Game Recap:
The Phillies hit five home runs to go along with 6.2 innings from Pedro Martinez to break their four game losing streak.
What went right?
Chase Utley went 1-3 with a solo home run.
Jayson Werth was 1-4 with a solo home run.
Raul Ibanez went 3-4 with two home runs.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-3 and had a solo home run.
Pedro Martinez allowed three runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
What went wrong?
Jimmy Rollins was 0-4.
Ryan Howard was 0-4.
Pedro Feliz went 0-4.
Brad Lidge couldn't make it out of the ninth inning, loading the bases while recording only one out. He walked a batter, gave up a hit, and hit a batter.
Game Analysis:
Boy, it sure is nice to see the Phillies on offense again, isn't it? After the bats went quiet in Houston all weekend, the Phils at least brought them out for some longballs tonight in Washington. It wasn't pretty watching them hit five solo homers, but I'll take it, especially after the weekend series with the Astros.
It looks like Raul Ibanez might be back on the right track now. His two home runs tonight give him three in the last two games, and while they've all been solo shots, it's just nice to see him hitting again. That cold stretch he was on after he returned from the DL was nasty, and while it's only been two good games in a row, it's just a good thing to see him helping the Phils out again, particularly when Ryan Howard couldn't get anything going tonight.
Of course, that isn't the main story coming out of this game. Tonight, it's all about the ninth inning. After getting an out with a man on, Brad Lidge fell apart, again. He hit a batter, then walked the next batter to load the bases with one out and the heart of Washington's order coming up. This time, Charlie Manuel made a move and brought in Ryan Madson, who set down Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn without much of a problem. The question is, what does this mean for the Phillies and their bullpen? Is Brad Lidge still the closer, or is it going to be a situation where Madson comes in to put out any fires that Lidge can't handle? One thing is certain though, and that's the fact that Brad Lidge has lost his mojo this year. He doesn't have the same edge that he had last season, and he's paying for that.
Yes, it's just one game, and Madson didn't look that sharp when he had to close in June, but the fact is that he came in with the bases loaded and retired the two toughest hitters in the Washington lineup. I don't know what Charlie is going to do from here, but if Lidge can't get it done, maybe Madson can. Tonight just brought that idea to the front of the line.
Tomorrow, Cliff Lee (12-11, 3.06 ERA) looks to get back on track after two nasty starts. He'll be facing Garrett Mock (3-7, 5.63 ERA).
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