Spirit of '07: Phillies 7, Blue Jays 6

by dajafi on Jul 1, 2011 4:38 PM EDT

On Canada Day 2011, the Phillies took the opener of their last interleague series by drawing from their 2007 playbook: dubious pitching, resilient offense, back and forth scoring, outcome in doubt till the end. It even featured Kyle Kendrick, at both his lucky/good best and command-deficient, tatertacular worst, and concluded with heroics from Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.

Things didn't look good early, as Kendrick--back in the rotation for the indefinite future with both Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton on the disabled list and Cole Hamels' near-term availability in doubt--gave up two first-inning runs on a hit batter, a Jose Bautista ground-rule double and a two-out double by Edwin Encarnacion. Against Ricky Romero, the Toronto lefty ace who brought into the game stellar numbers in two career starts against the Phillies and a nine-start streak of at least seven innings each, the deficit felt larger. But the Phils tied it on single runs in the second and third, with Shane Victorino scoring the first run on a Ben Francisco double and driving in Utley for the second.

The score stayed 2-2 until the fifth, when Kendrick gave up a single to Aaron Hill followed by a long two-run homer to rookie Eric Thames. But the Phillies rallied again, pulling to within 4-3 in the sixth when Domonic Brown, getting a rare start against a lefty, led off with a double, stole third and came home on a Carlos Ruiz single. They knocked Romero out an inning later on Howard's one-out single, and tied it against reliever Jason Frasor on a Victorino triple. He came in on a Francisco sac fly to give the Phils their first lead of the day at 5-4.

At this juncture, the effect of the Phils' run of bullpen injuries made itself felt. Kendrick entered the seventh at 83 pitches and had struck out two Blue Jays in the sixth, but it's hard to imagine he would have stayed in were any of Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson or Brad Lidge available. Stay in he did, though, sandwiching outs around a Hill single. That brought up Bautista, who slammed a first-pitch belt-high meatball into the left-field seats for his 25th homer of the season and a 6-5 Toronto lead.

The Phillies had one comeback left, against closer Frank Francisco in the ninth. Placido Polanco, not known for his patience, worked a full-count walk to lead things off, and Utley followed with a seemingly innocuous fly ball to left that carried and carried, falling on the track beyond the reach of Juan Rivera to put men at second and third with no outs. Howard fell behind 1-2, then lashed a single to center that scored both runs. Antonio Bastardo came on to close things out with a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out Hill to notch his fourth save.

Danys Baez earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning, as the Phillies tasted victory for just the third time this season when the opposition scored at least five runs. Check out the waves!

via www.fangraphs.com

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Amusing player-of-the-game interview with Victorino on the radio. When asked by Franzke how one prepares to face unfamiliar pitchers from the AL, Shane responded with words to the effect of, “Well, you know, when Larry played, there wasn’t much video, but now you can use it.” And a lot of jocular Happy Canada Day wishes going both ways.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

Haha. Vic rules. Howard was the player-of-the-game on TV and had to field weird questions from Sarge about how great Kendrick was today. Um?

by JoshBerk on Jul 1, 2011 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

What was Sarge smoking? Kendrick vacillated between crap and lucky Hell. Just because the team managed to win does not mean Kendrick pitched well.

Offense, offense, where are you?

by dannijd on Jul 2, 2011 12:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Well, arguably, “not great” is a measure of greatness, right there with great, very great and ungreat.

by Phrozen on Jul 2, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Haha. “How great was Kyle today, Ryan?” “Um, not very, Sarge.” Howard actually gave a very polite answer. He danced around it tactfully. I hope he takes Sarge’s job. I mean, not any time soon or anything…

by JoshBerk on Jul 2, 2011 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions

McCarthy even said after the 5th inning that Kendrick was doing a nice job today…he had given up 4 runs at that point including a HR that almost cleared the roof…maybe RAJ was behind the scenes telling them to talk him up for a potential trade

"A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish."

by DirtyWaters on Jul 2, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Might have something to do with the fact Kendrick is scheduled to pitch game three of the next series in Florida and you don’t want him thinking for the next four days about how bad he was today.

by phillyinportland on Jul 2, 2011 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions

From the AP game report

"He kept us in the game," Manuel said. "He pitched a Kyle Kendrick game. That’s how I looked at it. He battled and stayed in there."

Very artful quote.

by essman on Jul 2, 2011 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions

He pitched a Kyle Kendrick game.

classic!

"A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish."

by DirtyWaters on Jul 2, 2011 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

KK, a potenial trade?

we all want the stuff that’s found in our wildest dreams.

by j reed on Jul 2, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

For a bag of balls, perhaps.

Offense, offense, where are you?

by dannijd on Jul 3, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually,

It was more crap/pretty good.

The crap? 2 meatballs, 1000 ft, 4 runs. ( and to be fair, 1 of em, and 2 runs prob don’t happen if the pen is healthy, it not an IL game, and they didnt have to throw 5 innings the day before.

The good?

1 BB 5K, 6 hits, 2 ER in 7 innings, With most of the damage done by two people, one of which is arguably the best hitter I the game the past 18 months. He also crossed the 90 pitch plateau for the first time this season, which is the bigger accomplishment on the day, in my book.

Seriously, sometimes I can’t tell if were just really really spoiled, or really really hate KK to the point of only focusing on the bad.

25.8/106 CURRENTLY HOT!!!

by Joecatz on Jul 2, 2011 7:00 AM EDT up reply actions

For me it is the bad things that happened in the first, fifth, and seventh that kind of stick out- giving up six runs, particularly the way that he did, really prevents me from seeing this as a good performance. Perhaps I am spoiled (and considering that I get to watch Halladay, Hamels, and Lee three days out of every five, I will grant that), but it is hard for me to call a performance where six runs are given up (four off of homeruns, and the other two off of a pair of doubles that were smoked) as a good one.

That being said, you make some good points. Kendrick’s performance was not unilaterally attrocious. Surrounding the moments of complete and utter detestability, he did put together a season high in pitches and did not allow that many hits.

Offense, offense, where are you?

by dannijd on Jul 3, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Ben Fran is getting smiled upon by the BABIP fairy recently

And justly so.

by Governator on Jul 1, 2011 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

repeat trivia question from yesterday

Put today’s three Phillies pitchers in order, from best to worst xFIP today.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

Without looking at the box score.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Kendrick, BAstardo, Baez?

by Governator on Jul 1, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Baez, Bastardo, Kendrick?

by philsandthrills on Jul 1, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

correct

1. Baez (2.93)
2. Bastardo (3.25)
3. Kendrick (4.28)

When I wrote the question, I mistakenly believed Bastardo was in third place, but that was only because Fangraphs hadn’t yet updated to include his K on the last batter of the game. So the results aren’t terribly counterintuitive. Although Kendrick’s figure is still somewhat surprising, third place or no.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Of course, Bastardo and Baez never had to face the two good hitters in the Blue Jays lineup.

by philsandthrills on Jul 1, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Incidentally, the Blue Jays’ xFIPs were pretty lousy. Romero 5.63, Rauch 6.41, Frasor 6.41, Rzep 2.93, Francisco 22.35.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

how did you get the xFIPs?

my Fangraphs box score only shows FIP.

by Governator on Jul 1, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Scroll down a little further.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

there it is

i thought the play-by-play was the end of the page

by Governator on Jul 1, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

you know, I think Bastardo’s xFIP is misleading; dude has a very high IFFB% (27% coming in, and one of two were on the infield today); xFIP corrects for HR/FB%, but it seems to me getting IFFB is a skill (there was some sabr-article about this last year, I think, at Fangraphs or Beyond the Boxscore), and those do not average out to more homers… I’m curious if SIERA factors them in

by yolacrary on Jul 1, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

referring to Bastardo’s overall xFIP, but also for today

by yolacrary on Jul 1, 2011 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey guys, I'm from BlueBirdBanter, good game!

You guys have some excellent pitchers on you team!

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

by Joseph Kirby on Jul 1, 2011 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

you ain't seen nothin' yet

by Governator on Jul 1, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Well...I have seen what Halladay can do...kinda excited but not excited to see him pitch.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

by Joseph Kirby on Jul 1, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

right, but

8 innings of Kendrick and Baez is about the worst you’ll see from the Phillies in a competitive game

by Governator on Jul 1, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes..

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

by Joseph Kirby on Jul 1, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice site

I enjoyed the reciprocal Q & As.

by dajafi on Jul 1, 2011 6:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

current jays lifetime vs. halladay

Corey Patterson: 7 for 19, 1 2B, 0 BB, 2 K. .789
Jose Molina: 1 for 14, 1 2B, 1 BB, 4 K, .276
Juan Rivera: 0 for 14, 0 BB, 4 K, .000
Yunel Escobar: 0 for 9, 0 BB, 1 K, .000

No one else with more than 3 AB.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

Ouch..

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

by Joseph Kirby on Jul 1, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

This game

Mirrored the f’ed-uppedness of the Flyers moves in Free Agency. At least this game is over and a win; remains to be seen from the O&B.

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Jul 1, 2011 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Ed Snider is in full Al Davis/Please Win Before I Die, Baby mode.

by Wet Luzinski on Jul 1, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

You ain’t kidding. Apparently, they aren’t done. I don’t think the old heart can take any more. I may have to drink my dinner. Jaromir Jagr a Flyer? WTF?!?

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Jul 1, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m about as hockey illiterate as they come, so when people were spazzing out on twitter about the Jagr signing I felt like everyone was speaking a different language.

Can anyone explain to me what the big deal with this was?

The Good Phight, Big Black Kids, and now NotGraphs. Fun!

by FuquaManuel on Jul 1, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Jaromir Jagr played right wing for Pittsburgh for a long time, and generally killed the Flyers while doing so. Then he got old and played in Russia for a few years. Now, he is 39 (yes, this is very old for an active hockey player), and the Flyers just signed him to a 1 year, 3.3 million dollar deal. Remember that hockey, unlike baseball, has a hard salary cap. The Flyers’ front office cannot manage the cap to save their lives – they always, always wind up with zero room to add depth because they hand out bloated contracts like this one in the offseason. 3.3 million is just too much for a 1 year deal, unless the player is spectacular, and the chances of that happening with Jagr are slim to none. The team does not really need an overpaid, aging winger.

Also, his wikipedia page currently contains the following paragraph:

He is considered one of the most classless athletes in history. He turned his back on a city that welcomed him with open arms. He plans to play for the Philadelphia Flyers and count his money while nursing an injured groin. Jagr plans to tap in to the Philadelphia peanut butter market this upcoming season with his new line of nut butter available in Philadelphia casinos.

by ThinMountainAir on Jul 1, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a hockey expert here, but yeah it does seem like the Flyers’ approach to salary cap management is to spend now and worry about how everything works out later. Planning ahead, budgeting, and acknowledging the limitations of arithmetic are signs of a lack of commitment.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

This whole offseason has the earmarks of them just reacting blindly to the Flyers’ playoff performance without some kind of cohesive plan. It’s like Snyder told Holmgren to go pick up some players he’s coveted for a while and that the ends justified the means in doing so.

by ThinMountainAir on Jul 1, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Snider is the man driving all of this. Pretty soon you won’t be able to tell Ed Snider from Dan Snyder.

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Jul 1, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Bryzgalov was a very Dan Snyder-esque signing.

by ThinMountainAir on Jul 1, 2011 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Luckily, it’s only a one-year deal, thank God. It’s better than overpaying Leino for 6 years like the Sabres did. However, I don’t know how much this guy has left in the tank. If he plays on a line with Briere and is sheltered, he could have some success.

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Jul 1, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

And what’s the deal with signing Max Talbot? I have hated his guts ever since he shushed the crowd. Gonna be weird rooting for him.

by ThinMountainAir on Jul 1, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Three things:

1. He raped the Flyers for a decade as a member of the Pens.
2. In typical Flyer fashion, he was an over payment.
3. He’s 39.

"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

by EREX21 on Jul 1, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Hockey to baseball translation

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Apostacy

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Jul 1, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, my cat went blind and I think I’m pregnant now.

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Ding Ding Ding

by 5FOR1TRADE on Jul 2, 2011 9:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

How else will he get into Objectivist Heaven?

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

By killing Mario Lemieux’s dog. It would be Lemieux’s fault for not stopping him, right?

by ThinMountainAir on Jul 1, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Snider Shrugged

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Christ

At this rate I’m going to have to change my name to “Jose and The Bastardos”.

"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez

by Jose and the Contrarians on Jul 1, 2011 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

In the interests of consistency, shouldn’t it be Antonio and the Bastardos?

by Phrozen on Jul 1, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah. good catch.

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

You’d think that, wouldn’t you? I just happen to like the whole “Jose and the X” vibe, it keeps continuity at the position. Not that I am a Jose in person by any stretch.

"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez

by Jose and the Contrarians on Jul 1, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

No way Jose?

Were you a fan of Jose and the Mesas, by chance?

by Phrozen on Jul 1, 2011 11:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

In spirit, because I could never voice my approval. Mostly because I was busy vomiting at the sight of Jose Mesa.

"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez

by Jose and the Contrarians on Jul 2, 2011 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Jair Jair's no-no, isza no go.

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

meesah wantsah start dah all-star game

"A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish."

by DirtyWaters on Jul 1, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Jar Jar still alive??? I thought he was killed off long ago.

"We are the Borg. Resistance is futile."

by Borg_Queen on Jul 1, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Has he been picked?

Biggest suprise for the NL is Matt Kemp not fetching more votes among OFers. Berkman’s having a great year but Kemp’s in his prime beast years. I was totally shocked.

.331/.415/.628 Kemp – though Kemp is sportin’ a .369 BABIP vs. Fat Elvis’ .282 against a (league avg .292). However that’s not much higher than his career average of .347. Plus the 22 SB and he’s a 4.7 WAR vs Berkle’s 2.4 WAR

.296/.405/.592 Return to Sender

by j reed on Jul 2, 2011 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Kemp will be an All-Star

He just may not be a starter. I seem to remember a certain player named Ken Griffey, Jr., being voted onto the starting team even though he was nowhere near one of the top three outfielders at the time. It happens. Others? Ripken. Reggie Jackson? In the pre-Internet voting era there were probably a lot of players voted on from teams that had the highest attendance.

by phillyinportland on Jul 2, 2011 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions

oh it happens ALL THE TIME. Schmidt in ’89, Ripken basically every year after ’95…

by perfectdepth on Jul 2, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

completely missed the news that Valle & Cosart were selected to play in the futures game

"A flute without holes, is not a flute. A donut without a hole, is a Danish."

by DirtyWaters on Jul 1, 2011 9:56 PM EDT reply actions

Excellent review dajafi. My personal favorite: It even featured Kyle Kendrick, at both his lucky/good best and command-deficient, tatertacular worst, and concluded with heroics from Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.

"We are the Borg. Resistance is futile."

by Borg_Queen on Jul 1, 2011 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

“tatertacular” is now part of my lexicon. Thanks dajafi.

by Wet Luzinski on Jul 2, 2011 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions

First time I glanced at the word I thought he’d written testicular and I wondered, why would he say that?

by phillyinportland on Jul 2, 2011 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Thank God Frank Canada imploded and Juan Canada completely botched that fly ball; otherwise, we might be singing a different tune. Also, those HRs by Eric Canada and Jose Canada certainly weren’t scraping the wall. Those were honest-to-God moonshots.

"What's gonna happen is that you jerk off the ball. You almost want to let this guy here jam you, and if it comes, it comes." Gary 'Sarge' Matthews

by Senor Octubre on Jul 1, 2011 10:37 PM EDT reply actions

The Phillies should do the same thing with “UNITED STATES” on Monday. Or not.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

America would work better.

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah but technically that’s the whole New World.

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Look, we just invite Ned Flanders too the party….we don’t let him in.

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

And all players should wear 4.

"What's gonna happen is that you jerk off the ball. You almost want to let this guy here jam you, and if it comes, it comes." Gary 'Sarge' Matthews

by Senor Octubre on Jul 1, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Or 1776.

"What's gonna happen is that you jerk off the ball. You almost want to let this guy here jam you, and if it comes, it comes." Gary 'Sarge' Matthews

by Senor Octubre on Jul 1, 2011 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Or No. 1.

USA USA USA USA USA

"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez

by Jose and the Contrarians on Jul 1, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

USA – F yeah

by taco pal on Jul 1, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

And the alternate unis.

US- F**KIN’ – A

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

or NHL

by j reed on Jul 1, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Reminds me of when the Bruins won the SC and fans chanted “USA” after the win, even though more Bruins are from Canada than the US.

What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.

by doubleh on Jul 1, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

They have the players and we have the markets so I expect these shenanigans to continue. I wonder how many Bruins played for the Canadian team and USA team in the 2010 Winter Games.

by j reed on Jul 2, 2011 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Canada – Patrice Bergeron
Czech Rep – David Krejci, Tomas Kaberle
Germany – Dennis Seidenberg
Slovakia – Zdeno Chara
United States – Tim Thomas

by taco pal on Jul 2, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks, List Genie!

Tomas Kaberle – everytime I see that name my brain defaults to

Tomas Krabappel

by j reed on Jul 2, 2011 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I enjoyed watching those ones fly very much!

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

by Joseph Kirby on Jul 2, 2011 5:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Can’t we just thank God that Chase Utley had them hypnotized all afternoon (after all, I think not being able to get him out cost them three runs)

Offense, offense, where are you?

by dannijd on Jul 2, 2011 10:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I was at today’s game (and I’ll be at the next two as well). Had a great crowd today up here in Toronto. Expecting the same thing tomorrow with Halladay on the mound.

Toronto is a great city. Rogers Centre is…different. It’s cool to see the CN Tower looming over top and the dome is a monstrosity though.

Philadelphia sports fan

by PhilliePhan24 on Jul 1, 2011 10:57 PM EDT reply actions