It Was Ten Years Ago Today

[EastFallowfield]

7/31/08

Phils somehow win vs the mighty Tim Redding and retake 1st place by a half game.

Trade deadline day, rumor is the Dodgers may get Manny Ramirez, that'd make them a tough team to face in the playoffs. But if the Phils are going to make the playoffs they need to sweep lousy teams like the Nats down in "Citizens Bank South".

Game Thread 7/31: Kendrick (Phillies) vs. Lannan (Wash)

[EastFallowfield]

8/1/08

Phils in first place on Aug. 1, which has happened previously in 1915, 1950, 1964, 1976, 1978, 1982, and 1993. Only the 1964 and 1982 seasons didn't end in the postseason. Up a game on the Mets after a sweep of the lowly Nats, the Phils take a 5 game winning streak to St Louis.

Also, the Phils did nothing at the trade deadline.

Game Thread 8/1: Hamels (Phillies) vs. Lohse (St. Louis)

[el-pietro]

I can't believe they didn't make a move at the deadline. They could really use a lefty reliever and a big bat off the bench!

[Lawman]

And, of course, 8/1/18.

[zambonir]

That's pretty amazing that the both were August pick-ups.

[EastFallowfield]

There were a few more occasions when the Phils were in first in August that followed as well.

[EastFallowfield]

8/2/08

A second straight dud from Hamels, win streak over. Mets lost too, so still a game up. Rudy Seanez to the DL, Les Walrond called up. Joe Blanton looking for first win as a Phil, hasn't impressed much yet.

Game Thread 8/2: Phillies (Blanton) at Cardinals (Looper)

[EastFallowfield]

8/3/08

Blanton gets the win, Lidge the save. Dobbs and Howard homer for the 2-1 win, the Phils' 60th of the season.

Mets send John Maine to the DL and Billy Wagner for a second MRI as they drop behind Florida into third. Elsewhere, Skip Caray passed away.

Rubber game on ESPN tonight.

Game Thread 8/3: Phillies (Myers) at Cardinals (Wellemeyer)

[EastFallowfield]

8/4/08

Pat Burrell and gang come through for win #61 to take the series in St Louis. Lead up to 2 1/2 games over Florida, biggest lead since July 6th.

Off day today before the battle for first in Miami.

[EastFallowfield]

8/5/08

Scott Eyre DFA'd by the Cubs. Some speculation the Phils might take a flyer on him. He had a 33 inning scoreless streak earlier this season, but guess the Cubs are so loaded they won't need him.

Jamie Moyer looks to stay perfect vs Florida.

8/5/08 GDT - Marlins (Johnson) at Phillies (Moyer)

[EastFallowfield]

8/6/08

Florida finally beats Moyer and the lead is down to a game and a half.

Phils are 8-15 vs the Mets and Marlins this year, so seems like they can't beat the good teams. Doesn't bode well.

Game Thread 8/6: Phillies (Kendrick) vs. Marlins (Sanchez)

[EastFallowfield]

8/7/08

Kendrick comes through and Phils bounce back and are up 2 1/2 games again. Hamels looking for first win since July 3rd in rubber match.

Game Thread 8/7: Phillies (Hamels) vs. Marlins (Volstad)

[EastFallowfield]

8/8/08

Phils shutout by the Marlins, lead down to 1 1/2. If they can't beat the Mets and Marlins the season may be over.

They do trade for Scott Eyre, maybe he can contribute down the stretch. J.A. Happ to return to the minors to make room.

Next up: the Pirates, who are battling the Reds for last place in the Central.

Game Thread 8/8: Pirates (Maholm) at Phillies (Blanton)

[EastFallowfield]

8/9/08

Back to back shutouts, this one in 12 innnigs. Les Walrond gets the loss, lead down to a game. Let's try to score today, and maybe even win.

Game Thread 8/9: Pirates (Snell) at Phillies (Myers)

[EastFallowfield]

8/10/08

Phils score, and win, but not without controversy, as Brett Myers and Charlie Manuel got into it after Myers was removed. Rubber game vs Pirates.

Game Thread 8/10: Davis (Pittsburgh) vs. Moyer (Phillies)

[EastFallowfield]

8/11/08

Moyer takes care of the lowly Pirates, the lead is back to 2 games, but onto LA to face a good team.

Game Thread 8/11: Kendrick (Phillies) vs. Lowe (Los Angeles)

[EastFallowfield]

8/12/08

Kendrick was no match for the Dodgers, but good results elsewhere so the lead is still two games.

Word is that Tom Gordon is done for the season. He last pitched on July 5th.*

Tonight Cole Hamels looks to get his first win since early July. He faces Clayton Kershaw, a rookie making his 13th start, and his last 3 starts have been good so his ERA has dropped from the 5's down to 3.71 coming in.

Game Thread 8/12: Hamels (Phillies) vs. Kershaw(Los Angeles)

*Spoiler: He'd pitch in 3 games for Arizona in 2009 before hanging them up, 2 scoreless outings and one bad one, for an ERA of 21.something

[Philsmania]

8/12/08

Kendrick was no match for the Dodgers, but good results elsewhere so the lead is still two games.

Word is that Tom Gordon is done for the season. He last pitched on July 5th.*

Tonight Cole Hamels looks to get his first win since early July. He faces Clayton Kershaw, a rookie making his 13th start, and his last 3 starts have been good so his ERA has dropped from the 5's down to 3.71 coming in.

Game Thread 8/12: Hamels (Phillies) vs. Kershaw(Los Angeles)

*Spoiler: He'd pitch in 3 games for Arizona in 2009 before hanging them up, 2 scoreless outings and one bad one, for an ERA of 21.something

At a certain event in October, Gordon's arm was still in a sling.

[EastFallowfield]

8/13/08

Walkoff loss, the Mets and Marlins are closing in. Can't beat the Dodgers. Will Blanton save us?

Game thread 8-13-08 Phils (Blanton) @ Dodgers (Penny)

[EastFallowfield]

8/14/08

3 straight losses in LA, 2nd straight walkoff version, the first place lead is gone. The mood hasn't been improved by JRoll's comments calling Phillies fans front runners, which they got very upset about while also talking about how all hope is lost. Anyway, the Phils are looking to avoid the rare 4 game sweep.

Game Thread 8/14: Phillies (Myers) at Dodgers (Kuroda)