Phillies Walk-off

The Philadelphia Phillies who as of lately couldn't buy a win looked like they would continue that tonight, until the Phillies turned around the game in the ninth inning coming into the inning down 2-1.

The Phillies needed somebody to light a spark and finish the game in the bottom of the ninth in Philadelphia. Erik Kratz who came in to replace Carlos Ruiz who left the game after straining his right hamstring running the bases in the second inning hit a homer to kick off the Phillies rally, that made it a 2-2 game. The very next hitter was Freddy Galvis and he hit one that he said he knew was gone off the bat to win the game on back to back homers.

The Phillies pitching also held up well with the win going to somewhat struggling relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo. Jonathan Pettibone left the game with a no decision through 7 innings and one earned run. The loss went to Reds relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman who gave up the two homeruns in the bottom of the ninth and he is 3-2.

Player of the Game

The player of the game was Freddy Galvis with no doubt in my mind he stepped up to the plate and was 2-4 with a walk-off homer and a single. Also he played great at a position that he doesn't usually play thirdbase. Micheal Young usually plays there and Freddy is moved around the field, but Young had to play first for the injured Howard and Galvis stepped turning a sweet double-play.

By David B.

Zambrano Reporting to Clearwater

The Phillies were looking to add to their pitching stockpile after losing veteran Roy Halladay to a shoulder injury. John Lannan, another member of the team's Opening Day rotation, is expected to be out until June with a knee injury.

Carlos Zambrano was who they decided on for reasons that are questionable and unknown. Zambrano was signed to a minor league deal with the Phils' and the three time All-star will be in Clearwater, Florida for extended Spring Training as he hasn't pitched since last September.

The deal includes an out clause for Zambrano in early July if the Phillies don't add him to the big-league roster by then.

"We're just looking to add some starting pitching depth and some experience," said Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock. "No promises were made. It's low-risk and hopefully high-reward. "We got positive feedback from everybody who has interacted with him recently,'' Proefrock said. "We did our due diligence. It's just good business.

The slumping Phils' might need this one thing to add some veteran pitching to their squad.

By David B.

Halladay Put on the DL

The main source of trouble for the Philadelphia Phillies stated where it was definitely least expected. The source may have been stopped though, Roy Halladay has had a lot of trouble pitching. He was put on the 15 day D.L for a sore shoulder.

Halladay took a huge beatdown from the Marlins in a 14-2 loss. He gave up a total of five runs in the first inning of the game and he couldn't stop throwing the ball over the plate. The outing before that he gave up 3 homers in 3 1/3 innings to the Indians.

"It's not something that I had before," Halladay said Sunday. "It's something new this year. I felt good all spring. I had soreness in there and just wasn't able to get rid of it."

Halladay claims the pain started on April 24th after his start against Pittsburgh before playing the Indians or the Marlins.

Halladay's terrible season shows up on paper as well, with a record of 2-4 and an 8.65 ERA.

Pitching the Phillies?

Some people say that having a lot of very experienced players and veteran baseball players is a good thing. If you know as much about the Phillies as their starting pitcher Cliff Lee, then you wouldn't agree with them. The Phillies have lost twice in their past two games against the Indians, one a devastating 14-2 blow and the other one that they just blew. They had a 6-0 lead and they blew it!

The Phillies have many veteran players, from a struggling Roy Halladay, to a suddenly well hitting Ryan Howard. Roy Halladay has had a full career during his many years he has dropped a lot of velocity on his fastball now throwing it in the high eighties. That is exactly what the opposing teams want, he was pounded for 8 runs in only 3 full innings and was pulled in the fourth. He gave up 3 solo shots and a two RBI base hit to right field. He has lost his speed, he has lost his game.

The Phillies as a team produced the second worst ERA in the NL with a 4.51 team ERA, that is awful. Cole Hamels who was expected to have a fantastic season has started with a 4.78 ERA and a 1-3 record. On the Phillies Cliff Lee's 3.46 ERA is great compared to the other ERA's above 4.00, like Halladay and Hamels and many more. My main point is that the Phillies pitching is killing their spirit and whole team Cliff Lee agrees.

"We have to have a little more pride than that and figure out a way to at least get back into games and make it somewhat competitive. Both games, it was never close," Cliff Lee mentioned in a multi-media interview.

Ruiz Back From Suspension

Carlos Ruiz of the Philadelphia Phillies has missed the whole month of April serving a suspension due to amphetamine. The suspension was only 25 games instead of the average 50 game one.

The drug makes him hyper and keeps him ready and going. This drug is on the MLB's performance enhancing drug.

The team truely missed their 2012 .325 hitter and great catcher behind the plate. Also, he made the All-star game winning National League.

Humberto Quintero filled in for the suspended Ruiz at catcher, Erik Kratz also helped out behind the plate. His return is scheduled for today (Sunday) and he is going to bat fifth as usual.


The picture was edited by one of my personal editors- Ameen I. He has an instagram where all of his photos are posted- @flygraffix

Lights Out Lee

The Philadelphia Phillies' starting pitcher ,Cliff Lee, was the star of the show against the Braves. Lee Pitched 8 shut-out innings and then, Jonathon Papelbon took over and got the save while Lee got the win. The final score was 2-0 and both the runs scored by the Phils' came what I like to call the old-fashion way. They got a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice that scored a run.

The fielder's choice was hit by Ben Revere who had a 1-5 day, and the sac' fly came from Chase Utley who hit 1-2 with a walk. As for the Braves they were only allowed 2 hits by Papelbon and Lee and they were singles by Justin Upton and Dan Uggla.

The Braves have won the series 2-1, but the Phillies ended it strong with a shut-out win. This is a much better game for the Phillies than before!

By David B.

One and Done

Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies was removed from his spring training start against the Baltimore Orioles. The Phil's announced that he had a stomach virus.

There attention was first directed at Halladay when he had been taken from last weeks game against Detroit after 2 2/3 innings. He gave up 7 runs in that small amount of time and Charlie Manuel made the call to the bullpen. There was another factor that lead them to believe Roy had a problem, he was not throwing his usual 93 miles per hour fast ball. He was only throwing in the range of 86-83 mph. This shouldn't be a problem for Halladay though.

How well do you believe the Phillies will do this year, first, second, third, fourth, or fifth place? I believe they will come in with a standing of second place, behind only the Nationals. Post your opinion in the comments below!

By David B.

Offseason Recovery: NL East

The MLB has been out of playing since October and the trades and free agents being grabbed by teams is insane. So I'm going to catch you up.

The biggest trade of the off season was Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves "Block Buster" trade. Including former Braves all around infielder and number 2 hitter Martin Prado. Prado hit over .300 last year and he will be playing for the D-Backs with a 40 million dollar contract for 4 years. People also involved with the trade include all-star center fielder Justin Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson who is replacing the retired Chipper Jones.

Also Micheal Bourne will not play for the Braves next season and he remains on the market. Also the Phillies have been wild with activity including the findings of Carlos Ruiz used drugs to help with his illness causing him to have trouble staying put. Plus the Phillies will be having a brand new outfield with second year player Darren Ruf who will play left field, newly signed Delmon Young and Ben Revere will be starting. Young in right field and Revere in center field.

The Nationals have suffered a severe the loss of a great young pitcher, Gio Gonzalez. Gio has been caught with PED's and has been suspended. To add to the talent of this they have recruited Rafael Soriano, former closer of the Yankees and Rays. They also have managed to get Denard Span a former outfielder for the Twins.

The final two teams in the NL East are the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets. This Mets team has been quiet and the only big move for the Mets was John Buck coming to play catcher. He is coming to play from Miami. The biggest moves for the Marlins was Jaun Pierre and Placido Polanco both coming from Philadelphia. Jaun Pierre played extremly well and I was shocked he would be let go after he hit .308 for the Phillies. Polanco did not have a good year last year, but he is a great fielder and he his a career .299 hitter.

I believe it's going to be a great year for this division.

By David B.