Game Recap:
The Phillies rode their offense to their second straight win over the Cubs, with some help from a returning Pedro Martinez.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins went 2-4 with a three run home run. He also scored twice.
Shane Victorino was 2-5 with two RBI, two runs scored and made a great catch when some moron Cub fan decided to throw a beer at him. If this had been in Philly and happened to a Cubs player, the media would be all over it. I doubt this will get the same attention.
Chase Utley was 3-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Ryan Howard went 1-4 with an RBI triple(!).
Raul Ibanez went 1-5 with a three run home run.
Jayson Werth went 2-5 and scored twice.
Pedro Feliz was 2-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
Carlos Ruiz was 1-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
That's a lot of hits!
Also, Pedro Martinez pitched ok, allowing three runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked one.
Chan Ho Park looked great in relief, allowing no Cubs to reach base in three innings while striking out three.
What went wrong?
Chad Durbin had to pitch the ninth inning, and allowed two runs (none earned) on two hits to make the game a little closer.
Game Analysis:
Welcome back, Phillies offense. I've missed you in the week and a half that you decided to vanish. It's about time you came back, and boy, you came back in a big way. It didn't take long for the Phils to get started tonight, as Shane, Chase and Ryan greeted Jeff Samardzija with extra base hits, and by the time they really started to get going in the fourth inning, the rookie was out of the game. Let me tell you, it's good to see Jimmy hitting again like he needs to be. With he and Shane both going the way they are right now, this offense can be almost impossible to stop, and the big bats in the middle are going to have plenty of chances to drive in runs.
Now comes the breakdown of the man on the mound tonight. While Pedro wasn't great, he certainly showed flashes of what he could be as the late season progresses. He was on point for the first four innings, then seemed to lose control a little bit in the fifth. The Cubs started to catch up to his stuff, and he got into a jam. The important thing was that he managed to get out of said jam with only two runs crossing the plate. That's not bad after loading the bases with no one out. Did he walk the pitcher? Yes, but, like I just said, he got out of the inning with minor damage. It wasn't his best showing, hell, I don't think anyone expected the 1999 Pedro to come out tonight and mow down the Cubs. What I was looking for was someone who could pitch better in tight situations than Jamie Moyer, and I saw that in Pedro. He was able to get the big strikeout when he needed it, or induce a fly ball out to help defuse a situation. Answer this question...how would Jamie have gotten out of that fifth inning?
It was a good night for the Phillies, and a good start for Pedro. I'm not expecting him to set the world on fire with his pitching, but if he can give the Phils five or six solid innings each time out for the rest of the year, the offense should do enough to win most of the those games. Remember, he's the fifth starter. He doesn't have to be great, just good enough.
Tomorrow afternoon, Cliff Lee (9-9, 2.95 ERA) looks to continue his hot start in a Phils' uniform as he takes on Ryan Dempster (6-5, 4.04 ERA).
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