Phillies at Padres April 21-24 Series Thread

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Offense, or a lack of it, was an issue for the Phillies as they completed a 2-3 homestand that saw them lose a series and consecutive games for the first time in 2011. The Phils were able to salvage a win in the finale of a three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers and will look to take that momentum with them as they head out on their first West Coast trip of the season

First up on the trip will be the San Diego Padres, as the Phillies will visit Petco Park for a four-game weekend series. The Padres will be returning home after a 3-4 road trip that saw them split four games against the Astros in Houston before dropping two of three against the Cubs in Chicago. The Phils were 5-2 against the Padres last season, which included a three-game sweep at Petco Park in late August. It was more of the same for the Phillies, who have been downright classy in San Diego in recent years, taking 20 of the last 24 games there including 18 of 22 all-time at Petco Park

Pitching Matchups

Thursday (10:05, Comcast Network): Roy Oswalt vs. Mat Latos

Oswalt left his last start against the Florida Marlins with back spasms, but felt well enough during a bullpen session to make his next turn in the rotation. In that start against Florida, Oswalt allowed two runs in six innings, as he has in all three of his starts this season. He did not get a decision in the game, which the Marlins eventually won by a 4-3 score. Oswalt was 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in three starts against the Padres last season and is 10-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 18 lifetime appearances (16 starts) against them

Latos took his second straight loss to open the season last time out as allowed five runs over six and 1/3 innings in a 5-3 loss to the Astros. His only two career starts against the Phillies came last season, when he was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA against them

Friday (10:05, Comcast Network): Cole Hamels vs. Clayton Richard

Hamels turned in a second consecutive strong start last time out, as he struck out seven while allowing two runs in seven innings against the Marlins. He did not get a decision in a game the Phillies won, 3-2. A San Diego native, Hamels was 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA in two starts against his hometown team last season and is 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA in nine career starts against the Padres

After defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in his first start of the season, Richard received his third straight no-decision last time out as he allowed six runs on seven hits in five and 1/3 innings against the Astros in a game the Padres won, 8-6. Richard's only career start against the Phillies to date came at Petco Park on August 29 last season, when he allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits over seven and 2/3 innings in a 5-0 loss

Saturday (8:35, Comcast SportsNet): Joe Blanton vs. Tim Stauffer

Blanton turned in by far his best outing of 2011 in his last start, allowing two runs in seven innings against the Brewers. He did not get a decision in a game the Phillies lost, 6-3 in 12 innings. Blanton was 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts against the Padres last season and is 2-1 with a 5.32 ERA in four career starts against them

Stauffer shut out the Cubs on four hits over seven innings last time out, but did not get a decision in a game the Padres lost, 1-0 in 11 innings. He has not faced the Phillies since 2007 and is 0-1 with a 16.39 ERA in two career starts against them

Sunday (4:05, PHL 17): Roy Halladay vs. TBA

Halladay suffered his first loss of the season last time out, as he allowed six runs on ten hits over six and 2/3 innings in a 9-0 loss to the Brewers. His lone lifetime start against the Padres thus far came at Citizens Bank Park on June 4 last season. Halladay allowed ten hits in that game, but limited San Diego to two runs in seven innings to pick up a 3-2 victory

After closing out their series in Chicago with a doubleheader, the Padres have yet to name a starter for Sunday's game. Dustin Moseley and Aaron Harang were the starting pitchers for San Diego in the twinbill, and one of them could go on short rest. Otherwise, the Padres could use a spot starter from the bullpen or call a pitcher up from the minors to close out the four-game series with the Phillies

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As with any series against San Diego, expect a bunch of Anchorman references from yours truly

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And with Richard pitching for the Padres on Friday, I'm thinking there will be quite a few Tommy Boy references as well

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Underway in San Diego

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ah west coast trips, you son of bitch you

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Polanco reaches on an error by Latos and steals second with one out

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Wow looked out to me!

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Rollins bloops one to left that Ludwick drops on the run, Polanco tries for third and is somehow safe

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Great slide by Polanco, but I'm not sure he got there

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Very close, could have gotten around the tag.. barely

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That was extremely close. Rollins to second on the throw

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Scored a single for Rollins

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Howard is 0-for-5 with five strikeouts lifetime against Latos

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Howard can't hold up on a breaking ball and is now 0-for-6 with six strikeouts against Latos

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That was extremely close. Rollins to second on the throw

I trust only one official to make that call..

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[Jimmerz]

Howard can't hold up on a breaking ball and is now 0-for-6 with six strikeouts against Latos

60% of the time it works every time

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Ibanez really looks off-balance at the plate. Looks a little like the Leaning Tower of Pisa when he swings

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Ibanez really looks off-balance at the plate. Looks a little like the Leaning Tower of Pisa when he swings

or, as I like to say, he ****ing sucks plant.

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Ibanez can't hold his swing and goes down swinging. Thanks for stopping by. Phillies are denied in the first, time for Oswalt to go to work

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Bartlett leads off with a walk. Hopefully Oswalt doesn't immediately regret this decision to not have his turn skipped

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With one out, Cantu lines one to center that fools Victorino, who eventually goes down to his knees to make the grab for the second out

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Bartlett steals second with two outs

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Headley flies to Ibanez to end the inning. Scoreless after one

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boom!

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It made a home run sound, ya know

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BEN FRANCISCO TREAT! Solo shot on a hanging curveball just over the wall in dead center leading off the second for the game's first run

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SCHNEIDER! Another solo homer, this one with one out to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. Schneider has two hits this season, both homers

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No further damage for the Phils in the second, but solo homers by Francisco and Schneider give them a 2-0 lead

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Oswalt works around a one-out walk to Hundley in the second, Phils lead 2-0 heading to the third

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Polanco sends the first Latos offering of the third back up the middle for a single

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Aladdin Bail Bonds being advertised behind home plate. Not to be confused with Chico's Bail Bonds from The Bad News Bears

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Rollins walks on four pitches, Phillies have their first two aboard in the third

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Latos has Howard all kind of befuddled. Took a straight fastball down the middle for strike one

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Howard works the count full against Latos, but swings through a 3-2 slider to go 0-for-7 with seven strikeouts against him. I think Latos would like to invite Howard to the pants party

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Ibanez walks on four pitches to load the bases with one out

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Francisco pokes one to right that Denorfia gets a poor read on and drops. Polanco scores, everyone else moves up a base, 3-0

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Scored a straight E9, no sac fly for Francsico, which should get changed as Polanco probably would've been able to score

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3rd error?

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Orr pops to second, then Schneider grounds to second to retire the side. Phils settle for one in the third to lead 3-0

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3rd error?

They scored the Rollins ball a single, so just two for now

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I heard there's a bunch of smelly pirate hookers in Newtown Square

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Francisco is now given credit for a sac fly in his last plate appearance, the error on Denorfia still stands as well

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Oswalt sets the Padres aside in order in the third, Phils lead 3-0 heading to the fourth

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Sarge with some serious bling on his fingers tonight. Those rings obviously didn't come from the Toilet Store

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Back-to-back walks to Victorino and Polanco give the Phillies a pair of one-out baserunners in the fourth

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With two outs, Victorino and Polanco execute a double steal

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Howard goes down looking to retire the side. Borderline, but too close to take and he's now struck out in all eight career at-bats against Latos. Thinking Gload could get a start at first if Latos pitches against the Phils again this season

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Pete Mackanin talking to T-Mac and Sarge right now, admits the offense is pressing at the moment

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Mackanin is Riker to Charlie Manuel's Captain Picard

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Cantu sees 14 pitches from Oswalt before finally going down swinging to lead off the fourth

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Mackanin says Oswalt has a "dipsy doodle" curveball. Look for Wheels to steal that one at some point

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Oswalt gets Headley swinging before Ludwick lines to Polanco to complete a 1-2-3 fourth. On to the fifth, Phils lead 3-0

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Ibanez gives one a ride to center, but Maybin has it at the track to start the fifth

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Rollins talks about his division-clinching double play against the Nats from 2008 on Phillies Clubhouse. Harry had a great call of that. T-Mac was doing that game on FOX and was ready in the clubhouse for interviews, so Tim McCarver did play-by-play in the ninth. The result was the classic "The Philadelphia Phillies are National League Division Champions of the East!"

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Latos will be pulled after walking Francisco with one out in the fifth, Leubke will take over

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Latos throws a temper tantrum on the way to the clubhouse after being taken out

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Padres bullpen coach and former Phillies reliever Darrel Akerfelds staying on the job despite dealing with pancreatic cancer. Best wishes there, that can't be easy

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Luebke gets Orr swinging and Schneider looking, Phils are down in the fifth

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"They're gonna be good this year"
"I'm so excited"

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First Padres hit of the night belongs to Denorfia, who singles with two outs in the fifth

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Good morning, good afternoon, good night to Luebke. Down on three pitches to end the inning, Phils lead 3-0 after five

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Polanco singles with two outs in the sixth, but Rollins smashes one to third right at Headley to retire the side. Keep hittin' 'em hard, J-Roll. Eventually they'll fall in

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Herndon warming up as Oswalt starts the sixth

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Oswalt sets down the Padres in order in the sixth, quite possibly his last inning. On to the seventh, Phils lead 3-0

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Howard goes down swinging against Luebke leading off the seventh for his fourth K of the night. Milk was a bad choice

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Phils go down in order in the seventh

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Herndon now pitching

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Hundley singles, Maybin walks, Padres have two on with two outs in the eighth. That'll be it for Herndon, Bastardo will take over

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Mayberry will come in to play right as part of a double switch. I love lamp

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Venable bats for Denorfia and walks to load the bases. The last two pitches didn't miss by a whole lot

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Gonzalez bats for Luebke and flies to Mayberry to end the inning. Padres leave 'em loaded, Phils lead 3-0 after seven

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Neshek now pitching for the Padres

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Orr singles to start the eighth

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Mayberry singles with one out, Phillies have runners at first and second

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Victorino walks on four pitches to load the bases

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Polanco gets jammed and bounces into a 6-3 double play to retire the side. I'm in a glass case of emotion

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Bastardo back out there for the eighth. Valdez comes in to play second

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Bartlett singles to start the eighth

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Kendrick up in the bullpen, which means either Madson or Contreras is unavailable tonight

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Sounds like it's Contreras who is unavailable and Madson is the closer tonight

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Nothing else happening for the Padres in the eighth. We go to the ninth with the Phils up, 3-0

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Qualls now pitching for the Padres

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Actually it's Madson who is not available tonight. I thought they were going to put Corningstone on

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Howard doesn't strike out this time, but grounds out to second for the second out of the ninth

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Delay as a couple idiots run on the field. Not sure if one of them was Wes Mantooth or not

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No hurt for Qualls in the ninth after walking Ibanez with two outs. Contreras time

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Ludwick flies to Ibanez, one away

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Hundley grounds to Rollins, two down

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Maybin doubles to keep it alive

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Venable walks and the Padres will get the tying run to the plate

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BALLGAME! Hawpe takes a CALLED third strike to end it, Phillies win 3-0. Oswalt allows one hit over six shutout innings to go 3-0 on the season, save Contreras. Francisco and Schneider homered in the second for the only runs the Phils needed, Francisco later added a sac fly. Phillies win the first game of a series for the first time since Opening Day. Hamels vs. Richard tomorrow. Stay classy, Planet Earth

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Underway in the second game

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Victorino starts it with a single

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Howard singles with two outs, Victorino to third

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Francisco flies to right to retire the side. Time for Hamels to go to work

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Three up, three down for Hamels in the first on grounders to Polanco, Rollins, and Valdez in that order

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Phils down in order in the second

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Ludwick walks, Maybin doubles, Padres have runners at second and third with one out in the second

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With two outs, Gonzalez will be walked intentionally with Richard on deck

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Richard lines to Rollins to end the inning, Padres leave 'em loaded. Scoreless after two. YOUR brain has the shell on it

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Hamels starts the third with a single

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Hamels is erased as Richard picks him off for the first out. Froze as Richard hesitated before throwing over. Halladay and Oswalt have a secret chuckle about it in the dugout

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The pickoff looms large as Victorino works a walk in the ensuing at-bat

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Wade LeBlanc announced as Sunday's starter for the Padres

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The pickoff looms extra large as Polanco walks on four pitches, two on with one out

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The pickoff looms extra, extra large as Rollins lines to medium center for the second out, which would've been deep enough to score Hamels

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Runners advance on a wild pitch with two outs

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Howard makes things better as he splits the gap in right-center for a triple to score Victorino and Polanco with the game's first two runs

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Francisco pops foul to first to retire the side, but not before Howard's triple gives the Phils a 2-0 lead in the third

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The pickoff of Hamels counts as a caught stealing. According to a couple tweets, it's the first time a Phillies pitcher has been caught stealing since Terry Mulholland in 1990

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Hamels works around a one-out single by Hudson in the third, Phils lead 2-0 heading to the fourth

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Richard works around a one-out walk to Valdez in the fourth

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No hurt for Hamels after walking Venable on a 3-2 pitch that appeared to be right on the outside corner with two outs in the fourth. On to the fifth with the Phils up 2-0

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Phils down in order in the fifth. Who's your favorite Little Rascal?

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Hamels sets the Padres down in order in the fifth, still 2-0 heading to the sixth. Was it Alfalfa...or Spanky? Hehehe, sinner

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Phils down in order on six pitches in the sixth. Did I hear a niner in there?

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Hamels needs just ten pitches to retire the Padres in order in the sixth, Phils lead 2-0 heading to the seventh

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No hurt for Richard in the seventh after Hamels singles with two outs. Tommy want wingy

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Venable reaches on a bunt single with one out, but is erased when Gonzalez rolls into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Phils lead 2-0 after seven. You look like a Helen

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Polanco starts the eighth with a single

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Rollins works a walk, Phillies have their first two aboard in the eighth

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Howard rolls into a 4-6 fielder's choice, first and third with one out. Good takeout slide by Rollins to make Bartlett delay on his throw just a bit. That'll be the last batter Richard faces, Frieri will take over. What'd you do?

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Nothing else happening for the Phils in the eighth

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Hamels throws his 110th pitch as he goes back out there for the eighth

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Headley singles to start the eighth

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Herndon starting to throw in the bullpen

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Contreras not expected to be available tonight, Madson likely to serve as the closer

[Jimmerz]

Bugs bunny change up.. **** YOU WHEELS!

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Nothing else happening for the Padres in the eighth. Should be the end of an excellent outing for Hamels. We go to the ninth with the Phils on top, 2-0

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Phils down in order in the ninth. Madson time. Bears can smell the menstruation

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Hundley grounds deep in the hole to short, cut off by Rollins and a strong throw to first, one away

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Ludwick goes down swinging for the second out

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BALLGAME! Maybin grounds to Valdez to end it, Phillies win 2-0 to record their second straight shutout. Hamels allows four hits in eight shutout innings, Madson finishes it off with a 1-2-3 ninth. Howard's two-run triple in the third provided the only runs of the game. Phils are guaranteed no worse than a split in San Diego, it'll be Blanton vs. Stauffer tomorrow as they look to win the series with one still to play on Sunday. I'm Ron Burgundy?

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Hamels has not been scored on in 23 of the 25 innings he's pitched this season. Basically lights out except for that one inning against the Mets in his first start

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Underway in the third game

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Phils down in order in the first. Time for Blanton to go to work

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Maybin singles on Blanton's first pitch

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Bartlett follows by splitting the gap for a triple to score Maybin with the first Padres run of the series

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Hudson walks, Padres have runners at first and third with no outs

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Hundley grounds back to Blanton, who catches Bartlett off third. He's ultimately tagged after a rundown for the first out, but Hudson and Hundley end up at second and third

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Cantu punches one to right, where Francisco makes a running catch. Hudson tagged and held, which was fortunate because Francisco's throw was well offline. Of course, you don't know that when he catches the ball

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Ludwick goes down swinging to end the inning. Blanton limits the damage to a run in the first, Padres lead 1-0

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Phils down in order again in the second

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Venable singles with one out, Maybin walks with two outs, Padres have a pair of runners in the second. Maybin checked his swing on a 3-2 pitch, looked like he went around but first base ump Mike DiMuro disagreed

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DiMuro will be behind the plate for Halladay tomorrow, he had the plate for Halladay's perfect game last season

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Bartlett grounds into a 6-4 fielder's choice to end the inning, just in time to get Maybin at second. Padres lead 1-0 after two

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Valdez reaches on an infield single with one out, then moves up to second on a delayed steal with two outs

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Victorino grounds to first to end the inning

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No hurt for Blanton in the third after Cantu singles with two outs. Padres lead 1-0 heading to the fourth

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Orr's sinking liner to left is snared by a diving Ludwick leading off the fourth

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Ludwick's diving grab looms large as Rollins walks on four pitches with one out

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With two outs, Francisco lines one to center that eludes a diving Maybin. Rollins comes all the way around to score, Francisco pulls into third with a triple, 1-1

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Pretty foolish dive on Maybin's part. Had no real shot at it. If he kept his feet, it's a single and Rollins has to hold at third

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Ibanez goes down swinging to retire the side. Phils get a run in the fourth to tie it, 1-1

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Blanton sets the Padres down in order in the fourth. On to the fifth, 1-1

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Phils go down in order in the fifth

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Maybin singles to start the fifth

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wtf are these two talking about? I can't listen to the TV broadcast anymore.

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Bartlett follows with a grounder to short, Maybin was running on the pitch and that prevents a double play

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With two outs, Hundley sends one down the line in left for a double to score Maybin and the Padres lead 2-1

[Jimmerz]

Rollins still have 1 RBI?

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Cantu flies to Francisco to end the inning, but the Padres get a run to lead 2-1 after five

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Rollins still have 1 RBI?

Still stuck on 1

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Still stuck on 1

That's a lonely number

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With one out in the sixth, Orr hits one down the line that confuses DiMuro before he finally calls it fair. Double for Orr

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Rollins grounds one back up the middle off the glove of a diving Bartlett, which allows Orr to score, 2-2

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That's a lonely number

Make it 2

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With one out in the sixth, Orr hits one down the line that confuses DiMuro before he finally calls it fair. Double for Orr

looked like it went over the bag

[Jimmerz]

Make it 2

see that

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No further damage for the Phils in the sixth, they get a run to tie it, 2-2

[Jimmerz]

hugging at 2nd base huh

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Ludwick singles to start the sixth

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Ludwick is erased as Hawpe rolls into a 4-6-3 double play. Ball hit slowly, nice feed by Orr and nice relay by Rollins

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Venable flies to Ibanez to end the inning. On to the seventh, 2-2

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Gregerson now pitching for the Padres. You're not Ron

[Jimmerz]

From the sounds of Wheels analysis, sounds like the Padres are trying to win this game

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Phils go down in order in the seventh. I believe diversity is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era

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From the sounds of Wheels analysis, sounds like the Padres are trying to win this game

I hate when the other team does that

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Blanton goes back out for the seventh

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Hey T-Mac and Wheels, we got a tie game in the seventh. Do the Phillies have someone up in the bullpen behind Blanton? Do you have any information pertinent to what is transpiring on the field at the moment?

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No hurt for Blanton in the seventh after Bartlett singles with two outs. Still 2-2 heading to the eighth

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Adams now pitching for the Padres

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Gload batting for Blanton to start the eighth

[Jimmerz]

Hey T-Mac and Wheels, we got a tie game in the seventh. Do the Phillies have someone up in the bullpen behind Blanton? Do you have any information pertinent to what is transpiring on the field at the moment?

clueless

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Phils go down in order in the eighth. I'm gonna punch you in the ovary

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Baez now pitching. Skyrockets in flight

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Guessing the use of Baez here means either Madson or Contreras is not available tonight

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Three up, three down for Baez in the eighth. We go to the ninth, still 2-2

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Bell now pitching for the Padres

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Phils go down in order in the ninth

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Bastardo now pitching. I said your hair looks stupid

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Bastardo strikes out Hawpe, Venable, and Headley (batting for Bell) in order in the ninth and we're going extra innings, tied 2-2

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Qualls now pitching for the Padres. CANNONBALL!

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Ibanez lines the first pitch from Qualls to left, but right at Ludwick leading off the tenth. This burrito is delish but it is filling

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Valdez rolls one to short, Bartlett makes a barehand pickup and fires to first in time to retire the side

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Kendrick now pitching, Polanco in at third as part of a double switch. Brick killed a guy with a trident

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Kendrick sets the Padres down in order in the tenth, still 2-2 heading to the eleventh. I'm kind of a big deal

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Polanco singles to start the eleventh

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Victorino bunts Polanco up to second

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Orr chops to short, Bartlett throws to first just in time for the second out, Polanco to third

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Rollins will be walked intentionally to get to Howard. That'll be the last batter Qualls faces, Luebke will take over. I don't know if you heard me counting, I did over a thousand

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Howard sends one to deep left that tails away from Ludwick for a double to score Polanco and Rollins, Phillies lead 4-2. Ludwick just never located the ball after getting to the wall

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Francisco singles to left, but Ludwick's throw to the plate nails Howard to end the inning. Phils get two in the eleventh to lead 4-2. Madson time. WHAMMY!

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Hundley grounds to deep short, Rollins makes the backhand grab and strong throw for the out, one away

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Cantu flies to Victorino, two down

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Ludwick keeps it alive with a single. First baserunner for the Padres since the seventh inning

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BALLGAME! Hawpe gives one a ride the other way, but Ibanez has it at the track to end it. Phillies win, 4-2 in 11 to make it four in a row and ten straight at Petco Park. Howard strikes out four times, but saves the best for last with a two-run double in the 11th. Blanton gives up two runs in seven innings, but it's Kendrick who gets the win while Madson picks up his second save in as many nights. Halladay vs. LeBlanc tomorrow as the Phils go for a sweep. On this night, redemption is spelled R-Y-A-N

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Phillies are 14-6, their best record after 20 games since starting the 2001 season with the same mark. Phils have won 10 straight and 23 of their last 27 in San Diego, including a 21-4 mark at Petco Park. Don't act like your not impressed

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Phillies and Padres are scorless in the third. Halladay sharp early. Got Easter stuff going on today, so I'll have to skip the usual play-by-play stuff. I'm sure you'll all understand

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Scoreless after three at Petco. Halladay has allowed two hits and a walk so far, which is two hits and one walk more than he did last time Mike DiMuro was behind the plate for one of his starts. Victorino hit a ball about 900 feet to left, but you gotta hit it about 950 to get it out there

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Howard singles, Francisco walks, Phillies have two on with one out in the fourth

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Nothing else happening for the Phils in the fourth

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Halladay sets the Padres down in order in the fourth. On to the fifth, 0-0

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Martinez singles to start the fifth

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With two outs and Martinez on third, Polanco taps back up the middle, but LeBlanc makes the grab on his knees and gets the out to retire the side

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Halladay with another 1-2-3 inning in the fifth, still scoreless heading to the sixth

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Rollins singles to start the sixth. I wanna be on you

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Howard grounds one under the glove of Hawpe at first, Rollins to third with no outs. Scored a base hit

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Francisco's liner to left eludes a diving Ludwick for a base hit to score Rollins with the game's first run, Howard stops at second

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Mayberry follows by banging one off the wall in left for a double to score Howard, Francisco stops at third, 2-0. Bark twice if you're in Milwaukee

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Ruiz will be walked intentionally to load the bases for Martinez. That smells like pure gasoline

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Martinez grounds to short, they get the force at home for the first out

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Halladay grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to retire the side. Phils settle for two in the sixth to lead 2-0

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Halladay with another 1-2-3 inning in the sixth. On to the seventh with the Phils up 2-0

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WHAMMY! Victorino lines one to right off the glove of a diving Venable, the ball deflects away from Maybin in center and Victorino circles the bases for an inside-the-park home run leading off the seventh, 3-0

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Polanco follows with a bloop single to right

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No further damage for the Phils in the seventh, but Victorino's inside-the-park homer gives them a 3-0 lead

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Halladay strikes out the side in the seventh, he's got 12 overall. Phils lead 3-0 heading to the eighth

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Halladay in a ninth inning jam as the Padres put two on with one out, but Ludwick flies to Victorino, two down

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Venable keeps it alive with a single to center, 3-1. That'll be the last batter Halladay faces, Bastardo will take over. The man punted Baxter!

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BROOMS! Hundley bats for Hawpe and flies to Francisco on Bastardo's first pitch, Phillies win 3-1 to complete the four-game sweep in San Diego. Halladay ties a career high with 14 strikeouts and comes within one out of a complete game, but Bastardo finishes the job on one pitch for his first career save. Victorino's inside-the-park homer was the offensive highlight. Phils start a three-game set against the Diamondbacks in Arizona tomorrow. Stay classy, San Diego

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