Philadelphia Phillies

ALLENTOWN - Brandon Watson and Mike Cervenak each had two RBIs as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs defeated the Syracuse Chiefs, 4-3, in the International League last night.
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CHICAGO - J.C. Romero would have pitched had he been asked to do so Wednesday against the New York Mets.
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Last night's sellout was the 45th this year at Citizens Bank Park, setting a new single-season record, the team announced.
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The Phillies burned through their bullpen Tuesday in a 13-inning victory over the New York Mets. That left their relievers, who pitched 10 of those innings, a little spent.
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CHICAGO - Shane Victorino took a couple of steps backward, then just turned around and watched. Aramis Ramirez' ball wasn't coming back, and neither was a potential tie for first place in the National League East.
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CHICAGO - As August turns to September and the Phillies wage a daily battle against the Mets and Marlins for the National League East title, bullpen use will come under greater scrutiny. Though the Phillies relievers have been outstanding all season - before allowing five runs in the eighth inning of last night's 6-4 loss to the Cubs, they entered the day with an NL-leading 3.11 ERA - a season-ending elbow injury to Tom Gordon has left them in an unenviable situation.
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ALLENTOWN - A pair of former major-leaguers were routed last night as the Pawtucket Red Sox crushed the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 14-4, in the International League.
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UPON FURTHER review, instant replay is now officially a part of baseball. And, no, those who disagree can't throw a red flag.
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Brian McCann hit a three-run homer, Charlie Morton finally figured out how to pitch at home and the host Atlanta Braves beat the slumping Florida Marlins, 4-2, last night.
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For most of the last 86 seasons, the Yankees have owned the Red Sox. So it seemed fitting that the Yankees rallied yesterday to defeat Boston, 3-2, in the last game between the rivals at Yankee Stadium. Ever.
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In case you hadn't noticed, they are holding The Race That No One Wants to Win in the National League West.
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CHICAGO - Shane Victorino took about three short steps toward the ivy wall in left-center field before he stopped, turned around, and folded his arms in front of him as the ball sailed over his head and into the bleachers.
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CHICAGO - Shane Victorino took about three short steps toward the ivy wall in left-center field before he stopped, turned around, and folded his arms in front of him as the ball sailed over his head and into the bleachers.
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NEW YORK - Jason Bay drove in four runs, Dustin Pedroia hit a grand slam, and the Boston Red Sox routed the listless Yankees, 11-3, last night, putting an emphatic dent in New York's dwindling playoff chances.
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NEW YORK - Jason Giambi saved the New York Yankees, coming off the bench to hit a tying homer in the seventh inning and the winning single in the ninth for a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox yesterday.
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'Sarge' to take part in Wrigley tradition
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Phillies close to acquiring Jays' Stairs
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Headline: Former teammates face off for different teams The Major Players: Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, JC Romero, Shane Victorino The Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago The Number: 1 game behind (Mets) Yesterday sucked. (...)
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Brian Cashman has built for the Yanks' future, but will he be around to see it? Ken Rosenthal examines a spinning GM carousel.
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The Blue Jays have agreed to send Matt Stairs to the Phillies for a minor leaguer to be named later.
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Ken Rosenthal reported overnight the Phillies acquired Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays for a prospect not known at the moment. (...)
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Hours after being designated for assignment by the Blue Jays, Matt Stairs is believed to have found a new home with the Phillies.

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Yesterday I wrote about the possible need for a veteran setup man to work late innings. (...)
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MEDICAL WATCH: RF Geoff Jenkins (strained right hip) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 23. RHP Tom Gordon (right elbow pain) went on the 15-day disabled list July 5. He began a minor league rehab assignment Aug. 3, but he had a setback Aug. 6. Subsequent exams revealed ligament damage, and he is lost for the season. RHP Kris Benson (right rotator cuff surgery in March 2007) had a setback late in spring training and was diagnosed with biceps tendinitis.
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--OF Matt Stairs, designated for assignment Thursday by the Blue Jays, reportedly will be dealt to the Phillies. In a move first reported by FoxSports.com, Stairs would join Philadelphia to serve as a veteran left-handed pinch hitter and outfield reserve. He hit .250 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs in 105 games for Toronto this year. --LHP Cole Hamels threw his fifth consecutive quality start, allowing one run in seven innings against the Cubs.
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Back in January, and again in spring training, manager Charlie Manuel insisted that veteran reliever Tom Gordon was the most essential member of the Phillies' bullpen. As it turns out, he may have been right. Gordon, the 40-year-old setup man, is lost for the season with an elbow injury that still may require surgery, leaving right-handers Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin and lefty J.C. Romero to handle the seventh- and eighth-inning duty.
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Back in January, and again in spring training, manager Charlie Manuel insisted that veteran reliever Tom Gordon was the most essential member of the Phillies' bullpen.

As it turns out, he may have been right.

Gordon, the 40-year-old setup man, is lost for the season with an elbow injury that still may require surgery, leaving right-handers Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin and lefty J.C. Romero to handle the seventh- and eighth-inning duty. Madson and Durbin combined to allow five runs in the eighth inning Thursday night to turn a three-run lead into a 6-4 loss against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Madson allowed a solo home run by pinch hitter Mike Fontenot and left a two-on, none-out jam for Durbin, who walked Derrek Lee before surrendering a grand slam by Aramis...
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Joe Blanton had never been to Wrigley Field before he arrived with the Phillies yesterday afternoon.

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In July, the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies each acquired an Oakland starting pitcher to try and help them take control of their respective divisions. It's worked out much better for the Cubs. Chicago, a winner of six straight, sends Rich Harden to the mound to match up with former teammate Joe Blanton when it continues a four-game series with the struggling Phillies on Friday.
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Phillies-Cubs Preview
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On his 65th birthday, Lou Piniella found himself in the middle of a noisy celebration. He can thank Aramis Ramirez for stirring up the party. Ramirez hit a grand slam in the eighth inning Thursday night as the surging Chicago Cubs rallied for five runs to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 for their sixth straight win. "What a great come-from-behind win. Just a great win. I mean, exciting," Piniella said. "This place really got loud. ...
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Blanton, fellow ex-Athletic Harden meet
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Phils reportedly land Stairs from Jays
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Mets-Marlins Preview
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Hamels outstanding, but 'pen falters
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Aramis Ramirez's grand slam capped a five-run eighth inning Thursday night, and the Chicago Cubs won their sixth straight game in dramatic fashion, rallying for a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies
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On his 65th birthday, Lou Piniella found himself in the middle of a noisy celebration. He can thank Aramis Ramirez for stirring up the party. Ramirez hit a grand slam in the eighth inning Thursday night as the surging Chicago Cubs rallied for five runs to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 for their sixth straight win.

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Aramis Ramirez's grand slam capped a five-run eighth inning Thursday night, and the Chicago Cubs won their sixth straight game in dramatic fashion, rallying for a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies The ...

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Aramis Ramirez's grand slam off Chad Durbin (5-3) capped a five-run eighth inning Thursday night, and the Chicago Cubs won their sixth straight game in dramatic fashion, rallying for a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies The game marked the first time instant replay was available for boundary home run calls, but it wasn't used.
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CHICAGO -- Aramis Ramirez 's grand slam off Chad Durbin (5-3) capped a five-run eighth inning Thursday night, and the Chicago Cubs won their sixth straight game ...
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FOX foes set sights on October reign
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Eyre not a big help to Phillies' hitters
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Relievers reluctant to take day off
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The Philadelphia Phillies added a lefthander to their bullpen Thursday, when they recalled Fabio Castro from Class AAA Lehigh Valley of the International League.
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Headline: The need for a split starts tonight The Major Players: Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, Aramis Ramirez, Fabio Castro The Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago The Number: 0.5 games behind (Mets) The Phillies split with the Mets, so we’re back at square one. (...)
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Castro recalled from Triple-A
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Sept. 26, 2006. Chase Utley wraps a three-run home run down the right-field line in the second inning.

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One of the glaring problems with the Phillies — especially since the injury to Tom Gordon — has been inconsistency and overworking at the back end of the bullpen. (...)
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