Red Sox Nation Surrenders Game 1
We gotta admit, as annoying as it might be, it's fairly impressive how many fans the Red Sox can put in away stadiums. That's why it's even more satisfying when the Phillies can smoke the Sawx by a score of 8-2 in the first of a three-game series.
At the plate, it was Ryan Howard's night. ESPN tells us that for only the second time since WWII, a player has had four games with at least four RBI in an eight-game span. Howard became that second player tonight, rocking two oppo homers and—get this—a triple. Just one day after stealing a bag (!), RyHo knocked one to center off of Jacoby Ellsbury's glove, running his ass off to take three (after a bit of a slow start from the box). We're gonna go out on a limb here and say that "Ryan Howard Triple" isn't on your Phillies bingo card.
Perhaps just as crazy... Earlier in the game, Pat the Bat tripled too.
Who else wants a 3B? Chooch Ruiz? Davy Lopes?
Cole Hamels was dealing again tonight, striking out five in seven innings. He allowed seven scattered hits, and the only two runs against the Phils were on back-to-back solo shots. Not that an at-bat by a really, really fat American League pitcher should be an indicator of how on a pitcher is, but we're going to link up this Hamels K of Bartolo Colon anyway.
Anytime your helmet falls off and the crowd and announcers are laughing at you, it probably wasn't a great showing, no matter who you are. But Cole can have that effect on even a decent hitter, so Colon didn't even have a chance up there.
Helluva start to the Masshole Invasion Series.
Good job Ryan. But seriously Wheels, what does the US Open have to do with that play?
Its good to see the Red Sux lose.
Posted by: dScan | Monday, June 16, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Ry-Ho now leads the league in RBI and is second in HRs.
Posted by: ron | Monday, June 16, 2008 at 11:04 PM
A couple more homers more than Utley and you know a .178 jump in average and hes got the Triple Crown. Totally doable.
Posted by: Paul | Monday, June 16, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Hey, they say back-to-back-to-back MVP's may come from the Phillies, but HOW is still undetermined.
Posted by: Benjamin | Monday, June 16, 2008 at 11:17 PM
I hate Boston more than NY or LA. Those people make me sick and I can't wait to start fights at Tuesday nights game.
Posted by: Art | Monday, June 16, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Check out my link to We Should Be GM's co-owner/writer. Has he no shame?
Posted by: Phils Phan | Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 12:41 AM
I used to have some respect for the Boston fanhood, but their new attitude since having a handful winning teams is a tad sickening.
Posted by: Eh.. | Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 12:56 AM
^^"I can't wait to start fights at Tuesday nights game."
May I ask what you intend to accomplish by starting fights at the game? Is it to make a spectacle (and a fool) of yourself and ruin the enjoyment of the game for those around you? Because that's what will happen.
Belligerent abuse and being an asshole in general does not make you a better fan than anybody else. It just makes you a belligerent asshole.
You're the ugly Philadelphia fan that the rest of us get lumped in with, and who makes us look bad. And I loathe you.
Posted by: pilgrim | Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Do they really all come down from Massachusetts? I always assumed they were here all along. Ever since they won the series, every 1/4 irish person with a second cousin up in Boston became a "die hard Red Sox fan"
Posted by: matt | Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Last night's game was a great one to watch. Finally Howard's bat is coming alive. I would love to see this lineup get hot at the same time, as Utley has been slumping a little.
Posted by: John | Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Funniest thing about Boston is it's not even a big city. I understand that Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire need a team to root for as well, but I don't get how their fans can act like they're all such incredible people when most of their fans are from the boonies.
Posted by: T | Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 05:53 PM