Ballet In The Dirt- A Philadelphia Phillies Dynasty

[PhillieFever]

Monday June 28th, 2010

Moyer Pounded As Reds Halt Phils Streak At 5

Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati- Phillies starter Jamie Moyer(5-6) just did not have it today, allowing 7 runs on 8 hits in just 3 innings pitched, as the cincinnati Reds went on to defeat the Phillies by the score of 9-5. CF Drew Stubbs had a big day for the Reds, going 2 for 5 with a home run, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored, he also stole a base. 2B Brandon Phillips also played well, launching a 2 run homer in the 7th that all but put the game away. Phillies RF Jayson Werth was tremendous in the loss, going 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 4 RBI and 2 runs scored.

News & Notes

Nats CF Nyjer Morgan has suffered a setback in his recovery from a separated shoulder, he'll be out for an additional 1-2 weeks.

37 year old Milwaukee Brewers pitcher LaTroy Hawkins is done for the year with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, he's been placed on the 60 day DL, with recovery expected to take as much as 10 months. In his place, the Brewers have called up 33 year old pitcher David Riske from Triple A Nashville.

Ryan Zimmerman's 20th homer of the season, a solo shot in the top of the 9th proved to be the difference in the ballgame, as the Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves by the score of 1-0, in a key NL East division matchup.

MLB Scoreboard

[PhillieFever]

Tuesday June 29th, 2010

1st Inning Slam By Bruce Propels Reds To Victory

Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati- Early struggles by Phillies starter JA Happ(4-7) cost him dearly, when with no outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning, Reds RF Jay Bruce crushed a grand slam to right center field, and the Reds never looked back, going on to beat the Phillies by the score of 5-1. Reds starter Matt Maloney was strong throughout, allowing a run on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4 over 8 innings pitched, improving his record to an impressive 6-2.

News & Notes

31 year old Angels reliever Jason Bulger will be out of action for about a year, due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament. He's scheduled to fly to Birmingham tomorrow to meet with Dr James Andrews, who's expected to recommend Tommy John Surgery.

Snakes reliever Chad Qualls has been placed on the 15 day DL with tendinitis is his throwing shoulder, he'll be out for about a month. His place on the roster is going to be taken by reliever Leo Rosales, who's been promoted from Triple A Reno.

The St Louis Cardinals have signed 2B Marcus Giles to a one year contract extension worth a total of $650,000.

MLB Scoreboard & Tomorrow's Matchups

[PhillieFever]

Tuesday June 29th, 2010

A-Rod Makes History With 600th Homer!

Rodriguez Connects On Historic Homer

Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY- Despite losing to the Mariners by the score of 11-7 in 14 innings, the night belonged to 34 year old Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, who with his solo homer in the bottom of the 3rd inning off of the Mariners Cliff Lee became the 7th player in the history of Major League Baseball to reach the 600 career home run mark. Rodriguez is the second fastest to the mark, doing it in 2,237 games. The only one to do it faster? The one and only Babe Ruth, who did it in 2,044 games.

[PhillieFever]

Wednesday June 30th, 2010

Halladay Gets ML Best 12th Win, As Phils Avoid Sweep

Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati- A Raul Ibanez solo homer, and an RBI double from Jayson Werth was all the offense the Phillies could muster today, but it proved to be enough, thanks to a workmanlike performance from Roy Halladay along with some clutch pitching from reliever Antonio Bastardo, as the Phillies hung on to defeat the Reds by the score of 2-1. The key moment of the game came in the 7th, where with the Phils clinging to a 1 run lead, Halladay allowed back to back hits to start the inning, giving the Reds 2nd and 3rd with nobody out, causing the Phils to bring in reliever Antonio Bastardo. With his back against the wall, Bastardo immediately struck out Jay Bruce for the first out of the inning. Bastardo then allowed an infield single to Brandon Phillips, loading the bases with just one out. After a brief conversation with pitching coach Rich Dubee, Antonio struck out Yonder Alonso and Chris Dickerson, ending the inning and the threat, the Reds would never threaten again and the Phillies would not be swept.

News & Notes

Oakland A's catcher Kurt Suzuki had himself quite a day on Wednesday, going 5 for 5 with a home run, 2 RBI and a run scored, leading his team to a 15-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Pirates 2B was an RBI machine today, going 4 for 5 with a triple, a homer, and 7 RBI, as Pittsburgh defeated the Cubs by the score of 10-3.

Hitting just .208 in limited duty, Braves catcher David Ross is not a happy camper, and rumors around the clubhouse have Ross being dealt any day, stay tuned...

The Philadelphia Phillies have announced that 5th round draft pick Lynwood Pope has rejected the team's final offer and plans to enter college in the fall. An elite high school pitcher, Pope had made it clear before the draft that he intended to go to college. For that reason, he was still on the board when the Phillies were up in the 5th round and they decided to take a chance on him, unfortunately for them, it didn't work out.

MLB Scoreboard/ Tomorrow's Matchups

[PhillieFever]

MLB Award Winners For June 2010

American League

21 year old Tigers starter Rick Porcello had himself quite a month, going 5-0 with 17 strikeouts and a 2.97 ERA, earning himself pitcher of the month honors for June

June rookie of the month is none other than 23 year old Indians LF Michael Brantley, who hit .300 for the month with 5 RBI

June's batter of the month is the Angels Kendry Morales, who batted .323 with 8 homers and 25 RBI.

National League

Phillies star pitcher Cole Hamels was tremendous in June, going 5-0 with a 1.12 ERA and a 28/6 strikeout to walk ratio, earning the NL's pitcher of the month award for June

Rockies veteran 1B Todd Helton proved he still has something left in the tank, winning the NL's hitter of the month award for June, with a .365 batting average, 6 homers, 24 RBI, and 13 runs scored.

The NL rookie of the month honors for June has been awarded to the Astros 23 year old catcher Jason Castro, who batted .351 for the month, while smashing 4 home runs and knocking in 16 runs.

[PhillieFever]

Thursday July 1st, 2010

Phils Easily Defeat Pirates 6-2

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.- Taking full advantage of 4 Pirate errors, the Phillies scored 5 unearned runs on their way to an ugly 6-2 victory over the lowly Bucs. Starting pitcher Cole Hamels improved his record to 12-3, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits over 7 strong innings, reliever Danys Baez cleaned up, twirling 2 scoreless innings to secure the win. The victory improves the Phillies record to 49-30, giving them a season high 7 game lead on 2nd place Atlanta.

News And Notes

Twins starter Carl Pavano was lights out against the red hot Rays, holding them to just 3 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 8 in a complete game 4-0 shutout here at Target Field.

MLB Scoreboard & Tomorrow's Matchups

[PhillieFever]

Friday July 2nd, 2010

Blanton Goes The Route In 8-0 Rout Of Bucs

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.- Since returning from injury on April 30th, Phillies starter Joe Blanton has struggled to find that groove that made him the team's best pitcher in the second half of last season, today however Joe had it all working, pitching his first complete game since the 2007 season when he was a member of the Oakland A's, as the Phillies smoked the Pittsburgh Pirates by the score of 8-0. Blanton, allowed just 6 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 5, to improve his record on the season to 7-4. At the plate, Blanton had plenty of support, getting homers from Jayson Werth, Juan Castro, and DeWayne Wise, and 2 homers from Raul Ibanez who now has an eye popping 23 to go along with his .312 batting average. With the win, the Fightins have now won 3 straight and 8 of their last 10, and are quickly making a mockery of the NL Eastern division race.

News And Notes

Yadier Molina was huge for the Cardinals today, going 2 for 4 with 2 homers, 6 RBI and 2 runs scored as St Louis slipped past the Brewers by the score of 10-9.

Roy Oswalt was dominant in today's ballgame, allowing just 2 hits over 8 shutout innings, as the Astros defeated the Padres by the score of 4-3.

Joe Crede homered twice, and starting pitcher Rick Porcello was just good enough, as Detroit defeated the Seattle Mariners by the score of 8-5.

MLB Scoreboard & Tomorrow's Probables

[PhillieFever]

Saturday July 3rd, 2010

Phils Defeat Bucs On Bases Loaded Walk In 10th

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.- Locked into a dog fight after 9 innings of play, the Phillies were given a gift in the 10th when with a man on second and two outs in the inning Pirates reliever Octavio Dotel walked three straight batters, giving the Phils the lead and eventually the victory by the score of 4-3. Closer Brad Lidge had no problems in the bottom of the inning protecting the lead, retiring the Pirates in order for his 13th save of the season. 1B Ryan Howard connected on his MLB leading 24th homer in the 2nd inning.

News & Notes

40 year old Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will be back for another year in pinstripes, thanks to his signing of a one year contract extension that will pay the future hall of famer $5,410,000 next year. So far this year, Rivera has appeared in 37 games and has a record of 6-4 with a 2.84 ERA and 16 saves.

Marlins 2B Dan Uggla will be out for about 5 days with a thumb contusion, suffered when he was hit by a pitch Saturday.

35 year old Orioles pitcher Kevin Millwod was phenomenal on Saturday, going the distance while holding the Red Sox to just 2 hits, as Baltimore blanked the visiting Sox by the score of 8-0. With the win, Millwood improves his record to 7-5 while lowering his ERA to 4.40

Today's Scores & Tomorrow's Probables

[PhillieFever]

Sunday July 4th, 2010

Late Pirate Error Opens Door For Phils Sweep

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.- An 8th inning throwing error by Pirates 3B Andy LaRoche opened the door for the Phillies, who wound up with three runs in the inning on their way to their 5th straight victory, a 5-2 triumph over snake bitten Pittsburgh. For the Phils, outfielders Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez carried the offense, with Werth homering and knocking in 3 and Ibanez homering and knocking in 2. On the hill, starting pitcher JA Happ was fabulous, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits over 8 innings pitched, Brad Lidge picked up the save.

News And Notes

Angels outfielder Peter Bourjos suffered a serious injury on Sunday, fracturing his hip while attempting to make a diving catch in the outfield, he'll be out for 6-7 months.

Florida 3B Jorge Cantu created his own fireworks this independence day, going 4 for 4 with 2 homers, 5 RBI, and 3 runs scored, leading the Marlins to a 10-0 pounding of the Atlanta Braves. For the year, Cantu is batting .285 with 11 homers and 52 RBI.

Today's Scoreboard, Tomorrow's Probables

[PhillieFever]

Dickerson And Young Capture Player Of The Week Honors

In the National League, Reds LF Chris Dickerson had himself quite a week, hitting .500(11 for 22) with a home run and 5 RBI, earning himself this week's NL player of the week award.

Twins OF Delmon Young was phenomenal this past week, collecting 12 hits in 26 at bats(.462) with a home run 7 RBI and 8 runs scored, and for his efforts he's been named the American League player of the week.

MLB Standings

[Libid21]

What patches have you downloaded for this dynasty? Are you using the All-in-One mod?

[GMLoophole]

I like the old-school logo! And LOL real-life A-Rod is so far behind his virtual selves...

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by GMLoophole

I like the old-school logo! And LOL real-life A-Rod is so far behind his virtual selves...

Thanks, it's actually the logo from a blog called Thefightins.com, it is by far the best Phils site on the internet.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by Libid21

What patches have you downloaded for this dynasty? Are you using the All-in-One mod?

I download every patch as it comes, and right now have the most up to date one. I did start out with the all in one mod, but I wound up changing the logos. The FG's have also been significantly improved by RandyTiger and myself, with over 100 FG's improved.

[PhillieFever]

Monday July 5th, 2010

Braves Use Longball To Defeat Phils 4-2

Citizens Bank Park, Phila, Pa.- In a game the Braves needed to have, veteran sluggers Troy Glaus and Chipper Jones found a way to get it done off of Phillies starter Roy Halladay, with Glaus connecting on 2 solo homers in the 2nd and 6th innings, and Jones smashing a two run homer in the 3rd, which in the end proved to be the game winner, as the Braves went into hostile Citizens Bank Park and pulled off an impressive 4-2 victory over the first place Phillies. Starting pitcher Tim Hudson(8-7) was unflappable, pitching 8 strong innings, and allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, with zero walks and 4 strikeouts, while closer Billy Wagner once again twisted the knife into his former team, pitching a 1-2-3 9th for his 18th save of the season. For the Phils, ace starter Roy Halladay proved he was human after all, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7, dropping his record to 12-3. The teams will play twice more beofre the Phils welcome Cincinnati into town for a 4 game series which will take them to the all-star break.

News & Notes

With the trade deadline now just under 4 weeks away, rumors are swirling around the league, with players like Ty Wigginton, Eric Hinske, Mark Mulder, Ramon Hernandez, and Fernando Tatis supposedly on the block.

Red Sox SS Marco Scutaro has been placed on the 15 day DL with a fractured wrist, he's expected to be out for about 5 weeks. In his place, the Sox have called up 2B Tug Hulett from Triple A Pawtucket.

In more Red Sox news, RF JD Drew has been activated from the DL, with RF Darnell McDonald being optioned back to Pawtucket.

Brewers reliever Carlos Villanueva has been placed on the DL with a strained oblique, taking his place on the roster will be pitcher Manny Parra, who's been called up from Nashvillle.

A's pitcher Ben Sheets, who's struggled mightily in his comeback attempt finally showed signs of life today, pitching 8 shutout innings, while allowing just 2 hits, as he lead Oakland to a 2-0 victory over the New York Yankees. For the season, Sheets is now 5-5 with a 6.25 ERA

This Day In Baseball

Striking out as a pinch hitter against the White Sox, 22 year old Larry Doby becomes the first African American to play in the American League.

Ted Williams, considered by many to be the best hitter in the history of baseball, dies of cardiac arrest at the age of 83.

Today's Scores & Tomorrow's Probables

[PhillieFever]

Tuesday July 6th, 2010

Phils Nip Braves On Utley's Homer In 8th

Citizens Bank Park, Phila. Pa.- In a very entertaining ballgame, the Philadelphia Phillies slipped past the Atlanta Braves by the score of 3-2, thanks to a Chase Utley solo homer in the bottom of the 8th which snapped a 2-2 tie and propelled starting pitcher Cole Hamels to his MLB leading 13th victory. Hamels(13-3) pitched 8 strong innings, allowing 2 runs on 9 hits, with 1 walk and 7 big strikeouts. Ryan Madson picked up the save.

News & Notes

Mariners 2B Chone Figgins suffered a strained oblique in today's game, and will be out of action for 2-3 weeks. In his place, Seattle has called up 3B Alex Liddi from Triple A Tacoma.

The New York Yankees have signed SP Andy Pettitte to a 2 year contract extension worth a total of $9,560,000

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed relief pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo to a 1 year extension worth $3,790,000

Brewers RF Corey Hart has been placed on the 15 day DL with plantar fascitis, he's expected to out for 5 weeks. In his place, Milwaukee has called up Luis Cruz from Triple A Nashville.

In the Blue Jays 8-0 win over Minnesota today, Jays RF Elijah Dukes was simple unstoppable, going 4 for 4 with a double, 2 homers, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.

Today's Scores & Tomorrow's Probables

[GMLoophole]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

The New York Yankees have signed SP Andy Pettitte to a 2 year contract extension worth a total of $9,560,000

good old AI... He's pitching well in my dynasty, but pretty crummy in my online league. Maybe as a 1-year filler but I dunno about two years...

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by GMLoophole

good old AI... He's pitching well in my dynasty, but pretty crummy in my online league. Maybe as a 1-year filler but I dunno about two years...

Pettite is 6-0 with a 2.94 ERA, so right now I'd have to say he's worth it.

[PhillieFever]

Wednesday July 7th, 2010

Phils Roll On, Defeat Braves 5-2

Citizens Bank Park, Phila, Pa.- Just 4 days shy of the all-star break, the Phillies have expanded their lead in the division to a whopping 10 games, thanks to today's 5-2 victory over the Braves, the Phils closest competition. The game's turning point came in the 3rd, where with the Braves leading 2-0, Atlanta's defense let them down, committing two straight errors, which led to 4 Phillies runs. From there it was all pitching, as the Phillies held the Braves hitless the rest of the way, on their way to the 5-2 win.

News & Notes

The Los Angeles Angels have traded 32 year old LF Juan Rivera and 22 year old minor league pitcher Ryan Chaffe to the Marlins in exchange for 31 year old reliever Brian Sanches and 19 year old minor league RF Brent Keys

The Cleveland Indians have shipped 20 year old minor league pitcher T.J. House and 24 year old minor league pitcher Connor Graham to the Pirates for 26 year old minor league catcher Jeff Clement.

Astros starter Roy Oswalt has come down with a nasty case of the flu, and may miss his next start.

Royals starter Daniel McCutchen twirled 8 innings of shutout ball, allowing 4 hits and a walk while striking out 5 as Kansas City squeaked by Seattle by the score of 2-1.

Today's MLB Scoreboard

[PhillieFever]

Thursday July 8th, 2010

Werth Slams Phils Past Reds

Citizens Bank Park, Phila, Pa.- Despite a poor performance by starting pitcher Jamie Moyer, in which he allowed 6 runs on 9 hits in just 5 innings pitched, the home team was still able to pull out another win, thanks to a tremendous performance by RF Jayson Werth, who was 3 for 3 with a walk, 2 homers 6 RBI and 3 runs scored, as the Phillies defeated the visiting reds by the score of 10-6. Chad Durbin sparkled in relief for the Phils, holding Cincinnati to just 1 hit over 3 scoreless innings of relief before handing off to Antonio Bastardo, who finished the job with a scoreless 9th.

Around The League

Yankees 2B Robinson Cano will be out of action for up to a month with a strained hamstring, suffered in today's victory over the Mariners. Taking his place on the roster will be infielder Yurendell de Caster, who has impressed the Yankees brass with a .374 average at Triple A Scranton

The Minnesota Twins and SS J.J. Hardy have agreed in principle on a 1 year contract extension that will pay Hardy $5,100,000 in 2011

The St Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals have finalized a deal in which the Cards will send 41 year old Gary Sheffield and 24 year old minor league 3b Richard Racobaldo to the Royals for 26 year old 2B Chris Getz, and 24 year old minor league pitcher Blake Wood.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded 26 year old relief pitcher Clay Zavada to the New York Yankees in exchange for 20 year old minor league pitcher Jairo Heredia

Today's MLB Scoreboard