Game Recap:
The Phillies pounded out ten runs and 17 hits, but needed Jose Contreras to come in and record his first ever save to preserve a second straight win over the Brewers.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was 3-6 with two runs scored, a home run and four RBI.
Placido Polanco went 4-6 with an RBI.
Chase Utley went 2-4 with two RBI.
Wilson Valdez was 2-5 with a run scored.
Paul Hoover had a great day, going 3-5 at the plate with three runs scored and two RBI.
Joe Blanton pitched well for six innings, but had trouble in the seventh before leaving. He went seven innings, allowing five runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five while getting his first win of the year.
Jose Contreras recorded his first Major League save, walking one and striking out two in the ninth inning.
What went wrong?
Ryan Howard went 1-5 with three strikeouts.
Dave Herndon had a rough go of things in the ninth inning, allowing a run on three hits while just recording a single out.
Game Analysis:
Two days in Milwaukee seem to have done the Phillies good, as they've recovered from their weather induced trip to Colorado with back to back solid wins over the Brewers. For the second game in a row, the Phils put up double digit hits and at least nine runs against Milwaukee pitching, and Joe Blanton picked up his first win of the season.
The biggest story of the day is the offense once again, which knocked another starting pitcher out before the end of the sixth inning. Today, it was Chris Narveson, who threw 130 pitches before leaving in the sixth with the Phillies staked to a 4-1 lead. The biggest blows would come later in the game, as the Phillies pushed another five runs across in the seventh inning and added another in the eighth. That would be enough, but it would be close, thanks to the bullpen. I can't say enough for how Shane Victorino is playing right now. He's not the typical leadoff batter, but he's been playing better and better as the season has gone on. His batting average is up to .263, and he's leading the team in RBI with 32. His three hits and four runs batted in today were a big reason why the Phillies won, so I can't complain about what he's doing, but I still can't wait until Jimmy Rollins is back in the leadoff spot. Even with Rollins out, this team is producing runs, however, and that's a good thing.
Then, there's the pitching staff. For six innings, Joe Blanton pitched like a solid number three or four man in the rotation, giving up a few runs, but keeping his team in the game. Then, the seventh inning arrived, and Blanton just didn't have his stuff any more. I'd like to believe that his showing in the seventh was due to a few bad pitches and the fact that he's still coming back from injury, and that's what I'm going with for now. As long as Blanton can avoid the big inning, he's a good pitcher. Today, his big inning came in the seventh, which was after the Phillies took a 9-2 lead, so it wasn't as damaging. His ERA actually went up, as he allowed three home runs, but he got the win, and that's what matters. The Brewers are a very good offensive team, but their pitching is suspect, and that's what the Phils have been able to take advantage of so far in this series.
I will give credit to Jose Contreras for picking up his first ever save today, too. He came into the ninth inning with runners on second and third and a four run lead, but then walked the first batter he faced, loading the bases. What did he proceed to do? Only stike out the next to batters to save the game and give the Phillies the win. I know that Contreras isn't a closer, and I think he knows it as well, but for him to step into this role with both Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson on the disabled list is a big step for both him and the Phillies. If today is any indication, then the Phillies might be ok with those two not able to pitch. Contreras has been lights out for the Phils so far this year anyway, so having him pitching in the ninth inning might not be as big of a deal as people think. As long as he can keep pitching like he has been, he's going to do well in the role of closer, and that's what the Phillies need right now. They have the offense to score runs on any team, but if they can't close people out in the late innings, then things are going to get interesting. Hopefully, that doesn't happen, and so far against the Brewers, it hasn't.
The Phils close out their series with the Brewers tomorrow night on ESPN. Cole Hamels (3-2, 4.53 ERA), gets the nod for the Phillies, and he'll face off against Doug Davis (1-4, 7.56 ERA).
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