Apr20

No “O”

by Liberty Bell Blog on April 20, 2013 at 10:20 pm
Posted In: Game Summary

Game Notes:

Okay put your minds in the gutter because the game was not worth your time.

Lee was bad, it happens, not too often but okay.

The hits have left the building!!!!!!!!!!  Three walks but where did the hits go?

Could someone stop Beltran, we will have to call him Belt One after this series as he has hit a homerun in each game so far.

The bullpen pitched well and that is the only positive from this game.

Wow, stunning to see how bad this team is.  Once finally having a great game they disappear in the next.

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Apr20

The Big “O”

by Liberty Bell Blog on April 20, 2013 at 12:52 am
Posted In: Game Summary

Game Notes:

O means offense; get your mind out of the gutter.

A WALK!!!!!!!! Finally the Phils drew a walk, Chase Utley of course.

Halladay was much much gooder.  7 IP, 2 H, 6 K, 2 BB.  Both hits were solo HR’s.

Five run 1st inning all runs with 2 outs started by the Utley walk.

Nice to see a player who sucked for the Phillies (Wiggington) suck for his next team instead of becoming an All Star.

Ben Revere hits a triple for his first extra base hit of the year.

Phillies made an opposing pitcher throw over 30 pitches early in the game and got to the bullpen early.

Doc touches 92 mph with the fastball.

Rain ends games early at least the bullpen can’t blow this one.

With the threat of rain all evening Doc took care of business and the bats came alive.  Halladay was effective and much improved.   He touched 92 on the fastball and while his ball to strike ratio was not great he was around the plate all night.  Not quite the Doc of old but by far the best outing this year.  Both runs were solo homeruns that on another night could have been flyouts so no worries there.  The offense showed up early and all with two outs in the first inning.  Michael Young worked a 10 pitch at bat after Utley walked.  A Wiggington error opened the flood gates and the Phils tacked on a few more in the following innings to chase Cardinals starter Jamie Garcia.  Good game let’s get the next two.

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Apr19

Business As Usual, Phillies Lose Opener To The Cardinals

by Liberty Bell Blog on April 19, 2013 at 12:45 am
Posted In: Game Summary

Game Notes:

The team is still not working the count and is allowing too many low pitch innings to the opposing team.

No luck, Cardinals score two on a foul ball called fair, Mayberry falls down on a routine catch.

Ryan Howard with not one but two infield hits!

Double plays continue to kill the offense.

Freddy just might be able to hit after all

Cardinals played sloppy defense and the Phils failed to take advantage.

Revere got a hit, stranded on third.

Still no walks for the Phils in the game now four in a row not impressive or well impressive if you like things that suck.

Failed to close the deal again, this game was easily won.

Hamels is starting to look like Hamels.

There is not much to say about this game.  Cole Hamels pitched well, was on the end of some bad calls struck out eight and earned …….. a no decision.  The Phillies hit into double plays and failed to plate Ben Revere from third in the ninth.  This was a winnable game; a good team would have won.  The Phillies need to wake up before it is too late.

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Apr02

Baseball is Back, Phils Drop Opener

by Liberty Bell Blog on April 2, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Posted In: Game Summary

The 2013 Phillies season started with a dud by Cole Hamels but some positive signs for the season.  Chase Utley homered, tripled and singled, Domonic Brown singled and walked and newcomer Ben Revere worked two nice at bats.  The Phils scored 5 runs and put in a solid offensive effort.  Unfortunately Hamels lacked control and Chad Durbin came in to throw some batting practice as the Braves tee off on them for 7 runs including 3 homeruns.   Michael Young was a bit rough on defense as well.   The series resumes on Wednesday.

The Good: Chase Utley looks good, Revere working the count from the lead off position, Brown still looking good and I like Jimmy hitting second.

The Bad: Howard keeps hitting into the shift, some sloppy defense, and Durbin still struggling.

Other News: Clayton Kershaw threw a 94 pitch shutout and hit his first career homerun to win the game for the Dodgers.   He looked tough on the mound like I expected Hamels to look.

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Oct08

Year End Grades: Infield

by Liberty Bell Blog on October 8, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Posted In: Daily Posts

1B

Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard suffered a severe injury on the final play of the season last year.  This year he came back early but was still hampered by his Achilles injury.  He was out of shape and unable to do his regular off season workout and it showed.  Howard’s average was dismal, his K rate jumped and his defense was the worst in years.  Still his presence in the lineup makes the Phillies a better team.  I think Howard deserves credit for coming back from his injury and playing hurt.    Season Grade: C     Next Year:  Back in Philly, hopefully healthy.

Ty Wigginton

Wigginton was well below his career norms in OBP, SLG and OPS.  Defensively a statue would have been more effective.  I was expecting more from Wigginton and I think the Phillies were also.  Season Grade: C-     Next Year:  A toss up, I would buy him out, but, the Phils just may keep him.

2B

Chase Utley

Chase had a well interesting season.  After missing half of it with his chronic knee injury he barely missed another game for the rest of the season.  One of the major questions for next year is how many games can Chase play and will he be ready at the start of the season.  Offensively Chase flashed decent power and a good OBP.  He was however, below his career norms in OBP, SLG and OPS.  Defensively Chase was excellent as usual.  Season Grade: C+     Next Year: Back in Philly

Freddie Galvis

Galvis played fantastic defense and showed some progress with the bat.  A season ending back injury and suspension for PEDS marred what was looking like a decent rookie campaign for Galvis.  Season Grade: C-     Next Year: Back in Philly

Michael Martinez

Uggg.  Season Grade: F     Next Year: Back in Philly, should be at Leigh Valley

SS

Jimmy Rollins

I honestly cannot think why Jimmy Rollins is criticized so much in Philly.  Jimmy was just below his career norms in OBP, SLG and OPS.  Yes, he pops up too much and no he is not the ideal leadoff hitter, however he continues to be one of baseball’s best hitting shortstops.  To top it off he is still one of the best defensive shortstops with excellent range and a strong arm.  Philly fans should consider themselves lucky he is a Philly.  Season Grade: A     Next Year: Back at SS

3B

Placado Polanco

Low average, no power, missed half of the season, nuf said.  Season Grade:  D     Next Year: Somewhere else

Kevin Frandson

Frandson played well in several positions and finished the season playing with an injury that only caused him to miss a few games.  Even regressing next year he should be solid.  I would like to see him as the primary backup infielder with Martinez off of the roster.  Season Grade: A     Next Year: Back in Philly

Mike Fontenot

Did what was expected of him, easily replaceable.  Season Grade:  B     Next Year:  Already gone

C

Carlos Ruiz

You cannot say enough good things about Carlos Ruiz.  He handles the pitching staff masterfully. He plays great defense.  He hits for average and power.  All while playing one of the most difficult positions.  He would be in strong consideration for post season awards if he had played in more games.  Season Grade: A     Next Year: Back in Philly

Eric Kratz

A journey man minor leaguer, Kratz finally got a shot to show what he can do and did not waste it.  I think he should have been the backup catcher last year.   Kratz handled the pitching staff well and hit for nice power.  Season Grade: A     Next Year:  Back in Philly

Brian Schneider

Schneider was okay when he played, which was not very often.   Season Grade: D     Next Year:  Somewhere else.

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Aug11

RRRRROOOoooyyyyy

by Liberty Bell Blog on August 11, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Posted In: Game Summary

Roy Halladay is BACK.  Roy went eight innings allowing 2 hits no walks and striking out eight in beating the Cardinals .  Roy allowed a solo home run to Carlos Beltran for the only run.  He evened his record at 6-6.  In his last 18 innings, Roy has only allowed one run on five hits while striking out 17.  Roy finally pitching like Roy.  Domonic Brown drove Ryan Howard in for the first run and Chase Utley added a  two run home run to drive in the winning runs.  The home run was the 196th of Chase’s career, good for ninth all time as a Phillie.   Jonathan Papelbon picked Beltran off of first base for the final out and his 25th save.  Natz Schierholtz played center field for the first time in his career and Kevin Frandson looks like he wants to stay with the big club with some nice defense and scrappy hitting tonight.  Mike Leiberthal was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame before the game tonight.  Bob Boone made the induction speech and Pat Burrell was there to help present the plaque.

Bell Ringers: Roy Halladay, Chase Utley

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Aug08

Cole Hamels Is Good At Pitching

by Liberty Bell Blog on August 8, 2012 at 12:41 am
Posted In: Game Summary

Cole Hamels threw his fifth career shutout against the Braves tonight using only 111 pitches.  Cole struck out six, allowed five hits and no walks en route to his twelfth victory of the season.  Domonic Brown had another solid game going one for three with a double, RBI and walk.  Dom also picked up another outfield assist, playing in left field tonight.  Dom’s RBI double gave the Phillies the lead and two batters later Ryan Howard hit his fifth home run to left center, a two run shot, for all of the runs Cole would need.  Eric Kratz continued his hot hitting with two more hits and raised his average to .406.  The Phils are crazy if he is not the back-up catcher next year.  Not a great offensive games but some timely hitting and an excellent performance by Cole Hamels hopefully will get something going.

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Aug04

Dear Charlie STOP BUNTING!!!!!!!

by Liberty Bell Blog on August 4, 2012 at 12:41 am
Posted In: Daily Posts

In tonight’s game Charlie bunted twice leading to ZERO runs!  Not only did he bunt but used two pinch hitters to do it!  STOP!  Bunting does not increase your chances of scoring a run, it actually lowers them.  Why are constantly giving away outs?  You would think after countless times bunting and no runs scored even Charlie would figure it out.  But, bunting is in the old school playbook so Charlie will keep doing it.  Too bad he cannot follow the playbook any other time.  The next time he uses three relievers in a single inning with an eight run lead I’m gonna have a stroke.

In other news the Phillies traded Joe Blanton to the Dodgers for a player to be named later.  The Phils now have two players coming from the Dodgers , the other from the Victorino trade.

Cliff Lee was claimed off of waivers by the Dodgers, no chance he is traded.  I have been reading all day blog reactions to the Phillies placing Lee on waivers.  Wow people do some research before making yourself look like an idiot.  Almost all players are placed on waivers now.  The waiving team can simply pull them back.  But if the player clears the team is free to trade them to any team.  It just gives the teams flexibility after the trade deadline.

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