RSS
For Phils, a long day's journey into night
There were a lot of developments on the Phillies front yesterday. Let’s wade through them.
First off, I have to admit I didn’t stay with the game after they enetered a rain delay. So yes, I missed the thrilling two-run homer by Jayson Werth to tie the game with two outs in the ninth inning.
But that’s not the least of it. Imagine my surprise when I flipped on the radio again a little after 8 p.m. Lo and behold, what did my ears hear, but the dulcet tones of Scott Franzke. I thought maybe they were doing a replay of the game. Turns out they were still playing, in the 12th inning.
So of course as soon as I check back on the game, things take a turn for the worse. Fernando Tatis took Chad Durbin out of the park to stake the Mets to a 4-2 lead. That would be the final.
But there were lots of other interesting developments on the Phils’ front yesterday. Chase Utley is an All-Star. So is Brad Lidge. Pat Burrell is not, at least not yet.
Utley will start at second base for the National League, on the basis of being the top vote-getter in fan balloting. Lidge was named to the pitching staff. Burrell didn’t make the squad, but still could wind up at Yankee Stadium in a few weeks. He’s on the list of players vying for the final roster spot, which will be decided by Internet voting.
It was a big day for Lidge, who earlier in the day signed a three-year extension worth a guaranteed $37.5 million.
Which likely came as something of an eye-opener for the recently demoted Brett Myers. The guy who opened the season as the Phils No. 1 starter has made it pretty clear that he would prefer to be the closer. Doesn’t look like that is going to happen now.
Of course, there is still one more scenario. Setup man Tom Gordon was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday. Maybe Myers could find his niche there. Or maybe he’ll be used as bait at the trade deadline to get the team more pitching help, either a front-line start to complement Cole Hamels, or another left-handed arm in the bullpen.
At any rate, it was a long, eventful day for the Phils. The game started at 1:30, and didn’t end until about 8:30.
The two teams will tee it up one more time tonight at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils need a win. They don’t want to lose another series, this one at home. And they especially don’t want to lose another series to the hated Mets.
The Phils spent much of last year chasing the Mets. Now they’re getting a taste of what it feels like to be the hunted party.
First off, I have to admit I didn’t stay with the game after they enetered a rain delay. So yes, I missed the thrilling two-run homer by Jayson Werth to tie the game with two outs in the ninth inning.
But that’s not the least of it. Imagine my surprise when I flipped on the radio again a little after 8 p.m. Lo and behold, what did my ears hear, but the dulcet tones of Scott Franzke. I thought maybe they were doing a replay of the game. Turns out they were still playing, in the 12th inning.
So of course as soon as I check back on the game, things take a turn for the worse. Fernando Tatis took Chad Durbin out of the park to stake the Mets to a 4-2 lead. That would be the final.
But there were lots of other interesting developments on the Phils’ front yesterday. Chase Utley is an All-Star. So is Brad Lidge. Pat Burrell is not, at least not yet.
Utley will start at second base for the National League, on the basis of being the top vote-getter in fan balloting. Lidge was named to the pitching staff. Burrell didn’t make the squad, but still could wind up at Yankee Stadium in a few weeks. He’s on the list of players vying for the final roster spot, which will be decided by Internet voting.
It was a big day for Lidge, who earlier in the day signed a three-year extension worth a guaranteed $37.5 million.
Which likely came as something of an eye-opener for the recently demoted Brett Myers. The guy who opened the season as the Phils No. 1 starter has made it pretty clear that he would prefer to be the closer. Doesn’t look like that is going to happen now.
Of course, there is still one more scenario. Setup man Tom Gordon was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday. Maybe Myers could find his niche there. Or maybe he’ll be used as bait at the trade deadline to get the team more pitching help, either a front-line start to complement Cole Hamels, or another left-handed arm in the bullpen.
At any rate, it was a long, eventful day for the Phils. The game started at 1:30, and didn’t end until about 8:30.
The two teams will tee it up one more time tonight at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils need a win. They don’t want to lose another series, this one at home. And they especially don’t want to lose another series to the hated Mets.
The Phils spent much of last year chasing the Mets. Now they’re getting a taste of what it feels like to be the hunted party.
posted by Heron's Nest at
7:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home