No Hoper: Padres 3, Phillies 1

He is getting to the point where I would almost be willing to hear trade offers for him (although right now the Phillies could probably get next to nothing for the whole lot of ’em)

Looks like he picked the wrong time to stop sniffing glue.

Stryker at 87- when the word ’’pisser’’ takes on a whole new meaning and ’’depends’’ becomes a noun.

It’s such a funny picture because it works on so many different levels.

Agree with this, though I’d also prefer a move that doesn’t make a helluva lot of money sense, like the Baez for Mathieson move. You can hire a travelling interpreter for Contreras or just use Chooch.

Also, just looking at matchups and trends, Wertz really ought to be benched tomorrow against Volstad.

The trouble with this move is that the impact may be too little to matter— Getting rid of a bench player probably will not shake the regulars up much.

Literally. A head should roll. Amaro should walk into the clubhouse with a katana and cut Dobbs’ head clean off.

But it looks like Manuel will not bench either of my two favorite suspects for a spot on the bench. In an article I found tonight on MLB atBat, Manuel stated that Utley and Ibañez were going to be allowed to continue to play through their slumps, as he believes that continuing to hit will allow them to get back to hitting. I don’t know that I agree with it— as bad as their slumps are, continuing to have unsuccessful at bats may just be making it worse— either causing them to press, or just wiping out their ability to believe they have a chance of getting a hit— an old baseball quote says that when you are not hitting, the whole outfield starts to look like a glove. From a defensive standpoint, I understand leaving Utley in— with Rollins out, solid play at 2nd and 3rd becomes even more important… But I would consider moving him down the batting order, if only for a few games… Although I do not see a standout idea in terms of a replacement as a #3 hitter. I would think about benching Ibanez, though… He is slightly more replaceable on defense, and his benching may send a message to the team (albeit not as loud a one as benching Utley) that they need to get their acts together to avoid being the next one benched.

Bit to early to worry about the standings however with that said things won’t be any easier this year and if it comes down to a neck and neck race outr spotty division record could the difference between a post season birth and a season ending coffin nail.

Yup— I was tracking the game on GameTracks last night, and was praying so hard for him to get the no-hitter— he has been through a lot in the last year and a half, and in some ways, I felt that it would have been a statement game for him. That being said— he gave up only 3 hits all day, and he needed some run support that yet again he did not get— it made it so hard to watch— I felt that he had held up his end of the bargain in terms of keeping the number of runs scored down, yet, he took the loss. This is the third loss this season I have seen him take where I felt that he deserved a win. I keep hoping that it will even out, but games like this make it hard for me to accept the way that wins and losses are applied to pitchers.

I was furious at Werth as well… GIDPs always bother me, but when they waste loaded bases, it makes me even more upset— I am getting to the point where the only member of the middle of our lineup that I can bear watching is Howard— he may not be hitting for power, but at least he is hitting and getting on base, which is something. I keep hoping for our hitters, and particularly Utley and Werth to put it back together— can it happen soon?

Back to back HR and one on an 0-2 isn’t bad luck. He did however pitch a great game.