The mastery continues.
The Phillies beat the Mets yesterday at Shea Stadium, 5-3. It's their seventh-straight victory over the Mets. It moved them 4 1/2 games behind the Mets in the NL East, and allowed them to remain 1 1/2 games behind the Padres in the NL wild-card race.
I still think the NL East is out of reach, even if the Phillies sweep the Mets with a victory this afternoon.
(And can Adam Eaton really continue to dominate the Mets?)
Concentrate on the wild card. Worry about the Padres and Dodgers. The Phillies will have to outplay them the final two weeks of the season to make the playoffs.
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Phil Sheridan said yesterday made two things clear: The Phillies could beat the Mets or anyone else in the NL in a postseason series, and they will have no one to blame but themselves if they don't get the chance.
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Jim Salisbury's Sunday baseball column looks at a couple old guys and a bunch of young guys. Also check out Extra Bases, Stats 'N' Stuff, Former Phillie File and Top Twins' Changeup.
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Carlos Beltran took a bad step, and that step cost the Mets.
So, what happened? How did Beltran, one of the better centerfielders in baseball, misjudge that ball? The Phillies immediately said Beltran must have lost the ball in the sun and shadows.
"It was terrible," Aaron Rowand said. "The sun was low. It wasn't high up. It just right over the stadium. Along with the shadows and the ball coming out of the shadows, it's tough to judge depth. Especially when somebody hits a line drive right at you. I was praying nobody hit one like that at me. If it's a night game, I guarantee you he catches that ball."
But Beltran said afterward he simply made a bad read.
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Ryan Howard struck out in the seventh inning, his 182nd strikeout this season. He shares the franchise record for strikeouts in a season with Jim Thome, who struck out 182 times in 2003.
Howard needs just 13 more strikeouts to tie the major-league record of 195, which Adam Dunn set in 2004.
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Jimmy Rollins set a career-high yesterday when he picked up his 84th RBI. He needs seven more hits and two more triples to become the first player in baseball history to have 200 hits, 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season.
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Bugs & Cranks shows us Shane Victorino's new do.
Comments (4)
did i say the phils were done last week? i'm jogging behind the bandwagon and considering grabbing on to the rear bumper. but not yet...
Posted by mike | September 16, 2007 10:43 AM
Posted on September 16, 2007 10:43
At this point, with Eaton on the hill, I suppose anything is possible. Hopefully this sets the stage for an entertaining - and grueling - next 2 weeks.
Like I said last week, Beltran is another Bobby Abreu. Flashy numbers... but seems to fade when the spotlight hits him. Like Delgado.
And, finally, Shane Victorino. Great haircut, kid. "Commando" flair. Also goes well with the condoms. Shane, to me, is the guy in class who always tried waaaaay too hard to be the funniest and craziest. I keep thinking back to that Giants game a few months ago when he intentionally ran into Omar Vizquel, got the call, and then proceeded for the next 5 minutes to try and explain the move to Vizquel - who's probably forgotten more about the game than Shane knows - while standing on second base. Wince-worthy.
Relax, dude. Stick to the shaving-cream pies. You got the job.
Mahalo.
Posted by John in LA | September 16, 2007 10:59 AM
Posted on September 16, 2007 10:59
My sense of dread with Eaton pitching today is overwhelming, but ya gotta beleive. I want him to do well because we neeed the win, but am afraid if he does, he stays in the rotation.
And are the Mets not the whinest team you ever saw? Geez.
Out on the west coast (awesome weather John) but thanks to sling box, I'm keeping up. You are right on about Shane, he really is trying waaaaay too hard.
Now if we can get some help from anyone beating San Diego.
Mike there's plenty of room, climb aboard. And I miss metsfan, LOL.
Posted by jimmymack | September 16, 2007 11:46 AM
Posted on September 16, 2007 11:46
All bandwagon stiffs, you may experience blurred vision,and if the excitement lasts more than (4)hours, please consult your Physician....You also, may have moments of severe flashbacks of past seasons...Join at your own risk.. Pitching, could cause lasting effects...One day,one game at a time. Enjoy the ride !
Posted by Pat H | September 16, 2007 11:35 PM
Posted on September 16, 2007 23:35