Cliff Lee (12-7, 2.83) tries to pad his impressive 2011 resume tonight when the Phillies and Diamondbacks play the second at Citizens Bank Park. Lefty Joe Saunders (8-9, 3.76) has the honors for the streaking D-Backs.
Preview: To this observer, Lee has become the most exciting player on the Phils. It's no wonder he's become the jersey of choice. Here's what he's done in his first full season as a Phillie: He's got the longest active scoreless streak by a starter for the second time this season, this one at 17 innings; he last allowed a run July 30 against the Pirates. He'll set his career high in strikeouts if he gets just eight more. His five shutouts are the most by a Phillie since Lefty did it in 1982, and he was the first Phil to do it three straight times since Hall of Famer Robin Roberts back in 1950. He's also thrived at home, pitching to a 2.26 ERA. Sufficed to say, he's assembling the best single-season highlight reel from this historically good Phillies club, in my opinion, and I think he's your team MVP at this point.
Ruiz out, Raul sits: Here's the lineup: Rollins SS, Victorino CF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Pence RF, Mayberry LF, Valdez 3B, Schneider C. Chooch was evaluated by doctors and it was reported that he has a testicle contusion. Testicle contusion. Testicle contusion. Testicle contusion. I'm getting woozy. Anyone else?
Transaction: Joe Blanton moves to the 60-day disabled list to clear 40-man roster space for Michael Schwimer. The International League All-Star wears the red pinstripes for the first time tonight, but hopefully Cliff keeps him on the end of the bullpen bench.
[Jump to the newest comments]
Gah... poor Chooch.
Posted by: The Perils of Thinking | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Just reading the words "testicle contusion" makes me cringe.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:18 PM
hib to the jib
Posted by: They Call Me King Of The Bop | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:18 PM
Jimmy!!
Posted by: Jbird | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:18 PM
That was a nice start.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:19 PM
STOP SWINGING AT THE FIRST PITCH---
oh
Posted by: Cyclic | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:19 PM
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Posted by: They Call Me King Of The Bop | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Alright. Let's hope that's a positive sign, & J-Roll's about to enter a hot streak.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:19 PM
I hate you, TCMKOTB. Almost ruins Jimmy's dinger...
Posted by: The Perils of Thinking | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:20 PM
Vic's my Offensive MVP. When he & Rollins are both producing at the same time, good things usually happen.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:21 PM
What a waste.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:24 PM
No tilt.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:28 PM
blast
Posted by: Jbird | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:31 PM
HR Derby
Posted by: Cyclic | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:32 PM
awesome.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:32 PM
Cliff isn't really looking too sharp tonight.
Posted by: Greg | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:32 PM
Could be a long series.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:32 PM
Doesn't help that Cliff can throw a pitch right down the middle and it's called a ball...
Posted by: Greg | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:32 PM
The guy's been in the bigleagues for 3 weeks and Wheels already has a crush on him. What a turd.
Posted by: donc | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Can someone who is watching the game tell me about the strike zone? On Gameday, these sure look like strikes, but they are being called balls?
Posted by: SLO Phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Anyone else having trouble with their Fios CSN HD?
Posted by: Bigotto | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:33 PM
It'd be nice if our offense could pick up our pitching. But looking at the bottom half of this lineup is like looking at a black hole so my hopes aren't high.
Posted by: Heather | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Perils- I will be enthusastic and you can you know what
Posted by: They Call Me King Of The Bop | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:34 PM
My only assumption is that the Ump is drunk...or is named CB Bucknor.
Yet its not Bucknor so who knows.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:34 PM
Pence looks so awkward out there sometimes, but he gets in done. Watching him run just looks so odd.
Posted by: 3r0ck | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:39 PM
Thanks for nothing, Pence. Where were you last night??!!
Posted by: Regress To The Mean Machine | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:40 PM
Pence=Simple Jack
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Foster behind the plate. He's usually a guy who calls a strict strike zone.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Re:Ruiz
Cup or no cup?
Posted by: limoguy | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Pence is amazing.
Posted by: Jbird | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:43 PM
So Pence is kind of a spaz, eh?
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:43 PM
Pence looks so awkward out there sometimes, but he gets in done. Watching him run just looks so odd.
Posted by: 3r0ck
Case and point watching him run home from 3rd haha
Posted by: 3r0ck | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Shocked that Pence scored there after sliding into 3rd.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:44 PM
OMG are they gonna torture our boy Hunter.
Posted by: donc | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Great takeout by Mayberry
Posted by: 3r0ck | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Well that was strange. Pence slides at 3b and still scores.
So glad to see Mayberry in there instead of Ibanez. Nice take out slide too at 2b.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Schneider - another guy who might not be on a MLB roster next year. As good as they are, they have 3 or 4 guys right now on their roster who fit that bill.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:47 PM
The similarities between the DBacks and last year's Giants is a bit unsettling - lots of castoffs from other teams, stud rookie, but maybe pitching doesn't look as strong.
Posted by: Herb Svenson | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:47 PM
Tie goes to the runner? Not today
Posted by: 3r0ck | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:48 PM
SAFE by a step, how do they miss those calls?
Posted by: Charlie Hayes | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:48 PM
Dbacks are not the Giants of last year. Pitching is simply not as good.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:49 PM
He was safe.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:49 PM
"slider" pence.
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:50 PM
MG: True. But the Phillies still have an annoying habit of finding a way to lose to them. I don't want to see Arizona in the playoffs, esp. in a short series.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Replay shows he was out.
Posted by: Mike Williams | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Re:Ruiz
Cup or no cup?
Posted by: limoguy | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:42 PM
No way he's catching in the major leagues sans cup.
Posted by: Mike G | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Gtown: who would you like to face in a short series? I don't think Houston will make it.
Posted by: Jbird | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Ump is not giving the strike call on balls at the belt.
Posted by: Charlie Hayes | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:52 PM
Never a good sign when the pitcher gets on base to lead off an inning.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:52 PM
Jbird: St. Louis or Milwaukee.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:53 PM
Wes Helms signed to a minor league deal by the Braves.
Posted by: Charlie Hayes | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:54 PM
Gtown: who would you like to face in a short series? I don't think Houston will make it.
Posted by: Jbird
St Louis > Milwaukee
Arizona > San Fran
Atlanta > San Fran (Wild Card)
Posted by: 3r0ck | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:56 PM
I'm starting to hate Ryan Roberts. It started last night and now the dirty look he gave Mayberry on the slide and second and now griping to the ump.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:56 PM
Brewers opening up a 7 game lead in the central, so the Phils are only ones running away.
Posted by: Mike Williams | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Arizona would be my choice of all the likely teams. I think Milwaukee is a better team than Arizona.
Posted by: Jbird | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 07:57 PM
I'm starting to hate Ryan Roberts. It started last night and now the dirty look he gave Mayberry on the slide and second and now griping to the ump.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks
Roberts is a woman. You should know this Mr. Cocks
Great throw by Blanco to get Rollins
Posted by: 3r0ck | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:03 PM
Has there ever been a worse player, with a better knack for finding his way onto good teams, than Cody Ransom?
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:16 PM
Howard vs. Saunders: 0-11, 5K. Howard should never face Saunders.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:20 PM
I guess Ransom is an appropriate name, then.
Posted by: Old Phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:21 PM
C. Lee seems to have found his tilt.
Posted by: No1 | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Hey, is it me, or is Utley in a slump?
Posted by: Cyclic | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:35 PM
Utley doesn't slump...he's merely stepping back to allow his lesser teammates some of the spotlight.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:37 PM
Cyclic- we're not allowed to talk about when Utley is in a slump. If he doesn't get a hit, it's because he's hurt or he's worn out from giving 110%.
Posted by: Iceman | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:38 PM
A quick check of his splits show he isn't really slumping.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:38 PM
I am starting to get STEAMED!@!!
Posted by: They Call Me King Of The Bop | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Is that the same Utley who got 3 hits last night?
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Strike 3 to Rollins appeared to be pretty inside.
Posted by: Iceman | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Hey, is it me, or is Utley in a slump?
Posted by: Cyclic | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:35 PM
Didn't he have 3 hits last night?
Posted by: Mike G | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Mike G, last night was so yesterday.
Posted by: Old Phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Goldschmidt means "One who is like Cody Ross" in German
Posted by: Rauls grandpa | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Nice double play
Posted by: HammRadio | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Goldschmidt has ridiculous raw power.
He's like a young Ryan Howard basically.
21 2B, 3 3B, 30 HR in 457 PA in AA this year at Age 23.
He hit 35 HRs in A ball last year.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Another record crowd at the Bank. Where are they putting all of these people? Are people sitting on other people's laps?
Posted by: Old Phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Typical Beerleaguer, defending St. Utley by pointing out his 3-hit night last night.
The guy is hitless in his last 3 at bats. That's a slump in my book.
Posted by: DH Phils | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:50 PM
Utley sucks...BRING UP ORR!!!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:53 PM
OMG a guy wearing a Wheels shirt? They should take his testacles away.
Posted by: donc | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:53 PM
I missed yesterday's game. But I heard Halladay took a 1 run lead into the 9th.
We won, right?
Posted by: Cyclic | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:53 PM
Cy Saunders.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Thought that was out.
Posted by: MS69 | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Crap.
Posted by: Old Phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Sorry cup or no cup, that sh8t hurts. Just hope it is a contusion.
As they used to say on Sportscenter when it used to be funny, "routine groin surgery....there is no routine groin surgery!"
Not to drop the TMI here but there is nothing quite like being a grown azz man getting testicle surgery and hearing from the doc it would have been much less pain if my parents had it done to me at birth or before teenage years.
Posted by: Rauls grandpa | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:56 PM
damn, i thought that was gone
Posted by: phils and nova | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Tough break for Howard there, that was a nice swing and overall good AB.
Posted by: Timr | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:56 PM
"Howard should never face Saunders."
I feel like we say the same thing about a good 40% of the pitchers in baseball.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:56 PM
Are we up to 40% LHPs in the Majors now?
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:58 PM
Worley > Kennedy tomorrow? What say you
Posted by: 3r0ck | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:59 PM
95 pitches?
He should be good for another 3-4 innings.
Gotta rest the BP.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:00 PM
I'd get the 'pen tossing just in case, but I think Lee ought to be good for one more.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:02 PM
CG or no dice. Only sissies use the bullpen to relieve an Ace starter.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:03 PM
No runs this inning=Feels like a loss.
Posted by: TK | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Pence can't even jog to first with coordination.
Great player but boy is he funny to watch.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Howard hurt maybe. Time for more Mayberry!
Posted by: Cyclic | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:06 PM
HIb to the pibs
Posted by: They call me the King of touching balls | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:06 PM
What is Wheels talking about? Neither Abreu or Bowa had even a single 200-hit season.
Posted by: Unikruk | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:07 PM
If the Phillies don't score this Inning, my head will asplode.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:07 PM
cant do that, Cyclic...play Gload (or maybe Mini Mart...cause he's versatile) at 1B and keep on tossing Raul out there in LF.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:07 PM
Double play scores run.
Posted by: HammRadio | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:08 PM
That scores a run too.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:08 PM
Amazing baserunning by Mayberry
Posted by: Cyclic | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:09 PM
Exxon!
Posted by: Old Phan | Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 09:09 PM