The Philadelphia Phillies won their third straight game on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep of the Mets in New York. Their record improves to 12-14 on the year.
- Cole Hamels finally earned his first win of the season, and he did it on a day where he didn’t have his best stuff. Hamels lasted just six innings, but only gave up one run despite allowing the Mets multiple scoring chances. The lefty issued a season-high six walks.
- The Phillies’ offense wasn’t able to do any serious damage until late in the game. Freddy Galvis hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, but the bats didn’t seriously threaten Jonathan Niese until the seventh inning.
- The rally started with a two-out, pinch-hit single by Laynce Nix. Then after a Jimmy Rollins single, Charlie Manuel brought Ryan Howard off of the bench to hit for Kevin Frandsen, and the Big Piece (who had been swinging a hot bat all week) delivered again, giving the Phils the lead on a two-run double.
- Carlos Ruiz made his season debut today, and went 1-4 with a double.
- Antonio Bastardo, Mike Adams, and Jonathan Papelbon combined to pitch the final three scoreless innings.
- Chase Utley and John Mayberry also drove in runs for the Phils.
Final Thoughts
Ryan Howard’s lack of production was just killing this team through the first 21 games of the season. The former All-Star had just one home run and six RBIs during that time, and the team’s production suffered because of it.
To this point in the year, teams haven’t been afraid of Howard. He had been getting himself out by flailing at terrible pitches, and when he did connect he wasn’t doing much more than hitting singles. But now his power numbers are finally starting to come around, and he’s performing more like the top run-producer that this team needs him to be.
The Phillies have managed to generate a little momentum for themselves. They’ve earned their first sweep of the season, Cole Hamels has a win, Ryan Howard is swinging the bat well, and Carlos Ruiz is back in the lineup. Hopefully their success will carry over into the next week.
Another all-around Team win with nice Contributions from the Bullpen, Howard, Galvis and Ruiz.. With 26 Games in, we see that the Phils can compete when they play smart ball, good solid Defense and A solid Bullpen..
Phils Starters are nomt going to dominate for 7-8 Innings as years last so the bridge to the late Innings is critical for their success where they can hang in games and win them late, Bastardo has been excellent, the Phils need another
relief Bulloen arm for that 6th-7th inning to get to the back end of Adams/Oaoelbon and preferably a Left-Gander for Horst is not that guy..
Durbin has to step up and Pitch well too
Mayberry and Nix have come up with big hits and Young, Utley, Rollins have been consistent.. With Ruiz back and a hot Howard,
The Phils are poised to get on a nice roll which they need to stay close to Braves/Nats.. They are 3 Back in the Wildcard Race with 7 Teams log-jammed ahead of them so far this early part of the Season.. Off to Cleveland who has been playing pretty well at home..
FROM THE MINOR LEAGUES
Jessie Biddle game last week where he threw 7 innings, allowed 1 hit and struck out 16 batters was followed up with a beauty yesterday where he threw 6 innings, struck out 10 and allowed 1 hit.