Game Recap:
The Phillies and Nationals traded shots until Raul Ibanez finished things off with a grand slam in the bottom the eighth inning. Ryan Madson worked the ninth for his first save of the year.
What went right?
Both Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez hit grand slams in the game, and each finished with four RBI.
Jimmy Rollins went 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Chase Utley went 2-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Aside from Scott Eyre, the bullpen pitched four and 2/3 innings and allowed only one run.
What went wrong?
Joe Blanton only lasted 4 and 1/3 innings after striking out the side in the first inning. He struggled to find the strike zone after that, walking three and allowing three home runs.
Scott Eyre tried his hardest to blow the game for the Phillies, going walk, home run, walk home run, walk while he was in the game.
Ryan Madson got the save, and not Brad Lidge.
Game Analysis:
Wow, what a slug fest. I'm guessing the near 90 degree heat in April had something to do with the ball flying all over Citizens Bank Park tonight, but either way, it's nice to pick up another win, especially when most people had to think the game was over. If Raul Ibanez hadn't become a Philly favorite before tonight, he certainly is now. Two game winning homers in a span of less than two weeks will certainly endear anyone to the fans in Philly.
I can't remember the last time I saw two grand slams from the Phillies in the same game, so this matchup certainly had some entertainment value. That being said, there were still some concerns. Whatever magic Joe Blanton had when he came to the Phillies last summer seems to have worn off, as teams are pounding him early in the season. He's yet to win a game, and he lasted less than five innings tonight, once again bringing up my concern about starting pitching and the bullpen. Scott Eyre did his best to blow the game, not recording an out while allowing two homers in the top of the eighth inning. He got lucky that Ibanez bailed him out, because he's quickly looking more and more like the pitcher the Cubs waived last year.
Of course, you can't overlook the good things that the Phillies did tonight, either. Both Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez drilled grand freaking slams, which is awesome. Jimmy Rollins looked like a different hitter after striking out in the first inning, picking up three hits after that. You have to question why Charlie Manuel brought in Ryan Madson instead of Brad Lidge, but one can assume he doesn't want to wear Lidge out too soon. Hopefully, that's the case, because I wouldn't think that Charlie's lost faith in Lidge this early in the year.
Tomorrow, Cole Hamels (0-2, 9.69 ERA) goes against John Lannan (0-2, 4.43 ERA). Lannan is best known for breaking Chase Utley's hand in 2007, and being dubbed "emo pitcher" by my friend and I. It's a long, drunken story. Either way, the Phils will be looking to move three games over .500, and Hamels is going for his first win.
Go Phils!
EDIT: It turns out that Lidge is resting a sore knee, so that's why Madson came in tonight. Hopefully, he's better soon.
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