Game Seven: Hamels vs. Arroyo

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 1:30 PM EDT

Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds, Apr 7, 2008 12:35 PM EDT

Joining this one in progress, the Phils are leading 3-2 in the bottom of the 2nd. Jimmy Rollins has two hits, including a solo homer to lead off the game. Cole Hamels was shaky in the first inning, continuing his careerlong pattern of struggles during day games (5.14 ERA before today). He's just walked Bronson Arroyo.

Needless to say, the Phillies really could use a win before heading to an amped-up Shea Stadium for three this week.

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Burrell Power

Pat's got two home runs in two at-bats. Phils lead 5-2 midway through the 4th. Hamels still doesn't look like Hamels, but he's been better since the first.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Hamels seems to have settled down, doesn't have his best stuff today. Control has been iffy.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 7, 2008 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

57 pitches through 4 for Hamels.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 7, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

strong work in the 5th

Strikes out Phillips to end it. Hopefully he can go two more and collect a win.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

only 67 entering the sixth here, plus he has only allowed two hits in the past three innings, maybe we can stretch him to the eighth.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 7, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

Victorino

What can I say?

by Steve-O- on Apr 7, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

followed by an easy 3 run save? Am i dreaming?

by Neduol Caz on Apr 7, 2008 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

Would be sweet to hand the ball to Lidge.

by Steve-O- on Apr 7, 2008 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

Never mind, hopefully Hamels can finish off the seventh, followed by Romero in the eighth, and if it is still a three run lead, Lidge in the ninth.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 7, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

mid-7th

I think he's thrown about 90. The Reds have 9-1-2 coming up, starting with a PH. Cole has to start the inning, but he worked hard in the 6th and I wouldn't give him more than one or two hitters if he's struggling.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

whew

More strong work by Cole in the 7th. Fell behind 3-0 to Hatteberg, got a close call on 3-1 (a pitch that was called a strike on Howard earlier today, so Wendelstadt has been consistent), and went on for a 1-2-3 from there.

Seanez was warming and presumably will start the 8th.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

If the Phils go 1-2-3 in the eighth, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hamels come back out. Also, I would think Charlie would get Romero up for some work if not Hamels. Anyway, class won't wait for me so I expect you guys to bring this game home. Have fun.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 7, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

hamels

Any concerns with his fastball velocity? MLB Gameday had the fastball 85-89 mostly - only a few hit 90. Lots of 87 and 88. He's usually in the low 90s, isn't he?

by rdf8585 on Apr 7, 2008 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

No, I think he generally sits high 80s. At his best he can hump it up to 93 or so, but that's pretty rare. Even high 80s is unusual for a lefty.

Much more worried about Myers' heat, though even his I'm not all that concerned about. Yet.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

whoa

Dunn at 0-2, Wheeler says, "Time to snap one off."

Knee-locking curve, strikeout. I'm not sure if I'm more impressed with Gordon's hook or Wheeler's prescience.

Outstanding 1-2-3 for Flash. End of 8, still 5-2.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

Tommy Gun

The Tommy Gun mowing 'em down! Perhaps he has a few bullets left after all...

by Neduol Caz on Apr 7, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

yikes

Between Harry's call and my crappy, choppy mlb.tv feed today, thought Encarnacion's flyout was gone.

This is my first look at Lidge. So far, so good...

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

frickin' Bako

Not good to walk him. I really, really, really don't want to see Griffey up with the ability to tie it.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

aargh!!!

Taguchi drops the potential game-ending popup.

Griffey coming up.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

Exciting win

As most are. Let's roll in NY.

by Steve-O- on Apr 7, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

wow

Game ends as Lidge strikes out Valentin on what I'm sure was ball four.

We'll take it.

by dajafi on Apr 7, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

Series Split

Big split for the Phils, and that's why Cole is a STUD. But I think it's kind of clear that this Phillies team is going to be a roller coaster this season - as they have been for most recent seasons!

I don't understand - and I'm sure I'm not the first to espouse this opinion here - I don't understand why they moved Brett Myers out of the bullpen and into the rotation instead of just re-signing Kyle Lohse (once his price came down a bit). Myers is not a front-end-of-the-rotation guy and Lidge is not going to be much better than he was today for most of the year. That guy is a disaster.

Still a tough team. Still a clutch team. And fortunately the Mets and Braves have their own fatal flaws as well. But I think Philadelphia really needs to address the 'Pen sooner rather than later.

by Doc's Sports Predictions Guy on Apr 7, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

"Myers is not a front-end-of-the-rotation guy"

Yes he is. Lohse is not.

by taco pal on Apr 7, 2008 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Myers posted ERAs under 4.00 his last two full seasons as a starter, going about 200 IP each year. That's a very good #2 and not an awful #1, either. The fact that he had 2 bad starts out of 3 last year, and 2 out of 2 this year is not much. Myers is a front of the rotation guy. Lohse, as taco pal said, is not. He is a #4/#5.

Getting 200 IP out of Myers in the rotation is way better than any marginal improvements to the bullpen. Lidge had one bad game in the first day off the DL, finished the job anyway, and you're on his case. Lidge still is a very above average reliever. His "disaster" reputation came from giving up a homerun to Albert Pujols, and subsequent overreaction by the Astros. I don't think Pujols homeruns all that tough to avoid sometimes. Albert Pujols is a machine.

When it comes down to it, 200 IP of 4.00 ERA ball is just way better than 75 IP of 3.30 ERA ball. Myers, when you adjust his homerun to flyball ratio more towards the league norm, and Myers' own norm, would probably do exactly that.

by Matt Swartz on Apr 7, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions