Game Recap:
The Phillies only managed three hits, and Brad Lidge blew his seventh save of the season, but they still managed to get past the Cubs and end their three game losing streak.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins went 1-5 with a two run home run.
Ryan Howard went 1-4 with an RBI on a bases loaded walk.
Carlos Ruiz was 0-3, but walked twice and scored each time.
Ben Francisco went 1-5 with the game winning home run in the 12th inning.
J.A. Happ wasn't too bad, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. He walked four and struck out three.
Aside from Brad Lidge, the bullpen shut out the Cubs over five innings, allowing just two hits.
What went wrong?
Brad Lidge blew his seventh save of the season, allowing a run on one hit. He also walked a batter and struck out one.
The Phillies were no hit until the sixth inning.
The Phillies left five men on base, and continued to have problems with runners in scoring position.
Game Analysis:
Now that might be the ugliest win I have ever seen for the Phillies. They were outhit 10-3, didn't have a baserunner until the sixth inning and had their closer blow his seventh game of the year, and they still won in extra innings. I'm not happy by any stretch, but a win is a win, and after the way the Phils played against the Marlins, this is a game I'm very happy to have.
The Phillies still seem like they're pushing too hard on offense though. Every time someone comes up to the plate with runners in scoring position, it looks like the batter is trying to knock the ball out of the park. There is no need for everyone on the team to have large home run totals. Sometimes these guys would be better suited if they just tried to put the ball in play. A sacrifice fly looks a whole lot better than a pop up, especially if there's a runner on third. I don't care if you hit the ball 500 feet or 50 feet...these guys need to start driving in runs in ways other than the longball.
That being said, it was good to see the Phillies get back on the winning track. The weekend was just not a good one at all. They got swept by the Marlins, and Jamie Moyer was moved to the bullpen. Of course, he had to go a pitch a bit of a fit about it, but what are you going to tell him? The man isn't pitching well this year, and you're not going to move Happ, Hamels, Lee or Blanton right now. Sorry Jamie, you're the odd man out. Now the Phillies need Pedro to pitch well, or things are going to get quite interesting at the back end of the rotation. Tonight, we'll see how that goes.
Pedro Martinez makes his Phillies debut tonight, as he takes on Jeff Samardzija (1-1, 6.29 ERA). Pedro, just don't be as bad as Moyer has been this season. That's all I'm asking.
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