Hey Joe: 7/27/08

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 1:12 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies, Jul 27, 2008 1:35 PM EDT

Trade acquisition Joe Blanton makes his second start as a Phillie today in the rubber game against the Braves. Blanton was advertised as an innings-eater (also: cupcakes), and that's what he must be today with the Phillies having used six of their seven relievers in yesterday's unlikely 10-9 win. He faces Jorge Campillo, the 2008 winner of the Braves' annual "who the f*&% is this guy and why is he pitching like an all-star?" award. The Phils have fared relatively well against Campillo this year, though that was also true with Jair Jurrjens until Friday.

The game might actually have higher stakes for Atlanta than for the Phils: a loss today could confirm the Braves as sellers headed toward this week's non-waiver trade deadline, while a win likely prolongs the ambiguity.

Lineup

Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies

07/27/08 1:35 PM EDT

Atlanta Braves	Philadelphia Phillies
Gregor Blanco - LF	Jimmy Rollins - SS
Yunel Escobar - SS	Shane Victorino - CF
Mark Teixeira - 1B	Chase Utley - 2B
Brian McCann - C	Ryan Howard - 1B
Mark Kotsay - CF	Pat Burrell - LF
Jeff Francoeur - RF	Jayson Werth - RF
Kelly Johnson - 2B	Eric Bruntlett - 3B
Omar Infante - 3B	Chris Coste - C
Jorge Campillo - P	Joe Blanton - P

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Alfonso Marquez squeeeeeezing Blanton in the first.

I should have titled this thread “Pitch, Fat Boy, Pitch.”

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

McCann singles in a run, first and third, one out.

Bad start.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Eaton-I mean, Blanton-imploding in the first inning. 2-0 with two more in scoring position.

Crowd isn’t happy, and they’re about to get poured on.

I mean, it is Sunday, so this is all sort of predictable, right?

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

Strikeout, groundout and he escapes with no additional damage.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Blanton kinda sucks…don’t quite know what Gillick thought he was accomplishing with this move. This team didn’t need more Eatons/Myers at this point, and anyone who thought this move did anything to improve the team probably shouldn’t be sitting in the front office.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, dumbass Steve Smith is not helping this offense any. I am going to see Dark Knight, that’s a better use of my time. We all know what the result is going to be anyways—happy Sunday!

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

Rain delay with two out, none on and a 1-1 count to Bruntlett in the bottom of the 2nd. 2-0 Atlanta.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

Blanton is a contact pitcher. He likes when hitters make contact with his pitches. now it all makes sense, what a great strategy.

by chewy wellington on Jul 27, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

After the delay: walk, single, walk (to Eaton, on four pitches)... and Rollins ends the inning by taking a called third.

It’s Sunday!

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

Eaton in for Fat Boy: popup, single, 4-6-3 DP. He’s now got two scoreless innings as a reliever.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

Nope, still fucking sucks.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha homer, homer, double to the pitcher.

I don’t think Eaton would be able to get outs at the college level.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I get the feeling that this team just really doesn’t care. I don’t really think they have any interest in making an effort to win games.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

I understand you are just venting. But really, does this make sense? This constant negativity is just tough to read.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Jul 28, 2008 7:03 AM EDT up reply actions

then don’t read it. aside from this weekend there is not a whole lot to be positive about.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 28, 2008 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Eaton might be the worst pitcher I’ve ever seen.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

I would say he is among the 5 worst I have ever seen. Oh, at the major league level? I thought you were talking about little league. Yeah, Eaton is the worst.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Shane Victorino is not a bad ballplayer.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

Bats seem to be perking up some. Even before the outburst just now, they had runners in every inning and some “at-em” balls.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

Have you heard the JA Happ speculation? He was removed after 2.1 in his start today…trade? callup? we will see I guess.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

if they traded happ, and decided that the eaton/blanton/myers combo is a better bet. i might explode

by char6587 on Jul 27, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

The latest I heard-and this is still speculation-is that the Phils might be calling him up to pitch in Washington on Tuesday.

But my guess is that he was traded for John Grabow.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

yeah, but why would they remove him mid start like that?

by FuquaManuel on Jul 27, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Because they decided mid-afternoon.

Or Gillick napped through when he was supposed to call Dave Huppert to tell him.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

can we just start the game by spotting the other team 3 runs in the first so that the bats will come alive earlier for us

by chewy wellington on Jul 27, 2008 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Great AB from Howard to single in two more runs. Phils lead 9-5… but McCann is out cold after a collision at the plate.

Now sitting up… whew. I’m a fan of that guy, the fact that he kills us notwithstanding.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

McCann walking off on his own, slowly but steadily.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Werth homers to add two more: 11-5.

Suddenly, this is fun again.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

Romero pitching for a third straight day, now with a six-run lead.

They really do have to get him some help. Maybe that will be Happ’s new job.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

Seanez pitching the eighth. He’s given up a single and walk wrapped around an out, and has fallen behind all three guys.

He’s probably cooked. If they are recalling Happ, I wonder if it’ll be Rudy or Eaton who gets cut.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

RBI double for Infante; 12-6. Two more in scoring position. Bullpen back up—Madson.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Madson lights the pool of gasoline Seanez left: walk, popup, bases-clearing double on a ball Werth badly misplayed.

12-10.

by dajafi on Jul 27, 2008 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

JUST got home from the game...

That was ridiculous, and I mean that in every conceivable way. One of the worst thunderstorms I’ve ever experienced; I’m almost certain lightning struck the stadium at least twice. A rollercoaster game, and six hours on my feet. Friggin’ exhausted.

Glad I waited out the rain…

by WholeCamels on Jul 27, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions