Game Recap:
Thanks to six strong innings from Cole Hamels, and a powerful showing from several Phillies hitters, the Fightins got back on the winning side of things in their first game of a three game set against the Braves.
What went right?
Cole Hamels pitched, and didn't look like his recent string of bad luck had gotten to him one bit. Hamels went six innings, struck out seven, walked two and allowed just two runs. He also picked up his first win of the season.
Jayson Werth went 2-2, with a two run home run and three runs scored.
Chase Utley hit his ninth homer of the season to counteract strikeouts in each of his other three at bats.
Jimmy Rollins went 1-5 with a two run double in the second inning.
Chris Coste hit his first home run of the year to put the Phils ahead to stay.
What went wrong?
The bullpen looked shaky tonight. Clay Condrey gave up a solo home run to Omar Infante, and I don't even want to get into the ninth inning, where Brad Lidge gave up a three run bomb to Casey Kotchman before getting out of trouble.
Game Analysis:
Welcome back, Cole Hamels. That is the type of showing I would expect from a former World Series MVP, and it looks like Hollywood is starting to get back into that form. After looking sharp in each of his last two starts before having to leave early because of injuries, Hamels was able to pitch a great game and stay healthy tonight. He didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning, and his two walks came in his last inning of work. I would have liked to see him out there longer, but after his elbow problems in Spring Training, I also don't want to risk a major injury, especially with the way the rest of the rotation has been pitching.
Quite frankly, the Phillies need Cole Hamels to pitch like this almost every time he steps on the mound. Jamie Moyer doesn't look like he's got much left, and Chan Ho Park, Joe Blanton and Brett Myers haven't looked very good yet, either. The Phils need that anchor, that go to guy in the rotation. Hamels has to be that guy. He's getting paid ace money, now he needs to pitch like it. Tonight was an excellent step in the right direction, and hopefully he can pull a few of these starts together.
The offense was also great tonight. Even though Shane Victorino saw his hitting streak end, the rest of the batting order managed to bang out eight hits and eight RBI. The scoring got started early, thanks to four unearned runs in the second inning, then took off when Jayson Werth, Chris Coste and Chase Utley hit home runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, respectively. That's the type of offensive performance I like to see. Seven position players had hits tonight, and six different batters drove in runs. Jo-Jo Reyes was rocked early and often, and when you can do that to an opposing team's starting pitcher, it usually means good things.
Then...the ninth inning showed up. Brad Lidge came out, and it should have been easy. It was anything but. I know it wasn't a save situation Brad, but you certainly almost made it one. I don't know what's going on with him so far this year, but I hope he can figure it out, because a closer with an ERA over 8.00 has got some issues to work out somewhere along the line. I know he's only blown one save, and anything would look bad compared to last season, but he just hasn't looked that sharp at all yet this year. So far, he's been the weak link in an otherwise very strong bullpen. You're the man, Brad, but you've got to step it up. We don't need you blowing saves in August. We're not the Mets.
Tomorrow, the Phils look to take their second game in a row against the Braves. Joe Blanton (1-2, 6.84 ERA) will go against Javier Vazquez (2-3, 4.19 ERA). Hopefully, the score looks like it did tonight.
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