Burrell Goes Deep, Phillies Stay Hot
Pat Burrell has been in a miserable slump since early August. But he went 2 for 4 with a game-winning two-run homer in last night's 4-3 victory over the Braves.
Burrell Goes Deep, Phillies Stay Hot
Todd Zolecki
Charlie Manuel could have benched Pat Burrell after he struck out five times in five at-bats against the Braves Tuesday.
Hey, nobody would have blamed him. But Manuel had Burrell hit fifth Wednesday, immediately behind Ryan Howard. Burrell hit there last night, too.
“I’m pretty straight up and honest about things," Manuel said. "When (Jayson) Werth starts playing good I put him in the lineup and give him a chance to play every day. I haven’t seen anybody here in four years that can take Burrell’s spot and produce that many runs.”
His faith in Burrell paid off.
Burrell hit a two-run home run to left field in the sixth inning to break a tie in a 4-3 victory. It allowed the Phillies to keep their half-game lead over the Mets in the NL East with nine games to play. It also extended the Phillies' winning streak to a season-high seven games. They haven't won this many in a row since they won nine-straight games April 30 - May 5, 2006.
“It’s that time of year,” Burrell said. “As a player, this is the time of year you really take pride in. I do.”
Burrell entered last night hitting .175 (24 for 137) with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 38 games since Aug. 5. Only Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche had hit worse with a .161 average. But Burrell is hitting .300 (6 for 20) with two home runs and four RBIs in his last five games, which includes his five strikeouts Tuesday.
If Burrell can break out of his funk, it could bode well for the Phillies. Entering last night Ryan Howard (.393), Jimmy Rollins (.355), Shane Victorino (.333) and Werth (.291) have been hitting well in September.
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Jim Salisbury tries to figure out why Utley hasn't been swinging the bat like he has in the past.
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Here are a few tidbits from the game: The Phillies swept the nine-game season series at Turner Field. The nine-game winning streak against the Braves in Atlanta is the longest by any team since the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966. ... Elias Sports Bureau reports that the franchise hasn't been swept in a season series of at least nine games at home since the Chicago Cubs went 11-0 against the Boston Doves in Boston in 1909. ... The Phillies are 73-0 when leading after eight innings. ... The Phillies are 13-2 against the Braves this season. The 13 wins sets a single-season franchise record against Atlanta. .. Howard did not strikeout once in the series. It's the first series he hasn't struck out in this season. Howard entered the night with 190 strikeouts. Arizona's Mark Reynolds had 191 to lead baseball.
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In the Phillies Notebook: Dan Uggla would love to knock the Phillies out of the playoffs.
OK! I'll be the first to eat my words about sitting Pat! Yum! Yum! LOL! It sure wasn't easy, but we got it done. Cole was making me a little nervous. Not his best outing, but he did OK. Guess I'm just used to more K's from him. And less runners in scoring position. Even though Chase isn't hitting well, we can sure depend on his defense. Another great diving catch to save a run! The best part....NO nail biting in the 9th! Lidge had MUCH better command tonight. Good win! NOW...Let's shut down those Fish!!!— Norma- I think Burrell might be back in the swing of things (LOL) He has hit the ball well lately unfortunately it was to a fielder. His 250th HR was sweet! Heard today the Phils magic # is 10! Let's get those Fish!— KarenA
- Welcome to the Phillies Bandwagon. You must be this tall and believe that Ryan Howard is the MVP to ride. The Phillies Magic number for the division is 9 to tie. It is 7 for the Wild Card. Please keep arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. Line jumpers and Met Fans will be ejected from the park without refund.
- great game by Burell. Every time Pat is excorted out of twon, he does somthing like this to have us make a U turn and bring him back. I fully expect to see him in Clearwater next Feb as our everyday LF.— jeff gross
- Jeff good point. Seems like every time we want to tar and feather Pat he hits a game winner. So should we just start now so he will have a good series in FL?— Beef69
Anyone notice that Tim Redding last night said he'd rather face Philly than the Mets right now because the Mutts are "hot." I guess seven in a row, two sweeps, is not as hot as two out of three from a team with a .379 winning percentage. Hey, Tim, read a paper, will ya.— John621- Jeff and Beef, what happens when Burrell goes 0-5 tonight, do you jump back off the bandwagon as easily as you jumped on? You admit to being a fair-weather fan, at least I can give you credit for that. Rollins was talking about people like you when he made those statements back in LA last month, and as difficult 0as it is for fans like you to admit, it is comments like the one above that only confirm what he said.— CyHamels
- CyHamels, I never once booed Pat when I was at game or any other player for that matter. On this blog we post about are feelings and how players are playing. Guess you didn't notice that. I highly doubt the players are on this blog reading our every word.— Beef69
- So as not to draw the eyre of CyHamels, I will state this - Burrell did it last night, and good for him. He's not worth what he's paid now, and if he turns himself into a hero the next 9 games and into the playoffs, they'll probably bring him back. Fact of the matter is that until he proves he can be consistent for a full season again, he's just another streaky power hitter who plays often poor defense. He hustles, (it's clear he does, or his defense would seem waaaaaaaay worse than it is), but over the course of a season, his hitting it a liability at least as often as it is an asset. I say, as I did yesterday, that a 1 year deal with the Phils is all he should be offered, and I'd price it in the $7-8 mil range. He's worth that much, but spending any more would be a detriment to the rest of the club. Plus, maybe in 2010 Michael Taylor's ready to play full-time, (he did well in Clearwater this season after a promotion - .327, 27 Doubles, 9 HR, 37 RBI, .939 OPS, and only 46Ks in 65 games), so why lock up Burrell for any longer than 2009? Unless they're projecting Michael Taylor somewhere other than LF...— B in DC
- CyHamels has a point. One day people are on here calling for Matt Stairs, and the next saying Pat should be our every day left fielder next year. Don't hurt yourselves jumping on and off the wagon.— Gary Varsho
- John621 - I think Redding's comments were meant to be him vs. Mets hitters, not team vs. team. I think that might be about even lately, esp with Delgado hitting the way he's been.— B in DC
- Please let's not bring back the J-Roll comments about Philly fans! We hashed that out weeks ago. On this blog we are avid Phillies fans and will criticize a player if we feel its just and will praise them to the hilt sometimes even in the same sentence.— KarenA
- Guys. guys.. I mentioned this in a comment yesterday.. For the most part, this comment board is probably a form of therapy for all of us. It gives us the ability to vent our frustrations or pound our chests but deep down we are all fans. As far as the Redding comment.. He probably feels more comfortable pitching against the Phillies because, (though it boggles my mind), the Phillies have a hard time hitting Redding.— roque32
- Amen! I agree. I come here to vent and to dicuss baseball. We are all fans.— Beef69
- well put roque32.— KarenA
