Phillies vs. Indians

The Phillies scored 5 runs in the 2nd thanks to some hits by Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, and Chase Utley.  The Indians scored 2 runs in the 5th thanks to a 2 run homer by Jason Donald.  The Phillies scored 2 more in the bottom now leading 7-2.   In the 6th the Phillies tacked on 5 more runds thanks to a Dane Sardinha homer,  Placido Polanco double, Jason Werth sac fly, and a Wilson Valdez single.  The Indians scored again in the 8th when Trevor Crown doubled home Jason Donald.  With 2 outs the game went into a rain delay with Carlos Santana at the plate.

Joe Blanton got the win after he  pitched 7.2 innings giving up 6 hits, 3 runs, with 8 strikeouts.  Fausto Carmona got the lose and pitched just 4 innings give up 9 hits and 7 runs and no strikeouts.

Marlins vs. Orioles

The Orioles beat the Marlins in a score of 11-5. The Marlins struck fist scoring 2 runs in the 1st with singles from both Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla.  They added another run in the 2nd when Gaby Sanchez doubled home Ronnie Paulino.  The Orioles scored 5 runs in the 3rd thanks to to hits from Julio Lugo, Miguel Tejada, Ty Wigginton, Luke Scott, and Adam Jones.  The Marlins scored in the 5th when Dan Uggla singled home Gaby Sanchez.  Adam Jones added another run for the Orioles when he hit a solo shot in the bottom of the inning.  The Orioles added another run in the 6th when Luke Scott doubled home Miguel Tejada, the scored 3 more runs in the 7th when Miguel Tejada hit a 3 run bomb, and another in the 8th when Craig Tatum doubled home Adam Jones.  The Marlins added another run in the 9th when Dan Uggla singled home Gaby Sanchez.

Kevin Millwood got the win and pitched 5 innings giving up 8 hits, 4 runs, with 3 strikeouts.  Nate Robertson took the lose after only lasting 2.1 innings giving up 7 hits, 5 runs, with 2 strikeouts.

Braves vs. White Sox

The Braves lost to the White Sox in a score of 2-0.  The only runs of the game came in the 8th when Paul Konerko homered scoring Juan Pierre.

Derek Lowe started for the Braves pitching 7 innings giving up 5 hits, no runs, with 4 strikeouts.  Takashi Saito got the lose pitching 1 inning giving up 2 hits and 2 runs.  Gavin Floyd started for the White sox pitching 7 innings  giving up 2 hits, no runs, with 9 strike outs.  JJ Putz got the win pitching just 1 inning.  Bobby Jenks got his 17th save of the season and 1 strike out.

Mets vs. Tigers

The Mets lose to the Tigers in a score of 5-6. The Tigers scored in the 1st when Miguel Cabrera hit a sac fly to score Austin Jackson.  The Tigers added 2 more runs in the 3rd when Magglio Ordonez hit a 2 run shot.  The Jesus Feliciano scored for the Mets in the 4th on an Ike Davis ground out.  In the 5th Ryan Raburn hit a solo shot, with the bases loaded Brandon Inge walked scoring Magglio Ordonez, and  Danny Worth grounded out to score Miguel Cabrera.  The Mets added 3 runs in the 6th from hits by David Wright, Ike Davis, and Jason Bay.  Chris Carter singled home Ruben Tejada to get the Mets another run in the 7th.

Armando Galarraga got the win pitching 6 innings giving up 5 hits, 4 runs, with 1 strikeout.  Hisanori Takahashi took the lose after he pitched 4 innings giving up 8 hits, 6 runs, with 4 strikeouts.  Jose Valverde got his 17th save of the season including 1 strikeout.

The Nationals were off today

Phillies vs. Twins

The Phillies beat the Twins by a score of 9-5. The Phillies scored early and often, getting three runs in the 1st and five runs in the 2nd. Philadelphia had back-to-back home runs by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the 2nd to make it 8-0. Howard had two home runs on the night along with a triple. The Twins got on the board in the 6th with an RBI single by Michael Cuddyer, and again in the 7th on a Nick Pinto home run. The Twins fought back to score two more in the 9th on a wild pitch and an RBI ground out by Orlando Hudson.

Joe Blanton got the win for the Phillies, going 6 innings and giving up three runs on seven hits. Nick Blackburn took the loss, lasting only 1.2 innings, allowing eight runs on six hits.

For more go to Phillies Phandom.

Nationals vs. White Sox

The Nationals lost to the White Sox in extra innings 2-1. The White Sox jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the 1st inning, but then the game was all pitching. Washington tied it up in the 7th with an RBI double by Adam Dunn. The game remained tied until the 11th when a single by Alex Rios scored Mark  Kotsay for the go ahead run.

Stephen Strasburg, who had a no decision, pitched 7 innings allowing one run on four hits and struck out ten. Drew Storen took the loss for the Nationals. Gavin Floyd also had a no decision, going 8 innings and giving up one run on four hits. J.J. Putz got the win. Bobby Jenks recorded his 14th save for Chicago.

Check out Centerfield Gate for more info.

Marlins vs. Rays

The Marlins snapped a three-game losing streak, beating the Rays 7-4. The Rays jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the 1st on an RBI double by Ben Zobrist. The Marlins responded in the bottom of the inning. After Chris Coghlan scored to make it 2-1, rookie Mike Stanton hit his first Major League home run — a grand slam — to give the Marlins a 5-2 lead. Florida would go on to score two more in the 2nd on singles by Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla. Tampa Bay scored one run in the 4th on an error by Ramirez, and again in the 7th on a single by B.J. Upton.

Nate Robertson got the win, going 6 innings and allowing three runs on five hits. Matt Garza got the loss, throwing only 1.1 innings and giving up seven runs on seven hits. Leo Nunez got his 14th save for the Marlins.

Check out Fish Guts for more.

Braves vs. Royals

The Braves held onto first place in the NL East with their 6-4 win over the Royals. Atlanta struck first, scoring two runs in the 2nd on a sacrifice bunt by Derek Lowe and later in the inning on a wild pitch. Kansas City would tie it up with an RBI single by Jason Kendall in the 3rd and a home run by Billy Butler in the 4th. The Braves scored three more in the 4th with a double by Melky Cabrera and singles by Lowe and Chipper Jones. The Royals scored again in the 7th and 8th on singles by Wilson Betemit and Jose Guillen.

Derek Lowe got the win going 6.1 innings and allowing three runs on six hits. Brian Bannister took the loss, lasting only 4 innings and giving up five runs on seven hits. Billy Wagner got his 13th save for Atlanta.

Check out Braves Baseball for more.

Mets vs. Yankees

The Mets won their eighth straight, beating the Yankees 4-0. The Mets scored in the 1st on an RBI single by Ike Davis. They got two more runs in the eighth when a double by Angel Pagan scored Ruben Tejada and Jose Reyes. Reyes drove in a run in the 9th to make it 4-0. Nick Swisher went 2-5 and Francisco Cervelli went 2-4 for the Yankees.

Hisanori Takahashi pitched 6 strong innings to get the win, giving up no runs on four hits. Javier Vazquez took the loss, throwing 7 innings and allowing one run on three hits. Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 16th save.

Check out Real Dirty Mets Blog for more.

Please feel free to email any recommend questions or comments about the segment to mrose@nleastchatter.com or go to this forum topic and post a reply.  We need questions for our next Chatter Up! sessions, which are for Tuesday’s games of the Nationals @ Phillies and the Mets @ Braves.  Thanks for everyone’s participation!

Welcome to Chatter Up! This week features Matt Smith of Phillies Phandom against DirtySanchez of  The Real Dirty Mets Blog.  When this idea was first created by NLEC, we thought this would be a much more exciting matchup, but that is why they play the games right?  Lets get to it!

DirtySanchez(TRDMB) & Mark(CFG): Jamie Moyer clearly believes that his relegation to the bullpen is unfair. Will his attitude stand in the way of his ability to provide the Phils with the necessary late innings relief they need?

Matt S(PP): I guess you missed Tuesday’s game. Jamie came in after the rain delay and pitched six shutout innings. I’d say that’s pretty effective . It’s no secret that he is upset about the demotion, but he’s a professional. He’s 46-years-old. He’s been through it all during his major league career. Right now, Moyer is the team’s long man out of the bullpen. While everyone has been happy with Pedro (the guy is an absolute blast in the clubhouse — he meshes right in with this close-knit group. Not to mention, he’s pitched pretty well), if he completely falters in his next 3-4 start, he could be moved to the bullpen before the end of the regular season. But, at this point, the idea is for Pedro to continue being the No. 5 starter and, come playoff time, a reliable, experienced arm out of the pen.

DirtySanchez(TRDMB):Has the league caught up with Lidge and that’s what has caused his 8 bs or is he pitching through injury?

Matt S(PP):I think you’re right — the league has caught up to him a bit. From what I understand, hitters aren’t chasing the slider as often as last year. But the worst thing about Lidge this season has been his total lack of command of his fastball. He has no idea where it’s going, and typically, he leaves it in spots where guys can put a good swing on the ball. The team and Lidge have said a thousand times since he returned from the disabled list that he is not injured. In fact, pitching coach Rich Dubee has been on record as saying that his stuff is BETTER than what it was last season. Actually, Lidge has also said that he feels better than ever and he feels as though his stuff is better, too. Obviously, it hasn’t shown in the results.

DirtySanchez(TRDMB) & Mark P(CFG): For Phillies: What’s wrong with Cole Hamels? He’s struggling. Can he return to form?

Matt S(PP): I’ve answered this question a few times… but it’s cool! Cole Hamels just hasn’t been able to get going this year. Last year’s playoff run took a huge physical toll on him. Remember, he hadn’t thrown 200-plus innings at any level in his career (including high school) before last year, when he threw 240-plus frames. I also think hitters have adjusted well to his change up. He’s getting too predictable. His curveball is average at best, so at this point in his young career, the guy has two pitches (change-up/fastball). Like I said, hitters can guess easily. For the most part, though, Hamels hasn’t been making very good pitches this year. Even though batters have adjusted against him, when Hamels is rolling, he’s unhittable. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for most of the year. He’s been, in two words, very ordinary. Also keep in mind that Hamels isn’t a Cliff Lee. Sure Hamels has proven to be a clutch pitcher, but he’s not a bulldog. You have to treat him like fragile glass. Something tells me that he’ll work on some things in the offseason and come back a completely different pitcher next season. That said, I still have all the confidence that he’s on the verge of breaking out in September and in October, as he did last year when he carried the pitching staff.

DirtySanchez(TRDMB) & TRS(TRDMB): How do you feel the Phillies will react to being the hunted rather than the hunter going into September with the marlins and possibly the braves within striking distance?

Matt S(PP):The Phillies have handled the pressure very well. I know the Marlins sweep left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, but they responded very nicely winning 7 of 8 through Wednesday. That’s the thing about this team: they respond. When you think they’re on the verge of a New York Mets-like collapse job (I’m sorry Mets friends!), they keep coming back. These guys are winners. The “pressure” argument is moot at this point. If they were “feeling the pressure,” would they be 19 games over .500 and 6 games up in the division? I don’t think so. There is no pressure on this team. And if there is, they use it to their advantage. There’s no question in my mind that they will play their best baseball in September and win the division handily.

TRS(TRDMB): To Mets fans it seems as though the Phillies and their fans are obsessed with the Mets. Does it seem that the opposite is true to the Phillies fans?

Matt S(PP):Obsessed with Mets fans? Listen… both fanbases have their idiots. I’m sure idiot Phillies fans go on Mets message boards rubbing it in that the Mets are having a lousy season. The same can be said about Mets fans, you know, the idiotic fans who go on Phillies message boards claiming the Mets are better than the Phillies when healthy. I don’t think for one second that Phillies are obsessed with Mets fans. At this point, the Mets are as irrelevant as Paris Hilton in the eyes of Phillies fans (the majority, that is). It sucks that the rivalry is no where near as passionate as it’s been the last two years, but that’s because the Mets resemble a semi-pro club right now. Let’s hope that next year will be a different story so we can all have some fun again. Maybe this upcoming series will rekindle the fire just a bit.

Thanks Matt and on to DirtySanchez of The Real Dirty Mets Blog.

Mark(CFG): The Mets are going to revamp in the offseason, what would recommend as their first move?

DirtySanchez(TRDMB): Fire Omar Minaya…just kidding(sort of). We are in need of a #2 starter or power from the OF. I believe their first move should be trying to either sign a #2 type FA pitcher or work on a trade for one. Most likely Bay will remain in Boston and the fight for Holiday will get ugly.

Mark(CFG): The signing of Stephen Strasburg has made every GM focus on their own farm system. Do the Mets have a Stephen Strasburg-in waiting that they can look forward to next year of the year after?

DirtySanchez(TRDMB): We have pitching prospects but none on the caliber of Stephen Strasburg. Our two best pitching prospects are Jenrry Mejia and Brad Holt. Neither of them will be ready by next year but Mejia may be ML ready come 2011.

Mark(CFG): Will Omar Minaya get fired? Should he?

DirtySanchez(TRDMB): That is the magic question. There are several factors to consider with a move like that. Omar Minaya executed an extension prior to this season that will go into effect in 2010. Now that extension is chump change but it would seem rather unprecedented for someone to get canned before their extension kicks in. Another factor has been his body of work. Since Omar took over the Mets payroll has increased every year and they were able to put a competitive team together(except for this year of course). The problem with the evaluation of that is in all that time(5 yrs) the Mets only have a Division title(2006) to show for it. With the Adam Rubin situation and Tony Bernazard most likely not helping Omars chances, it will defiantly be a focal point going into the offseason. The one thing you never want to do is take on the NY media…Should be interesting to see if Omar Minaya can live to tell about it

Mark(CFG): The injury to David Wright was part of a spate of similar beanings — and thankfully he’s okay. But he lacks the power this year he had last year and seems uncertain at third. Will he bounce back? What can we expect of him playing an entire career in non-homer friendly Citi Field?

DirtySanchez(TRDMB):David Wright has been very consistent every year he has been up in the major leagues, given his history im sure he will bounce back. David Wright made it known that he made an adjustment to hit more line drives this year. Now, many people do not buy this as an excuse but I think Davids production should be treated with a certain degree of latitude. This is his first year in Citi Field and im sure there is always an adjustment period(unless you play at Yankee Stadium) to the quirks and dimensions of a new ballpark. The first opposite field HR in Citi Field was hit by David Wright in August! I think David will adjust to Citi Field and learn where to swing to go for the homeruns. As many people have proven(Mark Reynolds especially)..it is possible to hit HR in Citi Field, you just got to know where to hit them.

Matt R(NLEC): How much has the Mets season and injuries effected what was and is still being advertised as a great weekend for Mets games, complete with the 1969 celebration? Will you still watch/go?

DirtySanchez(TRDMB): I believe the new ballpark has a lot to do with the fans continued interest on this season. The injuries have played a HUGE role in this season as Im sure anyone would be hard pressed to find a team that can lose quality players such as Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, David Wright, John Maine and JJ Putz and still remain competitive. I will still watch only because it should be interesting to see the Mets play the role of spoiler to contending teams…a role they have not had to be in for quite some time.

Please feel free to email any recommend questions or comments about the segment to mrose@nleastchatter.com or go to this forum topic and post a reply.  Lets also hope thats the first and last time that Paris Hilton was referenced on this blog eh?