Results tagged ‘ Brad Lidge ’
GAME FOUR – CHAMPS ADVANCE TO LCS
GAME FOUR – CHAMPS ADVANCE TO LCS
by Max Blue
Colorado did not go down easy,
Their three-run 8th made us queasy.
But Phils saved the best for the last,
Keyed by R-How’s clutch two base blast.
On to LA, land of Dopey and Sneezy.
Monday, October 12, 2009. Coors Field,Denver, Colorado.
Philadelphia – 5, Colorado – 4.
WP – Madson (1-0) [5-5]. LP – Street (0-2) [4-1].
H – Eyre (2) [13].
BS – Street (1) [2].
S- Lidge (2) [31]
HR – Victorino (1) [10], 1st.; Werth (2) [36], 6th.
It was a warm and snuggly night in Denver, a cool 47 degrees at game time. Cliff Lee took the mound in the first inning with a one-run lead thanks to Shane Victorino’s first inning homerun off Rockies’ ace, Ubaldo Jiminez. Program note: two years ago, here at Coors Field in the 7th inning of the Game 3 LDS, Victorino homered off Jiminez to tie the game at 1-1 though the Phillies lost it 3-1. Lee pitched into the 8th with a 2-1 lead then turned it over to Mad Dog Madson following a bizarre acrobatic leap by Dexter Fowler over Chase Utley fielding Todd Helton’s weak grounder in the basepath. . Utley’s flip to Rollins was dropped leaving two on and cleanup hitter Troy Tulowitzki due to hit. Madson retired Tulow but yielded a game-tying single to pinch-hitter Jason Giambi and a two-run double to catcher Yorvit Torrealba who nearly dislocated his jaw screaming his pleasure. Not so fast, Yorvit, these are the World’s Champions, and they showed it by posting a three-spot of their own in the 9th. With two out and two on, Charlie Manuel’s “Big Piece”, R-How, himself, nailed a Huston Street pitch for a breathtaking shot off the base of the rightfield wall to score Victorino and Utley. Jason Werth followed with a well-placed dunk to rightcenter plating Howard with the game and series-ending hit, when Brad Lidge fanned Tulowitzki with two on to end it.
Bring on the LA Dodgers.
LIDGE BLOWS TENTH SAVE
LIDGE BLOWS TENTH SAVE
by Max Blue
We thought Lidge was back,
no such luck, Jack,
two walks, two hits and Champs lose.
Is this the end of Chuck’s fuse?
It seems there is something Champs lack.
Saturday, September 5, 2009. Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas.
Houston – 5, Philadelphia – 4.
WP – Valverde (3-2), LP – Lidge (0-7).
H- Fulcino (8), Myers (1).
BS – Hawkins (4), Lidge (10).
HR – Pence (22), 2nd, 1 on.
♫ The pain in Spain comes mainly in the plain.♫
RYAN HOWARD, THE BIG PIECE
RYAN HOWARD – THE BIG PIECE
by Max Blue
As we watched the ball soar
and heard the crowd roar,
we knew it was Ryan Howard time,
helping Champs continue their climb,
and show Atlanta Braves the loss door.
Friday, August 28, 2009. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia – 4, Atlanta – 2.
WP – Moyer (12-9), LP – Hanson (9-3).
H- Park (9), Madson (22). S – Lidge (26).
HR – Howard – 2 (37), 2nd, 4th, 1 on.
Charlie Manuel has named him “The Big Piece.” Charlie got that one right . . . with 2 games left in August, Ryan Howard has 11 homeruns and 32 RBIs, approaching the 14 -40 August numbers he posted in his 2006 MVP year.
Good news was all over the place after this night’s game ended. Two rain delays brought Jamie Moyer in to take over from Pedro Martinez who got through two scoreless innings before the rains came. As he did 10 days ago against Arizona in a similar situation, Moyer pitched brilliantly, and was rewarded with his 257th ML victory. The other good news was Brad Lidge’s clean 1,2,3 save punctuated by striking out smoking hot hitter Matt Diaz for the final out.
LIDGE LOSES SWITCH
LIDGE LOSES SWITCH
by Max Blue
http://maxblue3.tripod.com
When Brad Lidge can’t find the light switch,
his team will end up in the ditch.
Champs came from behind in 9th to take lead,
then Lidge broke our hearts with his deed.
Has the peerless closer forgot how to pitch?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009. PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh – 6, Philadelphia – 4.
WP – Capps (3-7), LP – Lidge (0-6).
H – Hanrahan (8), Dumatrait (1), Chavez (1).
BS – Capps (4), Lidge (9).
HR – Doumit (8), 2nd; Pearce (3), 6th, 1 on; McCutchen (8), 9th, 1 on.
Rollins – 2 (17), 1st, 3rd.
J-roll homered on the first two pitches he saw from Pirates’ righthander and 11-game winner, Ross Ohlendorf, one in the first, one in the third. Clutch 9th inning hits by Ruiz, Francisco, and Victorino gave the Champs a 4-3 lead.
And then came Lidge: single, wild pitch, single, homerun. Ouch. His post-game quote stated the obvious: “I didn’t have anything on the ball tonight.” Charlie Manuel to Lidge: “Hang with it.”
Hang it all, Charlie, everybody and their sister can see that the light at the end of the tunnel is a train coming straight at us. We remember 1993 when Jim Fregosi told Mitch Williams to hang with it right up to the time Joe Carter cartwheeled around the bases for the only time in World’s Series history that a come-from-behind walk off homer ended it.
Is that where you’re taking us, Charlie?
LIDGE LOSES
LIDGE LOSES
by Max Blue
http://mxblue3.tripod.com
Three outs to go and we win,
then “Lights Out” Brad Lidge comes in.
He was perfect last season,
so what is the reason
this year he dumps team in loss bin?
Saturday, August 15, 2009.Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta – 4, Philadelphia – 3.
WP – Moylan (5-2), LP – Lidge (0-5).
H – Eyre (11), Durbin ( 7), Madson (19). BS – Lidge (8).
HR – McCann (13), 3rd, 1 on.
Werth (24), 7th.
One reason is that Lidge is a lousy fielder. He literally threw the game away in the ninth inning. After fumbling a sacrifice bunt attempt, he frantically picked up the ball and lobbed it into the right field corner, allowing the tying run to score, and the winning run to reach third with nobody out. He was charged with two errors on the play. Charitable scoring by any measure, he should have been charged with eight to match his blown save number. After the game, he addressed questions about the difference between 2009 and 2008. With a straight face he opined that it was a matter of luck – last year every bounce went his way, this year the opposite. He claimed that his stuff is better this year, and that he has not lost confidence. Okay, so that’s it – the baseball gods have withdrawn their support. We have six weeks to figure out what Lidge has done to anger them. Or maybe it’s not anger, just some playful shenanigans by bored gods who have too much time on their hands. Whatever.
DURBIN SUCCEEDS WHERE LIDGE FAILS
DURBIN SUCCEEDS WHERE LIDGE FAILS
by Max Blue
http://maxblue3.tripod.com
Hard to feel good about this win.
Lidge failure gets under your skin.
Francisco and Rollins big hits,
gave Chicago and their Cubs big time fits.
Thank you, Phils hero, Dur-BIN.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009. Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois.
Philadelphia – 4, Chicago Cubs – 3 (12 innings)
WP – Eyre (2-1), LP – Gregg (4-4).
H – Madson (18). BS – Lidge (7). S- Durbin (2).
HR – Rollins (14), 6th, 1 on; Francisco – (2).
Chad Durbin, just off the disabled list, the sixth and last Phillies’ reliever to take the ball, throwing mostly 90-some miles per hour fastballs, managed to put the Cubs down in the 12th inning to preserve a 4-3 lead forged on newcomer Ben Francisco’s left field basket homer in the top of the inning. How long before Ben gets the name San? In 2008 the game would have ended in the 9th with a 3-2 Phillies win, and Brad Lidge pounding his mitt in triumph. But this is 2009 and the Champs, as they did this night, need to find ways to win in the face of Lidge’s failure to save for the seventh time. Bitter medicine when the team is desperately trying to fend off challenges from Florida and Atlanta, both charging hard and smelling blood from the fizzling Phils.
Tonight’s Wrigley Field game will go down as one of the most unlikely wins in Phillies history. Jay Happ, Phils’ starter, coming off a complete game, 127-pitch, shutout of the Colorado Rockies was struggling to control his changeup and found himself in hot water in all of the six innings he pitched. Somehow he allowed only two runs and the Phils tied it in the 6th when Jimmy Rollins electrified Phillies fans with a bolt-from-the blue two-out homer, breaking up Rick Harden’s shutout and no-hitter with that one sweet swing. Harden had a perfect game until walking Carlos Ruiz before Rollins’ blast. The Champs took a 3-2 lead in the eighth when Cubs’ reliever Carlos Marmol walked
Ryan Howard after loading the bases with a hit batter and two walks. But Lidge couldn’t hold it in the ninth. To the bullpen’s credit, the guys at the end of the bench, Tyler Walker, Scott Eyre, and Chad Durbin posted three shutout innings and the Phils hung on to win.
BLANTON BREEZES, LIDGE SQUEEZES
BLANTON BREEZES, LIDGE SQUEEZES
by Max Blue
http://maxblue3.tripod.com
Joe Blanton another good outing,
All-Star Werth the big hit for the shouting.
Lights-Out Lidge once again made it close,
as he gave us a Mitch Williams dose,
but we won, so for now we’re not pouting
Friday, July 10, 2009. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia – 3, Pittsburgh – 2
WP – Blanton (6-4), LP – Duke (8-8)
H – Romero (5). S – Lidge (18)
HR – G. Jones (3), 1st; B. Moss (3), 9th.
Charlie Manuel picks Jason Werth to replace injured Carlos Beltran on All-Star team.
Chris Coste placed on waivers and claimed by Houston Astros (Ed Wade knows talent).
Raul Ibañez activated from disabled list.
Now Who’s Laughing
NOW WHO’S LAUGHING
Could it be another rout ?
Bases loaded, no one out.
Jason Werth, another slam ?
or just another fate flim flam?
Alas, Phils failed to mount clout.
We led by three when Werth struck out.
Reds Harang removed all doubt.
Phils Happ denied team needs
When Brandon Phillips hit two seeds.
And Lights out Lidge pitched like sauerkraut.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cincinnati 4, Philadelphia 3
WP Weathers (1-1) LP Lidge (0-4)
HR Phillips 2 (13), 4th 1 on, 6th
Howard (21) 2nd, Werth (18) 2nd
ORDER RESTORED
ORDER RESTORED
by Max Blue
http:maxblue3.tripod.com
At last the team’s back on its feet;
to watch Lidge close it, a treat.
Moyer went five for the win,
Park, Madson, and Lidge then pitched in,
and the Champs took big step to repeat.
Sunday, June 28, 2009. Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
Philadelphia – 5, Toronto – 4.
WP – Moyer (6-6), LP – Tallet (5-5)
H – Park (4); Madson (14).
S – Lidge (14)
HR – Aaron Hill – 2 (19), 1st, 3rd; Jose Bautista (2), 2nd, 1 on.
DON’T BLAME MAX
DON’T BLAME MAX
by Max Blue
What can I say? I tried out six hats;
Did my best to wake up Phils’ bats.
Hamels outpitched by Jays’ rook;
Ejected when questioned ump’s look.
Team seems cursed by black cats.
Friday, June 26, 2009. Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada.
Toronto – 6, Philadelphia – 1.
WP – R. Romero (5-3), LP – Hamels (4-4)
More bad news: Brad Lidge returned, but was awful. He threw 24 wildly ineffective pitches; walked two, gave up two hits, and threw wildly to catcher Ruiz on a potential 1-2-3 doubleplay ball. His ERA stands at 7.86. J.C. Romero relieved Lidge and walked in a run. Chan Ho Park relieved Hamels with two out in the fifth and got the final out, but at great cost: a smash off his knee that he managed to retrieve in time for the out at first. Toronto rookie lefthander Ricky Romero took a no-hitter into the seventh before Utley singled to lead it off. Werth followed with a hit, and Ryan Howard hit a rocket that was short-hopped by Toronto second baseman Hill in a blind backhand stab that became an easy doubleplay. Black cats.
The team is gasping, but so is the rest of the NL East. In spite of losing nine of ten to AL teams, they continue to lead the division by a half game over the Mets.
mlblogsphilliesjournal
Recent Comments