The Good Phight - Series Story Stream: Royals at PhilliesSmall victories, large defeats.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/33221/favicon.ico2013-04-07T13:25:05-04:00http://www.thegoodphight.com/rss/stream/39558112013-04-07T13:25:05-04:002013-04-07T13:25:05-04:00Royals at Phillies, 4/7/2013
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<p>Cole Hamels cannot let John Lannan out pitch him. CANNOT!</p> <p><em>Scene: Philadelphia. Early morning. Cole Hamels is out getting coffee and breakfast for his young family.</em></p>
<p>Random Asshat Fan: "Hey Cole!"</p>
<p>Hamels: "Yeah?"</p>
<p>Random Asshat Fan: "John Lannan went seven innings last night! Three earned runs! I guess HE should be at the top of the rotation now, huh!? HAHAHAHA!" /trips on own feet, spills coffee all over himself</p>
<p>So how does this scene end? It could end two ways.</p>
<p><strong>Ending #1:</strong></p>
<p>Hamels: "Dude, take it easy. It was my first start. Here, do you need a napkin? You spilled coffee all over yourself while you were inconsiderately mocking me on a Sunday morning while I was out getting breakfast for my gorgeous, amazing family."</p>
<p><strong>Ending #2:</strong></p>
<p>Hamels: "You're right! THIS SHALL NOT STAND! <a href="http://youtu.be/JGLnsNPQcls?t=28s">I CANNOT LET JOHN LANNAN OUT PITCH ME!</a>" /slams coffee down "LET IT BE KNOWN THAT TODAY I WILL PROVE MY SUPREMACY! OUT OF MY WAY, PEASANT!"</p>
<p>Today, Cole Hamels makes his first start at home and looks to redeem himself from his less than stellar Opening Day start on Monday. I think he can do it. The Phillies are looking to keep the energy going from last night's AWESOMELY EXCITING WALK-OFF. With a win today, they win the series and would get themselves to a .500 record. </p>
<p>James Shields takes the mound against Hamels and the Phillies today. Shields faced Philadelphia in game 2 of the 2008 World Series when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. Shields won that meeting. Today, let's hope he's not so lucky.</p>
<p>Should Kevin Frandsen start working on a Michael Young suit to fool Charlie Manuel into giving him more playing time? Discuss that and the game in the comments below.</p>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget current_series clearfix"> <h3>Current Series</h3> <div class="pane-body"> <h4>3 game series vs Royals @ Citizens Bank Park</h4> <table class="zebra"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="td-first">Fri 04/05</td> <td> WP: Bruce Chen (1 - 0) <br> LP: Kyle Kendrick (0 - 1) <br> </td> <td class="td-last"><span>4 - 13 loss</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="td-first">Sat 04/06</td> <td> WP: Antonio Bastardo (1 - 0) <br> LP: Greg Holland (0 - 1) <br> </td> <td class="td-last"><span>4 - 3 win</span></td> </tr> <tr style="background: none;"><td style="background: none;" colspan="3"><div class="pane sports_data_widget next_game clearfix"><div class="pane-body"> <p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> <span class="blog-hover-link" id="blog_icon_111891970"><a href="http://www.royalsreview.com/"><img class="sbnstar" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/images/icons/red-star.v37b17e2.png"></a><span class="blog-hover-menu" id="blog_icon_111891970_menu" style="display: none;"><span class="img"><a href="http://www.royalsreview.com/"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/community_logos/434/royalsreview_m.gif" alt="Royalsreview_m"></a></span><a href="http://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals Review</a></span></span> <br> <span class="blog_link">@ <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> <span class="blog-hover-link" id="blog_icon_394260954"><a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/"><img class="sbnstar" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/images/icons/red-star.v37b17e2.png"></a><span class="blog-hover-menu" id="blog_icon_394260954_menu" style="display: none;"><span class="img"><a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/community_logos/33202/tgp-sm.jpg" alt="Tgp-sm"></a></span><a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a></span></span> </span></p> <p class="game-info"><span>Sunday, Apr 7, 2013, 1:35 PM EDT</span><br> Citizens Bank Park</p> <p class="pitchers"><span>James Shields</span> vs <span>Cole Hamels</span></p> <p class="weather"> Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 65.</p> <p> </p> <p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p> </div></div></td></tr> </tbody> </table> </div> </div>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_info clearfix"> <img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.7496.jpg"><h2><span>Cole Hamels</span></h2> <h4 class="player-position">#35 / Pitcher / <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> </h4> <div class="player_info_body"> <p><label>Height:</label> 6-3</p> <p><label>Weight:</label> 195</p> <p><label>Bats:</label> L</p> <p><label>Throws:</label> L</p> <p><label>Born:</label> Dec 27, 1983</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker"> <div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix"><table class="zebra"> <thead> <tr> <th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody><tr> <td class="td-name td-first">2013 - <span>Cole Hamels</span> </td> <td>0-1</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>5.0</td> <td>7</td> <td>5</td> <td>5</td> <td>3</td> <td>1</td> <td>5</td> <td>9.00</td> <td class="td-last">1.60</td> </tr></tbody> </table></div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker"> </div> </div>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_info clearfix"> <img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.13624.jpg"><h2><span>James Shields</span></h2> <h4 class="player-position">#33 / Pitcher / <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> </h4> <div class="player_info_body"> <p><label>Height:</label> 6-4</p> <p><label>Weight:</label> 220</p> <p><label>Bats:</label> R</p> <p><label>Throws:</label> R</p> <p><label>Born:</label> Dec 20, 1981</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker"> <div class="pane sports_data_widget player_stats clearfix"><table class="zebra"> <thead> <tr> <th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody><tr> <td class="td-name td-first">2013 - <span>James Shields</span> </td> <td>0-1</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>0</td> <td>6.0</td> <td>8</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>1</td> <td>0</td> <td>6</td> <td>1.50</td> <td class="td-last">1.33</td> </tr></tbody> </table></div> <hr class="widget_boundry_marker"> </div> </div>
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https://www.thegoodphight.com/2013/4/7/4193382/anything-you-can-do-i-can-do-better-royals-at-phillies-game-threadLiz Roscher2013-04-06T23:01:16-04:002013-04-06T23:01:16-04:00Kevin Frandsen is a Viking: Phillies 4, Royals 3
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<img alt="Kevin Frandsen, having learned from Michael Young, professionally ropes a three-run double, winning the game in walk-off fashion." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GExqsaAU6hlX4tTmz_QNt-piy48=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11097531/20130406_hcs_sy4_016.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Frandsen, having learned from Michael Young, professionally ropes a three-run double, winning the game in walk-off fashion. | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Kevin Frandsen hit a pinch-hit walk-off-three run double with two outs in the ninth to wrench victory from the jaws of defeat, and giving the Phillies a chance to sit at .500 as early as tomorrow.</p> <p>On Kids Opening Night, the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a> hoped to avenge their rather embarrassing performance against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a> on Friday. Seriously, 13-4? <span>Domonic Brown</span> allowing that nine-run triple? Terrible stuff.</p>
<p>Today, though, was a fresh start. Behind starter <span>John Lannan</span>, the... wait, who? John Lannan? That guy?</p>
<p>Oh.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI200707260.shtml">That guy.</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WAS/WAS200807310.shtml">That guy.</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WAS/WAS201009270.shtml">That guy.</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WAS/WAS200905150.shtml">That guy.</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072702292.html">That guy indeed.</a></p>
<p>Huh. Well, with that guy on the mound, the Phillies looked to even their first ever April interleague series against... really, though. How the fuck did <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?year=0&n1=lannajo01&id=lannajo01&t=p#oppon">this guy</a> end up on our team? Seriously, how did this happen? 11 hit batsmen, of whom four were <span>Chase Utley</span>, in 19 games.</p>
<p>Well, he's here now, so he's got to be less likely to hit Utley again, right? Jokes aside, he's probably here for this and only this reason.</p>
<p>In any event, he pitched well today. He was perfect through three, carried a no-hitter through the fourth, before running into some trouble in the fifth. After plunking (LOL) <span>Lorenzo Cain</span>, <span>Jeff Francoeur</span> (LOL) rolled a grounder to left that caromed off the short wall for a double (not LOL), moving Cain to third. <span>Miguel Tejada</span> (LOL) grounded out, scoring Cain, and Elliott Johnson singled up the middle, scoring Francoeur.</p>
<p>After Royals starter <span>Mario Mendoza</span> struck out, <span>Alex Gordon</span> singled to right; but <span>Alcides Escobar</span> grounded out to end the threat. You may be noticing a pattern here. Lannan, when he wasn't beaning guys, carried an 85% ground ball rate. His xFIP for today was a sparkling 2.04. He probably would have pitched a complete game if the Phils had two <span>Freddy Galvises</span> at the corner infield positions. (mental note: write Ruben Amaro about investing in human cloning)</p>
<p>After a quiet sixth, trouble brewed again in the seventh. After Frenchy led off with another double to center, Tejada (seriously, isn't he like eighty years old?) doubled him in. He was sacrificed to third for some reason (maybe because he can't run because he's ninety years old?), but got no further.</p>
<p>At that point, Mendoza, who had embarrassed himself mightily with his bat, leading to all manner of <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mendozaline&src=typd">jokes on teh Twitter</a> (and one in this article already), was pulled. Six innings, only two hits, one run, three walks and seven strikeouts. Unfortunately, despite being a not good team, the Royals are possessed of a solid bullpen. <span>Aaron Crow</span> and <span>the Kelvinator</span> pitched two perfect innings, with three strikouts, as the Phillies' hitters continued to make Mendoza line jokes long after they were funny.</p>
<p><span>Mike Adams</span> and <span>Antonio Bastardo</span> turned in good performances, both appearing when the Phils were down, leading one to wonder why this wasn't tried when the Phils were ahead, say, yesterday. Answer: because they appeared in the seventh and eighth. Science.</p>
<p>In the ninth, the Royals turned to their closer, <span>Greg Holland</span>, against the "heart" of the Phils "order." Utley drew a walk, <span>Ryan Howard</span> walked on four pitches, and <span>Michael Young</span> swung at balls four and five, before drawing a third walk. Bases loaded, no outs, and up steps Brown. And right now, Greg Holland looks like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bargagr01.shtml">Greg Bargar.</a></p>
<p>Needing to redeem himself in the eyes of his manager for, apparently, being the sole reason for a 13-4 defeat yesterday; and in the eyes of the fans for not being <span>Barry Bonds</span> 2.0, Brown swung mightily at the first pitch. He swung mightily at the second pitch. He swung mightily at the third pitch. On none of these was he remotely close to making solid contact, and, had he just stood there, he probably could have drawn a walk himself.</p>
<p>Phooey.</p>
<p>Up next was <span>John Mayberry</span>. Mayberry likewise struck out embarrassingly, and just like that, Greg Holland looks like<a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maddugr01.shtml">Greg Maddux</a>.</p>
<p>Kevin Frandsen came on to pinch-hit, and OMG A LINE DRIVE DOUBLE TO THE GAP IN RIGHT CENTER FIELD! UTLEY SCORES, HOWARD SCORES, YOUNG SCORES PROFESSIONALLY! PHILLIES WIN 4-3!</p>
<p>Ahem. Honestly, I hope Brown takes heart from this. You don't gotta be a superhero to win, Dom. You don't gotta swing for the fences.</p>
<p>Frandgraph: h/t to David Sherman</p>
<p><iframe style="border:1px solid black;" width="600" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=600&date=2013-04-06&team=Phillies&dh=0"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2013-04-06&team=Phillies&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
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<p>Having evened the series at 1-1, the rubber game is tomorrow "morning," as the Phillies send Cole Hamels to the mound against Kansas City's James Shields. Shields has faced the Phillies three times, including a rather more momentous occasion in the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2008_WS.shtml" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">fall of 2008.</a> Hamels has never pitched against the Royals.</p>
<p>Oh, and also: Broadcaster Quote of the Day:</p>
<p>"There's something about General Grant that's always fascinated me." - Chris Wheeler</p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2013-game-recaps/2013/4/6/4192238/kevin-frandsen-is-a-viking-phillies-4-royals-3-and-vikings-are-winnersPhrozen2013-04-06T19:00:06-04:002013-04-06T19:00:06-04:00Royals at Phillies, 4/6/2103
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<img alt="I'm so excited! I'm so excited! I'm so...scared!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Zd-yKcCJ_3Vowspe8wlDk_S5u_M=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11081129/20130305_kkt_ah6_118.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>I'm so excited! I'm so excited! I'm so...scared! | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Let's try this baseball thing again.</p> <p>So we've had almost 24 hours to process (or drink away) our feelings about last night's game. Today is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILObfEzX92k" target="_blank">brand new day</a>, and there is a brand new game tonight. I'm going to be optimistic and positive. I can be that way because I'm not recapping tonight's game. Good luck, Phrozen!</p>
<p>This is me being positive about John Lannan, who will be starting his first Phillies game. John Lannan is not a zombie, so there is no danger of him eating the brains of any of his fellow baseball players. That's a good thing! Non-zombie Lannan will be opposed by Luis Mendoza. I have no information at this time as to the zombie status of Mendoza.</p>
<p>Will Mendoza snack on Eric Hosmer's brain in between innings? Discuss that and the game in the comments below.</p>
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<h3>Current Series</h3>
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<h4>Royals lead the series 1-0</h4>
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<td class="td-first">Fri 04/05</td>
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WP: Bruce Chen (1 - 0) <br> LP: Kyle Kendrick (0 - 1) <br>
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<td class="td-last"><span>4 - 13 loss</span></td>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> <span id="blog_icon_73195851" class="blog-hover-link"><a href="http://www.royalsreview.com/"><img class="sbnstar" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/images/icons/red-star.v37b17e2.png"></a><span id="blog_icon_73195851_menu" class="blog-hover-menu" style="display:none"><span class="img"><a href="http://www.royalsreview.com/"><img alt="Royalsreview_m" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/community_logos/434/royalsreview_m.gif"></a></span><span><a href="http://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals Review</a></span></span></span> <br><span class="blog_link">@ <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> <span id="blog_icon_427839734" class="blog-hover-link"><a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/"><img class="sbnstar" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/images/icons/red-star.v37b17e2.png"></a><span id="blog_icon_427839734_menu" class="blog-hover-menu" style="display:none"><span class="img"><a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/"><img alt="Tgp-sm" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/community_logos/33202/tgp-sm.jpg"></a></span><span><a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a></span></span></span> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Saturday, Apr 6, 2013, 7:05 PM EDT</span><br> Citizens Bank Park</p>
<p class="pitchers"><span>Luis Mendoza</span> vs <span>John Lannan</span></p>
<p class="weather"> Clear. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 50.</p>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<td class="td-first">Sun 04/07</td>
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<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.19349.jpg"><h2><span>John Lannan</span></h2>
<h4 class="player-position">#27 / Pitcher / <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a>
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<p><label>Height:</label> 6-4</p>
<p><label>Weight:</label> 215</p>
<p><label>Bats:</label> L</p>
<p><label>Throws:</label> L</p>
<p><label>Born:</label> Sep 27, 1984</p>
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<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.14937.jpg"><h2><span>Luis Mendoza</span></h2>
<h4 class="player-position">#39 / Pitcher / <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a>
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<p><label>Height:</label> 6-3</p>
<p><label>Weight:</label> 235</p>
<p><label>Bats:</label> L</p>
<p><label>Throws:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Born:</label> Oct 31, 1983</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><em>Daniel Thompson<span class="s3"> is a Finalist of the XFINITY Ultimate Sports Social Media Job contest! </span>Daniel is a 22 year old senior at Purdue University graduating in May with a Bachelors degree in Communication. Most of his social media experience has come from his three years at the Purdue University student newspaper, The Exponent. From January 2012 – December 2012 he worked as the Sports Editor for The Exponent, and managed a desk of 12 reporters and two assistants. Although his term as Sports Editor is up, his continues to write for the desk occasionally.</em></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="s3">Daniel will be hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, April 6 during their Opening Weekend game against the Kansas City Royals. Follow him on Twitter @DT2332 as he competes in his final contest challenge.</span> And, watch for the Ultimate Sports Social Media Job contest winner to be announced at <a href="http://xfin.tv/DreamJob" rel="nofollow">http://xfin.tv/DreamJob</a>!</p>
</em></p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2013/4/6/4191248/brand-new-day-royals-at-phillies-game-thread-april-6-2013Liz Roscher2013-04-05T20:47:03-04:002013-04-05T20:47:03-04:00This Game Sucked: Royals 13, Phillies 4
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<img alt="In an alternate universe somewhere, the Phillies signed Jeff Francoeur. I have no idea if that's better or worse than reality." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sIuaMnWnXC8XG_rHkAr1zY2Crr4=/0x121:4000x2788/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11041433/20130401_mje_se7_1060.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>In an alternate universe somewhere, the Phillies signed Jeff Francoeur. I have no idea if that's better or worse than reality. | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Today's game was really bad.</p> <p>That sucked.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a> lost 13-4 to the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a>. THE ROYALS.</p>
<p>Why lie to you fine people? Why sugarcoat? Today's game was horrible. It was unpleasant to watch. Making it to the end was a chore. By the seventh inning, I was hoping my power would go out so I didn't have to watch the game anymore. I also would have been ok with a power outage at the stadium. Or a sudden torrential rain storm over Citizens Bank Park. Or the unexpected appearance of angry, vengeful viking ghosts on the baseball field. Or an invasion of hamsters teeming from the dugouts.</p>
<p>It wasn't shitty from start to finish, at least. The first four innings actually went really well. Kendrick held the Royals to two hits. The Phillies scored four runs on nine hits. <span>Domonic Brown</span> and <span>Erik Kratz</span> hit their first homers of the year, and Kendrick doubled on a ball that just barely missed being a home run. <span>Ryan Howard</span> had two hits, including his first of the year. <span>Chase Utley</span> also had two hits, bringing his average to a sparkling .467. (I know it's a small sample size. I'm trying to find things to be happy about. JUST LET ME HAVE THIS.)</p>
<p>Things started to go bad in the fifth. Kendrick loaded the bases (though a late throw from <span>Jimmy Rollins</span> didn't help much), and with two outs he allowed a single to <span>Eric Hosmer</span> which scored two runs. In the bottom of the inning, former Phillie <span>Bruce Chen</span> entered the game in relief, having lost his starting job. Lefties hit .314 against Chen last year, and the Phillies happened to have switch hitting Rollins leading off, followed by lefties Utley and Howard. So it made total sense when Chen struck out Rollins and Utley, and Howard grounded out to first base.</p>
<p>When the sixth inning started, everything was still ok. The Phillies were still winning. At that moment in time, I was blissfully unaware of what was about to happen. I want to go back there. Back to before. Someone please take me back.</p>
<p>And then it was just... circus music. A single and a double against Kendrick brought up <span>Billy Butler</span>, who wasintentionally walked so <span>Jeremy Horst</span> could face <span>Alex Gordon</span>. Can you guess what happened next? I bet you can! Gordon hit a bases clearing triple, and just like that Kendrick went from being in line for the win to being on the hook for the loss. The Phillies were only down 5-4 in the seventh, but it was then that things began to get comically bad, a state in which things would remain for the rest of the game. Horst loaded the bases with no outs, and then Charlie Manuel brought in <span>Chad Durbin</span>. Because in that situation, why would you want a strikeout guy? Oh wait, that's exactly what you want. Unless you're a moron. Yeah, Durbin's outing didn't go very well. He allowed all three of Horst's baserunners to score, and then tacked on one of his own. Durbin also walked <span>Jeff Francoeur</span>. I'm going to type that again to make sure it sinks in. <b>Chad Durbin walked Jeff Francoeur. </b>That is hard to do. There is a silver lining, though -- Durbin did lower his ERA from infinity. I mean, he lowered it to 27.00, but that's still technically better than infinity.</p>
<p><span>Raul Valdes</span> pitched the eighth and ninth innings and he was also very very bad. Seven hits and four earned runs. The boos from the crowd were frequent and lusty. The crowd sprinted for the exits. I spent the ninth inning imagining how awesome it would be if baseball players got to ride kangaroos when they were fielding. I mean, they'd be beneficial to outfielders with all that ground to cover, and I bet that pouch could hold some useful stuff, and come on, how adorable and silly would everyone look riding kangaroos, right? <span>Ben Revere</span> on a kangaroo! Or better yet, Ben Revere riding an ostrich! <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDJe4gmxlbI">Or an aardvark!</a></p>
<p>In the bottom of the ninth inning, when the sparse crowd began to cheer and wave rally towels, it was hard to tell if they were being supportive or sarcastic.</p>
<p>Through four innings, the Royals had 2 hits. By the end of nine innings, they had 19. 19 hits. That's 17 hits over five innings. The Phillies, on the other hand, went in order the last six innings.</p>
<p>Maybe tomorrow will be better. Or maybe tomorrow, the hamsters will come.</p>
<p>God, do I really have to post the fucking graph? Ok, fine. Here it is. Your Fangraph of angry, vengeful aardvark viking ghosts:</p>
<p><iframe style="border:1px solid black;" width="450" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=499403&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2013-04-05&team=Phillies&dh=0"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2013-04-05&team=Phillies&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span></p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2013/4/5/4188754/this-game-sucked-royals-13-phillies-4Liz Roscher2013-04-05T15:55:01-04:002013-04-05T15:55:01-04:00Royals at Phillies, 4/5/2013
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/36-lkE2J1L5CTZJAHB_WY6XLMFo=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11027333/20130319_ajw_sv7_024.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Oh, Toto, there's no place like home.</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7goifK_2qY">The Phillies are finally home.</a> After approximately 7,000 spring training games in Florida, the extremely odd On-Deck series, and an opening series in the unwelcoming and unpleasant city of Atlanta, the Phillies today play their first 2013 regular season game in Citizens Bank Park. It's one of my favorite places on the planet. Chase Utley will be there. Jimmy Rollins will be there, too. So will Domonic Brown, Ryan Howard, Ben Revere, and some other guys, too. Kyle Kendrick will also be there, as he is the starting pitcher. </p>
<p>You have one mission, Kyle: WIN.</p>
<p>Now that the Astros are in the American League and there are an odd number of teams in the AL and NL, there's interleague play all the time. All the time! How delightful! The Phillies usher in this new era of...um...this new era of something by playing the Kansas City Royals. Kyle Kendrick faces off against Wade Davis, and the internet assures me that's a real person. </p>
<p>Enjoy the game and each other's company in the comments below.</p>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix"><div class="next_game"> <h3>Next Game</h3> <div class="pane-body"> <p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> <br> <span class="blog_link">@ <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> </span></p> <p class="game-info"><span>Friday, Apr 5, 2013, 4:05 PM EDT</span><br> Citizens Bank Park</p> <p class="weather"> Sunny. Winds blowing in from left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 60.</p> <p> </p> <p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p> </div> </div></div>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_info clearfix"> <img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.11969.jpg"><h2><span>Kyle Kendrick</span></h2> <h4 class="player-position">#38 / Pitcher / <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> </h4> <div class="player_info_body"> <p><label>Height:</label> 6-3</p> <p><label>Weight:</label> 210</p> <p><label>Bats:</label> R</p> <p><label>Throws:</label> R</p> <p><label>Born:</label> Aug 26, 1984</p> </div> </div>
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<div class="pane sports_data_widget player_info clearfix"> <img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.17786.jpg"><h2><span>Wade Davis</span></h2> <h4 class="player-position">#22 / Pitcher / <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> </h4> <div class="player_info_body"> <p><label>Height:</label> 6-5</p> <p><label>Weight:</label> 220</p> <p><label>Bats:</label> R</p> <p><label>Throws:</label> R</p> <p><label>Born:</label> Sep 07, 1985</p> </div> </div>
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https://www.thegoodphight.com/2013/4/5/4187550/our-house-royals-at-phillies-game-thread-april-5-2013Liz Roscher