Third inning: No big threat

Just like the raindrops, the strikes keep pouring out there for Cole Hamels. After three innings, the crafty lefty is still perfect with four whiffs and 36 pitches (24 strikes). Because of the early perfection, the no-hitter cards are out. That means Mike Radano of the Courier Post walks around with 10 cards in which other scribes will select after they give him $5. If the player in the position of the batting order coincides with the a number on the card, that person wins all the $5 bills.

If Hamels tosses a no-hitter, the person with the King gets the cash.

Clever little contest, huh?

Carlos Ruiz got the first hit of the game to lead off the third. When Hamels reached base on an error a few pitches later, the Phillies had a bona fide rally going.

Trouble for the Brewers, right?

Guess again. First, Jimmy Rollins popped out to left after swinging at the first pitch from Gallardo. Then Jayson Werth whiffed on a 2-2 pitch for his second strikeout of the game.

Just when it looked as if the Phillies were going out with barely a whimper, Chase Utley laced a two-run double to center that nearly landed in the webbing of Mike Cameron's glove.

Cameron is as good as any center fielder out there (at least he used to be), so when he put his left arm up it looked as if he was easily going to haul it in. However, on his first jump it looked like Cameron came in instead of back to get the liner.

Just like that the Phillies finally broke through for a lead in a playoff game. Better yet, with the way Hamels is pitching the two runs might be more than enough.

But just to show they weren't kidding around, Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino drew consecutive walks with two outs. Victorino's came with the bases loaded to give the Phils three, unearned runs.

Center City has come back into view. Maybe the storm has blown over?

End of 3 Phillies 3, Brewers 0

2nd inning: Big wind and big rain

Don’t look now (OK... go ahead), but it looks like a storm is brewing. That’s no metaphor, either. It really looks like a real, downpour with thunder and lightning and all of that jazz is creeping up on us. Judging from the view of the in-motion weather map on Rich Hofmann’s laptop, there are a bunch of greens, yellows and oranges about to cover up South Philadelphia.

That’s not good.

It’s not good because Cole Hamels is dealing right now. In the second the lefty sat ‘em down in order on just 11 pitches with one more strikeout. If the game goes into a delay, that could be the end of Hamels’ outing.

As I typed that sentence, Kevin Horan of Phillies.com said, “You know, if there’s a delay they could lose Hamels.”

See, the kid is sharp. It’s also his birthday. No. 23 for the kid… remember when you were 23?

Yeah.

Anyway, Ryan Howard beat the shift by working a walk. However, he was quickly erased when Pat Burrell grounded into a first-pitch double play. Apparently Burrell’s back is OK, but he’s not any faster.

The inning began with steady raindrop and a gusting wind blowing toward right field that could be deadly if a hitter got one up in the stream. In fact, it is so murky, blustery and cloudy that the visage of Center City off in the distance disappeared.

Goose eggs. No hits or nuthin’

End of 1 Phils 0, Brewers 0

1st inning: Nothing doing

Strangely enough, it seems as if there are more people here than last year. That’s strange because the Rockies had many more of TV and newspaper folks that traveled with the club than the Brewers. I don’t know what market size Milwaukee is, but it doesn’t seem as if they have all that many writers in town. In fact, I wagered that there will be more Philly media in Milwaukee than Milwaukee media in Milwaukee.

That was three Milwaukees in one sentence. I bet that’s a record.

Interestingly, Cole Hamels took the mound sans sleeves for Game 1. This is interesting because last year he did wear a long-sleeved shirt on a sunny and balmy afternoon. By the second inning, Hamels was sweating through both his under and uniform shirts.

Here in the first inning, Hamels is looking free and easy with his naked arms out there in the breeze of a rather cool afternoon. Truth be told, it feels like a perfect afternoon for a nice, long run.

Without the sleeves, Hamels mowed down the Brewers in the first with a pair of strikeouts and a pop up. It took him 14 pitches (nine strikes) to handle the Brewers in the opening frame.

Yovani Gallardo took the mound for just the fifth time all season. Because of that, the 22-year-old righty seems to be an odd choice to start the Brewers’ first playoff game since 1982. However, before he tore up a knee ligament while covering first base during a game last May, Gallardo pitched pretty well in 20 starts for the Brewers in his rookie season.

The kid showed why he’s one of the Brewers’ top prospects by retiring the Phillies in order in the first on 12 pitches (nine strikes). Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley hit the ball hard, but directly at guys wearing gloves.

End of 1 Phils 0, Brewers 0

Pregame: Myers in a brand-new role

Brett Myers appeared in the NLDS last season, but only went just 1 1/3 innings. After all, back then he was the Phillies’ closer instead of the top-of-the-rotation starter. As such, Myers had a different type of playoff experience last year compared to the one he’ll have on Thursday night when he faces the Brewers in Game 2. “I was never in a key situation,” Myers said of last year’s playoff appearances. “I mean, it was a key situation because it was the playoffs, but it really wasn’t a save situation type thing.

“It was fun to be a part of. I wish we were on the other end of it. This year it’s more in my hands and the starters’ hands to get us a lead so we can get to (Brad) Lidge and give him that opportunity.”

That’s the plan, anyway. Myers is capable of throwing a good game based on the way he pitched during a majority of the second half following his return from a minor-league exile. However, after a complete-game, two-hit shutout against the Brewers on short rest two weeks ago, Myers has produced two straight clunkers.

In his first 11 starts after the All-Star Break, Myers went 7-2 with a 1.80 ERA. But in his last two starts, Myers went 0-2 with a 15.12 ERA.

Big difference.

So maybe getting a chance to face the Brewers again will be a remedy… right?

“Absolutely nothing,” Myers said. “It’s the playoffs. It’s different. It’s a totally different atmosphere. Those guys are going to step it up a little bit more.”

Game 1 is about to start. I’ll be back after the first.

Pregame: Burrell in the lineup

Greeting from friendly Citizens Bank Park where we are back in the same spot for Game 1 of the NLDS just the way we were last year. Better yet, just so we don’t confuse anyone the live, in-progress updates will flow like water from a faucet. Indeed.

Lots of media here today as one would expect… looks like those newspaper types are still hanging on while they still can. Hang tough, guys. It won’t be much longer…

Nevertheless, there was plenty of intrigue here at the Park this morning. For one, manager Charlie Manuel told us he made out two different lineups for the opening game. In one, Pat Burrell was in his normal spot in the order and playing left field just like always.

But in another, Jayson Werth shifted from right field to left and veteran Matt Stairs was slated to play right. That contingency was made just in case Burrell’s aching back did not hold up following a strain he suffered during batting practice yesterday.

However, after he took his hacks this afternoon, Burrell shot Manuel the thumbs up and declared himself ready to go. Besides, trainer Scott Sheridan said Burrell was feeling “significantly better” last night and showed up at the park at 8 a.m. this morning for treatment.

So far everything appears to be OK for Burrell and the Phillies.

Here’s today’s lineup:

11 – Rollins, ss 28 – Werth, rf 26 – Utley, 2b 6 – Howard, 1b 5 – Burrell, lf 8 – Victorino, cf 7 – Feliz, 3b 51 – Ruiz, c 35 – Hamels, p

The Brewers will counter with:

25 - Cameron, cf 2 - Hall, 3b 8 - Braun, lf 28 - Fielder, 1b 7 - Hardy, ss 1 - Hart, rf 23 - Weeks, 2b 18 - Kendall, c 49 - Gallardo, p

Meanwhile, the Phillies will go with 11 pitchers during the first round which means reliever Rudy Seanez will not be on the NLDS roster. Instead, the Phillies will have outfielder So Taguchi off the bench and rookie lefty J.A. Happ as the long man. This morning Manuel said the roster decisions were difficult.

“That was the toughest decision we had to make. Seanez played a big part in our season, especially early and all the way up to July,” Manuel said.

“Happ is on the roster in case we need a long guy real early or incase we get into a situation where the game goes into extra innings and we need a multiple innings guy.”

Finally, Shane Victorino’s shin is fine, too.

Check back closer to game time. I’m going to fight the crowd and find something to eat in the dining room.

Game 1 to the Rockies

Brett Myers started the ninth, which makes it more and more unlikely that we won’t see Kyle Lohse out of the bullpen today. If Lohse doesn’t pitch tomorrow, either, perhaps he will be ready to go as the starter in Game 3 from Coors Field? Maybe holding back Jamie Moyer an extra day for Game 4 on Sunday will be a perfect amount of rest for the 44-year old veteran?

That is if there is a Game 4.

Anyway, Myers struck out the first two hitters of the inning, gave up a pair of singles, and then whiffed Kaz Matsui to finish the frame.

But needing a pair of runs in the ninth to tie, the Rockies’ reliever Manny Corpas had to face the big boppers in the Phillies’ order.

When Ryan Howard was punched out for out No. 1, the big fella lit into home-plate ump Dale Scott, even going so far as to pump his fists in rage as a borderline call for strike two.

Aaron Rowand grounded out weakly for the second out and Pat Burrell battled through an eight-pitch at-bat before flying out to center to end the game.

Game 2 is set for 3 p.m. tomorrow.

I’ll have more of the color and pageantry of the losing clubhouse later on…

Strike three, con't...

Tom Gordon remained in for the eighth where he struck out Tulowitzki only to follow that up with a home run to Matt Holliday that might strike the earth’s surface by sunset. The foul Holliday hit was a rocket – his homer was a bomb.

It also spelled the end of the work day for Gordon. J.C. Romero came in and pitched two-third of an inning to extend his scoreless games streak to 21.

Tadahito Iguchi pinch hit for Romero to start the eighth and grinded out a six-pitch walk. Things always seem to happen when Iguchi gets into a game… maybe that’s a story for later in the series. The premise will be: Things happen when Tadahito Iguchi gets into the game.

Call the Pulitzer people.

But things haven’t been happening when the meat of the Phillies’ order has stepped to the plate. Jimmy Rollins is 0-for-3 with a whiff, a double play and a walk. Shane Victorino is 0-for-4 with a whiff. Chase Utley was punched out looking against another lefty – reliever Brian Fuentes – for auspicious Golden Sombrero.

Mix in the 0-for-3 with a pair of whiffs for Ryan Howard and the top four hitters for the Phillies are 0-for-14 with eight strikeouts.

Wow.

Exit, stage right

Ryan Spilborghs snapped Cole Hamels’ streak of 13 straight outs with a walk. Spilborghs is another difficult name to spell. Not as bad as Tulowitzki, but Spilborghs… what is that? S-P-I-L-B-O-R-G-H-S

Of course a dude named “Finger" is making fun of guys named Tulowitzki, Zolecki and Spilborghs.

Cute.

Anyway, Hamels recovered from the walk to retire the next two hitters on a lazy fly to right, and a bouncing ball into the hole behind first that Chase Utley neatly fielded and flipped to Ryan Howard at first.

He might not be hitting, but he’s helping with the glove.

But at the 115-pitch mark, Charlie Manuel headed for the mound in his familiar gait, said a few words to his lefty and then raised his right hand to signal for reliever Tom Gordon. That’s a wrap on Cole Hamels:

6 2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 7 K on 115 pitches – 72 strikes

It didn’t seem as if Hamels was too pleased about leaving the game trailing by a run since he didn’t acknowledge the big cheers he received as he walked off.

Gordon entered and whiffed Kaz Matsui to end the eighth, while J.C. Romero and Kyle Lohse warmed in the ‘pen.

Here’s a new one… Jeff Francis took the mound to start the seventh, warmed up and then when Pat Burrell was announced as the hitter, Clint Hurdle walked to the mound and called for a reliever.

Perhaps LaTroy Hawkins needed some extra time getting loose?

Be that as it may, the best managerial move ever was pulled by Frank Robinson of the Nationals when he called in a relief pitcher, ordered him to issue an intentional walk and then pulled him out of the game. If I recall correctly the pitcher was Joey Eischen. He’s the intentional walk specialist.

Greg Dobbs was the Phillies walk specialist in the bottom of the seventh when he drew a one-out walk and then exited for pinch-running specialist, Michael Born. But a hot-shot grounder to second baseman Kaz Matsui was deftly turned into a 4-6-3 double play.

Remember when Kaz Matsui was with the Mets and was supposed to be the second-coming of Ichiro and Hideki Matsui? In fact, the Mets stuck with Matsui at short and moved Jose Reyes to second before learning (quickly) that they were better off the other way around.

Then they were better off without Matsui.

But Matsui is in the playoffs in 2007 and the Mets are not.

Strike three

Apparently, the second inning was nothing more than a apparition for the Phillies’ Cole Hamels. That’s the case because since that 40-pitch second inning, Hamels has mowed down 13 straight on 47 pitches. As a result, he has given his high-powered offense a really good chance to win this game. But Chase Utley whiffed to open the sixth. For Utley, it was his third straight strikeout against the lefty Jeff Francis. As a result, it appears as if Utley is in a bit of a slump since he only has four hits in his last 24 plate appearances.

Meanwhile, the whiffs appear to be stifling the Phillies’ offense. Utley and Ryan Howard have whiffed five times in six plate appearances. That’s five of the team’s eight strikeouts.

That’s too many.

Back in it

Oh, I just couldn’t resist. Hamels is back to dealing after sitting down the Rockies in the fifth in order. That’s 10 in a row, with only two coming on fly balls. Was it a matter of getting back to the changeup, or is he still working that curve? It’s hard to tell from my vantage point.

And here comes the Phillies…

Just like that and the crowd is back into it thanks to back-to-back home runs from Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell. Both were CBP Specials, which means it’s doubtful that they would have carried out of any other ballpark. Maybe Coors, but there the aid of low-altitude is somewhat significant.

But as the M-V-P! chants rained down on Jimmy Rollins with two outs in the fifth, and Chooch Ruiz swiped second base on a 2-2 count, it appeared as if it was Jeff Francis’ turn to scuffle. Rollins walked on a full count to put two on with two outs for Shane Victorino.

Before the game Charlie Manuel said he put Victorino in the lineup against the lefty instead of Jayson Werth because he wanted to the Hawaiian’s speed at the top of the order. Who would have guessed that it would have been the catcher to swipe the first base of the series?

Either way, it’s 3-2 heading into the foyer of the late frames.

Settling in

Cole Hamels seems to have settled in after that clunker of a second inning. After Walking Troy Tulowitzki to force in a run, the Phils’ lefty has retired seven straight hitters, including three on strikeouts. Apropos of nothing Tulowitzki is one of those names that I have to read as I spell it. T-U-L-O-W-I-T-Z-K-I. Is that right? I’m always afraid I’m going to spell it wrong… like Zolecki.

Anywho, Jeff Francis turned in another perfect frame. This time, though, he allowed a fair-ball out before whiffing the two hitters that followed.

OK. I’m going to go back to writing the Kendrick thing now. If something spectacular occurs, I’ll toss it up here. Baring that, I’ll post something on the way home from the ballpark tonight.

Todd Helton is good

Todd Helton is a tremendous baseball player. This is like saying pizza tastes yummy. Regardless, Todd Helton is a great baseball player. I read something recently in which former Rockies’ and Royals’ manager Buddy Bell said that Helton understood the competitiveness of baseball better than anyone he had ever met. I don’t know what that statement means, but it’s quite a significant thing to say. For starters, it’s significant because there are more than a handful of guys in the big leagues that would thrash out their mother’s larynx if it gave them an edge in a game.

It’s also significant because Buddy Bell is a link to a baseball legacy. Buddy was an All-Star, his father was an All-Star, and his son, David, enjoyed a long career in the big leagues. This means that baseball isn’t just a game or a job to the Bells – it’s the familt business. It runs deep.

So yes, Todd Helton is a fantastic player. He is also appearing in the first post-season of his 11-year career, covering 1,578 games. That should worry Charlie Manuel and the Phillies a little bit, because Helton is not going to take his first-ever series lightly.

My guess is he attempts to thrash out a larynx if given the chance.

Hamels rebounded after his mulligan to retire the Rockies in order in the third. However, it took him 20 more pitches, which puts him at 71.

Be that as it may, Hamels got the Phillies first playoff hit in 14 seasons with one out in the third. Had Francis gotten two more outs without giving up a hit we would have opened up the no-hitter pool here in the press box. Earlier this summer I got my first-ever win in the no-hitter pool – that’s $55 coming back.

Yeah, boy.

Anyway, Jimmy Rollins took care of those last two outs by grounding into an around-the-horn double play.

On the edge

Cole Hamels found trouble in the second inning. Better yet, Todd Helton found Hamels… that’s right, Todd Helton is trouble. On the first pitch of the inning, Helton smacked it off the wall above the 409 sign in the deepest part of the park. After a crazy carom past Aaron Rowand and to Shane Victorino pursuing from right field, Helton beat the ball to third for a triple. Half-dozen pitches later, Garrett Atkins (Chase Utley’s UCLA teammate) laced a single to left to open the scoring. A one-out walk and single made it 2-0. Hamels, strangely, is clearly struggling. He’s also sweating like Dom DeLuise at a clam bake. It’s quite humid outside today, which for the folks arriving in town from sunny and temperate Colorado, feeling our heavy, thick east-coast air must be misery.

Speaking of misery, the Rockies added another run as sweaty Cole Hamels walked Troy Tulowitzki with the bases loaded.

Hamels is teetering on the edge. He whiffed Holliday to end the threat, but strike one to the possible MVP was a freaking bomb that sailed over the foul/fair pole, onto the concourse and very likely onto the street that borders the park to the north… is that Phillies Way?

Either way, it was a bleeping rocket. Worse, Hamels threw 40 pitches in the second inning.

Contrarily, Jeff Francis continued to deal. He whiffed Ryan Howard to start the frame, got Rowand to ground out on a two-strike pitch and then made Wes Helms pop out harmlessly to second.

Nevertheless, Pat Burrell walked to become the Phillies’ first post-season base runner in 14 years.

Big whiffs

It’s loud. In fact, I doubt Citizens Bank Park has ever been louder. The fans are cheering for everything. Strikes, foul balls, ground outs… everything. Yet when MVP candidate Matt Holliday dug into the batter’s box, the fans let out a loud, “BOO!” Then they morphed into an even louder, “OVERRATED!” chant.

I don’t think Holliday is overrated, nor do I think his offensive statistics are overly skewed toward Coors Field. But I do think he will not win the MVP Award. He’ll finish in the top two.

Cole Hamels handled the Rockies in order during the top of the first. He threw 16 pitches – 12 strikes – and it looks like he mixed the curve with the changeup.

Jeff Francis won 17 games and had a 4.22 ERA for the Rockies this season. Those are impressive numbers considering that the young lefty pitches his home games at Coors Field. However, against the Phillies this season he got roughed up in two out of three starts.

The first time he saw the Phillies, the lefty whiffed eight and gave up just four hits in six innings. But the next two outings, Francis allowed 14 runs and 20 hits in a combined 8 1/3 innings.

Nonetheless, Francis got off to a good start when he struck out the side in order in the bottom of the first on just 12 pitches. Nine of those 12 were strikes.

Play ball

Big cheers for Tadahito Iguchi, J.C. Romero, Pat Burrell, Jimmy Rollins (of course), and shudder Charlie Manuel. Have the Philadelphia fans finally warmed up to Chuck? If so, it’s about time.

I’m not sure if they showed the introductions or the anthem on TV because all I saw on the monitor above my seat was Cal Ripken’s big, bald head.

The press box is stuffed to the gills with writers. The TV people are relegated to the back rows or the conference room in the basement. As far as media celebrities go, there are none here, unless one counts Marcus Hayes… if Marcus counts, I want to know where the paparazzo is.

On another note, it’s worth mentioning that there was a vegetarian option in the dining room. It’s only a boxed lunch, but it was something.

It’s 3:04 p.m. and the Phillies are on the field.

Pre-game for Game 1

Just ran into Ryan Madson in an elevator. He’s obviously still on the disabled list (though he hopes to return for the NLCS) and was trying to get back to the clubhouse to change into his uniform so that he could be part of the pre-game introductions. It seemed like Madson wanted to get down to the field level via the concourse, which by that point was loaded with fans. Knowing this, Madson pulled a cap over his eyes, threw a hood over his head and dashed into the fray.

I hope he makes it.

Meanwhile, Kyle Kendrick did a pre-game press conference with Charlie Manuel in the basement media room. He says he’s treating tomorrow’s start in Game 2 like it’s just another game (I’m going to write about that, so stay tuned). Judging from his demeanor, I think I believe Kendrick – maybe it is just another game.

Then again, what does he know? He’s 23, was called up in June and though he seems pretty non-plussed about everything, maybe he’s just flying by the seat of his pants… who knows?

Time for the introductions.

The lineups are out

Phillies11 - Jimmy Rollins, ss 8 - Shane Victorino, rf 26 - Chase Utley, 2b 6 - Ryan Howard, 1b 33 - Aaron Rowand, cf 5 - Pat Burrell, lf 18 - Wes Helms, 3b 51 - Carlos Ruiz, c 35 - Cole Hamels, p

Rockies 7 - Kaz Matsui, 2b 2 - Troy Tulowitzki, ss 5 - Matt Holliday, lf 17 - Todd Helton, 1b 27 - Garrett Atkins, 3b 11 - Brad Hawpe, rf 19 - Ryan Spilborghs, cf 8 - Yorvit Torrealba, c 26 - Jeff Francis, p