The Phillies got off to an early 3-0 lead on homers by rightfielder Jayson Werth and shortstop Jimmy Rollins (his 2nd homer in 4 games) and were never caught.  They cashed in on scoring opportunities getting clutch 2 out run-scoring singles from 1st baseman Ryan Howard and leftfielder Pat Burrell and a got gritty 6 2/3 inning performance by young Kyle Kendrick to post an 8-4 win Thursday to sweep the hapless Washington Nationals.

In winning, the Phillies improved their 1st place position in the NL East, gaining a 1/2 game to lead by 1 full game over the Mets who had  Thursday off. The Florida Marlins remained 1 1/2 games back in 3rd place after pounding the Colorado Rockies. The 4th place Braves remained 9 games back by clubbing the St. Louis Cardinals to salvage 1 of the 4 games and to halt a 5 game losing string.

The AP recap recounts the games’ highlights for Yahoo sports;

Werth’s solo homer and Rollins’ RBI groundout helped the Phillies go up 3-0 in the second. Rollins hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give Philadelphia a 5-2 lead.

Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell added [2 out] RBI singles in a three-run sixth that gave the Phillies an 8-2 lead. Washington helped the Phillies by making three errors, two of which led to runs off starter John Lannan (6-11).

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is day-to-day with a bruised hand after Kendrick hit him with a pitch in the third.

Zimmerman came out in the fourth, He recently spent 48 games on the disabled list with shoulder problems.

OF Shane Victorino got his eighth bunt hit of the season in the fourth, one of two infield hits he had in the game.

Kendrick tossed 110 pitches in a quality 6 2/3 inning performance to win his 9th game vs 5 losses and left with the Phillies holding an 8-2 lead.   Reliever Clay Condrey pitched a perfect 1 1/3 innings.  Rudy Seanez got into ninth inning hot water, getting the first 2 outs, while giving up 2 Nationals runs before dependable Chad Durbin took 5 pitches to close out Washington.

In other Phillies’ news; despite the flurry of activity in the hours before the trade deadline which (1) saw a disgruntled leftfielder Manny Ramirez (to the Dodgers), leftfielder  Jason Bay (to Boston) and 4 other players (to Pittsburgh) change sides in a startling three-team trade, and (2) which saw outfield hitting great Ken Griffey Jr. (with 600 career homers) traded from  Cincinnati to the Chicago White Sox for cash, a reliever and a Triple-A second baseman prospect, centerfielder Shane Victorino happily made it through the trade deadline remaining in Phillies red-pinstripes.

Victorino has had a huge last 10 days of July going 18 for 42 (.428 BA) with 4 homers, 9 RBIs and 11 runs scored.  

In other Phillies’ news, 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz, on the DL since July 24th, has been diagnosed with a bulging disk in his back, the club announced.   MLB.com’s Ken Mandel reports;

Feliz underwent a series of tests, including an MRI and an examination by a back specialist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He won’t participate in baseball-related activities until next week, at the earliest.

The Phillies recalled 3rd baseman Mike Cervenak, who was up briefly earlier in July and went 0 for 1 before being sent back down. He takes Feliz’s spot on the roster and joins lefthander J.A. Happ who was recalled from Reading a few days ago.

For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Thursday’s games, click here.

The Phillies begin August with 3 games against the St. Louis Cardinals before another day off on Monday, August 4, before returning home for 3 games against the Florida Marlins followed by 3 games vs the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In Friday’s opener, ace lefthander Cole Hamels tries again for his 10th win in opposing a surprising Kyle Lohse with a 12-3 record.   On Saturday, newly acquired Joe Blanton tries again for his 1st Phillies win opposing  Brandon Looper.

For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Friday’s games and Saturday’s games, click here and here.

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Florida 1st baseman Jorge Cantu pounded a long eleventh inning bases loaded, none out single off of reliever Clay Condrey which hit off of the scoreboard in left centerfield as the Marlins edged the Phillies 3-2 while the Mets beat Cincinnati by 7-5 in tenth inning forcing an NL East first place tie.

As the Phils and Mets fell into an NL 1st place tie ahead of the 3 game showdown between the teams beginning Tuesday at Citizen’s Bank Park, the Marlins stand a mere 1/2 game behind both clubs.

1st baseman Ryan Howard drove in both of the Phillies runs off of lefthander Josh Johnson; a 2 out RBI single to right centerfield in the first inning and a 2 out RBI double to leftfield in the third. 

Meanwhile, ace lefthander Cole Hamels retired 9 of the first 10 Marlins he faced before rightfielder Jeremy Hermida led off the fourth by solving Hamels to rightfield to narrow the Phils lead to 2-1.

Both teams then went scoreless until outfielder Cody Ross led off the eighth inning against Hamels by tying the game with a homer to rightfield.

Aside from Howard’s RBIs, the Phillies could muster no offense whatsoever against Johnson or the Marlins bullpen the rest of the way.  The closest the Phils came was in the eleventh inning when they managed to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs.  But pinch hitter Chris Coste struck out to end the threat.

Johnson, who replaced lefthander Andrew Miller as scheduled starter, went 6 2/3 innings in his second start since his return from reconstructive elbow surgery. He threw 92 pitches allowing seven hits and two runs while walking 3 and striking out 4.

Hamels was excellent through eight innings with the 2 runs against him coming on homers.  The offense, however, failed dismally in support.  It was Hamels’ 9th straight start lasting at least seven innings.  He threw 96 pitches, allowed 4 hits including the 2 homers while walking 2 and striking out 7.

AP Sports Writer Steven Wine describes the eleventh inning for Yahoo sports;

Alfredo Amezaga led off the 11th with a single against [losing pitcher] Clay Condrey (2-2), and Hanley Ramirez walked on a 3-2 pitch. Jeremy Hermida bunted to Condrey, who looked to third base before throwing late to first, and the infield single loaded the bases.

Cantu singled on a 1-1 pitch and was mobbed by his teammates.

Florida’s [winning pitcher] Doug Waechter (2-2) struck out pinch hitter Chris Coste with runners at second and third to end the top of the 11th.

For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Sunday’s games, click here.

The Phils have another day off on Monday before headed to the Big Apple on Tuesday for a 3 game early MUST WIN confrontation against the Mets with the NL East lead on the line, followed by a brief 3 games at home against 4th place  Atlanta.  In Tuesday’s opener against the Mets, new acquisition Joe Blanton (acquired from the Oakland A’s for 3 minor league prospects) is opposed by Pedro Martinez who has been pounded around through the league this season.

For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Monday and Tuesday’s games, click here and here.

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It’s gonna be an interesting 2nd half of the season in the NL Central Division as the Chicago Cubs duke it out with the Milwaukee Brewers after each club acquired a now former AL elite pitcher; CC Sabathia by the Brewers and yesterday, Rich Harden by a Cubs team possessed with ending their 100-year drought (or is that cursed) without a World Series title.

With the Cubs acquisition of Harden, they feel that they now have the one-two punch in starting pitching; Harden and All-Star Carlos Zambrano, to match Milwaukee’s starting duo of Sabathia and Ben Sheets.

On paper, the comparison looks good.  And in addition, the Cubs acquired starter/reliever Chad Gaudin who is 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA in 26 games in both starter and reliever roles.

AP Sports Writer Rick Gano outlines and gives background on the 6 player deal for Yahoo sports;

Chicago… sent promising right-hander Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson to the A’s.

Harden, eligible to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season. He’s scheduled to make $4.75 million this season.

“We will have the rights for a year and a half, so that’s the other advantage of him not being a free agent,” Hendry said. “He has an option that could vest, or we could pick up the option or we could arbitrate. So he certainly has a chance to be a Cub through the end of next year.”

The oft-injured Harden missed a month earlier this season because of a right shoulder strain. It was his sixth trip to the disabled list in his six-year career.

“Obviously there’s some risk involved. He’s missed some time but he’s never had any surgery,” Hendry said. “We did extensive work with their doctors.”

The Cubs said they expected Harden to join the team Wednesday and pitch either Friday or Saturday at Wrigley Field against the San Francisco Giants.

“This gives us another weapon,” Piniella said. “He’ll fit in here really nice. Let’s keep him healthy and pitching and go from there.”

The Cubs won the NL Central last season but were swept out of the playoffs by Arizona. Without a World Series appearance since 1945 and without a title since 1908, they are obviously making a strong push. The team is also expected to be sold by the end of the season.

For the Cubs, the health of the oft-injured Harden is of prime concern, but his price tag, at $4.75 million this season, is substantially less than Sabathia’s $9 million for 2008.

As with Sabathia, it will be interesting to see how Harden adjusts to the differences between the leagues, including the smaller strike zone.  By the way, Sabathia, who overcame wildness walking 5, went six innings to win in his Brewers debut as Milwaukee beat the Colorado Rockies by a 7-3 score.

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The Cleveland Indians, staring free agency in the face for 28 year old ace 2007 Cy Young winner CC Sabathia (6-8, 3.83 ERA), pulled the trigger on a deal trading Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfield prospect Matt LaPorta, minor league pitchers lefthander Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson and a player to be named later.

Related report;
Prospects analysis for Sabathia trade, by Jonathan Mayo (MLB.com)

PA Sportsticker contributing writer Todd Krepop provides background on the deal for Yahoo sports;

The Indians entered the 2008 season with hopes of winning their first World Series title since 1948 as they returned every key player from last year’s team that finished a game short of reaching the World Series.

But injuries to sluggers Travis Hafner (shoulder) and Victor Martinez (elbow and hamstring), and starters Fausto Carmona (hip) and Jake Westbrook (elbow), along with one of the worst bullpens in the majors, forced Cleveland and General Manager Mark Shapiro to start looking at 2009 and beyond as the Indians fell into last place in the American League Central Division.

“With four players on the DL and disappointing performances in the bullpen leave us in the juncture we are at,” Shapiro said.

Cleveland and Sabathia talked about a contract extension prior to spring training, but were never close to an agreement. With Sabathia set to test the free agent market at the end of the season, Shapiro felt it would be better to trade Sabathia for prospects instead of collecting two draft-picks if Sabathia left as a free agent.

“We made a trade that we thought would be of great value,” Shapiro said. “With the uncertainty that draft picks are three-to-five years away from contributing, we thought it was important to explore trade alternatives.”

Shapiro said seven teams expressed interest in the burly lefthander and he felt that there was more value to trading Sabathia now than waiting to July 31 - the trading deadline.

The key to the deal for Cleveland is LaPorta, who was seventh overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player draft. LaPorta was rated the Brewers top prospect entering the season by Baseball America and hasn’t disappointed. The 23-year-old has hit 20 home runs and has 66 RBI in 84 games at Class AA Huntsville of the Southern League.

“(LaPorta) has the potential to be a run-producing corner for years on our team,” Shapiro said. “He has already proven to be one of the best hitters in the minors and we feel he can be one of our core players going forward.”

LaPorta will report to the Indians Class AA affiliate in Akron, Ohio on Tuesday. LaPorta will start in the outfield, but will also see action at first base, a position he played at the University of Florida.

“We have a (need) for impact players,” said Shapiro. “Hopefully we lessened that need today.”

Bryson, who is 20, will report to Class A Lake County. The righthander is 3-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 22 games and has struck out 73 batters in 55 innings. Bryson started the season as a starter, but moved to the bullpen where he has collected five saves.

“He has a good arm and a dominant track record and high strikeouts,” Shapiro said.

Jackson, who appeared in two games with the Brewers this year, will report to Class AAA Buffalo. Jackson was 1-5 with a 7.85 at AAA Nashville.

“We feel he is a guy that adds depth to our bullpen,” Shapiro said.

Even with the Indians heading towards a possible last place finish, Shapiro is hopeful that Cleveland will rebound next year.

“The bulk of our talent is still here,” he said. “Good times are coming ahead. I have a feeling we will contend for a division title next year.”

Time will tell if Sabathia is able to adjust to the change in leagues and strike zones and can make an impact on the Brewers’ second half of the 2008 season.

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