Game Recap:
Cliff Lee struck out 11 in seven innings in his first game back with the Phillies, and the offense pounded Houston for nine runs as the Phils won their second game of the season.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was 1-3 with two RBI before leaving the game.
Placido Polanco went 3-5 and scored twice.
Jimmy Rollins was 2-5 with a run scored.
Ryan Howard was 2-5, drove in a run and scored once.
Ben Francisco went 2-5 as well, driving in two.
Raul Ibanez had a great game, going 2-3 with two walks, two RBI and three runs scored.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Wilson Valdez was 1-4 with an RBI.
Cliff Lee made his return to Philadelphia and looked great doing it, pitching seven innings while allowing three runs on four hits. He struck out 11 and didn't walk a batter.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino had to leave the game in the fifth inning with a sore left calf.
Ben Francisco almost killed Victorino trying to dive for a ball in the fourth inning that allowed a run to score.
That's it.
Game Analysis:
What could top a walk off win on Opening Day? How about a great pitching performance by the returning Cliff Lee and an offensive showing that was even better than it looked. That's what the Phillies did yesterday night against the Houston Astros in a 9-4 win.
There was no way that Cliff Lee was going to do anything but win last night. You could see it in his eyes from the moment he stepped onto the mound and got one of the loudest early season ovations that I have ever heard. Striking out two of the first three batters he faced was just icing on the cake. His first inning set the tone for the rest of the night, and while Carlos Lee had his number, the rest of the Astros couldn't figure out how to get on base against Cliff Lee.
Lee kept Houston's bats guessing all night long, and it looked like he never missed a beat from the last time he pitched with the Phils. Everything looked sharp, his control was even better than it was in his last go around in Philadelphia, and once the Phillies gave him the lead, there was no looking back. Yes, the bullpen tried to make things a little more interesting in the eighth and ninth innings, but Danys Baez and Jose Contreras got the job done and finished things off for the Phillies on the mound. So far, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee have done what they are supposed to do for this team, but last night, I was even more impressed with the offense.
For the Phillies to score nine runs is nothing new. However, when they can do it without hitting a single home run, then it's something to look at. Whatever the Phils found at the plate in the ninth inning on Friday carried over to yesterday night, as they jumped on Wandy Rodriguez early and often. Rodriguez only lasted four innings and gave up seven runs on nine hits. He did strike out five, but the Phillies were seeing the ball well against him and getting clutch hits. That's something that was missing from this team last year. The clutch, timely hits weren't there when the Phils needed them, but they have been there so far this year. It's only been two games, so the sample size is a little small, but the fact of the matter is that the Phillies have scored 14 runs in two games without the benefit of a home run. No matter how you look at it, that's playing some smallball right there. It's not what this team is known for, but they have to be able to get those hits when they need to.
There's still another 160 games to go this year, but so far, everything looks good for the Phillies, even without Chase Utley and Domonic Brown. The pitching has been solid, and with Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and yes, Joe Blanton, still to come, it's not going to get any easier for opposing teams.
Roy Oswalt makes his first start of the year today. Houston will send out Bud Norris.
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