Belated Recap: Now it's a series

Written by Mike Mariano | 09 October 2009

Sorry for the delay, but it's been a hectic one thus far and I am just now finding time to write some words about yesterday's 5-4 loss to the Rockies.  Honestly, I didn't get to watch the game but I listened to most of the game on the radio including the dramatic, yet disappointing finish.  Here are my thoughts:

1. Can we really fault Cole?

I don't know.  I'm decidedly on the fence on this one.  Yeah Ol' King Cole wasn't very effective and seemed to be in his own world during a playoff game.  However, the fact that his baby was potentially being born while he pitched is one of the few excuses that I'm willing to accept.  So yeah, I think he deserves a little bit of a pardon for his subpar effort.

2.  Now's the time for Yorvit to break his homerless slump?

The guy hasn't homered since May and now he finds his power swing in what is one of the biggest home runs of the Rockies season.  Come on.  Hamels wasn't pitching great, but serving one up to Yorvit is a sad thing.

3.  Now, the series has begun.

The old saying is that it isn't a series until one team wins on the road and the Rockies accomplished just that.  Now the Phillies have to go to Colorado and take at least one.  This isn't the most daunting of tasks, however sweeping the opening games at home would've made a Rockies comeback nearly impossible.

4.  I really thought it was going to be a walk-off win.

Listening to the game you could hear the excitement in the stadium and I was sure that somebody was going to get it done.  Stairs battled and walked and then Jimmy got on base.  With Shane at the plate, I really thought magic was about to happen and Mets fans everywhere would puke knowing that their Most Hated Phillie drove in the winning runs.

5.  Chris Berman announcing baseball sucks.

I don't know how in the world Chris Berman got the assignment to announce the game, but it was a nice of telling Phillies and Rockies fans to shove it.  The back-to-back day games is bad enough, but having to listen to Chris Berman announce it was a direct kick to the groin.  Most of the time it was a struggle to have any idea what was going on during the game.  It's not entirely Berman's fault, how is he supposed to have a feel for baseball play-by-play he never does it.  Why take chances with weird booth combos in the playoffs of all times?  It makes no sense.  Stick to what works.

6.  Pedro is on the hill for game 3.

This isn't so great, as Benny pointed out, because it might be snowing and that can't be good for an old tired arm.  However, the cold will only make it more difficult to hit and Pedro's old guy stuff should be that much more difficult to hit.  Saturday night should be a good low scoring game.  But if the homers start flying you didn't hear that from me.