Tag Archives: Hunter Pence

The Phils’ bullpen let one get away in extra-innings, as they lost to the Giants, 4-3.

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Stanley Alston in Local, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Philly, San Francisco, San Francisco Giants, Sports | No comments

The Phils’ bullpen allows one to get away in extra-innings, after the offense tied it up in the ninth, as the Phils lose to the Giants, 4-3. The Giants took the lead in the bottom of the second as Hunter Pence hits a lead-off home run, his seventh home run of the season. The Phils tied it up at one-all in the top of the fourth as Kevin Frandsen hits a lead-off home run, his first home run of the season. The Giants retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Marco Scutaro hits an RBI single, scoring Gregor Blanco, who had earlier singled, then stole second base, giving the Giants a 2-1 lead. The Giants increased their lead in the sixth as, with runners on the corners, and with two men out, Barry...

The Phils begin their first trip to the west coast by beating the Giants, 6-2.

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Stanley Alston in Local, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Philly, San Francisco, San Francisco Giants, Sports | 8 comments

The Phils’ offense return after being missing for two games as they support Cliff Lee’s good start by beating the Giants, 6-2. The Phils tried to get on the scoreboard in the top of the first as they loaded up the bases, via singles by Michael Young and Ryan Howard, with M. Young stopping at second base, and a walk to Delmon Young, with both M. Young and Howard moving up a base, and with two men out, before Dom Brown ended the threat by grounding out, 1-3. The Phils then took the lead in the top of the second as they loaded up the bases again, this time via singles by John Mayberry, Jr. and Erik Kratz, with Mayberry stopping at second base, a sacrifice bunt by Cliff Lee, 1-4, for the inning’s first out, moving both men up a base, and then a two-out...

30-1 MLB countdown previews: #6 Phillies

Posted on March 26, 2013 by John Pielli in Bases Empty Blog, MLB, New Jersey, Philadelphia Phillies, Philly, Sports | 4 comments

The Phillies finished the 2012 season with an 81-81 record, while going 35-24 in their last 59 games. The Phillies had ruled the NL East for the past couple season, winning the last five titles. But, 2012 was a disappointment as they went just 33-39 in games within the division. While the teams may be on different levels, the Phillies off season was very similar to that of the Boston Red Sox. The Phillies made many moves, none considered to be "blockbuster". The Phillies addressed needs at 3B (Michael Young), OF (Ben Revere, Delmon Young), and the bullpen (Mike Adams, Chad Durbin). The Phillies 2012 season got off to a rough start when former All Star 1B Ryan Howard and 2B Chase Utley were forced to miss the start of the season due to injuries. Many expected Utley to be back...

30-1 MLB countdown previews: #12 Giants

Posted on March 22, 2013 by John Pielli in Bases Empty Blog, MLB, San Francisco, San Francisco Giants, Sports | 16 comments

The San Francisco Giants are coming off their 2nd World Series Championship in the last 3 years and deserve all the credit in the world for it. But, just because they won, it does not mean they should be the favorites to win again this season. However, they have a couple things going right for them as far as chemistry is concerned. Players like Angel Pagan and Marco Scutaro, who jelled with this team so perfectly last season, cannot be expected to perform at the same level now that they have signed new contracts. For example, Scutaro hit .362 with the Giants after he was acquired from the Colorado Rockies. Melky Cabrera, as artificially enhanced as it was, carried the team in the 1st half of the season with his .346 average. Buster Posey (.336, 24, 105) was every bit the...

Proposition for a 2013 Phillies outfield

Posted on November 25, 2012 by John Pielli in Bases Empty Blog, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Sports | 25 comments

The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a very disappointing 2012 season as their expectations were very similar to the past five seasons where they won the National League East division. Among reasons for the teams lack of success was he lack of situational hitting. In particular, their offense struggled to live up to the hype as they ranked toward the bottom of the National League in several important categories. They started the season behind the eight ball as stars Ryan Howard and Chase Utley missed significant parts of the early season. Despite a stronger second half, it became too much of an uphill climb for them to become a factor in the NL East race. As the team struggled toward the July 31 st trading deadline, decision was made to trade OFs Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence, despite the latter having another year remaining on his contract. While the Phillies played better ball towards the end of the season,...

Acquiring “Prospects” in a deal the same as not citing anonymous sources

Posted on November 12, 2012 by John Pielli in Bases Empty Blog, Local, MLB, New York, New York Mets, Philly | 25 comments

Rebuilding a team is one of the hardest things for an organization. Yet fans think it is so easy. Winning is the most important thing when it comes to fans. They expect their teams to win, at all costs. Lead a respective division for a good part of the season, then add the final pieces at the trading deadline. Seems to work in all sports, not just baseball. When winning is no longer a possibility, the priority switches to rebuilding. And it is usually a drastic one. "Trade key players for prospects!" That is heard once it has become clear a season has become a disappointment. That is what the Phillies did this season when they traded Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino. The Mets did the same with Carlos Beltran in 2011. While it is not a bad idea since the Mets got back Zack Wheeler and the Phillies Tommy...

Phillies now over .500, are they a contender?

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John Pielli in Bases Empty Blog, Local, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Philly | Comments are closed

With the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins, they have officially moved over the .500 mark at 72-71. Looking back to last year, two playoff teams, the Tampa Bay Rays and the eventual World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals, made September runs similar to what the Phillies have done within the last couple weeks. They, just like the Phillies, needed help from seemingly playoff locks in Boston and Atlanta collapsing down the stretch. The Phillies still have the big three at the top of the rotation. Roy Halliday, despite a 10-7 record still strikes fear in the opposition. Cliff Lee has 14 no decisions and just 4 wins, put owns a 3.50 ERA. Cole Hamels has been the team's best starter, earning his contract extension with his 14 wins and is on pace for 200 strikeouts. The key for the Phillies return to prominence...

Is it sensible for Mets/ Phillies to trade Hairston/ Pierre this late in the season?

Posted on September 11, 2012 by John Pielli in Baltimore, Baltimore Orioles, Bases Empty Blog, Local, MLB, New York, New York Mets, Oakland, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Philly | Comments are closed

As we enter the second week of September, several teams are making their postseason push. Despite all the outcry by Phillies and Mets fans to "traid e'rybody," for the exception of Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino, the teams have stayed in tact. With teams such as the Pirates, Athletics and Orioles sticking around, would they consider trading for an outfielder even though they would not be eligible for postseason play? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First, lets talk about whether it makes sense for a team to add a player like the Mets Scott Hairston or the Phillies Juan Pierre this late in the season. With the Orioles Nick Markakis out, should they look to add at this point? I think it should be considered even though the player(s) added would not be eligible for postseason play. Nobody gave the Orioles a chance to be in the race at this point. They have, despite an inferior run...

If Astros are blaming Mills, club’s future is worse than we think

Posted on August 19, 2012 by John Pielli in Bases Empty Blog, Houston, Houston Astros, Local, MLB, Passed Ball Show | Comments are closed

huffingtonpost.com

I think the Houston Astros showed how little clue they have by firing manager Brad Mills. The firing itself was not a surprise, with the Astros sitting at 39-83, worst record in the major leagues. On the surface, it seems just that a manager who has guided his team to that bad of a record deserves such a fate. Especially this is his third straight losing season, starting out 76-86 in 2010 and going 56-106 in 2011. So its safe to say the team has done worse since he took the helm after being Terry Francona's bench coach in Boston.

The honest truth is the Astros first hired Mills, then took his team away. First they moved Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman in 2010. Then they traded Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn in 2011. They finished off with getting rid of Brandon Lyon, Brett Myers, Chris Johnson and Wandy Rodriguez in 2012. Is that Mills fault? Was...

A New Era of Phillies Baseball Begins

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Jenn Zambri-Dickerson in Local, MLB, New Jersey, Philadelphia Phillies, Philly, Sports | Comments are closed

Now that the dust has settled on baseball’s trade deadline, there is a lot of information to absorb and process. And for the Phillies and their fans, there are a lot of emotions involved as well. I think Ryan Howard summed it up best when he told beat writer Todd Zolecki, “Shane’s been here for a long time. Like I said, (he) was a very big part of this club. It is weird not seeing his face. It’s weird not seeing Hunter. But that’s how baseball works sometimes.”

“Weird” is an excellent description. Everyone expected major change because of this backwards Phillies season, but it is still strange to see a guy like Shane Victorino in another uniform after being such an integral part of this team for so long. He was indeed the “personality” of the team as well...