Starter: LHP Cole Hamels (106 Pitches, 75 Strikes, 7 Innings, 7 Hits, 1 Double, 2 Runs, 2 ER, 10 Strikeouts, 3.01 ERA) W (7-2)
Relief: RHP Jose Contreras (8 Pitches, 6 Strikes, 1 Inning, 1 Strikeout, 0.00 ERA) H (1)
1. SS Jimmy Rollins (5 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Hit, 2 Strikeouts, 2 Left on base, .267 AVG, 1 Steal (10))
2. 2B Chase Utley (3 At-bats, 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Double (1) 1 RBI (2), 1 Walk, .238 AVG, 1 Steal (1))
3. 3B Placido Polanco (3 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Walk, 2 Left on base, .315 AVG)
4. 1B Ryan Howard (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Double (13), 2 RBI (40), 2 Strikeouts, 1 Left on base, .247 AVG)
5. LF Raul Ibanez (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Double (10) 1 RBI (26), 2 Strikeouts, 1 Left on base, .245 AVG)
6. C Carlos Ruiz (3 At-bats, 1 Walk, .243 AVG)
7. RF Domonic Brown (4 At-bats, 1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Double (3), 2 Left on base, .292 AVG)
8. CF John Mayberry, Jr. (4 At-bats, 2 Left on base, .227 AVG)
9. SP Cole Hamels (1 At-bat, 1 Strikeout, 1 Sacrifice, .240 AVG)
Starter: RHP Mike Pelfrey (116 Pitches, 70 Strikes, 7.2 Innings, 4 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 ER, 2 Walks, 6 Strikeouts, 5.00 ERA)
Relief: LHP Michael O'Connor (4 Pitches, 3 Strikes, 1 Hit, 1 Run, 1 ER, 1.35 ERA) BS (1), L (0-1)
Relief: RHP Jason Isringhausen (6 Pitches, 2 Strikes, 0 Inning, 1 Run, 1 ER, 1 Walk, 3.31 ERA)
Relief: LHP Tim Byrdak (7 Pitches, 4 Strikes, .1 Inning, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, 5.68 ERA)
Closing: RHP Dale Thayer (18 Pitches, 11 Strikes, 1 Inning, 2 Hits, 1 Run, 1 ER, 9.00 ERA)
1. SS Jose Reyes (4 At-bats, 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Double (17), .324 AVG, 2 Stolen Bases (19))
2. 3B Justin Turner (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 RBI (19), 2 Strikeouts, 1 Left on base, .325 AVG, 1 Stolen Base (2))
3. RF Carlos Beltran (4 At-bats, 2 Strikeouts, 2 Left on base, .275 AVG)
4. LF Jason Bay (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 RBI (9), 2 Strikeouts, 1 Left on base, .234 AVG, 1 Stolen Base (3))
5. 1B Nick Evans (3 At-bats, 2 Left on base, .000 AVG)
6. CF Angel Pagan (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, ,182 AVG, 1 Stolen Base (6), 1 Caught Stealing (1))
7. C Ronny Paulino (3 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, .327 AVG, 1 Error on throw)
8. 2B Ruben Tejada (3 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, 1 Left on base, .267 AVG)
9. SP Mike Pelfrey (3 At-bats, 2 Strikeouts, 2 Left on base, .053 AVG)
A trip to enemy territory, ah fun. Five years ago, anytime Phillies-Mets would play in Philly, it was the intensity of a football game. Y'know, brawls, cussing, evil looks. Nowadays, as the Phillies fill their ballpark with Fightin's loyalist sellouts, there is little room for the hordes of Mets fans coming down from New York. And, oh yeah, the Mets suck. From a Bernie Madoff lawsuit looming on the Mets organization, the signing of bum older players to multimillion dollar contracts, there isn't much to be hopeful for the Metropolitians. Its the perfect turning of the tables from 5 years ago, with hordes of Phillies fans going to New York to pack Citi Field. Me and Sam decided to do such a trip, coupled with a few minor league games on Sunday.
We stayed with Carey, a somewhat indifferent sports fan, who follows whoever is doing better, but generally doesn't care about sports that much. He'll root for New York sports teams in general but doesn't get too invested. However, for this game, he was still the enemy!
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| Travelling with the enemy |
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| Me violating the anti-tailgating laws |
When we showed up, much like 5 years ago in Philly, about 1/5th of the fans were Phillies supporters. It turned into a similar scene, with cussing and fights quickly breaking out in a highly charged atmosphere. A little kid told me that the Phillies fucking sucked. Well, not to use logic or anything, but at of late May they do have the best record in the majors...
As I wrote about Phillies fans hating on Scott Rolen, it is nice that Mets fans still boo Jimmy Rollins for calling out New York back in 2007. A familiar sting... ha.
A few other observations:
-The number of attractive people in New York is kinda disproportionate. Does money mean you will be hotter? I think sometimes it might.
-Citi Field is a really beautiful stadium. It has a lot of under passes, food courts with different stuff at each stop, and this really cool "bridge", Shea Bridge, in the 100 level concourse. They also have a nice Jackie Robinson museum type display, since the Mets are more or less the successors to the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants.
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| Citi Field, a pretty monster |
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| Tear down Shea, baseball gods curse the Mets! |
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| So high, yet I can still smell failure |
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| Actually, I'm not complaining. Its a nice view. Especially with empty seats and other Phillies fans. |
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| River rover! |
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| Sam saying something highly inappropriate |
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| Sad New Yorkers |
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| Shea Bridge |
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| Brawl and near riot in the stands. Po po break it up |
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| Phils fans ejected |
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| Let them go! Let them go! (how come no one is joining in?) |
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| Mets fan is ejected. This caused more upset Metropolitan followers |
-Daniel Murphy, a pinch hitter Met, plays Dropkick Murphies for his at-bat music. Yes!
The game was a well pitched affair between Hamels and Pelfry. Once Pelfry left the game, the Mets melted down with hits by Dom Brown, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard. As the Mets fell apart, a mass exodus of their fans allowed Phillies fans to become bolder and louder. I'd say by the end, it was more like 1/3rd Phillies fans. Something kind of satisifying about that.
It was a free Mets totebag that night. I heard a Mets fan complain loudly, "What are all these Phillies fans gonna do with a Mets bag?" Ah, loot, m'dear. Invading armies should always carry loot back to their homeland.
On the radio the next day, a Mets fan caller complained, "You think its bad now? Give it a few years, a more losing and more Phillies winning, and Citi Field is going to be a reincarnation of Grants Tomb." Nice.
I want to get a Sabremetrics taunt going. "Your Value Above Replacement Player rating is poor!"
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| Sam with the temporary enemy, Carrie |
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| At least we can agree on this |
Onto to the next day...
5/29/2011 1:30PM INDEPENDENT ATLANTIC LEAGUE- PENNSYLVANIA ROAD WARRIORS VS SOMERSET PATRIOTS
@ TD BANK PARK
Patriots 10 Road Warriors 7
with Sam Fields
SOM
Pitching:
Starter: RHP Nic Ungs (85 Pitches, 52 Strikes, 6 Innings, 4 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 ER, 2 Walks, 2 Strikeouts, 3.10 ERA)
Relief: RHP Jason Anderson (39 Pitches, 21 Strikes, 1 Inning, 1 Hit, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, 1 Strikeout, 5.40 ERA)
Relief: RHP Travis Minix (16 Pitches, 9 Strikes, 1 Inning, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, 3.46 ERA)
Relief: RHP Scott Williamson (30 pitches, 17 Strikes, .1 Inning, 2 Hits, 3 Runs, 3 ER, 2 Walks, 1 Strikeouts, 18.00 ERA)
Closer: RHP Ben Grezlovski (13 Pitches, 10 Strikes, .2 Inning, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, 4.20 ERA)
Lineup:
1. CF Joe Holden (3 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Hit, 2 Walks, .286 AVG)
2. RF Norris Hopper (2 At-bats, 1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 RBI (6), .417 AVG)
--- RF Wayne Lydon (1 At-bat, 1 Run, 1 Walk, .210 AVG, 1 Stolen Base (7))
3. LF Justin Huber (4 At-bats, 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Walk, .289 AVG)
4. 1B Josh Pressley (5 At-bats, 3 Runs, 5 Hits, 3 Doubles (9), 1 Home Run (3) 5 RBI (18), .360 AVG)
5. 3B Jeff Nettles (5 At-bats, 1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 RBI (25), .304 AVG)
6. 2B Fernando Cortez (3 At-bats, 1 Hit, .256 AVG)
7. DH Matt Hagen (4 At-bats, 2 Hits, 1 RBI (15), .273 AVG)
8. C JR Hopf (3 At-bats, 1 Strikeout, 1 Hit by pitch, .180 AVG, 1 Caught stealing)
9. SS Iggy Suarez (4 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Hit, .154 AVG, 1 Error)
PEN
Pitching:
Starter: RHP Luke Massetti (68 Pitches, 49 Strikes, 11 Hits, 7 Runs, 6 ER, 1 Walk, 1 Strikeout, 5.04 ERA)
Relief: RHP Christopher Kelly (24 Pitches, 12 Strikes, 1.1 Inning, 2 Hits, 1 Run, 1 ER, 2 Walks, 4.26 ERA)
Closing: RHP Jusef Frias (28 Pitches, 15 Strikes, 3 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 ER, 1 Walk, 7.50 ERA)
Lineup:
1. SS Amadeo Zazueta (0 At-bats, 1 Hit by pitch, .301 AVG)
--- SS Danny Gonzalez (4 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Strikeout, .294 AVG)
2. LF Sean Henry (4 At-bats, 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Double (5), 1 Home Run (2), 2 RBI (8), 1 Walk, .306 AVG, 1 Error)
3. RF Michael Mooney (4 At-bats, 2 hits, 1 Double (2), 2 RBI (3), 1 Walk, .375 AVG)
4. 1B Carlos Sosa (2 At-bats, 1 RBI (18), 2 Walks, 1 Sacrifice Fly (2), 2 Strikeouts, .405 AVG)
5. DH Victor Gutierrez (5 At-bats, 2 Hits, 1 RBI (10), .310 AVG)
6. C Josh Johnson (3 At-bats, 1 Strikeout, .234 AVG)
--- C Daniel Jordan (2 At-bats, 1 Strikeout, .250 AVG)
7. 3B Gabriel Suarez (4 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Walk, 1 Strikeout, .125 AVG)
8. CF Jonel Pacheco (3 At-bats, 1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Home Run (2), 1 RBI, 1 Walk, .176 AVG)
9. 2B Marcos Cabral (4 At-bats, 1 Run, .156 AVG)
Our second game of the weekend the next day took us down to Somerset of the indy Atlantic League. Independent baseball is interesting, since they aren't affiliated at all with Major League teams, some indy teams can do better than farm teams. One of the best minor league stadiums I've ever seen, for instance, is that of the York Revolution. On the other hand, teams are extremely suseptible to instability, as teams fold and rejoin all the time. This year, the Pennsylvania Road Warriors, the Somerset Patriots opponent, is the Atlantic League's permanent road team, lacking a stadium or any sort of fan base. So I rooted for 'em.
Among the noticable things, was that they had a monument to a chemical divison which invented cyanide. Woo!
It was also Jimmy Buffett Tribute Day. So yes, bad cover bands. Also, the kid singing the national anthem did a better job than some adults.
Also, it was Scout Day. Some kids thought I was a scout for a major league team, until they noticed my dirty shoes, stained shirt, and lack of a shower. But I thought I was gonna be someone by now!
You can tell the little things that its an independent league baseball. There were a ton of errors, shitty pitching, sloppy base running, and the first base coach appeared to be a teenager who was slightly drunk. (really!). They picked the player with the lowest batting average, and gave everyone free chicken wing coupons if he struck out, making him the Chicken Wing K-Man, with loud bucking noises. (Saw the same thing at the York Revolution, only they gave away pizza hut cheesy sticks.)
They modelled nearly the entire franchise on their manager, Sparky Lyle, a former closer for the Red Sox, Yankees, Phillies, Rangers, and White Sox in the late 60's-early 80s. Including their mascot, a dog named Sparky.
Some views of the stadium:
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| Goddamn rich bastards, paying a dollar more for better seats |
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| Goddamn "patriots" getting to go on the field and shit |
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| I smell an error coming |
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| I wanna steal base, too. |
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| Down in front, dog. We're here for the beers and baseballs. |
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| Road Warriors= Road Kill |
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| I wonder how much advertising is? |
Anyway, the Patriots destroyed the Road Warriors through 8 Innings, and though the Road Warriors made a modest comeback, it was too little, too late. People consider buying Road Warriors merchandise, if the Atlantic League ever puts any up for sale. Its a sad, sad team to exist entirely on the road.
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| Sam is furious about the Road Warriors performance in this picture |
Onto the Lakewood...
5/29/2011 7PM LAKEWOOD BLUECLAWS (Low A Affiliate of the Phillies) VS. DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS (Low A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles)
@ FirstEnergy Field
W 4-1
with Sam Fields
LWD
Pitching:
Starter: LHP Jesse Biddle (7 Innings, 4 Hits, 1 Double, 1 Run, 1 Walk, 4 Strikeouts, 4.11 ERA) W (3-5)
Relief: RHP Colby Shreve (1 Inning, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, 3.98 ERA) H (3)
Closer: RHP Lisalberto Bonilla (1 Inning, 2 Strikeouts, 1.27 ERA) S (3)
Lineup:
1. CF Shane Victorino (4 At-bats, 2 Strikeouts, .167 AVG)
--- CF Miguel Alvarez (0 At-bats, .277 AVG)
2. LF Zach Collier (3 At-bats, 1 Walk, .269 AVG, 1 Caught Stealing)
3. 3B Geancarlo Mendez (3 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Double, 1 Strikeout, .261 AVG)
4. 1B Jim Murphy (4 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Double, 1 RBI (36), 1 Strikeout, .263 AVG)
5. RF Anthony Hewitt (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Double, .259 AVG)
6. DH Domingo Santana (4 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Home Run (6), 1 RBI (15), 1 Strikeout, .284 AVG)
7. 2B Carlos Perdomo (4 At-bats, 1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Strikeout, .272 AVG, 1 Stolen Base)
8. C Torre Langley (2 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 RBI (6), 1 Walk, .227 AVG)
9. SS Edgar Duran (3 At-bats, .283 AVG, 1 Error)
DEL
Pitching:
Starter: RHP Scott Copeland (6 Innings, 6 Hits, 3 Runs, 1 ER, 1 Walk, 2 Strikeouts, 4.35 ERA) L (4-3)
Closing: RHP Randy Henry (2 Innings, 1 Hit, 1 Run, 1 ER, 1 Walk, 4 Strikeouts, 1 Home Run, 2.25 ERA)
Lineup:
1. CF Michael Planeta (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 2 Strikeouts, .288 AVG)
2. RF Tyler Kelly (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, .331 AVG)
3. SS Jonathan Schoop (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, .310 AVG)
4. 1B Michael Flacco (4 At-bats, 1 Strikeout, .302 AVG)
5. DH Kieron Pope (4 At-bats, 1 Strikeout, .226 AVG)
6. 3B Adam Gaylord (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Strikeout, .223 AVG)
7. C Justin Dalles (4 At-bats, 1 Hit, 1 Double, .209 AVG)
8. LF Riley Hornback (2 At-bats, 1 Run, 1 Walk, .217 AVG)
9. 2B Dudley Leonora (3 At-bats, .132 AVG)
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| Something for the ladies |
So on the final stop of our weekend, we arrived at the Lakewood Blueclaws on the Jersey Shore. The Blueclaws are the lowest full season level you can be in, low Single A. Its mostly 19-22 year olds who were drafted a year ago out of college or high school and just putting it together as professional ballplayers. So its kinda cool to see all players who are still hungry.
Last year, me and sam went to Williamsport Crosscutters, a short season team for advanced rookies below Lakewood, where we got to see the Phillies' 2010 1st Round draft pick, pitcher Jesse Biddle. Biddle was drafted out of Germantown Friends, a school not exactly known for its athletics. In fact, he'd committed to going to University of Oregon on scholarship. But then the Phillies up and offered him a million bucks to sign with them. Apparently, some parents at Germantown Friends were actually mad the Phillies did that, since it meant that the school wouldn't have 100% college attendance that year. Funny...
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| The teenagers behind me thought I was taking pictures of his butt |
Anyway, it turned out he was pitching that night! So I've seen a possible future Phillie play at two levels in the minors. Crazy!
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| Biddle on the mound |
Coincidently, the Phillies Centerfielder Shane Victorino was doing a rehab stint with the Blueclaws, in which Major Leaguers who are hurt play a few games in the minors to try to get back into playing mode. He struck out twice and grounded out... but still cool to see Shane in a Blueclaws uniform. He didn't practice with the guys before the game...
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| Shane in the outfield |
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| Victorino at bat |
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| Walking up to swing |
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| And miss.... strikeout. |
When the game started rolling and everyone lined up for the national anthem, I got to sit right behind the bullpen. The kid they lined up to sing it totally butchered the song, singing out of tune and somehow missing entire lines. Guys in the bullpen were cracking up the whole song, or at least trying to not bawl with laughter.
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How relief pitchers keep their head in the game
|
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Because what else are they doing?
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| If you can figure out why this is the mascot and not a crab, please tell me. |
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| Outfielder Anthony Hewitt, who I got a reaction out of by yelling at him last year. Why is he still here?? |
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| Cheese, ham, and egg race. My money was on ham. |
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| Go ham go!! |
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| An eye race. Blue, brown, and red. Wait, red?? What are they trying to say? |
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| Go red go! |
Well, between the hundreds of kids and the millions of Memorial Day Flags, it was a distracting game. Biddle pitched well and they won on timely hitting. And, I got treated to nice fireworks display, for a minor league team.
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| 5,000 kids. Don't they have jobs to go to, the shiftless hippies? |
On the way back, I mused with Sam how glad I am that I don't live in a strip mall hell that seems to be Long Island and parts of Jersey. Put me in the country or the city, just not the in between. South Philly, ye ol' land of milk and honey, is the place for me.
James's 2011 Baseball Season
Starting Phillies Organization Pitchers:
RHP Roy Oswalt 1
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