Game Recap:
Roy Halladay allowed five runs in seven innings, but the Phils scored six times off of R.A. Dickey in three innings to get their six win in seven games.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins went 2-4 with a run scored.
Raul Ibanez was 1-4 and had a three run home run to increase his hitting streak to 15 games.
Jayson Werth was 3-4, scored twice and had a solo home run.
Brian Schneider went 1-2 and had an RBI.
Wilson freaking Valdez was 2-4.
Roy Halladay scuffled at times, but still picked up his 14th win of the season. He struck out ten in seven innings, while allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk.
What went wrong?
Domonic Brown went 0-3.
Honestly, that's about it.
Game Analysis:
On a day when Roy Halladay wasn't at his best, the offense managed to bail him out, thanks to a five run third inning, as the Phillies beat the Mets for the second time in three days. It wasn't the prettiest win in the world, but the Phillies still managed to take two of three from the Mets, and they're still two games back of the Braves in the National League East.
There are going to be games when Roy Halladay is not pitching at his best, and today was one of them. Even though Halladay struck out ten through seven innings, he didn't always have his best stuff. In a season where the Phillies haven't always been able to provide run support, they did so today, and Halladay got the win. After a rough first inning, Halladay looked solid for most of the game, but got into trouble in the sixth and seventh innings, and that was enough to make everything close again. Luckily for him, the bullpen was solid today, as both Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge did their jobs to save the win and keep the Phillies two games behind the Atlanta Braves for first place in the National League East.
The Phillies have struggled against junk ball pitchers all year long, but they had one good inning today against R.A. Dickey. In the third inning, the Phils struck back with their offense, scoring five times and forcing Dickey out of the game by the time everything was said and done. Raul Ibanez hit a three run home run to continue his hitting streak, but that was the icing on the cake that was the third inning today. The Phillies got the batters up that they needed to, and they were able to score enough runs to take home another win. It's what they've been doing over the past two weeks. Sometimes, it hasn't been pretty, but it's been enough.
For this team, wins are as valuable as gold right now. The Phillies have been struggling of late, and taking two of three from the Mets, who shut out the Phils for the series the last time these two teams played, is a very good thing. When you add to that the fact that the Phillies are only two games out of first place, then everything is coming together for this team right now. The offense is starting to work well without Chase Utley or Ryan Howard and the pitching staff is even better at the moment. When Roy Halladay can allow five runs and still win, something is going right. It's about time that I've had this option this year.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers come to town. Kyle Kendrick (7-4, 4.37 ERA) takes the mound for the Phillies. He'll be facing former Phillie Vicente Padilla (5-3, 3.09 ERA).
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