Beane Ball! Phils at Cubs, 8/29/08

by dajafi on Aug 29, 2008 2:06 PM EDT

Philadelphia Phillies at Chicago Cubs, Aug 29, 2008 2:20 PM EDT

In the visitors' corner, weighing in at "A Lot": Joe Blanton, eater of innings and junk food with a clean bill of health and an affordable contract for years to come. In the home corner, burdened by perhaps the best pure stuff in the game and the hopes of a fanbase that's waited--oh, you've heard?--100 years for a ring: Rich Harden.

These former A's teammates, traded by A's GM Billy Beane nine days apart in June, square off at Wrigley Field this afternoon. Given the implosions of the Phillies' bullpen the last two nights, here's hoping Blanton can go 8 or 9; given what Harden did to them back in June while still in Oakland, it might not matter.

Lineup

Philadelphia Phillies @ Chicago Cubs

08/29/08 2:20 PM EDT

Philadelphia Phillies	Chicago Cubs
Jimmy Rollins - SS	Alfonso Soriano - LF
Shane Victorino - CF	Ryan Theriot - SS
Chase Utley - 2B	Derrek Lee - 1B
Ryan Howard - 1B	Aramis Ramirez - 3B
Pat Burrell - LF	Jim Edmonds - CF
Jayson Werth - RF	Mark DeRosa - 2B
Greg Dobbs - 3B	Kosuke Fukudome - RF
Carlos Ruiz - C	Henry Blanco - C
Joe Blanton - P	Rich Harden - P

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Comments

Trying as hard as I can to avoid checking the score for this one.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 29, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

Ah, it’s nice to have baseball again after a day off. You hear that, everyone? There was no game yesterday, it never happened!

by taco pal on Aug 29, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks Taco Pal I knew it was a nightmare and not reality. Actually I waited for the very last minute to leave for work when the Cubs had 2 on! Walked into the plant and was met by a Cubs fan that broke the news with glee…Actually felt horrible for Cole for about the 8th time this year, poor kid what a blow yet again.

by Steve-O- on Aug 29, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m at the office and thus not able to watch this, but so far, so good. Harden is over 80 pitches thru 4.

by dajafi on Aug 29, 2008 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

Now right at 100 through 5

by taco pal on Aug 29, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

WOO!

by taco pal on Aug 29, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

It’s not as if this needed any more verification, but, Chase Utley is a badass.

by christonabike on Aug 29, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

Apparently we traded Castro for Matt Stairs. Hmmm…

by dajafi on Aug 29, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

ESPN confirms. I’m pretty meh.

by christonabike on Aug 29, 2008 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

This has me wondering if Jenkins will be back this year. Losing Castro is no big deal he wasn’t going to stick with the Phillies anyway.

by Steve-O- on Aug 29, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

For those following on Gamecast, the run allowed in the bottom of the 5th was pretty terrible.

DeRosa was out stealing at 2nd but was called safe by the ump. However, Ruiz also made a pretty bad throw that made it close.
Dobbs mishandled a swinging bunt by Blanco that should have been an out.
Rollins threw a sure DP ball over the head of Howard to allow DeRosa to score.

by christonabike on Aug 29, 2008 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

This is troubling.

by taco pal on Aug 29, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

Looks like Blanton’s ship is sinking here in the 6th.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 29, 2008 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

3-1 to Aramis Ramirez is a bad count to be in.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 29, 2008 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Whew. So, Eyre’s warming up, but not coming in because Edmonds owns him. But there’s a righty on deck. They might want Blanton to finish the inning.

by taco pal on Aug 29, 2008 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

A lot of Blanton’s 1-2 counts turn into walks.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 29, 2008 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Well, that sucks. Really badly.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 29, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Big Whew Fellas.

It coulda been real ugly. Charlie likes to go a tad too long as we all know, but maybe the bull pen is wore out. Dunno.

by Steve-O- on Aug 29, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, that could have been worse. But it also could have been better: “Ball Four” to Fukudome was blatantly a strike. I’d love to catch a break at some point.

by PhillyFriar on Aug 29, 2008 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

BOO NOTRE DAME SUX

by taco pal on Aug 29, 2008 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

Coste

I wondered why Mendoza line DP hitting Sucky Ruiz was starting today after a night game. Coste comes in and gets a hit.

by Steve-O- on Aug 29, 2008 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

That’s the game. Phils lose.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 29, 2008 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

Keep your chin up FM, it’s baseball.

by Steve-O- on Aug 29, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m fine. I’m just saying. Condrey is in the game. It’s getting to the late innings. I don’t see us winning this one. We had our chance to score last inning and we didn’t.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 29, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions