Game Recap:
The Phillies got their first shutout win of the year behind five innings from J.A. Happ and another solid showing from their offense.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins went 2-4 with two walks and two runs scored.
Placido Polanco was 4-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Chase Utley went 2-4 with his first home run of the year and two RBI.
Ryan Howard had two hits and two RBI with a run scored.
Raul Ibanez was 3-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
J.A. Happ pitched five strong innings, allowing no runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out five.
The bullpen was solid behind Happ, allowing just two hits and striking out five in four innings.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino went 0-5.
Yep, that's it.
Game Analysis:
One night after tasting defeat for the first time this season, the Phillies game back out against the Astros and showed why they are the two time National League champions. J.A. Happ pitched five shutout innings, and the bullpen did the rest, keeping the Astros off the scoreboard in an 8-0 win.
I can't say enough about how well this offense is playing right now. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard normally get off to slow starts, but right now, both of them are playing out of their minds. Rollins has walked six times in four games and has scored six runs already, while Howard has two home runs, seven RBI and has only struck out once. I think the addition of Placido Polanco has a lot to do with how well the team is hitting right now. Polanco is a perfect number two hitter, and he's shown that so far in this young season. He already has 11 hits and seven runs, and with the way Shane Victorino has been playing this year, it's important to note that he would have been the number two hitter had Polanco not been brought back.
The other good thing about the offense last night was the return of Raul Ibanez, who laced two doubles and drove in three runs. In the first inning, Raul helped prevent a wasted chance by nailing a two run double into right field with two outs, turning a one run inning into a three run inning. That would really be all that the Phillies needed last night, but they weren't done yet. Bud Norris had no command from the first batter of the game, and the Phils were patient enough to run him out of the game within the first three innings. It's exactly what this team needed to do after a tough loss.
The pitching was solid last night, as well. J.A. Happ did his job, and looked just about the same as he did last year. He got into some trouble in a few innings, but was able to pitch out of it, and the bullpen backed him up, keeping the Astros from mounting much of a threat in the later innings. All in all, it was a very good game, but keep in mind, it's still just four games into the season. Even so, I like the way that this team looks right now. They're playing on another level so far this year, and if they can keep it up, it's going to be one fun season.
Tonight, Jamie Moyer makes his first start of the season, and he'll be up against Felipe Paulino for Houston.
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