Saturday chat: Phils' bats try to break Citi Field jinx

Preview: The Phillies' offense has been a Citi Field no-show in four tries this season and were one-hit by knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in a 1-0 loss Friday night. With Roy Halladay (14-8, 2.34) scheduled, they should have all the pitching support they'll need, but the bats will need to get past the dreaded unknown quantity in the form of left-hander Pat Misch, making his first Major League appearance this season. First pitch is set for 7:10.

Utley update: Chase Utley is scheduled to begin rehabbing tonight in a game for Class-A Clearwater. CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury writes that Utley is so far ahead of schedule that he could be back in the Phillies’ starting lineup during the 10-game homestand that begins Tuesday. Utley had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb on July 1. He last appeared in a game on June 28.

Transactions: The Phillies signed left-hander Drew Rundle and outfielder Ryne White of the independent Frontier League to minor league deals, according to the latest Baseball America update.

Lack of run support: "In those atrocious outings by Kendrick and Blanton, the Phillies scroed 19 runs over 2 games. In the last 2 starts by Hamels and the last start by Oswalt, the Phillies have 2 runs over 3 games. Baseball is a weird sport." - Fatalotti

Mets fan reaction: "Amazin Avenue calls the game last night the Mets' best game of the year. Somehow if the Phils had won 1-0 I don't think anyone would say it was the best game of the year, so we can giggle about that." - EastFallowfield

Phillies postseason odds: "We have six games remaining with the Braves. We just need to stay within two games up to the last two weeks of the season. It is going down to the wire folks." - Billy Mac

The knuckleball: "The knuckleball is the hardest pitch to hit and also the hardest pitch to command. That's why, unless you're a Hall of Famer like Niekro or Wilhelm, few pitchers throw it and those that do are prone to wild performance swings Such as in giving up 6 runs in 3 IP in one start and then 0 runs in 9 IP in another start against the same team 5 days later." - clout

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Comments

[NEPP]

****
Dobbs always hits felons hard. ****

Hopefully the Mets will pick up Urbina once he gets out of prison.

[hans lobert]

here comes obligatory brooks conrad home run

[just sayr]

looks like we're back to the old raul again..

[bay_area_phan]

Raul's hot hitting was nice while it lasted but, if that was it for his 2010 hot streak, I stand underwhelmed.

[Brett]

Anyone else think Dobbs double was a foul ball? I swear it hit to the right of that line.

[NEPP]

Did they tell Madson it was the 8th?

[just sayr]

brett- looked foul to me - it's a moo point now...

[Pizzda]

Conrad has been contained.

[just sayr]

not moo .. moot...

holy cow bells

[NEPP]

A moo point? Like what a cow makes?

[curt]

So we have 3 relievers warmed up to get 3 Mets out.

[NEPP]

Never can be easy, can it?

Should have left Doc in.

[curt]

Hopefully 3 will be enough.

[bay_area_phan]

Does everyone still have strong feelings that taking a hot pitcher out of the game was the absolutely right thing to do?

[Mick 0]

Don't worry, everyone. Lidge is warming, in case this gets even a little dangerous.

[Alex]

With this bullpen I never like taking a pitcher that has given up no runs out. Hindsight is 20-20 though.

[Pizzda]

BAP, it's never the right thing to take Halladay out of a game, but I know that is the minority opinion.

[fuzzycopper]

It's fine. Madson usually gives up a baserunner or two, but I don't fear him hanging a slider like I do with Lidge.

[TK]

The visiting bullpen looks like it's in a warehouse.

[NEPP]

If Madson walks the bases loaded...#*$#(*$#

[denny b.]

We need Halladay to be strong in September against Atlanta.

He did his job. He can't pitch every other game and every inning, no matter how strong he looks.

The bullpen has to hold a 4 run lead and get 3 outs. Not exactly too much to ask.

[NEPP]

Good changeup.

[Pizzda]

Nice K there.

[MG]

Sit down rookie.

[NEPP]

Damnit Madson. Really Madson, you freaking hit him? I mean, seriously?!?! DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN

[Pizzda]

?

[MG]

God damn cutter.

[bay_area_phan]

OP: Well, I said in my earlier post, I would have taken him out too. I can't go back on it now. But I do think we're witnessing a pretty strong refutation of the MG/denny view that, if the lead is more than 3 runs, it's ok to treat the win as a formality & strategize accordingly.

[NEPP]

Stop throwing your damn shitty POS cutter.

[MG]

Stupid, stupid pitch selection there from Ruiz. You go high gas there around the letters.

[TK]

Madson is my least favorite player on this team and has been for a good 5 years now.

[The Truth Injection]

Change-up down..If he lays off go up the ladder with the fastball

[MG]

Changeup.

[GTown_Dave]

I'm still trying to figure out why Madson was even brought into this game in the first place.

[MG]

Gas.

[NEPP]

Where's CJ so he can tell us all that Madson can pitch in the 9th?

[MG]

Repeat.

[The Truth Injection]

throw him a changeup again.

[The Truth Injection]

throw him a changeup again.

[birds]

never a doubt

[curt]

Well we learned that inning that Cholly doesn't want to see Lidge or Romero pitch anymore than anyone else does.

[NEPP]

Never a doubt.

[Mick 0]

MAD... tastic!

[Pizzda]

Whew.

[NEPP]

He struck out the side yet every second was terrifying.

[MG]

TTI - Good cale. Thole looked overmatched there on the changeup or the fastball.

[phlipper]

LA up 2-1

[NEPP]

2-1 Dodgers now...We could really use a Dodgers win tonight.

[GTown_Dave]

That was awful. Charlie ought to have his examined. I'd split Phillies Player of the Game honors between Halladay & David Wright.

[craig_one]

best game of the year!

[The Truth Injection]

I don't know if Ruiz called the slider or if Madson shook him off til he got it, but it was dumb to even consider throwing the pitch at that time and he hit Martinez with it.

When it's 4-0 stick with your two best pitches and ride it out. He went strictly changeup and fastball with Thole and got great results.

[bay_area_phan]

Lest you thought the Phillies' offensive display tonight was uninspiring, check out the Dodgers, who have turned their 12 hits (all singles) into a grand total of 2 runs.

[fuzzycopper]

It would've went down much easier had he not plunked Martinez, but what's a Phillie win without a little excitement in the ninth?

[just sayr]

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

Charlie ought to have his ____________ examined.

[Dukes]

Why should charlie have his head examined? UC just can't win. If he would have left Halladay out there people would have complained that Halladay threw too many pitches. He put his best reliever out there in a 4 run game - a game that is not out of reach. I'd rather see him out there than anyone else.

[bay_area_phan]

"best game of the year!"

I assume that wasn't a serious comment. Other than Halladay, who is a joy to watch, that was one of the worst played and least entertaining games I've witnessed this year.

[just sayr]

If the phils scored in the top of the ninth..

it wouldn't been quite as dramatic...

i.e. a MOO point

[The Truth Injection]

MG: Yeah it was an easy call though. Once Thole was that far out in front of the 2-2 fastball that he tapped foul it was pretty obvious what should come next. There was no way he was slowing his bat down enough to touch a changeup.

GTown: Lighten up dude. Charlie made the right move going to Madson. Mad Dog was the one who made it much more interesting than it should've been.

[MG]

This is not on Cholly. He put Madson out there in a position to get the job done in a relatively easy to succeed. Up to Madson to execute.

[just sayr]

" Up to Madson to execute. " - exactly!

[aksmith]

First - Dobbs' hit was fair by about a yard and a half. Not even close to being foul.

Second - Of course you take Doc out there. Saving that inning on his arm a couple of times is a must. Especially when the outcome is not in doubt . . . well, not until he left.

Third - When you have a guy buried in the count 0-2 and he will potentially bring the tying run to the plate, you bury a change in the dirt and try to get him to swing. You DO NOT go inside on him where it's possible you can hit him. Really poor pitch selection there. Not sure whose fault it was.

[Pizzda]

I wouldn't mind seeing a run or 4 from the Dodgers in this inning.

[just sayr]

i think UC s/ give RUU-iz the night off tomorrow,

Give him tomorrow and Monday to rest that quad strain or whatever it is - he looked like he was laboring a bit tonight.,

It's a long stretch ahead after Monday

[Mick 0]

Whaaaa?

How did Hong Chih Kuo do that? Isn't he used to an 8th inning role? How can he slide into the closer role and have success???

It's UNPOSSIBLE!

-- RMadDog_46

[Old Phan]

Dodgers win. Way to guo, Kuo.

[phlipper]

2 games back.

[just sayr]

BRAVES LOSE!

[CJ]

NEPP: Sorry wasn't here to respond earlier, but you had a problem with Madson finishing the 9th without allowing a run, with 3 strike outs? Unless the rules have suddenly changed and they count hits for runs... did I miss a rule change?

[brother]

The HBP was bad. But the two hits Madson gave up were slow grounders that found holes. That was some bad luck there for him, but he stayed calm and got out of it because he can miss bats. I thought he did a nice job.

[Pizzda]

The most important thing is that he got out of the jam and no harm was done.

[limoguy]

The hottest 3 teams in the NL over the past 10 games, all with identical 7 - 3 records are the Phils, the Braves and the Dbacks.

Giants are 5 - 5.

[Sophist]

Venters pitched for the Braves again tonight. Kids arm will fall off.

[Ollie Brown]

I was at the game tonight. Definitely felt like a loss! Well, except for the parts where Roy Halladay was pitching. That felt like watching a future Hall of Famer pitcher go to work. Sweeney looked nice in the field as well.

I hate Citi field with its gigantic outfield. My son and I watched BP and you could count on one hand the number of home runs.

[Pizzda]

I think an alternate name for Beerleaguer should be "Venters"

[just sayr]

Who goes down to Piggie-Land or is DFA-ed when Ryan and Chase are activated?

[Sophist]

The 6 run 10th against Houston aside, the Braves have scored 32 runs in those 10 games.

[Dukes]

Huge start for KK tomorrow. Taking 2 of 3 from the Metros before Uts comes back would feel real good. Gotta win the series.

[Bruce Ruffin]

bap -- I was so bummed out after that stinking 1 - 0 shutout last night, I quoted your "...season on life support..." comment. Now, not so much. Time to take my memory pills, re: "Season is a marathon, not a sprint... Season is a marathon, not a sprint... Season is a marathon, not a sprint... Season is a marathon, not a sprint...".

Anyway, the miraculous part of the season continues. 2 games back, and the regular lineup has been run out there just 8 freaking times!

[aksmith]

I wonder how that Gload day to day thing is working out. Anyone think we'll see him tomorrow?

[just sayr]

Bastardo Pigs line tonight

Pitcher -----------------------IP----------- -H-------- R--------- ER-------- BB ---SO - HR--------- ERA
Bastardo(L, 0-1) --------- 0.2 --------- 6--------- 4--------- 4 --------- 1--------- 1------- 0 --- 2.51

[limoguy]

aksmith - good question.

How many games will they end up being shorthanded on the bench before he either comes back or they DL him?

[Mr. Mack]

It may not have been one of their best games in terms of how they played, other than Roy, but taking advantage on the Mets miscues to help fuel the win is a good sign. At least the Citi Field schneid is over...for now. They are more than likely going to have to score a bucketful for KK tomorrow. I hope he remembers how to pitch again.

[Sophist]

They're not exactly big bats, but the Mets can roll out a bunch of lefties and switch hitters tomorrow.

[Sophist]

Utley went 1-3 with a triple for Clearwater today.

[CJ]

Mets lineup tomorrow?

S-Reyes
S-Pagan
R-Wright
S-Beltran
L-Davis
L-Martinez
L-Thole
S-Castillo

There's a good chance the only RHB Kendrick will face tomorrow is D. Wright. Not an ideal matchup.

[MG]

With the win tonight, Halladay stands at 15 wins on the season & is going to likely start at least 8 more games this year.

Very good chance now to become the Phils' first 20-game winner since Carlton in '82 (23 wins)

[rauls grandpa]

Just saw Giants highlights. Juan Uribe's old utility azz self making it happen. He is 31 the same way my uncle is 31. Love those Dominican birth certificates.

[BloodStripes]

20 wins would be awesome for the Doc. He deserves that many. Phils just gotta get him to the playoffs. With Hamels, Roy O and the all star, best ever Phillie infield back together. Chances of winning it all don't get much better.

[Malcolm]

Just returned from a raucous Citi Field with plenty of empty, green seats.

Observations:

Roy Halladay. Fourth time I've seen him live this year, and this may have been the best I've seen. Effortless. Inducing the left-side grounder from Angel Pagan, then striking out David Wright and Carlos Beltran was pure legend. He's untouchable.

Ryan Madson didn't pitch as poorly as his line may indicate. Changeup looked fantastic. Still, I don't understand why you pull Halladay after eight. He's your horse - let him finish what he started. He was at about 110 pitches by that point; he could've topped at 125.

Greg Dobbs! A sighting!

I'm very much against how Shane Victorino plays the game. Completely flubbed that base hit. Only one player can play that absent-minded in the field and get away with it, and that guy is a future Hall of Famer for the Dodgers. Vic's offense speaks for itself.

Good game for Placido Polanco. Couple hits, an RBI and a couple great plays.

Phils fans were loud and plentiful Saturday night. Great showing. Meanwhile, Mets fans booed K-Rod and Wright.

And how about that Wright? Wow. You can't give Halladay runs. Just can't do it.

[John]

God, the negativity on this blog over a game the Phillies won 4-0 is ridiculous.

[bay_area_phan]

Cholly did make the right call with Madson in the 9th and the results ultimately bear that out. Nonetheless, Madson's 9th inning struggles also show just how easy it is to blow a 4-run lead. Against a weak team, with our best relief pitcher in the game, we were essentially one bad pitch from a tied game. Everyone should remember this the next time they clamor for Cholly to bring in Baez or Herndon because we have a 4 or 5-run lead in the 9th.

[Pizzda]

A 4 run lead "should" be enough a cushion to trust the bullpen to hold. In reality, it isn't always the case (see one Lidge, Brad, Broxton, Jonathan or Rat, The).
I'm not saying that pulling Roy was the "wrong" move, but I also don't agree with "Of course you pull him." I understand people's concern with pitch count, but it should be used as a guide, not a strict number. Every situation is different, and Roy is a very different pitcher. In most situations, I would let him pitch the 9th but have someone warming up in the meantime just in case. (As an aside, because of the off day, he would get extra rest)
The end result tonight was great and Angry Pooch got himself out of a jam with some great pitches so all was well.

[Andy]

"..left-hander Drew Rundle and outfielder Ryne White..."

The below the radar message in these signings is that they have failed to sign enough of the draft picks this year to fill out the minor league system. The last day to sign is tomorrow. So signing Independent league filler means they didn't get it done with some of the HS draftees they expected to. Shame. Looks like they left a lot of talent on the table.

[limoguy]

And the Mets still don't win two games in a row.

Let's hope they don't start another one game winning streak today.

My gut is that KK won't give us back to back bad outings.

Actually the Mets did win Thursday and Friday. So, they're not due to win two games in a row again until sometime next season.

[Andy]

"Madson is my least favorite player on this team and has been for a good 5 years now.

Posted by: TK"

Adam Eaton? Abe Nunez? Juan Castro? Miguel Cairo? Rod Barajas? Paul Bako? T.J. Bohn? Tom Gordon? Antonio Alfonseca? John Lieber? Francisco Rosario?

"Madson is my least favorite player..."

Interesting.

[Tk]

Andy: good point. But Madson has been here all five years and has made so many back breaking pitches despite having an A+ pitch. He's extremely frustrating to watch.

[Dukes]

TK: Why would Madson be your least favorite player? He is a bonafide home grown bullpen arm, and the best bullpen arm we have...and has been for a while now. He has just as critical as anyone else on that team to our success over the last 4 years Crazy.

[EastFallowfield]

Yo, new thread