The Fightins entered New York’s CIti Field with a three game lead on the second place Mets in the NL Eastern Division, a three game series ensued after which the Phillies would be four games up on the New Yorkers. Here is how the series played out.
Game 1 – Tuesday, June 9th – Mets 6 Phillies 5
J.A. Happ had his worst start of the season on the hill for the Phillies as his pitches were up in the zone and the Mets made him pay for it. Happ pitched five and one third innings giving up four runs on six hits and four walks. Happ gave up home runs to David Wright and Carlos Beltran. Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley hit home runs for the Phillies as Rollins had three hits and Jayson Werth collected two. In the end though Johan Santana was credited with his eighth win of the season and K-Rod earned his 16th save of the season for the Mets.
Game 2 – Wednesday, June 10th – Phillies 5 Mets 4 (11 innings)
Cole Hamels got roughed up a bit in this one as the Phillies ace only pitched five innings giving up eleven hits and four runs while only striking out one batter. The Phillies perservered however and staged yet another comeback to win! Chase Utley blasted two home runs in the game, almost to the identical spot, in right field. Utley had three hits in the game. The Phillies bullpen was excellent in relief of Hamels as they pitched six scoreless innings allowing only five Met hits. Chan Ho Park earned his second win of the season by throwing scoreless innings in the ninth and tenth and temporary closer Ryan Madson earned his third save by tossing a perfect eleventh inning.
Game Three – Thursday, June 11th – Phillies 6 Mets 3 ( Ten Innings)
Jamie Moyer had another strong outing as a starter tossing six innings allowing eight hits and three runs. Raul Ibanez blasted the key blow, a three run home run in the top of the tenth inning to seal the victory. Scott Eyre earned the mound win and Ryan Madson collected his fourth save of the season by finishing out the game. Pedro Feliz had three hits in the game and Chris Coste collected two. Jayson Werth in right field, made a game saving catch in the home ninth else the game would not have made it to extra innings.
Chatter
Brad Lidge was put on the disabled list prior to the beginning of the Mets series with a sore knee. The knee has been bothering Lidge all season and he had hoped to pitch thru it, the team hopes a 15 day stint of pure rest will reduce the swelling and enable “Lights Out” to get back to form. Catcher Paul Bako was recalled from Double A Reading to take Lidge’s roster spot, Bako will enable the Phillies to use Chris Coste as a right handed pinch hitter more since the team is now carrying three catchers. Scott Eyre was also placed on the 15 day disabled list after Thursday night’s game with a strained calf, righthander Kyle Kendrick was recalled from Triple A Lehigh Valley to take Eyre’s spot. Kendrick will be used as a long reliever and lefty Jack Taschner will be asked to fill in Eyre’s spot as the lefty specialist out of the pen.
The Phillies drafted a local young man I know and my son had the opportunity to play with in high school and legion ball. David Hissey, an outfielder from Emory University was taken in the 50th round by the FIghtins, Hiss played his high school ball at Unionville High School and Legion baseball for Kennett. Congrats David and good luck embarking on a pro baseball career!
