San Diego sweep
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
San Diego sweep
Andy Martino
A couple of things for your consideration after the Phils swept San Diego and won their sixth straight:
--J.A. Happ was excellent, pitching aggressively, mixing in more breaking balls than he had in the past, and lasting deep into the game. This guy does not have the nastiest raw stuff you ever saw, but he certainly makes the most of what he does have. “Our starting pitching is getting more consistent,” said Charlie Manuel. “Happ tonight, when he can give you what he did, that’s very good. I’m very happy with him.” The Phillies received excellent outings from Joe Blanton, Antonio Bastardo and Happ during this series.
--Greg Dobbs’ second inning catch with the bases loaded was a true turning point, and Happ knew it. After Dobbs snagged Chris Young’s shot to right field, the pitcher waited in front of the dugout to thank Dobbs, who was making his first outfield start of the year.
After the game, Happ hugged Dobbs, smiled broadly and said , "Great catch." It was just about the most excited I've ever seen J.A. Happ.
“Dobber really turned the game around there,” he said. “Gave me some confidence and made me focus in a little more.”
--You may be seeing more of ol' Dobber in right field in the near future. Shane Victorino left in the sixth with a left hip strain. The team said he would be re-evaluated tomorrow (Thursday). Manuel said that Victorino’s back had been bothering him, but he hadn’t heard about the hip until tonight. The man himself was in no mood to provide answers, grumbling “I’m fine” as he breezed past me and that other guy who covers the team. If Victorino misses any time, Werth will play center with Dobbs and Matt Stairs in right (though not at the same time).
--J.C. Romero pitched 1 1/3 innings and allowed two hits and one unearned run in his 2009 debut.
Comments (55)
RAS - I disagree. I like JJ for pregame/postgame, but he really bothered me calling the game last night. Much too hyper and excited about every play. I mean the season is over a 100 games long, with a game on every night - so I prefer the laidback approach of Franzke and his funny banter with Anderson. They are animated and give game stats, etc. when it is important. If you want hyperactivity and know-it-all stats, watch the game on tv with wheels and tmac! Anyway, I really hope everything is ok his family and he is able to get back to the Phillies soon.— betsy72- yeah, there really should be a sarcasm/joke button you can press— fan_in_jerusalem
Betsy, thanks for your rebuttal and insight. You are not the first young lady to come to their defense. Perhaps their approach is more suited to the gals as opposed to a 0-> hard core baseball addict like me. I would watch the game on TV if I had one in my car and I was pulled over. The great game of baseball is in itself enough entertainment for me even on the radio. I don't need a side comedy show to go along with it. I'll tune in Comedy Central to see a better act. BTW, I tried to find Dobbs catch for you. Couldn't find it.— RAS- Genuine thanks for trying to find the dobbs catch RAS, but I don't need your sexism regarding being a "hard-core" fan. I'm not a "young lady" and I've been playing and watching sports - including baseball - my whole life. The point I was making is that I can find the stats I want on opposing players or teams on the internet (or in many cases I already know their stats). I don't need the play-by-play man to drone on about them. In fact, I argue that a stats-regurgitating commentator is more for the fan who is NOT hardcore who needs someone else to look up that info for them. But maybe we just have a difference of opinion:)— betsy72
- By the way, I just used the sarcasm button - - :) or some people use ;)— betsy72
- Betsy, as an example of game stats I mean what did Jimmy Rollins (and every other hitter)do in his first three ABs? Franzke will give you that on every other batter on a good night, if he's not to preoccupied with LA. I like to know that stuff if I tune in late. Harry K. and Whitey, may they rest in peace, were priceless and funny, BUT THE GAME WAS PARAMOUNT TO THEM. OTOH, These two clowns are interested in their own venue which too often preempts the broadcast. Sexist ay? That's not tooo bad. I've been called a lot worse ;)— RAS
- The problem in a nutshell, if I may be so bold, is shared by both Franzke and Tom McCarthy on TV. They both talk way too much. Franzke does play-by-play AND color, leaving LA nothing else to do but try to be funny to earn his paycheck. LA was OK last night and his fourth inning gigs with Harry Kalas were OK. McCarthy is still making the rookie broadcaster mistake of confusing quantity with quality. He never shuts up. If Harry spoke as fast and as often as T-Mac does, he would have left us years ago.— RAS
- Well RAS, at least we agree about McCarthy!— betsy72
- McClouth s a good player, not a great player. Would he be an all-star if every team didn't have to have one player? Maybe. If he came here, I think he'd be a #3 outfielder, battling for time with Werth. Peavy is an ace and to get an ace you have to give up big time prospects. I'd trade Brown and Carrasco for Peavy today, especially if I could sign him long term.— KMG
- OMG, I cannot stand Tom McCarthy on the TV broadcasts. I would MUCH rather Franzke, although I'd hate to lose him on radio. I think TM is a good guy but he does talk waaaayyy too much and seems to get excited at some mundane happenings. Perhaps they should simply let TM roam the stands and make an occasional observation. AS for SF/LA radio duo, I have no problem with them. I think radio is certainly different from TV because the broadcasters HAVE to add more than just "Ball One.........Fouled off........" and so on. No the matter of Chris Wheeler is another story entirely. I have not met one person in the last 25 years who likes "Wheels" as a broadcaster. He also talks too much and comes off as a know-it-all. All too often the "expert analysis" he offers is stuff most of us already know or is something he has droned on about a million times. I'm not sure why he has held his job for so long when most fans apparently do not like listening to him.— MrPhillie
About this blog
The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Search this blog:
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners:
Powered By:
