- The Phillies won a gritty game last night at a rain-soaked Citizens Bank Park, 7-4 over Milwaukee. Behind my two runs two times, the team rallied in the seventh innings. both on defense and offense.
Bryce Harper, who struck out three times on the night and got lustily booed, saved the game in the top of the seventh when he laid out while making a diving catch at his shoelaces on the wet grass, with the bases loaded with Brewers and the game on the line.
Cesar Hernandez crushed a long homer to right- center field. Odubel Herrera, coming off more bad at-bats and whiffs, lashed a double to left, which was also misplayed by the Milwaukee outfield. Also give credit to both Andrew McCuthen and J.T. Realmuto who had two hits apiece.
Aaron Nola only lasted three innings, laboring all the way. I still say that Nola is hurt. He couldn't control his fastball and doesn't seem to like pitching in colder weather ( which is not a good sign for October baseball). Nola got a no-decision again and is 3-0 on the young season.
It was a long, boring game as both starting pitchers didn't want to throw the ball . Kudos to those hearty fans who stayed for the entire game. It was cold, damp, windy and not comfortable in the stands. The Phils rewarded them by winning the first game of this four-game series with the Brew Crew.
With the win the Phillies are 24-16, 3 1/2 games ahead of idle Atlanta in NL East.
Before the game, a really nice video tribute to the late Phillies CEO David Montgomery was shown. A "Celebration of Life" for Montgomery, who recently passed away after a long battle with cancer, will happen on June 9th at the ballpark. All fans are welcome.
- Both the New York Times and ESPN reported recently that Coach Brett Brown of the 76ers was going to get fired soon. If he didn't get the team at least to the NBA Finals Brown was toast. Well, the team lost a heart breaker on Sunday night in Toronto, as Kahwi Leonard hit a miracle shot at the buzzer to send the Raptors ahead in the playoffs.
But wait...late last night Sixers owner Josh Harris had a meeting with Brown and GM Elton Brand and suddenly, after ringing endorsements from the players ( most notably, franchise cornerstone Joel Embiid), Brown will be returning next year.
I wrote here that to fire Brown would not be fair, as his current squad has not been together for only a handful of games.But I do have reservations about Brown coming back.
It sounds like status quo next season for these Sixers, which is not good enough. Embiid won't suddenly play more low in the post, instead of shooting threes/ Ben Simmons won't suddenly learned how to shoot jump shots or even want to shoot. His brother will still be his mentor this summer. His free throw shooting will continue to be putrid.
Of course the players would endorse Brown. He enables the players instead of pushing them. Embiid, for instance, needs to take better care of his body and eat healthier. We will see if he comes into the fall overweight or in shape. That will say alot to Embiid's commitment to his long-term health and dedication to Brown.
If the 76ers get off to a slow start it wouldn't surprise me to see a coaching change during the season. In other words, Brown will be on a very short leash.
It will be up to Brand to improve the team this summer. Resigning Jimmy Butler will be a must. So will adding shooters and depth to the roster.
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