WOW! Philies grand slam! Howard, their rookie just took a 10-6 lead in the 10th. Damn Damn Damn. GRAND SALAMI!
quite pathetic how we couldn't put the pirates down until the very end but it's a win and step closer to the wc
That was really depressing to watch after enduring two comebacks by the Braves. Hopefully thw Braves get them tomorrow. The Marlins lost thanks to a walkoff single by Cairo I believe.
We can't be too greedy. Considering how most of us felt after losing the first two games to the Marlins, being up 2 over the Phils and 4 over the Marlins with only 10 games left is awesome. The Phils won't lose every close game. Remaining games for Phils: @ATL, 1 @CIN, 3 NYM, 3 @WAS, 3 Stros: @PIT, 1 @CHC, 3 @STL, 2 CHC, 4 We CLEARLY have the easier schedule. 7 more games with the Cubs? Yesssss! Letting it slip away now would be very bitter.
I think Philly has the easier schedule. We have to play St. Louis twice and Chicago hasn't been our easiest opponent this year. With Prior, Zambrano, and Maddux where we face some of those guys twice in these final games, these are not going to be easy games IMHO regardless of what the records say. We can't coast to victories. We have to be on our game.
Gotta love the small ball today. When a guy with the blazing speed of Willie T is getting on base at the top of the lineup, it doesn't take gappers or massive blasts to get runs in....especially like the approach when facing someone as tough as Duke. So far Backe has been very sharp......two keys: getting ahead in the count and throwing a very deceptive change-up more often.
Backe is having a great day on the mound. He is absolutely "deeling" - spotting his change, slidy and fasty perfectly and timely (save for that HR he gave up to Wilson). It seems like he is rounding into form for the playoffs push and playoffs proper. This guy might be trying to creat a late/post season cluctchness in Houston mastered by Bob Horry. Better now than May June.
Somehow, I don't think a one run lead is going to hold up against this Pirates club. We better get some more runs.
Top 7TH B:1 S:3 O:1 Brad Ausmus strikes out swinging. Top 7TH B:2 S:3 O:2 Brandon Backe strikes out swinging. Top 7TH B:2 S:3 O:3 Willy Taveras strikes out swinging. I was thinking that with Duke out things would be betters
Agreed, Cubs really scare me, if nothing else because you would hate that team to be the one to beat you. As for pitching, Zambrano is a stud and owns us. Prior has the potential to shut anyone down. And I wouldn't be afraid of Maddux necessarily, but if you saw the crazy calls Maddux got last time in Houston y'all would be worried too. I'd hate even more for that nonsense to happen in a must-win game.
Backe is looking pretty good in this day game. 7.0 IP, 1ER, 6K---not a bad game so far. I think he'll come back for the 8th too.
I'm a big fan of making these type of moves this late in the season. I think you should bring in your best when the worst situation hits or when the you are facing the best the other team has to offer. Why not bring Lidge in with 2 men on and two outs?
