What happened?
J.A. Happ was solid, but Ryan Madson’s struggles continued as the Phillies got swept for the third time in the last five series, falling into a first place tie with the Florida Marlins.
Who did what?
J.A. Happ gave up two runs in seven innings in the no decision. He gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out five.
Jimmy Rollins went 2 for 4.
Chase Utley went 1 for 4 with a run.
Greg Dobbs went 2 for 3 with two doubles (5) and an RBI.
Ryan Madson (2-4) gave up three runs on three hits in one inning.
Javier Vasquez gave up two runs in 5.1 innings on seven hits. He didn’t walk a batter and he struck out five.
Matt Diaz went 3 for 4 with a double (7), 2 runs and an RBI.
Garret Anderson went 1 for 1 with a homer (5) and two RBIs.
Casey Kotchman went 2 for 2 with a homer (3) and 2 RBIs.
Mike Gonzalez (3-0) earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning. He walked and struck out one.
Rafael Soriano pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh save of the season.
What does this mean?
In times like this, I like to reflect upon the good, if sparse, fortune that befalls the Phillies. Lately, good fortune has been hard to come by, so whenever a glimmer of hope appears, I feel it’s necessary to talk about it. So shall be tonight’s recap.
After going nine shutout innings his last time out, J.A. Happ is very quietly turning into a big league pitcher. While many viewed Happ as a six inning pitcher that could keep the score clos, Younger James has proven to be much, much more than that. Tonight’s game was a perfect example of just how good this kid is. He got into trouble in the second and seventh innings, but escaped unfazed. He doesn’t have the the fanfare of a Carrasco or a Drabek, but what he does have is turning him into a legitimite threat in the rotation. Twice in the past week he has been asked to end a losing streak, and twice he has answered.
While Happ was busy lowering his ERA, Jimmy Rollins was breaking out of his career worst 0 for 28 slump with two singles. It isn’t much, but life from Jimmy Rollins is nearly unquantifiable. While the Phillies have a far better record when Rollins is crossing the plate, just knowing that he is going to produce at the top of the lineup can do wonders from top to bottom.
What’s next for our heroes?
The New York Mets come to town for a three game set, with Rodrigo Lopez (No record) taking on Livan Hernadez (5-3, 4.04) in game one.
12 Comments on “July 2 Game Recap: Braves 5, Phillies 2”
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July 3rd, 2009 at 2:24 am
Nothing against you Dash, but I’m gonna puke.
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 am
I went to the bar right after they tied the game… I just had this nagging feeling I was going to need to be some place where there were massive amounts of beer readily available.
And hey, Ryan Madson – Please lose that stupid fucking cutter AND THROW YOUR FUCKING CHANGE-UP ONCE IN A WHILE.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:54 am
A couple of things…
1) Nice to see J-Roll hit the ball, and get on base to break up the longest 0-For in his career.
2) J.A. Happ is truly looking like a gem, pitching well consistently. I think he’s going to be the Number Two Guy on the staff given enough time.
3) Ryan Howard seems to have lost some of his power, failing to launch a longball, and do what he’s paid to do.
4) Jayson Werth, he worked some great counts at the plate today, making the pitcher work. He had a 9 pitch at-bat in the 6th. He saw 27 pitches in four at-bats total, that’s an average of 8 pitches an at-bat.
5) Paul Bako is pretty much worthless.
6) Ryan Madson needs to retire that fucking Cutter, immediately. Everytime he throws it, it fails epically. Face it Mad-Dog, you aren’t Mariano Rivera, stop throwing it.
The NL EAST is now a four team race, after it looked like the Phils could walk away with the division earlier on. My confidence in this team is starting to wear thin. I think it’s close to time to hit the panic button. The deadline for my prediction will be the same as the trade deadline. If the Phils are quiet in trades, then I think we’ll be quiet in the Playoffs.
All in all… it doesn’t look good my friends. Not good at all.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:19 am
P.S. Anyone else think we should be bothering Cleveland every five minutes with a trade request for Cliff Lee? That guy can tear it up if he’s got a good supporting cast, and the Phils could be that supporting cast.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:19 am
The shitty thing is, even if we get Cliff Lee, Hamels needs to get his shit together in order for this team to have any success. But if Hamels does return to form that could be a nasty 1-2-3.
Hamels
Lee
Happ
And Blanton-Moyer wouldn’t be such a bad 4 and 5. That being said. Shoot me.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:27 am
if you told me a month ago we were going to be tied with the Marlins I would have laughed. The way we’re playing now I don’t think i’d be surprised when we’re tied with the Nats
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
I don’t get it. And I get sick of the defense that ‘they did the same thing at the same time last year.’ Because they didn’t. Their offense vamoosed last year around this time, but the 2 of the starters had 7 or 8 wins at this point in spite of the lack of run support, and the bullpen was the TITS.
This team just toots on cock in between eating massive handfuls of FUCKING DOGSHIT.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 am
I hesitate to anoint Jay Happ as a number two or any thing that substantial at this point. If that’s the case, the Phils need a front line starter NOW. He could become this (hell, he might already be) but he’s gonna need the entire season to triangulate where his upside will reside. Hamels, as has been for a while, is the key. I think Blanton will smooth out by August and maybe some of the kids will pan out for the fifth spot, but Happ is still unproven in my mind although he is raising hopes legitimately.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:14 am
John Lackey
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:54 am
Aaron Harang. Seriously, no one ever thinks about Harang. The Reds are going to fall off in July, and Harang is going to be available.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
@Dash Treyhorn The reds really need a right handed power bat so maybe Mayberry’s small sample size will entice them.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
@Chris I made this suggestion last week:
Mayberry/Carrasco/Savery
for
Aaron Harang
Jerry Hairston Jr.
It might seem like the Phils are giving up too much, but Harang’s contract runs thru 2010 with a club option for 2011.
I feel that clubs shouldn’t be held hostage by how good a prospect could be. Granted, there are the “untouchables,” but if a good deal comes along, anyone is available. Think back to when the Yankees tried to acquire Johan Santana. They were unwilling to part with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, and look how good that turned out for them.