The Philadelphia Phillies finished their four-game series with the Cardinals with a 7-3 win over St. Louis on Sunday night. Their record has improved to 8-11.
- On again, off again. That phrase best describes the Phillies offense right now. One night they come alive and strike for eight runs. The next night they only manage three hits. Tonight, the bats were feeling productive, scoring seven runs on 12 hits.
- Jimmy Rollins had a productive game out of the leadoff spot, going 3-5 with his first triple of the season.
- Chase Utley went 2-5 and drove in a run, but left four runners on base.
- Ryan Howard went 1-3, and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the first inning. On a side note, its hard to believe that we’re almost at the end of April, and Howard has only managed to hit one home run.
- Erik Kratz has struggled mightily when given the opportunity to hit with runners on base, but tonight the backup catcher delivered the knockout punch with a three-run home run in the eighth inning.
- Charlie Manuel played around with his lineup a bit tonight, batting John Mayberry second.
- Kyle Kendrick turned in another good outing, lasting six innings and allowing just two runs on eight hits. You have to be impressed with the job Kendrick has done so far this season. With the exception of one bad inning against the Royals, Kendrick has been excellent as the team’s fourth starter. He’s given the team a good chance to win every time he’s taken the mound.
- Antonio Bastardo took over in the seventh inning, and struggled a little bit, recording just one out before allowing a couple of base runners to get on. He was charged with an unearned run.
- Chad Durbin came in for Bastardo with runners on the corners, and allowed just one run to score.
- Mike Adams tossed a scoreless eighth inning to get the win, and Jonathan Papelbon finished off the Cardinals in the ninth.
Final Thoughts
It was a good all-around win for the Phillies tonight. The pitching was solid, and the offense looked good.
Despite suffering a couple of disappointing losses, the Phillies managed to split their four-game series with the Cardinals. The offense has been the team’s biggest issue over the last week, but they have shown signs of improvement in this series. They managed three runs or better in three of their last four games, and consistently threatened to score (with the exception of Saturday’s game).
The Phillies will begin a series Monday with the Pittsburgh Pirates, with rookie Jonathan Pettibone making his first career start.
Offense and Infield Defense..
Bad Tbriw by Utley and then poor psotioning by Hiward at 1B
Late in the game could have lost this Game..
If Howard, you golf to cat h that Vall even if you have to come off the
Bag on that throw.. Ryan was standing o. homeplayte side of 1B of bag
Inside the middle to outside of bag to give him more coverage
In the 6th, M Young ball hit right at him while leading 2-1, and should have came home to get the Cardinal Ruuner running from 3rd
He was a dead duck for the 2nd out just with a decent throw at home ..
This Phillie IF Defense is not very good
Utley also misjudged the 2nd out of the first inning and was thrown out at 2nd after catch. He looks like he is voicing his displeasure on the field about his contract a la DJax loafing on Thursday night football.
WTF are you talking about? You are applying one game to that? What other evidence do you have?
he ran away from the ball for Cliff Lee the game before — if I was a gambler I would be thinking he was shaving points
You’re an idiot! LOL!!!!
Split the Series 2-2, now the Hot Pirates come to Town who beat Atlanta 3 out of 4 Series in Pittsburgh and Pirates have won 9 out of their last 12 Games after a slow Start and are playing with some Confidence.. Should be a good Series with close games that will be Won or Lost in the late innings so Timely Hitting, Good Defense and Solid Bullpen work are critical to win this Series
Delmon Young (ankle) went 1-for-4 in his first rehab game Sunday with the High-A Clearwater Threshers.
Young looked awful on defense, misplaying one ball in right field that led to a triple and later committing a blatant fielding error. “Obviously, we want his bat, but if he can’t play defense, he can’t play in the National League,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Sunday. “He’s going to have to be adequate out there.” Young is recovering from microfracture ankle surgery.
He was a bad Outfielder when he was 24 Years old and 50 lbs lighter ..
This Signing of Delmon Young made as much sense as Signing Jim Thome was last Year.. Some PLayers just belong in the AL as DH’s and play an occasional fielding Postion.. This doesn’t work in the NL and a PLayer who is used to getting 20-25 At-Bats a Week is going to struggle big time as strictly as NL Pinch-Hitter where you get 4-5 At-Bats a Week..
Another Stupid Acquisition bottom line by Amaro..
Again, when does the countdown start, for the firing of the inept, imbecilic, GM, that orchestrated this roster of Keystone Cops?
Rueben Amaro has had talks with Valdimir Guerrero about the Phils RF Position.. Reuben enjoyed his Phone COnversation so much that he is flying him up from Venzuala where he has not taken a Pitch or put a Glove on since 2010.. abnd has been drinking Tequilia Sunrises and Pina Colada’s Daily, since he last Baseball Gig .. This should be fun to watch. Details at 11