Phillies rookie lefthander Cole Hamels (7-7) capped an excellent August with another fine pitching performance, 1 run on 4 hits through 8 innings, and the Phils got some timely offense in defeating Washington by a 5-1 score.

By winning, the Phils remained close in the wild card standings, 1/2 game back of the San Diego Padres who also won on Wednesday.

Hamels threw a shut out through 7 innings, only allowing leftfielder  Alphonso Soriano’s (43 HRs, 84 RBIs, .295 BA) solo shot to centerfield with 1 out in the 8th inning.

After both pitchers exchanged goose eggs in the first 2 innings, the Phils got to Nationals starter and losing pitcher Ramon Ortiz (9-12) for 3 runs in the 3rd inning as 2nd baseman Chase Utley (22 HRs, 80 RBIs, .312 BA) broke out of a 0-24 slump with an RBI single and 1st baseman Ryan Howard (48 HRs, 127 RBIs, .296 BA) followed with a 2 run double.

In the 6th inning, the Phils got their 4th run as they loaded the bases with 1 out.  3rd baseman Abraham Nunez (2 HRs, 20 RBIs) drove in the run with a ground out to the pitcher. 

Starter Ortiz who gave up 4 of the Phillies runs was relieved in the 7th inning by Chris Shroeder (0-1) who pitched 2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits, issuing 1 walk and striking out 4.

In the 8th inning, Washington got on the board with their only run on Soriano’s solo homer off of Hamels.        

The Phillies got their 5th run in the 9th as they loaded the bases on reliever Jon Rauch (3-3, 3.22 ERA).  Pinch hitter David Dellucci then sacrificed the run in with a fly out to leftfield.  Reliever Ryan Wagner (1-2) was brought in to get the final out in the 9th inning.
 
Phils reliever Arthur Rhodes (0-3) closed down the Nationals in the 9th to end the game.

For full recap including box scores and play-by-play on Wednesday’s game click here.

The Phillies go with lefthander Randy Wolf (3-0) on Thursday in the series get-away game vs Pedro Astacio for the Nationals.  A sweep of the series could give the Phils momentum as they return to Philadelphia for a huge 4 game series with the Atlanta Braves.

For full coverage of Thursday’s games in both leagues; previews, recaps, box scores and play-by-play coverage click here.

Phillies starter Brett Myers (10-6) pitched 6 good innings in getting the win while allowing 3 runs on 8 hits, handing out 1 walk and a homer.  Catcher Mike Lieberthal (6 HRs, 27 RBIs) and 1st baseman Ryan Howard (48 HRs, 125 RBIs, .296 BA) stroked big homeruns as the Phils beat the Nationals in their series opener by a 10-6 score.

The Phillies scored their runs in waves, Jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning as Pat Burrell’s (24 HRs, 82 RBIs, .260 BA) single drove in 2.  In the Washington 3rd inning, leftfielder Alphonso Soriano (42 HRs, 83 RBIs, .295 BA) got a run back with a solo homer.

In the 4th inning, the Phils got 3 runs on Lieberthal’s 2 run homer and an RBI double by shortstop Jimmy Rollins’ (19 HRs, 60 RBIs, .277 BA).  5-1 Phillies with all 5 runs being scored on losing pitcher Tony Armas (8-10).

In the 5th inning, Washington got 2 runs on 3rd baseman  Ryan Zimmerman’s (17 HRs, 89 RBIs, .283 BA) 2 out triple to centerfield.  5-3 Phillies.

In the 6th, the Phils scored 4 runs, 3 of them on Ryan Howard’s 48th homer of the season.  Howard’s blast tied him with Mike Schmidt for the all-time Phillies seasonal high in home runs.  Schmidt had his career-high home run year in  1980, the year that the Phils won their only World Championship.  The other run came as Jimmy Rollins nubbed a single and 3rd baseman Abraham Nunez (2 HRs, 19 RBIs) scored on a wild throw on the play.  9-3 Phillies with all 4 runs being scored on reliever Kevin Gryboski (0-0).

In the Phillies 7th inning, the Nationals’ reliever Saul Rivera (1-0) got into a bases loaded jam with 2 out and the Phils got their 10th run as Rivera walked centerfielder Shane Victorino (6 HRs, 37 RBIs, .280 BA) forcing in the run.

In the Nationals 8th inning, centerfielder Ryan Church (7 HRs, 24 RBIs) drove in a run off of Phils reliever Ryan Madison (10-8).  10-4 Phillies.

The Phils and reliever Aaron Fultz (3-0) got into quite a jam with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning.  Zimmerman who tripled in 2 runs earlier in the game doubled in another.  1st baseman Nick Johnson (19 HRs, 65 RBIs, .285 BA) singled in another run.  Rightfielder Austin Kearns (20 HRs, 70 RBIs, .264 BA) followed with a double moving Jonson to 3rd base — 2 on, 2 out.

At this point, absent Tom Gordon (3-4, 3.28 ERA, S27) who is on the disabled list, manager Charlie Manuel went for  Arthur Rhodes (0-3, S4) who closed out the game by striking out 2nd baseman Jose Vidro (6 HRs, 33 RBIs, .297 BA) and earning his 4th save.

For full recap including box scores and play-by-play on Tuesday’s game click here.

The Phillies go with rookie lefthander Cole Hamels (6-7) on Wednesday vs Ramon Ortiz (9-11) for the Nationals.  Ortiz was roughed up for 8 runs in 1 2/3 innings in his previous start against the Phillies.

For full coverage of Wednesday’s games in both leagues; previews, recaps, box scores and play-by-play coverage click here.

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 Phillies newly acquired lefthanded starter Jamie Moyer (7-13) got through the first 2 innings before the roof fell in as the Mets scored 6 runs in the 3rd inning enroute to an 8-3 win.

Despite the loss, the Phils are a game back of Cincinnati in the NL Wild Card race, while San Diego remains in 2nd place in the race, 1/2 game behind the Reds.  Both the Reds and Padres lost on Monday.

The Mets scored 6 in the 3rd off of losing pitcher Moyer as catcher Paul Lo Duca (4 HRs, 40 RBIs, .317 BA) singled in a run, 1st baseman Carlos Delgado (33 HRs, 93 RBIs, .294 BA) singled in 2 runs, 3rd baseman David Wright (22 HRs, 93 RBIs, .294 BA) singled in a run, newly acqwuired rightfielder Shawn Green (11 HRs, 55 RBIs, .282 BA) doubled in a run and 2nd baseman Chris Woodward (3 HRs, 22 RBIs) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to center.

The Phils got 2 runs back as leftfielder Pat Burrell (24 HRs, 80 RBIs) socked a 2 run homer to left centerfield.  The Mets added to their lead Pat Lo Duca drove in his 2nd run of the game with single.  7-2 Mets.

After catcher Chris Coste (5 HRs, 22 RBIs, .350 BA) doubled and 3rd baseman Abraham Nunez (2HRs, 19 RBIs) walked for the Phils with 1 out in the 7th inning, winning pitcher John Maine (4-3, 3.50 ERA) was relieved by Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 23.92 ERA), recently acquired from Pittsburgh who retired the side.

The Mets scored their final run on a sacrifice fly by David Wright hitting against lefthander Fabio Castro (0-0, 1.69 ERA) who relieved Moyer in the 7th inning.  Moyer pitched 6 full innings giving up 7 runs on 9 hits, walking none and striking out 4.

In the 8th inning, 1st baseman Ryan Howard (47 HRs, 122 RBIs, .294 BA) clubbed a solo homer to right field to close the scoring for the Phils.

For full recap including box scores and play-by-play on Monday’s game  click here.

The Phillies head to Washington for 3 games against the Nationals.   Brett Myers (9-6) goes for the Phils in the opener facing Tony Armas (8-9) for the Nationals.

For full coverage of Monday’s games in both leagues; previews, recaps, box scores and play-by-play coverage click here.

Sunday’s get-away battle between the Phillies and the New York Mets at Shea Stadium was postponed due to rain.   Therefore, Blogging Baseball brings you Rainout Theater.

 Lefthander David Wells, a fine journeyman starter, currently with the  Boston Red Sox has been on the DL much of the season with right knee injury problems.  His 20 year career has seen him winn 229 games while losing 146 despite being plagued by knee and foot problems for the last 3 years.

Undoubtedly, Wells’ most memorable game took place against the  Minnesota Twins on May 17, 1998 during his days with the New York Yankees.

Found a box score and recap along with celebration pictures;

Wells struck out 11 and dominated the Twins from start to finish. Yankees fielders made no exceptionally tough plays to protect the first perfect game since Kenny Rogers’ gem for Texas on July 28, 1994, against the Angels.

Wells (5-1) went to a three-ball count on four batters — coming back from a 3-0 on Matt Lawton in the fourth — in pitching the first perfect game at Yankee Stadium since Don Larsen in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.

The burly left-hander, three days short of his 35th birthday, spent the bottom of the eighth inning sitting alone in the dugout, stretching his neck and arms. The crowd of 49,820 gave him a standing ovation as he came out to pitch the final inning.

Wells made quick work of the Twins in the ninth, retiring rookie Jon Shave on a routine fly to right, striking out Javier Valentin and getting Pat Meares on a fly to right.

Wells pumped his left fist twice at the ground after the final out. His teammates swarmed him, and he was carried off the field.

                  

The May 25, 1998 Sports Illustrated gives a great background write-up on Wells as well as a recap of “Boomer’s” perfect game.

The Yanks got hitting support from outfielder Bernie Williams who had 3 hits, including a solo homer and scored 3 of the 4 runs for New York.
8 years later, Williams is still quietly doing it for the Yanks
as can be seen from the box score of Sunday’s 11-8 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

It is reported that after the game, comedian “‘Billy Crystal walked into the clubhouse after the game, approached David Wells and said, ‘I got here late, what happened?’”

Wikipedia gives a fine summary of David Wells’ career.

By the way, David Wells’ (2-3) next scheduled start for the Red Sox is August 31, 2006 vs Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay (16-4, 3.12 ERA).

The Phillies will try again to play their get-away game with the New York Mets as newly acquired veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer (7-12) goes for his second win as Phil vs John Maine (3-3, 3.58 ERA) for the Mets.

For full coverage of Monday’s games in both leagues; previews, recaps, box scores and play-by-play coverage click here.
 

Centerfielder Carlos Beltran (38 HRs, 108 RBIs, .286 BA) put the Mets up early with a 2 run homer off of Jon Lieber (6-9) in the first inning.  The Phils went ahead with 5 runs in the 5th inning featuring a grand slam by 1st baseman  Ryan Howard’s (46 HRs, 121 RBIs, .292 BA), but a 7 run Mets 7th inning laid waste to Howard’s blast and the Phillies lead as the Mets came out on the winning end by an 11-5 score.

 Phils centerfielder Shane Victorino (6 HRs, 36 RBIs, .279 BA) singled in a run in the 5th inning followed by Howard’s grand slam homer on an 0-2 pitch, all of which came off of Mets late replacement starter lefthander Oliver Perez (2-10). The Phils scored 5 runs on 2 hits in the 5th as Perez issued 2 of his 5 walks for the game and hit a batsman.  5-2 Phillies.

Mets’ starter Perez was relieved by lefthanded reliever  Darren Oliver (4-1, 2.84 ERA) in the 6th.  Oliver gave up just 1 hit to the Phils.

In the Mets’ 6th, they narrowed things as 1st baseman Carlos Delgado (33 HRs, 91 RBIs, .262 BA) blasted a 2 run homer.    In the 7th inning, the parade of lefthanders facing the Phils continued as reliever and winning pitcher Pedro Feliciano (6-2, 1.92) retired the side allowing the Phils just 1 hit.

All of this set the stage for for the dramatic 7th inning Mets rally which was to be the game winner.

Phils starter Lieber, who gave up 4 runs on 10 hits and walking 2 in 6 innings besides surrendering the 2 homers, was relieved by Rick White (2-1).   White failed to get anyone out and was charged with giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and a hit batsman as well as being charged with the loss.  White was relieved by Aaron Fultz (3-0) who got Delgado to sacrifice fly out to centerfield scoring a run.  Then, after 3rd baseman David Wright (22 HRs, 91 RBIs, .294 BA) was intentionally walked, newly acquired rightfielder Shawn Green (11 HRs, 54 RBIs, .283) doubled to rightfield scoring 2 runs.  Then, leftfielder Endy Chavez (3 HRs, 33 RBIs, .307 BA) doubled scoring 2 more runs.    Chris Woodward (3 HRs, 21 RBIs), pinch hitting for reliever Feliciano, capped the scoring witha 2 run single.

Newly acquired Phils reliever Matt Smith (0-0) pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning.  Smith, recently acquired from the Yankees in the Abreu, Lidle trade, has yet to give up a run in 13 appearances this season.   Mets’ reliever Guillermo Mota (1-3) retired the last 6 Phillies in a row to cement the win.

For full recap including box scores and play-by-play on Saturday’s game click here.

The Phils hope to win the getaway game on Sunday to win 2 of 3 from the Mets. Newly acquired veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer (7-12) goes for the Phils vs John Maine (3-3, 3.58 ERA) for the Mets.

For full coverage of Sunday’s games in both leagues; previews, recaps, box scores and play-by-play coverage  click here.