Phils Slug Their Way to a Series Win; Rollins, Happ Setbacks

I thought I was going to be right when I said the Phils might not be able to put up a 10-spot on Johan.

I’m happy I wasn’t.

With help from home runs off the bats of Polanco, Utley, Howard, a grand slam from Victorino, and the most epic walk since Brett Myers’s in the 2008 NLDS from Jamie Moyer, the Fightins lit up Santana for the worst start in his major league career.

Moyer started off slowly, giving up a three-run shot to David Wright in the first inning, but Polanco and Howard each hit solos in the bottom of the inning to bring it to 3-2. Phillie killer Rod Barajas (who, I might add, is one of my all-time least favorite players, both for what he does against us and what he did for us) came back with a two-run homer off the foul pole to extend the lead to 5-2.

Then the fourth inning happened.

Moyer’s walk was the catalyst. With the bases loaded, he worked a full count, fouled a pitch off, and then took a fastball inside to walk in a run to make it 5-4. Then, in an at-bat eerily similar to his against CC Sabathia in the 2008 NLDS, Victorino lifted one into the left field seats. Senor Santana was shaking in his sombrero.

When it was all said and done, 13 batters came to the plate in the inning, 9 batters reached safely in a row, and 9 runs, 8 of which were charged to Santana, crossed the plate.

Any slump the lineup may have been in should be over after the past two games. Feels good to come back, win that series, and be back on top of the division.

- In not so good news, both Jimmy Rollins and J.A. Happ will be out a little bit longer than expected.

Rollins has been taking batting practice and jogging, but still has lots of pain when he tries to run or move laterally. Though he’s been out for three of the 2-4 weeks that he was expected to be, indications are pointing to him not being ready until mid-to-late May. If the offense continues to hit like they have the past two games, this isn’t a problem. If they fall into another funk, we want him back ASAP.

J.A. Happ’s setback isn’t quite as bad, but unnerving to say the least. His forearm tightened up while throwing off a mound on Friday, so he will not attempt any throwing activities for the next few days. He will resume in the middle of this week, but no timetable has been set on his return. Joe Blanton will be returning on Monday, which lessens the blow a little bit.

To make room for Blanton, lefty Antonio Bastardo was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after the game tonight.

Boatload of Crap 2.0

Incredible sports weekend. Let’s get down to business.

- Continuing their trend of being the most frustrating and inconsistent team in the league, the Fightins came back from a disgusting 9-1 loss to Los Mets on Friday with a vengeance yesterday, throwing up a 10 spot. As if Doc needed it.

For the third time in 6 starts, Halladay went the distance, this time against the hottest team in baseball. I keep expecting him to slow down and he just keeps getting better. His next start will be against a dangerous Cardinals’ lineup, but with what we’ve seen, he can go up against an all-star team and throw a no hitter.

- Phils are going up against Johan tonight on ESPN. He has a career 4-1 record with a 2.90 ERA against us so I wouldn’t expect another double digit run game.  Sure would be nice to take two out of three from the Mets early in the year.

- Ryan Madson is a moron.

- Kentucky Derby and the Mayweather-Mosely fight were both pretty legit. This is a baseball/Philly blog though, so go elsewhere if you want to know about them. I’m probably not the guy you want analyzing a horse race.

- Flyers went down 1-0 to the Bruins yesterday in OT, which, by the way, was one of the best overtimes I’ve ever seen in any sport. Look for them to bounce back tomorrow.

- Go Phils. Go Flyers.

Howard’s Contract: Updated

The Phillies released the terms of the deal a little bit earlier . Ryan is already in the midst of a 3-year $54 million deal in which he will make $19 mil this year and $20 mil next year. The extension kicks in in 2012, when he will make $20 million. The same goes for 2013. From 2014-16, he gets bumped up to $25 million a year.

There is also an option for 2017 worth $23 million with a $10 million buyout. The contract comes with some no-trade protection and bonuses for awards.

Todd Zolecki has some really good insight up on his blog The Zo Zone about the deal.

If you don’t feel like reading it, basically what he says is that we could have done what we did; take a big risk throwing a ton of money at Howard and ensuring that we have him for the long haul; or have his contract end next year and take the chance of having him leave for the big payday (presumably to the Yankees because they’re douchebags.)

I would like to take this opportunity to recant my previous post saying I didn’t like the deal. It’s the first time it has happened on here, but knowing me, you can bet your ass it’s not gonna be the last. You can all make fun of me now.

Touche, Ruben Amaro. I don’t know why I doubted you.

Howard Locked Up

The Phils signed Ryan Howard to an extension today worth $125 million over 5 years, extending his contract through the 2016 season.

I like it, and I don’t.

He’s the premier power hitter in the game. 225 home runs, 750 games. Unheard of. I want him on my team.

He’ll also be almost 36 when the deal is up. The team hasn’t announced how much they’ll be paying him per year, but if it’s a deal where he gets paid more as the years go on, we could be paying a player a few years past his prime $25 million a year. Whole bunch of money.

A player like Howard; big, strong, and thick as a mofo; shouldn’t lose too much off his numbers in his mid-30s because he’s built like an absolute monster. But paying him A-Rod-in-his-prime type dollars seems excessive.

Whatever. He’s our’s now.

Happ/Romero Injury Updates, Fly Guys in the Dirty Jerz

First off, sorry for the long absence between posts. This whole school thing tends to kick my ass every once in a while.

Good and bad news on the pitching front today. J.A. Happ was placed on the 15-day disabled list with forearm tightness while lefty reliever J.C. Romero was activated from the disabled list.

In his absence, beginning this Saturday in Arizona, new addition Nelson Figueroa will make a spot start. There is no word as of yet if Figueroa will continue in a starting role or if another player will take over in upcoming starts.

Joe Blanton will be returning in about a week and a half, so the mystery starter will only have to make about two, possibly three starts. Kyle Kendrick will then stay in the rotation until Happ gets back.

The addition of Romero is a tremendous help to a struggling bullpen. Antonio Bastardo had previously been the only left-hander in the ‘pen, so adding a veteran for the late innings is a plus. Shame we can’t have Doc throw every other day or so to give these guys a rest. Jesus Christ he’s good.

On a happier note, the Flyers keep steamrolling their way to getting swept by the Caps. As Leo said last post, they’ll be doing it without Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter, who will both be undergoing foot surgery and will be out 3 and 6 weeks, respectively.

Finally, if you’re a fan of the absolutely hysterical show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, this should make you hate Canucks fans for the rest of your life. Stop stealing our shit, Canada.

Rollins Update

As expected, Jimmy was placed on the disabled list today. He is expected to be out for 2-4 weeks.

Rollins has a grade 1-2 tear in his right calf. Charlie Manual said earlier today that “he’s hurt pretty bad.” Wilson Valdez has called up from Triple-A to take his place on the roster.

Yeah, it sucks. But it’s April 14. I would much rather throw Jimmy on the DL now and have him out for a month and a half than bring him back too early and have his calf bother him the rest of the season, as we saw with Greg Dobbs last year when he had the same injury.

If you’re feeling down, just remember you’re not a Mets fan. Always makes me feel better.