Pat the Bat was back, for hopefully more than one-night-only, hitting the 250th home run of his career to give the Phillies a 4-2 lead that held up for the 4-3 victory, and sweep, over the Atlanta Braves. Not only did the Phillies sweep the Braves in the series, they swept the season series at Turner Field, winning all nine games in Hotlanta.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, a visitor had never won nine consecutive games in Atlanta in a single season. In 1943, the Boston Braves dropped nine straight games at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 15 games against the Braves so far this season, the Phillies are 13-2. Did anyone watching these two teams in the 90s EVER think that was going to happen?
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Cole Hamels was not at his best, throwing more than 100 pitches in just six innings. But he only gave up two runs, and despite some questionable fielding in the seventh and some even more questionable official scoring, changing a clear error by Big Brown to an after-the-fact hit to extend the hit streak of Kelly Johnson while Jimmy Rollins was flagged for an error after having to run to Mississippi to try to catch an over-the-shoulder ball that was clearly Pat Burrell's, leading to the third run for Atlanta.
(I guess that's why he's Pat the Bat and not Pat the Glove. I will no longer give Charlie Manuel a hard time when Pat comes out of the game. Jimmy should take that error and smack Burrell on the head with it.But I digress.)
The bullpen was solid again. Madson avoided a nightmare inning in the seventh by just allowing the one unearned run. JC Romero pitched an efficient eighth giving up just one infield single and Brad Lidge was as nasty as he's been all year.Phils remain a half game up on the Mets and now two games up on the Brewers. You know, if that Wild Card thing comes into play.
Fish tonight. HUGE series as Florida is still in the mix riding an eight-game win streak. More on that later, I'm sure. LOTS of links today.
BASEBALL LINKS:
• Chase Utley does not have lupus, as I reported earlier in the week. In fact, he says he's not even hurt. He's just tired, and pressing a little at the plate. Interesting quote in this story by Jim Salisbury:
"Playing 162 is overrated," (Chipper) Jones said. "When you get to games 140, 150, 160, it takes a toll. Especially the way he plays."
Chipper Jones Games Played
2008 - 120
2007 - 134
2006 - 110
2005 - 109
2004 - 137
So yeah, Chipper, playing 140 or more games sure does take a toll on your body...if you can remember back that far.
• John Smallwood says that Ryan Howard is a beast, but he's not the NL best. That would go to Manny Ramirez, if he had an MVP vote. His logic: the Dodgers were 54-54 when Manny came to town and now they are in first place, having gone 26-19 since he started dodging trolleys. That's great, but the Dodgers still have a .526 winning percentage this season, which would be fourth in the NL East. Sure Manny is hitting, but they're winning in large part because the rest of their division stinks.
• John Gonzalez thinks we should cut our stars some slack in this town. Then he has some awesome links.
• Maybe all of Jose Reyes' crazy dugout hand gestures are really signals to strippers in the crowd to meet him after the game.
• The Mets have no closer. Let the K-Rod sweepstakes begin (for next year, of course).
• Joe Girardi has his team set for the last-ever game at Yankee Stadium. Andy Pettite will start. Mariano Rivera will pitch the final inning. Derek Jeter record the first out of the game with an unnecessary jump-toss and A-Rod will strike out with two men on in a big spot, then make the post game all about him.
• The Cubs helped the NL East teams yesterday by coming back from the brink of a loss to beat the Brewers. Rick Telander says the magic number is two, and the magic is with the Cubbies this year.
FOOTBALL LINKS:
• This is from a few days ago, but interesting. Numbers crunching for defense, based on Lito Sheppard. Paging Doctor Rosenhaus.
• Which is better? Michigan is 1-2 including losses to Utah at home and Notre Dame, or West Virginia is 1-2 including losses to East Carolina and Colorado.Answer: Rich Rodriguez is an asshole either way.
• Mr. Muscles Ed Hoculi might have a weak muscle after all...his heart. (weep. weep.) Turns out, he's devastated by last weekend's game. You blew one call. Grow a pair!
RANDOM LINKS:
• Gilbert Arenas re-signed for like a kazillion dollars this season. And his knee is still all busted up.
• The Lakers are raising ticket prices. On another note, I did the math and if you want to buy seats above the visiting dugout for a Twins-Yankees series next year (both new ballparks), it will be cheaper for Yankee fans to fly to Minnesota for a game than to go to one game in the Bronx. I can show you the math if you want.
• Ryder Cup starts today. Here is your breakdown, sans Tiger.
• Last, has anyone seen my email password? I left it here somewhere.