies fans, the most interest in this game will center on Rays designated hitter Pat Burrell. The longtime Phillie has played in just 39 games this season, batting .240 with just one home run and 18 RBI to go along with 22 walks.

Believe it or not, he has two stolen bases.

The Rays, even more so than the Phillies, are riddled with injuries. Among those on the injured list include second baseman Akinori Iwamura, and pitchers Troy Percival, Scott Kazmir, and Jason Isringhausen.

Phillies record: 36-31
Rays record: 37-34

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind)

1. PHILLIES 36-31, –
2. Mets 35-33, 1.5
3. Marlins 35-36, 3.0
4. Braves 33-36, 4.0
5. Nationals 20-47, 16.0

 

Pitching probables: Moyer (4-6, 6.35 ERA) vs. Price (1-1, 3.46 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet

First pitch: 7:05 p.m. EST

Season series: First meeting

Game open thread will be posted at 6:30 p.m. Game recap will be up tomorrow morning.

World Series Phlashback: 2008—Game One

After being swept out of the 2007 playoffs by the Colorado Rockies, the Phillies were determined to not repeat their failures in 2008.

After clinching their second straight division title the Phillies dispatched of the hot Milwaukee Brewers and took out Manny Ramirez and the rejuvenated Los Angeles Dodgers. All that was left was a match-up with the Cinderella story from the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays.

For either team the 2008 Fall Classic was going to be the perfect ending to a wonderful season. Philadelphia though was looking to capture their first world championship in any sport in a quarter century.

We begin our next phlashback series with a look at game one of the 2008 World Series, which took place in Tampa.

Looking to end a quarter century of frustration in the city of brotherly love, no Phillies fan would have sent any other pitcher but Cole Hamels to the mound in game one. Hamels entered the World Series on a hot streak, going 3-0 in the first two rounds and being named NLCS MVP.

The Phillies would look to Hamels to quiet the raucous crowd jammed inside Tropicana Field, home of the up and coming American League champion Rays.

Chase Utley got the Phillies off to a good start as he smacked a two run home run to right field following a walk to Jayson Werth. Hamels did his part to keep the pesky Rays off the bases and kept them from responding.

Shane Victorino increased the lead to 3-0 when Carlos Ruiz put down a ground ball. Ruiz was out on the play but Victorino’s run would prove to be critical later on. The Rays would score a run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Carl Crawford smacked a home run off of Hamels.

In the bottom of the fifth inning the Rays would put together one more run when Jason Bartlett scored from second off of an Akinori Iwamura double. Iwamura was the only Rays batter who could seem to find some effectiveness against Hamels, notching three of the five hits Hamels allowed.

Hamels was fantastic. He continued to pitch like the ace that had been showing off his stuff in the previous two rounds. In the rare instances where he did get into trouble, thanks to some poor defensive play by first baseman Ryan Howard, he found a way to wiggle out of it.

Howard went 0-4 on the night with three strike outs, leaving four on base. He did walk once but his struggles continued in the field.

Though he was only credited for one error, either he or Hamels made a mistake in the first inning when Iwamura was the beneficiary of a gaffe on some one’s behalf of not covering the base in time. Hamels was beat to the bag, but he had let up as Howard appeared to be charging to take it himself.

Jimmy Rollins went 0-5. Chris Coste, inserted as the designated hitter, went 0-4. Pat Burrell was 0-3. Ruiz was 0-3 but he knocked in a run so he was forgiven. All in all the Phillies left eleven batters, including way too many men at third and lead off base runners.

The Phillies held on in the late innings. After Hamels pitched seven great innings the game was handed to Ryan Madson, who worked a perfect eighth inning. Brad Lidge then entered the game and struck out Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria for the first two outs.

Lidge then forced Crawford to pop foul for the out and the Phillies captured the critical road win in game one. Up 1-0 in the World Series Phillies fans were starting to dream about the possibilities.

I originally recapped this game on my personal blog, before this site existed. Read it here.

Phillies’ All-Star Voting Updates And Why Shane Victorino Will Be An All-Star

Time once again for an update on the National League all-star race.

As expected Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez have held on to the top spots for the second base and outfield positions. Utley did give up the overall lead for votes to St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols however.

Jimmy Rollins has slipped behind Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez by about 150,000 votes. I would expect Rollins to make a push, although an undeserved one, with next week’s vote totals due to the recent home stand for the Phillies.

Ryan Howard is firmly in second place. Carlos Ruiz is in fifth for catchers and Pedro Feliz is fourth for third basemen. Jayson Werth is in ninth place for outfielders.

One player to keep a special eye on now is Shane Victorino. With the latest vote totals, Victorino is sitting in fifth place and, to use a college basketball term, is an at-large bid to make the all-star team. With Charlie Manuel making the final decisions, Victorino could be aided by his own manager. Today the news came out that New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran has been placed on the disabled list and could be out through the all star break. Beltran is in third in the ballot totals. Should Beltran be unavailable, Victorino’s chances of making the all-star game could take a nice leap forward.

Of course each team must be represented so Victorino could find himself on the outside looking in. We shall see.

Macho Row Phillie of the Week

It’s been a rough week for the Phillies so picking a Phillie of the week almost seems like a chore. As bad as some of the players have been though we should point out the bright spots when we can. Center fielder Shane Victorino has been that bright spot over the last seven days.

Victorino has tied for the team lead in runs scored (only three), and by far and away leads the team in hits with ten, including a team high three doubles. Somewhat of a surprise may be Victornio’s team high six walks in the last week as well. He has struck out only three times.

This is Victorino’s second time being named the Macho Row Phillie of the Week.

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