Game Recap:
J.A. Happ looked sharp in 5 and 1-3rd innings of work and the Phillies pounded out 16 hits to take down the Nationals once again.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins was 2-5 with a run scored and a stolen base.
Shane Victorino was 4-5 with a run scored.
Chase Utley went 1-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
Raul Ibanez went 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Carlos Ruiz 2-2 with an RBI.
Pedro Feliz was 2-4 with an RBI.
J.A. Happ pitched 5 and 1-3rd innings, striking out five while walking three and allowing three runs.
Brad Lidge struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 10th save.
What went wrong?
Chad Durbin made the sixth inning interesting, allowing three runs to score, though two was charged to Happ. He allowed two hits and struck out one.
Honestly, that's about it.
Game Analysis:
This was one of those games that was a lot closer than it felt. Every Phillies starter had a hit, while the Nationals managed just six in the game. The table setters of Rollins, Victorino and Utley were much better tonight, and it showed, as each one scored. Raul Ibanez also managed to pull himself up tonight, driving in two. Plus, J.A. Happ looked solid again, and with Brett Myers now getting surgery on his hip, Happ has quickly become one of the top starters. He's going to need to keep pitching like this, and eventually deeper into games, as the season goes on. For now, as long as he gets to the sixth inning, I'll be happy.
The more important thing tonight was that Brad Lidge was able to record a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Going into the ninth inning, I wasn't sure that I wanted Lidge out there with just a one run lead, but he proved the doubters wrong tonight, picking up two strikeouts, and looking much better. If he can even get close to the way he was pitching last season, the Phils will be just fine coming out of the bullpen. Ryan Madson pitched out of some trouble in the eighth, which is exactly what he's supposed to do, and with J.C. Romero coming back in just four games, the bullpen is looking good right about now.
For some reason, the Nationals always play the Phillies close, and I'm not sure why. When one team picks up 16 hits, and the other only six, the game should be a blowout, not a 5-4 nail biter. As long as the Phillies keep winning though, everything is just fine with me. They've got to beat the bad teams to pad their record, then claw it out with the tougher ones. As long as they can beat the Nats, I don't care what the score is.
Tomorrow, Cole Hamels (2-2, 4.68 ERA) looks to continue the Phillies' domination over Washington as he faces off against Shairon Martis (5-0, 4.86 ERA). Go Phils!
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