Game Recap:
Roy Halladay threw his second complete game of the season, and this time, it was a shutout as the Phillies ended their losing streak and evened their series with the Braves.
What went right?
Ryan Howard was 1-3 with a run scored.
Jayson Werth went 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Raul Ibanez went 1-3 with an RBI.
Juan Castro was 1-4.
Roy Halladay pitched a complete game shutout, giving up five hits, striking out seven and walking just one. In his first four starts for the Phillies, Halladay is 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino was 0-5, but had a great catch in the second inning to rob Troy Glaus of a home run.
Placido Polanco went 0-2 before leaving the game with a left elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch in the first inning.
Game Analysis:
There needs to be a way to clone Roy Halladay and have him pitch every single day, because what he's done with the Phillies so far is amazing. Short of how Cliff Lee started his very brief Phillies career last July and August, I've never seen anything like this, and I don't think anyone else in Philadelphia has, either. Halladay was dominant again last night, recording the first 11 outs before allowing a base hit, and he needed only 113 pitches to finish the game. In comparison, Tim Hudson needed 103 pitches to get through six innings. This is the pitcher that Philadelphia fans have wanted since Curt Schilling was traded out of town, and the way he's playing so far is amazing. The Phils have been in a few pitcher's duels this season, but when Halladay is the one dealing for the Phillies, there's no question who is going to come out on top.
Even though the offense only managed to score two runs, they did enough against Tim Hudson, working him over and getting him out of the game by the end of the sixth inning. The patience against opposing pitchers is still there, and it seems like it might actually be a trend now, rather than something that was just happening over the first few weeks of the season. There are some issues with the offense, though. Last night, Placido Polanco left the game after being hit by a pitch in the first inning. He stayed in through his next two at bats, but then had to leave with what's being called a left elbow contusion. Hopefully, it's nothing, because Polanco has been amazing for the Phillies so far this year. If it's something serious, then the Phillies will have their leadoff and number two batters on the disabled list at the same time, and that's just not good for anyone. If Polanco could play for as long as he did after being hit, though, I don't think it's that bad. A game off never hurt anyone, so hopefully that's all that it takes to get him ready to go again.
Last night was all about Roy Halladay, however. He's only given up three earned runs in 33 innings, while striking out 28 and walking three. He's also pitched two complete games, and gone through the seventh inning in every start. For a team that's been looking for that pitcher to push them over the edge and back to the World Series, this guy is the real deal. The starting pitching in general has been great over the last few games, with the offense and bullpen being the reason for the losing streak. If that's the case, then I'll take losing a few games to get the starters back on track. Cole Hamels and Kyle Kendrick looked great in their last starts, and that's promising. Once J.C. Romero and Brad Lidge get back, the bullpen issues will resolve themselves, and this offense is too good to keep quiet for too long.
Tonight, the Phillies go for two in a row against the Braves. Jamie Moyer (1-1, 7.50 ERA) faces off against Derek Lowe (3-0, 4.67 ERA).
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