Game Recap:
The Phillies rode the arm of J.A. Happ and a first inning Pedro Feliz grand slam to a sweep of the Pirates and a 9-1 homestand.
What went right?
Pedro Feliz was 2-4 with a grand slam and four RBI.
Jimmy Rollins went 1-3 with a run scored.
Shane Victorino was 1-3 and scored a run.
Chase Utley went 2-4 and scored a run.
J.A. Happ pitched seven strong innings for the fourth straight start, allowing one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out four.
What went wrong?
Raul Ibanez went 0-4.
Carlos Ruiz was 0-3.
JC Romero finished the game off in the ninth inning, but not without allowing a home run to lead off the frame.
Game Analysis:
The first half of the 2009 season is now over, and the Phillies stand four games up in the National League East and ten games over the .500 mark. Before this last homestand, the Phils were 13-22 at home; now they're 22-23, which is far better than they were just two weeks ago coming off of a very poor road trip. Today's game was pretty much a good picture of the first half. Even though the Phillies could put together only one good inning on offense, it was enough to get them past their opponent, even though the pitching made it a little closer than it should have been in the later innings.
Today though, the day belonged to J.A. Happ. Though he's not the second coming of Steve Carlton, the young lefty managed to get his sixth win of the season, and has continued to look good ever since he was named to the starting rotation. The Pirates had no answer for him at the plate, scoring only one run in the seven innings that he pitched. If Happ can pitch anywhere close to the way he did in the first half of the season in the second half, he may pitch himself into Rookie of the Year contention, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
It wasn't a pretty win by any means, but it's still a win for the Phillies. Sure, they haven't looked great at times this season, but they're playing their best baseball right now, and have a chance to really put some distance between themselves and the Marlins once the second half of the season gets started. For now though, it's all about the All Star game and watching the five players the Phils have there...oh, and the entire coaching staff. That's what happens when you win the National League.
The All Star break is in full effect now, and the Phillies do not play again until Thursday, when they kick off a four game series against second place Florida. Tomorrow, Ryan Howard goes in the Home Run Derby, and then the All Star Game is Tuesday night. Enjoy the midway point of the season, and I'll be back with a midseason recap in the next day or so.
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