Game Recap:
J.A. Happ was dominant again, and Jimmy Rollins finished a home run short of the cycle as the Phillies swept the Marlins in Miami.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins finished the game 3-5, missing out on the cycle by just a home run. He scored once and drove in a run.
Raul Ibanez was 1-3 with a two run double.
Chase Utley went 1-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Shane Victorino was 1-4 with a run scored.
J.A. Happ continued to produce, pitching seven shutout innings while giving up five hits. He walked one and struck out four. He also had a base hit and scored a run.
What went wrong?
Pedro Feliz was 0-4.
Eric Bruntlett continues to exist on this team, and went 0-4 in place of Ryan Howard.
Game Analysis:
Well, if the Phillies are going to work a deal for Roy Halladay that includes J.A. Happ, his stock has never been higher. Happ pitched seven quality innings for the fifth straight game to go to 7-0 on the season, and his 2.68 ERA is far and away the best out of the starters. He had his good stuff again today, and while he got into a bit of trouble in the sixth inning, he was able to work out of a bases loaded, no out situation without giving up a single run.
The offense struggled a little bit today, leaving the bases loaded in the first and second innings, but they did enough behind a great pitching performance. Raul Ibanez drove in his 64th and 65th runs of the year, and Chase Utley joined him with his 65th RBI when he was hit by a pitch in the second inning. From there, it was more than enough for Happ to do what he's done ever since he joined the starting rotation. It seems like it should be time for J.A. to be getting a little Rookie of the Year talk, but that may still be a little early. It never hurts to start campaigning now, though.
To come out of the All Star break and sweep the team right behind you in the standings is a great boost to morale and sends a message to the rest of your division, and that's what the Phillies did against the Marlins. They came into Miami four games up in the NL East, and they're leaving seven games up on the Marlins and Braves, with the Mets nine games back. The eight game winning streak the Phils are on now is the longest they've had since 2006, and if they can get Halladay away from the Blue Jays, it would be tough for any other team to catch them in the division this year. After the last two years, I'm not going to start talking postseason yet, but this team certainly has that look to it right now.
Tomorrow, the Phils come back to Citizens Bank Park to take on the Chicago Cubs. Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 3.18 ERA) goes for the Phillies, while Ted Lilly (9-6, 3.18 ERA) takes the hill for Chicago. Let's go Phils!
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