Game 88: Nationals at Phillies, July 9, 2005

by dajafi on Jul 9, 2005 1:24 PM EDT in News

These last two games before the all-star break might take on significance way out of proportion to their impact in the standings. Are we buyers or sellers? How will fans react? How the *^%! do the Nats win with Carlos Baerga batting fifth? The Phils showed some heart and spunk last night, twice coming back from huge deficits, but couldn't quite pull it out in the end. Maybe better fortune will come with the better weather today.

Washington's John Patterson (3-2, 3.16) takes on Cory Lidle (8-6, 3.92), who's been easily the Phils' best pitcher for the past dreary month.

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ok, I'll say it...

I no longer enjoy listening to Harry doing radio.

Case in point: bottom of the first, man on first, Burrell up...

"SWING AND A LONG DRIVE! WATCH THIS BABY... and it is... caught, by Cepicky."

That's just not cool. When I hear "watch this baby", that ball should be a no-doubt souvenir.

by dajafi on Jul 9, 2005 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

Cepicky picks 'em

Maybe it's a left field thing--because Harry got me again, twice, in the bottom in the third. Cory Lidle flied out to the warning track in left, and with Jimmy Rollins on second (oh, and a prediction: Jimmy is about to get hot), apparently the who-dat Nats outfielder robbed K-Lo of a basehit and the Phils of a run.

Lidle's been strong through 3 1/3--two hits, no walks, no runs.

by dajafi on Jul 9, 2005 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

abreu the slacker

with 65 walks thus far, he's only 2nd in the NL in that category, trailing Brian Giles. If he was just a bit more disciplined (actually, if he just ever lived up to his potential discipline), he'd be first.

by Alex Falzone on Jul 9, 2005 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

and he's only second...

because Bonds is injured. If he were healthy, Bobby'd be third.

I'm starting to wish he weren't going to Detroit this week--Abreu needs a rest, and I always worry about guys screwing up their swings with the Home Run Contest.

by dajafi on Jul 9, 2005 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

HR Derby

I'm also pretty worried about his participation in this event. Miguel Cabrera could easily take Bobby's place as Venezuela's rep. But hey, it's probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Bobby, so with all the crap he's had to put with in Philly, it's not like anyone can begrudge him this.

Also, since I assume you're not getting the game on Fox, Larry Anderson is sitting in with Kenny Albert, which was a nice surprise. They just now interviewed Rich Dubee, who said pretty much nothing. Of course, they did discuss BB's, so it wouldn't surprise me to see Lidle walk a couple now (he had none up to that point).

by Alex Falzone on Jul 9, 2005 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Over the Top

Unfortunately, the 1987 Sly Stallone classic "Over The Top" is on HBO 18 during the game. It's a shame the Phils are playing now, because they could learn a little something from what I deem to be the greatest arm wrestling/truck driving movie of all time. "You never go halfway," posits Sly, and I feel the Phils should follow that advice. At the very least, I think the team would benefit from a bitchin' Kenny Loggins soundtrack.

by brendan @ The Good Phight on Jul 9, 2005 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

pennzoil

I wonder if a quart of 10W-40 has the same effects as pickle juice?

by Alex Falzone on Jul 9, 2005 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Road House vs. OTT vs. Point Break

Which of the three movies is the most ridiculous premise? I can't decide.

by brendan @ The Good Phight on Jul 9, 2005 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

broadcasting subtleties

Graham: "Very quietly, Lieberthal has put together a six-game winning streak..."

Now he and McCarthy are both talking about how when Pratt plays, the team has "a lot of energy".

Makes me wonder what they say about Lieberthal when the mic is off. In the game against the Mets last week when Pratt was tossed early on, Wheeler seemed to be just barely holding back from really tearing Lieberthal apart.

Then again, I'd like to see Lieberthal DFA'd yesterday, so maybe this is wishful thinking, or selective listening, or whatever you'd call it.

by dajafi on Jul 9, 2005 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

Pratt love

I've noticed this too. When Pratt plays, you hear things like "he just always seems to get a big hit when he's in there" and compliment his handling of the pitching staff.

by brendan @ The Good Phight on Jul 9, 2005 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

pitching comp through 5

Lidle: 5 IP, 3 hits, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts. 66 pitches, 43 strikes.

Patterson: 5 IP, 2 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts, 85 pitches, 57 strikes.

At least it's unlikely Patterson will go more than seven. Then again, that Nationals bullpen isn't exactly a cakewalk.

Fun game thus far--quick, well pitched.

by dajafi on Jul 9, 2005 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Fun?

I'd call it boring. A fun game is when the Phillies pitchers put up zeros and the hitters are bombs away.

by phatj on Jul 9, 2005 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

Scoring chance finally

2nd and 3rd with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Howard batting.

by phatj on Jul 9, 2005 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Naturally, they're putting Howard on

to bring up Bell. The pitcher Carrasco is right-handed.

by phatj on Jul 9, 2005 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Scrappy McClutch comes through!

Sac fly to LF, Abreu scores.

Rare one-run loss for the Nationals.

by phatj on Jul 9, 2005 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

GONG!

David Bell!

by ricky otero on Jul 9, 2005 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

Phils win it!

Sac fly by Bell scores Bobby with one out in the ninth. Great outing by Lidle. Was that, dare I say, clutch?

by brendan @ The Good Phight on Jul 9, 2005 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

I just want to rant

about how stupid the rules that assign wins and losses to pitchers are.

Lidle throws eight scoreless innings, but Wagner gets the win. Grrrr.

by phatj on Jul 9, 2005 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Nats

Kind of remind me of the 2001 Phillies. F-Robby is a lot more likeable than Bowa was, but he seems prone to similarly, um, inscrutable managerial moves. And I have the feeling Washington will be similarly run down in September by the just-good-enough Braves. I hope not, but there ya go.

Nice to see the Phils win a one-run game, even as the superego part of my brain continues to assert that more short-term pain is much better for the team longer-term. If there's one thing I've learned in 27 years watching these guys, though, it's that Phandom ain't rational.

I'm liking Lidle more and more. Wade gets some points for this one, methinks--ideally, enough to get him a job with some other NL East team. ;)

by dajafi on Jul 9, 2005 4:38 PM EDT reply actions