Feliz Slams Past 'Stros

As seen on Phillies Nation.

Wilton Lopez made a huge mistake by hanging a slider to Pedro Feliz. Feliz took advantage and sent the pitch into the left field seats. The salami and Ryan Madson's six-out save led the Phillies to a 7-4 victory.

J.A Happ pitched better than his line indicated. In 5.2 innings, he allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits. He struck out six. Happ became the first Phillies rookie to win 12 games since 1959. Happ made two mistakes: a down and in fastball to Lance Berkman and a middle-in fastball to Kaz Matsui. Both pitches resulted in home runs.

Jimmy Rollins' 42nd double of the season put the Phillies on the board, but it was Feliz who provided the big blow. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Feliz jumped on the first pitch and took it for a ride. The grand slam put the Phillies ahead, 5-1. It was Feliz's second grand slam of the year, and it extended the franchise record for most grand slams in a season (11). The rally towels proudly waved and it was loud for the rest of the night.

In the fifth inning, Jayson Werth added insurance with a two-run home run. The runs proved to be key since the ninth inning is always nerve-racking.

Jamie Moyer ate 1.1 scoreless innings in relief. However, on the last pitch he threw, he fell to the ground with a groin injury.

Ryan Madson threw nine pitches in the eighth inning, and returned to the mound in the ninth to a standing ovation. Madson allowed two singles, but struck out Hunter Pence to end the game. Madson did a perfect job of mixing his pitches and locating them in the right spots.

The Florida Marlins took care of business in Atlanta, beating the Braves 5-4. This means that the magic number is down to one.

Bats Back Hamels

Also seen on Phillies Nation.

Prior to the game, several Phillies enjoyed watching (and even celebrated) Mark Buehrle’s perfect game. Hours later, Cole Hamels wasn’t perfect, but pitched well enough to earn his sixth victory of the year.

The Phillies took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Pedro Feliz singled, Jimmy Rollins (2-for-4) doubled, and Chase Utley singled, each driving in a run apiece. Feliz (3-for-5) singled in the third to extend the Phillies lead by four.

In the fourth, Chase Headley’s double and Kyle Banks’ home run made it a 4-3 ballgame. Luckily, the Phillies had no trouble against Padres’ starter Kevin Correia. The Phillies kept tacking on runs. Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, and Jayson Werth (3-for-5) each drove in runs. With their runs batted in, Howard and Ibanez each have 70 RBI for the season. They are third and fourth respectively in the National League in that category.

The Phillies roughed up Correia for eight runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings. Despite allowing three runs in one inning, Hamels settled down. He pitched seven innings, allowing only four hits and two walks. He struck out six.

Carlos Ruiz hit his fifth homer of the year. Everth Cabrera drove in a meaningless run off Andrew Carpenter in the eighth. The Phillies won 9-4 in a game that was originally scheduled for April 20. They have now won 11 of their last 12.

In other Phillies news, J.C Romero and Chad Durbin have been placed on the 15-day disbaled list. Andrew Carpenter and Tyler Walker have been recalled.

Feliz's Grand Slam Leads To Sweep

The last time the Phillies were at home, they had one of their worst homestands in franchise history, going 1-8. Talk about a turn around. The Phillies went 9-1 during this homestand, one of the best homestands in team history.

Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino each reached base for Chase Utley. Utley hustled out an infield single.

Utley's hustle will be overshadowed by the performance of his teammates, but Utley's hard-nosed play was a key factor in the Phillies win. On a line drive, Utley dove to second to double off the runner, NLCS style. He also deeked Andrew McCutchen, leading to another double play.

Utley's infield single opened the gates for Pedro Feliz after Ryan Howard's sacrifice fly scored Rollins. Feliz hit a grand slam to left field, breaking the game open, 5-0.

The Phillies knocked out started Virgil Vasquez after only 1.1 innings. On the other hand, J.A Happ was terrific. He allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks in seven innings.

J.C Romero allowed a home run to Garrett Jones in the ninth, his third homer of the series. However, Romero finished off the 5-2 Phillies win.

With the win, Happ improved to 6-0. He has not lost since making his Major League debut in 2007.

The Phillies head into the All Star Break on a positive note, sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates. During the 9-1 homestand, they outscored opponents 66-27, and improved to 10 games over .500.

Final Vote In Mind, Victorino Comes Through

Originally posted on Phillies Nation.

Shane Victorino has been around the city promoting his candidacy for the Final Vote. Handing out flyers, shaking hands and signing autographs help, but proving why he should be selected is more important. Shane Victorino (2-for-4, 2 SB) did that in the ninth inning.

In the fourth, the Cincinnati Reds took a 2-0 lead on Lance Nix's RBI single and Ramon Hernandez's sacrifice fly. In the bottom half of the inning, Ryan Howard returned the favor with a RBI single of his own.

Starter Rodrigo Lopez pitched five innings allowing two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out four. Still, the Phillies had trouble manufacturing runs, leaving nine men on base. Additionally, they were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

The Phillies pitching kept them in the game, and one swing off the bat of Jayson Werth tied it in the sixth. Werth's nineteenth home run of the year made it a new ballgame.

The Phillies bullpen pitched four shutout innings. Ryan Madson's two innings were key, giving the Phillies a chance in the bottom of the ninth.

Pedro Feliz led off with a single. Paul Bako failed to bunt him over, and Eric Bruntlett flied out. Jimmy Rollins worked a two out walk, and Victorino was given the perfect opportunity to make his campaign speech. He singled to center, scoring Feliz. A walk-off single and that was the ballgame. Phillies win 3-2.

Call of the Day: Last April, the Phillies had an exciting walk-off win off the bat of Pedro Feliz.

"Smoked. Down the left field line. Going all the way to the
corner! Here comes Jenkins, being waved around. The throw to the
plate.. he's safe at home plate! Phillies win 4 to 3 with a three run
ninth inning! Pedro Feliz with a big game winning double! Jenkins
was flying around third and scored the winning run. What a comeback by the
Phils, who led the majors in come back wins last year and they had several again
this year as they comeback from 3-0 in the ninth inning and come back to win it
4 to 3. Wow.

Our Chevrolet players of the game; the Phillies offense in this ninth
inning. Pinch hitter Chris Snelling homered. Pat Burrell
homered. And Pedro Feliz the game winning double. The Phillies
offense, our Chevrolet the players of the game."

4-0 Lead Not Enough

As seen on Phillies Nation.

The Phillies scored four runs in the first inning, however rookie Antonio Bastardo could not hold the lead as the Rays came back from a four runs deficit.

Ryan Howard's two-run double put the Phillies on the board. Matt Stairs followed with a double of his own to drive in Howard. Pedro Feliz singled in Stairs and the Phillies found themselves with an early 4-0 lead.

Antonio Bastardo could not provide the "shut down inning" and gave up three runs in the bottom of the first, including Ben Zobrist's sixteenth home run of the year. Bastardo allowed three more runs in the second before exiting in the fourth with a left shoulder strain. There is no word on the extent of the injury.

Bastardo's line was ugly: 3.2 IP, 7 hits, six earned runs, 3 walks, four strike outs, two home runs. On the other hand, Andy Sonnanstine settled down after the first inning and the Phillies did not score for the rest of the game.

Trailing 6-4 with one out and runners at the corners, the Phillies had a chance to rally in the sixth inning. Eric Bruntlett hit a fly ball to center, deep enough to score the run. Stairs tug up, but Feliz lost track of the outs and was doubled off at first before Stairs crossed the plate.

The Phillies were unhappy with home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom's strike zone, which allowed the sixth inning to turn into a three-run inning for the Rays. Several Phillies batters were also complaining with the inconsistent strike zone before an argument broke between a few Phillies players, Charlie Manuel, and Cederstorm.

Either way, the Phillies need to tack on runs and the pitching could not limit the damage. The Phillies also continued to make mental mistakes. With the 10-4 loss, the Phillies dropped their second in a row and the series to Rays.

12th Inning Rally Lifts Phils

This game would have been really tough to take in if the Phillies lost. However, they managed to pull out a win by the skin of their teeth.

Over four and a half hours before the game ended, Carlos Ruiz gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Ruiz, who was batting under the Mendoza line, raised his average to .293 in a matter of a week.

The Nationals took the lead off starter Joe Blanton when Ryan Zimmerman and Wil Nieves hit RBI singles and Blanton walked in a run with the bases loaded. In five innings, Blanton allowed four earned runs on five hits and six walks.

The Phillies inched back when Ruiz and Pedro Feliz, who went 4-5, each drove in runs in the sixth inning. In the seventh, Ryan Howard hit a towering, 400+ foot bomb to right center field, giving the Phils a 6-4 lead.

In the ninth inning, a struggling Brad Lidge came in to close the game. The Nationals managed to reach base on a couple of bang-bang plays. Willie Harris doubled, and on a Chase Utley error on the relay, the Nationals tied the game at 6. Lidge's ERA is now over nine.

It wasn't until the 12th inning when the Phillies scored again. Raul Ibanez didn't hit it hard, but managed to drive in two runs. Feliz doubled to give the Phillies a 10-6 lead.

J.A Happ earned the win in his two innings in relief. He was scheduled to start game two of the double header, but instead, Miguel Cairo was designated for assignment and Andrew Carpenter will make his second major league appearance.

The Phillies decided to go with Carpenter instead of Kyle Kendrick, who is scheduled to pitch with the IronPigs on Saturday.

Call of the day: On September 23, 1983, Steve Carlton won his 300th game, striking out 12 in the process. He became the 16th player in Major League history to win 300 games.

"Struck him out! Ball game is over! Phillies win it by a score of
6-2. Steve Carlton wins his 300th major league game, and the big left
hander is the first one to go out and shake the hand of Al Holland. Steve
Carlton, 300 Major League wins, 199 losses. Paul Owens is hugging the big
left hander. What a pleasure it was to watch him pitch over the years
since joining the Phillies in 19 hundred and 72. Thanks left hander.
You've given us a lot of thrills."

Injury Report

The Phillies were able to remain healthy in 2008 which was a big factor to winning the World Series. In 2009, the Phillies have had a few hit by the injury bug so far.

Chase Utley is taking his final steps to getting closer to Grapefruit League action. Utley could appear in games as early as next week.

Pedro Feliz played in Friday's game against the Pirates. He was 0-2, but says there is no doubt he will be ready for opening day. He also appeared in a simulation game on Wednesday.

After recovering from a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the spring, Jayson Werth experienced "a little tweak." Scheduled to play in Thursday's game, he was scratched from the lineup due to a groin injury.

Chris Coste and Chad Durbin both returned from hamstring pulls. On Wednesday, Coste was 1-2 with a home run during a simulated game.

Durbin allowed 2 hits and one run and struck out one in one inning of work. Durbin didn't feel any pain while pitching.

Brad Lidge also pitched in the simulated game on Wednesday. Lidge allowed a home run and struck out a batter in an inning of work.

"I felt good," Lidge said. "I actually felt a little better than I thought I
would feel. I think the slider was better than it usually is this time of year.
My fastball didn't feel great, so I'll definitely have to work on that location.
That's pretty standard for me in Spring Training."

QUOTE SOURCE: Phillies.com

Year In Review: August

The playoff race entered August, the dog days of summer.

Rudy Seanez was placed on the disabled list after injuring his shoulder on a diving tag play at first base. The Phillies soon acquired Scott Eyre, a left hander who had been released by the Chicago Cubs.

Pedro Feliz and Geoff Jenkins returned from the DL in August. Later in the month, the Phillies acquired Matt Stairs from the Toronto Blue Jays for Fabio Castro.

The big games:

August 8: Pat Burrell tied the game in the 8th inning with an RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals. Later in the inning, Shane Victorino hit a 3 run home run to give the Phillies the lead. The Phillies hung on to win the game 5-4.

August 11-14: 4 games in L.A, 4 losses in L.A. The Phillies were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, all in close games. The Phillies lost most of those games in the late innings, the few games in which the bullpen did not hold up and were not able to turn the ball over to Brad Lidge. In game 3, Nomar Garciaparra hit a walk off home run off Clay Condrey.

August 22-25: A week after being swept by the Dodgers, the Phillies redeemed themselves. The Phillies blew out the Dodgers in the first 2 games. Game 3 lasted 11 innings. The Phillies were down 2-1 in the 9th inning. Pedro Feliz, who did not start the game, singled to drive in the tying run. In the 11th, Feliz struck again, but with a 3 run walk off home run as the Phillies won 5-2. On the 25th, Myers pitched 7 shutout innings as the Phillies swept the Dodgers at home.

August 26: The Phillies were down 7-0 against the New York Mets. Jamie Moyer struggled, allowing 6 earned runs. However, the Phillies started to come back slowly off Pedro Martinez, who lasted just 5 innings. Rollins and Howard each homered to put the Phillies closer. Down 7-6 With 2 outs in the 9th inning, Jayson Werth singled to get things started. Eric Bruntlett doubled to the gap in right center field as Werth scored, tying the game. In the 13th inning with bases loaded and one out, Chris Coste smoked the ball to straight away center field. Victorino scored the winning run in the Phillies 8-7 come back win.

Other highlights:

August 9: With a 3-1 lead, and one out away from finishing the 8th inning, Charlie Manuel decided that Brett Myers was finished for the evening. Myers left the mound with a few words. Manuel confronted Myers in the dugout, and the two exchanged words, but it was all over after the game.

August 10: Chase Utley breaks the tie in the 7th inning with a 2 run home run to help captivate a Phillies win. How can we forget Jamie Moyer hustling down first base running over umpire Randy Marsh?

August 15: In a game for the ages, Jamie Moyer beat Greg Maddux in a 1-0 pitchers duel in San Diego.

August 19: Tied at 4 in the 8th inning, Jayson Werth hit a solo home run to give the Phillies the lead. As usual, the Phillies held on in the 9th inning to win.

August 20: Brett Myers pitched a complete game shutout against the Washington Nationals. Myers had a season best, 1.65 ERA in the month of August.

As a team, the Phillies did not hit well, batting .231 as a team. The pitching staff collected a 3.34 ERA. The Phillies managed to win games, entering the month of September one game back from the National League East.

Utley To Have Surgery

Chase Utley will need hip surgery. Utley's hip has been bothering him throughout the 2008 season, but he still played through it.

Despite a bad hip, Utley still managed to win a Silver Slugger. His numbers decreased during the second half of the year, but Chase still hit .292 with 33 homeruns.

Pedro Feliz will need back surgery. Feliz missed a few games during the season due to a bad back.

There is a chance that Utley will miss Opening Day in 2008. This will likely cross out of Utley playing in the World Baseball Classic in March, which he participated in 2006.

Magic Number: 6

The Phillies cut their magic number down to 6 with their 5-2 win over the Florida Marlins. The Mets bullpen blew it again as they lost to the Atlanta Braves, 7-6.

Jamie Moyer picked up his 11th career win against the Marlins. He is 11-1 against the Fish.

Moyer pitched 6 innings. He allowed just 1 earned run on 6 hits and one walk. He hit 2 batters, and struck out 4.

Chase Utley hit a 2 run home run in the 3rd inning to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

In the 4th, with 2 outs, Jamie Moyer hit a shallow pop fly. However, right fielder Cody Ross missed the ball, allowing Carlos Ruiz to move to third base. Jimmy Rollins followed with a swinging bunt that allowed Ruiz to score and give the Phillies a 3-0 lead.

Josh Willingham and Alfredo Amezaga drove in the Marlins only runs.

Greg Dobbs left the game with a leg cramp after he made a diving stop to save an extra base hit and a run. Feliz came in on the double switch and made a play to end the Marlins threat. In the top half of the next inning, he hit a long home run to right field to give the Phillies a 5-2 lead.

Brad Lige picked up his 40th save in as many opportunities. The Marlins had 2 runners on base in the 9th, but Lidge got out of the jam, striking out 2 batters.

Phillies win, Eagles win. All around, a good day in the city of brotherly love.

Feliz Navidad

No doubt about it Pedro Feliz was the hero of the day.

Joe Blanton started the game for the Phillies against Hiroki Kuroda. Feliz was left out of the starting lineup with the righty on the hill.

Kuroda last faced the Phillies in LA. He only gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 7 innings of work.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made some noise against Blanton in the first. James Loney singled to drive in a run to give the Dodgers an early lead.

The Dodgers had a chance for more in the first, but Blanton and the Phillies got out of a bases loaded jam.

Kuroda did not allow a hit until the 5th inning. Carlos Ruiz broke the no hitter up. Chase Utley would drive Ruiz in to break up the shutout, and tie the game at 1.

Blanton pitched well. He lasted 6 innings and only gave up the one earned run. He gave up 6 hits and walked 3, while striking out 4.

The Phillies defense played well behind the Phillies pitching. Shane Victorino made an amazing over the shoulder running catch in the 6th inning. 3 batters later, with 2 runners on base, Ryan Howard made a terrific diving catch in foul territory to end the inning.

J.C. Romero came into the game in the 7th inning. Juan Pierre reached base on an infield single. Romero threw over to first base several times. Matt Kemp, the batter, kept fouling pitches off. Romero would then pick off Juan Pierre for first out of the inning. Romero would finally win the battle between he and Kemp on a 3-2 pitch to strike him out.

Romero then gave up a walk to Andre Eithier. Ryan Madson and Pedro Feliz came into the game on a double switch. However, the inherited runner scored on a Jeff Kent RBI single, and the Dodgers went ahead 2-1.

The Phillies were down in the bottom of the 9th. With 2 outs and Victorino on second, newly call up Andy Tracy was at the plate. He drew a huge walk and gave the bat to Pedro Feliz.

Feliz singled to right field to drive in Victorino and tie the game.

The game would go extra innings, all the way until the 11th, score still tied at 2.

The Dodgers had a golden oppurtunity in the 10th inning. Bases loaded, no outs. However Casey Blake grounded into a 5-2 double play. The Phillies would escape the jam.

Victorino led off the 11th inning with a big double. Victorino went 2-4 on the day his hometown state Hawaii won the Little League World Series.

There was one out with runners on second and third. The Phillies were out of bench players, so they decided to go with pitcher Cole Hamels who has a .270 average this year at the plate. Hamels is second in the league in hits for a pitcher, trailing only Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs.

Would Cole Hamels win it? Nope. He hit a hump back liner to the second baseman. Two outs.

Feliz was due up. Feliz, who tied the game in the 9th had a chance to win it. And he did. He hit a walkoff homerun to deep right center field to win the game. Phillies win 5-2. An intense game down to the last pitch.

Feliz trotted around the bases while his teammates waited to mob him at home plate. Ruiz wore his rally cap, and it worked. Feliz flipped his helmet and was mobbed by his teammates. A few highfives later and the Phillies are only .5 games out of first place with the Met's loss to the Astros today.

A sweep today could possibly land the Phillies in first place once again, where the belong.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILLIES.COM

Feliz Back

Pedro Feliz was activated from the Disabled List today. Les Walrond was sent down to the minor leagues to make room for Feliz.

Walrond was optioned to Triple-A Leigh High Valley. Walrond stuggled in the majors out of the bullpen.

Feliz was placed on the DL in July due to a bulging disk in his lower back.

Despite not having a great year, Feliz should help the stuggling offense while providing Gold Glove calibar defense.

Feliz is hitting .256 with 12 HR and 46 RBI. His OBP .304 and his SLG is 4.24 giving him a low OPS of .728.

Feliz will not be in the starting lineup. Greg Dobbs will get the start.

Feliz to DL

Pedro Feliz was placed on the 15 day disabled list. Feliz has been out of the starting lineup since July 24, due to lower back inflammation.

Mike Cervenak was recalled from the Phillies AAA minor league affiliate, the Iron Pigs. Cervenak made one big league plate appearance this year, the only of his career. With the Iron Pigs this year, the 31 year old is batting .320 with 7 home runs.

3rd base could be a platoon between Greg Dobbs and Eric Bruntlett. Charlie Manuel wants his players to preform, and give them playing time depending on their performance.