Game Recap:
Roy Halladay pitched eight great innings, and the Phillies actually gave him some run support as they shutout the Rockies in the first game of a four game series.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins went 2-4 with a walk and two runs scored.
Raul Ibanez was 3-5 with three RBI and a run scored.
Ryan Howard was 1-4 with a run scored and his first stolen base of the season.
Jayson Werth went 1-2 with two walks and an RBI.
Ross Gload went 2-2 with a two run home run.
Roy Halladay was excellent, keeping the Rockies from scoring through eight innings. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out nine. He also went 1-4 at the plate.
What went wrong?
Wilson Valdez went 0-4, and was the only starter not to get a base hit.
The Phillies left 11 men on base.
Game Analysis:
After getting a great outing from Cole Hamels to salvage their last game against St. Louis on Thursday, the Phillies came home and got another great pitching performance. This time, Roy Halladay did the deed, shutting down the Rockies for eight innings and extending the Phillies scoreless innings streak to 20 with a 6-0 win over Colorado.
After getting lit up in his last start against the Cubs, you just knew that Halladay would be back on form last night. He was great from the first pitch, striking out the first batter he faced and then getting out of a little trouble in the first inning. After that, it was smooth sailing for Halladay, who set the Rockies down like he has so many other teams this year. The only difference this time out was that the Phils actually gave him a little run support. With five runs in the fifth, and Halladay pitching the way that he was, you knew that this game was going to be over, it was just a matter of time. While people wanted to see Halladay pick up another complete game, with a six run lead, it just wasn't worth the risk for him to go out there again. He's already thrown 162 innings this year, and while he's always been a work horse, the Phils are going to need him if they want to catch the Braves, or even win the Wild Card. Having him go out with a six run lead in the ninth inning just didn't make that much sense right now. Charlie made the right move when it came to that, and besides, J.C. Romero pitched a quick ninth anyway.
One day after firing Milt Thompson as hitting coach, the Phillies at least showed a little life in their bats last night. They couldn't get any runs across the plate against Aaron Cook early, but they were hitting him well, leaving runners on base in each of the first four innings before finally breaking through in the fifth. Raul Ibanez had possibly his best game of the season last night, and Ross Gload looked very good stepping in for Shane Victorino. Jayson Werth handled center field well, and drove in a run of his own with a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Even with the score the way it was, it could have gone even better for the Phils last night. Remember, they left 11 men on base, and seemed to be getting themselves out of innings while Cook was pitching. However, they still managed a win and they gave Roy Halladay run support. I'll take them anyway we can get them right now.
Today, Kyle Kendrick (5-4, 4.82 ERA) makes his return from a brief minor league stint because someone had to pitch. He'll be facing...Ubaldo Jimenez (15-1, 2.38 ERA). Ummm...yeah.
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