Chase Utley Extends Streak as Phils Take Beating

Chase Utley singled in the sixth inning off of Marlin starter Josh Johnson to extend his hitting streak to 32 games.

The ball bounced off of second baseman Dan Uggla's glove and was ruled a hit.

Chase was than given the rest of the day off.

Phillies starter John Lieber got touched up early with two 2 run homers and the phils never recovered on what was a brutally hot day at Citizens Bank Park.

The final was 15-2 Marlins.

On another note, Rheal Cormier was traded to the Cincinatti Reds for triple A prospect Justin Germano, a right handed pitcher.

The Chase Continues

Chase Utley extended his hitting streak to 31 games in the second game of a double header against the Florida marlins.

Chase singled to center in the 6th with an 0-2 count against him. Ryan Howard knocked him in with his league leading 35th homer of the year.

Chase is getting his hits in every fashion imagineable. Early, late, with singles, with home runs, bloops, and misjudged balls by out fielders.

Abreu and Lidle traded to Yankees

Well, the Yankees just got better, they traded Abreu and Lidle to the New York Yankees. The Phillies are obviously sallary dumping. Hopefully something good will come of this in the off season.

Abreu has been with the phils since 1998 and has done nothing but produce. He is in the top ten of many categories in Phillies history and in all likelyhood his number will some day be retired.

Although he is sad to leave his friends and team mates in Philly, he will surely receive a warm welcome in New York where at least he will finally be able to be on a team that can contend for a title.

Abreu Pulled From Line Up

Bobby Abreu was pulled from the Phillies line up at the last minute this afternoon, adding to the speculation that a trade to the Yankees was coming.

As I was watching the game this afternoon, the camera panned the Phillies dugout where Abreu was seen saying his good by's.

More later...

Utley Extends Streak as Wolf Takes the Mound

Randy Wolf retired the first two batters he faced after returning from Tommy John surgery nearly 13 months ago.

He than went on to walk 3 batters and give up one run on one hit while exhausting himself throwing 40 pitches.

Utley lined to left on his first at bat on a good catch by Josh Willingham.

By the thrd inning, Wolf really began to settle in. But in the fourth he gave up a homer to Miguel Olivo who hit a screamer over the left field wall.

Olivo is very aggressive on first ball fast balls, and that is exactly what he received, and he delivered.

Wolf was than pulled after 4 and a third due to a pitch count.

Utley doubled to extend his hitting streak to 30 games in the fourth on a misjudged ball by the center fielder. In his next at bat he hit a triple down the right field line.

In the fourth, Aaron Rowand tied the game with an rbi double, and Mike Lieberthal broke the game open with a grand slam.

Abraham Nunez, had a two run single in the 5th.

In the bottom of the eighth, Rowand doubled in another two runs.

Ryan Howard walked 5 times, to tie a Phillies record, much to the crowds dismay.

That record tied Howard with Von Hayes and Dick Allen.

Phils took the win 11-5

Mark McGwire Becomes Eligibe for Hall Next Year

The talk has already started as to wether or not Mark Mcgwire should be considered for the Hall of Fame next year.

Although it has never been proven that McGwire was abusing any kind of substance, and he retired before the scandal exploded in baseballs face, it has been highly speculated.

One sports writer when asked about the controversy that will be heating up around this time next year was quoted as saying "I know a bum when I see one."

I pesonally don't see him going in the first round, if at all.

What do you think?

Chase Utley Extends Streak in Phils Win

Chase Utley extended his hitting streak to 29 games in the Phillies victory over the Florida Marlins.

Chase went 2-4 with a two run single and later a home run.

All together the phils trounced the fish putting up twelve and knocking out the D-train after two and a third.

Ryan Howard slammed a three run homer giving him the league lead with 34, one ahead of Albert Pujoles.

Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand homered as well. Obviously the ball was flying out of the yard tonight.

On a milder note, Abraham Nunez was a dud at third taking over for the recently traded David Bell.

Phillies Trade Bell to Brewers

The veteran third baseman David Bell was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday for minor league pitcher Wilfredo Laureano.

Bell was dissapointed to be leaving, stating he would miss his friends and team mates in Philadelphia. He said the biggest dissapointment was not winning while he was there.

Bell was in the final year of his contract, a four year 17.5 million dollar deal that he signed in November of 2002.

The two million dollar tab that he is still owed will be picked up by the Brewers.

General manager Pat Gillick said the move was a logical one since the Phillies did not plan to persue Bell in the off season.

Utley Extends Streak as Phils take loss to Marlins

Chase Utley extended his hitting streak to 28 games in his last at bat in the eighth inning against the Marlins picher Taylor Tankersley. The amazing part is that the bat was taken out of Chase's hands twice. He was hit by a pitch in his first at bat, and walked in his third at bat.

Ricky Nolasco had a no hitter going into the 7th before it was broken up by Abraham Nunez of all people. He is batting 150% and is the 8 hole hitter. It was a cheap hit, but a hit none the less.

Brett Myers pitched a very solid eight innings giving up one run on five hits and walking one.

Ryan Howard homered in the 9th for his 33rd of the year, but to little to late. Phils lost 4-1.

Navy Leap Frogs Land at Citizens Bank Park

Hey everyone, here are some more pictures I took of the Navy Leap Frogs. They jumped into Citizens Bank Park on Fathers day. Check out yesterdays pic's as well.

Check back later to see if Chase Utley extended his hitting streak to 28 games. I'm sure he will, he has been white hot lately and currently has the longest hitting streak this year in the majors. Still not even half way to Dimaggio yet.

Utley extends streak as Phils Get Win

Chase Utley extended his hitting streak today to 27 games. Utley blooped a single to center in the fifth inning off Diamonbacks losing picher Claudio Vargas.

Corey Lidle recorded his eighth win of the season piching eight strong innings.

Tom "flash" Gordon recorded his 25th save of the season.

Mike Lieberthal recorded the big blow with a two run shot.

Florida comes to town tomorrow for a five game set.

Navy Leap Frogs Storm into Citizens Bank Park

Hey guys, check out these pic's I took at Citizens Bank Park on Fathers day back in June. These guys came barreling in from thousands of feet in the air and the way they maneuvered around the ballpark was a truly amazing spectacle. Feel free to click on any picture for a larger view.

The Chase Is On

Chase Utley continued on his red hot tear tonight against the snakes blasting a 3 run homer off of Brandon Webb in the second inning. Utley also extended his hitting streak to 26 games. Phils remain 13.5 games back of the red hot Mets.

Phillies Swept by Mets

The phillies handed another one over to the Mets allowing their division rival a 9.5 game lead in the National League East.

The Mets did what they do best, and that is score runs in the first inning putting their opponent on their heels from the get go.

This time the victim was Corey Lidle, giving up a four run first with the crushing blow coming from David Wright who hit a three run shot scoring Endy Chaves and Carlos Delgado.

Endy Chavez, the scrub that has been coming off the bench and killing the Phillies in the three game series doubled to knock in Jose Reyes for the first run.

The only thing in this game for the fans to get exited about was Pat Burrells two home runs. Pat Burrell has always killed the Mets with homeruns, and hopefully this is an indication that his bat is getting hot as the Devil Rays come to town.

Bird Hit by Pitch

Talk about a game for the birds. Well in this case, for a seagull who decided to get a closer look at a pitch of a minor league player in Buffalo New York.

The bird flew between the mound and home plate and was pegged by the pitch, and it fluttered to the ground.

Fortunately, a beach clearing braw did not ensue.

The batter did however swing at the would be pitch and was called out on strikes. Being that it was the third strike, the batter ran toward first base only to be thrown out by the catcher.

The umpires collaberated on the strange turn of events and decided the ball was dead once it hit the seagull.

Unlike the baseball, the bird was alive and flew away under its own power and to the delightful applause of the fans.

Perhaps the pitcher thought the bird was stealing signs and pegged it on purpose.

In any event, this should make seagulls think twice about getting a birds eye view of a baseball game.