Marlins-Phillies Commentary: TSFF and Liberty Ball

Follow the Liberty Ball thread here!

10:01PM:
Well, it's a 12-3 Phillies victory. Good game for the Phillies fans, not so much for us. Either way, Liberty Ball was a class act all the way. We'll be back on tomorrow for a hopeful Marlins victory.

8:22PM:
11-3, on one of the worst-hit HRs I've ever witnessed. Howard essentially slapped a homer into left field. Crazy.

Any way you look at it, the Marlins have the misfortune of playing a red-hot Phillies offense in a tough tough park. This game is quickly getting far out of reach. Big inning needed.

8:22PM:
Two poor plays in the field make it 8-3. First Treanor puts So Taguchi (whom I hate) on third with an errant throw, then a Rollins pop fly manages to drop. My reaction went from "yes! too shallow for a sac fly" to "oh sh*t, Luis Gonzalez is really slow." Yeah...not much going right for the Marlins right now. And Hanley just got hurt. Oh great.

8:06PM:
Tough break for the Marlins. They get two on but couldn't convert. The difference in this game so far are the two HRs. If the Marlins had two, we'd probably be even.

Side Question: Why isn't Cody Ross starting every game in this ballpark? The guy is on an absolute HR tear, and the Marlins need a bunch of runs. Anyone agree?

7:54PM:
Mark Hendrickson has just stunk up the joint in ways I didn't even think he could. He's thrown a few good pitches, but then he makes the mistake pitch. Chase Utley is probably getting some celebratory cheers from the Phillies faithful as the Phillies take a commanding 7-3 lead.

The key for the Marlins will be to stay patient. They don't have to come back in one swing. Myers is hittable...be patient and wait for the right spots.

7:40PM:
Dan Uggla isn't making a strong impression so far. He popped out and then threw a ground ball into the wall. And now it's 3-3. HR Chris Coste. Prepare for a slugfest.

7:26PM:
Hendrickson looked good through 1. Side Note: I CAN'T STAND these Blue Cross/Blue Shield "speak out and be heard on healthcare" commercials. They're an insurance company looking for business!!!

7:19PM:
An excellent top of the first for the Marlins. A few notes:

1. Hanley Ramirez may be getting out of his slump. It would really help his all-star chances if he could play well in this marquee series.

2. The Marlins got some shocking assists from Brett Myers and Pat Burrell. Myers couldn't throw a strike to save his life, and Burrell horribly misplayed a ball in LF.

3. The Marlins could have scored more if they had shown more patience. Dan Uggla had the worst AB of the inning, swinging away after Myers threw four straight balls to Jacobs. Jacque Jones gets the same criticism.

Even so, I'm happy with the 3-0 lead, but watch out. Philadelphia can score quickly.

7:15PM:
From Liberty Ball: I’m going to try to keep an update going throughout the game. I’ll probably be updating in the comments so that anyone else can join in. I’ll also be updating with ASponge here.

Meanwhile Myers has already given up a run in the first. A single, a walk, and a double without an out is not the start he needed. Sadly it’s the start I expected. He always tries to get his fastball accross early but it doesn’t work.

6:57PM:
Hey everyone. We're going to be experimenting with a new project this weekend. Our good Phillies friend (and sworn enemy...but friend too) Liberty Ball, will be exchanging back-and-forth comments throughout the series. We'll be posting them up on our sites as the games go along.

I don't think I need to reiterate how important this series is. Tonight's game is of particular significance for the Marlins, since it's the only clear pitching advantage of the weekend. Mark Hendrickson has really struggled of late, but Brett Myers has been far worse. Even Liberty Ball is predicting a slew of runs tonight from the Fish.

So strap your seatbelts and follow along our thread!