IGT 8/11/14 NYM @ PHI: Take the series and run.

[Zvon]

This is a 1:05 afternoon game!

NYM: Niese (5-8, 3.51)
PHI: Buchanan (6-5, 4.39)

[Guest d'Kong76]

NY Mets at Philadelphia
When: 1:05 PM ET, Monday, August 11, 2014
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
SportsDirect Inc.

The Philadelphia Phillies finally figured out a way to take down the New York Mets on Sunday and will try to earn a split of the four-game series when they host the finale on Monday. The Phillies had dropped 11 of 12 at home to the Mets before storming back from a 6-1 deficit on Sunday. New York�s bullpen has been up and down over the weekend, with Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia taking turns being unavailable on the back end.

The Phillies reside in the basement in the National League East due in part to the struggles of Ryan Howard in the middle of the order. Howard came through with the walk-off hit in Sunday�s 7-6 victory while Chase Utley finished a double shy of the cycle. New York has taken 10 of the 15 meetings between the teams this season and is getting strong performances from Travis d�Arnaud and Lucas Duda in the series.

TV:
1:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP:
Mets LH Jon Niese (5-8, 3.51 ERA) vs. Phillies RH David Buchanan (6-5, 4.39)

Niese is trying to stop a four-start losing streak and was lit up for six runs on eight hits - two home runs - in six innings at Washington on Wednesday. The 27-year-old has not notched more than four strikeouts in any of the last three outings. Niese has had some success against Philadelphia in his career, posting a 7-6 record with a 3.03 ERA in 18 career starts.

Buchanan started in place of Cliff Lee (elbow) on Wednesday and held Houston to three runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings to earn the win. The Georgia native has allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last seven major-league outings. Buchanan started against the Mets on May 29 at home and suffered a loss while surrendering four runs - three earned - in 6 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Mejia is dealing with tightness in his calf and is also reportedly putting off surgery for a hernia.
2. Philadelphia claimed veteran RHP Jerome Williams off waivers from Texas and designated RHP Sean O�Sullivan for assignment.
3. New York RHP Jacob deGrom (shoulder) will head back to undergo tests on Monday and will not make his scheduled start on Tuesday.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Curtis Granderson - RF
Daniel Murphy - 2B
David Wright - 3B
Lucas Duda - 1B
Juan Lagares - CF
Matt den Dekker - LF
Wilmer Flores - SS
Anthony Recker - C
Jonathon Niese - LHP

[Guest d'Kong76]

Revere, CF
Rollins, SS
Byrd, RF
Howard, 1B
Ruiz, C
Ruf, LF
Blanco, 2B
Asche, 3B
Buchanan, P

[Benjamin Grimm]

MLB's GameDay says "Injury Delay." Anyone know what's up?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Niese deflected a ball off his calf but appears fine if that's what you're asking about

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's probably it. Thanks.

[Frayed Knot]

Three walks in less than 6 innings (including one of the 4-pitch variety and another to the pitcher leading off an inning) plus now a head-high HBP (Ryan Howard just got his shoulder in front of his face) suggests that Niese's location is his worst enemy both today and in his recent starts when he's been serving up a bunch of taters.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Hey, Lagares just drew a walk. Anything can happen.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Den dekker dun did it, RBI double

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

If Rekker doesn't get this run in, I'm breaking up with him.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: If Rekker doesn't get this run in, I'm breaking up with him.

Well now.

[TransMonk]

Recked it.

[bmfc1]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: If Rekker doesn't get this run in, I'm breaking up with him.

So what's the opposite of "breaking up with him"?

[Edgy MD]

You Reck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, Ant'ny
Yes, you do

[Edgy MD]

bmfc1 wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: If Rekker doesn't get this run in, I'm breaking up with him. So what's the opposite of "breaking up with him"?

Nice dress, 'bucket.

[Frayed Knot]

bmfc1 wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: If Rekker doesn't get this run in, I'm breaking up with him. So what's the opposite of "breaking up with him"?

Having his baby.

[Frayed Knot]

Juan shoots down another one.
Dom Brown out at home by multiple feet.

[Frayed Knot]

It was a ridiculous send by the Philly coach.
Brown on 2nd, Phils down by 3 w/2 outs and the big hitters coming up, single up the middle, and Brown hadn't even reached 3B by the time Lagares was picking up the ball.
It wasn't even a particularly good throw (several feet to the 1B-side of the plate) but Recker had oodles of time to slide over and tag him out by 15 feet.

[Edgy MD]

That seems to be the advantage the guy gets. He burns third base coaches who are reading the hit, rather than the outfielder, and he's getting to balls much faster.

[Frayed Knot]

Ruben Tejada: late inning defensive replacement (helps that Flores made the final out)
And Buddy Carlyle is your 8th inning man today.

[Edgy MD]

Hopefully, Flores' flubbs the previous day is what gives Terry a push in the Ruben-as-Replacement direction.

[Edgy MD]

Just heard a WOR commercial by yourmarketingsucks.com

Classy!

[Edgy MD]

Futley!

[Edgy MD]

This is interesting. If interference is ruled, is that a double or an out?

[Edgy MD]

With regard to the game, is there really a difference between a double and a homer?

[Edgy MD]

Phew.

Four-of-seven roadtrip.

Not exactly world-beaters, but...

[Guest d'Kong76]

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: This is interesting. If interference is ruled, is that a double or an out?

Clearly a double. Granderson was nowhere near it and made no try for the ball except maybe to hope for a rebound.

[Edgy MD]

Thanks. Yeah, I had no idea via the radio.

Do I correctly assume that, had he been in position, the umpz would have had the option to rule an out?