10:00 PM: OK, I’m starting this Live Blog late because there was just too much to watch with the Phils and Eagles playing at the same time. But now, the Eagles game is at the half, and the Phils game is just slightly past the halfway point, so I’m ready to start this up.
Both teams have leads right now, but neither is running away with the game. The Phils lead 2-0 in the 6th and the Birds lead 17-10. I didn’t see all that much of the Eagles 1st half, but it looks like it’s been somewhat surprising in that both quarterbacks have had efficient and poised games so far. Alex Smith did throw a pick, but he completed 11 of 16 passes. Kolb was even better, hitting on 12 of 14 passes and a touchdown. Not surprisingly, Jason Peters and Broderick Bunkley have gone down with injuries.
As for the Phils, they need 12 more outs to put the Reds away and move on the NLCS. Hamels has thrown just 61 pitches through 5 innings and been in total control throughout. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be able to handle at least 9 of these 12 outs, but you never know if he might run into some trouble at some point. So, let’s see if our boys can hang on to these leads here!
10:05 PM: The Phillies may very well be on their way to a sweep here, but the question marks around the offense that we had coming into the playoffs still remain. They were shut down in Game 1 after Volquez left the game in the 2nd inning, they were basically handed a bunch of the runs they got in Game 2, and they’ve only managed one earned run through 6 innings tonight. The pitching has been exactly what we expected, but if the offense can’t get runs on this Cincy pitching staff, how will they score on the Giants or Braves staffs?
10:20 PM: Hamels’s dominance of the Reds in his career is uncanny. Not only has he dominated them, but he also made his major league debut against them in ’06 and then pitched his first complete game against them the following year (along with 15 K’s in that game). If the Phils can hold on tonight, he’ll add a dominating post-season start to his list of accomplishments vs. the Reds, and all three of those big games came on the road in Cincy. I guess Charlie and Dubee knew what they were doing when they chose Cole for Game 3.
10:28 PM: Hamels shows his first signs of tiring in the 7th, but escapes without giving up a run. Hernandez doubles for the Reds’ first extra-base hit of the night, and Gomes and Bruce both put good wood on the ball, but they hit them right at Phillie outfielders. I think Hamels will come out for the 8th, but I’m sure Madson will be ready, and he’ll be on a short leash.
The Eagles subsequently fail to convert a 4th down from the 30-yard-line. Why no field goal there? I haven’t been watching closely enough, but maybe the wind in San Fran is kicking up too much?
10:48 PM: Cole puts them down in order in the 8th. The play-by-play man mentioned that his change-up has been a “money pitch for him tonight.” Yes, tonight, this year, and for most of his life that’s what that change-up has been. Literally, he has made (and will make) lots and lots of money in his life thanks to that pitch.
10:52 PM: After a missed David Akers field goal, Alex Smith fumbles the ball and Quintin Mikell runs it back 50 yards for a score! Absolutely huge play in this game, as the Birds take a two touchdown lead.
10:56 PM: Carlos Ruiz just hit a 105 MPH fastball for a double!? That’s impressive, and pretty cool. Hamels, at 106 pitches, is hitting for himself and will come out for the 9th inning. I’m ok with that, but I would’ve been ok with pulling him here too, especially with a man in scoring position. But the way he cruised through that 8th inning, after a somewhat shaky 7th, is enough to leave him in there.
11:03 PM: Man, hard to believe that Mike Singletary will be coaching the Niners for much longer, as he engages with a pretty heated conversation/argument/confrontation with Alex Smith on the sideline. Smith has just two completions in the 2nd half, but I fail to see how you’re helping your team, as a coach, by shouting so much at your quarterback in the middle of the game. Alright, let’s go Cole!
11:19 PM: PHILS WIN!!! The beat goes on, as the Phils move on to their third straight NLCS, and they’ll go looking for the NL three-peat. What a great way to end the series, as Hamels twirls a 5-hit shutout and ends it by striking out Scott Rolen. That was strike out numer EIGHT for Rolen in the series, in eleven AB’s. Imagine if you had told Dusty Baker before the series that his team would give up just 8 earned runs in the entire series. With the league’s top offense, he would’ve had a hard time believing that 8 earned runs would be enough to sweep his team, but that’s what happened.
The Phils have now won 6 series over the last three Octobers, but this is their first sweep. The Reds weren’t ready for this challenge, and their 6 errors are the best evidence of that. But, to the surprise of absolutely no one, the Phillie starting pitching is capable of beating just about anyone. The Phils will now have 5 days of rest before Halladay returns to the mound at the Bank on Saturday against either the Giants or Braves.
Meanwhile, the Niners got a touchdown but Akers just hit a field goal to make it 27-17 with 4:30 to go. It’s still not over yet, as the Niner offense continues to show signs of life. Time for this Eagle defense to step up and put this game on ice.
11:21 PM: The Niners return the kickoff 61 yards. Hey Andy, can you PLEASE fire Bobby April as special teams coach tomorrow? There’s nothing more frustrating than that as a football fan. It’s like a basketball team that can’t make free throws.
11:31 PM: Arrrghhh. The defense has a chance to step up, and they do the exact opposite, as a very mediocre offense just goes through them like they weren’t even there and puts another touchdown on the board. Birds need to pick up a first down, run out this clock, and keep the defense from coming back on the field.
11:34 PM: Wow, LeSean McCoy had a chance to end the game and just slides. I’m almost positive he just thought he was past the marker already and thats why he slid. That’s still not acceptable, but its better than just sliding to avoid contact, knowing that you’re short of the yard marker. This is NOT good.
11:43 PM: EAGLES WIN!!! They end it with another pick, as the turnover battle was probably the key to this win. The Eagles force 5 San Fran turnovers and only turn it over once themselves. The game-clinching interception was actually thanks to the pressure by Trevor Laws that forced a bad throw from Smith. Laws has been great as a backup tackle. The Eagle season is temporarily back on track after this road win. Back home for the Falcons next week. Get ready for a week of quarterback speculation regarding the health of Vick and the solid performance of Kolb.
Wasn’t around for the live blog, but wanted to leave a couple comments/questions about the great day in Philly sports.
1). I understand how good Cole was throwing, but I would have hit for him in the 8th. He looked tired and we had both Madsen and Lidge fully rested. I guess that’s why I’m not a big league manager. But, the question is–is there concern that neither of these relievers will throw again for a week? The Yanks used Rivera in a game where they didn’t need him for that exact reason. Certainly not complaining because Cole was a beast.
2). The Braves blowing both Games 3 & 4 might cost the Phils almost as much as it cost the Bravos. If that series goes 5, then Lincecum pitches Wednesday night and is out for Game 1 and could only pitch Game 2 on short rest. Would have been nice–oh well.
3). Speaking of pitching decisions, how do the Giants and Rangers NOT throw their aces in Game 4–ESPECIALLY Texas? Why not throw Cliff Lee with a chance to clinch AT HOME and then fall back on C.J. Wilson. Instead, they threw Tommy Hunter in Game 4, lost, and now they have to face David Price on the road for their season survival. Yes, they have a rested Cliff Lee, but wouldn’t it be nice to have him shut down the series at home and still be rested for Game 1 of the ALCS?
4). How bad is the Eagles O-line right now? It’s abysmal. It’s overshadowed only by the kick coverage (aptly pointed out, Doogan).
5). As bad as the loss to Washington was and as bad as the injury bug has hit the Eagles, they are right where I thought they’d be after 5 games. I had them 3-2, except with a W over Washington and an L to San Fran. So, they are right in the thick of a questionable division right now. The division loss to Washington might bite them, but I still like their position right now, especially with the Cowboys on the ropes at 1-3.
1. Cole actually hit in the 9th, and as I said above, I was fine with leaving him in, but also would’ve been fine with handing it over to Lidge. He looked tired in the 7th, but had come back with a real strong 8th. Unless you have a Mariano Rivera as your closer, I’m on board with riding the hot hand and letting him finish the game, as long as the pitch count isn’t too high and he’s not clearly tiring, which he wasn’t based on his 8th inning.
2. I think not starting Lee or Lincecum in Game 4 just goes back to not wanting to start guys on short rest, which teams are generally hesitant to do. I don’t think either guy has ever done it. You could argue whether or not that makes sense, but I think that’s their logic.