Quotes & Notes: Spring Training Day One

The first official day of spring training is over. Pitchers and catchers reported to camp and took part in their first team workout. Position players were also in attendance. Here's the stories from day one, including quotes:

• "Being the perfectionist that [Cole Hamels] is, he took [his 2009's struggles] to heart, and he did the work that he had to do. So he's in a much better position right now. He could have gone home and sulked again and said, oh, what do they know. He didn't do that. He went home and did what he had to do." -- Rich Dubee, Phillies pitching coach.

Hamels put a lot of work in this off season, and says that he did not stop throwing over the winter. Over the break, Hamels experimented with a cutter, and even talked to Steve Carlton and Cliff Lee about the pitch. During spring training, Hamels will work on improving his curveball.

• "[Jamie Moyer]'s probably ahead of schedule in what we thought he might be able to do." -- Dubee

This is good news, especially if Jamie wants to keep the fifth starter's job. J.C Romero also felt that he was ahead of schedule. A healthy team is always key. However, rushing back from an injury can make it worse.

• "I don't necessarily expect myself to have '08, but I expect myself to be a hell of a lot closer to '08 than '09, that's for sure." -- Brad Lidge, Phillies closer

That's a confident Brad Lidge. And that's what he needs: confidence. Over and over I have heard that Lidge's problems were mental. Perhaps he has his mind straight. After all, "baseball is 90% mental -- the other half is physical" (Yogi Berra).

• "[ Placido] Polanco has quick feet at third base. Third base is a reaction kind of place. Polly definitely can do that. Polly does throw good. He is accurate. All around with the bat and everything, he's a better player than [Pedro] Feliz. I don't see where we're going to get hurt there." -- Charlie Manuel, Phillies manager

I can't argue that Polanco is an overall upgrade from Feliz. He's not going to be as solid defensively, but as Manuel said, he's no slouch when it comes to defense. His transition to third should not be a huge problem.

A Renewed Rivalry?

• "We're expecting to go out there and win the National League East, go deep in the playoffs and win a World Series." -- David Wright, New York Mets.

Ever since Jimmy Rollins proclaimed the Phillies to be the "team to beat" in 2007, there has been bantering back-and-forth between the Phillies and Mets. An injury-plagued Mets ball club only won 70 games last year, and their rivalry with the Phillies fell apart towards the end of the season. While this isn't a direct shot at the Phillies, it still adds to the rivalry.

• "Santana." -- Johan Santana

In the quote above, Santana, answered a question. However, the question wasn't "what's your name?" He was asked who the best pitcher in the National League East is. He simply replied with his own name.

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to a renewed rivalry between these two teams.

Also featured on Phillies Nation.

Moyer Starting Game 2

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New York Mets (62-79) at Philadelphia Phillies (80-59).

Mike Pelfrey (10-10, 4.83 ERA) starts vs. Jamie Moyer (12-9, 4.98 ERA).

With tomorrow's double header and J.A Happ's oblique injury, Jamie Moyer will make his 23rd start of the year. On Monday, the crafty veteran filled in for Happ nicely, despite the short notice. Since his bullpen demotion, Moyer is 2-0 with a 1.41 ERA. However, Moyer is 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA in 20 innings against the Mets this season. Mets hitters have batted .342 against the lefty.

Moyer will be opposed by Mike Pelfrey. Pelfrey is 3-0 with a 3.70 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this season. Ryan Howard is batting .400 with a home run in his career against Pelfrey. Chase Utley has a .300 average and three homers off Pelfrey.

The Mets elimination number is four. The Phillies can officially eliminate the Mets from the division this weekend.

Call of the Day: Chase Utley makes a potential game saving play.

"Ground ball... oh, great diving play Utley. Utley saved a lot of
trouble there, with a fine play diving to his left."

Howard Blasts Past Phillies

As seen on Phillies Nation.

The closer it gets to October, the hotter Ryan Howard gets. In August and September, Howard takes hitting to a whole new level. He showed his power with two monster home runs to help the Phillies win their third straight game.

Yesterday, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz each hit three-run home runs in the first inning. Today, it was Howard's turn. Howard smoked a 2-2 pitch the opposite way, over the 16 foot tall left field wall. The Phillies quickly jumped to a 3-0 lead.

On Sunday, Angel Pagan led off with an inside the park home run. In Pagan's first at-bat today, Cliff Lee jammed him, and it was an easy play for Chase Utley. Utley settled under it, but in his best Luis Castillo impression, dropped the ball. Utley fired to second, but the ball scooted to left field. Angel Pagan took advantage of the two errors and circled the bases. It was the first time in Utley's career that he made two errors in one game, let alone during the same play.

Fernando Tatis' sacrifice fly made it a 3-2 game, but both runs were unearned for Lee. The defense was not pretty-- for either side. There were a total of five errors before the fourth inning.

Howard wasn't finished with Bobby Parnell. He already took him deep to the opposite field, now it was time to pull the ball. Howard clobbered the 3-2 offering to the upper-deck porch in right field. The two-run shot gave the Phillies a 5-2 lead.

With the home runs, Howard surpassed the 100-RBI mark (104) for the fourth straight time in his career. He joins Chuck Klein as the second player in franchise history to have four consecutive 100-RBI, 30-home run (34) seasons.

The run support was plenty for Lee. Lee gave up more runs than he has in any other start in a Phillies uniform: two, both in which were unearned in his seven innings of work. He gave up six hits, struck out five, and did not walk a batter.

Raul Ibanez added a RBI double in the ninth inning. With the 6-2 victory over the Mets, the Phillies won the series three games to one. The Phillies now have a 16.5 game lead over the fourth place Metropolitans. The dog days of summer are quickly coming to a close, and the Phillies have a hot hand in Lee, and a hot bat in Howard. They're just getting started.

Lee on the Mound for Series Finale

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Philadelphia Phillies (71-50) at New York Mets (57-67)
Cliff Lee (11-9, 2.72 ERA) vs. Bobby Parnell (3-5, 4.74 ERA)

In the final game of a four game stint, the Phillies will look to take three out of four from the New York Mets. Thus far, the games have been close and exciting between these two rivals.

Cliff Lee has been outstanding since joining the Phillies. He is 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA and opponents are batting .161 against him. With Lee on the mound, the Phillies expect him to go deep into the game and get a win.

Lee will be opposed by Bobby Parnell, who is making his fourth start since moving from the bullpen. Parnell is coming off a poor start in which he allowed nine runs in three innings versus the Braves. Against the Phillies, Parnell is 0-2 and gave up a game-winning home run to Chase Utley.

The Mets will likely be without Jeff Francouer, who was taken to the hospital for an MRI on his thumb. After going 3-for-5 and completing an unbelievable, game-ending unassisted triple play, Eric Bruntlett will get another start. Today, he will give Jimmy Rollins a rest at shortstop.

Today's lineup: Victorino (CF)/ Werth (RF)/ Utley (2B)/ Howard (1B)/ Ibanez (LF)/ Feliz (3B)/ Bruntlett (SS)/ Bako (C)/ Lee (P).

Call of the Day: Del Unser wins the game.

"Swing and a well hit ball to deep center field! Richards back!
It is outta here! Home run! Del Unser, has won the ballgame! Veterans
Stadium is going wild! His third consecutive pinch hit home run!
Unbelievable!"

Hated To Hero

Baseball is a crazy game. The totally unexpected happened from an unlikely source during the Phillies 9-7 win over the New York Mets. Eric Bruntlett had quite the eventful day, including a game ending unassisted triple play.

Before Pedro Martinez could take the mound, the Phillies threw up a six spot. Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz each hit three run home runs in the first inning against Oliver Perez.

Bad Ollie showed up. After allowing six earned runs on four hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning, Jerry Manuel had enough. He pulled Perez in the middle of an at-bat, after falling behind 3-0 to Martinez.

Pedro wasn't completely dominant either-- at least to start. Angel Pagan led off with an inside the park home run. Unsure about Citi Field's ground rules, Shane Victorino raised his hand after the ball wedged under the padding. The umpires did not make a call, and Pagan rounded the bases. Raul Ibanez picked up the ball and threw it in, but it was too late. Even though it was beneath the padding, the ball was in play, according to the official rules. The Mets added another run on Jeff Francouer's RBI triple.

The Phillies tacked on runs with Martinez's RBI single, Jimmy Rollins' sacrifice fly, and a run scored by Matt Stairs on a couple wild pitches. But, the Mets kept adding on runs as well. Pagan homered again (this time over the fence), Daniel Murphy hit a RBI single and Anderson Hernandez's double kept it a close game, 9-6.

Pedro allowed four earned runs in six innings. He allowed seven hits, walked one, and struck out five of his former teammates. Pedro settled down after a rough first few innings; he retired the last six batters he faced.

With Chase Utley getting a regular day off, Eric Bruntlett got the start at second base. Not much is expected from Bruntlett, who entered today with a .128 average. He started off by going 3-for-3 and made some solid defensive plays.

In the bottom of the ninth, Bruntlett was robbed of his fourth hit. Jeff Francouer made a diving catch, but the umpire originally called it a trap. Heads up, Bruntlett hustled his way to third for a triple, but the play was overruled by third base umpire. It would have been a new career high for Bruntlett for most hits in a game.

Coming off a 1-2-3 save last night, Brad Lidge looked to make it back-to-back. Pagan grounded a single through the legs of Ryan Howard. On the error, Pagan advanced to third. Then, Bruntlett committed an error which scored Pagan. Next, Murphy grounded a single up the middle, booted by Bruntlett. Both of Bruntlett's miscues were plays that Utley would've made easily. The Mets were down two with two men on base and nobody out. With Lidge's struggles, the Mets were on their way to winning this thing.

On the 2-2 pitch, Castillo and Murphy were off. Covering second, Francouer lined a drive right at Bruntlett. Bruntlett stepped on second base for out number two. With Murphy on his way to second, Bruntlett applied the tag for the third out. An unbelievable, game-ending, unassisted triple play!

The last Phillie to turn an unassisted triple play was Mickey Morandini in 1992. Bruntlett's was the first in National League history that ended the game. The last game ending unassisted triple play was turned by Johnny Neun in 1927.

The Mets keep finding new ways to lose and today was no different. Eric Bruntlett went from hated, to hero, back to hated and hero again. Who knows, maybe he can do something shocking again tomorrow. After all, Charlie Manuel has already stated he'll play tomorrow giving Jimmy Rollins a break.

Originally posted on Phillies Nation.

Call of the Day: The Phillies turned a different type of Triple Play in 2007.

"Smashed. Ooh, that's a double play ball. That's a triple play! That's a triple
play, DiNero called him out. DiNero called him out at third base. He didn't have
to re-tag him. And that is a triple play! What a way to start a game! Here it is
again, take a look. Now DiNero immediately raises his arm saying that he
caught it, so it's an out there. Now, he-- Dobbs didn't have to re-tag him
here. But at any rate, nothing caused for Colorado."

Pedro's Return

Philadelphia Phillies (70-50) at New York Mets (57-66)
Pedro Martinez (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Oliver Perez (3-3, 6.06 ERA)

Pedro Martinez will be making his first start against his former team. Martinez spent four season in New York, winning 32 games and posting a 3.88 ERA. Pedro's last outing was cut short due to a rain delay.

Pedro will be opposed by Oliver Perez. Perez is 2-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 13 starts against the Phillies. Sometimes Oliver Perez will dominate. Other times he will get lit up. Perez faced the Phillies earlier this year and lasted 1/3 of an inning. He gave up four runs on five hits and six walks.

Chase Utley will not be in today's lineup, recieving a day off against the left-hander. Lefties are hitting .205 against Perez this season. Eric Bruntlett will start at second base.

In injury news, Greg Dobbs was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a minor tweak to his right calf. Miguel Cairo was called up from Triple-A. To make room for Cairo on the 40-man roster, Antonio Bastardo was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

In other injury news, Brett Myers is scheduled to pitch in a rehab appearance today. J.C Romero and Clay Condrey are scheduled to throw tomorrow.

Happ on Hill for Game 2

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Philadelphia Phillies (69-50) at New York Mets (57-65)
J.A Happ (9-2, 2.66 ERA) vs. Tim Redding (1-4, 6.53 ERA)

As shown in game one of the four game series, the Mets aren't a team to take lightly, even though they are 13.5 games out and depleted with injuries. It's a true rivalry, and both teams want to beat each other.

Happ's last start started two hours late because of rain. In that outing against the Braves, Happ pitched 7.2 innings. He allowed three hits, but walked six. No Phillies starter has walked a batter since Happ on Sunday.

Happ will be opposed by Phillie-killer, Tim Redding. In the last two seasons, Redding is 3-1 with a 3.50 earned run average against the Phils. That ERA is high-- he only had one bad outing against them. He has shut them out twice, including a one-hitter against them.

Call of the Day: Before Nolan Ryan went onto strike out 5,714, Steve Carlton moved ahead of him.

"Struck 'em out! Number 3,522, Steve Carlton! He has surpassed Nolan
Ryan for the all time Major League strike out king!"

Hamels Can't Find Location In Loss

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Location, location, location. Cole Hamels' problem haunted him as he continued to struggle with his command in the Phillies 4-2 loss to the New York Mets.

After an hour and sixteen minute rain delay, baseball was underway. Ryan Howard continued his hot hitting with a RBI single in the first inning. The Mets tied the game at one on Daniel Murphy's ground out.

Hamels can't seem to find control of his fastball. Carlos Ruiz set up down and in to Angel Pagan. The pitch was right down the middle, resulting in a run batted in for Pagan. For Jeff Francouer, Ruiz's glove was positioned high and out of the strike zone. Again, the pitch was down the middle, and Francouer took advantage. Francouer (3-for-4) homered and the Mets had a 3-1 lead. The Mets added another run on Omir Santos' sacrifice fly in foul territory, in which Howard made a terrific catch on.

Because Hamels is unable to locate his fastball, he can not throw his changeup effectively. His velocity is there, he just needs command of his fastball to set up his off-speed pitches. It isn't that he is close; he is missing his spots badly. Once Hamels gains command of his pitches and stays away from the middle of the plate, he'll be the successful pitcher he once was.

Hamels lasted five innings. He gave up four earned runs on ten hits. At least he made them hit their way on. He struck out six and did not walk a batter. No Phillies starter has walked a batter since Sunday. Chan Ho Park's walk to Jeremy Reed ended a 33 walk-less streak by the Phillies staff.

The Phillies had plenty of chances to score, but did not capitalize. They were 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base. After Pedro Feliz's RBI single, the Phillies had a golden opportunity to score in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins each popped out to the infield, ending the threat.

Down 4-2, the Phillies made some noise in the ninth. With one out and runners at the corners, Francisco Rodriguez struck out Chase Utley and Howard to end the game. Even though the Phillies have a 13.5 game lead over the Mets, this series isn't one to take lightly. As shown in K-Rod's game ending strikeout celebration, the Mets want to beat their arch rivals.

Home Runs (or Lack of) Will Effect Series at Citi

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Philadelphia Phillies (69-49) at New York Mets (56-65).
Cole Hamels (7-7, 4.69 ERA) starts vs. Mike Pelfrey (8-8, 4.75 ERA).

The rivalry is renewed. Even though the Phillies have a comfortable 14.5 game lead over the Metropolitans, this is a big series.

The Mets have been depleated with injuries, missing Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. The newest addition to the disabled list is David Wright, who was beaned in the head, suffering a scary concussion.

Cole Hamels' roller coaster season continues. He last faced the Mets in June, and was roughed up for four runs in five innings. The home run ball hurts Hamels, who has allowed 21 bombs this season. Luckily, the Mets are not a home run hitting club, especially at pitcher friendly Citi Field. In fact, the Phillies (171) have exactly 100 more home runs than the Mets (71). And if Hamels does give up deep flies, they are usually solo shots. Hamels needs control of his fastball to help return his 2008 form.

Mike Pelfrey is 2-0 against the Phillies this season, but Chase Utley has him in his book. Unlike Hamels, Pelfrey keeps the ball in the park, but Utley has taken him deep three times in 18 at-bats. Chase will try to hit one into "Utley's Corner," dubbed by the Mets broadcasters.

When the Phillies and Mets meet, the games are usually intense and down to the wire. The Phillies can not take this series lightly even with a marginal lead.

Tonight's lineup: Rollins (SS)/ Victorino (CF)/ Utley (2B)/ Howard (1B)/ Werth (RF)/ Ibanez (LF)/ Dobbs (3B)/ Ruiz (C)/ Hamels (P).

Call of the Day: Sarge hits a HR in the 1983 NLCS.

"Well hit to deep left. Goodbye! Way, way, outta here! Gary Mathews! What a
League Championship Series he's having."

Phils Seek Mets Sweep

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New York Mets (39-41) will face the Philadelphia Phillies (41-37).

Johan Santana (9-6, 3.34) will start against Joe Blanton (4-4, 5.08).

The Phillies go for a sweep against the Mets this afternoon. In the final game of the series, Johan Santana faces Joe Blanton.

Santana has been struggling-- for Johan Santana. He has lost three of his last four games, including his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers where he allowed five earned runs. In his career against the Phillies, Santana is 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA. In his last start against the Phillies, he gave up five runs on four home runs.

Blanton is 1-0 in his career against the Mets. In 21 innings, he allowed only five earned runs and Mets batters are hitting .213 against him. Joe Blanton is even batting 1.000 against Santana (1-for1).

Jimmy Rollins is 3-for6 against Santana this season. Ryan Howard is batting .350 with 3 home runs against Santana in his career.

Moyer Moves Up Wins List

As seen on Phillies Nation.

Having a record of 99-99 on Independence Day, the Phillies hoped number one-hundred would be in the win column. But the bigger numbers came from Jamie Moyer who was making his 600th career start.

With the Phillies 4-1 win over the Mets, Moyer tied Carl Hubbell for 42nd on the all time wins list with 253 wins. He also moved into the top ten among left-handed pitchers.

Moyer pitched 6.1 innings allowing only one earned run on five hits and one walk.

Jimmy Rollins hit a two run double giving the Phillies a three run lead.

Paul Bako and Shane Victorino received new life after David Wright and Omir Santos misplayed fly balls in foul territory. Victorino singled giving the Phillies a 4-1 lead.

The bullpen did not allow a run and Brad Lidge got an easy 1-2-3 save to secure the win for Moyer.

Renewed Rivalry

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The New York Mets (39-39) will face the Philadelphia Phillies (39-37) at Citizens Bank Park

Livan Hernandez (5-3, 4.04 ERA) will start against Rodrigo Lopez (5-4, 3.91 ERA in AAA).

Tonight, the rivalry is renewed in a big series for both teams. The Phillies look to turn around their struggles and stay in first place in the National League East. The Mets are only one game out, and they could find themselves in first if the Phillies continue to struggle at home.

Rogrigo Lopez will start against the Mets. With the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Lopez has been inconsistent in his last ten starts. He has only given up one earned run his the last 14 innings he has pitched, however it has been a pattern that after he has success, he struggles in his next start. On the plus side, he has not walked many batters or given up many home runs. In his Major League career, Lopez is 65-65 with a 4.80 ERA.

Hernandez is 10-8 with a 3.36 in 24 career starts against the Phillies. At Citizens Bank Park, Hernandez is 2-2 with a 5.45 ERA. Chase Utley is 8-for-24 in his career against Hernandez. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard each have homered off Hernandez twice in their careers.

Phillies Jerseys Buried at Citi Field?

The Mets Police reports that there could be three jersey's buried at Citi Field.

"I work for Hunt Construction. I was a foreman at Citi Field. There are 3
Phillies Jerseys buried in the ball park. As a lifelong Phillies fan, I felt it
was my duty to jinx the Mets. I'm not telling you my real name for obvious
reasons. The jerseys are:
1. Under the Fanwalk bricks.
2. Jackie
Robinson Rotunda in the vicinity of the Ticket Office window.
3. Near the
vicinity of the '47 Shop near right field. "

A David Ortiz Red Sox jersey was buried at the new Yankee Stadium. Yankees are 0-8 against the Yankees this year. This is the Phillies version to try to jinx their arch rivals.

A Mets fan has also removed the Billy Penn miniature statue from the Comcast building not too long ago.

Chan Ho Earns Another Go

If Chan Ho Park was indeed pitching for his spot in the rotation on Wednesday night, he earned another start.

Park pitched six shut out innings and didn't allow the Met's lone hit until the fifth inning. He walked two and struck out five, having the best outing of any Phillies starter this season, by far.

The only problem, Johan Santana was better. In seven innings, Santana allowed two hits and three walks while striking out 10.

The Phillies had a couple of opportunities, but could not get any run support for Park. However, the Mets were having just as much trouble for Santana. They scored the only run of the game on a throwing error by Pedro Feliz and a double clutch by Jayson Werth in the seventh inning.

That is all the Mets needed as Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez finished out the 1-0 game.

Despite the loss, the Phillies remain in first place, and Shane Victorino extended his hitting streak to 15 consecutive games.

Jamie Moyer will go for career win number 250 against Mike Pelfrey tonight at Citi Field.

Call of the day: In May of 2006, Xavier Nady of the Mets hit a deep fly ball with two outs and the bases loaded off Gavin Floyd. But Aaron Rowand was there to save the day.

"Driven to deep center field. Rowand back, are you kiddin' me? What a
great, great perhaps GAME SAVING catch, by Aaron Rowand!"

Walk Off Walk in Extras

In their second meeting, the Phillies and Mets played a game that was more like the games they have played in the past: close, back and fourth, down to the wire, down to the last pitch, and the Mets bullpen blowing the lead.

Chase Utley was out of the lineup after he was hit by a pitch in the foot on Friday, but Amaro said it was just a day off for Utley. Eric Bruntlett filled in for Utley, and Charlie Manuel mixed up his lineup, batting Shane Victorino lead off, Raul Ibanez second, Jayson Werth third and Jimmy Rollins fifth.

The Phillies scored early off Oliver Perez, who allowed four earned runs in 2.1 innings. Ibanez's sacrifice fly opened the scoring, and Rollins hit an RBI single.

On a couple sac flies and a home run by Daniel Murphy, the Mets inched back to make it 4-3.

The Mets would tie the game on Ramon Castro's home run and take the lead of Luis Castillo's RBI single.

Jamie Moyer pitched 5.2 innings allowing the 5 earned runs on 7 hits and 4 walks. He struck out 2.

In the bottom of the 6th, Ibanez hit a solo home run to tie the game at 5.

Ryan Madson got some help by his defense in the eighth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Carlos Beltran smacked a single to Jayson Werth. Werth fired home nailing Omir Santos at the plate with the help of a great tag by Carlos Ruiz, who was just activated from the disabled list.

Brad Lidge returned from injury and pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The game went to extras and Sean Green pitched the 10th inning for the Mets. He loaded the bases, and with two outs, Shane Victorino worked a walk to force in a run and end the game.

The Phillies won 6-5.

Call of the day: Saturday's win was quite familiar to the Phillies first win of the 2008 season against the Washington Nationals. Saturday, Pedro Feliz hit an infield single to start the inning, and a walk of walk ended the game. Something very similar happened in 2008, but with two different players.

"Three and nothing. Ball four! Walked 'em! Phils win by a score
of 8-7 on a bases loaded walk to Jayson Werth. Not a dramatic way to
end the ball game, but the Phillies get their first win of the year on a bases
loaded walk to Jayson Werth. Jimmy Rollins got it going with an infield
single, and the Phillies are on the board for their first win of 2008 in 10
innings by a score of 8-7."

Phillies Note: Today's game has been postponed. No word on rescheduled date.

Chan Ho Must Go and the Rest of the Rivalry

The New York Mets beat the Phillies yesterday, 7-4, in the rivals first meeting of the year.

Chan Ho Park stunk, once again. He gave up 7 earned runs in 4.2 innings.

Charlie Manuel may say that Park his his fifth starter for now, but his spot in the rotation is finally in jeopardy. I didn't think his spot in the rotation would last long, especially once Romero gets back with all the lefties in the bullpen. Park could be out of the rotation before Romero returns.

A basrunning mistake probably cost the Phillies, but the Mets were able to take advantage of the Phillies mistakes.

It wasn't like some of the games in the past where these games are usually down to the wire, down to the final pitch.

“It’s one of those things where it’s two totally different mentalities, two
different attitudes, everything. We just don’t believe in the same things. Our
two teams, it’s like oil and water. Some of the guys on their team just wouldn’t
fit in our clubhouse, and some of the guys here just wouldn’t fit with their
guys. That’s just how it is.” Ryan Madson said.

Moyer goes to today against Perez. Lidge should be available today.

Call of the day: With just one out and runners at the corners in the top of the 9th, Shawn Green hit a ground ball that wasn't hard enough for a double play. Tadahito Iguchi tried to turn it until Marlon Anderson attempted to break it up.

"Bouncing ball, chopped to short. It's not a double play ball. OH, they
called interference! They ruled interference on Marlon
Anderson and that will end the game!"

"...No they didn't have to go get 'em, its not a double play ball.
They could not of turned the double play, but Marlon Anderson, takes out
Tadahito Iguchi and is called for interference- a game ending interference
call."

"The Cole War"

The New York Post's back cover read "The Cole War" after Cole Hamels spoke to 610 WIP the other day.

While on WIP, Hamels defined the word "choke," a term in which he called the New York Mets after being asked if they were "choke artist."

"The word choke means you weren't able to fully come through when you were
supposed to," Hamels replied. "I think the Mets had the top teams, they pretty
much had the championships in the bag, and they weren't able to come
through."

"A lot of guys will perceive them as choking in the end and not
fulfilling their end of the bargain, because they should have taken it. You know
what? It really does show the strength and hard work and I guess the deep-down
guts that we have to take it away from them."

The quotes were featured in the New York Post. Hamels acknowledged the talking may have gotten out of hand, but doesn't mind the extra attention it brings. He had no regrets about his comments toward the Mets and said he simply learns from it.

"I don't want it to be bad blood against their players and us, because we
respect each other," Hamels said. "But if it really gets the fans involved,
that's OK. I know that I have the Phillies fans on my side, and I know I'm never
going to have the Mets fans on my side. So it's not like they're going to cheer
me when I go out there."

"I guess if it gets more exciting when we play, I think that's good for
baseball. I think that's what baseball needs. It needs some good rivalries to
forget about the other stuff off the field that's been happening."

Hamels also said he will most likely say something to the Mets during the season. However, they will understand where he is coming from.

QUOTE SOURCE: Phillies.com

More Rivalry Banter

Who's next in line to chime in on the Phillies and Mets rivalry? Next contestant: Jose Reyes.

"I don't know why they always focus on us. They are the ones to win the World
Series," Reyes said. "We don't say nothing about them. We just say,
'Congratulations to the Phillies.' They always say something about us and we
don't even focus on them. We focus on them when we play against them."

"We don't worry about the Phillies. We focus about the New York Mets. They have
to be happy because they win the World Series. Why do they focus on us? What did
we do to them? If they don't like us, that's OK."

Reyes also found out of how the Phillies felt after his home run celebrations.

"I don't know why they said that because I'm not the only when I hit a home
run that I 'pimp' it," Reyes said. "A lot of people do that. A lot of people
from Philadelphia, too. They stand there for a couple seconds and nobody say
nothing. I don't know why the Phillies focus so much on the New York Mets. We
just worry about us."

Some Phillies also commented on some recent comments. Jimmy Rollins was surprised that the bantering has lasted this long.

"It has been pretty funny just to hear it going on and on and on,” Rollins said. "I sit there and I laugh and say, ‘This is still going on. They’re still rolling with that?'"

"It’s going to be a fun game any time we play them. But I guess when Cole is pitching, they are going to step it up and, of course, we are going to stand up for Cole, so that is going to force us to step it up. But that just brings out the best in both teams. We’re going to win, but it definitely will bring out the best in both teams."

QUOTE SOURCE: Comcast Sportsnet

Beltran "Threatens" Hamels

Last season, Carlos Beltran stole some of Jimmy Rollins' words claiming the Mets the "team to beat." This year, K-Rod took his job, but Beltran take a break from commenting.

"He say that? I agree with him."

Beltran also had some harsh words for Cole Hamels, who called the Mets "choke artist" during the offseason.

"The only thing that I know is he will be watched every time he faces us.
Hopefully we kill him, and then he'll have to deal with the situation."

Beltran feels the Mets have a great chance against the Phillies.

"I feel we have a good team this year. They made some other acquisitions. I
think their team is also better. But I do believe our team is better. On paper,
that’s how I feel."

The Mets just better hope he isn't wrong again.

QUOTE SOURCE: New York Daily News, Surfing The Mets

Myers Responds To Mets

The bantering between the two National League East divisonal rivals may never stop. Brett Myers was recently interviewed by Comcast Sportsnet’s Leslie Guidel. He expressed his feelings on some of the Mets recent comments.



VIDEO COURTESTY OF THE FIGHTINS