If you're a die-hard, you've probably been keeping close tabs on the Phillies even as this season winds down. We know a healthy number of you tuned out to some extent though, certainly since they were officially eliminated from postseason play on Friday, if not much earlier.
Well, the Fightins were plugging along in Miami anyway over the weekend -- those of them who are still healthy enough to go on at least. You see, Ryan Howard's season ended a little earlier than anticipated on Saturday. Officially, the slugger has a broken toe, which is true of course.
But really, it's because he's clumsy.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Before an at bat on Thursday, Howard was swinging one of those heavy, metallic practice bats in the on-deck circle. The pipe slipped out of his hand, as he put it (another phrasing would be he dropped it), and landed right on his big toe resulting in a hairline fracture.
"It hurt."
You don't say.
It's not exactly Adam Eaton stabbing himself with a knife while trying to open a DVD, or Hunter Pence walking into and shattering a glass door. And we can all laugh about it now since it's not expected to impact his offseason. Just, you know, be careful.
Halladay's, Hamels', Cloyd's Seasons Over; Cole Sets Personal Milestone
There was some debate as to whether Roy Halladay was going to, or should for that matter, make his final start of the season on Saturday. He did, but it was nothing memorable.
One week after his worst outing as a Phillie where he allowed seven runs in 1.2 innings of work versus the Braves, Doc's performance to close out his 2012 was only modestly better. He was yanked after five-plus, surrendering four, but managing to come away with his 11th win thanks to a nine-run outburst from his mates.
Still, the last two starts jumped Halladay's ERA from 4.03 to 4.49, his highest figure since 2000.
Cole Hamels also made his final appearance of the year on Sunday, setting the bar even higher for 2013 and beyond. With a 4-1 victory, the Phils wound up taking two of three off of the Marlins, with Hamels raising his season win total to 17, a personal best. Afterwards, Charlie Manuel was adamant the lefty can top that, too.
"Without a doubt, before his career is over, he’ll win 20. I’m still looking for him to have a really big year, 22, 24 wins. It’s in there. Things just have to go his way."
Two great pitchers, perhaps heading in two remarkably different directions. Hamels finished with a 3.05 ERA and 216 strikeouts, figures bolstered by seven frames on one-run ball on Sunday.
Finally, 25-year-old Tyler Cloyd will not start Tuesday's game as scheduled, with Ruben Amaro citing the tank is on E. Cloyd went 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA over his first six big league starts. No word yet on who gets the ball for Tuesday in the send-off series at Washington.