At this point in his career, Pedro is a at best a guy who can give you a few good innings. If the Phillies were looking for someone to fill the role that Chan Ho Park has had or going to use him as an additional set up man, I could see signing him. But their intentions are to put him in their rotation.

I hope he proves me wrong, but I just do not feel as though Pedro has anything left in the tank. I hope he does not kiss away our season like he did for the Mets the last two years.

It has been a slamming first half for the Phillies who today, hit their 7th Grand Slam of 2009.  Three went to Ryan Howard and then one a piece to Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, and today, Pedro Feliz.  Howard had a chance at a slam early in the 1st inning this afternoon, but hit a sac fly instead.  But then Feliz came to bat later that same inning and took care of the salami for him.  The five runs in that inning were the only offense of the day for the Phils, but that was all they needed to sweep this 3-game series with the Pirates.

Today’s 5-2 win made this a 9-1 home stand for the Phillies who had struggled most of the year at home.  It also marked the 3rd most wins during any home stand in history for the Phillies.  The pitching and offense finally worked together; sprinkle in some great defense, like the three double plays turned today, and things are looking very bright for this team going into the break.

And as usual, JA Happ did an outstanding job on the mound.  Happ went 7 innings and allowed just one run.  There have been many rumors lately about Happ being involved in a possible trade for Roy Halladay, but it seems like it would be a foolish move to make.  Happ has been the most consistent starter since he was handed the job and he is unwavering on the mound when under pressure.  We would all like to see Halladay in Philly, but losing Happ is too steep a price.

So the All-Star break is now upon us.  Here is a rundown of the major events in St. Louis:

Monday, 7/13:  Home Run Derby featuring the Phillies’ Ryan Howard and Workout Day.  The Derby begins at 7pm.

Tuesday, 7/14:  Red Carpet Parade, 2pm

80th All-Star Game, 7pm

After that, the Phillies will have just one day off (Wednesday) and have to return to play a day earlier than all but one other team, the Florida Marlins.  Due to an NFL scheduling conflict, a Phillies-Marlins game that was to take place in September, has been moved to Thursday, 7/16 in Miami at 7:10pm.  Hopefully, the shortened break for the Phillies will have no effect.

But for now, get ready to cheer on Howard at the Derby tomorrow night!

Feliz Photo by Jenn

Howard had some help though; Raul Ibanez, in his first start since coming off the DL, doubled after Howard’s home run; it was Ibanez’s 2nd hit of the night.  After that, Pedro Feliz singled, Jayson Werth was walked to load the bases and Paul Bako stepped to the plate.  You may be asking, Bako who?  Bako, in his 12th year in the majors and playing for his 10th different team as a back-up catcher, made name for himself in Philly tonight.  He whacked a single through a hole in the infield, scoring Ibanez and giving the Phils an 8-7 win.  Bako is batting only .214 and his lifetime average hovers right around only .230, but that did not matter tonight.  With his second hit of the game, he got the job done.

The Phillies really needed some heroics tonight after Cole Hamels had another bad outing.  In 6 innings, Hamels allowed 6 runs on 7 hits, which included 3 home runs.  Hamels even allowed a home run to Andrew McCutchen, who had only 1 homer the entire year until tonight.  Another went to Delwyn Young, who in a 4 year career, had only 5 home runs until Hamels helped him to #6.  Can you say BAD location?  Apparently, Hamels can and we all wish he would unlearn that particular phrase.

The bullpen had a bad night too; Chad Durbin allowed 2 runs, one of which scored when Scott Eyre came in to relieve him and walked a run home; a combination bad effort.  But we are all entitled to have bad days, and for the Phillies pitchers, this was certainly one of those; especially since it came against the Pirates.  But it was all erased with the outpouring of offense late in the game.

Only one game left before the All-Star break!  The Pirates will try to salvage a game and the Phillies will try to stop them; 1:35pm tomorrow.

Sale At The Spectrum

Did anyone else attend the Spectrum sale earlier today?  I was there and oh boy, what a mess!  For the first time ever, the Phillies, Sixers and Flyers joined forces to host a blow-out sale of discontinued merchandise at low prices.  I spoke to a Spectrum representative as the horror was unfolding and he told me that they were expecting, and only prepared for, 500 people.  What they got was thousands upon thousands and as a result, a lot of very unhappy customers.  Check out lines, which began with 2 cashiers on each side (Phillies side & Sixers/Flyers side) took hours to get through.  No exaggeration…hours.  And it was like watching cattle being herded; the small shopping area was jam packed with shoulder-to-shoulder shoppers and you could barely move.  Meanwhile, thousands of other shoppers formed a line outside the building waiting to be let in.

I got there early, as I expected a crowd, unlike the Spectrum management, so I did get in with the first group and got some pretty cool stuff.  But, it took me over 2 hours, with help, to do so.  Most of the merchandise was old playoff gear, but a few nice finds were there.  And the lines began to thin out after the management added a cash only line and a few more cashiers.  I do believe that next year, they will be a bit more prepared.  At any rate, it was a real adventure.

Photos by Jenn

Tonight's lineups are below. Game chat is in the comments section.

Lineups 7/11/09:

Pirates:

1. McCutchen CF
2. Sanchez 2B
3. Jones LF
4. Doumit C
5. Young RF
6. LaRoche Ad 1B
7. LaRoche An 3B
8. Wilson SS
9. Ohlendorf P

Phillies:

1. Rollins SS
2. Victorino CF
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Ibanez LF
6. Werth RF
7. Dobbs 3B
8. Bako C
9. Hamels P

And then to round out the day of weirdness, Charlie Manuel chose his outfield replacement for the All-Star game – it is Jayson Werth.  Many have questioned the selection as Werth’s batting average is below many others who could have been picked, like Matt Kemp, but it is Charlie’s team and he gets to make the decision.  The Phillies have gotten screwed several times in the past with All-Star picks, like Pat Burrell last year, so I guess what comes around, goes around.  But Werth has been great and his power numbers are excellent; many players deserve to go and he is certainly one of them.  Either way, the Phillies now have 5 players headed to St. Louis :O)

Then tonight the Phillies began a series with the Pirates.  Joe Blanton had another great start and pitched through 7 1/3 innings, allowing just 1 run, a solo homer.  It was a great job by Blanton and a real boost to the starting rotation.

The offense did not score much, but got just enough to win the game for Blanton.  Werth rewarded Manuel for his All-Star decision by smacking a 2-run double in the 3rd inning.  Shane Victorino did the same for the fans who voted him in by going 3 for 4 on the night.  And Chase Utley, Mr. All-Star himself, had 1 hit, 1 walk and scored a run.  Final score was 3-2 with Brad Lidge getting the save, although another nerve-wracking one after he gave up a solo homer.  But, a win is a win :O)  We’ll take it.

By the way, for anyone who has been following the Friday Night Phever game on CSNPhilly.com  with Ricky Bottallico, I just won!  Whoo Hoo!

Photo by Jenn

His bat has slowed and with his hitch he struggled at the plate but I still liked him better than Paul Bako. I don't understand the Phillies thinking here. Lou Marson could be nearer in the future than expected but is he really ready? And would he not be better served finishing the year in the minors to get the at bats he needs? And who wants to see Paul Bako, another left handed hitter, come off the bench? Bruntlett and Bako, give me a break!

The Phillies got behind early against the Reds last night who scored 3 runs in the 2nd inning, but Chase Utley was not giving up so soon.  In the 3rd, Utley hit a ball which bounced off the centerfield wall as he rounded the bases; Utley was so fast that he scored standing and the Reds did not even bother throwing home.  Here are a few shots from that home run:

After that, back-to-back doubles from Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth brought the Phillies within a run.  Werth also hit a solo homer, the over-the-wall kind, in the 6th; it was his 4th consecutive game with a home run and his 20th of the season.  In fact, that home run made history for the Phillies; they are the first National League team ever to have 4 players with 20 home runs before the half way point of the season.

Jamie Moyer struggled last night, but the offense picked him up and even got him the win with a final score of 9-6.  Moyer pitched 5 innings and allowed 6 runs on 8 hits and a walk.  Chan Ho Park was amazing through 3 innings of relief pitching and did not surrender any hits.  Park has really found his groove in the pen and triumphed over his disappointment about not starting.  He appears so happy and relaxed that on Wednesday, he danced around the field with a “Vote Victorino” sign and then last night, I watched during batting practice as he played catch with a bunch of kids in the stands for a good 5 minutes.  Park has really found a home here in Philly and, more importantly, in the bullpen.

Pitching Search Heats Up

Rumors abound that the Phillies are close to a deal with former Met, Pedro Martinez.  Many teams have scouted Pedro, but none have shown any interest.  Martinez returned to the Mets in 2008 after a hamstring injury and was simply not the same pitcher after that.  No one picked him up in 2009 so he continues to try to prove he can still pitch.  In my opinion, this guy is done and the Phillies need not take out the trash.  But if you follow the Phillies, you know that they have a penchant for doing just that.  It is the trash to treasure mentality.  Sometimes it works out (ie: Scott Eyre) and sometimes, it is a disaster (ie: Freddie Garcia…the 10 million dollar disaster).  To me, Martinez is a disaster waiting to happen.  He is almost 38 years old, appears unable to recover from injury and has a long history of mental issues.  Not to mention, can every other team in major league baseball who has passed on him be wrong?  It is a scary thought.

All-Star Update

Phillies fans united this week and voted Shane Victorino into the All-Star game!  Victorino thanked the fans last night as he waved to the crowd during warm-ups.   He will join teammates Utley, Ibanez and Howard in St. Louis for his first All-Star experience.  Congratulations to Shane!!!!!

And as always, here is a Photo Album from last night’s game.  I did not have great seats, so these are not as fun as the ones I usually post, but it is a different perspective :O)

Photos by Jenn

This was the time to sign a low risk high reward pitcher like Pedro Martinez to see if he could actually contribute or if he is completely done. Some five weeks later and 21 days before the trade deadline, rumors are surfacing about the Phillies being close to a deal with the future hall of famer.

Why now? If you were going to take this risk, at least give Pedro the chance to prove that he could still pitch at the major league level while giving yourself enough time to pursue another option. Leaving my personal feelings about Pedro aside (I think he is washed up and a bad fit for the Phillies clubhouse), he claims he feels better than he has in a long time. Take that with a grain of salt. When was the last time you went on a job interview and told the boss that you were not up to doing a job? The Phillies scouts watched his mechanics, pitches, location, and the speed of his pitches. The problem with that is that the Pedro of recent years has been good for 3, 4, or 5 innings before giving up a monster inning. There is no way to know what Martinez can do until he starts 4 or 5 games. At this time that would not be until August, after the non waiver trade deadline.

What to do? The Martinez signing would have been a good deal a month ago. He would have brought experience and been able to show the Phillies whether or not he could contribute going down the stretch. Now, signing him gives the Phillies a cheap way out and a place to point their finger when they say they tried to get the team the pitching it needed. In my opinion this is no good. The Philadelphia Phillies need to go out and get a quality pitcher in his prime that will contribute. Not another "if he is healthy he may be what we need." Stop making excuses about the trade market, the cost of the player, or who they will have to trade and just make the deal that makes the team a winner!

In other news, according to news coming out of the Dominican Republic, Pedro Martinez is close to signing a deal with the Phillies. Say it ain't so! I will share more news and my opinion on it as things become more clear.

Lineups are below. Game chat is in the comments section.

Lineups 7/9/09:

Reds:

1. Taveras CF
2. Dickerson RF
3. Votto 1B
4. Phillips 2B
5. Hernandez C
6. Gomes LF
7. Encarnacion 3B
8. Janish SS
9. Owings P

Phillies:

1. Rollins SS
2. Victorino CF
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Werth RF
6. Dobbs LF
7. Feliz 3B
8. Ruiz C
9. Moyer P