Game Recap:
Ryan Howard launched two home runs as the Phillies took the first game of their three game series against Atlanta, moving their magic number down to eight.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins went 1-4 with a three run home run.
Ben Francisco was 3-5 with two runs scored and a solo home run.
Ryan Howard was 2-4, scoring twice and driving in three with two home runs.
Jayson Werth went 3-4 with two RBI.
Kyle Kendrick relieved J.A. Happ in the fourth inning, and pitched four scoreless innings, giving up just three hits.
What went wrong?
J.A. Happ left the game after three innings for what the Phillies are calling "precautionary reasons." He allowed one run on five hits while he was in there.
Raul Ibanez was 0-4.
Pedro Feliz was 0-4.
Carlos Ruiz went 0-1 before leaving with a strained wrist in the fifth inning.
Game Analysis:
There were very few teams as hot as the Atlanta Braves coming into tonight's game. It took all of four innings before the Phillies had started to stomp that fire out, and by the time the ninth inning came around, the fire was out and the Phillies were 8.5 games up on the Braves with just 16 to play. I'm not saying it's over yet, but it's damn sure close.
The Phillies needed to make a statement tonight, and they did so with their offense. For some reason, Tim Hudson continued to pitch to Ryan Howard, and the big man made him pay again, launching two more home runs into the Georgia night to put the Phils up early. The two shots gave Howard 40 home runs and 120 RBI for the fourth straight season, and while his numbers more than likely won't be as good as last year, I'll take 40 homers and 120 RBI out of my number four hitter any season. Jimmy Rollins and Ben Francisco put the game out of reach with back to back home runs in the ninth inning after the Braves had gotten close in the eighth. This is how the Phillies should be responding right now. Atlanta put up two runs in the bottom of the eighth, and the Phils came right back with four runs in the top of the ninth. It quieted the Braves and gave the Phillies all the momentum. Best of all, it kept Brad Lidge in the bullpen and moved the game away from a save situation.
I am concerned about J.A. Happ, but it seemed like he was taken out as a precaution, rather than having an actual injury. He was allowed to finish pitching the bottom of the third inning, and if anything was really wrong, he would have been taken out on the spot, so it's hopefully nothing major. I have to give a lot of credit to Kyle Kendrick, who has been nothing short of great in his last two showings. He kept the Phillies in front and had his good stuff again. The Braves looked lost against Kendrick, and his four innings of work were just the thing to help keep the bullpen arms fresh and give the Phils another win.
All in all, it was a great start to this ten game road trip. The offense was spot on, and despite J.A. Happ leaving the game early, the pitching was solid as well. There should be more news tomorrow on Happ's and Carlos Ruiz's statuses, and hopefully it's good news.
Tomorrow, Pedro Martinez (5-0, 2.87 ERA) takes on Javier Vazquez (13-9, 3.01 ERA). It should be a good matchup, as Vazquez has solid numbers against the Phillies this season, and Pedro...is Pedro.
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