Phils pick up recently released Bernadina

August 21, 2013

By Nick Tricome

Center field has become a problem for the Phillies, since losing Ben Revere to a broken foot back in July.

They claimed Casper Wells off waivers in an attempt to improve their outfield depth, now the Phillies are turning to the recently released Roger Bernadina.

Bats couldn't recover from Cloyd's rough start

August 20, 2013

Box Score (from ESPN.com)

By Nick Tricome

Give credit to Tyler Cloyd. He got off to a rough start on Tuesday night, but was able to settle down in the latter half of his outing.

Unfortunately, the Phillies' bats couldn't drive in enough runs to catch up with the Colorado Rockies and lost 5-3.

Phils win 5-4, Sandberg's second win arrives quicker

August 19, 2013

Box Score (from MLB.com)

By Nick Tricome

It took two shutouts from the Dodgers before Ryne Sandberg got his first win as the Phillies' manager, but the second was earned much sooner.

The Phillies beat the Colorado Rockies 5-4 on Monday night for their second win in a row and just their fifth in the month of August.

The Charlie Manuel era is over, but it still hasn't sunk in

August 17, 2013

By Nick Tricome

It's a day after the fact, but it still may not have fully sunk in yet.

Still, it is nonetheless true. Charlie Manuel is no longer the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Boston Globe report reveals tough times for Schilling

August 13, 2013

By Nick Tricome

August 2 was a night of celebration at Citizens Bank Park. 

Brad Lidge officially retired as a Phillie the night before, then it was Curt Schilling's time to be inducted into the Phillies' Wall of Fame.

It was a chance to reflect on Schilling's tenure in Philadelphia and his role on the 1993 team that won the NL pennant, especially.

But little did anyone in the stadium know, amidst all the joy in the air, that the past couple years have been tough for the former pitcher.

Hamels pitches gem, Asche homers in Manuels 1,000th win

August 12, 2013

Box Score (from ESPN.com)

By Nick Tricome

It took some time, but it finally happened.

Fresh off of being swept by the Nationals over the weekend, and after having to sit through an almost two-hour rain delay, the Phillies snapped an 11-game road losing streak and gave Charlie Manuel his 1,000th win as a manager.

Cole Hamels pitched a gem in Atlanta on Monday night, throwing a complete game with nine strikeouts in the Phils' 5-1 win.

Weekend Recap: Where's the fight?

August 12, 2013

By Nick Tricome

The Phillies gave Cliff Lee a 4-0 lead on Saturday night, but the game ended with the Nationals on top 8-5, after the bullpen blew yet another lead.

Sunday night wasn't any better, with Stephen Strasburg throwing his first complete game in a 6-0 shutout of the Phils.

Strasburg allowed just four hits that game, completing the first sweep of the Phillies in D.C.'s Nationals Park.

The weekend sweep made the Phillies losers in 17 of their last 20 games and they have a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves up next on the schedule.

Nats give Lannan a hard time in Phils' 9-2 loss

August 9, 2013

Box Score (from ESPN.com)

By Nick Tricome

These two teams had playoff expectations in the spring, but now even a .500 record has proven to be a bit much for them to achieve.

The Phillies and Nationals are both well out of NL East contention at this point and the same goes for a wild card spot.

So a series that could have been a pivotal point in deciding who would sit atop the division by the end of September, is now nothing more than a competition for bragging rights.

The Phillies didn't get off to a good start on that one, though, as they lost the series opener 9-2.

Delmon Young designated for assignment

August 9, 2013

By Nick Tricome

When the Phillies claimed outfielder Casper Wells off waivers Thursday, they opted to hold off on making the roster move until they headed to Washington to open up a road series with the Nationals on Friday.

The time has come and the Phillies have made their move. Wells has been added to the club's active roster, while Delmon Young has been designated for assignment to make room.

16-year old prospect inked by Phils

August 9, 2013

By Nick Tricome

The Phillies made another splash in the international market on Friday, adding a Dominican third baseman to the club's system.

Oh yeah, and he's only 16.

The Phillies signed Luis Encarnacion, who is considered the fourth best international prospect by Baseball America.

Rollins clears waivers, likely not going anywhere

August 8, 2013

By Nick Tricome

Like Michael Young from earlier Thursday, shortstop Jimmy Rollins has cleared waivers. He is now eligible for a trade to any team, provided he waive his full no-trade clause.

Phils rout Cubs, win series

August 8, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Zachary Geibler

On Thursday afternoon, the Phillies won there first series since the All-Star break. Lighting up the scoreboard and the Cubs, to win 12-1.

Chase Utley, a "Phillie for life," gets contract extension

August 8, 2013

By Nick Tricome

Chase Utley was already a great second baseman for the Phillies and the rest of the Major Leagues as well, but he solidified his place in Phillies' history in 2008.

He jump started the World Series with a two-run homer in the first inning of game one. Then he made an iconic play, when game five finally resumed, where he faked a throw to first and got the ball home instead to catch Jason Bartlett at the plate.

Then when it was all said and done and the Phillies were on top of the baseball world, Utley stood in front of over 45,000 fans at Citizens Bank Park and said directly into the microphone, "World Fucking Champions!"

Heading into this season, in the final year of his contract, there was a good bit of uncertainty on how much longer Utley would be wearing red pinstripes. But all of that uncertainty is gone now.

Outfielder Casper Wells claimed off waivers

August 8, 2013

By Nick Tricome

The Phillies have claimed outfielder Casper Wells off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.

Wells will be added to the roster will be added to the roster when the team travels to Washington on Friday.

Young clears waivers, could still be traded

August 8, 2013

By Nick Tricome

The July 31 trade deadline already passed, but there still may be a chance that Michael Young could be dealt.

Three-run homer in the ninth puts Phils away

August 7, 2013

Box Score (from ESPN.com)

By Nick Tricome

It would have made the story of the night even better.

In the midst of reports that Chase Utley had reached a contract extension with the Phillies, he came in to pinch-hit in the seventh, with John Mayberry Jr. at third, and ripped a single into center to score Mayberry and tie the game 2-2.

Utley would try to score from second off a Kevin Frandsen single with one out, but Cubs catcher Dioner Navarro got the throw home and tagged him out at the plate. However, it was at the cost of getting knocked out of the game with an injury, after Utley slid and collided into Navarro at the plate.

The whole thing could have resulted in the Phillies taking the lead late in the game, but it ended up with Navarro taking one for the team in order to preserve the tie, which eventually led to the Cubs taking Wednesday night's game 5-2.

Utley, Phils agree to extension. He's here to stay

August 7, 2013

By Nick Tricome

Chase Utley got the night off for Wednesday's game against the Cubs, and this might be the reason why.

Utley has reportedly agreed to a contract extension with the Phillies, according to CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury (via Twitter).

The 34-year old second baseman has played all 11 seasons of his Major League career in Philadephia and now it looks like any future seasons he has left will be in Philadelphia as well.

Diekman, De Fratus and a bobblehead

August 7, 2013

By Nick Tricome

The Phillies will be giving fans at Citizens Bank Park a Cole Hamels bobblehead for their game against the Colorado Rockies on August 21.

Although the game is a couple weeks away, Cole's teammates Justin De Fratus and Jake Diekman got their hands on a bobblehead early and took to Instagram and Vine to have some fun with Cole look-alike.

Halladay is on his way back

August 7, 2013

By Nick Tricome

With the Phillies now 17 games back of first in the National League East, there really isn't much left to get excited about this season.

Granted, it would have been a lot more exciting if the Phillies were still in contention for October, but it looks like Roy Halladay is close to coming back.

Talks with Cuban pitcher Gonzalez reportedly stalled, cause for concern?

August 7, 2013

By Nick Tricome

News broke that the Phillies signed Cuban righthander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez at the end of July, but there hasn't been anything on Gonzalez since then.

No official announcement of the signing, no word of preparations for the Majors. Nothing.

Should that be a cause for concern?

Phillies break losing streak against Cubs

August 6, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Zach Geibler

The Phillies hoped to end there major cold streak in a three-game series with one of the weaker National League teams in the Chicago Cubs. The first game of the series was scheduled for 7:00 pm at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies won a close one 9-8.

Brown activated, Nix designated for assignment

August 6, 2013

By Nick Tricome

Domonic Brown has been activated from the seven-day concussion disabled list and Laynce Nix has been designated for assignment, according to MLBTradeRumors.com.

Bastardo named in Biogenesis scandal, suspended for rest of the season

August 5, 2013

By Nick Tricome

UPDATE: Phillies president David Montgomery issued a statement on Bastardo, following the official announcement of the suspensions.

"Obviously, the Phillies are very disappointed to learn of Antonio Bastardo's violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Program. We strongly believe in the Program and look forward to a time when performance-enhancing drugs are completely out of baseball. Hopefully the sanctions announced today will bring us closer to that day. We respect the fact that Antonio has acknowledged his serious mistake and accepted his 50-game suspension."

MLB commissioner Bud Selig also issued a statement concerning all of the suspensions handed out on Monday as a result of the Biogenesis scandal, which you can read by clicking here.

ORIGINAL
Ryan Braun and Alex Rodriguez have been the poster children for the Biogenesis scandal, but that doesn't mean the Phillies will take a hit from it all.

With suspensions set to be announced at 3 P.M. on Monday, word has gotten out that Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo will be one of the players getting a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's substance policy.

Another day, another game back

August 4, 2013

Box Score(From ESPN.com)

By Zach Geibler

The Phillies came into Sunday's game trying to avoid a sweep from division leading Braves. With the offensive struggles the teams has had, wins have been few and far between. Sunday night's ESPN game was no different, as the Phillies lost 4-1.

Alumni weekend not going well, Phillies lose again

August 3, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Zach Geibler

Amongst the cheery feelings of Alumni weekend where Phillies greats like Curt Schilling and Darren Daulton were shown love by the Philadelphia fan base, the Phillies were slowly deteriorating.

The Phillies were trying to avoid losing their fifth series in a row. In an extra inning battle, the Phillies lost to the Braves by a score of 5-4.

Phillies lose to Braves, fall deeper into trouble

August 2, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Zach Geibler

The Phillies opened a three game series against division leader Atlanta Braves on Friday night. With a very low probability of a playoff run, the Phillies sat 13.5 games out of first place. The Phillies lost the game 6-4.

Blown save and offensive collapse leads to Phils loss

August 1, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Zach Geibler

The Phillies went into Thursday night's game with the intentions of winning their first series since before the All-Star break. With many alumni to come and go throughout the weekend, the 2013 Phillies were trying to beat the San Francisco Giants. The Phillies lost 2-1.

Lidge retires as a Phillie to kick off Alumni Weekend

August 1, 2013

By Nick Tricome

It's been almost five years since Brad Lidge threw the last pitch in the 2008 World Series, yet he still hasn't found a good way of explaining what it was like to win it all.

"It was an incredible feeling," Lidge said. "I try to describe it, but it's still indescribable. It was the greatest feeling you could have as a baseball player, I believe."

The former closer was the focus of a Thursday afternoon press conference at Citizens Bank Park, where he retired as a Phillie to kick off the team's alumni weekend.