Game Recap:
Cliff Lee pitched his third complete game for the Phillies to power them past Washington and move their magic number to just 12 games.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins went 2-4 with an RBI.
Chase Utley was 1-4 with an RBI.
Jayson Werth was 3-4 and scored a run.
Carlos Ruiz was 2-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
Raul Ibanez went 1-3 and scored once.
Cliff Lee pitched a complete game shutout, giving up six hits. He walked three and struck out nine.
What went wrong?
Ryan Howard went 0-3.
That's it.
Game Analysis:
That's the Cliff Lee I remembered from the first five starts he had with the Phillies. After struggling in his last three appearances, Lee came out tonight and was dealing. After he struck out the side in the first inning, it was clear that this wasn't the same guy that didn't have his best stuff the last three times he pitched. This was the Cliff Lee the Phillies had traded for, and man did he look good tonight.
It helped that the Phils got out to a good start on offense tonight, too. Chase Utley brought Jimmy Rollins home in the first inning, and Carlos Ruiz cleared the bases with a three run double in the second, and that would be all she wrote for the Nationals on this night. The Phillies wouldn't score again after the second inning, but they wouldn't need to.
So, where do the Phils stand now? As of me writing this, their magic number has slipped down to 12 games, and they have a 7.5 game lead over the Braves and Marlins. That number means nothing right now, not with a series against Atlanta, then one against Florida coming up. However, the way the starting pitching has been going lately, I like the Phillies' chances. When you can get Kyle freaking Kendrick to pitch well, things are going right for your starting rotation. The Phillies haven't allowed a run in the last 18 innings, and their starters have thrown 17 of those innings. This is what good playoff teams are made out of. Starting pitchers this time of year need to go deep into games to save the bullpen, and that's what the Phillies have working for them right now. They've still got 19 games left, and anything could happen, but right now, I'm cautiously optimistic.
Tomorrow, Joe Blanton (9-7, 4.11 ERA) tries once again for win number ten on the season as he goes against Livan Hernandez (8-10, 5.30 ERA).
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