Greg Dobbs’ three-run pinch homer capped a seven-run fifth, erasing all nine runs allowed by Cole Hamels during a fourth-inning debacle. Adam Eaton (4-8) earned the win in his first appearance from the pen.
Dobbs’ homer tied the Phillies’ all-time single-season mark for pinch hits with 20, set by Doc Miller in 1913. Dobbs is now hitting .435 (20-46) with two homers and 14 RBIs as a pinch hitter. The game also saw a 3-for-4, three RBI afternoon from Chris Coste, who put the Phillies on the board first with a two-run line single to center in the second and was part of the big rally in the fifth.
The Phillies spotted Hamels three early runs, but it wasn't nearly enough cushion to overcome the mess he made in the fourth. The left-hander now has a career 4.66 ERA in day games. After Hamels was lifted, the relievers (Rudy Seanez, Adam Eaton, Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Brad Lidge) combined for 5 1-3 shutout innings. After making 11 starts before notching his first win in the rotation, Eaton earned his first vulture win on his very first try as a reliever. For Lidge, it was his 23rd save to remain perfect on the season.
Notes: Pedro Feliz sat out for the third time in the last four games with tightness in his lower back and told MLB.com that he may also sit Sunday. Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. revealed Friday that the third baseman has been playing hurt for weeks. Eric Bruntlett replaced him at the hot corner yesterday. … According to the Inquirer’s Bob Ford, Jimmy Rollins “blew off reporters again yesterday.”
However, sources said the Phillies have the best chance to trade for Ramirez because Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel has perhaps the strongest relationship with him of anyone in the majors.
Manuel was Ramirez's hitting coach with the Indians from 1994-99 and his manager in Cleveland in 2000, and the two have remained close.
So sez the NY Post.
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 05:09 AM
Still concerned about the offense. Down 9-3, they pounded Hampton and two relievers for a 7 run fifth inning, went ahead and then the offense went back into a shell depending on the bullpen to make a 1 run lead stick over 4 innings. And after Madson waqlked 3 in the sixth inning, it almost didn't.
In a game like Saturday night's, a 1 run lead is anything but safe. The Phils got very lucky.
Posted by: Mark B. | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 05:13 AM
I'll give the offensive concern a morning off after every game they score in double digits.
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 05:31 AM
Jimmy Rollins is really starting to piss me off. He's always been one of my favorites until recent events. I'm still holding out hope he checks himself before he wrecks himself (thanks Ice Cube/Das FX).
From the Boxscores-
John Van Benschoten, Van for short, was a 1st round pick, 8th overall by the Pirates, back in 2001. He first launched on to the MLB scene in 2004, but floundered going 1-3 in 5 starts with a 6.91 era. Go figure that would end up being his crowning achievement as a big leaguer thus far. Since '04, Van has spent time with Pittsburgh in '07 and '08, but now has a lifetime line of 2-13, 9.20 era, 2+ whip, and more walks than strikeouts (68BB/65K)...ouch!
Posted by: GM-Carson | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Good Morning.
Do you really think Jimmy was the only guy to be late to a game this year? Or just the only one to be called out in public on it? Because if I was the only guy called out in public for something other guys had also done, my attitude would be very poor indeed.
Part of his quote from the incident "...for certain players you are expected and held up to higher rules". "Held up to higher rules" suggests to me that other guys do get away with/ have got away with it.
And I can't blame him for not wanting to talk about it any more. I wouldn't either. How bad did he play last night?
Anyhoo, turns out Cole is human, too. But it's nice to see Greg Dobbs and Chris Coste do so well.
Have a good day, and Go Phils!
Posted by: phargo | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 08:34 AM
PS If Manny Ramirez becomes a Phillie, I will consider killing myself.
Posted by: phargo | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Carson:
"checks himself before he wrecks himself (thanks Ice Cube/Das FX)"
I believe in the case of Das EFX, it's technically "wiggity wrecks himself." And watch your spelling; it's EFX. So spiggedy-spark a spiff and give a twist like Chubby Checker.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 09:23 AM
As a practical matter, where would Manny play (I of course never think that would happen)? In some delusional fantasy world, if the Phils got him, it would be Burrell, Vic, Ramirez. That might be the worst defensive OF in the league. Vic is extremely fast, but he's not superhuman. The offense would be otherworldly, but I think RF and LF would cost a bunch of runs defensively.
Not that this would ever have any smidgen of a change to happen anyway.
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 09:25 AM
"Big Splash" Blanton better have a better outing today, that's all I've got to say.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 09:34 AM
As a Phillie fan stuck living in Boston, I have way to much exposure to Manny Ramirez. While he rakes with the bat, his defense is a mess and the Philly media would eat him alive. I think he'd be a bad fit for the clubhouse chemistry (Manny definitely has his own rules), and I don't know how he'd feel in a clubhouse without like-minded souls. Not to mention at the almost $20mm per year asking price, how long could we even afford to keep him?
Posted by: George | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 09:37 AM
I'd trade Manny's defensive liabilities for his stick in a heartbeat.
But while we're talking about stars the Phils will never get, I'd rather have Ichiro.
It pisses me off to no end that a team like the Yankees, with a higher payroll, in the middle of a win streak, near the top of the best division in baseball, can give up top prospects to help improve their team through a trade, and the Phils don't do squat.
Posted by: phlipper | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 09:44 AM
"They really think the mets will fold.no way it's over."
"I can't believe they folded again"
Posted by: phlipper | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Jayson Stark: The Rays and the Phillies both made multiplayer offers to the Indians for Casey Blake, but neither was willing to offer a top prospect and a second prospect close to the big leagues.
Doesn't it seem like this with every player the Phils "go after?" It's like the front office calls the Pirates/Indians/etc. and says "Can we have Nady/Sabathia? We aren't going to give you anything much, but we'll send over a case of beer."
You have to trade talent to get talent. Didn't the Red Sox trade Hanley Ramirez to get Josh Beckett?
Posted by: BobbyD | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Joey: where you saying the Mets rule a month ago? Frontrunner. Check the standings. The Mets are 1 game up with 60 to go.
Posted by: BobbyD | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Of course it depends what you'd have to give up, but to hear people complain about getting Manny Ramirez is laughable? Wanna win?
Posted by: Bedrosian' s Beard | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 10:39 AM
JW:
"I believe in the case of Das EFX, it's technically "wiggity wrecks himself." And watch your spelling; it's EFX. So spiggedy-spark a spiff and give a twist like Chubby Checker."
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 winner for best Philadelphia sportswriter.
Posted by: King B | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Anyone know if there's a clip online of Harry's call on the Dobb's HR yesterday?
Posted by: joe l | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:06 AM
I can't really get upset about the Phils not giving up that much for Blake. Of course, I may have been singing a different tune if the Blanton trade hadn't gone down.
Posted by: John | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:17 AM
I'm a bit worried about Manny Ramirez going to the Mets. They certainly have the need for a right-handed hitting LF and they have the money.
Posted by: mb | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM
First, let me say that I enjoy davethom's spirited defenses of Chris Coste, as I like CC as a player, and enjoy seeing him do well. However, b_a_p had a great post on the previous thread that had me LMAO.
bap, great job.
Here it is:
I'm imagining a scenario, where the Phillies are facing the RedSox in the 2009 World Series. It's Game 7. The Phillies are at-bat in the bottom of the 9th, trailing by 1 run. There are 2 outs and a man is on first base. It's Chris Coste's turn at bat but, with a right-hander on the mound, Cholly decides to pinch hit with Dobbs, who hits a walk-off 2-run homer to win the WS. Davthom immediately appears on Beerleaguer, in a tirade that Cholly pinch hit for Coste.
Posted by:bay_area_phan | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Posted by: AWH the RBP | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I always thought it was "riggity wrecks himself..."
Anyway, J-Roll is killing us... The guy that tried to take third was taking it after seeing Jimmy dog it to the ball...
Grant it, Jimmy threw him out, but he is not the same hustling ass MVP we saw last year.
Posted by: ron | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:26 AM
@joe: head on over to The Fightins for Harry's call
Posted by: twig | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Bobby: That trade for Beckett was a different beast. The Red Sox had just signed Renteria and felt he was the answer for the future and they had no need. Also they and many scouts weren't completely sold on him at that point yet.
There is no need to give up a top prospect and a guy real close to the majors for Casey Blake. It is a common theme among GM's right now (not just our wonderful Gillick) that the asking prices for some of these guys are just way too high.
Also I think it was MG who was posting stuff in a previous thread about Myers being 12 million dollars worth of dead weight next year. Is that a fact? Are we that absolutely sure that he can't turn himself around yet?
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:30 AM
mb, the question isn't whether the Mets have the money for Ramirez. The question is whether they can put together the best package of talent for him.
Thinking ahead, and I've speculated on the topic before on this board, if Manny Ramirez is not in a Red Sox uniform in 2009, there is a very strong possibility that Pat Burrell will be in LF at Fenway.
He's not quite Manny as a hitter, but he would fir nicely into that lineup.
I also thought there was a possibility that PB would wind up (GULP) in LF at Citi Field next season. The Muts won't bring Alou back, and signing Burrell (they have the money) would be a great statement to the fans moving into a new venue.
It would also have the added benefit of taking the best RH bat and chief Met killer from their biggest division rival.
Posted by: AWH the RBP | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:33 AM
joe l, thefightins.com has it up on the front page
Posted by: redbeard | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:34 AM
You have to trade talent to get talent. Didn't the Red Sox trade Hanley Ramirez to get Josh Beckett?
If that was an argument FOR making a big deadline deal... I;m going to vote for standing pat
Posted by: DanTheMan | Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 12:23 PM