Game Recap:
After trailing for most of the game, Raul Ibanez's two run walkoff home run gave the Phillies a much needed, come from behind victory. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins also homered for the Phils.
What went right?
Ibanez's walk off winner capped a 2-4 day for the newest Philadelphia bat. He's now hitting .386 on the season and is tied for the NL lead in homers with five.
Ryan Howard continued his hot start, going 3-4 with two singles and a triple(!!). He also flashed some solid leather at first base, ending what could have been a killer third inning with a great dive.
Chase Utley added his fourth homer of the season to put the Phils on the board. Much like Howard and Ibanez, Utley is assaulting opposing pitching with a .366 batting average, four home runs and 11 RBI.
J.A. Happ pitched great in relief for starter Chan Ho Park, throwing three scoreless innings, including retiring seven Padres in a row.
What went wrong?
While Ibanez was clutch at the plate in the ninth, his defenisve mistake in the third inning on an Edgar Gonzalez line drive turned into a triple and allowed two more runs to score. He almost misplayed another ball later in the game, but managed to recover and make a close grab. Those mistakes can't continue, despite his hot bat.
Chan Ho Park wasn't great on the mound, continuing the starting pitching woes for the Phillies. He lasted just five innings, giving up four runs and eight hits, while striking out three and allowing another home run, this one by Adrian Gonzalez. With the way Happ pitched behind him, Park is going to have to step up to keep his hold on the fifth starting spot.
While the Phillies were able to come back and win, the majority of their lineup had problems with Josh Greer, who was making just his sixth Major League start. Greer went seven innings, and struck out four, only allowing the Utley home run.
Game Analysis:
It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win for the Phillies. Josh Greer contained the Phils for most of the game, but Philadelphia was able to get to the San Diego bullpen once he left. With Heath Bell unable to pitch, Edwin Moreno got the call in the ninth, and it only took two batters for the good guys to walk off as winners.
Of course, not all is well at the ballpark. The Phillies looked off balance against a junk ball pitcher for the longest time, and Chan Ho Park, despite pitching better than in his first start, still only went five innings. Philadelphia's starting pitching has not been anywhere close to where it was last season. The Phils also left ten men on base, which could have been huge, espeically in a one run game.
The starting pitching is going to have to improve, and quickly. The Phillies have allowed 26 home runs through just 11 games this season, and Ryan Madsen and Brad Lidge haven't looked very sharp yet out of the bullpen. Brett Myers put together what could be considered the best starting performance yet last night, but Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer are going to have to get back on point if this team wants to get moving, especially with the way the Marlins are playing early this year.
I know it's only 11 games into the season, but that was as close to a must win game in April as you can get. The Phillies needed that one, and were damn lucky to get it.
Next Game
The Phils take on the Padres for the last game in the four game series tomorrow night. Jamie Moyer (1-1, 6.55 ERA) faces off against Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.09 ERA). It's also the first Dollar Dog Night of the year, so go grab some cheap hot dogs. You know you want to.
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