Game Recap:
The Phillies' chances to clinch the best record in the National League took a hit with a loss to Houston tonight.
What went right?
Ben Francisco was 3-4 and scored a run.
Jayson Werth was 2-5 with a run scored.
Raul Ibanez went 1-5 with an RBI.
Pedro Feliz was 2-5 with two RBI.
What went wrong?
Eric Bruntlett continued his existence, going 0-5.
Cliff Lee didn't make it through the sixth inning, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 5.2 innings of work. He walked one and struck out six.
The Phillies left 15 men on base.
Game Analysis:
After clinching the NL East last night, the Phillies came out tonight and played like a team that didn't have much left to do this year. Chase Utley and Shane Victorino got much deserved nights off, and while Ben Francisco played well for Victorino, Eric Bruntlett did what Eric Bruntlett does when he's not performing unassisted triple plays. His 0-5 night basically sunk the Phillies on offense, as Ben Francisco only managed to score once on a three hit night.
The main story tonight was how Cliff Lee would pitch in preparation for more than likely starting Game One of the NLDS next week. Well, he didn't do great, but he wasn't that bad, either. He allowed two early runs, then settled down until the sixth inning, when he gave up a two run home run to Miguel Tejada. He still had some issues with location and working the strike zone tonight that concern me a little bit, but he should be ready to go by next week.
The Phillies came out tonight and basically played like this game didn't mean that much, and they still almost pulled it out in the ninth inning. Some late inning heroics by Pedro Feliz pulled the Phils to within two runs, and they got two men on with two outs, but Miguel Cairo flew out to left-center, and that was all she wrote. Now, the Phillies still have a chance at homefield throughout the NL playoffs, but they're going to need to sweep the Marlins and have the Rockies sweep the Dodgers. I'm not too sure about either of those situations happening right now, but if it does, I won't complain. Hell, I'd just settle for the two seed, like they had last year. That worked out pretty well, didn't it?
Tomorrow, the Marlins come into town for the final regular season series of 2009. Joe Blanton (12-7, 3.95 ERA) goes for his 13th win of the year against Rick VandenHurk (2-2, 4.44 ERA).
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