Game Recap:
J.A. Happ pitched seven scoreless innings, and Ryan Howard drilled a two run home run to give the Phillies a sweep of the San Diego Padres.
What went right?
J.A. Happ pitched the best game of his young career, going seven innings, allowing no runs, striking out four and walking two.
Ryan Howard went 1-3 with a two run home run in the first inning.
Raul Ibanez went 1-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Chase Utley all had a hit and a run scored.
Pedro Feliz was 1-3 with an RBI.
Greg Dobbs went 2-4.
Jayson Werth went 1-2 with an RBI.
J.C. Romero returned from his suspension, throwing 1 and 1/3rds innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits. He walked one and struck out one.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino left the game in the sixth inning with a strained hip. He'll be looked at again once the Phils get to Los Angeles.
Game Analysis:
These young pitchers for the Phillies have been fun to watch lately, haven't they? Just one night after Antonio Bastardo pitches six innings of one run baseball, J.A. Happ one ups him, throwing seven shutout innings. Happ kept the Padres off balance the entire time he was in there, and is really starting to look comfortable in the starting rotation. I don't know if it's the Kyle Kendrick phenomenon, where opposing players just haven't seen enough of him, or what, but I'll take it. If he and Bastardo can keep pitching the way that they did in this series, the rotation is looking mighty solid now.
It was nice to get J.C. Romero back last night, too. After having to sit out 50 games, I'm sure Romero was pumped to be back out there, and it showed a little bit, as he allowed an unearned run in the eighth inning. He'll settle back down, though, and on a team that had to use it's bullpen a lot early in the season, he's going to be a great asset.
Sure, the Phils have played the Nationals and Padres in their past two series, but the Padres had won ten straight at home before the Phillies got there, and being the World Champions means that you should be able to sweep teams like the Nationals and Padres. Either way, the offense is clicking right now, the pitching looks good, and everything seems to be coming together at this point. Thanks to this, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Phils have opened up a three game lead over the New York Mets at this point, which is great, since they'll see the Mets at the start of next week.
The only downside of the entire series was that Shane Victorino left the game last night with a strained hip. He's going to be looked at again later on today. Hopefully, he's ok, because he's been on fire of late.
Later today, the Phillies look to extend their winning streak, as Cole Hamels (3-2, 5.21 ERA) faces off again Clayton Kershaw (3-3, 4.34 ERA). The Phils have beaten up on some below average teams in the past week, now it's time for the big boys. The last time the Phillies played in Dodger Stadium, Matt Stairs hit a ball that still hasn't come down. Let's see if that can happen again.
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