Game Recap:
Just as I said last night, the game was a shootout, with the Mets bashing Jamie Moyer around early to build a 7-1 lead. Despite the best efforts of New York's bullpen to give the game back to the Phillies, Francisco Rodriguez recorded his ninth save to hold down the win.
What went right?
Jayson Werth went 4-4 with a two run home run, a double and two RBI.
Ryan Howard drove home Jimmy Rollins to start the scoring, then added his sixth home run of the season in the sixth inning. He finished the game 2-4 with two RBI.
Shane Victorino extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a single.
The Phillies didn't strike out once during the game. Don't believe me? Check out the box score.
Once again, the bullpen was awesome, allowing just three hits and no runs as they allowed the Phillies to climb back into the game.
What went wrong?
Jamie Moyer's chance for his 250th Major League win went up in smoke early, as the 46 year old allowed home runs to David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, all my favorite Mets. He lasted just two and 1/3rd innings and allowed seven runs.
Chase Utley went 0-4, and was responsible for leaving two men on base, which was one of several missed chances tonight.
Carlos Ruiz went 0-3 and grounded into two double plays.
Game Analysis:
It's hard to come out the day after facing someone like Johan Santana and expect the bats to pick back up. They did for the Phillies, but it was too little, too late, especially with the way Jamie Moyer pitched tonight. Moyer is having a serious problem this year keeping the ball in the park, and the three homers he allowed tonight ties him with Brett Myers for the team lead with ten. That's not good enough for Myers, and it's certainly not good enough for Moyer. The Phils are going to need him to pitch much better than he is right now, because a 7.26 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP aren't going to get him back to the World Series any time soon.
Though Moyer didn't have his best stuff tonight, the Phillies cost themselves plenty of chances to add more runs to their tally. With two on in the first inning, the Phillies only pushed one run across, and the trend continued throughout the night. They may have only left five men on base, but I counted at least three times that a man was left on in scoring position. If two of those guys get driven in, the game might still be going on right now. If all three crossed the plate, the Phillies might have won. It also doesn't help that Carlos Ruiz decided to become the human double play machine tonight, grounding into two in his first two trips to the plate.
That being said, it's still early in the season, and the Phillies lost the season series to the Mets last year, and things turned out ok. They seriously need to get their starting pitching on track, because eventually their bullpen will need a rest, and they don't need J.A. Happ's arm to fall off in August. He's going to be necessary for a deep playoff run this year, especially if he keeps pitching like he is. I've still got the faith that the starters can turn it around, but it has to be soon. They can't be wasting this offense and this bullpen.
Tomorrow, the Phils return home to take on the Atlanta Braves. You might remember them from Opening Night, when they ruined our ceremony. Cole Hamels (0-2, 7.27 ERA) will be making the start against Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1, 5.00 ERA). Hopefully the Phils keep Hamels away from anything else that might hurt him, because I think we'd all like to see him last past the fifth inning tomorrow.
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