Game Recap:
J.A. Happ pitched his second complete game shutout of the season as the Phillies broke their three game losing streak.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins was 1-5 with a two run home run.
Chase Utley went 1-3 with two runs scored.
Ryan Howard was 1-4 with an RBI.
Raul Ibanez was 1-3 with a run scored.
Pedro Feliz went 2-4 with a home run.
Jayson Werth was 1-4 with a three run home run.
J.A. Happ pitched a complete game, shutting out the Rockies on four hits. He struck out ten and walked two. He also had a double in the eighth inning.
What went wrong?
Not a damn thing.
Game Analysis:
Going into this start, it looked like it was back to the bullpen for J.A. Happ after tonight. Pedro Martinez struck out 11 in his start at Reading, and it seems like he's just about ready to be called up. With more pressure on him than ever, what did Happ do? He just went out and pitched his best game of the season. Tonight was his second complete game shutout of the year, giving him twice as many as the rest of the starting pitchers for the Phillies...combined. There is no way to justify taking Happ out of the rotation now. Where would the Phillies be this season without Happ in the rotation? He's picked up the slack that Cole Hamels has left all season, and while Jamie Moyer provides that veteran leadership as a starter, Happ made it loud and clear tonight that he should be starting every fifth game. It's where his strength is.
The Phillies also woke up on offense tonight. Jimmy Rollins homered for the second straight game, and he's actually got his average up to .240 on the season, which isn't bad at all, considering how he started the year. Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz each added home runs of their own against one of the hottest pitchers in the National League. Hopefully, this is the start of another good run for the Phils, because that end of July/early August funk was getting old.
Again, Happ needs to stay in the rotation. Find something else to do with Moyer. I mean anything...the guy is 46 years old, can't you just take him to a bingo game or something? He'll forget about pitching. Just do not, under any circumstances, take J.A. Happ out of the starting rotation. If this is how he reacts to high pressure situations, how well do you think he can pitch in the playoffs? You have to talk about him in the Rookie of the Year talk, and honestly, he's been the best starting pitcher the Phillies have had all year. Charlie, do NOT put him back in the bullpen, I'm begging you.
Tomorrow afternoon, Cliff Lee (8-9, 3.02 ERA) makes his home debut for the Phillies. He'll be facing Aaron Cook (10-3, 3.88 ERA).
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