Mind if I do a "J"?: Phillies at Braves, 9/17/08

by WholeCamels on Sep 17, 2008 7:00 PM EDT

Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves, Sep 17, 2008 7:10 PM EDT

Next Game

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008, 7:10 PM EDT
Turner Field

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

In a pitching matchup with more J's in it than the Dude's glove compartment, young Phillies left-hander J.A. "Don't Call Me 'Jay Ay'" Happ squares off against Braves rookie Jair Jurrjens, who has been one of the few bright spots for an otherwise disappointing 2008 Braves team.

ALERT PHILLIES FANS! We're probably going to lose this game. That's okay. They're clearly overmatched. Although Jurrjens has been up-and-down the last month or so, he's done well against the Phillies this year. And Happ, well... let's say he probably has a bright future. They might win this one. But they probably won't. And don't freak out if they lose.

Prove me wrong, fellas!

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Comments

With two in, Vic hits a single—too hard, right at Frenchy. Howard holds, first and third. Good call not to send him.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 7:23 PM EDT reply actions

Great ABs by Feliz, to draw a walk (swear to god), and Ruiz, who knocked in two with a single after falling down 0-2.

Phils score four and make Jurrjens throw something like 42 pitches to start it. There’s a little comfort zone for Happ.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Zoinks, nice start. Now let’s see if Happ can make it hold up…

by WholeCamels on Sep 17, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions

Nice inning by Happ. I was a bit worried he was gonna get squeezed with all the BBs JJ was getting, but his iffy pitches got the calls.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

His fastball velocity isn’t great, but the pitch seems to have some movement.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

Not a great first, but no runs = no foul

by WholeCamels on Sep 17, 2008 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

so now, it’s better if burrell fans, because if he hits a line drive, it’s two outs.
Tough run for Pat the Bat. Hope it changes soon.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

Still glad just to see him hitting it hard somewhere. That was just unlucky placement.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know why Ruiz was so bad earlier, but he’s been much better or late.

Nice Sac by Happ. Think he could teach Myers and Blanton how to do that?

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

Hope Rollins was faking on that IF single like he’s done before.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

I want the old Utley back.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2008 8:15 PM EDT reply actions

He probably wants his healthy hip back. Sadly, I think you’ll both have to wait till next spring.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, he’s clearly hurt I think.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

it looks like the phils won’t be getting the help they did last night. Mets up 6-1, Brewers bases loaded, 0 out, top of 1st.

The Marlins are up early as well, which for now is helpful in knocking the Astros back. I might rather that the Fish were bellyup by the next series though.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

Victorino almost made a spectacular catch, but couldn’t bring it in: double for Kotchman to lead off the 5th.

I’m not super-confident that four runs will win this game.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

i’m never confident until the opposing team takes out the starters.

Nice catch pat. Good defense never slumps :)

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Heh—I thought the same thing.

Howard started making shockingly good defensive plays before his bat came back last month. Maybe Pat will follow suit…

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Walks the pitcher. Will it bite him in the ass now?

by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

nm, pinch hitter. my bad.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2008 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions

that 3-2 pitch looked good. Happ’s pitched well tonight. At what point do you become satisfied, assuming he gets out of this inning?

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

One more, maybe two… I’m sure he wants to stay away from Madson and Lidge, and I know I want to stay away from Durbin.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

that was a PH. Not the pitcher.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

Vlad Nuñez

I’ve never understood how Vladimir became a hispanic moniker.

Ugh – that looks like a broken hand/finger. At least a day or two on the bench. Damn.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

Very concerned about this. Remember that Utley stayed in the game after he broke his hand last year… couldn’t have helped.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

Well, he beats out an infield single. So that’s good.

Now the question is do you worry about him jamming his hand on a steal try?

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 8:46 PM EDT reply actions

there’s the Ruiz we’ve come to know and despise.

I hope this is Happ’s last inning if he lasts through it.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

I know there were some hard hit balls, but why not leave him in? Consider:

He’s only on 86 pitches.
You have 4-run lead.
The bottom of the order’s coming up.
You don’t have an off day until next Thursday, so this would be a chance to rest the bullpen.

Personally, I’d have left him in to at least start the 7th. Hell, he’d have done no worse at the plate than Jenkins.

by PhillyFriar on Sep 17, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

well….at least we’re getting the allocated Geoff Jenkins PH appearance out of the way now, instead of when we need a LHPH. Dobbs – you’re spot in the pecking order is safe.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

and for some reason I was wondering if he walked…would they PR Golson. I forgot Jenkins quits taking pitches after ball 2.

by Bilzo on Sep 17, 2008 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

Victorino (hand I guess okay) singles through the hole to put men on 1st and 3rd with one out. Wife-beating drunk Cox out to make a double-switch; Blaine Boyer coming in.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

Wow—Happy Pete hit what should have been the fourth double-play ball of the night, but Johnson forgot to throw to second. Run scores, 5-0.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 9:28 PM EDT reply actions

Things just keep getting worse for the Brewers…Sheets left after 2 with forearm tightness. Eek.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

For christ’s sake Durbin, one more freakin out.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Manuel with the good move here as Durbin—after somehow recording five outs—puts two on in the 8th. Romero will come in for McCann.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Stairs, yard.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2008 9:42 PM EDT reply actions

They’re showing him on the Braves broadcast. Didn’t realize he was bald as well as fat… makes me like him all the more somehow.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

mets ’pen is doing their usual fantastic job

by char6587 on Sep 17, 2008 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

Harris strikeout, Guzman lineout, Zimmerman sucks against non-Phillies…

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Still nice to know that the Nats’ bats can upset the Mets bullpen almost daily.

by phillyinportland on Sep 17, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Condrey. Hold your breath.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

I think it will be okay. Better him than having to tire Madson or Lidge after their work last night. They’ve still got Eyre if a situational problem arises.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Man, nice easy win. I almost don’t know what to do with this.

Oh, and Happ is my personal hero.

by dajafi on Sep 17, 2008 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

in other news

freddy g’s line so far:

IP H R ER BB K HR Season ERA
F. Garcia 5.0 2 1 0 1 3 0 0.00

by char6587 on Sep 17, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I know what you mean – where was the gnashing of teeth and tearing of hair that I have come to know and love so well?
Happ can fill in nicely from now on, I’d say.

by phillyinportland on Sep 17, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions