Chan Ho Park continued his early season struggle as a starter on Friday night as he gave up seven runs and eight hits in only four and 2/3 innings of work. Park, once again, had poor location and paid for it early as he gave up a first inning two run bomb to Dan Murphy. The Mets scored in four of the first five frames of the game in building a lead they would never relinquish. Chad Durbin, J.A. Happ and Clay Condrey pitched scoreless baseball in relief of Park but the hole was too deep for the Fightin’s to climb out of in this one.
The Phillies did fight back by scoring four runs including a solo home run by Chase Utley in the seventh frame. Pedro Feliz continued to swing a hot bat as he collected two hits, Raul Ibanez knocked in two of the four runs bringing his season RBI total to 19. The Mets bullpen pitched as advertised in this one as Pedro Feliciano, J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriquez held the lead, Putz was particularly impressive as he worked a perfect eighth inning.
On Saturday afternoon the two rivals were back at it as each team sent lefties to the mound. Jamie Moyer took the hill for the Phils against the egnimatic Oliver Perez. The Phils took an early 4 to 2 lead and knocked Perez out of the game after two and 1/3 innings, Perez has struggled mightily for the Mets thus far this season and may be on his way to Adam Eaton type affection by Met fans! Moyer lasted into the sixth inning but found trouble in that frame as he gave up three runs to relinquish the lead. The Phillie bullpen was perfect in relief as Scott Eyre, Clay Condrey, Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge and Jack Taschner each were unscored upon. Raul Ibanez hit his eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning to retie the game.
The Phillies won the game in the bottom of the tenth on a bases loaded walk issued by Sean Green to Shane Victorino that scored Pedro Feliz. Green was his own worst enemy as he issued two walks and a hit batter in the inning. Feliz, Victorino and Ibanez each had two hit ballgames for the Fightins.
Chatter
Cole Hamels threw a bullpen session early Saturday and felt soreness around his ankle which may prohibit him from starting Tuesday against St. Louis. If Hamels cannott start then J.A. Happ will take the turn. Carlos Ruiz was activated off the D.L. on Saturday and started as the catcher. Lou Marson was optioned back to Triple A Lehigh Valley to make room on the roster for Ruiz. Chan Ho Park will most likely stay in the rotation at least for now. Albeit Park has been inconsistent the injury to Hamels virtually insures that he will get one more start, he needs to pitch like he did in spring training when he earned the spot in order to keep it. Kyle Kendrick is 2-1 at Triple A in five starts with a 2.77 ERA so help may only be a short drive away! Also keep an eye on Michael Stutes at Double A Reading along with Vance Worley. The Phillies have built up some depth in the system which makes the boys on the big team a bit more accountable.
