The life of a fan whose team is out of the money is sometimes pretty hard to bear. Sitting on the couch wondering what might have been while you stare bleary-eyed at out of towners all enjoying their minutes in the sun. Sometimes though, it’s actually not so bad. Last night was one of those times where I sort of felt safe in the confines of my living room watching games that don’t matter to me except to provide fodder for my blogging imagination. Last night, watching Matt Holliday drop that fly ball in left, I thanked the God of all that is holy that I wasn’t a Cardinal fan and that he wasn’t MY left fielder and that I didn’t just go down 2-0 to the Dodgers in the NLDS on a misplayed 3rd out that would have ended the game. Because if that was Fernando Tatis out there for the Mets dropping the 3rd out with K-Rod on the mound about to close out a beautifully pitched game by Johan Santana, I wouldn’t have come to work today. No, I’m pretty sure I’d be holed up in a bar on the Upper East Side cursing the sunlight right about now.

I wonder if Cardinal fans are as crazy as me, though. Something tells me they’re not. I know that they’re The Most Knowledgeable Fans In The Game (TM) and all that, and players just love getting dealt there so they can chat with these fans over the railing between innings about the suicide squeeze, wood bats and the works of Tom Robbins, but I have an inkling that fans all over Missouri got up today and went to work like normal people. Pissed, to be sure, but dignified. Just thankful to be here. Fully expecting to be back again if not next year, then soon thereafter. Because that’s what midwestern fans are like. Patient.

NL East fans just aren’t like that. Not in our DNA. We’re about triumph and tragedy. Highs and lows. Delight in the misfortune of others and unrepentant gloating at even the most routine of triumphs. Phillies fans booed Mike Schmidt, or so the story goes. As well as Santa Claus himself.

So watching last night as Ryan Franklin followed up Holliday’s error by walking Casey Blake, allowing an RBI single by Ronnie Belliard, throwing one past his catcher allowing the runners to advance, walking Russell Martin and finally giving up the game-winning run on a hit by the shell of a player that used to be known as Mark Loretta….I sat back and smiled. This didn’t happen to me this year. It may happen next year. In fact, I’m certain it will. Likely not in the post-season because the Mets aren’t making the post-season next year, but at some other time when I least expect it, they’ll pull the football away from me as I run up to kick it like Lucy did to Charlie Brown all those times in those Peanuts cartoons. But not this year. This year, it’s the Cardinal fans who get to eat the shit sandwich, and I tell you what, I don’t feel so bad about it.

That’s it from the underground today. Tonight I guess I’ll watch the Yanks and pray for a rain delay to screw up Burnett’s mechanics or something. I’m grasping at straws, I know it. This winter’s going to be very long indeed.

Hamels is thinking about Playoffs

The Houston Astros continued to have the Phillies number last night in Philly, beating Hamels and the Phils 8-2.  Miguel Tejada went 4-5 with three runs and an RBI, CarlosLee added tow hits, two runs and an RBI and even former Met Jeff Keppinger got into things going 3-5 with two RBI on the day.  Yorman Bazardo(1-2) got his first win by lasting 5.2 innings and only allowed two hits and two runs to the heavy hitting Phillies.

Cole Hamels(10-10) dropped back to .500 on the season with a 6.2 inning stinker, allowing nine hits and six runs in this game.  The offense obviously didn’t help wither as Shane Victorino was the only Philly with two hits and only Chase Utley recorded the only RBI for them.  Phillies Phandom will have more on the Phillies and their struggles against the Astros.

Jurrjens with another gem

Jair Jurrjens is keeping the playoff hopes of the Braves alive, with a gem last night in a 4-0 win against the Fish.  Jurrjens(14-10) went seven innings and allowed just five hits and a walk with no runs, his season ERA is now 2.61, impressive.  The Braves only had three hits, but had ELEVEN walks to put up their four runs.  The RBI’s were credited to Nate McLouth, Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Garrett Anderson.  The Braves Baseball Blog covers the Braves.

ELEVEN walks, that is absolutely insane and you can not expect to win with that.  Anibal Sanchez(3-8) went five innings and his line was two hits, three runs and EIGHT walks in the game.  No one in the offense had more than two hits, those went to John Baker and Chris Coghlan as the Marlins flounder down the stretch, check out FishGuts for more.

Is he doing the robot?

Ah, the matchup of the week, the last place Nats against the should be last place Mets, the Nats took the first game, 2-1.  Ross Detwiler(1-6) got his first major league win as he went six innings and allowed just seven hits and one run in the game, congrats.  Ryan Zimmerman got the Nats on the board in the first with a sacrifice fly and Mike Morse had a solo shot in the sixth that proved to be the game winning run.  Mike MacDougal got his 17th save of the season with a perfect ninth as well.  Centerfield Gate has more on the Nationals and many things baseball.

Nelson Figueroa pitched well enough to win yet again, but he does play on the 2009 Mets, so that didn’t happen.  Figueroa(2-8) got the loss in six innings allowing six hits and two runs, basically just on that home run in this one.  Fernando Tatis had the only RBI with a single to Center field in the sixth scoring Carlos Beltran, temporarily tying the game.  The Real Dirty Mets Blog covers this and many other issues the Mets face entering the offseason.

Hamels almost gets perfection

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels had a perfect game into the sixth inning of this game against the Nats, although he lost it, the Phillies and he got the win, 4-2.  Hamels(10-9) went eight innings only allowing five hits and one run and striking out ten and looks to have found his form.  Hamels even helped himself with the bat as he had an RBI single in the sixth inning.  Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz also added RBI’s in this game.  Brad Lidge recorded his 30th save but he did give up yet another run in the bottom of the ninth.   Phillies Phandom has more on this and the Phils.

Ross Detwiler pitched well enough to win, but again, where was the offense?  Detwiler(0-6) can’t buy  a win as he went five innings allowing just four hits and one run while striking out six.  The Nationals got a run on an Elijah Dukes seventh inning single and he scored the only other run on an Ian Desmond RBI groundout in the bottom of the ninth.  The Nats hope a trip to NY will solve their problems, Centerfield Gate has more.

McCann with the big blow in the sweep

Brian McCann made sure that the Braves swept the lowly Mets last night, as the Braves took the game 7-3.  McCann hit a fifth inning three run home run off starter Nelson Figueroa to put this game away.  Jair Jurrjens(12-10) continued his mastery of the New York Mets as he worked seven innings allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) in another well pitched game.  Martin Prado added two RBI of his own in this one and McCann finished with four total RBI.  The Braves Baseball Blog is your place to go for everything Braves.

What more can be said about the Mets?  Nelson Figueroa(2-6) went five innings and allowed nine hits and six runs, and the big hit was the three run home run to McCann to make his stats look so bad.  Fernando Tatis had a two RBI single to tie the game in the fourth before it got away and Daniel Murphy hit his tenth homer of the year in the eighth inning.  Check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more.

Cordero shuts this game down

The Cincinnati Reds last night put another blow on the Marlins playoff hopes with 3-2 win.  Matt Maloney(1-4) got his first win of the year going five innings only giving up two runs and seven hits with only a small margin of victory.  Darnell McDonald hit his second home run of the year and Jay Bruce added a two RBI single later in the inning and thats all they would need.  Francisco Cordero had a perfect ninth and recorded his 38th save of the season.

The Marlins sent Anibal Sanchez to the mound and he did not pitch that bad.  Sanchez(2-7) went five as well and gave up five hits and three runs but had a lack of offense behind him.  Hanley Ramirez had an RBI single and later in the fifth Dan Uggla doubled Ramirez home, but the Marlins could not salvage anymore.  Check out FishGuts for more on the Marlins.

Madson closes this one out

The Phillies put their big trade aquisition on the mound last night in Washington, hoping that he could get back in form.  Cliff Lee looked great through four innings, while only allowing a run and then things got scary.  Lee(6-2) ended up allowing ten hits and five runs(four earned) in seven innings plus of work.  He allowed three in the fifth, temporarily allowing the Nats to tie the game before the Phillies came back to secure the win.  The win was secured by back to back jacks by Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz, even though Lee gave one more back in the eighth.  Brad Lidge stayed on the bench and gave way to Ryan Madson in the ninth who gave up one hit as he recorded his sixth save of the year by a 6-5 score.  Phillies Phandom has more on this.

Garrett Mock put the Nats in the hole early as he allowed three runs in the second and an additional run in the fifth inning, giving up six hits, and walking three in five innings of work, but the Nats got him off the hook.  Tyler Clippard(2-2) ended up taking the loss as he went one inning and allowed two solo home runs in the eighth inning.  Adam Dunn had two RBI for the Nationals as well as Christian Guzman joining him with two as well during the loss, Centerfield Gate has more.

Cody Ross with the big blow

Last night the Marlins put the Mets down really early, with a four run first inning, with three runs coming on Cody Ross’ 21st home run, a three run shot.  Ricky Nolasco(11-8) held down the Mets for 6.1 innings and allowed only three runs and four hits and Leo Nunez once again worked a perfect ninth to get his 20th save of the season in the 6-3 victory.  Dan Uggla also added a solo home run and an RBI groundout in the first for the Fish, check out FishGuts for more on this game and the Marlins.

Pat Misch(1-2) who had a nice start his last couple times out, one earning his major league win just did not have it last night, especially early.  Misch went six innings allowing five runs on six hits including two home runs and hit one batter.  All the Mets offense came in the seventh with a Daniel Murphy RBI double, a sac fly by Francouer and a Tatis RBI groundout.  The Mets will look to salvage one game today, check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more.

Tejada gets the walk-off hit!

The Houston Astros ruined another beautiful game from rookie Tommy Hanson last night with a ninth inning rally.  Miguel Tejada singled home Kaz Matsui and Lance Berkman with a one out single in the ninth, giving the Astros a 2-1 victory over the floundering Braves.  Wandy Rodriguez got off the hook of taking a tough loss as he went seven innings allowing only three hits and a single run as well.  Jose Valverde(4-2) worked a perfect top of the ninth with two k’s to get the credit for the win.

Tommy Hanson went eight innings allowing only five hits and struck out seven and allowed zero runs, is he a true candidate for rookie of the year?  Matt Diaz was the only person who could give any run support with a second inning RBI single scoring Yunel Escobar.  Rafael Soriano(1-5) blew his fourth save of the year getting only one out and giving up three hits and two runs and a walk, check out The Braves Baseball Blog for more.

Hamels with a classic gem

Cole Hamels pitched his second straight great game, the only difference was this time, he didn’t let the bullpen ruin it for him.  Hamels(8-8) went the distance in a 1-0 win versus the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night while only allowing three baserunners on two hits and one walk and using 118 pitches.  The Phillies have been waiting and hoping for Hamels to find his good stuff, and if he has now, it could not have come at a better time with the playoffs around the corner.  Ryan Howard was the only Philly player with two hits as he went 2-4 and contributed the only RBI on a double in the fourth inning, scoring Shane Victorino for the only run of the game.  Check out Phillies Phandom for more on Cole and this game.

The San Francisco Giants did what they did best, but also did exactly what they do worst.  Jonathan Sanchez(6-11) was a tough luck loser going six innings and allowing only three hits and three walks while striking out eight and only allowing Howard’s RBI double.  The Giants bats though only managed three baserunners with Ryan Garko and pinch hitter Rich Aurilia with a single in the ninth before pinch runner Andres Torres was thrown out trying to steal second.  The loss put the Giants down one game in the wildcard to the Rockies who won last night.

He's back!

Tim Hudson came back last night to the Braves after missing over a year with Tommy John surgery and I don’t think any Braves fans are complaining with his performance.  Hudson(1-0) worked into the sixth, getting one out in the inning and allowed six hits and three walks while allowing two runs and striking out five and only using 82 pitches.  The Braves bats got on the board early as Chipper Jones scored Matt Diaz on a double play ground out in the first.  In the third, when the Braves were now down 2-1, Tim Hudson himself scored on a balk after he walked earlier in the inning and Brian McCann later doubled in Martin Prado to give the Braves the lead for good.  The final insurance run that was necessary was scored by Chipper Jones on a Garrett Anderson RBI infield single in the eighth.  The Braves bullpen was solid until the ninth when Rafael Soriano got his 21st save but not without allowing a solo homer to Dan Uggla to pull the Marlins within one and allowing the tying run on base but held on for the 4-3 win.  The Braves Baseball Blog will have more on the Braves win and Hudson’s return.

The Marlins are basically in free fall at this point and they have now lost two in a row to the Braves after a tough weekend against the Padres.  Last night Chris Coghlan continued his hot hitting, going 3-4 with a run scored and Jorge Cantu also contributed three hits and a couple RBI.  Anibal Sanchez(2-6) didn’t pitch terribly, but still took the loss in going five innings allowing five hits and three runs along with two walks and four k’s and a balk to score a run.  FishGuts discusses the Marlins latest struggles.

Rockies break their slide

The Rockies came into this series at home against the Mets having lost their wild card lead and were tied with the Giants for that spot.  Luckily for them, the Mets are the Mets.   Jorge De La Rosa(13-9) survived a tough first inning in which he gave up two runs and threw 28 pitches and rebounded to go six innings allowing only four hits, two runs (1 earned) and three walks while striking out six.  The Rockies offense feasted on bad Met pitching as they scored their first on a bases loaded walk and then had a two run homer by Carlos Gonzalez in the second, a three run homer in the fourth by Todd Helton.  Another interesting note is that Jason Giambi, the former Yankee walked in the seventh as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded to get an RBI in his first at bat for the Rockies who now have a one game lead in the wildcard race.

The New York Mets really wish it was October 4th right now, its just terrible.  Mike Pelfrey(9-10) fell below .500 on the year as he only lasted four innings and allowed six hits, seven runs (only six earned), walked five and gave up two huge home runs and his ERA is now above 5 for the season.  Jeff Francouer did get the Mets on the board with a sac fly in the first inning and Fernando Tatis added an RBI single later in the inning.  The Mets got nothing else until the seventh against the Rockies relief pitching when Angel Pagan hit a triple scoring Corey Sullivan.  The Real Dirty Mets Blog will cover this Mets loss and all the Mets losses for you.

Bell with another save

The San Diego Padres are actually a “hot” team right now, just at the wrong time of the year.  The Padres got single runs in the second, fifth, seventh and eighth on their way to a 4-1 victory against the Nationals.  Will Venable had an RBI single to start the game, Kouzmanoff added a sac fly, Oscar Salazar had a solo home run and finally Drew Macias had the final nail with a single in the eigth scoring a run.  Clayton Richard(4-1) went 6.2 innings and allowedonly a single run and four hits and walking two to get the victory for the Nats and Heath Bell worked a perfect ninth with two k’s for his 33rd save of the season.

The Nationals bats have absolutely gone silent, which is a far cry from a few weeks ago.  The Nats only got four hits as a team last night, luckily one of them a home run.  Josh Bard hit his fourth homer of the year in the seventh inning chasing Clayton Richard and making the only blemish for Pads pitching.  J.D. Martin(3-4) pitched a good game going six innings with five hits, three runs but only two earned and three walks while striking out five and allowing a home run in the game.  Centerfield Gate covers more of the Nats struggles lately.

Howard rescues the Phils bullpen

Last night in Pittsburgh, the Philadelphia bullpen tried to give up another game to the Pirates late in the game.  Ryan Madson(5-4) was charged with his fifth blown save as he tried to save Cole Hamels eight inning no run gem, but allowed a pinch hit game tying home run.  Ryan Howard got him off the hook in the top of the tenth with a three run blast as the Phillies went on to win 4-1 and Madson actually got the win.  The Phillies only other run was on a Chase Utley solo bomb in the first and although the Phillies won, it wasted a classic Hamels start.  Check out Phillies Phandom for more.

Brandon Moss came up as a pinch hitter for the Pirates shortstop in the bottom of the ninth and hit a shot to right center field and the Pirates had hope.  Unfortunately Steven Jackson(2-3) put two runners on before recording an out in the ninth and gave way to Phil Dumatrait who gave up the home run to Ryan Howard.  Paul Maholm got a no decision but pitched very well, holding the Phillies to five hits and one run over seven innings of work.

"Ace" Mike Pelfrey

Josh Johnson has owned the Mets over his career, and although he was shaky last night, he got another win against them.  Johnson(13-3) was off his game in going six innings and allowing nine hits and three runs, but held on until his offense could come through for him.  Cody Ross got the Marlins even with a triple scoring two runs and later Ronnie Paulino hit a two run home run… the deciding blow in 1 5-3 final.  Leo Nunez pitched the ninth again, striking out two and allowing one hit and recorded his 16th save of the season, FishGuts has more on the game.

Mike Pelfrey is now the defacto ace of the Mets staff, now that Johan Santana and Oliver Perez have joined the army on the disabled list.  Pelfrey(9-9) went 5.2 innings allowing 11 hits and five runs, including five walks, only two strikeouts and a home run.  He still seems to have a lot of trouble with men on base and should be his number one issue going into the offseason.  Fernando Tatis stayed hot against Josh Johnson as he doubled, scored a run and had one RBI while accumulating three total hits.  Corey Sullivan and Anderson Hernandez added the two other RBI’s for the Mets as they dropped their fifth in a row, The Real Dirty Mets Blog will have more.

Apparently the photographers in Atlanta took the night off, but so did the Braves relief pitching.  The Padres went into the sixth inning down 3-0, and left that inning up 6-4 on their way to a 12-5 victory and second in a row against the Braves.  that sixth inning included RBI doubles by Will Venable and Nick Hundley, as well as RBI singles by Luis Rodriguez and Adrian Gonzalez.  Eckstein added two more RBI singles later in the game, amont a Kouzmanoff two run shot and another Adrian Gonzalez RBI single.  Tim Stauffer(2-6) got the win going five innings and leaving only giving up three runs and six hits in this game.

Kenshin Kawakami had pitched five scoreless innings in this game, and then only recorded one out in the sixth and ended up charged with seven hits and four runs in the game.  Braves relief pitching over the final 3.2 innings gave up 11 hits and eight runs to put this game out of reach.  Brian McCann hit a three run homer in the first and an RBI single in the ninth and Ryan Church had an RBI single in the sixth for all the Braves offense.  The Braves Baseball Blog has more info on this game.

Finally, a win!

The Cubs looked like they were gonna have to fight for a win, late in the game yesterday, but luckily they ran in to the Nationals relief pitching.  The Cubs got six in the eighth to extend their lead and won the game 9-4 against the Nats.  In the eighth inning Koy Hill had a two RBI double, followed by doubles also by Mike Fontenot and Derek Lee and finally an infield single by Aramis Ramirez to score the final run.  Angel Guzman(3-3) got the victory in the game after Rich Harden pitched six strong innings but left with a tie score.

Livan Hernandez only found himself out of work for a few days as the Nats picked him up and had him right into the rotation.  Hernandez went six innings only allowing two runs on five hits and received a no decision in his first start back with the Nats.  Jason Bergmann(2-3) was charged with the loss as he gave up the go ahead run in the seventh on two hits and the bullpen gave up six more runs after that in just one more inning of work.  Willingham, Guzman, Nieves and Willy Harris all had RBI’s for the Nationals in the loss.  Check out CenterfieldGate for more.

the walk off for the rook!

Andrew McCutchen had said he wanted to make amends for a play in the top of the ninth inning that allowed the Phillies to take the lead in the game.  He was able to do that, as he hit a two run home run off Phillies closer Brad Lidge to win the game for the Pittsburgh Pirates and redeemed himself by a score of 6-4.  The Pirates also added home runs from Ryan Doumit and a two run shot by Stephen Pearce in the game, and Brandon Moss had an RBI single in the ninth before McCutchen to tie the game.  Ross Ohlendorf went 6.1 innings allowing only two runs for to the NL leading Phillies but ended up with a no decision.  Matt Capps(3-7) recorded both his fourth blown save of the year and then got the win as he went one inning and was charged with two runs and three hits.

Even Jimmy Rollins hot streak couldn’t help the Phillies in this one.  Rollins hit home runs in the first inning and another solo shot in the third inning and until the ninth, that was all the Phillies could do.  In the ninth, Ben Francisco doubled home the tying run and Shane Victorino was credited with a triple on the misplay by McCutchen scoring the go ahead run.  Brad Lidge(0-6) though could not even record an out in the ninth as he gave up three hits and three runs, including the home run to McCutchen and it only took five pitches to do that.  Phillies Phandom will have more on this game and Lidge’s struggles.

Eckstein with the winner

On a rare night when Heath Bell blew a save, the Padres were able to pick him up later in the game.  Heath Bell in the ninth gave up a run to tie the game at 1, as he allowed two hits and a walk as well in the inning.  Later in the game though, David Eckstein doubled home Nick Hundley to score the game winning run, making it 2-1 in the twelth inning.  Joe Thatcher(1-0) got the victory as he worked 1.1 innings of hitless relief and Edward Mujica got his second save of the year.  Adrian Gonzalez drove in the only other Padres run in the third inning with a solo home run.

The Atlanta Braves got great pitching throughout this game, but ran into similar tough pitching on the other side of the game.  Jair Jurrjens went 7.2 inning and allowed only five hits, four walks and only allowed a solo home run, but ended with a no decision.  Adam LaRoche came through big time again for the Braves as he singled home Reid Gorecki in the bottom of the ninth and sent the game to extras.  Unfortunately Kris Medlan(3-4) gave up the eventual winning run in the twelth and took the loss for the Braves, dropping them another game back in the wildcard lead and putting them back in a tie with the Marlins, check out The Braves Baseball Blog for more.

Sean West shuts down the AAA Mets

Marlins pitcher Sean West was probably happy to be able to pitch to a minor league team again. Last night, West(5-5) went six innings allowing only six hits and one run and only needed 82 pitches to do that as he faced a depleted Mets squad.  He was supported by an RBI ground out by Uggla in the fourth and a Ross Gload single in the fifth to win the game 2-1.  Leo Nunez recorded his 15th save of the season and the Marlins gained a game on the Phillies in the East and kept up with the Rockies in the wildcard race as well.  FishGuts will have more on the Marlins.

Nelson Figueroa had a spot start for the Mets, who learned of Johan Santana needing surgery earlier in the day.  Figueroa(1-3) pitched well through five innings allowing only four hits and two runs, but one earned but taking a tough loss.  Fernando Tatis got the Mets on the board with an RBI single in the fourth, scoring Jeff Francouer, but the Mets could not do anything else in the loss, check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more.

Mets fans, remember this face?

The Washington Nationals either shocked the Cubs fans last night, or just made them angrier, not sure which one.  The Nationals won the game by a score of 15-6 last night and the offense exploded.  Josh Willingham hit two home runs, a solo shot and a three run shot as well and a grand slam from Elijah Dukes as well.  Garrett Mock(3-5) went seven innings and allowed only four runs while striking out six to get an easy victory.  CenterfieldGate has more information on this game and what to expect going forward.

The Chicago Cubs are just playing horribly, with no real excuse for what is going on.  Carlos Zambrano(7-5) could only get through 4.1 innings and was charged with huge numbers, eight runs, seven hits and only four strike outs.  The rest of the relief wasn’t much better as out of five relievers, three gave up runs in making this even more lopsided.  Zambrano tried to help himself as he hit one of a trio of Cubs homeruns, others were by Milton Bradley and Jake Baker in the game.

Cliff Lee makes it 5-0

Yesterday, fresh off a stunning triple play ender to a ball game, Cliff Lee looked to make it three of four against the deteriorated Mets.  Lee(5-0) went seven innings allowing six hits and two runs, while striking out five and both runs allowed were in the first inning.  He got plenty of support from big man Ryan Howard as well.  Howard homered twice in the first three innings of the game, first with a three run shot, and later with a two run blow.  Raul Ibanez produced the only other run on a RBI double, which scored Chase Utley.  Phillies Phandom will have more info on the Phils.

The Mets learned of another injury prior to yesterday’s game and were forced to play with Jeff Francouer, and possibly won’t have him for some time.  With Bobby Parnell on the mound and a team full of backups, Parnell could not come through.  Parnell(3-6) gave up four hits and five runs in five innnings worked, but if you take away the bombs to Howard, did not do that bad, but still gets collared with the loss.  The Mets first run was scored on a wild play in the first where Chase Utley dropped a popup allowing Angel Pagan to score and then a throwing error to second, allowed him to score.  Later in the inning, Fernando Tatis hit a sac fly to score Sheffield, but the Mets could get nothing more against Cliff Lee.  The Real Dirty Mets Blog has more on this game and Johan Santana’s injury.

Balester gets roughed up in the 6th

For a while, Yovani Gallardo probably wondered what he would have to do to get another win, as his team was down 1-0 until the sixth.  In the sixth inning, Ryan Braun got them ahead with a two run homer and was helped by RBI singles from Jason Kendall and Jody Gerut and finally an RBI groundout by Felipe Lopez.  Jody Gerut also added a solo shot in the eighth for insurance.  Gallardo(12-10) held on and gave up only one run and four hits in five innings but walked four against eight strike outs to throw 108 pitches.

The Nationals for a while looked like they may take a pitchers dual and split the four game set.  Unfortunately Colin Balester could not hold the lead in the sixth.  Balester(1-4) finished the day with five complete innings and five hits and four runs, including the shot to Ryan Braun.  The only run for the Nationals came from Will Nieves RBI groundout.  CenterfieldGate has more on the Nats latest struggles.

Martinez makes a good first impression

Pedro Martinez made his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies last night, replacing Jamie Moyer in the rotation and managed to get a win.  Martinez(1-0) went five innings allowing seven hits and three runs, while striking out five and he allowed two of his three runs in the fifth.  He was helped by a Phillies offense finally breaking out after a number of mediocre games, mainly with an eight run fourth.  In the fourth inning alone, Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez hit three run home runs, and Feliz and Ruiz added RBI singles as well.  The Phillies cruised after that to a 12-5 win for their second straight after being swept over the weekend, check out Phillies Phandom for more on them.

Jeff Samardzija made the start for the Cubbies on this day and could not do much against the Phillies offense.  Samardzija(1-2) went only 3.1 innings and allowed eight hits and seven runs and raised his era to 7.81 on the season.  RBI singles from Jake Baker, Milton Bradley and Ryan Theriot produced most of the offense for the Cubs.  They will hope to take the final game of the series today.

bound to have a bad start or two

The Florida Marlins couldn’t make it six in a row last night in south Florida, as they were beat up 14-6 by the Houston Astros.  The Astros got five runs in the first and added another in the second before the Marlins could get on the board.  Hunter Pence had the big blow in the first with a three run home run and actually finished the game with six RBI as he added another three run shot in the fourth inning.  Starter Bud Norris(3-0) went the minimum and allowed ten hits and four runs, five overall but was bailed out by stellar offense on this day.

Ricky Nolasco just had one of those days for the Marlins, they just hope its only one, unlike early this season.  Nolasco(8-8) only got through 3.1 innings and was tagged for eight hits and TEN earned runs which you don’t see very often.  He did help himself with the bat in the second with an RBI single and Hanley Ramirez contributed a two run home run in the fourth, but they could not manage enough to climb back into this one.  FishGuts has more on the Marlins and this win.

LaRoche - A welcome addition

The Atlanta Braves broke the Nationals winning streak Tuesday night and last night, they started them on a losing streak.  Derek Lowe(12-7) went seven strong innings and only allowed two runs on four walks and five strikeouts to get back in teh swing of things ans he had some offense behind him.  On their way to a 6-2 victory, the Braves hit four home runs of the solo variety, including two from Adam LaRoche and one each by Garrett Anderson and Martin Prado.  LaRoche even added an RBI later in the game while walking with the bases loaded for more insurance for the Braves.  The Braves Baseball Blog is your place to go for all Braves related info.

Nationals starter Craig Stammen had the opposite problem of Derek Lowe on this night, his offense did not do much for him.  Stammen got a no decision as he went six innings and allowed two runs, both on solo shots.  Jorge Sosa(1-1) who had been lights out so far for the Nats only got one out in the seventh and allowed what would eventually be the winning run to score on a home run.  Adam Dunn and Ronnie Belliard both had RBI singles for the Nationals and that produced both runs they would get, but once again, Christian Guzman singled to extend his streak to 17 games and Zimmerman now has a 15 game streak.  Centerfieldgate will have more on the Nats.

Whats this? A Save? a WIN?

The New York Mets managed once again to take the final game of a series, as they won 6-4 in Arizona yesterday.  For five innings of the game, it looked like the same old Mets offense as they were down 1-0 going into the top of the sixth.  At that point the Mets got three runs, on a wild pitch, and two more on a single while Tatis tried to stretch his hit to a double.  The Mets promptly lost the leadi n the seventh, only to uncharacteristically get it back in the eighth and ninth with three more runs.  Castillo singled home a run and then Corey Sullivan tripled home Castillo with what proved to be the winner.  Pedro Feliciano(5-4) got a blown save and a win in this one as he was on the mound to give up the tying runs in the seventh but got credit for the win as well, and Francisco Rodriguez got his 25th save of the season.  Check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more.

Jon Garland may have been his own worst enemy yesterday as he got the Mets on the board with his own error and wild pitch.  After that, the wheels came off for the inning nad he was headed for a loss except for Mets relief pitching.  Josh Whitesell and Miguel montero got him off the hook with RBI singles in the seventh inning.  Jon Rauch(2-1) got the loss as he gave up two runs on three hits in the eighth inning.  Josh Whitesell added another RBI single in the ninth, but that was all the D’Backs got in losing 6-4.

Sanchez pitches Giants past Phils

McCann hits the winning shot

The Braves needed to at least salvage one game in this series to stay in reach of the wild card and the small possibility of the division.  By the eighth inning they were up 3-1 and looked on their way to that salvaged game.  It seems at that point was when the Braves skipper must have realized he left Vazquez in too long.  Vazquez went 7.1 innings but was charged with three runs in a no decision as he got a no decision.  Lucky for him, Brian McCann hit a three run home run in the 10th inning and that proved to be the difference as the Braves won the game 6-3.  Peter Moylan(3-2) worked the bottom of the ninth inning giving up a single hit to qualify for the win and Rafael Soriano struck out the side in the tenth for his 15th save of the year.  The Braves Baseball Blog has all the Braves info you need.

The Marlins were trying to make have another come from behind win, as they did late in Tuesday’s game but that didn’t happen.  Rick VandenHurk went six innings and only allowing two runs in his third start since being recalled.  After the game went to extra innings, former National and Met, Luis Ayala(0-1) gave up the home run mentioned above to McCann and took the loss.  Ronnie Paulino and Jorge Cantu had RBI’s for the Marlins and Cody Ross had a solo home run as well.  Check out FishGuts for more information on the Marlins.

Santana dominates

Game 1

In the matinee of the doubleheader the Mets and Rockies played today, Johan Santana was on his game.  Santana(12-8) worked seven mainly pain free innings while only allowing four hits, a walk and striking out eight.  The Mets offense supported him with a five run second inning with a two run double by Angel Berroa of all people.  David Wright added two RBI for the Mets who won their fifth straight game in this one.

The Rockies on the other hand have virtually nothing to write about from this game.  Starter Jason Hammel(5-6) lasted only 1.1 innings and was charged with five runs on seven hits and taxed the Rockies bullpen early in the day.  No one in the Rockies lineup had more than one hit against Santana as well.

Barmes with the big blow

Game 2

In the nightcap, Colorado came in looking to avoid a four game sweep and dropping farther out of the wild card race.  Jorge De La Rosa(9-7) was up to the task, giving up only two runs while pitching into the seventh inning.  He even helped himself in the game as he led off the top of the seventh with a double.  He would score on a Clint Barmes home run later in the inning that proved to be the difference.  Ryan Spillborghs had an RBI single in the sixth which was the first run the Rockies had scored since the series opener on Monday.  Tulowitzki added an RBI triple in the eighth for insurance.

The New York Mets sent rookie Jonathon Niese to the hill for his second start since being recalled and he did pitch well.  Going into the sixth inning he was  pitching a shut out, but it unraveled from there.  Niese(1-1) went 6.1 innings giving up four runs and six hits in taking the Mets first loss since he began their winning streak on Saturday.  Jeff Francouer got a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning scoring David Wright and Fernando Tatis had a solo home run in the seventh for all their runs.  The Real Dirty Mets Blog will have all the Mets info on both games today.

Riggleman's first ejection as Nats Mgr!

The Brewers were trying during the Thursday finale of their series with the Nats to salvage a split.  They luckily sent ace, Yovani Gallardo to the hill to try to get that done, and he did just that.  Gallardo(10-7) went seven innings giving up three runs and eleven strike outs.  At one point, it looked bad for the Brewers after a three run homer, but playing small ball worked out for the team from Milwaukee.  Besides Craig Counsell and Prince Fielder home runs, the other four runs from small ball, sacrifice flies, baserunning and RBI ground outs.

The Nationals had one player produce offensively for them today, Ryan Zimmerman.  Zimmerman hit a three run home run in the fourth scoring Nyjer Morgan and Nick Johnson to provide all of the offense.  Rookie J.D. Martin(0-2) went six innings but gave up five runs on seven hits, including the two home runs as the Nats have now lost two in a row after three wins straight.  CenterfieldGate will have more on the Nats for you.