Game Of The Week

Philadelphia Phillies @ Cincinnati Reds

An 8-4 routing of the Reds has the Phillies flame-broiled with success. This ousting debuted the "Colossal" Cole Hamels on the mound. Despite the staggering amount of balls, he held the Reds to a no-hitter 4.2 innings into it.

A bases loaded situation in the second gave a scare to the Phils. Hamels then difused the fire by taking out the final batter. Hamels commented previously, "I believe in setting goals high and heading straight at them." With only 6 games above Single A, this was the largest goal thinkable and he devastated those who opposed his call to the majors.

Felipe lopez broke up the no-hitter with a deep center dropper just barely missed by Shane Victorino. The hit lead to no runs scored.

Pat Burrell got wailed in the elbow in the 6th. The Phillies loaded the bases up and pinch hitted for Hamels. He would finish with 7 strike outs. Abraham Nunez unsuccessfully batted and lead to Ryan Madson's entrance. Madson gave up two homeruns seconds after leaving the bullpen to Austin Kearns and Edwin Encarnacion (his 6th).

The tie game had the crowd in an uproar with Madson still pitching. An RBI single by Chase Utley in the 7th broke the deadlock and Carlos Ruiz added another run with an 8th inning sacrifice fly. The Phillies continued rallying over the Reds pitching staff. Bobby Abreu got in off a wild pitch and Victorino hit a two run shot on the next at bat. Rick Fox would end the inning shortly after balking David Bell home.

The 8-4 lead was enough to defeat the Reds after their two run roll in the 9th. Tom Gordon captured his 11th save by controlling another bases loaded scoring attempt with a couple of outs left.

Utley and Victorino combined for 5 hits and 3 RBIs. Shane looks to hold a strong bench spot after Aaron Rowand returns from his trip to the 15 day DL. The rainy milieu didn't ruin a parade of hits by Philly. This game contributes an 11th win of the last 12 games for Philadelphia.

Who's Hot!?

I'm No Fanatic, But They Got Something Special

Looking for entertainment? Don't look any further than the hottest team in baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies have won 10 of 11 games. Outside of a 4-13 loss with a parade of center field hits by the Mets, Philly has been all but unstoppable.

In the duration of the streak, Jon Lieber aquired his first two wins. They have been playing to crowds of over 20,000 on a regular basis and wowing the fan base (outside of two dismal 6,000 crowds at Floria). The pitching was given a spiritual lift after the forgettable 9-14 start (starting pitchers went 7-11).

The Phils subscribe to a team philosophy more so over the "star player" ways of New York and Boston. The coalition of 7 regular starters marks the squad with a well-knit, tight structure. They prove their theory with the lack of production by their foremost all-star hitter, Bobby Abreu. The Dominican wonder is showing slim traces of his former performances with 4 HR and a .269 average.

As of now, the team is relying heavily on sophomore Ryan Howard to pull through and play consistent. The team is lacking any bench power to go in place of starters. However, Shane Victorino may capture more time with the recent breaking of Aaron Rowand's nose. The center fielder boasts a bench best .296 batting average (only 8 hits, so no excitement garnered just yet).

Rest assure, this team will descend come June. They must play in uniform with their May performance. The pitching crew doesn't accomodate any veritable Cy Young's to bolster a pennant contention. The lack of depth in the roster may prove to be costly come October.

Player Profile

This Little Birdie Is Flying High

Troy Glaus is anything but your proverbial "ugly duckling". This Blue Jay is flying high. For him, the ground is clear with all bird watchers in New York, Boston, and St. Louis. He jacked his 231st dinger on Thursday against Kirk Saarloos only 2 innings preceding his first off Saarloos.

The 10 million dollar stud leads a third place Toronto squad in a close race. The team can capture its first division title since 1993 with Glaus at the helm.

The three time all-star's numbers have since fallen slightly, but he still ranks among the top third-basemen in the majors. He has accomplished many outstanding feats early in his career. Being a two time silver slugger and former World Series MVP, he carries weight around the locker room and is transcending the Jays toward post-season success.

Troy is a 6' 5 phenom who often is overlooked because of his lack to get on base enough. A career .358 OBP hasn't been enough to precede elite batters. With his third team in three years, his value also drops along with his inconsistency.

To be a top notch clutch hitter is something of value. Unfortunately, Glaus can fall short in this category. If only he lived in a world of left handed pitchers. On the year he is hitting 16 for 31 against the left handers but isn't having as much success going deep against them.

He most assuredly can live up to another all-star caliber performance and play at 3rd for a strong AL team. Toronto is inching closer each day to the wild card spot. With Hideki Matsui's recent bite in left field, they can pass the pin stripes out early and clinch it. Here's looking up to the skies and eyeing Glaus's success.