Preview Game 46: Phillies vs. Nationals

When the Phillies are scuffling offensively, the Washington Nationals seem to be at the ready.

The Phillies have taken seven of the first nine meetings this season, most recently leaving Washington with a four game sweep. Nothing ever comes easy though when the Phillies play the Nationals.

With the way the Phillies have been playing at home, you should expect another grind it out three-game series.

On the mound the Phillies would seem to have the edge in the series, starting with JA Happ throwing on Friday night’s series opener.

In the wake of the news that Brett Myers could possibly miss the rest of the season, the time for the starting rotation to step things up a notch is now.

Happ already has been a solid pitcher this season, entering tonight’s game 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA. With a WHIP of 0.98, the Nationals should have a tough time getting anything going against Happ.

Happ was brilliant in his last outing against the New York Yankees. Going six innings, Happ allowed just two runs to score in his first start of the season. In his six career games against the Nationals (both as a starter and a reliever), Happ has recorded a 2-0 record with batters hitting just .192.

On the flip side though, the Phillies offense has struggled at home, especially in the previous series against the Florida Marlins.

They look to get back on track against the Nationals’ Ross Detwiler, making his third career start. The 2007 first round pick has allowed five hits and three earned runs in his first two starts (eleven innings total) and enters with a WHIP of 0.82. He has not recorded a decision. His toughest task will surely come tonight.

The Phillies need to turn things around at Citizens Bank Park, where they are just 9-14 this season. If they just played .500 baseball at home they would be in front in the NL East by at least a half game with a game in hand.

The Nationals are 6-17 on the road.

Phillies Record: 25-20
Nationals Record: 13-33

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind)

1. Mets 26-20, –
2. PHILLIES 25-20, .5
3. Braves 23-24, 3.5
4. Marlins 22-26, 5.0
5. Nationals 13-33, 13.0

Pitching probables: Detwiler (0-0, 2.45 ERA) vs. Happ (2-0, 2.60 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet

First pitch: 7:05pm

Season Series: Phillies lead 7-2

4.13 @ Washington W 9-8 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
4.15 @ Washington POSTPONED Preview
4.16 @ Washington L 2-8 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
4.27 WASHINGTON W 13-11 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
4.28 WASHINGTON W 7-1 Preview/Open Thread/Recap/Photos
4.29 WASHINGTON L 1-4 Preview/Open Thread/Recap
5.15 @ Washington W 10-6 (12) Open Thread
5.16 @ Washington W 8-5 Open Thread(rescheduled)
5.16 @ Washington W 7-5 (6)Open Thread
5.17 @ Washington W 8-6 Open Thread

Brett Myers Injury Update

Yesterday, the word was that Phillies pitcher Brett Myers, who left Wednesday night’s game gingerly and with a noticeable limp, had a hip injury that could very well require surgery.

Myers has fraying and possible tearing in the labrum in his hip, similar to the problem Chase Utley had a year ago.

Myers is expected to miss his next scheduled start, but time will tell if he misses any more this season. He plans on getting a second opinion from Bryan Kelly, the doctor who performed Utley’s hip surgery in the offseason.

From what we know, Myers will definitely require surgery, but we don’t know when he will get it. If Kelly recommends action be taken sooner rather than later, Myers will elect to get the surgery done as soon as possible.

Losing Myers for the bulk of the remaining schedule (he wouldn’t come back until late September, or October, with the surgery’s required rehab work) would be a critical blow for the Phillies.

At a time when the starting rotation is up and down, both he and Cole Hamels were providing the most consistent efforts on the mound. Suddenly, the Phillies may be in a situation where they need to roll the dice with a Minor League pitcher  or make a roster move.

Immediately, the names that come to mind are Jake Peavy, Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay, Brandon Webb, Chris Young, and a handful of other Major Leaguers. The problem the Phillies will have is being able to afford them.

While some of those contracts may be higher than the Phillies would initially want to add to their record payroll, the team will also likely have to part ways with some Minor League prospects.

With Myers being injured, the Phillies would also have little to no leverage in working a deal.

Among the Minor League options guys like Carlos Carrasco, Kyle Kendrick, and Drew Carpenter could be on the trade block.

I think it will be more likely that the Phillies call up one of those arms from Lehigh Valley. Carpenter has already been up for one game.

If the Phillies are making a long term move, then Kendrick may be the one they look to bring up.

Myers could always try and do what Utley did a year ago and play through the pain, but there is just something about that idea for a pitcher that doesn’t sit well with me.

Sure, a second baseman has to move more and is more prone to agitate his hip while batting. But any time there is the slightest chance that something could harm a pitcher’s delivery, I think you need to take as many precautions as possible.

This Day in History: Mike Schmidt Retires

On May 29, 1989 the greatest third baseman to ever play the game and to wear Phillies pin stripes, Michael Jack Schmidt, retired from the game of baseball.

Number 20 retired with 548 home runs and 1,595 runs batted in. Schmidt was a 12 time National League All Star, a ten time Gold Glove winner, six time Silver Slugger winner, and a three time MVP. Of course Schmidt was also a key player during the greatest span in Phillies franchise history, culminating in the team’s first World Series championship in 1980.

Schmidt would later have his number retired by the organization, the last player to receive the honor. In 1995 Schmidt was inducted to the Hall of Fame, along side Richie Ashburn.

Harry Kalas Gets One More Tribute, the Wall of Fame

Today the Phillies announced that they would honor Harry Kalas by placing him on the Wall of Fame in Ashburn Alley. One of the team’s biggest honors is fitting for a man who lived and breathed with the team, broadcasting about three times as many games as the franchise leader for games played.

 

“When we started the Wall of Fame in 1978, the intent was to honor the great players in our history,” explained President David Montgomery. “We believe it is fitting to make an exception because Harry deserves to be remembered along with some of the greatest names in our history. He is indeed a Phillies icon.

“Being a Wall of Famer is our organization’s highest honor. There’s no doubt Harry should receive such recognition,” said Montgomery.

David Montgomery, via Phillies Press Release

A while ago, we took a closer look at the candidates for the Wall of Fame. Now it seems that the fan votes will respectfully put aside so the team can pay one last tribute to Kalas. No complaints here. As always, the Phillies make the classy move.

For the presser and more details on the Wall of Fame night (August 7 prior to the game against the Florida Marlins) click here.

Recap: Phillies Lose Series Finale to Marlins 6-2, Myers Injured?

The offense was lacking, the starting pitcher was hurting, and the Florida Marlins were dealing. In the series finale the Marlins picked up their first series win in three weeks and the Phillies lost yet another home series, losing last night by a 6-2 score.

Brett Myers gave up five runs in 5.2 innings. After getting through the first three innings without allowing a run Myers was roughed up a bit from the fourth to sixth innings. Dan Uggla gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead with a two out solo home run in the fourth inning. Florida scored a second run in the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead.

Carlos Ruiz put the Phillies on the scoreboard with a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the fifth but the Marlins responded in the top of the sixth, knocking Myers out of the game in the process.

Chris Coghlan started the sixth inning with a lead off double and scored on Uggla’s follow up double. After a pair of ground outs it looked as though Myers was going to get out of the inning only allowing the one run to score, keeping the score at a manageable 3-1 deficit.

But Cody Ross had other plans, smacking a two run home run to make it 5-1 in favor of the visitors. Once Myers walked John Baker Charlie Manuel came out to the mound and relieved Myers of his duties for the night.

Myers walked gingerly off the field showing some pain in hi right hip. Reports say that his hip has gotten progressively worse over the last month. X-rays after the game showed “some jaggedness” and he will go in for an MRI today.

Myers is understandably nervous about the situation as he has only been on the disabled list once in his career. After the MRI the Phillies should know if Myers will be available for his next scheduled start.

The offense was listless for most of the night. A pair of solo home runs was all the Phillies could do to cross home plate, with Ruiz and Matt Stairs chipping in. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino each went hit-less on the night. Ryan Howard picked up a pair of base hits to lead the team, but Raul Ibanez backed him up with an 0-for-4 night.

The Phillies have an off day on Thursday and return to action at home this weekend against the Washington Nationals.

NL East Power Rankings

Time once again to update the weekly NL East Power Rankings.

We have another change at the top of the order, with the Phillies taking hold of the top spot in both the division and the power rankings. It should be easy to see why the change as they are the only team in the division to have a winning record in their last ten games.

Previous Power Rankings

1. (20-16; 2) The Phillies showed no intimidation over the weekend in Yankees Stadium, and capped off their road trip with an 8-2 record. Not surprisingly the Phillies lead the National League in home runs with 64. The Nationals are second in the division with 52. They also have the second highest scoring offense in the National League, with 247 runs scored (the Nationals are second in the division with 224).
2. (25-20; 1) The New York Mets took a road series against the Boston Red Sox but were swept in a west coast series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now Jose Reyes and Ryan Church are on the 15 day disabled list. An easy schedule against the Nationals, Pirates and Marlins should keep the Mets within striking distance of the Phillies though. Carlos Beltran leads the team in just about every major offensive statistic but will really have to carry the load over the next week or so.
3. (23-22; 3) The Braves are 5-5 in their last ten games, including a series sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays. Derek Lowe leads the pitching staff with six wins. Kelly Johnson and Brian McCann lead the offense with five home runs each, showing that there has been little power from the Braves all season.
4. (21-26; 4) The Marlins go for their first series win tonight against the Phillies since taking two of three against the Colorado Rockies three weeks ago. Hanley Ramirez left last night’s game with a groin injury, which could hamper the offense if he has to miss some time.

5. (13-32; 5) The Nationals continue to scuffle with the worst record in the majors. With a record of 5-21 against the NL East the rumor mill is starting to turn in regards to trades. The Mets could be looking to pick some players from the Nationals. The Nationals have what may be the second best offense in the division, but their pitching boasts a 5.63 club ERA, which shows why the Nationals are down as low as they are. If they could just get somewhat adequate pitching they would be a vastly different team.

Remember CC Sabathia?

The last time the Phillies faced CC Sabathia, outside of spring training, Brett Myers was starting the defining moment of the 2008 National League Division Series, the first time that I thought to myself, “This is the year.”

Myers put together the best at-bat of the post-season, drawing a two out walk in the second inning against the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers, Sabathia. After Myers rattled the hefty lefty with his walk, Jimmy Rollins walked on four pitches. Up to the plate came Shane Victorino, with the bases loaded….

We all know how it turned out.

Victorino hits the improbable grand slam and the Phillies roll their way to a World Series championship.

Today’s encounter with Sabathia, now with the Yankees, carries much less importance. We can remember the moment like it happened yesterday, but today is a new day. While a game may be on the line and it will be important for the regular season record, it means little else.

Cherish the memory, but don’t expect it to happen again.

World Series Phlashback: 1950 World Series – Game Four

The 1950 Phillies, affectionately nicknamed the Whiz Kids due to their youthful age, clinched the National League pennant on the final day of the regular season. Lead by the likes of Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn the Phillies would make their second trip to the World Series.

Their opponents would be the defending world champion New York Yankees, who were looking to add their 13th title to their historic franchise history. The experienced Yankees would sweep the Whiz Kids, although all but one was a one run game.

This is part four of the four part series and focuses on game four of the 1950 World Series.

Facing elimination the young Phillies were desperate for a win. To do that they would have to overcome a young up and coming pitcher named “Whitey” Ford in the process.

Yankees skipper Casey Stengal must have felt confident sending a rookie out for a possible clinching game four and why not? Not only was his team up three games to none on the Phillies but Ford went 9-1 in the regular season since he was called up form the minor leagues.

The Phillies looked to one of their young pitchers, Bob Miller. While the Phillies failed to score on Ford in the first inning, the Yankees wasted little time getting to Ford.

Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio each had RBI base hits in the first inning, giving the home team a quick 2-0 lead. It was the first time in the 1950 World Series that a team scored more than once in an inning. Surely this was not a good sign for the Phillies.

Manager Eddie Sawyer wasted no time with Miller though and replaced him with Jim Konstanty with one out in the first inning, already down 2-0. Konstanty stopped the bleeding and shut the Yankees down until the sixth inning.

Berra lead off the sixth inning with a solo home run to extend the lead to three runs. In that same inning the Yankees tacked on two more runs to build a 5-0 lead late in the game. Konstanty remained in the game despite allowing three runs to score.

The Phillies offense meanwhile struggled against Ford. The rookie pitcher went 8.2 innings and allowed seven hits. After Robin Roberts pitched for the Phillies in the eighth inning they came to bat in the ninth inning, down 5-0 and facing elimination.

Willie Jones lead the ninth inning off with a base hit off Ford (pictured). After Ford hit Del Ennis he got Dick Sisler to ground out and struck out Granny Hamner. Andy Seminick then hit a fly ball to left fielder Gene Woodling to end the World Series, but Woodling dropped the ball.

Two runs scored to cut the deficit to 5-2. Yankees manager Stengal took no chances and pulled Ford from the game, one out away from clinching the World Series. Allie Reynolds took over on the mound and struck out pinch hitter Stan Lopata to end the season.

The Yankees clinched their thirteenth World Series title with a sweep of the Whiz Kids. They did it with timely hitting and masterful pitching. Despite the sweep by the Yankees, the Phillies represented themselves well. They hung in there every game and came up short due to a lack of experience.

Sadly this Phillies team would not return to the World Series despite having players like Roberts and Richie Ashburn.

There should be no shame in losing to this Yankees squad, who featured the likes of DiMaggio and Berra and had pitching from guys like Ford, who would go on to hold the World Series all-time records for most wins (ten) and strike outs (94).

World Series Phlashback: 1950 World Series – Game Three

The 1950 Phillies, affectionately nicknamed the Whiz Kids due to their youthful age, clinched the National League pennant on the final day of the regular season.

Led by Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn, the Phillies would make their second trip to the World Series.

Their opponents would be the defending world champion New York Yankees, who were looking to add their 13th title to their franchise history. The experienced Yankees would sweep the Whiz Kids, although all but one was a one-run game.

This is part three of the four-part series and focuses on game three of the 1950 World Series.

Yankee Stadium was already a place where legends were born and where legends played. This Yankees team had a legend of their own in Joe DiMaggio. As intimidating as the aura of Yankee Stadium could be, the Whiz Kids showed that they would not suffocate under the pressure. Or did they?

Playing their first game ever in Yankee Stadium, the Phillies both rallied to take a lead and then later blew their lead en route to a third straight defeat.

Taking the mound for the Phillies was Ken Heintzelman, who pitched seven outstanding innings. The Yankees countered with Eddie Lopat.

Once again, the Yankees were the first to dent the scoreboard. Phil Rizzuto crossed the plate in the third inning on a Jerry Coleman single.

Coleman tried to reach second on the play but was tagged out to end the inning, with the Yankees up 1-0.

The Phillies would tie it up in the sixth inning when Dick Sisler’s single to left field scored Del Ennis from second base. Granny Hamner scored the go-ahead run for the Phillies in the seventh inning when Mike Goliat hit a single to center field.

For the first time in the World Series, the Phillies had the lead. Hamner however would be one of the reasons the Yankees would come back.

Pitching in the eighth inning with the 2-1 lead, Heintzelman began to lose his control. Heintzelman was able to record the first two outs of the eighth inning, but then he walked Coleman.

Then he walked Yogi Berra. Then he walked Joe DiMaggio to load the bases. At this point manager Eddie Sawyer went to his bullpen and brought in Game One starter Jim Konstanty.

Konstanty would face pinch hitter Bobby Brown. Brown grounded to Hamner which should have ended the inning, but Hamner misplayed the ball.

The tying run had crossed the plate and the bases were still loaded. Konstanty got Johnny Mizeto foul out to end the inning on the next batter though, keeping the game tied at two runs apiece heading to the ninth inning.

Hamner did everything he could to get that run back, though, as he lead off for the Phillies in the ninth inning with a double to left center field. Andy Seminick put down a sacrifice bunt that moved Hamner to third base with one out.

After Mike Goliat was intentionally walked pinch hitter Dick Whitman, hitting for Konstanty, grounded into a fielder’s choice. Hamner was out at home to keep the game tied.

The Phillies would leave two runners on base when the inning was over. Then the Yankees came to the plate.

Russ Meyer entered the game to pitch for the Phillies and it looked like things were set for another extra-inning game. Meyer recorded the first two outs on the first two batters and then ran into trouble.

Back-to-back two-out singles by Gene Woodling and Rizutto set up Coleman’s game-winning base hit. The Yankees came from behind to take game three by a final score of 3-2.

The Yankees were now one game away from the inevitable sweep.

World Series Phlashback: 1950 World Series – Game Two

The 1950 Phillies, affectionately nicknamed the Whiz Kids due to their youthful age, clinched the National League pennant on the final day of the regular season.

Led by the likes of Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn the Phillies would make their second trip to the World Series.

Their opponents would be the defending world champion New York Yankees, who were looking to add their 13th title to their historic franchise history. The experienced Yankees would sweep the Whiz Kids, although all but one was a one run game.

This is part two of the four part series and focuses on game two of the 1950 World Series.

Robin Roberts,an eventual Hall of Fame pitcher for the Phillies, made his World Series debut and may have pitched one of the best games of his life. Unfortunately for the Phillies, Roberts’ ten inning complete game would turn out to be a loss, sending the Phillies up to New York in a tough 0-2 hole against the defending World Series champions.

Roberts had pitched three games in five days down the stretch of the regular season and was unavailable for game one of the World Series. Instead he would pitch game two on full rest. Roberts allowed ten hits in those ten innings and struck out five Yankees batters.

Opposing Roberts on the mound was Allie Reynolds, who pitched a masterful game himself. Also pitching all ten innings, Reynolds picked up the win along with six strike outs and just one run allowed.

The Yankees got on the score board first when Jerry Coleman scored on a base hit by Gene Woodling in the second inning. The Phillies would respond in the fifth inning, tying the game on Richie Ashburn’s sacrifice fly to left field brought Mike Goliat home.

Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio made a fantastic catch to keep the Phillies from starting a rally.

Del Ennis lead off for the Phillies in the sixth inning and hit a deep fly ball to right center field. DiMaggio though was in a hurry to track it down and made a Willie Mays type catch before Mays ever had the chance to do it himself.

The game would remain tied at the end of the ninth inning and went to extra innings tied at one.

It did not take long for the Yankees to take a lead though. Joe DiMaggio hit a lead off solo home run off of Roberts to deep left field, giving the Yankees the 2-1 lead. Roberts retired the next three batters to give the offense a chance in the bottom of the tenth.

After pinch hitter Jackie Mayo forced a lead off walk, first baseman Eddie Waitkus used a sacrifice bunt to move Mayo to second base. Ashburn failed to advance Mayo though with a fly foul ball out and left fielder Dick Sisler struck out looking to end the ball game.

The Yankees took both games in Shibe Park and were heading home to try and wrap up their thirteenth World Series championship.

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