Ham Ram gets NL Player of the week

Fresh off the announcement that he was the National League Co-Player of the week , Hanley Ramirez went 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI bringing his average to .339 on the season while the Marlins defeated the Nationals 4-2.  This game was tied until the bottom of the eighth inning as there was a great pitched game by former Marlins Scott Olsen and Ricky Nolasco who appears to be turning his season around.  Nolasco(5-6) went eight innings of four hit ball while giving up only two runs and striking out eight.  Since being sent down to the minor league squad in late May with a 9.07 ERA in nine starts, Nolasco has a 1.80 ERA in five starts and is 4-1 in those games.  After Olsen pitched seven strong innings for the Nationals in his first start back from the disabled list, Ron Villone(3-5) went two thirds of an inning giving up what would eventually be the winning run to the Marlins.  Leo Nunez got the final out to record his third save of the season for the Marlins.  The Marlins moved into second place in the National League East with the victory and the series continues tonight.  For more Nationals news visit Centerfieldgate.

What could he be thinking?

The New York Mets continued their downward spiral on Monday night as they lost their fourth straight game, falling three full games behind the Phillies and even falling behind the Florida Marlins in the National League East.  Formerly undefeated Fernando Nieve(3-1) only lasted into the fourth inning this time, giving up eleven total hits and three earned runs and one home run.  The game was kept close until the Brewers broke it open in the final three innings getting seven runs off the final three Mets relievers, and those turned out to be important.  In the sixth inning, Brewers third basemen Casey McGehee made up for a Luis Castillo like error by hitting a grand slam, putting the Brew Crew up seven to three at that time.  Braden Looper(6-4) worked 6.1 innings against his former club only giving up one earned run and three in total and even contributed an RBI single.  Trevor Hoffman was summoned unexpectedly in the ninth inning to pick up his 18th save after Carlos Villanueva could only record one out while giving up five hits and three runs and making the game much closer than it actually was.  The two teams continue the series tonight at 8pm in Milwaukee and the Mets hope that ace Johan Santana can break their losing streak.  For additional Mets news, go to The Real Dirty Mets Blog.

If interested in helping the NLEC, please contact mrose@nleastchatter.com

Lidge returns to action

The Phillies won their first series since taking two out of three from the Mets in early June by beating the Blue Jays 5-4 in Toronto yesterday.  Jamie Moyer(6-6) went five innings while giving up four earned runs, but giving up three earned runs in earning the win for the Phils.  Brian Tallet(5-5) went slightly longer than Jamie Moyer, giving up the same number of earned runs but because of an unearned run, took the loss in this game.  Brad Lidge worked a shaky ninth inning to get his first save since returning from the disabled list, his 14th of the year.  The Phillies will take Monday off before heading to Atlanta to take on the Braves on Tuesday.

Rivera joins the elite 500 save club

During the nightcap for Sunday’s games, the Mets were hoping to manage one game in this edition of the Subway Series against the Yankees.  Unfortunately, mental issues stopped them from doing that early in the game once again.  Livan Hernandez(5-3) worked seven innings, while only giving up three runs in the first inning of a game in which Daniel Murphy, the young and unexperienced first basemen made another odd play.  In the first inning, on a ground ball, he decided to throw to third to hope to get a tag down on Jeter rather than taking a sure out at first base which likely made a huge difference in the game.  Chien-Ming Wang(1-6) got his first win of the year with just over five innings of two run ball, but was not the Wang of old yet.  Mariano Rivera worked 1.1 innings and got an RBI to earn his first RBI of his career on a bases loaded walk and earn his 500th save of his amazing career.  The Mets hope that returning to regular National League play this week will allow them to right their ship, check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more information.

Fredi is concerned

The Florida Marlins managed just four hits yesterday against the Tampa Bay Rays in the finale of their three game set and interleague play.  After a successful week against the Yankees and Orioles, the Marlins could not manage a win versus the defending American League champions.  David Price(2-2) worked 6.1 innings while only giving up two hits and one run, but five bases on balls to get the win, as Andrew Miller(2-4) gave up all five Rays runs in the same amount of time.  J.P. Howell who had earned wins in the first two games of this series, got the last two outs of this game on strike outs for his fifth save of the season.  The Marlins welcome the last place Nationals into Miami this week for a three game set.

Chipper and Garret go yard

Tommy Hanson continues to impress everyone and show that he is the phenom prospect he was supposed to be.  Hanson(4-0) went six innings of two hit ball to get his fourth win in five starts this season for the Braves.  The closer revolving door for the Braves let Mike Gonzalez get his ninth save of the year in a 2-1 Braves win with Rafael Soriano getting the hold today.  The Braves were propelled to victory but two solo home runs by Chipper Jones and Garret Anderson and that’s all the pitching needed.  Brad Penny(6-3) worked six strong innings only giving up the solo shots in taking the loss.  The Braves will welcome in the Phillies tomorrow night, check out The Braves Baseball Blog for more information.

The Nats celebrate a win

The Nats were another NL East team which was looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of an AL East team yesterday.  Like the Braves, the Nationals managed to get the win and avoid the series sweep by the Orioles.  Adam Dunn hit yet another monster home run and John Lannan(5-5) pitched another solid game into the eighth inning to get the win for the Nationals.  Mike MacDougal picked up his third save of the season while David Hernandez(1-2) went 5.2 innings pitched while giving up three runs in taking the loss for the O’s.  The Nationals will travel to Miami and take on the Marlins this week, more will be available at CenterfieldGate.

Make sure to check back later for the NL East Series Preview for this week.

Multiple sources are reporting John Maine had to get a cortisone shot in his shoulder on Thursday and could be out until the All-star Break.  The Real Dirty Mets Blog will have more information as it becomes available.

The Rosters for the 2009 Futures Game on July 12th in St. Louis have been announced, and the National League East has 8 total representatives including 3 clubs with multiple.  The players that are listed are below:

	World Yohan Flande LHP US Kyle Drabek RHP
	World Jennry Mejia RHP Wilmer Flores SS
	US Mike Stanton OF
	World Luis Perez LHP US Jason Heyward
	US Danny Espinosa

Still an odd sight for Phils fans

The Phillies were unsuccessful in their bid to win consecutive games since playing the Mets 2 weeks ago, as they fell to the Rays 7-1 in Tampa.  Former long time Philly Pat “The Bat” Burrell hit a two-run homer in the 2nd that proved to be all the offense Tampa would need and got another RBI in the 8th on a ground out on route to Tampa’s 7-1 win.  Joe Blanton(4-4) took the loss going 7 strong innings while giving up  only two runs and left with the Phillies having a chance to get him off the hook.  J.C. Romero and Chan Ho Park dashed those dreams in the 8th inning as they allowed 5 runs between them in the inning.  Matt Garza(5-5) pitched 8 innings while giving up just a solo home run to Jayson Werth in the 7th  to even his record for the season.   The series finale is tonight when Antonio Bastardo gets the start against Andy Sonnanstine at 7:08PM.

Nieve goes to 3-0

The New York Mets barely recognizeable lineup managed to score a season high in runs against the NL Central leading St. Louis Cardinals last night, winning 11-0.  David Wright contributed four hits while scoring 3 runs, and newly recalled Nick Evans got 2 hits and a 2 run home run in his 1st start of the season for the Mets.  Fernando Nieve(3-0) remained undefeated on the season picking up the win going six strong innings and three other Mets pitchers finished off the 4 hit shutout for the Mets.  Converted reliever Brad Thompson went five innings giving up five runs and eight hits to take the loss in the game.  The Mets and Cardinals finish off the four game series this afternoon at 1:10PM with a great matchup of Chris Carpenter taking on Johan Santana.  Check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more Mets info.

Hanley Ramirez with a 2 run single

The Florida Marlins kept up their late resurgence taking their fourth straight and second straight against the Baltimore Orioles in Miami.  Hanley Ramirez was once again a main contributer with a single in the 1st to score 2, and Dan Uggla also contributed two hits and two runs.  Ricky Nolasco(4-6) continues to get back into form after a trip to the minors working 7 innings for the win.  Jason Berken(1-4) took the loss for the Orioles, while Dan Meyer picked up his 1st save while filling in for the Marlins injured closer Matt Lindstrom.  The Marlins send Sean West to the hill against Rich Hill tonight in Miami before they travel north to Tampa this weekend.

You may not see this ever again

The Yankees were finally able to get a win, while jump starting their offense on Wednesday night in Atlanta.  Unlikely hero Francisco Cervelli got a rally started in the 6th inning to give the Yankees the lead, and they never looked back.  Joba Chamberlain(4-2) got his control back for this game, walking zero over 6.1 Innings pitched and giving up three runs, two earned on his way to the victory.  Mariano Rivera worked 1.1 Innings for his 16th save while striking out every batter he faced and even earning a rare at bat(pictured above) where he lined up.  Kenshin Kawakami left the game in the third inning after being hit in the neck with a line drive, the injury is said to not be serious.  Kris Medlen(2-3) took the loss in 2.2 Innings pitched for the Braves.  The series finale will feature Andy Pettitte on the mound for the Yanks and Derek Lowe for the Braves tonight in Atlanta.  More Braves information, always over at The Braves Baseball Blog.

Is this Fenway South - NL?

The Red Sox won their fourth straight last night, while “visiting” Nationals park in Washington D.C. and playing the Nats.  A crowd of 41,530 saw the Red Sox take their second straight in the nations capital, with help from Ortiz and Varitek’s home runs in a 6-4 victory.  Jon Lester went six innings giving up 3 runs and striking out six in getting the victory for the Red Sox and Jonathan Papelbon worked the ninth for his 17th save of the season. Craig Stammen(1-3) couldn’t bring the same magic he had last week at The New Yankee Stadium and worked 5.1 innings and got the loss in this game.  The series finale features Nats rookie Jordan Zimmermann facing off against former long time Brave John Smoltz.  This will be Smoltz’ first start since last season and first pitch is at 7:05PM.  For more Nats info, check out CenterfieldGate.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News and Yahoo.com, Brad Lidge has said he is ready to return from the disabled list.  He threw a scoreless inning in a rehab assignment on Tuesday night and hopes to be activated Wednesday.  There is no official word on when he will be activated though.  Check back for updates.

Condrey to the DL?

Phillies RP Clay Condrey is likely headed to the DL according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.  Condrey has apparently been bothered by a strained left oblique and he would be the 3rd Phillies closer on the disabled list joining Eyre and Lidge.  Condrey is 4-2 with a 3.71 ERA this season in 33 games.  A decision will be made before Tuesdays game, check back for updates.

Update 11:36AM: Condrey WILL be placed on the DL prior to today’s game.  Sergio Escalona will be called up for the 4th time this season.  This is according to Beerleaguer and Jayson Start of ESPN

There were only two games in the National League East on Monday June 22nd, as the Philadelphia Phillies, Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals had the night off.  Here is the summary of the rest of the action:

Daniel Murphy hits his 5th HR of the season

Only hours after a barrage of roster moves for the NY Mets, a team which was barely recognizable took the field to face the NL Central leading St. Louis Cardinals.  Mainly Mets fill-in players or surprises helped them take the opening game of a 4 game series, including Tim Redding(1-2) working into the 8th to get his 1st win as a New York Met.  Todd Wellemeyer(6-7) got the loss with 5.2 innings, giving up 5 runs on 10 hits and 4 walks.  Daniel Murphy pictured above hit his 5th home run of the year and Omir Santos continued to be a pleasant surprise for the Mets getting his first 4 hit game of his career with an RBI and a run scored.  Francisco Rodriguez worked his second straight 1-2-3 ninth inning since his blown save in Baltimore to get his 19th save.  Tonight Livan Hernandez will face off against Joel Pineiro for the Cards.  Visit The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more info on the Mets.

McLouth continues to produce as a Brave

The Braves returned home after a disappointing trip to Boston and welcomed in the Chicago Cubs to play a rained out game from earlier this year.  Javier Vazquez(5-6) got his 5th win of the season with 6.2 IP and 0 earned runs, while pitching out of trouble a few times.  Nate McLouth and Chipper Jones provided the offense for the Braves with an RBI each and 3 Atlanta relivers finished it off.  Rafael Soriano got his 6th save of the season and appears to have taken the role from Mike Gonzalez who did pitch a perfect 8th for his 4th hold of the year.  The Braves now will begin a three game set against the Yankees at Turner Field.  Check out The Braves Baseball Blog for more Braves news.

Special thanks to Mr North Jersey for design help. Again, if interested in helping the NLEC, please contact mrose@nleastchatter.com