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Sunday, September 12, 2010
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
INSIDE THE PHILLIES
By Bob Brookover Inquirer Staff Writer
Madson has the stuff to be a closer The righthander has dominated since returning from the DL.
There should be no more questions about whether Ryan Madson can be a closer. The veteran righthander turned 30 a couple of weeks ago and he’s in the prime of his career. Watch him work, compare him to the other lateinning relievers in the big leagues, and there is no denying that he is one of the best at his craft. “I think he’s the best eighth-inning setup guy in baseball,” a National League scout said. “I also think he can close. He’s tough and he has great stuff. I really think he can be a closer.” The idea that Madson can be a closer is not a new one, of course. He planted that seed in everybody’s head late in the 2008 season, when he pressed the accelerator on his fastball and made his best pitch — the change-up — even better. For some reason, however, whenever Madson has tried to make the transition from dominating eighth-inning setup man to the guy charged with getting the last three outs of a close game, he has struggled. In the last two seasons, Madson has had 26 save opportunities and converted only 15, including five out of 10 this season. His ERA in those 26 games is 5.93, and he has allowed six home runs in 271/3 innings. His frustration in that role cost him more than two months of this season when he could not close a game in San Francisco in late April and he foolishly reacted by kicking a clubhouse chair. The chair, as expected, won that battle, sending Madson to the disabled list with a fractured big toe on his right foot on April 28. His ERA was 7.00. But Madson has been dominant since returning on July 8. His cut fastball has impressed the National
League scout as much as any of his pitches this season. “He’s throwing an 89 m.p.h. cutter that gets in on the hands of lefthanded hitters,” the scout said. “He doesn’t telegraph that change-up, and that makes his 95 m.p.h. fastball look even harder.” Based on that dominating stuff and the results Madson has had in recent seasons in non-save situations, the veteran righthander should not have any doubts about his ability to be a closer. He has appeared in 95 non-save situations the last two seasons and he has a 2.19 ERA in those games. He has handled the pressure of the postseason, registering a 2.74 ERA in 23 games over the last two seasons. He recorded a World Series save last year against the Yankees. “I like him better than most of the closers that are out there,” the scout said. The scout included the Phillies’ Brad Lidge among the closers he
Read The Inquirer’s Phillies blog, The Phillies Zone, by Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb, at www.philly.com/phillies.
Blog response of the week
Subject: Brad Lidge has elbow soreness Response from Sewellmatt at 11:54 p.m. Tuesday: “His fastball velocity has been down all year so nothing surprises me. Add to that the fact that Madson has to pitch every night and his arm must be about to fall off, things might get shaky.”
Knighton, Union douse the Fire By Marc Narducci
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
The Union made a change in goal and were rewarded with their first shutout of their inaugural Major League Soccer season. Making only his second start of the season, Brad Knighton produced some good saves and decisions as the Union defeated the Chicago Fire, 1-0, on Saturday before a sellout crowd of 18,563 at PPL Park in Chester. It was the first career MLS shutout for Knighton, who replaced Chris Seitz. After Seitz allowed a savable goal in last week’s 1-1 draw with the visiting Kansas City Wizards, Union team manager Peter Nowak decided to make the change, which he says was a game-time decision. “It’s an honor to get my first professional shutout,” Knighton said. “It goes back to the guys in front of me, and we have been working eight months and it finally paid off.” To work so hard and spend so much time on the bench hasn’t been easy, but Knighton kept plugging away. “It’s a grind, but I know my role,” Knighton said. “Chris is our starter and I waited for the opportunity and tried to make the most of it.” The Union (6-11-6) don’t have much time to enjoy the win. They visit San Jose on Wednesday. Chicago is now 6-8-8. Nowak was noncommittal on the starter in goal, but it would be a shock if it wasn’t Knighton. “It was a very solid performance from Brad, but it was
also a good performance from our backline as well,” Nowak said. Justin Mapp, who was acquired July 27 from Chicago, did in his old teammates by setting up the game’s lone goal. In the 36th minute Mapp sent Sebastien Le Toux in on goal and Le Toux finished the breakaway chance for his 11th goal of the season. Knighton’s best save came when he stoned Freddie Ljungberg point-blank from an angle just outside the sixyard line on the right side in the 32d minute. The Union keeper made four saves, and was also authoritative in punching out crosses that he couldn’t catch. Knighton was quick and decisive off his line. He was also bailed out by his defense in the 65th minute when he came out of the goal, chasing Chicago’s Mike Banner, who beat him to the ball. Banner crossed it in, but Union defender Sheanon Williams, making his first start, cleared the ball. Chicago missed a scoring chance in the 76th minute, when a wide-open Calen Carr headed a cross from Banner over the goal. The news, however, wasn’t all good for the Union. Nowak said that an initial prognosis showed Union forward Danny Mwanga suffered a separated shoulder in the first minute. Mwanga kept playing until leaving in the 55th minute, and was to be X-rayed Saturday evening, according to a team official. Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.
Gold Pride thump Independence, 4-1
Kelley O’Hara scored two goals and Marta and Christine Sinclair each had one as FC Gold Pride posted a 4-1 win over the Independence in Hayward, Calif., on Saturday. Philadelphia’s Lianne Sanderson scored in the 51st minute. Gold Pride (16-3-5) won the Women’s Pro Soccer crown. The Independence (10-10-4) finished third, making the playoffs, which start on Sept. 19. — Michael Harrington
does not like as much as Madson. “Don’t get me wrong, I think Lidge is great, but he always says he is fine and I’m not sure about that,” the scout said. Lidge missed two games last week with elbow soreness, but he said he was ready to pitch again Friday in New York. The Phillies are hoping they don’t have to find out if Madson is ready to close now, because Lidge has pitched so well for the last six weeks. Furthermore, if Lidge cannot pitch, the Phillies’ list of trustworthy relievers becomes really thin. Pitching coach Rich Dubee said last week that he has a lot of confidence in his bullpen, then ticked off the names of Jose Contreras, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Madson, and Lidge. Romero’s inability to consistently throw strikes makes him suspect, and if you lose one of the other four, the Phillies’ bullpen becomes truly scary. It’s clear that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel believes in Madson more than any of his relievers, including Lidge. Since July 31, Madson has appeared in 26 games, allowing only two runs, both in the same game, and his ERA in that span is 0.69. Remarkably, he also has two blown saves in that stretch, including one against Florida last week, when he entered a first-and-third jam with two outs and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch. Proof that he could control his emotions immediately followed, when he ended the inning by striking out Hanley Ramirez. Madson has the talent to close and he should believe in that talent because everybody around him does. “Ryan has had some great, great years here,” Dubee said. “That is what this guy does.”
WPS W
L
T Pts. GF GA
y-FC Gold Pride ……16 3 5 53 x-Boston ……………10 8 6 36 x-INDEPENDENCE…10 10 4 34 x-Washington ………8 9 7 31 Sky Blue FC …………7 10 7 28 Chicago …………7 11 6 27 Atlanta ………………5 13 6 21 Three points for a victory, one point for a tie. x- clinched playoff berth y- clinched conference SATURDAY’S GAMES FC Gold Pride 4, INDEPENDENCE 1 Sky Blue FC 0, Boston 0, tie Washington 1, Atlanta 0
46 36 37 33 20 21 20
19 28 36 33 31 27 40
RON CORTES / Staff Photographer
Ryan Madson is regarded as one of the best late-inning relievers in the league. If closer Brad Lidge goes down, Madson would take over.
Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.
MLS W 13 12 7 7 6 6 7 5
L 5 8 10 9 8 11 13 16
Ryan Madson has been excellent as the Phillies’ setup man since his return after breaking his toe in a fit of rage following a poor performance on April 28 in San Francisco. He returned to pitch at home against Cincinnati on July 10. Here are his numbers before and after. Through April 28 July 9-Sept. 9
G
IP
H
R
ER
BB
K
HR
ERA
9 35
9 35.1
13 22
7 7
7 6
3 4
10 46
2 1
7.00 1.53
Parx Racing Entries
Eastern Conference Columbus New York Toronto FC Kansas City Chicago UNION New England D.C. United
Setting It Up for Success
T Pts. 5 44 4 40 7 28 6 27 8 26 6 24 3 24 3 18
GF 32 30 22 22 28 27 24 16
GA 20 25 27 24 30 38 38 37
Western Conference W L T Pts. GF GA Real Salt Lake 12 4 8 44 37 16 Los Angeles 13 5 5 44 33 17 FC Dallas 10 2 10 40 29 17 Colorado 9 7 7 34 29 24 Seattle 9 9 6 33 26 29 San Jose 9 7 5 32 24 23 Chivas USA 7 12 4 25 25 29 Houston 6 12 5 23 28 38 Note: Three points for victory, one point for tie. SATURDAY'S RESULTS UNION 1, Chicago 0 New York 3, Colorado 1 D.C. United 1, Toronto FC 0 FC Dallas at San Jose Columbus at Los Angeles FRIDAY'S RESULTS Chivas USA 2, New England 0
Henry leads Red Bulls past Rapids ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thierry Henry scored his second MLS goal, starting the Red Bulls to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids in Harrison, N.J., on Saturday and helping advance New York toward the Major League Soccer playoffs. The French striker, who scored his first MLS goal against San Jose on Aug. 28, put New York ahead in the 17th minute off an assist from Estonian national Joel Lindpere. Red Bulls rookie Tim Ream made it 2-0 in the 32d with his first MLS goal, scoring off Tony Tschani’s corner kick. Colorado’s Omar Cummings raced in from midfield to score to cut the lead in the 52d minute. New York’s Dane Richards scored off a scramble in the 58th, when Henry flicked it past two defenders to Juan Pablo Angel, who pushed the ball to the darting Richards. Red Bulls midfielder Rafa Marquez, captain of Mexico’s national team, left in the 72d minute with an ankle injury.
D.C. lifted by late strike. Ju-
lius James scored in the 81st minute to give last-place D.C. United a 1-0 victory over host Toronto FC, dealing a blow to his former team’s dwindling playoff hopes. Toronto FC, winless in its last six MLS matches, needed a victory to jump back into the chase for a postseason berth.
1st-$22,000 F 2YO Maidens. Claiming $12,500 - $10,500, 5 furlongs PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 Ali Bint Dumaani (G. Wales) 119 4-1 1a Diamondngoldrush (A. Mariano) 119 4-1 2 Tigerinthestraw (J. Flores) 119 8-1 119 5-1 3 Win The Silver (J. Bisono) 4 First Love (J. Hampshire, Jr.) 119 12-1 12-1 5 Hope To Win (F. Pennington) 119 6 Sharp Day (K. Carmouche) 119 3-1 2-1 7 Servin Aces (S. Elliott) 119 COUPLED -a- Ali Bint Dumaani & Diamondngoldrush 2d-$22,000, 3&up (mares and fillies). Claiming $7,500, 51/2 furlongs PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 Bettern Biscuits (J. Flores) 122 6-1 2 Perpetuity (J. Suarez) 122 12-1 3 Shesmyspite (P. Hernandz Ortega)118 7-2 4 Whisper Alley (J. Burke)x117 20-1 6-1 5 One Tough Belle (E. Rivera) xx115 6 Tres Bien Ensemble (A. Prado) 122 20-1 7 Strawberry Blush (R. Alvarado, Jr.)122 5-2 8 Natures Express (K. Carmouche) 122 20-1 9 Sweet Kristen (H. Rivera) 122 4-1 10 Chloe's Song (J. Bisono) 118 8-1 3d-$22,000, 3&up (mares and fillies). Claiming $7,500, 7 furlongs PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 Desirable Desiree (S. Bermudez) 118 5-2 2 Knock Out Rosey (A. Mariano)114 20-1 3 One To Watch (E. Rivera) xx109 3-1 4 Peaceful Accord (H. Albanese) 118 12-1 5 Myprincessabigail (J. Hmpshr, Jr.) 118 5-1 6 Aintnooilpaintin (P. Hrndz Ortega) 118 12-1 15-1 7 Yusella (A. Lopez)xx107 8 She's Ambitious (H. Rivera) 116 20-1 20-1 9 Keystone Lady (J. Ferrer) 114 10 Kitty's Storm Cat (G. Wales) 120 6-1 11 Middletown Magic (A. Arroyo)114 8-1 4th-$30,000, 3&up. STARTER ALLOWANCE, 6 furlongs PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 Launch The Bull (S. Arias) 120 5-1 2 Allen's Touch Down (R. Alvrdo, Jr.) 116 3-1 3 K O's Puffalumps (J. Hmpshre, Jr.)114 5-2 6-1 4 Zurs Victory (J. Caraballo) 116 5 Mine For Love (J. Flores) 114 4-1 6 Mighty Score (S. Elliott) 118 10-1 8-1 7 Calico Jack (D. Beckner) 114 5th-$23,000, 3&up (mares and fillies). Claiming $7,500, One mile PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 My Alexis (A. Arroyo) 113 5-2 2 Lake Baxter (J Flores) 115 6-1
3 Sprightly Polish (J. Bisono) 118 20-1 4 Waimea Bay (H. Rivera) 113 6-1 5 Agnes M. (F. Pennington) 120 6-1 6 Drop The Mail (R. Alvarado, Jr.) 118 12-1 7 Serene Queen (J. Ferrer) 115 9-2 12-1 8 American Brew (E. Rivera) 113 9 Shezoutahere (K. Carmouche) 118 4-1 6th-$35,000, 3&up (mares and fillies). Claiming $25,000 - $20,000, 6 furlongs PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 Tale Of The Fox (J. Flores) 120 3-1 1a Bank'n On Gold (J. Flores) 118 3-1 2 Northernstaraglow (J. Hmpsh, Jr.) 116 15-1 15-1 3 Pilot Point Lady (J. Ferrer) 118 4 Sophie's Meatball (A. Arroyo) 118 5-1 5 Burning Calories (J. Caraballo) 118 8-1 6 Bright Abyss (F. Pennington) 118 4-1 2-1 7 From Gray To Gold (S. Elliott) 118 COUPLED -a- Tale Of The Fox & Bank'n On Gold 7th-$48,000, 3&up (mares and fillies). ALLOWANCE, 5 furlongs Turf PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 Blank Inivition (F. Garcia) 119 8-1 2 Just Christina (S. Russell) 117 6-1 12-1 3 Maribel's Graygirl (J. Ferrer) 117 4 Perfect Measure (K. Carmouche) 118 5-2 113 6-1 5 Southern Squall (J. Caraballo) 6 Into Wishes (R. Alvarado, Jr.) 117 5-1 7 Snuck On You (A. Black) 117 10-1 8 Spacy Tracy (F. Pennington) 119 3-1 8th-$55,000, 3&up. ALLOWANCE, 6 furlongs PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 Whistle Pig (D. Beckner) 115 6-1 4-1 2 Uncle Gidge (A. Arroyo) 115 3 Ju Jitsu Jax (J. Acosta) 115 5-1 10-1 4 Golden Spikes (S. Elliott) 115 5 Sandbagin' Lover (J. Hmpshre, Jr.) 115 12-1 6 Mannington (K. Carmouche) 115 8-1 7 Pashito the Che (A. Castellno, Jr.) 115 5-2 7-2 8 Riley Tucker (F. Pennington) 115 9th-$23,000, 3&up (mares and fillies). Claiming $7,500, 51/2 furlongs PN Horse (Jockey) Wgt Odds 1 Offlee Dark (A. Arroyo) 114 12-1 10-1 2 Rene's Kisses (A. Lopez) xx109 3 You Do It (J. Flores) 118 20-1 4 Deposit Record (K. Carmouche) 114 7-2 5 Two Joys (S. Arias) 116 12-1 6 Stars Snow Drift (E. Rivera) 118 10-1 7 Scrimdetermination (J. Hpsh, Jr.) 114 6-1 8 Sister Soul (A. Groth) x113 12-1 8-1 9 Pubrun (L. Rivera, Jr.) 118 10 Song Sung Sweet (E. Flores) 118 10-1 118 3-1 11 Miss Pauline (R. Alvarado, Jr.) 12 Smoken Dreams (J. Burke) x113 20-1 x-5;xx-7;z-10 pounds apprentice allowance.
Parx Racing Results Weather clear. Track fast. 1st–$28,000, mdn cl, 2YO F, 5f Eight Gig Nano (K.Carmouche) 5.40 3.40 2.40 Under the Sea (E.Rivera) 9.20 4.60 Nickel C (F.Pennington) 2.40 Off 12:26. Time 1:00.20. Scratched–Racing Dee, Missteria. Exacta (10-7) paid $57.60. Trifecta (10-7-2) paid $172.80. 2d–$45,000, mdn spl wt, 2YO F, 5f Salty Girl Plus (P.Cotto, Jr.) 18.60 8.20 5.00 It's a Wild Season (K.Carmouche) 4.60 2.80 Quantum Miss (F.Pennington) 3.20 Off 12:55. Time 0:58.80. Scratched–Littlebitwicked, Chapel Princess, Wildcat Joann. Daily Double (10-7) paid $101.00. Exacta (7-6) paid $84.60. Trifecta (7-6-2) paid $246.20. 3d–$30,000, cl, 3YO up, 6f Call the Raise (A.Black) 25.40 11.80 4.40 Dr. Balin (F.Pennington) 8.20 3.60 Oopers Here (E.Rivera) 3.00 Off 1:20. Time 1:11.11. Scratched–Rascal Flatter, Louie's Terra, King Disco. Pick 3 (10-7-7) 3 Correct Paid $1,043.40. Exacta (7-8) paid $132.00. Trifecta (7-8-1) paid $380.20. 4th–$35,000, st hcp, 3YO up, 1 1/16mi, tf. Out in the Reign (J.Bisono) 17.40 7.60 5.20 Call You Raise You (J.Hmpshire, Jr.) 14.60 9.60 Photonic (E.Rodriguez) 3.60 Off 1:50. Time 1:43.55. Scratched–Monsignor Bonner, Legacy Reserve, I'm Sure. Pick 3 (7-7-5) 3 Correct Paid $1,823.00. Daily Double (7-5) paid $199.40. Exacta (5-6) paid $267.40. Trifecta (5-6-9) paid $1,755.60. 5th–$45,000, mdn spl wt, 2YO, 5f Der Meister (J.Flores) 10.60 5.80 2.80 Ucan'tcme (A.Arroyo) 4.20 2.80 Hugh and Me (S.Elliott) 2.40 Off2:15. Time 0:57.36. Scratched–Crockefeller, Lost Webos. Pick 3 (7-5-8) 3 Correct Paid $1,207.20. Exacta (8-7) paid $33.60. Trifecta (8-7-3) paid $105.40. 6th–$100,000, stk, 3YO up, 11/16 mi PHBA Classic S. Movin' Out (S.Elliott) 5.20 4.00 4.20 Smalltownman (A.Mariano) 23.20 5.20 Tejanos Eliminator (J.Hampshire, Jr.) 3.40 Off2:41. Time 1:45.60. Scratched–Golddigger's
Boy. Pick 3 (5-8-2) 3 Correct Paid $277.00. Exacta (2-5) paid $91.40. Trifecta (2-5-1) paid $356.40. 7th–$100,000, stk, 3YO up F&M, 5f, tf. Mrs. Penny S. Noble Maz (S.Elliott) 11.80 6.20 4.80 Looky Here (E.Rodriguez) 7.60 4.40 Try and Catch Me (J.Flores) 3.00 Off 3:08. Time 0:57.49. Scratched–A New Dawn. Pick 3 (8-2/4-7) 3 Correct Paid $303.20. Exacta (7-9) paid $105.80. $0.1 Superfecta (7-9-6-8) paid $333.07. Trifecta (7-9-6) paid $411.40. 8th–$100,000, stk, 3YO up, 5f, tf. Mr. Jenney H. Zoeling (F.Geroux) 18.40 6.00 4.80 El Churruca (J.Flores) 3.60 3.80 Thorny (W.Otero) 12.40 Off 3:37. Time 0:57.44. Scratched–Calico Jack. Pick 6 (7-5-8-2/4-7-3) 3 Correct Paid $8.00. $0.5 Pick 4 (8-2/4-7-3) 4 Correct Paid $410.95. Pick 3 (2/4-7-3) 3 Correct Paid $216.60. Exacta (3-2) paid $63.60. Trifecta (3-2-11) paid $1,117.40. a-Coupled. 9th–$150,000, stk, 3YO up F&M, 11/16 mi PHBA Distaff S. Jemilyn (A.Mariano) 6.60 4.00 3.40 Lovelier (T.Clifton) 5.80 3.20 Coastal Solace (K.Carmouche) 3.20 Off 4:04. Time 1:45.23. 123racing (1ST-87.80 POINTS) paid $101.00. 123racing (2ND-80.80 POINTS) paid $51.20. 123racing (3RD-79.80 POINTS) paid $9.60. Pick 3 (7-3-2) 3 Correct Paid $397.20. Exacta (2-4) paid $53.00. Trifecta (2-4-5) paid $186.00. Daily Double (3-2) paid $50.80. 10th–$45,000, mdn spl wt, 3, 4 & 5YO, 6f Son of a Gun (A.Arroyo) 8.40 4.40 3.00 Bootleg Flyer (T.Clifton) 6.00 4.80 Andrew L (C.Potts) 4.60 Off 4:32. Time 1:10.46. Scratched–Johnny Bubbakanush, Patient Reign. Pick 3 (3-2-10) 3 Correct Paid $203.00. Exacta (10-8) paid $45.80. $0.1 Superfecta (10-8-3-11) paid $36.54. Trifecta (10-8-3) paid $345.80. Attendance unavailable. Track handle $133,869. OTB handle $886,890. Total combined handle $1,020,759. Equibase Co. L.L.C.
World Basketball Championships
Durant scores 38 in U.S. win COMPILED BY THE INQUIRER STAFF
With a special 9/11 memorial message on his sneakers, Kevin Durant carried the United States into the gold-medal game at the FIBA world championships, scoring a U.S. team record 38 points Saturday in an 89-74 victory over Lithuania in Istanbul, Turkey. “I just wanted to remember everybody back in the States, everybody that was affected by 9/11,” Durant said. “And to play on this day was a great honor and we just tried to do our best to play hard for our country and our families.” Durant scored 17 in the first quarter to stake the Americans to an early lead that was never seriously challenged. He went on to surpass Carmelo Anthony’s single-game record of 35 points and raise his average in the tournament to 22.1, which would be the best ever by a U.S. player. The win guaranteed the Americans a chance at their first world title since 1994. They will play Sunday against Turkey, which beat Serbia, 83-82, in the other semifinal. Lamar Odom added 13 points and 10 rebounds, while the 76ers’ Andre Iguodala led the defensive effort that took Lithuania star Linas Kleiza out of the game. Kleiza, who was averaging 19.1 points, was limited to four on 1-of-11 shooting. Robertas Javtokas had 15 points and nine rebounds for Lithuania, which lost for the first time and will play Serbia for the bronze medal on Sunday.
Turkey 83, Serbia 82 —
Semih Erden blocked a lastsecond shot to seal Turkey’s win over Serbia. Phoenix Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu led Turkey with 16 points, while Marko Keselj scored 18 for Serbia.
Russia 83, Slovenia 78 —
Five Russian players scored in double figures, led by Timofey Mozgov with 19 points, as Russia beat Slovenia in the seventh/eighth place game. Bostjan Nachbar had 20 points for Serbia.