Madson Saves the Nailbiter

As seen on Phillies Nation.

It’s never easy. The 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers lowered the Phillies’ magic number to three. In addition, they eliminated the Florida Marlins from National League East contention.

Like he did in the 2008 NLDS, Jimmy Rollins set the tone with a lead-off home run. Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino each doubled in runs. For the second straight night, the Phillies jumped to a 4-0 lead. Unlike Saturday, the Phillies were able to provide an extra run — a Pedro Feliz RBI single — that was the difference.

The Phillies led 6-1, but the Brewers continued to fight back. Mat Gamel’s three-run home run off Joe Blanton made it a ball game again. Blanton, who expressed his anger in Dana DeMuth’s inconsistent strike zone, gave up five earned runs in 5.2 innings. He allowed seven hits, walked four, and struck out four.

After Ryan Braun’s RBI single in the sixth, Sergio Escalona was asked to escape a jam. With a runner on, Escalona was able to get Prince Fielder to ground into a fielder’s choice. Chad Durbin pitched 1.2 scoreless innings, before Ryan Madson entered the eighth inning with a runner on. Madson picked-off Corey Hart, and Howard applied the tag. After throwing one pitch in the eighth, Madson would attempt the four-out save. However, he’d have to get through the meat of the order.

Madson allowed a double to Fielder, but Mike Cameron was rung up to end the game. Madson pumped his fist, securing his ninth save of the year, and the big win.

The Phillies and Brewers split the series, two games apiece. They end the road trip an even 5-5. The Phillies return home for a big series against the Houston Astros, who swept them earlier this month. They’ll look to clinch as early as Tuesday.

Latest News Around Baseball

J.C Romero, who is on the disabled list with a strained left forearm, made a rehab appearance in Clearwater. However, he suffered a setback. Romero threw ten pitches before being shut down due to soreness.

Romero, the Phillies left-handed specialist, has missed a significant amount of time this season due to a 50 game suspension and trip to the disabled list. Romero has a 2.87 ERA in 15.2 innings this season.

On the other hand, Chad Durbin felt fine after throwing an inning in Clearwater. He could be activated any day now. Charlie Manuel said that Clay Condrey (oblique) is “still a ways off.”

The Phillies released Triple-A infielder Pablo Ozuna. Ozuna had been suspended for 50 games after violating the minor league drug policy.

The 34 year old signed a minor league contract with the Phillies during the off-season. He batted .294 with 15 runs batted in with the IronPigs.

In MLB News, Josh Hamilton, who said has been drug and alcohol-free since 2005, now takes that back. Last January, several girls took "suggestive poses" with him. The pictures were released on Deadspin and Hamilton was surprised they didn't come out earlier. During that night, he also asked for cocaine. Hamilton admitted that he was drunk at the time. Embarrassed, he told his family and the Rangers organization right after the incident.

Hamilton, who battled a drug addiction, said "it was one those things that reinforce that I can't have alcohol."

After his named was leaked on the 103 players who tested positive in 2003, David Ortiz claimed that he is clean.

Alex Rios was claimed off waivers, but it is still unsure as to which team claimed him.

Even though this is a few days ago, in case you haven't seen, Prince Fielder tried to break into the Dodgers clubhouse after being hit by a pitch by Guillermo Mota.

Prince Fielder: Home Run King

Prince Fielder is the 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby champion. Fielder edged out Nelson Cruz in the final round.

Fielder (1st round: 11), Cruz (11), Ryan Howard (7), and Albert Pujols (5) each made it to the semi-finals.

Pujols, Joe Mauer, and Carlos Pena took part in a Bat Off. Each of them hit five homers in the first round, but Pujols won the Bat Off with two homers.

Pujols, the heavy favorite, hit six in the semis, raising his total to 11. Ryan Howard's eight in the semis increased his total to 15 with the help of a "gold ball" rally. However, it wasn't enough. Cruz hit five homers and Fielder hit six in the semis.

The totals cleared in the final round. Cruz hit five in the finals, but Fielder followed with six, winning the derby. Cruz totaled 21 homers. Fielder totaled 23.

Fielder hit the longest homer of the night, a 503 shot to right-center.

7 Down, 1 To Go; Other Updates

The Phillies avoided arbitration with reliever Chad Durbin on Wednesday, signing him to a one year, $1.635 deal.

For Durbin, a little over $1.5 million is reasonable. Durbin made just $900,000 in 2008, but his due to his performance, he deserved a raise. Giving Durbin too much money would not make much sense since 2008 was a career year for Durbin. He still has a high career ERA over 5. In 87.2 IP, Durbin was 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA during the 2008 season. The deal was just right. Not to high, not to low.

Toward the end of the season, Durbin faced a "dead arm" period and started to struggle. He managed to pitch through it.
The Phillies signed all their arbitration eligible players but one: Ryan Howard, who is still pushing for $18 million.

Prince Fielder is a similar player to Howard. Both have extreme power. The Milwaukee Brewers are close to signing the arbitration eligible Fielder to a 2 year deal that would be worth at least $18 million. Hear that Howard? Fielder is getting two years out of $18M.

Cole Hamels threw 3,914 pitches in 2008, leading the Majors. CC Sabathia, who was the 2007 leader (3,892), threw 3,912 pitches, finishing second. Brett Myers (3,718) was third. Joe Blanton (3,547) was 11th. The number of pitches includes the postseason, and for Myers, Minor Leagues.

Throwing as many pitches as these guys, it increases risk of injury. 10 out of 18 pitchers who reached the 3,400 pitch mark in 2007 had a serious injury in 2008.

Remember Freddy Garcia? Remember the hype around him when the Phillies got him?Remember how he made just 7 starts with the Phillies in 2007? Remember his ERA was over 5 in those starts? Remember how the Phillies gave him $10 million for one year?

Well, both New York teams are interested in him. The Mets and Yankees are the top front runners for him.

The Texas Rangers are close to signing Omar Vizquel. He agreed to a Minor League contract with a base salary of $1 million. The 41 year old is an 11 time Gold Glove Winner, and has played the most games at shortstop than anybody in MLB history.

Jeff Kent officially announced his retirement today. In 17 Major League seasons, Kent batted .290 with 377 homeruns. He had a career OPS of .856.

Fielder, Parra, Dugout Fight.

The Milwaukee Brewers who were once tied with the Cubs this year, dropped to 5 games behind in the NL Central.

Yesturday, Manny Parra exited the game after allowing 6 earned runs in 6 innings. Russell Branyan pinched hit for him. Walking in the dugout, Prince Fielder had some words for him. And it turned out to be more than just words.

Prince Fielder shoved Parra, not once but twice. On the third shove attempt, Fielder was restrained from his teammates.

After the game, manager Ted Yost and the rest of the Brewers team downplayed the situation. They were focused on the team's loss to the Reds, and not the situation. Most of them said that it's not a big deal, and things like this can happen all the time. Everybody gets frustrated at times.

Parra said that the situation was settled, as Fielder refused to comment after the game.