Phils Swept by Marlins

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The Phillies got blown out 12-3 yesterday in an embarrassingly sloppy game at Citizens Bank Park. I was in attendance during yesterday's game against the Marlins and I am disgusted by what I saw: a Phillies team that seems to be falling apart.

Jamie Moyer gave up only 2 earned runs in 5 innings, but he also gave up 11 hits in what should be his last start this season. The Phillies bats managed only three runs in the ball game. The Phillies need to start hitting the ball with runners in scoring position.

In the 7th inning, home plate umpire Ed Rapuano threw Shane Victorino out of the ball game from centerfield. Victorino raised his hands in the air after a borderline strike from Rodrigo Lopez was called a ball. Rapuano threw Shane out of the game, and Victorino ran up from centerfield and got in Rapuano's face. Several players had to hold Victorino back from Rapuano, clearly afraid Shane was going to harm Rapuano.

I have never seen a umpire throw a guy out of the game for putting his hands up in the field. Rapuano has never been good at calling balls and strikes (that was on display the previous half inning during Howard's at-bat). Shane Victorino should not be suspended or fined under any means. If anything, Rapuano should be disciplined.

After the confrontation, we fans at the Bank booed every call Rapuano made. Believe me, Rapuano was really getting it from the fans. The fans also taunted Rapuano by chanting "Vic-to-ri-no!" over and over again.

Jayson Werth took over center field for Victorino. Werth made an atrocious play when a grounder went directly under his glove with the bases loaded. Three runs scored and the Phils were mentally done.

Brad (7.24 ERA) Lidge comes into the game in the ninth with the Phils down 9-3. Even in a completely no-pressure situation, Lidge gave up three runs in the ninth... not exactly how your closer should pitch.

Brad Lidge should not be the closer. He comes in and is almost guaranteed to give up a run or two. Lidge should not be put in a close game. They need to find another guy in the bullpen to step up because Lidge should be relegated to mop-up duty.

Charlie Manuel held a 20-minute meeting after the game, clearly frustrated with how his team is performing.

Manuel: "I can tell you this. I was upset by the way we played today. I thought we lost our composure and did things we don't normally do. We can do much better. We're not the team you saw on the field today.'' If you want to make a playoff run (or the playoffs at all), you better be.

Lee Wins Home Debut; Happ To Stay in Rotation

Cliff Lee has arrived at Citizens Bank Park. He lead the Phillies to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. Lee gave up only one run in 7 innings, striking out 9. Paul Bako, who has been a solid pick-up, smashed a homer.

In his first two starts, Lee has been as advertised. If he can continue pitching well, the Phils playoff rotation will be just fine. And J. A. Happ better be in it.

General Manager Rueben Amaro Jr. has confirmed that Happ will stay in the rotation, even if Pedro Martinez is ready to pitch, after his complete game shutout last night.

Amaro: "Happ's not going anywhere. He deserves to stay in the rotation. He's pitched very well. He's probably been our most effective starter." Indeed he has, Mr. Amaro.

Amaro: "We still haven't made a decision, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that six guys could pitch in our rotation." Well, pitching coach Rich Dubee doesn't like the idea, nor does Charlie Manuel. I might call that "out of the realm of possibility."

What is not out of the realm of possibility is that Jamie Moyer should move to the bullpen in favor of Pedro. I have been saying this for days, so I'm not going to restate my reasons. Don't release Moyer, just in case Pedro fizzles out.

The reason I don't like the 6-man rotation is because it is giving two rotation spots to over-the-hill pitchers. I'd rather have Pedro and Hamels than Pedro then Moyer. The 5th starter job should be given to either Moyer or Martinez, not both.

Happ Throws Complete Game; Pedro With 11 Ks

J. A. Happ has just secured his spot in the rotation according to everyone watching the game tonight. The 26-year old has just tossed his second career complete game shutout. Happ shut out the Rockies 7-o. The Phillies bats exploded with three homers (Pedro Feliz, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth).

Happ struck out 10 in the game, giving up only 4 hits in his masterful performance. I don't care if Pedro is ready to go, Happ should not lose his spot in the rotation. Just for the record, Jamie Moyer has 0 complete game shutouts this season. Happ has 2.

Happ was hitting the corner all night long, even in the 9th inning. He struck out Troy Tulowitzki looking for the final out of the inning. The fans at the Bank exploded after that pitch, showing appreciation for Happ's gem.

Pedro Martinez threw 82 pitches through 6 innings for Double-A Reading. He struck out 11, clearly having no control problems. He did give up 2 earned runs.

John Finger of CSN wrote this on Pedro: "Featuring a nasty hook and a changeup that was too much for minor leaguers to handle, Martinez picked up 11 strikeouts and threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 23 hitters he faced." He's ready for the Majors.

After Happ's performance, Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee should make the decision and remove Jamie Moyer from the rotation and put Pedro in his spot. That is the only logical solution. Pedro should get his shot and Happ clearly deserves his spot. Moyer is the odd man out.

The Pedro Question

Phillies management will have some upcoming decisions to make regarding their starting rotation. Pedro Martinez is starting tonight for Double-A Reading and could be in the Phils rotation as early as next Tuesday according John Finger of CSN. If Pedro is in, then who is out?

The likely candidate to exit the rotation and join the bullpen is 26-year old lefty J. A. Happ. Happ has pitched well in the rotation, going 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 25 games this season. Happ deserves to be in the rotation, and there is a pitcher 20-years older than him who I think should move to the bullpen.

Jamie Moyer is a fan favorite who has 10 wins this season. The problem with Moyer is that he is inconsistent. Last night against the Rockies, Moyer gave up 6 runs in 5 innings. Don't just think I'm overreacting to one bad start.

Moyer's 5.55 ERA is second-to-last among players eligible for the ERA title. Don't let his 10-8 record fool you, Moyer is definitely the weakest link in the Phillies rotation. Moyer has given up 4 or more runs in every other start since June 17. That's just how Moyer is. Sometimes he'll go 6 and give up 3, and sometimes he'll go 5 and give up 6.

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Uncle Charlie isn't even considering moving Moyer (above) from the rotation. Here's is his explanation: "I think it's because Jamie has 10 wins and because of who he is and the fact he's won 250-some games and he's been important to us."

Just because Moyer's a veteran and he's a nice guy and a fan favorite shouldn't factor into the decision. We all like Moyer, but you have to do what's best for the team. And who know's, maybe Pedro gets hit hard in his first few starts. In that case, you put Moyer back.

That's not going to happen though. Poor J. A. Happ will be forced into the bullpen even though he has pitched really well. Rueben Amaro Jr. said they haven't ruled out a 6-man rotation. Pitching coach Rich Dubee has nixed the idea, however.

Maclin Finally Signs

The Eagles have finally signed their first round pick (19th overall) Jeremy Maclin to a 5-year deal worth $15.5 million, a little over $9 million guaranteed. Many Eagle fans (including me) are relived that Maclin will finally join the team.

Maclin is an explosive player who will have some impact catching the ball and returning the punts. He is like DeSean Jackson, and hopefully he will have the same kind of impact Jackson had on the Eagles offense last year this year.

Maclin will have to study up extra hard on the Eagles complicated offense, being that he missed the team's first 15 practices.

Maclin: “I pick up things very easily. I think I’m smart and I can do things like that. I’m going to take what I learned in minicamp and hopefully translate it out here.” Hopefully, Jeremy, hopefully.

Here's DeSean Jackson about the time that Maclin missed: “It’s definitely crucial – the time he’s missed. I’m not saying he’s not going to be able to come in and pick up things and get going. But definitely the time he’s missed is a crucial period of time. Vets, selected vets and all the rookies – we went through it already, so our bodies are kind of in shape now. Those first couple days, it’s nothing you can just bypass. It’s work you have to get through. Hopefully he has to come in with the mentality that he has to get right on it.”

Eagle Nation hopes the Maclin is a fast leaner and can catch up with the team right away.

Bradley Out for the Season

Sorry I couldn't post about this topic earlier in the week, but my computer was having technical difficulties. The Eagles are having some difficulties as well (but not of the same kind). Middle linebacker Steward Bradley is out for the season with a tore ACL. Joe Mays will likely take his starting job.

First of all, Bradley sustained this injury at Eagles Flight Night, a promotional event at the Linc. The event is basically a practice with fans and giveaways. A night that was supposed to be fun for Eagles fans has turned out to be anything but.

Head coach Andy Reid was steamed at a press conference when asked about Bradley's injury. He said he would not confirm it even after the team and Bradley's agent had already done so. He then went on an apparent tirade on the media for essentially doing their job.

Reid: “We won’t talk about injuries today. Some of your colleagues here decided that they would go to the players and/or other personnel here and ask about injuries. I made a pact with you guys when I first got here that I would disclose to you the injuries – just stay away from the players, stay away from other personnel in the organization, and I would take care of you with that."

Does Reid understand that a reporter's livelihood is interviewing players and/or personnel. Also I'd like to know more about this "pact" made between Reid and Eagles reporters. Is there a signed contract somewhere that we should know about?

This is just Andy being his old ignorant self. He is a control freak who wants to manipulate any news coming out of Eagles camp. Reid doesn't give a crap about us fans. We deserve to know about a injury to a key defensive player. We pay your salary through paying to see you coach, the least you could do is acknowledge a injury of this magnitude.

Another problem I have with Reid (and these are starting to pile up) is why he is blaming the reporters. Maybe he should blame Bradley's agent or the his bosses in the front office. The Eagles organization did acknowledge an injury to Bradley.

To say the least, I'm am not a big Andy fan. This may be me being cynical about the Eagles (wouldn't be the first time), but this has not been a good start to camp.

NHL Investigating Flyers

According to ESPN, the NHL is investigating the contract the Flyers recently gave to defensemen Chris Pronger. They are also looking into the contract given to the Blackhawks Marian Hossa. The NHL thinks the Flyers and Blackhawks may be trying to circumvent the collective bargaining agreement.

The NHL will hire a outside firm to see if the Flyers discussed when Pronger would retire as they were negotiating his contract. Pronger's deal will give him $7.6 million the first year and the second year; $7.2 million the third year; $7 million the fourth year; $4 million the fifth year; and $525 thousand in the final two years. Since the hit the Flyers will take on the cap is the average yearly salary of the contract, the Flyers will only have to absorb a little under $5 million a year.

The NHL believes that Pronger told the Flyers when he would like to retire, and the Flyers added on the extra few years so that the cap hit would be less. It is a clear lope hole in the collective bargaining agreement. The NHL is worried that these GMs (like Paul Holmgren) are using these front-loaded deals so that they would have more money under the cap.

I don' think the NHL could possibly prove their argument. How are they going to figure out how the Flyers negotiating the Pronger deal? The punishment for the Flyers could be fines and/or loss of draft picks..

Lee Masterful in Debut

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Cliff Lee has arrived, ladies and gentleman. Lee's first start as a Phillie came last night against the Giants. He pitched his third complete game in four starts last night, giving up only 1 run in a 5-1 Phillies victory.

Lee didn't even allow a hit until the 6th inning, by which time Lee himself had already recorded a hit. Lee later said that he was happy he didn't throw a no-hitter in his first start as a Phillie, "I'm kinda glad I didn't throw a no-hitter. If I did that the first time, I'd have to live up to some high expectations." Yeah, but a no-hitter would be pretty sweet way to introduce yourself to the fans.

Cliff later hit a double off the centerfield wall that was this close to a homer: "I got the first hit and I was pretty pumped about that but you get a double off the wall in the opposite-field gap, I totally never expected that."

"I felt comfortable. It's a loose clubhouse, everybody's nice. It was an easy transition for me," Lee said. "When I get on the field, I can just throw to the mitt and everything else is kind of irrelevant. I wasn't ever nervous or anything. I felt good about getting that first inning out of the way, getting that first guy out and putting up a zero." Great first impression, Cliff.