We're gonna need a bigger boat: Phillies at Marlins, 9/20/08

by WholeCamels on Sep 20, 2008 7:00 PM EDT

Philadelphia Phillies at Miami Marlins, Sep 20, 2008 7:10 PM EDT

Next Game

Saturday, Sep 20, 2008, 7:10 PM EDT
Dolphin Stadium

Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

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The winning streak had to end sometime, I just wish it hadn't come against the hottest team in the league, distressingly close to the Phillies in the division and wild card standings...

Joe Blanton, certain to be coated in perspiration by his fifth pitch of the evening, goes for the Phillies against Anibal Sanchez, who the Phillies clobbered for 5 runs in 1 2/3 innings on September 8th.

The Phillies pretty much need one win in this series. Tonight's as good a night as any.

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That jibbering asshat Cody Ross just made a Gold Glove play to save a run for the Marlins.

$)(%)(&#@&*

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions

The Phillies do not deserve to win this game if they fail to make the Marlins pay for two of the sloppiest defensive plays in recent memory.

by christonabike on Sep 20, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions

Something tells me a 1-0 lead is not likely to hold up tonight. Score more freaking runs.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions

What in the hell was that? Howard is a fool. Enough said.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions

This ump has been wildly inconsistent.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions

Aw shit. 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

2-1 Marlins.

This is absurd. Absolutely friggin infuriating that we can’t go out and pin them down after scoring.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

Anderson said it was a FB in the middle of the plate. Ah Blanton.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

This mess really isn’t his fault though. Dumb ass Howard had to go after a ball that he had no chance of getting that Utley would have had easily and he ended up screening Utley’s view of the ball.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s early to say this, but if the Marlins end up sweeping us and sneak into the playoffs I might have a severe mental breakdown.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

If we continue having at bats like the one Pat just had we have no chance of winning tonight.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

This is where Charlie pisses me off. Sanchez LHB .348 RHB .205. So what is Burrell doing in the game or Werth for that matter. Is Stairs on the DL (just kidding).

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

he really has stuck with Burrell through this miserable slump of his. I don’t understand it, Stairs could clearly deliver more at this point.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Phew…Victorino ties it up.

Thank goodness for that guy.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Who has the most strike outs tonight? Blanton, Sanchez, or C.B. Buckner?

by christonabike on Sep 20, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

Anderson went off on what a crappy umpire C.B. is. I recall him doing it earlier this year too. But I also feel the players have to adapt to the strike zone.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, he really has been awful tonight. Some high pitches get called strikes, some don’t.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Blanton really brought his K stuff to the park tonight.

7k through 3 and a third.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions

Blanton needed that double play, pitch count was getting kinda high.

RUNS RUNS RUNS RUNS

Score some runs. Like 10 of them.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:21 PM EDT reply actions

Mid-70s for Blanton’s pitch count. Two more scoreless would do, I think.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Well, now that you have said that he is sure to blow up for 5 next inning.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

And so it begins.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I really loathe this Marlins team. They might be ahead of the Braves right now in that regard. It’s to the point where I’m personally offended when lumbering slobs like Cody Ross and Josh Willingham make Gold Glove type plays against us.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

Also, that Jeff effing Conine is calling this game seems like another personal affront. Nobody did more to make the baseball-watching portion of my early 30s unpleasant, other than perhaps Jose Mesa and Conine’s Marlins teammate Juan F. Pierre.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought that mlb.tv lets you select the announcing crew now?

by christonabike on Sep 20, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

only if you upgrade to better quality

by char6587 on Sep 20, 2008 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I fucking hate Amezaga.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

9 K’s for Stay Puffed

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions

Incredible. That’s got to be close to a personal record for him.

by christonabike on Sep 20, 2008 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Phew. That was scary…Cantu seemed to really get alot of that.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

runs..
runs would be good.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Werth is sucking. Bad news.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:45 PM EDT reply actions

Just wondering if maybe he doesn’t have sugarplums in his head dreaming of possibly being the everyday LF next year? Gotta be pressing. Way to many K’s lately vs RHP.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s just not great against righties, period.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

They just need to be patient against this guy. At least run his pitch count up, get him out before the 7th.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

See, he’s starting to get wild.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

yeah – shane was very patient…

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

Dobbs with a PH-like RBI single.

Though to be fair, I think the previous ginormous gap between his offensive numbers when he starts and when he comes off the bench has pretty much closed up.

Sanchez gone, maybe hurt again.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

if Ruiz delivers here I will never say a bad word about him again.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

Bases loaded, 2 outs. Blanton is done.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

If Geoff Jenkins delivers here, I will pack up and head for the high hills because it means that the apocalypse is coming.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

Never mind, its Iguchi.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

seriously? what’s wrong with matt stairs in this spot.

I shudder to think there’s a year left on Jenkin’s contract.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

Iguchi is batting against the lefty hendrickson.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought the same thing, but it was a trap to get the matchup they got. Unfortunately, it didn’t work…

Sad that Iguchi is probably our best RH bench bat. And we won’t even have him for the playoffs, if we make it.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Dumb piece of shit swings at the first pitch and flies out. Where do they learn to play such horrible baseball these guys?

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

im trying to avoid logging into mlbtv as I’ll have to deal with fish announcers and it was bad luck last night, but if yahoo continues to be this slow…not sure what ill do.
Scott Frantzke is almost as bad as the Marlins, so I try to avoid radio broadcast as well.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

Durbin in, bracing for impact.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, god. We’re f—-ed.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

one of the bad parts about yesterdays loss.
durbin didnt pitch.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

braves just put up a run, up 4-2

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

I’m gonna take Willingham to get the first RBI this inning.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

you think there will only be one?

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Uggla’s going deep here.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

Nope. Wrong again.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, this ump…good lord.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

1-2 count turns into a walk. Cody Ross up.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

guess i shouldve changed that to willingham is first to cross the plate.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

wha? One of Ruiz’s pickoff throws worked?

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

Please, for the love of all things baseball, score some runs in this inning. Even just 2 or 3 would be fine.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

against my better judgement, ive loaded up the radio broadcast.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:19 PM EDT reply actions

I went to the UNC-VaTech football game and watched Carolina get hosed by officials, to continue a miserable sports weekend for me. I really hope tonight will break the curse.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

That inning sucked big time. Looks like we are gonna have to hold the 3-2 lead…The fellas just aren’t gonna do better than that with the stick tonight.

Durbin back out…

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Werth swings at ball four, and grounds out to end the 7th.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

GameTracker is 3-4 pitches ahead of mlb.tv…

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

Runner on first, 1 out…Durbin is done. Romero in…still holding my breath.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

at least durbin cant get the BS

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

LoDouchebag likely to hit against Romero

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

on AB left for the mets tonight, still down 2 runs.
Delgado-Beltran-Church

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

Did I mention that I friggin hate Amezaga…I don’t even know what it is about that guy…I hate him in the same way Marlins fans probably hate Victorino.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

Throw strikes PLEASE.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:34 PM EDT reply actions

i pretty much hate cantu, LoSucka, Olsen, and Conine. Amezaga not yet. Sadly…one association I have is that in my 2002 (or so) EA Sports Baseball game….the fake Ryan Howard (as I guess he wasn’t in the MLBPA yet) was called Alfonso Amezaga.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

This ump SUCKS. Jesus.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

did he ref an ACC football game this afternoon as well?

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Walks him. Fuck.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions

losucka is a fear inspiring hitter you know…..

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

heres where i probably add Maybin to the list of marlins i hate.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

Is Maybin gonna ruin my night?

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

Jesus Christ Superstar Romero comes through BIG TIME.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

what does his jc stand for?

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

Juan Carlos officially…Jesus Christ according to me.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s up to Madson to weather the always nerve racking 8th.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

J.C. finds your lack of faith disturbing.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions

Mets Lose

4-2 poor poor Pedro.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

Mets lose.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

phils tied for division lead again.
it’d be nice to just squash the fish’s hopes tonight.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:50 PM EDT reply actions

Madson time…hope he’s feeling it, cuz I am not.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

It’s tough to fault the guy after he racked up nine strikeouts. But Blanton again put a huge burden on the bullpen tonight. Basically, four different guys (maybe five, if Eyre is called upon) have to be near-perfect for us to hold the lead.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

Blanton's Line

IP H R ER BB K HR Season ERA
J. Blanton 5.0 4 2 2 2 9 0 4.45

You’d have taken that without so much as blinking prior to this game starting.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

as good as the bullpen has been (overall) this year…..a one run lead against the fish aint sheeite

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 9:53 PM EDT reply actions

Cantu starts it with a single.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

2nd and 3rd, no outs. Fuck it. This is too predictable.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

As noted earlier: hate the Marlins.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 9:59 PM EDT reply actions

This is why I effing hate Madson. I swear to God I do.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

great …go ahead RISP w/ no outs.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

phew. nice tag carlos

by char6587 on Sep 20, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

Ruiz might be a piss poor hitter, but he is a heck of a presence in the field.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

Jeez Madson, get it together.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

Marlins PBP guy is a whiny-ass bitch.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

are they still bitching about howard not getting rung up before homering yesterday?

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions

hmm gamecast now has it as 1st and 2nd w/ 1 out
instead of
2nd and 3rd w/ no outs.

Thats a significant improvement.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

second and third with 2 outs

by char6587 on Sep 20, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

You can kinda just tell which nights are gonna be adventures for Madson. If it is a game we really need/want to win…he is basically going to take you for a ride. It’s a given.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

no, about the “blown” call a second ago

by char6587 on Sep 20, 2008 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

C.B. Buckner is taking over this game…for better or for worse.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions

this at-bat is making me crazy

by char6587 on Sep 20, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

Madson does his best Houdini. WHEW!!!!!!!!!!

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions

YES. ross out swinging

by char6587 on Sep 20, 2008 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

Mad dog does the trick!!

by Erufus2 on Sep 20, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Madson finds your lack of, etc

Even I thought C.B. screwed them in that inning—not on the knob job/possible HBP, but Cantu probably was safe.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

LIdge vs Amezaga-PH(likely Luis Gonzalez)-Maybin.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

phils have been screwed before…
about time they get a “close” call.
I can’t believe the fish failed to make that play just there. Haven’t they caught everything else hit deep?

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

wha??? we;re using Golson?

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah. If they’d just let him steal third, Chooch could have squeezed him home…

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Dobbs with a great double and Ruiz with a nice bunt to move him over. INSURANCE

by Erufus2 on Sep 20, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

golson better be going on f-ing contact on anything in the IF.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:16 PM EDT reply actions

Oh my god that is frustrating. Why couldn’t Dobbs’ ball just go a few feet farther so we didn’t have to rely on anyone else to bring him home. UGH! Wasn’t meant to be.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

too late to squeeze now.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

That sucks. Matt Stairs swings at ball way up there

by Erufus2 on Sep 20, 2008 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

going to shut it down now…

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Gutsy

Jimmy I loved it. Hell of a try.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

I thought so too, Steve-O.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Get Amezaga out please.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

Oh my God that was scary.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He walked him. SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT. Why can’t anything be easy?

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

He’s about to walk the next guy too.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

I am having a Mitch Williams flashback…help me.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

He needs to throw strikes…that is the pitchers job after all.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

tell me they at least threw down to second.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

C.B. Buckner got his…

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:32 PM EDT reply actions

HOLY MOLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Biggest win of the year I daresay. Certainly not the prettiest.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

aaahhh

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

Wow Stomach Churning

I need a drink. Great back in first.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

He always makes it interesting but damn lidge is good

by Erufus2 on Sep 20, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

Back in first. Three up on the Brewers with seven to play.

Bullpen was really magnificent tonight, including all our favorite whipping boys.

FM, I read today that Gordon might be able to make it back for the playoffs…

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 10:41 PM EDT reply actions

Being what I feel might be his last rodeo it’d be great to see him pitch. Yes indeed.

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, its not like he can be any more gut wrenching than any of the other 8th inning options we have these days. Hell, bring him on.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty much my thinking. Best case scenario is that he’s rested and ready, like he was when he came back last September.

Stuff-wise, he’s much better than Durbin, and probably better than Madson thanks to the hook.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

All five hits were left handed.....hum........

by Steve-O- on Sep 20, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know about Gordon.
Who do you leave off?
I’d say it looks very likely that Phils and Mets make playoffs. Sadly, the phils have to beat the mets by a game to hang the division pennant if that happens.

by Bilzo on Sep 20, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

4 vs. Cubs, 3 vs. Marlins for Mets.

1 more vs. Marlins, 3 vs. Nats, 3 vs. Braves for us.

I would say that the schedule favors us somewhat.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 20, 2008 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I might or might not write an actual post about this… but I will say that whether or not the Phils get in the playoffs, how soon they clinch a berth might determine whether they can make any noise once they get there.

This whole pitching staff is gassed: exhausted, enervated, running on fumes. Hamels, Moyer, Lidge, Durbin, Madson, probably Myers. They all need something like five straight full days off before the NLDS.

Because of this, I’m almost annoyed that the division is so close. Of course I want them to win it, and get the extra home game and the Dodgers with their probably inferior pitching rather than the Cubs. But the Cubs as the wild card with a fully rested staff might be a preferable scenario than the Dodgers after winning the division late next Sunday afternoon. Especially if the Dodgers clinch by mid-week, as I think they will.

by dajafi on Sep 20, 2008 11:02 PM EDT reply actions