Cliff Lee's seven shutout innings were the icing on the cake, as the Phillies scored ten runs against the New York Mets to move their record to 82-44 on the season.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was 1-4 with a two run triple.
Placido Polanco made his return from the disabled list and went 2-4.
Hunter Pence was 2-3 on the night with two walks, a two run home run and four runs scored.
John Mayberry went 1-3 with a two run home run and a bases loaded walk.
Carlos Ruiz was 2-4 and drove in two runs.
Wilson freaking Valdez continued to be one of the most clutch hitters that the Phillies have, going 1-3 with the game winning RBI. Sure, it happened in the second inning, but it still counts.
Cliff Lee pitched seven shutout innings to earn his 14th win of the season. He walked three, struck out seven and allowed three hits. He also went 1-4 at the plate and scored a run.
David Herndon pitched the last two innings of the game, giving up two hits while striking out one.
What went wrong?
Chase Utley went 0-4.
Ryan Howard was 1-4 with three strikeouts.
Game Analysis:
What the Phillies needed tonight was a good game against the Mets to follow their disappointing series against the Nationals this past weekend. What they got was not just a good game, but a great one, as the Phils blasted rookie Dillon Gee for eight runs in less than four innings for what turned out to be a 10-0 win.
Even with Jimmy Rollins going on the disabled list today, the offense was more than ready for the Mets. Shane Victorino had a two run triple in the second inning, and every Phillie, save for Chase Utley, had a hit in the game. Placido Polanco came off the DL and had two hits, and John Mayberry continued his incredible hot streak with a two run home run, giving him 11 on the season now, which is good for fifth on the team. That's not too bad considering he's only played in 75 games this season. The best part about that is that Mayberry only got the start tonight because Raul Ibanez was scratched from the starting lineup with a sore groin. At least Mayberry made it pay off.
Cliff Lee was on the mound tonight, and he pitched another solid start, making this August look like June did for him. While Lee did walk three batters tonight, he added to his career high in strikeouts for a season, and won his fourth game in the month of August and fifth game in a row. Even with his poor July showing, there's nothing to suggest that Lee won't be ready for the playoffs, and even if he does struggle in September, he's been great in every other month, so October will be right up his alley. That being said, giving up two runs in the entire month of August isn't too bad. Having 14 wins as the number two pitcher doesn't hurt, either.
All things considered, tonight was the best possible outcome for the Phillies. They not only bounced back from a bad series against Washington, but they completely destroyed the Mets, at home, and had Cliff Lee pitch seven shut out innings. Jimmy Rollins is on the disabled list for at least a few weeks, but with the way Wilson Valdez is hitting in the clutch, it might not matter right now. The night wasn't perfect, but very few are. With the win, the Phillies are still six and a half games up on the Braves for the division, and 15 games up in the Wild Card, if it comes to that.
Yeah, I think that this team is going to make the playoffs.
Tomorrow, the Phillies and Mets square off in game two of this three game series. Vance Worley (8-1, 2.76 ERA) will go against Jonathan Niese (11-10, 4.05 ERA).
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