Summer Baseball Tour 2011 - Citizens Bank Park

WASHINGTON NATIONALS AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

AUGUST 12th, 2011

NATIONALS 4 - PHILLIES 2

The Philadelphia Phillies have been the class of the National League for the past four seasons. Since 2008, they have won the most regular season games in the NL, and have experienced post season success by winning the National League pennant in 2008 and 2009 and as well as the World Series in 2008. This season the Phillies star players haven't produced at the plate as they had in the past but Phillies have an ace up their sleeve -  to be precise, three aces.

The Phillies starting rotation is historically dominant. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels have all been identified as aces and have led the team to the best record in the NL.The combined K/BB ratio is unprecedented, and it's not often that the Phillies are disadvantaged in the pitching matchup on a given night. 

Since their move to Washington in 2005, the Nationals have been whipping boys for their Philadelphia rivals. The Phillies lead the head to head 79-45 and with their dominant pitching advantage that trend will likely continue for the next few seasons. This past off season added an extra wrinkle into the Nats/Phils rivalry. Jayson Werth, the Phillies starting right fielder since 2008, signed a 7 year, 126 million dollar deal with the Nationals.

Phillie starter Cole Hamels

The pitching matchup on Friday night was Livan Hernandez (6-11, 4.41) versus Cole Hamels (13-6, 2.53). Hernandez has been around the Majors since 1996 and won the World Series MVP in 1997 with the Marlins. As he has aged he's proven to be an effective pitcher even though his fastball rarely tops 90 mph, and he can counted on to log a ton of innings. 

Hamels was selected to the NL All Star team this year and ranks 5th in NL ERA. He's beloved in Philly because of his superb performances in the 2008 postseason that led to the Phillies winning the World Series.

Citizens Bank Park

Citizens Bank Park, 2004

Citizens Bank Park is located in the Philadelphia Sports Complex just outside of the residential neighborhood of South Philadelphia. Yet another retro classic ballpark built in the 2000’s,the actual physical makeup of the ballpark is exceptional. The atmosphere was the best of the trip. No waves, nearly the entire crowd was wearing red, the fans seemed knowledgeable, and invested in the game. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between all of the recently constructed stadiums but I think that Citizens Bank has some elements that set it apart.


Location of Seat

View from section 206 at Citizens Bank Park

Section 206 – Row 1 – Seat 16

The seats were in the middle deck down the right field line, which provided an interesting perspective of the diamond and the game.We were a little far from the main focus point, which in baseball is obviously home plate and the mound, but we weren't too high and the plate was directly in front of us down the foul line.

Lineups

Washington

CF Rick Ankiel

2B Danny Espinosa

3B Ryan Zimmerman

LF Jonny Gomes

RF Jayson Werth

C Wilson Ramos

1B Lance Nix

SS Ian Desmond
PH Alex Cora
PH Brian Bixler
PH Jordan Zimmerman

Pitchers

SP Livan Hernandez

RP Tyler Clippard

RP Drew Storen

Phillies all star first baseman Ryan Howard

Philadelphia

SS Jimmy Rollins

CF Shane Victorino

2B Chase Utley

1B Ryan Howard

RF Hunter Pence

LF Raul Ibanez

C Carlos Ruiz

3B Wilson Valdez

PH Ben Francisco

PH Ross Gload

Pitchers

SP Cole Hamels

RP Kyle Kendrick

RP Brad Lidge

Game Recap, Radio Update Style

The Nationals beat the Phillies 4-2 in the first game of a weekend series.


Phillies starter Cole Hamels lasted just five innings giving up three runs on six hits and four walks.


It was the third shortest start for Hamels this season.


Nats pitcher Livan Hernandez helped himself at the plate picking up two RBI singles.


Hernandez also shut down the Phils offense over 6 and 2/3rds allowing one unearned run on four hits.


Next visit on the Summer Baseball tour, Oriole Park at Camden Yards.