Game Recap:
Roy Halladay pitched seven strong innings, and Carlos Ruiz finished a triple short of the cycle as the Phillies took the first of three games from the Florida Marlins last night.
What went right?
Ben Francisco went 3-5 with a home run and two runs scored.
Carlos Ruiz was 4-5 with a home run, two singles, a double, two RBI and two runs scored.
Wilson Valdez went 2-4 with an RBI.
Raul Ibanez was 1-4 with a run scored.
Roy Halladay got the win, allowing one run on five hits in seven innings. He walked one, struck out nine and went 1-3 at the plate with two RBI.
What went wrong?
Jayson Werth batted cleanup, and went 0-5 with four strikeouts.
Cody Ransom was 0-3.
Game Analysis:
With Ryan Howard out for at least the next two weeks, the Phillies need the other players on this team to step up if they want a chance to make the playoffs again. Last night, they did just that, as Roy Halladay won his 13th game of the season and Carlos Ruiz did the damage at the plate in a convincing 6-1 win over the Marlins.
For Roy Halladay, it was just another day at the office, even though he'd been struggling on the road since his last start in Florida. Last night, he hit his spots well, and was pounding the outside corner on two strike counts. The Marlins couldn't figure out how to hit him, and save for one pitch to Dan Uggla, Halladay kept Florida from scoring. Roy went through a little bit of a rough patch there, but every pitcher does, and it looks like he's come through on the other side looking once again like the pitcher the Phillies knew he was. This is the effort that the Phils need from their pitching staff right now. They need their starters to go six or seven innings, at least. Last night, Chad Durbin came in and saved the rest of the bullpen by going two innings and striking out four. It was exactly what this team needed to do to start off a huge series down in Miami.
Even with Ryan Howard in the lineup, this team has struggled this year with runners in scoring position and two outs. Last night, they at least managed to change that with several key at bats that scored runs. First Roy Halladay drove in two runs with the bases loaded and two outs, turning a tight 2-1 game into a more comfortable 4-1 lead. Then, Carlos Ruiz drove home Raul Ibanez with two outs in the fifth inning to increase the lead even more. That's what this team needs to do at the plate right now. Ryan Howard isn't around to drive in two or three runs with one swing of the bat. Without that pure power in the middle of the lineup, the Phils need to be able to manufacture runs, and last night was a good showing. Sure, it's not how this team has played over the last three years, but it's how they have to play right now. Without Chase Utley and Ryan Howard to hold down their spots in the lineup, the Phillies are missing their two best hitters. They need guys like Carlos Ruiz and Wilson Valdez to get on base and drive in runs. They did that last night, but it has to continue.
Last night was a step in the right direction for the Phillies, and they need to continue in that direction over the next month if they want a chance to get back to the top of the National League East. Right now, they're just two games back of the Braves for first place, but anything could still happen, especially with the Mets coming to Philadelphia after their series with the Braves. It's going to be a fun final two months of the season, but if the Phillies can get everyone back and healthy, and continue to play well without them, then they might just be able to get back to where they belong for the fourth straight season.
Tonight, Kyle Kendrick (6-4, 4.44 ERA) tries to win the second game of this series for the Phils. He'll be facing off with Anibal Sanchez (8-6, 3.33 ERA).
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