Game Recap:
Joe Blanton pitched seven strong innings, and back to back home runs by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard propelled the Phillies to their fourth straight win.
What went right?
Chase Utley was 2-4 on the night. He hit his 12th home run of the season, drove in two and scored once.
Shane Victorino went 2-5 with two RBI.
Ryan Howard went 1-5 with a home run.
Jimmy Rollins was 2-5 with a run scored.
Raul Ibanez went 2-5.
Joe Blanton pitched seven strong innings, allowing just three runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked one.
What went wrong?
Jayson Werth went 0-4.
The Phillies left 11 men on base.
Game Analysis:
Now that's a good way to start off what is going to be a tough road trip. The Padres had won ten straight at home before last night, and with the Phils going to L.A. and New York after this, a win was needed last night, and that's exactly what the Phillies got. Joe Blanton looked sharp for the second straight time, and even though he gave up back to back home runs in the sixth, they were solo shots, and didn't do anything but cut into the lead. Overall, Blanton has looked much better of late, and seems to be avoiding the big inning that beat him up pretty good at the start of the year.
Even though 11 men were left on base, it was still a good night for the Phillies on offense. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard didn't seemed bothered by Petco Park's dimensions, hitting back to back home runs in the fifth inning. After wasting leadoff doubles in the first and second innings, the Phillies finally broke through in the third, with four straight batters getting on base, including Joe Blanton, who worked a walk. Those two doubles helped set an early tone, as the Phils cranked out 12 hits on the night and chased San Diego starter Kevin Correia off in the fifth inning.
Once again, Brad Lidge looked solid out on the mound, needing only five pitches to pick up his fifth straight save. Much like Blanton is getting himself into place, Lidge has managed to settle down, too. It's a good thing that he's starting to look like the Brad Lidge of 2008, because J.C. Romero's suspension is up tomorrow, and if the Phils can get the back end of that bullpen looking like it did last year, they can really start to put some ground between themselves and the rest of the National League East. This road trip is going to be tough, but no one's been better on the road this year than the Phillies, so all should be well.
Tonight, Antonio Bastardo will make his major league debut. Who will he be facing? Oh, just Jake Peavy (5-5, 3.67 ERA). Welcome to the big leagues, kid. Good luck.
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