The new park is fine. But honestly, all these new parks are starting to look the same to me. A little brick here, a kid's playground there, and some BBQ joint with a famous blue collar ex-player (in this case, Greg Luzinski, the Baby Bull). But it's a good park. Great views of the city in the background, the aforementioned bullpen 5 feet from the crowd, good sight lines (I've been in the nosebleeds twice and found my view to be great), jumbotron with amazing resolution, and lots of brick. Most importantly, it's light years ahead of the Vet. Oh, one other cool feature which I haven't seen anywhere else. The scoreboard in the outfield shows you not only the score and pitcher in each game around the league, but also how many outs and if there are men on base. Pretty cool. If you go I recommend the following meal: Crab fries BBZ pork sandwich from Luzinski's helmet sundae with hot fudge
Oh yeah, one funny story about the park. A few weeks ago my wife and I decide to take two of her single girlfriends out to the bars in Philly. At one point I left to go to the bathroom, and of course two guys are hitting on the girls when I get back. One of the girls says to me, "Hey, you should talk to this guy -- he was the lead architect on the new stadium!" Now, I suppose it's possible that he's an architectural genius or something, but the guys was no more than 35. And he totally had this look on his face when she said this like, "Dude, you and I both know we stretch the truth when we're at the bars -- don't blow my cover." It was pretty classic. So I just played along. And it was clear he had worked on it in some capacity -- I just doubt he was in charge. One interesting fact he shared with me -- the seats behind home plate are closer than any other park in the league.
I was actually surprised they won, but good for them...now, the key is consistency...if they can win the next two, they awesome...if not, all is lost...
what?? i thought we were brothers!!!! mom's gonna be pissed at you for being rude to me in public. you know what she always says, "it's a strange bird that dirties his own nest!!!" nice goin, codell. i'm telling!
Clemens leaves in top of 4th inning after singling in 2 runs. minor leg injury while running to first. weathers now in. just for argument's sake if clemens misses a start here would be the next five starters. hernandez, backe, munro, oswalt and ??? btw weathers gave up a long ball to the 2nd batter he faced. man is he consistent - he sux every time out there.
What a weird game already. Phillies tee of for 4 runs in 3 innings off Clemens, Astros stage a huge 6 run 4th inning to take the lead, led by a bases loaded single by Clemens, who injures himself running to second. Pretty bad luck for Roger, after he himself gives the Stros the lead, but he won't be able to get the win. When was the last time we scored 7 runs? In the first 4 innings? And so we get to see Weathers in the 4th inning. Freaking fantastic. There goes a home run already. 7-5, still. So umm, when does Roy pitch again?
Weathers... is becoming like clockwork. In the bad way. How can somebody who's had a fairly productive/lengthy career be this bad consistently? I understand a slump here or there, but this guy looks almost as if he's scared to pitch out there.
Serious enough to take him out of the game... and knowing the warrior that Clemens is, that's saying a lot. He's actually had a sore knee for awhile now... and he was wearing a brace on it that football players use. Also, add to the fact that his best bud is now out for the season, and you know he's gotta be bummed about that. EDIT: They just said it was a strained right calf... not his knee.
Unbelievable. My entire fantasy pitching staff, which kicked tail this year, has been left in a state of ruin in less than 24 hours. Millwood first, and in the last day Pettitte, Schmidt and Clemens. Still though, what a base knock by Clemens in that situation. I'm just watching the box score online occassionally... I knew it had to be an injury when they let him hit then immediately called in a pinch-runner. Wish I could be watching the game.
It was a big knock... JD and BB were postivie that he'd be taking the 3-1 pitch... and when he swung away, it looked oh-so-good off the bat. His hitting this year in those situations has been amazing (I believe he's now 3-3 with the bases loaded).
Beltran is damn clutch! 2nd and 3rd and no outs became bases loaded with 2 outs. Beltran delivers a double off the wall- Lane is thrown out at the plate, but 2 runs score to give the lead, 9-8.
As questionable as it was to leave Palmeiro in to face the lefty Cormier, it was just as baffling to leave Cormier in to face Beltran (Carlos is now 4-5 against him... and he seems to K less when batting right-handed). Of course, this is how our lineup should have been more often than not this season... always putting pressure on the pitcher when he lets runners on base.
As questionable as it was to leave Palmeiro in to face the lefty Cormier, it was just as baffling to leave Cormier in to face Beltran (Carlos is now 4-5 against him... and he seems to K less when batting right-handed). Now you know why us Philly fans detest Larry Bowa!!
What a wacky game... Just a premonition, but I have a feeling that tonight might be Brad Lidge's first blown save as a closer. (facing Polanco, Abreu, and Thome... basically the only three sluggers the Phillies have in their lineup right now) Lets hope that "Lights Out" proves me wrong. EDIT: Phew... "Lights Out" proves me wrong... but just BARELY!
