Morning Roundup: “One out with Chris Clutch at the plate?  Doesn’t get much better than that.” - Jimmy Rollins

Chris Coste

Three lines on their world:

1. Major League Baseball goes to the camera tomorrow
   
2. The Red Sox took care of the Yankees in New York, which really puts the Yankees’ backs to the walls.  Good thing they can turn to this guy with their season on the line.
3. and Mike Strahan is still retired

 

Three lines on ours:

1. The Phils come from down seven to stun the Mets and re-take first place in the East
2. and added some fuel to the rivalry
3. Across the parking lot, it is elimination time for the back of the Birds roster as they ready for the final preseason game

 

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and more from first place after the jump

PHILLIES

At twelve twenty four this morning, five hours and seventeen minutes after the first pitch was thrown out, Chris Coste singled the Phillies back into the first place with a deep fly to straightaway center. 

You could watch a lot of baseball and not see another game like last night’s.  The game had, in Uncle Cholly’s words, “everything except a fight.”  Coste, who entered the game in the 8th inning, had four hits; the Phillies nine spot had five; Chooch Ruiz played third base (!); Clay Condrey started a rally (!); the Phillies stole more bases in a game than they had in over twenty years and had tonight’s starting pitcher (Kyle Kendrick) throwing in their bullpen.  If the game had gone 14 he would have thrown.

Two days ago Jimmy Rollins was hitting .255, he got up to .269 last night.  He had a fantasy dream night with five hits, a home run, and three steals. Maybe more importantly he was joking around happily after the game, and copping to taking motivation from the jerk Mets’ jerk antics.  

You never want to put too much emphasis on one game; if Johan decides to Johan the Phils tonight the Mets can still leave with a split and the NL East lead, but this was the type of game that can go a long ways towards swinging the playoff race.  For a team that can’t help but remember that they couldn’t hold a lead last year, it’s big to keep reinforcing that.  In the midst of extra innings the Mets’ announcer (not sure which one) said that this game could go a long ways towards defining the Mets’ season.  They scored early, were unable to hang on late, and ended up giving a way a game they probably should have won.  The New York bullpen just cannot get it done in crucial spots.

Lets hope that continues tonight, and first place is on the time once more.

Other Notes …

• The sell-out was the Phillies 44th of the seaon, which matches the club record for a season.  They’ll break that record tonight.
• Coste’s four hits matched a career high
• Jimmy’s five hits matched his career high
• Jimmy’s three steals matched his career high
• The win was the Phillies 34th come from behind win of the year
• Pat Burrell continued to struggle, ending the game 0-7
• Jayson Werth was on base five times (three hits and two walks)
• for the first time in fifteen games Jamie Moyer surrendered more than three runs
• I can’t find a good picture to prove it, but new Phillie Andy Tracy is a dead ringer for Jim Thome

Now, who said what …

Jim Salisbury muses that this rivalry might just keep heating up. SKIP

Rich Hofmann’s rivalry piece is worth reading for the kicker quote alone. READ

Paul Hagen says that the Mets bullpen was, is, and may be the difference. (Or, in other words, what Sielski said before last night) SKIP

Todd Zolecki’s notes check in with Jamie Moyer’s 2009 options, the possibility of the Phils adding Mark Kotsay, Jimmy Rollins‘ success and more. SKIP

David Murphy’s look at Kyle Kendrick’s birthday present, Adam Eaton’s return, the Phils trade prospects and more. READ

Randy Miller’s look at Kyle Kendrick’s giant-killing history. READ

Paul Hagen introduces us to the world of limited replay. SKIP

1Chair points out that with power numbers are down across the league, we’re in a different era. SKIP

Mike Sielski says that the Phillies just will not die. READ

 

EAGLES

Bob Brookover looks at DeSean Jackson’s rise and Reggie Brown’s fall. READ

Ed Barkowitz says while the Birds’ starters will be watching tonight’s game, it still should have some intrigue. READ

The Eagles made a couple of small roster moves. SKIP

Bob Brookover takes a look at Wednesday’s in the NFL.  Way more interesting than Tuesdays. Actually. READ

Geoff Mosher on Monte Reagor’s short time with the Birds. SKIP

Jeff Offord profiles Dan Klecko. SKIP

 

SIXERS

Nothing

 

FLYERS

Chuck Gormley says that Simon Gagne is ready to put last year behind him. READ

TODAY and MORE

So there really isn’t a local hook to this story, but I’d like to introduce you to Denard Span: hilarious man.

With both the Birds and the Phils playing tonight check back in for previews and what to watch for.  Other than that, we’ll be at Citizens Bank Park again tonight, so check back in for live read-and-react analysis of the night’s action.

 As always, feel free to email with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 8:21 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.