It’s All ‘Werth’ It To Me
Friday night will be one to remember for Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth. He entered the game as part of a platoon in right field with left handed hitter Geoff Jenkins. He left the game with his name forever etched in the Phillies record books. Werth hit a three run homer in the second to make it 3-0 Phillies, a grand slam in the third to make it 8-0 and then a solo shot in the fifth inning to make it 9-2 Phillies.
With the eight RBIs Werth racked up on Friday night he became one of 5 Phillies in franchise history to perform the feat. Werth’s previous career high of four RBIs in one game came not long ago. The other four members of the exclusive club are Gavvy Cravath, Willie ‘Puddin’ Head’ Jones, Kitty Bransfield and the one and only Michael Jack Schmidt.
Werth’s final at-bat of the night was a pop-out in foul ground to first base, ending the drama for one evening. The fans wanted to see a fourth home run and a ninth RBI but it wasn’t to be. The last time the Phillies had a three homer game was on September 3, 2006 against the Atlanta Braves. Howard hit all three shots off of Tim Hudson.
The Phillies take on the Blue Jays again tonight at Citizens Bank Park in game two of a three game set with their foes from 1993. On a side note: former Phillies third baseman Scott Rolen collected an RBI last night against his old club.
NL Player of the Month–Chase Utley!
“Chase Utley you are the man!”
Those words have been uttered by Hall of Fame Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas quite often since Utley arrived to the majors. The first time; when Utley picked up his first career hit–a grand slam into the right field bullpen at the Vet against the Colorado Rockies. It has been uttered when the stellar second baseman has made an incredible diving catch to his left, right, or towards the outfield.
Kalas has uttered those words before and will utter them again until he retires from the booth. Earlier this week Utley was named the NL Player of the Month for April, what a shock. The Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton took home the honors for the AL. Utley had one of the best season opening months of his career and has carried into May.
Here are his stats for the month of April:
.360 BA
11 HR’s
10 2B’s
23 RBIs
.766 slugging percentage
Utley homered in five consecutive games, tying a Phillies record that was most recently accomplished by Bobby Abreu. He hit six homeruns during that five-game span, did not hit one on day six, and then hit one the following day…seven homeruns in seven days…pretty good.
Here are Utley’s stats through Saturday’s game:
.369 BA
13 HR
26 RBIs
28 R
10 2B
1 3B
2-2 stolen bases
Utley finished the 2007 season, after missing 30 games due to his broken hand, with a .332 BA, 22 HR, and 103 RBIs. If Utley can stay healthy all season long, or avoid freak injuries, he will be the third straight Phillie to be named the NL MVP. But don’t count out his teammate Pat Burrell–if he continues his torrid start to the season.
-Jim
A Winning April!!
Well, it finally happened. The Phillies picked up a winning month of April. All that talk of the team starting slow out of the gate and finishing April at or below .500 was a fluke, at least for 2008. The team picked up its first winning April since 2003 with a 15-12 record for the month of April.
The team had to suffer through injuries to key players and an incredible slump from first baseman Ryan Howard.
2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins has been on the disabled list for the past couple of weeks and won’t return until at least Thursday of this coming week. Outfielder Shane Victorino spent a couple of weeks on the shelf, along with closer Brad Lidge, and Chris Snelling–Victorino’s replacement.
The team played with a positive outlook on the situation and fought hard each night. They have been getting incredible production from left fielder Pat Burrell and second baseman Chase Utley. Both are early season candidates for NL MVP for the 2008 season. Those two lineup stalwarts have guided the Phillies to a 17-14 record in 2008. Burrell capped a 10th inning victory on Friday night with a 2-run walkoff homerun.
With the winning April, a good start to May, and the team’s All-Star shortstop due back in the coming days, the Phillies are poised to make the early months of the summer exciting ones.
-Jim
Back to Even!
The Phillies got back to .500 last night with a dominating 7-1 win over the slumping Chicago Cubs. Cole Hamels picked up his second win in 2008 (2-1) while dropping his ERA to 0.82. He struck out five, walked two, and allowed only one hit in seven innings pitched. Not a bad performance.
The Phillies are in the midst of an important nine-game homestand. Once they are done hosting the Cubs, the Phillies welcome the Houston Astros and New York Mets. Both series will bring high emotions to the ballpark.
Patrolling centerfield for the Astros is Michael Bourn, a former Phillie, and in the bullpen is Geoff Geary, also a former Phillie. The boos will rain down when the Astros take the field, especially if their GM is shown on the big screen in left field. Yes, the same GM who was in charge of the Phillies up until his firing at the end of the 2005 season. Ed Wade makes his return to Philadelphia, with a revamped Astros lineup and shaky pitching staff this week. Let’s go Phillies. Time to prove to Eddie why we let him go!!
When the Mets move into town, it will be the first series between the two teams in Philadelphia in 2008. The Phillies, after winning game one of their series in NY, lost the final two games of the series. The toughest loss was 4-3 in extra innings on a close play at the plate between catcher Chris Coste and shortstop Jose Reyes.
With Brett Myers pitching eight innings in game one versus the Cubs and Hamels pitching seven innings in game two, the Phillies bullpen is extremely well rested for the series finale with the Cubs and the upcoming series with the Astros and Mets.
The Phillies are 6-6 and 1.5 games behind the NL East leading Florida Marlins heading into today’s series finale with the Cubs.
Opening Day
March 31, 2008.
The defending National League Eastern Division Champion Philadelphia Phillies opened their 2008 season at home on Monday versus the team they beat to secure the title, the Washington Nationals. The opening ceremonies were electrifying, as P.A. announcer Dan Baker announced the entire team. For the starting lineup he introduced the players from 9 to 1, leaving 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins for the end.
The ovations for Chase Utley and 2006 NL MVP Ryan Howard were nice, but the ovation for Rollins was unforgettable.
The game began, with the Phillies grabbing an early lead, but Brett Myers couldn’t find a groove Monday. The Phils fell 11-6, after Tom Gordon allowed five, ninth inning runs.
Aside from the pre-game ceremonies, the game itself was one to be forgotten. The Phillies haven’t won a season opener since 2005.
The atmosphere at the ballpark was electric until the Nationals took a 6-2 lead in the middle innings. Rollins tied the game at 6 with a two-run home run in the middle innings, rousing the crowd one final time.
If this team can find pitching like it did last season it will compete all season long with the Mets for the East crown. If not, this team will sink quickly. Let’s hope for the first scenario.
The Phillies can be successful for a second straight season and should hope to be if they wish to have the city on their backs again. When that stadium starts rockin’ it is one of the most incredible feelings a sports fan can experience.
-Jim
Welcome!
Hello all,
I would like to welcome you to my newest blog. I write for four other, of which two are my personal sites. If you would like to check them out here’s the links:
http://www.baseballislife.wordrpress.com
http://www.bleacherbums.wordpress.com
http://www.probaseball-fans.com
http://www.sports-shop.com/blog
In the meantime, I wll be attending the Phillies home opener on Monday against the Washington Nationals. I will post following the game about the atmosphere of the stadium, especially when the team is announced as the 2007 defending National League East Division champions!!
Talk to you soon!
Jim
Jim Vassallo
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