Game Recap:
The Phillies built a ten run lead, and then had to hold on for dear life as the Marlins scored six runs in the eighth inning. Fortunately, they still won to keep their hold on first place in the National League East.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was 3-6 with a stolen base, three runs scored and an RBI.
Placido Polanco was 1-5 and scored a run.
Chase Utley went 2-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Ryan Howard had a huge night, going 3-5 and driving in six runs. He also hit his fifth home run in ten games.
Jimmy Rollins was 2-2 and scored a run, but left in the fourth inning because of a tight hamstring.
Raul Ibanez went 2-4 and scored a run.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-3 with an RBI.
Cole Hamels pitched seven shutout innings to pick up his tenth win of the season. He gave up just four hits while walking one and striking out five. He also went 1-3 at the plate and scored a run.
What went wrong?
Nate Robertson came in to pitch the eighth inning and sucked out loud. He gave up six runs on four hits in two thirds of an inning. He also walked two batters and struck out two.
Game Analysis:
For a game that should have been over much sooner than it was, the bullpen once against made things interesting last night. Luckily for the Phillies, putting up ten runs in seven innings was a big enough lead, and they held on for a 10-6 victory, giving them three wins in the four game series against the Marlins.
There is nothing else to say about Cole Hamels right now. Even though he just picked up his tenth win of the season last night, he should have more than that. His ERA is getting close to 3.00, and he's pitched 25 consecutive scoreless innings. If that's not someone who wants to pitch like an ace, then I don't know what is. The man has been on fire through his last three starts, and now that he's finally getting the run support he should have gotten through the whole season, he's starting to pick up wins, too. For someone who came into this season needed to answer a lot of questions, Hamels has done that as this year has gone on. Does anyone else not think that last year was just a fluke? If he had gotten any run support this year, Hamels would be close to 15 wins and would be on the short list for the Cy Young Award. That's how good he's been pitching this season.
As well as Hamels pitched last night, the bullpen was the exact opposite. Nate Robertson should never be let on the field for the Phillies again, as he turned a 10-0 lead into a 10-6 nailbiter. Seriously, I know that the game is a blowout, but the Marlins aren't going to roll over and die. They want to play spoiler for any team that they have to face. They did it to the Braves over this past weekend, and they tried to do it the last two nights against the Phillies. Robertson just couldn't get anyone out except through the strikeout, and then David Hearndon couldn't finish the game either, meaning that Ryan Madson had to come in, again, and put out the fire. The Phillies can't keep doing this. Madson needs some rest before the playoffs, and if he can't get it, then he's not going to be able to pitch like he is right now. This bullpen has got to pick up the slack, or Madson's arm is going to fall off. Look at it this way: Madson has pitched in 44 games this year, and that's with missing the months of May and June with a broken toe. He needs to rest.
On the plus side, the offense looked great last night. Ryan Howard continued his hot streak of late with a six RBI night and another home run, and Chase Utley even got in on the action with two RBI and a stolen base. The biggest issue the Phils might have right now on offense is the health of Jimmy Rollins, who once again had his hamstring tighten up on him last night. He's been dealing with hamstring issues all season, and that's the problem with an injury like that. It never really goes away until the season is over and you get a chance to rest it fully. Hopefully, this is just a minor issue for Rollins, but for the moment, he's going to be day-to-day, which means we might have to see a bit more of Wilson freaking Valdez out there at shortstop.
The Phillies finished up their 24 games in 23 days last night, and did so with a respectable 15-9 record. That includes a four game sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros, so you can see how well they did against everyone else. They finally get an off day today, and then head up to New York City tomorrow night to take on the Mets. Roy Halladay (17-10, 2.36 ERA) will take on Jenrry Mejia (0-3, 3.86 ERA).
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