Game Recap:
Ryan Howard broke his homerless drought, and Cliff Lee pitched another eight strong innings for the Phillies as they swept the Cubs in Chicago for the first time in 25 years.
What went right?
Shane Victorino didn't get hit with beer today, but he did go 2-5 with two runs scored.
Chase Utley went 1-3 with a run and an RBI.
Ryan Howard was 2-3 with a three run home run and two runs scored.
Pedro Feliz was 2-3 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored.
Cliff Lee pitched eight innings, allowing one run on six hits. He walked three, struck out eight and had a double at the plate as well.
What went wrong?
Jimmy Rollins was 0-4.
Jayson Werth was 0-4.
Ben Francisco was 0-4.
Game Analysis:
This was the kind of series the Phillies needed after the way they played against the Marlins last weekend. After being swept at home, the Phils came out and had good pitching and good hitting and got the sweep of the Cubs in Chicago.
It's nice to see Ryan Howard hitting the longball again. He hadn't hit one since July 27 against Arizona, and this is normally his time of the year, so hopefully the big guy gets things going again. Jimmy and Shane are setting the table, so it's up to the big guys to bring them in. Raul's been struggling, and so have Chase and Ryan. If one of them can start to break out of their funk, then the rest should follow. Homers by Ryan and Raul in back to back games are a good starting point. The Phils can build from there.
What else can be said about Cliff Lee that hasn't already been said? The man has been nothing but money for the Phillies so far, allowing just three runs in 24 innings while striking out 23 in his three starts. The man has been just as advertised, and if he can keep this up, I want to see him in red for the rest of his career. This might be one of the best trades the Phillies have made since they picked up Steve Carlton, and if he keeps pitching like he's been pitching, the rest of the National League is in big trouble. The defending champs may have gotten that one missing piece that can help push them over the edge again.
Tomorrow, the Phils look to continue their momentum as they travel to Atlanta to face the Braves in a big division series. Joe Blanton (7-6, 4.02 ERA) goes against Jair Jurrjens (9-8, 3.01 ERA). I want the Phils to take two out of three and start gaining some ground back against the Braves and Marlins. Go Phils!
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