Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Omens or curses?

Even Roy Halladay encountered it before rejoining the Philadelphia Phillies. What team did he face in Clearwater on Thursday?

TAL’S HANDY CAPS

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Check out: Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Is Hamels in retooling plans?

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT: 8-5 Triumph

TYPE	PLAYER	REASON
The Crystal Champagne Toast	Cliff Lee	Four-Star Performance
The Penthouse	Cliff Lee Jimmy Rollins	Worked Out Of A Runner-At-3rd One-Out Jam In The 2nd Fired 7 3-Hit Innings An RBI Single To Tie The Score At 1 In The 8th
The Kangaroo Courthouse	Ty Wigginton	Thrown Out Rounding 3rd To End The 2nd
The Whitehouse	Cliff Lee	Reached his 200th K In The 5th

The Vanimal Doubles In 2 Insurance Runs In The 6th

NITECAP INSIGHT

What It Would Take:

The answer is that only a miracle will save the red pinstripes, like 2007. At this point most will feel these examples are only signposts on the way to a witches‘-brew summer. The first clue appeared on July 4th with the 1st win for Cliff Lee, which was their only victory over the previous 12 decisions. He, naturally, lost when every other member of the rotation recorded wins. Independence Day was the freeing occasion and not July 3, while we waited for someone else to chalk up a W.

Magic Juan Swipes 2nd In The 6th

The other ace had his rehab in Florida against the Miracle, the Fort Myers Miracle. The same word was used to describe what the Phils require. Then, there are the potential bookends of 2007 and 2012. We, coincidentally, faced the Rox in the ‘07 NLDS, and that’s the organization a supernatural event has to be initiated against. Colorado was swept by Boston that year, which had Jonathan Papelbon as their hammer. The locals have never secured a wildcard, and they haven’t slipped in to capture a pennant or a World Series either. They’ve done the unexpected but not the impossible.

Vic Triples In J-Roll During The 9th For A Cushion

The must-see development before the play-ball call today was the next matchup after the 13th. Lee was triumphant on his 14th attempt and this was the 1st shot after Friday the 13th. And now that he has absorbed another L on his ledger, perhaps, the baseball gods have been accommodated. That said, the squad–like Lee–had to produce a victory before accelerating up the standings. The opposing hurler, also, had 13 starts before this effort. The 2nd battle for the 2nd half was a win, which keeps 2012 on life support. Will Doc arrive in the nick of time?

King Cole Throws A Clean 7th On July 10 At The All-Star Game In Kansas City

PRECAP PITCH

Cole Hamels:

He has had difficult outings to begin 2011, 2012 and the 2nd half of ‘11. However, he threw a clean inning at the All-Star Game, which could have kept him sharp. His line against The Rox at the Bank in mid-June was: 8 complete, 6 hits, 2 both-earned runs, 3 free passes and 7 punch outs on 113 bullets.

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
1	LHP Cliff Lee	1-6, 3.72 ERA	@ Nats	RHP Stephen Strasburg	11-4, 2.76 ERA	Tuesday, Night
2	RHP Vance Worley	5-6, 3.88 ERA	@ Nats	RHP Edwin Jackson	6-6, 3.52 ERA	Wednesday, Night
3	LHP Cole Hamels	11-5, 3.31 ERA	@ Nats	LHP Ross Detwiler	5-4, 3.24 ERA	Thursday, Night

Drew Pomeranz Loads Up A 3-Finger Change In The 7th On July 6 In Washington

Drew Pomeranz:

He has allowed only 1 unearned run in 2 July appearances since returning to the parent club. In both performances he went at least 6 full. For 2012, he has lasted 6.1 frames or more in 2 of 7 opportunities with 2 clunkers.

DELIVERY = PITCHER’S 2012	DEFINITION OF SEASON
Over The Top	Excellent
3-Quarter Sidearm	Good
Sidearm	Above Average
Short Arm	Approximately Average
Submarine	Below Average

Quality number of the pitcher: 1 – 5

Slot on his club: 1 – 5

Ranking is 1 to 5 & 15 for the less adventurous.

HURLER	Cole Hamels	Nate Eovaldi
NUMBER	A One	A Five
CLUB SLOT	Two	Four
FOR 2012	3-Quarter Sidearm	Short Arm
'12 RANKING	2nd of 5 Categories	4th of 5 Categories
LAST START	Knuckleball	Slider
LAST HIGH OR LOW	11th of 15 Categories	7th of 15 Categories

DISPLAY NOTE: Non-listed results can go up or down by

* 1 notch & ** 2 clicks (This note will only appear when it’s relevant.)

* 1 Tick DOWN, ** 2 Ticks UP

	PITCH	INN	ER - R- H		PITCH	INN	ER
1	Gyroball	9 (CG)	0 - 0 - 3	10	Screwball	6	4
2	Fastball	9 (CG)	0 - 0	11	Knuckleball	5	3
3	Cutter	9 (CG)	3	12	Forkball	0 - 4.2	Monstrosity
4	Split Finger	7	2	13	Eephus Pitch	0 - 2.2	Disaster
5	Curveball	7	3	14	*Palm Ball	Ejected
6	Sinker	6.1	3	15	*Spit Ball	**Ejected+
7	Slider	6	2		*Breaking Ball	Injured
8	Changeup	6	3		*Fosh	Rain Interrupted
9	Slurve	5	2		*Knuckle Curve	Pitch Count
	** = Suspended				* = A 2nd Pitch Also

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