What perhaps could have been a series sweep turned into a series split as the Fightins won 2 of 4 in Tinseltown. Closer Brad Lidge had his difficulties in finishing two of the games albeit hindered by an error committed by usually reliable third sacker Pedro Feliz in one of them. The starting pitching continued to excel, both young arms and old which is a positive from early season woes. Mr. Lidge will come around, have faith Phillie fans, not time to panic just yet! Did I mention we are in first place in NL East ? Here is a recap of the Dodger series.
Thursday, June 4 – Phillies 3 Dodgers 0
Cole Hamels was the story as he threw a complete game shutout limiting LA to only five hits while striking out five and issueing zero free passes! Hamels had excellent command, great velocity and super movement……all those ingredients equate to a shutout! Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez each had an RBI and Carlos Ruiz and Werth had two hits in the game. Hamels was the bottom line to the win though.
Friday, June 5 – Dodgers 4 Phillies 3
The Phillies were within one out of the win when Russell Martin hit a ground ball to third basemen Pedro Feliz in what would normally be a routine out but Pedro kicked it allowing Andre Ethier to come to the plate with the bases juiced and the Dodgers trailing by one. Ethier smoked Brad Lidge’s first offering to him for a double over right fielder Eric Bruntlett’s head to plate two mates and produce the walk off Dodger win. What was lost in the equation was a tremendous performance by Phillies starter Jamie Moyer who went seven strong innings giving up only four hits and two runs. J.C. Romero pitched a scoreless eighth to earn his first 2009 hold but in the end Mr. Lidge got blown save number 5 on the season. Bruntlett, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Chase Utley and Feliz had two hits each to lead the Phillie offense.
Saturday, June 6 – Dodgers 3 Phillies 2
Once again the FIghtins took a one run lead into the ninth with closer Brad Lidge on the hill and once again the Dodgers tagged Mr. Lidge with a blown save. Rafael Furcal hit a solo pinch hit home run to send the game to extra innings where Andre Ethier would eventually win it with a home run off of Chad Durbin in the 12th inning. Joe Blanton gave the Phillies another strong start by going five innings limiting the Dodgers to one run on five hits. Clay Condrey, J.C. Romero and Ryan Madson all earned holds in setting it up for closer Brad Lidge but Mr. Lights Out was lit up instead for his sixth blown save of the year. The Phillies only had six hits in the whole 12 innings led by Pedro Feliz with two.
Sunday, June 7th – Phillies 7 Dodgers 2
The Fightins exacted revenge in the Sunday Night nationally televised contest on Fox Sports. Rookie Antonio Bastardo pitched five innings in his second big league start to earn win number 2. Bastardo struck out four while giving up two runs on seven hits. Chan Ho Park was booed by the Dodger faithful when he came onto the field in relief of Bastardo but Chan Ho pitched three scoreless innings to earn his first hold of the season, Ryan Madson finished the contest in the ninth. Home runs were hit by Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz and Shane Victorino. Victorino, Ruiz and Jimmy Rollins, ( hitting out of the six hole for first time since 2006), had two hits each to account for two thirds of the Phillies total of nine for the game.
Chatter
After an off day on Monday J.A. Happ will take the mound in New York against the Mets on Tuesday to kick off a 3 game series and end the 10 game road swing. The Phillies are 5 and 2 thus far on the trip, the three game series may mean more for the Mets than the Phillies as the New Yorkers are severely banged up but to their credit are still only 3 games out of first place behind the Philies. A series win by the Phillies could be a demoralizer to the New Yorkers but it is far too early in the season I think. Should at the least be an entertaining series, usually is when these two teams get it on.
