Phillies Notes: Rod Barajas Strikes Again

You know it's going to be an interesting night when Abraham Nunez batting second isn't the biggest surprise on the lineup card. Rod Barajas started his second straight game, one night after pussing out on a tag (for the tying run, no less) at home plate. Say what you want about Charlie--he's got balls.

Predictably, Barajas went on to drop a sure out at the plate in the sixth--this time a go-ahead run. And this time he wasn't so lucky, as extra innings forced the Phils to use relievers not named Geary or Madson and eventually lose in the 11th. Does Toronto still want this guy?

Philadelphia continues to choke on the sweet air of .500, not a good idea when you're playing division rivals. The Phillies take the Road to 10K (magic number 20) to Atlanta next.

- A freakish first inning concussion suffered by arguably the team's hottest hitter for the last couple weeks? Yeah, that sounds about right. Shame on Miguel Olivo for whacking Nunez in the head and then trying to call interference on Dr. Abe. Teal bastard.

- Is there any other stadium in baseball right now that captures all the ambiance and joviality of a San Quentin softball field more than Dolphins Stadium? Its grittiness matches the spirit of the seemingly inexplicable bad blood between the Phillies and Marlins (I hate you, too, Scott Olsen), but that's about the only thing it brings to the table. It's so cavernous and depressing that at least one Marlin has taken solace in the postgame spread:

Miguel Cabrera in 2003.

Miguel Cabrera this season.

I always thought An Inconvenient Truth was missing a "Junk in the Trunk" segment.

To be fair, it's not entirely the Marlins' fault. Their fanbase is simply horrid. You can say the weather keeps people away, but at some point you've got to chalk it up to general apathy. This is inexcusable because since 2000, there have been two types of Marlins teams-either (A) division contenders/eventual World Series Champions or (B) overachieving teams stacked with incredible young talent and likable veterans that make .500 ball fun to watch.

Yet I've heard the TV mics pick up more than a few Phillies chants the past few days, which frequently happens when the Phils go down Miami way. No wonder the Fish are always threatening to move.

- Quote of the Night: [on Jon Lieber's pitch location...I think] "His balls really have a lot of movement out there." - Gary "Sarge" Matthews, Sr.