Pesky Pirates Plunder Phils, Thwart Happ

James Anthony Happ is a lead Rookie of the Year candidate, but faces mounting competition.

Although he allowed 10 runs in 1 inning on 8/14, Charlie Morton handcuffed the Phils Thursday, with the exception of Rollins' 3 hits and Paul Bako's 4-4 on-base game (which pushed his average to the limit at .194). I guess when you load the bases with nobody out in the 1st against lowly Pittsburgh and muster only 1 run, you kind of deserve to lose, right? The same can't be said of Happ, whose 2 bad pitches and lackluster run support landed him just his 3rd loss of the season. He is 10-3.

"He pitched a hell of a game," Charlie Manuel said. "I can't say enough about his game. . . . He pitched too good to lose."

"He was outstanding," said Utley. "That home run was disappointing, but overall he should be proud of how he pitched."

Each outing is now precious for Happ if he wants to be NL Rookie of the Year. Among those nipping at his heels is 23 year-old Braves hurler Tommy Hanson, who is 9-2 with a 3.12 ERA, 4-0 with a 2.81 ERA in August. The Phils will have a chance to help Happ's campaign by beating Hanson on Friday, when they open a series against the Braves that could prove pivotal if they play like they did in Pittsburgh.

The Phils managed to drop 2 of 3 in Pittsburgh, despite late game leads, and even needed extra-innings to avoid a sweep. That can mean only one thing, kiddies: finals week is over and it's... you guessed it: senioritis. No, not older folks forgetting things. I'm referring to the other senioritis. I found this fitting definition:

"Senioritis-- [noun.] A crippling disease that strikes high school seniors. Symptoms include: laziness, an over-excessive wearing of track pants, old athletic shirts, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and sweatshirts. Also features a lack of studying, repeated absences, and a generally dismissive attitude. The only known cure is a phenomenon known as Graduation."

For the Phils, "graduation" will come in just over a month, when they are unleashed for the playoffs. Here's hoping they sort their closer catastrophe before then. But, dude, relax. The Braves just lost 2 of 3 to the helpless Padres (including a 12-5 drubbing yesterday), while the Marlins were getting crushed tonight, 10-3, by the N.Y. Mets (who had lost 5-straight prior) and pitcher Tim Redding, whose previous 8 starts had resulted in a loss.

So, no need to worry, bro., the lead is still 7 games. Just pass a brew, will ya? Hey, did you catch Ryan Howard talking fav. tunes on ESPN, while Jimmy Rollins giggled uncontrollably in the background? Howard and Rollins clowning-- and, oh yeah, is there a 3-game series against the Braves or something?

By the way, if you missed Rollins' remarkable play to save a run in the 5th inning Thursday, you have to see it twice to believe it. Here's proof that while Howard may be Superman, Rollins is both faster than the speed-of-light and en route to his 3rd-straight Gold Glove: Snag from thin air.

notes:

Currently bombing at new lows Now soaring to new heights

Checked in with Roy Halladay, lately? Doc is indisputably great. However, while Cliff Lee has gone 8-0 in his last 8 starts and compiled a 0.68 ERA for the Phils, Halladay is 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA and a .320 opponent batting average since 7/29. Aren't you glad he isn't posting those kind of numbers for us? It's the relationship that could have been, but now you're with someone better and can stop looking over your shoulder-- at least until Lee's 1st imperfect game (we are Philly fans, after all, what's baseball without regret?).

What do Eric Milton, Randy Wolf and Vicente Padilla and have in common? They've all been starting pitchers for the Phillies and, this season, the Dodgers. The Dodgers are thankful for Wolf and Padilla, as they would now be tied for 1st place without them. Wolf stemmed the tide of their losing ways on Wednesday and Padilla won for them Thursday in a key series against red-hot division rivals Colorado.