Phillies 7, Rockies 5 on late inning heroics from Utley, Stairs

by WholeCamels on Apr 12, 2009 8:18 PM EDT

I had this game summary half-written in my head before the beginning of the 7th inning. More terrible starting pitching, another awful April start, questioning the Phillies' decision to name Chan Ho Park to the rotation...

Not that those aren't still valid points. Yes, the Phillies fell behind 4-0 after the first inning, then 5-1, then clawed their way back with more timely hits and another terrific performance from the bullpen. Until the 7th, when Chase Utley connected for a wall scraping home run that tied the game at five, and pinch hitter Matt Stairs reminded us of his Game Four NLCS bomb with a nearly identical shot in the 9th to put the Phillies up for good, 7-5.

The tone of this season so far has been poor early inning performances on the mound and at the plate, and brilliant rallies late off opponents' bullpens. This team could very, very easily be 1-5 right now... but there by the grace of God, they sit at 3-3, heading to D.C. for a three game set with the winless Nationals.

via www.fangraphs.com

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Chase Utley, 2 for 3 with three runs scored, and the above mentioned game-tying homer.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Stairs

There was some ass hammering going on in that dugout. I saw it!

by David S. Cohen on Apr 12, 2009 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

never gonna give you up

Is that a RickRoll?

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 12, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh Yeah!

I love watching all the Phillies hammer their fellow Phillies’ asses!

by Neduol Caz on Apr 12, 2009 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

1-5 vs. 3-3 vs. 4-2

Don’t forget how close they came to getting to Mike Gonzalez in the first game.

by phatj on Apr 12, 2009 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Also, I still hate the fact that Park is in the rotation. It is just one start, one meaningless start, but I know in my heart of hearts that Happ is better.

by Neduol Caz on Apr 12, 2009 9:37 PM EDT reply actions

I was listening to this on the radio when I heard “Stairs hits one into the afternoon” (or something of the sorts) and got a little nostalgic.
Asides from the shaky start by CHoP, it was good to see the offense fairly strong when it mattered and our bullpen looking good as usual.

by myrestingpulse_121bpm on Apr 12, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

CHoP

Every time I see that name I think Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania.

by phatj on Apr 12, 2009 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

I am a Matt Stairs fan. I celebrate his entire catalogue.

Steve Jeltz
.210/.308/.268
"Ask not what the Phillies can do for you, but what you can do for the Phillies."

by Steve Jeltz on Apr 13, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

relocate

He should just retire tomorrow, move to NE Philly and never buy a meal or drink again.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 13, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Madson & Lidge filthiness watch

Madson: 3 IP, 9 batters faced, 3 strikeouts, 5 groundouts, 1 flyout.
Lidge: 4 IP, 15 batters faced, 5 strikeouts, 4 groundouts, 3 flyouts, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 HR allowed

by phatj on Apr 13, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions