Monday, August 10, 2009

Philly Sports 101

Rios Claimed by White Sox
Pedro to Start Wednesday; Moyer to 'Pen
Kolb and Cole Injured at Eagles Camp
Phillies Interested in Nomar?
Phils Swept by Marlins

Posted: 10 Aug 2009 05:58 PM PDT

Outfielder Alex Rios has been claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. The Blue Jays had been looking to dump his expensive contract somewhere and the White Sox have gladly taken in the 2-time All-Star. He was in the lineup today for the White Sox game at Yankee Stadium.

Rios is batting .264 with 14 homers and 62 RBIs. He will probably play center for the White Sox and join their already stacked outfielder with Jermaine Dye and Carlos Quentin. He should help the team and raise the Sox payroll. They already took on Jake Peavy's massive contract.

Pedro to Start Wednesday; Moyer to 'Pen

Posted: 10 Aug 2009 01:33 PM PDT

The Phillies have finally announced when Pedro Martinez will make his first start with the team. Pedro will pitch Wednesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Happ will start on Tuesday, trying to follow up his complete game shutout. Lee will wrap the series up on Thursday. And Jamie Moyer will move to the bullpen.

The Phillies have finally decided to take my idea and move Moyer to the bullpen. I was telling them to do that even before Happ pitched his complete game. Then everybody else jumped on the bandwagon. I like it when I'm right.

So, Pedro will finally make his much-anticipated Phillies debut. We, MLB fans, will finally be able to see what Pedro's got after all those starts in the Minors.

Also, the Phillies have activated reliever Chad Durbin off the DL. He has a 4.62 ERA in 42 games and should improve the Phillies 'pen.

So this brings up the question: Did I witness Jamie Moyer's last major league start? Just to remind you, I was at the Bank yesterday. If Pedro pitches well, we may never see Moyer in the rotation again. He will most likely pitch in mop-up roles in the bullpen. Sad way to see Moyer go, but the change was needed.

Kolb and Cole Injured at Eagles Camp

Posted: 10 Aug 2009 01:07 PM PDT

I didn't want to post about this topic until more information was available. I found out about the injuries this morning but I wanted to make sure everything was clarified. Backup quarterback Kevin Kolb sprained his MCL in his knee in morning practices. He will miss the first preseason game, but after that he is day-to-day.

Defensive end Trent Cole sustained an AC sprain in his left shoulder. He will also miss Thursday's game, but is day-to-day after that.

It was originally thought that these were more serious injuries. Good thing they weren't because you wouldn't want your backup quarterback and sacks leader missing significant time.

I don't no what is happening down at Eagles training camp. First, MLB Steward Bradley out for the season. Then, rookie backup TE Cornelius Ingram gone for the year. Maybe the Eagles have to stress more to their players that they need to come to camp in-shape and ready to work.

Just found out that the Eagles have signed Matt Nagy, a former top quarterback in the AFL. I guess they want some more depth at QB.

Phillies Interested in Nomar?

Posted: 10 Aug 2009 10:25 AM PDT

The Phillies have been looking for a righty infielder off the bench to replace Eric Bruntlett, and Nomar Garciaparra could be that guy. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chornicle, the Phils had a scout in Kansas City to watch Nomar's A's play the Royals.

Even though the trade deadline had passed, teams can still acquire players through waivers. When asked about whether he might OK a deal to Philly, Nomar says, "Why not?"

Nomar is batting .265 with 2 homers and 13 RBIs. Even though Nomar has been off-and-on the DL, his numbers are still much better than Bruntlett's. Bruntlett is hitting a dismal .131 with 6 RBIs.

The only reason the Phillies have Bruntlett around is because he can play a lot of positions. He is not useful as a pinch-hitter, and may not make the Phillies postseason roster if they make the playoffs.

This deal could be good for the Phillies because it would be a clear improvement over what they already have.

Phils Swept by Marlins

Posted: 10 Aug 2009 09:29 AM PDT

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillymads63/ / CC BY 2.0

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.

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