San Diego Padres @ Philadelphia Phillies GameThread, Apr 29, 2008 7:05 PM EDT

Game 27: Maddux vs. Hamels

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 6:30 PM EDT Comment 88 comments

San Diego Padres @ Philadelphia Phillies

The greatest pitcher of the current era takes the hill at OFJOAB tonight. (And Greg Maddux will be there too.)

Maddux (2-1, 3.66) is going for his 350th career win, while Cole Hamels (2-3, 2.75) just seeks to get back to .500 for the 2008 season. The 42 year-old right-hander has gone at least six innings in all but one of his five starts this season, and he brings a 28-17 lifetime record against the Phillies into tonight's contest. Maddux was the winner of a 14-3 decision in Philadelphia last August 24.

Hamels, a San Diego-area native, has lost his last two decisions after being left in a bit too long. On April 18, he had surrendered just two runs through seven innings to the Mets, but left in the 8th with the bases loaded and no outs; all three runners eventually scored. Last Wednesday, he shook off a three-run first inning to carry a 4-3 lead into the 8th at Milwaukee before surrendering a decisive two-run homer to Prince Fielder. Hamels did record 11 strikeouts in the game, his season-best; he also threw 121 pitches, a career high. If he's touched up tonight by the light-hitting Padres--who boast only one player, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, with an OPS over .800 (.818)--expect to hear loud kvetching about that pitch count.

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Happy Pete

ahem a 6-4-3. Why isn’t Dobbs in?

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 7:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

it's what he does. It's ALL HE DOES.

Just turning it on now, so I didn’t see it. But yeah, I’d have thought that with a righty pitcher on the mound and a flyball pitcher going for the Phils, it would have been a good night for Dobbs to get a start.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brunt

Maybe Manuel was onto something here: Bruntlett has a walk, a hit, a steal, a run scored and an RBI, having just singled in Werth who’d tripled. Phils lead 2-0 in the 3rd.

To be fair, though, the Padres had brought in the infield with Werth on third and one out; with the defense back, that’s an RBI groundout.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

Scott Hairston makes an Edmonds-esque catch in center to rob Howard of extra bases and save another run. End of 3, 2-0.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounded like he was robbed. Was good to see him go to LF his first AB. He was poised and looked comfortable too. Go Big Guy.

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was a great catch.

Meanwhile, Hamels looking razor-sharp tonight.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

broadcast/mlb.tv weirdness

For whatever reason, there’s no bar at the top of the screen with the score, inning, ball/strike count, etc. I didn’t realize how dependent I am on that thing to keep me grounded with what’s going on in the game.

Padres 4th inning ends as Gonzalez gets the first hit off Hamels, but is thrown out trying to stretch by Jenkins.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Feliz doubles with two outs, but Ruiz ends the inning with an F8 on the next pitch.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dead Horse

I hate to beat a dead horse but I gotta. When in God’s name is Ruiz gonna realize he’s hitting a whopping .182 because his warning track power just isn’t enough. I wonder if Charlie has addressed this issue?

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OFJOAB strikes

Scott Hairston hits one into the first row in left-center. 2-1.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Meh

Our left field benefits us MUCH more than the opponent. In fact, it is custom tailored for Burrell. Easy for the homerun and less distance for him to have to run to make plays. Was idiotic to push the walls back.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh, I just like to complain…

Also, my aesthetic preference is bigger parks. But I hear what you’re saying.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phils not exactly making Maddux work hard in the 5th: Hamels and Werth both fly out on first-pitch offerings.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

When was Utley’s last hit? Is he slumping?

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I believe it’s now 1-11.

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cole showing Maddux how defense is done!

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice 1-6-3 DP to end the 6th. Game’s moving very quickly.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

'scuse me

1-4-3. For some reason Utley turned it, not Brunt.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cole with a Madduxesque 69 pitches through 6.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Get the friggin ball up in the air big man.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pat, swinging at the first pitch? Cmon.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cole’s run support has to be down toward the bottom of the league. It’s not even that he’s always drawn the ace matchups-Redding, Dave Bush-they just haven’t scored for him. The only two guys he’s faced that they reached are Arroyo and Lilly.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hamels in a zone innings 2-7

Can’t jinx tonight since Padres scored in the fifth – first five games he pitched this year Cole Hamels had allowed only two runs all year in the second through the seventh innings. That’s 2 runs in 30 innings. Some trouble in the first innings – got scored on three times out of five – and of course the two bad results in the three times he’s gone out there for the eighth inning. Judging by Internet only, it looks like he’s pretty dominant tonight.

by phillyinportland on Apr 29, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He just struck Gonzales out on a curve. That is good news.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

K number 5.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ked the side.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Still at something like 82 pitches, I’d think. Maybe he can finish it, though my preference would be to put up six runs or so here and let him get the win without having to extend.

And I guess it would be Lidge in the 9th if need be. That’s why they have him, right?

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

87 according to espn.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like the Sixers are toast.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Happy Pete juuuuust gets under one to start the 7th. With Ruiz and Hamels now due, it’s likely Cole goes out to protect that one-run lead in the 8th, his Waterloo inning of late.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hey, someone's an idiot

Both get hits.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let him swing!@

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They did and a hit! 2 on 1 out.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rofl, Maddux about to spike his glove. How come I never realized this before.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, Philly phans being classy and cheering Maddux.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My thought exactly. Great to see. Gotta love Maddux.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He really is a class act and I enjoyed him even as a Brave. People like him is what makes baseball so special. A true hero. Now about Roger Clemens…....

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Werth with a productive out off of the side armer.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wheels loves him some outs!

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rofl, I still giggle with Bruntlett batting second.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That was the definition of “productive out,” but it was also pretty impressive that Werth hit that sinker 380 feet or so.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 8:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hairston crushes a double to CF. Not sure if it is Cole tiring or just a good hit.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, Utley with a grab on weak dribbler and somehow got him.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Playing with fire leaving Hamels in.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

2-1 to Clark

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

3-1

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

3-2

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Walked him.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hamels is done. Looks like Romero. Runners on the corners.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably a good move here. Annoying that he couldn’t get Clark, but better to walk him than put something in his wheelhouse.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d rather him throw a strike.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes…come on DP.

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice work from Gordon to minimize the damage there. 3-2 thru 7 1/2.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not a bad managed inning by Charlie. I would have let Hamels pitch one more instead of using Romero, but put Gordon in at the right time.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That is why you SPLIT the lefties with Burrell.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen to that. Never gonna happen, though.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting… went right after Howard, but they had a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the machine.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 29, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lefty lefty situation.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t buy it, they easily could have brought in a righty for Pat, but choose to pitch Howard instead.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 29, 2008 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jenkins was up next. Phillies had left, left, right, left in that situation. I am not saying that maybe they preferred to pitch to Howard, but clearly with Utley on second there, that is asking to keep the lefty in and just walk Burrell.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Feliz realizing he can’t GIDP gets a hit.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hack is BACK. Victorino pops up on pitch 2.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Happy Pete delivers! 4-2 on the single.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did Harry call Chase Taguchi? And I think he called Tony Clark Jack earlier too.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This game has startedto drag. Finish it up already!

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Omigod!

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ruiz off the wall!

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ruiz with the possible breakthrough game tonight. Really terrific AB there—behind in the count, worked in full, then drove it.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ideal lineup?

I would go Victorino, Werth, Utley, Machine, Howard, Ruiz/Coste, Feliz, Bruntlett, Pitcher. Looks better with Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Machine, Howard, Werth, Ruiz/Coste, Feliz, Pitcher… can’t wait for jimmy to be back.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 29, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dobbs with a gapper. Phils up 7-2. Hmmm…time for some Mario Kart.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, my wife’s got something funny on TV in the other room and I haven’t eaten yet… so we’re getting toward that time.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like a precursor to sexy time. Have fun!

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Apr 29, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not tonight. I got maybe two hours’ sleep last night; the first moment I’m horizontal, hopefully I’ll be out of it. For the record, insomnia sucks ass.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting—Victorino stays in to play CF, Werth shifts to RF. Taguchi takes over for Burrell, of course.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Victorino is the better fielder… if he is healthy why not?

by Neduol Caz on Apr 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No reason, and I agree he’s the better fielder. They’d just been talking so much about Werth staying in CF that I was a bit surprised.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and Captain Porno (Madson) is on the hill, not Lidge.

Gives off a leadoff hit off the wall… Taguchi plays it perfectly and holds Gonzalez to a single.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Madson in a no pressure situation, I really have no faith in him and I don’t know why.

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 9:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well there’s my answer…..

by Steve-O- on Apr 29, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hairston = beast

Second home run of the night, third run, driven in all four, made a bunch of great defensive plays. 7-4.

by dajafi on Apr 29, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Went to the game tonight. It was kind of chilly out there, i think I should have probably worn more layers. It was dollar dog night, which is always a bonus. Crowd was relatively small.

They really need to put up some kind of board that keeps track of strikeouts. I lost count of Cole’s Ks somewhere around the 3rd inning and could have sworn he had more than 6.

by FuquaManuel on Apr 29, 2008 11:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was indeed chilly, but

just for the record, the announced crowd was over 34,000 – not bad at all for a Tuesday when it got down to about 50 degrees. Having just been to PNC Park, I’m happy to report that the food options at the Bank are significantly better than Bucs fans must put up with, but the dollar dogs aren’t what I have in mind. Not that I didn’t have two, because I did, but I paid about what they’re worth.

I was in the right field upper deck and I knew Cole’s Ks because I was keeping score, but what I personally found annoying was that I couldn’t see a pitch count anywhere.

Also annoying was that the Phils didn’t do a video replay of Hairston’s great catch – particularly annoying for those of us in right field whose view of deep right and center was blocked by the Bank’s layout and thus can’t see that part of the field to begin with. Hence, I never saw it at all. But even if it was in plain view of everyone, it just seems the appropriate thing to do to replay a terrific play by the opposition – that’s part of the entertainment that true fans come for.

Also, it only seemed to be the fans directly behind the Pads’ dugout who applauded Maddux, but good on ‘em. I would have, too, but I would have been the only person in the upper deck clapping, surrounded by inebriated and slightly belligerent twenty-somethings who were not watching the game at that point, or for much of the evening.

"I am the Walrus?..... I am the Walrus." - Donny Kerabatsos

by The Navigator on Apr 30, 2008 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pitch count

I think the board that displays the pitch counts is the one below the right field bleachers, which is why you couldn’t see it.

by phatj on Apr 30, 2008 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I'm fairly certain you're correct

I was just complaining that they don’t show it anywhere else – there were at least five or six message boards I could see from my seat, including the Jumbotron, but nary a one had the pitch counts.

"I am the Walrus?..... I am the Walrus." - Donny Kerabatsos

by The Navigator on Apr 30, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

did iguchi get cheered?

just curious.

by taco pal on Apr 30, 2008 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yes he did – not loudly, but audibly – which speaks well of the fans’ awareness and manners. (Probably somewhat more than appluaded Maddux.) On the other hand, Flash got booed – loudly – when he was brought in, which speaks poorly of their awareness, and manners. Bottom line, the Bank seems to attract a modest but noticeable number of knowledgeable fans, along with a significantly larger number of WIP-listening numbskulls.

"I am the Walrus?..... I am the Walrus." - Donny Kerabatsos

by The Navigator on Apr 30, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Harry mentioned that about Gordon on the broadcast. Idiots. After what he did in the Milwaukee game last week, that guy shouldn’t get booed for a month if ever… he was pretty damn good last night too.

by dajafi on Apr 30, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gordon

You gotta wonder about the boo-birds that come to the game just to gorge little Jimmy and Susie on cheap hot dogs. Alot of these casual ‘fans’ don’t know their ass from forty cents. Yes Gordon concerned all of us after the opening day horrific meltdown with the Nats. Since then he has been nothing short of nasty.

11 games 10 inn. 12K 2-1 1.80era

Plus he got the team out of 2 big big jams. Who could ask for more?

by Steve-O- on Apr 30, 2008 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs