-Big win for the Phillies last night. A gutsy victory. Vince Valasquez got hit by a line drive on the right arm in the second inning. Amazingly, Valasquez tossed his glove and in a flash of instinct, threw the runner out at first- with his left arm. He crashed to the ground and roll in rain. Taken out of the game, it was feared Valasquez had a fractured arm. Luckily, the vicious liner ( timed at 92 mph.) hit Vince in the meaty part of his right forearm, not on bone. X-rays revealed no breal, only a bad contusion. He should be OK.
From there, it was a bullpen game. The much belabored 'pen only gave up one run in seven innings ( that by Tommy Hunter, who is a waste). Siranthony Doninguez picked up his 7th save of the season. Hopefully Jake Arrieta pitches deep into the game this afternoon, even in brutal heat, as the bullpen is taxed as it is.
- Odubel Herrera snapped an 0-21 slump, crushing his 14th homer to deep right field. Herrera is so streaky. Maybe that homer will start him on another hot streak.
-Manager Gabe Kapler used his entire bench- except for catcher Andrew Knapp- by the 7th inning. An extra bench player would give him much more flexibility. but Kapler likes a deep bullpen. Yesterday it didn't hurt him.
- Washington scored 17 runs on Friday night. On Saturday they struggled to score runs again. They are now 5 games off the pace. With all the talent in the world they are clearly underachieving. Will Bryce Harper bolt after the season for greener ( as in money) pastures? He has 20 home runs so far, despite his average hovering around .220. Today's game is a big one, as the Nats can be 3 games behind the Phils or only one game behind the Pjillies, Gio Gonzalez, always tough against Phillu
- Meanwhile, Atlanta blitzed the suddenly hapless Cardinals in St. Louis, starting a 10-game road trip with a pair of wins at Busch Stadium. The Braves face the Yankees and Brewers before they return home. Good chance for the Phils to make up some ground.
- This Phillies team has more wins at this point of the season than the 2008 championship club. They have a couple of days off this week- Monday and Thursday- hosting the Baltimore Orioles on July 3 and 4. They then head to the road before the All-Star break, visiting Pittsburgh, New York, a make-up game in Baltimore and Miami.
Breaking: Valasquez was placed on 10-day DL. Zav Curtis sent back to Lehigh Valley. Pat Neshek reinstated and Jake Thompson again recalled. Will he make start for Valasquez in Pittsburgh next weekend?
- The Flyers pulled a free agent surprise by signing JVR, James Van Reimsdyk, the former Flyer and now former Maple Leaf. Good move. He never should've been traded in the first place. In his prime at 29, JVR will score 30 goals and be a force on the power play. Now, what about the goaltending situation?
- Sixers off-season so far: Iyyasova signs with Bucks. Bellinelli signs with Spurs. George stays with Thunder. No Kawhi, LeBron or Reddick so far. No Bridges. Happy, Sixer fans?
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