Never Trust Anyone Over 35: Cubs 12, Phillies 6

by WholeCamels on Jul 15, 2010 11:19 PM EDT

Phillies' starter Jamie Moyer had one of "those nights". And so did quickly-regressing reliever Jose Contreras. We're really in uncharted territory with Moer, so I guess we can't really be surprised when he throws a clunker (even against the miserable Cubs).

After Ryan Howard gave the Phillies a quick 2-0 lead on a titanic home run in the top of the first, Moyer allowed six Cubs runs in three innings pitched, surrendering five hits and two long home runs to Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano -- and also hitting two batters in the first inning, both of whom scored on an Aramis Ramirez double. Even the Cubs' outs were hit hard.

The Phillies bullpen held things together for the next three innings, with David Herndon, Kyle Kendrick, and Chad Durbin keeping more Cubs runs off the scoreboard. Unfortunately, the Phillies didn't exactly close the gap in the meantime. Then Jose Contreras came in and, well, the linescore kind of tells the story: .2 IP, 5 H, 5 R. All with two outs, after a magnificent double play turned by Jimmy Rollins, who had a few truly outstanding defensive plays on the night.

Fellow Cuban Danys Baez didn't do much better, allowing four hits and a run and recording just three outs in the 7th and 8th innings.

Then, down 12-2 in the ninth, the Phillies batters started a little "rally" that might have meant something if the pitching staff hadn't been an utter Pukefest all night: After back-to-back two out RBI singles from Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez, the big man Ryan Howard hit his second homer of the night to make the score 12-6. Jayson Werth, 0-for-4 on the night, then popped out to end the game.

Why even talk about Ryan Dempster, who was fine tonight (6.2 IP, 2 R, 9 Ks) but really, an ape could have pitched and won this game for the Cubs.

At least the Phillies can still hit, when the other team's pitchers are just grooving the ball over the plate.

See everyone tomorrow.

via www.fangraphs.com

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Is showing up tomorrow a sign of insanity, masochism, or addiction?

by dannijd on Jul 15, 2010 11:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

It’s in recognition that this wasn’t the Phillies’ day, and tomorrow at 2:20 the score will be 0-0 again.

by schmenkman on Jul 16, 2010 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions

True… Although at some point I just question my sanity for continuing to show up… And my best friend (who I have drug into watching a few of these games) calls me a masochist, while my brother calls me an addict— I was just wondering who was right.

by dannijd on Jul 16, 2010 12:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

When you doubt your sanity, try thinking of it this way: the Phillies are now only 3 wins behind their 2009 pace, and 1 win behind their 2008 pace. There is a lot of summer left.

by schmenkman on Jul 16, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess… At least they hit tonight… Any chances of Better Blanton tomorrow?

by dannijd on Jul 16, 2010 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I predict his first game of the year with < 3 runs allowed (i.e. 2 — let’s not get crazy).

by schmenkman on Jul 16, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope you are right… maybe I should go ask my psychic brother to call the game (he is usually waaaay off on the score, but can call the wins pretty good— plus he predicted J-Roll’s walk off homer earlier this year)

by dannijd on Jul 16, 2010 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Of course there are chances of “Better Blanton” tomorrow. Just like there are chances of any goddamn thing in the universe…

"F#$% [player]!" --FuquaManuel

by FuquaManuel on Jul 16, 2010 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions

happening.

"F#$% [player]!" --FuquaManuel

by FuquaManuel on Jul 16, 2010 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions

So Dannijd
Lesson 2008 from A Day In the Life of Baseball Junky :

1] Addiction by definition is a form a masochism

2] Once you acknowledge your addiction, next to is to realize that somedays you chase the dragon and on other days dragon chases you.

by j reed on Jul 16, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

And as my wife likes to say, the Cubs scored all their runs tonight and won’t have any left for the rest of the series.

by schmenkman on Jul 16, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I like her theory!

by dannijd on Jul 16, 2010 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Tomorrow’s game is at 2:20 in the afternoon? That is wierd. Has Blanton even pitched a day game this year? This is one of those times where I am glad I was not able to watch that game. What a disaster.

by PhilsForever on Jul 15, 2010 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

Yes… Blanton pitched day games v. Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh (and those are just the ones I remember…)

by dannijd on Jul 16, 2010 12:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That’s right, I blanked a lot of those starts from my memory, especially the Boston and Pittsburgh ones if I recall.

by PhilsForever on Jul 16, 2010 12:55 AM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately, I couldn’t…. does wine or beer go better with bad baseball?

by dannijd on Jul 16, 2010 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

So I went to the game, and…yeah…bleh.

At least the Cubs fans around me were kind, and I got a good photo of Howard watching his first-inning homer. I think. It’s hard to tell on my camera’s tiny view screen.

I’ll be six rows up from the Phils bullpen on Saturday. I don’t think I’ve ever had seats that close to the field before. Ought to be interesting.

2005 Chicago White Sox. 2006 Chicago Rush. 2008 Philadelphia Phillies. 2009-10 Chicago Blackhawks. CHAMPIONS.

by HappyHuman on Jul 16, 2010 1:31 AM EDT reply actions

Your seats sound amazing— When I go to games, I try to sit near the plate (usually just behind it on one side or the other), but I have to sit in the rear rows— my mom has limited mobility, and can not make it all the way down the steps so that I can see better). I did sit 3 rows off the sideline for the Patriots, though— and the view was amazing— everything felt so close! I hope that Saturday’s game has a better result for you— here is to an appearance of good Cole! If your picture came out post it or e-mail (address is in my profile)— I love game pics!

by dannijd on Jul 16, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

didn’t get to watch last night.

will say that Howard looks to be back to his good ways of late, and I’ll take that as a positive.

by Bilzo on Jul 16, 2010 8:08 AM EDT reply actions

Howard’s offensive explosion was probably the only good thing that came out of yesterday’s game. I really hope that it is a harbinger of things to come… Such a shame that his first multi-homer appearance in forever was wasted in a loss.

by dannijd on Jul 16, 2010 9:22 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions